Lower Spring Ranch
The springs are running, wells are pumping and the grass is growing on the Lower Spring Ranch located in NW Colorado. The ranch has several sub-irrigated bottoms that basically run from the top to the bottom of the property with developed ponds throughout the bottoms. Two developed solar wells provide good sustainable water to the north and east. A set of loading corrals are centrally located for easy loading and gathering.
Land
The ranch has some of the best grass in the area due to some past aerial spraying to mitigate sagebrush encroachment . By doing so the grass is thick and lush due to the fact it doesn’t have the competition from the sagebrush and has a lot more groundwater. Every part of the nearly 3200 acres plus the allotment has water nearby for both wildlife and livestock. In addition to the two developed solar wells there are two older wells that could also be developed....
The ranch has some of the best grass in the area due to some past aerial spraying to mitigate sagebrush encroachment . By doing so the grass is thick and lush due to the fact it doesn’t have the competition from the sagebrush and has a lot more groundwater. Every part of the nearly 3200 acres plus the allotment has water nearby for both wildlife and livestock. In addition to the two developed solar wells there are two older wells that could also be developed. The deeded lands are complimented by 1194 acres of the BLM allotment known as the Lower Spring Creek Allotment. There are also over 900 acres of adjoining private lands that are being leased in conjunction with the ranch. The private leases could be continued. The ranch has excellent perimeter fencing.
Recreation
The Ranch is located in hunting unit 3 and is currently enrolled in the Four Mile Ranch, RFW Unit on a year to year basis. Being enrolled in the RFW unit gives an owner the ability to hunt elk through the later seasons after they have migrated out of the mountains. In this area the elk migrate in when the snow gets deep up high and then migrate back to the east in the spring. The elk load up on the ranch later on along with deer. The deer and antelope hunting are always good on the ranch for both opportunity and quality.
Agriculture
The current owner runs 300 pair from the middle of June to the middle of October and they make rotation adjustments on a yearly basis. At first glance it is obvious that the current owners have maintained the ranch for long term management and sustainability with very few weeds and thick grass.
Location
The ranch is located approximately 25 minutes NW of Craig, Colorado with good access from two county maintained roads. Vernal Utah is 2 hours to the SW and Baggs, Wyoming is 30 minutes to the NE.
Map
More by Lonnie Gustin
