Winding River RanchP A R K C O U N T Y , C O L O R A D O

Brian Hartley, Associate Broker

Alex Maher, President/Founding Broker

Toll Free 866.734.6100

Office 303.455.1521

Introduction:Many ranch buyers spend years looking for the property that has it all; however rarely

find that one offering that fits every need or desire. The Winding River Ranch is one

of these opportunities, offering miles of world-class private fishing, trophy hunting for

the West’s most desirable wildlife species. In addition, the ranch enjoys year-round

accessibility and proximity to resort amenities, privacy offered by miles of public land

boundary, postcard mountain scenery, and turnkey improvements for immediate

enjoyment. We are thrilled to bring this ranch to market and look forward to every

opportunity spent on this legacy property.

Winding River RanchP A R K C O U N T Y , C O L O R A D O

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Winding River Ranch - A Legacy Retreat

Location:One of the many wonderful attributes of the Winding River Ranch is its ideal location. The ranch has convenient

access to the resort amenities of Breckenridge in a 45-minute drive with daily commercial flights in nearby Denver

and Colorado Springs airports (both 90-minute drives), and extensive backcountry recreation in the neighboring Pike

National Forest.

Located approximately 10 minutes south of the charming mountain community of Fairplay, Colorado, there are several

excellent dining options as well as a new grocery store, library, bowling alley and an informative and friendly fly fishing

shop nearby. There is year-round access to the ranch by way of US Highway 285, a well-maintained road offering a

direct route to Denver while Colorado Springs is easily accessed via nearby US Highway 24. Private air travel is accommodated 25 minutes from the ranch

at the 8,300-foot Buena Vista airstrip.

Premier alpine skiing is available and abundant in Breckenridge via the scenic Hoosier Pass. This road is kept open throughout the year, giving the ranch

owners and guests immediate access to exceptional fine dining, boutique shopping and alpine skiing. Breckenridge features over 2,300 acres of skiable

terrain ranging from beginner friendly slopes to expert terrain spanning four peaks of the majestic Tenmile Mountain Range.

Acreage:The Winding River Ranch lies at an elevation of 9,300 feet above sea level and consists of 4,832 deeded acres in Park County, Colorado. The lush green river

meadows meld quickly into dark timber on the adjacent hillsides providing ideal cover and water for the ample big game species that frequent the ranch.

The ranch has the feel of a private valley with expansive native grasslands looking up to snowcapped 14,000-foot peaks. Due to the high elevations of these

peaks, the snow remains throughout the year providing picturesque panoramic views year round. The valley enjoys an average of 300 days per year of

sunshine, so the blue-sky backdrop usually rounds out this scene, affording dramatic contrast and postcard quality vistas. The ranch enjoys views of Pike’s

Peak to the south and Teller and Hoosier Ridges along the Continental Divide to the north. Wildflowers abound throughout this subalpine zone with mid-

summer displays in the meadows and the river’s edge offering a rainbow of color. Aspen groves are scattered throughout the forest and bring forth golden

bands of foliage during the fall.

Approximately 3,251 acres of the 4,832 acres of total deeded ownership are protected in perpetuity by a series of conservation easements with The Nature

Conservancy; the balance is an unencumbered 1,544± acres. In addition to the deeded ground the current owner controls Bureau of Land Management

ground totaling 354.6 acres as well as grazing and recreational leases of 1,246± acres on Black Mountain, a key elk hunting haven not accessible to the public.

Improvements:This turn-key property is ready for immediate adventure, outfitted with multiple residential structures as well as several storage barns and various corrals. The manager’s home is 1,774 sqft, comprised of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths built in 1956. This home was recently upgraded with a new roof, new windows and all new wood siding. There are also two cabins, each located on separate ridges overlooking the river with views to the adjacent mountain peaks and native grasslands. The Ridge Cabin is 1,406 sqft, comprised of 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and the View Cabin is 1,632 sqft with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. There is also a comfortable 912 sqft Bunkhouse comprised of 2 rooms, 1 bathroom. All cabins are fully furnished comfortably with phone, power and satellite. Any of these residences would be an ideal home base while an incoming owner builds their dream home or lodge on one of the many ideal building sites on the ranch.

Electric, telephone and satellite television service is available into the interior of the property and is currently run to three separate residences on the ranch, which opens up the building site opportunities for a new structure.

In addition to the structures on the main ranch parcel, there are several cabins on the outer perimeters of the deeded acreage which would lend themselves well to spill-over hunter lodging, staff quarters and general overflow for large gatherings at the ranch. The improvements include an off-grid A-Frame that features picturesque views of the Buffalo Peaks, a 2 bedroom, 2 bath modest home with kitchenette and wood-burning stove, as well as a 1 bedroom, 1 bath manufactured home with a walk-out basement.

An important element on ranches of this size, a network of roads and bridges exist throughout the property, ensuring the owner easy access to their deeded ground, numerous fishing resources and surrounding public lands.

