Owl Canyon Ranch

Just a few minutes northwest of Fort Collins, lies the 1,862± contiguous acres of Owl Canyon Ranch. Historically a working cattle ranch, the peaceful valleys, majestic rock ridges and formations along with lush native pastures, makes this a premium offering as a transition property suited for future clustered development. With the family ownership dating back to the late 1960s, this is the first time in over 50 years a large block of this property has come on the market. The owners have been constant good stewards of their land, and the preservation of the rich history and artifacts. The ranch will be enhanced with overviews on the northeast end of the new Glade Reservoir and recreation area. Prime for developing into smaller parcels with a unique open space area, or continue on as a private ranch with an outstanding possibility for conservation easement protection. The views and serenity will take your breath away.

Owl Canyon Ranch, located off US Highway 287 just south of Owl Canyon, is within 15 minutes north of the edge of Fort Collins, with great access from east and west side locations. Fort Collins is the home of the prestigious Colorado State University, has a population of approximately 170,000, and offers every amenity to serve the growing community. History, great dining, shopping, Old Town, entertainment venues, and a varied but stable economy make the area rated as one of the best places to live in Colorado and the front range area. An added plus is the proximity to the foothills, golf courses, ski resorts, mountains, and many lakes and rivers. Besides Fort Collins, the ranch is conveniently located between the communities of Wellington, LaPorte, and Livermore.

A major development enhancing Owl Canyon Ranch and local communities is a planned large-scale water development project. The Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) is a multifaceted water supply and storage project proposed for Northern Colorado that is currently nearing the end of a complex 16-year permitting process. NISP includes two reservoirs and a series of pipelines and other infrastructure. The primary reservoir called “Glade” is to be located northwest of Fort Collins near the base of the Poudre Canyon and will adjoin the ranch along US Highway 287.

The 1,862± acres are diverse in terrain. The ranch consists of 6 large contiguous parcels of varying acreages. Elevations range from 5,400′ to 6,000′. There are expansive areas of rolling to flat grasslands, valleys, upper parks, saddles, rock ridges, and scenic rock canyons. The 360-degree views include Fort Collins, the back ranges of the Rockies, and rural farm and ranch areas out towards the eastern plains. There are no buildings on the Ranch, other than the remnants of a WWII-era brick homestead. However, there are countless areas that offer spectacular building sites for varying-sized ranches or cluster homesite development. The owner has practiced good grassland range management throughout the history of the ranch and has striven to preserve the Indian settlement artifacts and settlers’ relics. The owner is currently running 700 to 750 AUMs or animal unit months.

Owl Canyon Ranch is well positioned as a transition property for future development due to its proximity to the growing metropolitan area of Fort Collins. The adjoining access from US Highway 287 to the western portion of the ranch and the proximity to North County Road 19 (northern extension of Taft Hill Road) to the eastern portion of the property makes the ranch prime for development or conservation considerations. It appears that clustered access combined with Open Space would be an ideal scenario. Being a transition property, the ranch is a great investment as its future value will only increase due to its location and development considerations.

In the meantime, recreational, wildlife and archaeological considerations allow for private enjoyment and preservation of important historical archaeological sites.

There are currently processes ongoing with the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) to account for the impacts of building Glade Reservoir. Those factors impacting Owl Canyon Ranch such as the Highway 287 realignment, revised access, livestock water locations, etc have been identified with a determined resolution being completed. Please contact the Listing Agents for more information.

The land is rich in history. The Overland Trail Stage line meandered through the land and settlers were drawn to the area. A small homesteaders cabin from WWII still exists. The inventive settler actually used surplus WWII iron bed frame posts for his fencing, and the fence still stands. The main three tribes in the area were the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. Indian artifacts abound, including teepee rings, arrowheads, pigmented stones, and food preparation implements. In one small canyon, within the rock walls and small caves, it is evident that this was used for shelters and actual smoke stains still exist from using the caverns for fires. An archaeological dream. All sites have remained unchanged.

The Weaver family settled in Larimer County in 1886 and ranched between Virginia Dale, Colorado and Tie Siding, Wyoming. To expand their operation and provide winter pasture, the Weavers bought the Ripple Ranch at Owl Canyon in 1969. Since then, the property has primarily been used to winter cow/calf pairs and yearlings, using the Virginia Dale and Tie Siding properties for summer pasture.