Premier Homesite:A charming private drive leads west of the Ridge Cabin, weaving through ma-ture timber to a level building site overlooking the river with dramatic views of the Buffalo Peaks and towering snow-capped peaks of the Mosquito Range. This site allows convenient access across the ranch and enjoys private seclusion with unparalleled site lines.

Live Water:Nearly five miles of the South Fork of the South Platte River ribbon through the ranch offering exceptional private fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. The habitat has been managed well and offers several different types of water to fish including deep pools in the tight bends, riffles over quality gravel and large, deeper impoundments created by the local beaver population. The resident trout populations are impressive and supplemented annually with the fall migration of trophy brown trout up from the Antero Reservoir, located 8 miles downstream of the ranch. With a very healthy food source that includes various mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, scuds, and terrestrial insects the numerous miles of pristine trophy fishing water offer trout the nutrients and room necessary to grow aggressively year after year. The average trout in the stream range from 12-16 inches in length, with the ever-present opportunity for much larger fish in the deeper holding water. The largest wild trout landed on the ranch have reportedly measured 29 inches and 31 inches in length. “Browns in this class also hold over from year to year because of the excellent cover and undercut banks the stream provides them”, according to the Flyfisher’s Guide to Colorado. The ranch also contains four trophy fishing lakes in which Snake River cutthroat trout, Donaldson steelhead, Kamloop rainbow, German brown and brook trout have been stocked. These lakes offer the novice an opportunity to perfect their cast with a good shot at landing a feisty trout while still providing a challenge to seasoned anglers looking to land line-ripping trophies with a well-placed midge or stripped wooly bugger.

It is important to note that this ranch offers completely private fishing. Unlike other Rocky Mountain states, in Colorado the ranch owner owns the bed of the streams, and the stream on Winding River Ranch is not large enough to support any float traffic by even the smallest of floating crafts. This allows ownership to truly manage the resource by dictating fishing methods used, controlling pressure, periodic fish stocking and organizing restorations projects as desired.

Both the South Fork and Rough and Tumbling Creek (which joins the South Fork) remain undammed above the ranch, bringing seasonal high waters that recharge the wetlands running through the middle of the ranch. The seasonal recharging of the wetlands, along with a discontinuation of livestock grazing along the vibrant riparian corridor have enhanced the various reaches of the river; specifically, the improvement in water quality and stream side vegetation which has produced prime fish habitat that has paid off in fish size and numbers.

For the fly fishing enthusiast who is always

hungry for more, just minutes from the ranch

there is public access to miles of premier trout

water as well as several notable reservoirs

teeming with massive resident trout. The South

Park region is renowned for its productive trout

water; over 50 miles of public streams have

been designated Gold Medal trout fisheries by

the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The most

noteworthy of the live water fisheries nearby is

the stretch of the South Platte between Spinney

Mountain Reservoir and Elevenmile Reservoir,

often referred to as the “Dream Stream” for its

numerous large fish that move into the system

out of Elevenmile. This “blue ribbon” fishery

lies 30 minutes from the ranch gate. Each fall

nymphs drift through deep pockets producing

10+lb browns during the late season spawning

runs.

The South Platte River above the reservoirs is

accessed in the Tomahawk State Wildlife Area

and offers excellent fishing for wary resident

brown trout that spend mornings and evening

feeding aggressively seeking shelter and respite

in the deep undercut banks by day.

For the stillwater angling enthusiast, Spinney

Mountain Reservoir, Elevenmile Reservoir and

nearby Antero Reservoir offer excellent wade

fishing, boat and float tube access for trophy

trout. Spinney is the prominent fly fisherman’s

target because of the excellent aquatic insect

population, the massive brown trout and the

pods of rainbows, well over 20 inches that

cruise up and down next to the face of the dam.

Nearby Live Water:

Migratory Brown Trout MapMaps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.Maps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.

Recreational Opportunities:Recreational pursuits abound in the areas surrounding the Winding River Ranch. Hiking,

biking, rafting, kayaking and boating are all-accessible in close proximity. Park County,

Colorado, is home to a total of 101 mountain summits and peaks, offering spectacular

hiking trails leading to remote alpine lakes and high country meadows flush with vibrant

wildflowers. Vast tracts of protected public forestlands are literally accessed out the

backdoor that play host to a multitude of recreation opportunities in the 1,100,000-acre

Pike National Forest.

The easily accessed 43,410-acre Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is named for the 13,000’ Buffalo

Peaks (a dark pair of highly eroded volcanoes that were last active about 28 million years

ago), located about 20 minutes southwest of Fairplay and very close to the Winding River

Ranch. This is a place where solitude and great natural beauty are prevalent. The Buffalo

Creek Wilderness, accessible from the south of the ranch, is the source of the South Fork

of the South Platte River that flows through the ranch. Equally important is the Rough and

Tumbling Creek that joins the South Fork just above the ranch. Larger than the South Fork

at its convergence, the Rough and Tumbling flows through pristine habitat renowned for

its wetlands, Bighorn sheep population and critical lynx habitat.

Approximately one hour’s drive south of the ranch is the town of Salida, a whitewater rafting

and kayaking haven with considerable access to the churning Arkansas River. There are

several outfits that will take you and your family for the whitewater experience of your life.

In addition to the adrenaline fueled pursuits of the Arkansas River, hiking and biking trails

are plentiful in the surrounding mountains. Of Colorado’s 54 mountains that rise more than

14,000 feet, fourteen encircle Salida, providing beautiful panoramas and numerous hiking

trails. For the avid hiker looking for a challenge, there are several towering 14,000+ ft peaks

near the ranch including Quandry Peak, Mt. Democrat, Mt. Bross and Mt. Sherman.

Ranch Operation:Currently, the ranch is used for light-grazing and hay production with a primary

focus being on the recreational attributes of fishing, hunting and hiking. The ranch

holds two grazing leases; one with the state of Colorado on Section 16 and the other

with the BLM on Sections 15 and 22. The 640-acre state lease, #42741, has a carry-

ing capacity of 38 AUMs with a 10-year term. The 320-acre BLM lease, #0500110,

is known as the Burlingame Ditch Allotment with a carrying capacity of 24 AUMS

and term of 10 years.

Wildlife and Hunting:Wildlife abounds on the Winding River Ranch given the pristine nature of the habitat found on the property. This is ideal for big game hunters as well

as wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy watching a foraging moose lumber through the willows at dawn or dense groups of healthy elk feeding in the pastures

at dusk. The extensive shared border with the neighboring Pike National Forest offers endless heavily timbered protection for a vast array of Rocky

Mountain species while the plentiful water of the ranch lures in animals in droves that are searching for a refreshing river to satisfy their thirst. Deer and

elk are often seen roaming the property, crossing between the adjacent forest ground and back to the ranch in the morning and evenings to feed. The local

elk herd spends the winter months concentrated in and around the ranch, and fortunately do not have to travel far to their summer grazing ground in the

timbered ridges and adjacent national forest.

Through a state operated point system, previous owners have secured as many as

18 elk tags (9 archery tags, 2 muzzleloaders, 1 first season rifle, 6 second season

rifle) and 3 deer tags (comprised of 1 archery tag, 1 muzzleloader, and 1 rifle

tag) and 1-2 antelope tags. Colorado is unique in allowing these landowner tags

to be transferred and sold to both non-residents and non-landowning parties.

Wyoming, Idaho and Montana do not allow transferability, and we’ve never seen

this many tags issued for a ranch of this size in these other states.

The hunting on the ranch is a unique experience given the privacy of the property.

The animals want to be on the property due to its desirable habitat, thus hunting

action in all seasons is always exciting.

Elk Use AreasMaps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.

“With 4 lakes and nearly 5 miles of the South Fork of the South Platte, there are few properties that can compare to the fishing resources on Winding River Ranch. Trophy fish thrive both in the river and the lakes due to abundant aquatic insect life. Winding River Ranch has got to be the most impressive recreational ranch I have ever had the privilege of working on.”

-Troy Booker, Mountain Angler, Breckenridge

Conservation Easement:The Winding River Ranch is partially encumbered with six conservation easements totaling 3,251 acres with The Nature Conservancy. The easements

were placed on the property in successive years from 2001 to 2006, and each mirrored the language of the previous one by prohibiting development on

the encumbered ground. The easements recognize the significant natural setting of the land and in particular the wetland associated with the South Fork

of the South Platte.

The remaining 1,544± acres is unencumbered and therefore could provide considerable conservation value for the incoming landowner if desired. In

order to help buyers understand this unique potential, Live Water Properties works extensively with local and national land trusts who are interested in

negotiating and overseeing conservation easements on ecologically valuable properties.

Water Rights:The water rights associated with the ranch are significant and diverse, allowing for irrigation depending on winter snowpack, as well as significant storage

use for several of the productive reservoirs. All appurtenant water rights for irrigation, the domestic wells and storage rights will transfer. Water rights

information is available upon request.

Winding River Ranch Public Lands MapBlue shading represents Colorado State land, gold shading represents BLM land and Green shading represents Pike National Forest.

Maps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.

Winding River Ranch Topographical MapMaps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.Maps are for visual aid only; accuracy is not guaranteed.

Summary:

The Winding River Ranch represents the perfect

combination of features that make for a true trophy

recreational ranch; miles of private fishing for wild

trout, access to vast tracts of protected forest land

teeming with big games species, convenient access to

nearby resort amenities and panoramic vistas of the

surrounding snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks.

Legacy ranches such as this do not come to market

often, and are sure to get the attention of national and

international buyers.

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PRICE: Reduced from $24,450,000 to $20,500,000TAXES: $11,027 in 2017CONTACT: Please contact Brian Hartley or

Alex Maher to schedule a showing.

Tollfree: 866-374-6100 Office: 303-455-1521

Notes:1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing.

The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a

proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you.

2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner.

Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy

of which we cannot guarantee.

3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller’s Agent.

Headquarters:

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

802 West Broadway, 83001 | P.O. Box 9240, 83002

T O L L F R E E ( 8 6 6 ) 7 3 4 . 6 1 0 0

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