After the patriarch of the Weaver family passed in 2010, the Owl Canyon property was split between Weaver Cattle Co., Inc. and Weaver Ranch, Inc. Now, Weaver Cattle Co., Inc. is offering this property to the public. This is the first time in over 50 years a large block of this property has come on the market.

Within the sanctuary of the ranch, wildlife abounds. This includes large elk herds, deer, antelope, coyote, and birds of prey. They thrive with the grasslands, plentiful watering holes, and quiet setting, as there are currently no improved automobile roads running through the property.

The new Glade Reservoir will be 5 miles long, 280’ deep at its deepest, and have the capacity to store 170,000 acre-feet of water. It will be located just south and west of the ranch. The surface area of Glade Reservoir will be about 1,600 acres when full. The water storage project is slated to begin in late 2024 and ready for water by 2028. Once completely filled around 2032, it will complement recreation in the area and be of benefit to fish and game, along with public recreation.

REAL ESTATE TAXES

For 2022, payable 2023 (Paid): $761 total for all parcels. Zoned AG.

The Seller hereby makes known that there may be variations between the property boundary lines and the location of the existing boundary fences on Owl Creek Ranch. The Seller makes no warranties with regard to the location of the fence lines in relationship to the property boundary lines, nor does the Seller make any warranties or representations with regard to the specific acreage within the fenced property lines.

The Seller is selling Owl Creek Ranch in its “as is-where is” condition which includes the location of the fences as they now exist. Boundaries shown on any accompanying maps are approximate. The maps are not to scale and are for visual aid only. The accuracy of the maps and information portrayed herein is not guaranteed nor warranted.

There are three permitted wells on the ranch. Two have solar arrays for power, one has an electrical connection.

Well Permit #50555
Well Permit #67832
Well Permit #314995

1972
1973
2020

235′ deep
245′ deep
800′ deep

Static Level 170′
Static Level 15′
Static Level 560′

Pump Rate 6± gpm
Pump Rate 15± gpm
Pump Rate 3.1± gpm

The Ranch does not have any irrigation or surface water rights; no deeded water rights or water shares transfer with the sale of the property.

Rarely does a significant holding with prime location, size, recreational, wildlife, historical, and development considerations come to market along the greater Front Range of Colorado. This is a significant opportunity for a prime investment for a discerning buyer(s). The seller is willing to consider the possibility of a sale of either the eastern or western portions of Owl Canyon Ranch.

OFFERING PRICE & CONDITIONS OF SALE

Owl Canyon Ranch, as previously described herein, is offered at US $12,560,000.00 Cash. The conditions of sale as of March 2023 are as follows:

All offers to purchase must be in writing and accompanied by an earnest money deposit check in the amount of $250,000.00;
All Offerors must demonstrate to the Seller’s satisfaction unquestioned financial capability to purchase the Ranch prior to scheduling a showing.
Earnest money deposits will be placed in escrow with Land Title Guarantee Company.
The Seller will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy issued by Land Title Guarantee Company.
Buyers’ Brokers are welcome and cordially invited to contact Swan Land Company for information regarding Cooperation Policies and Commission Splits.
The Seller reserves the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property which the Seller may acquire.

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Seller. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Seller or Swan Land Company. Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.

*The number of acres is subject to change slightly (+/-), pending the final sale with NISP and recording of deeds, for the Highway 287 realignment.

Terms of Inspection

A 48-hour notice is requested to make proper arrangements for an inspection of Owl Canyon Ranch.

Swan Land Company has been authorized by the Seller to act as their Exclusive Real Estate Broker on the sale of Owl Canyon Ranch. Since 2002, we have focused on the brokerage of significant ranches, farms, and recreational properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

This Offering is based on information believed to be correct; however, it is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, and change or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein has been provided by the Sellers or obtained from other sources deemed reliable. The Agent does not, however, guarantee accuracy and recommends that any Prospective Buyer conduct an independent investigation.

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Scott M. Williams

307.621.0098 | [email protected]

Land has always been a passion for me as long as I can remember. I think back to my beginnings, where we learned to enjoy the satisfaction in a hard day’s work, the feeling of responsibility as we cared for livestock through blizzard and drought, and the reward in finding practical solutions to day-to-day problems. ...

Meet the Broker