Rito Oso Ranch
Red Wing, CO 81040
Huerfano County, Colorado
Ranch Description
LOCATION
The Rito Oso Ranch is located just west of Red Wing, Colorado off County Road 580, which is just a few minutes west of the quaint town of Gardner, Colorado. Gardner, the larger town, is approximately 30 miles from I-25 and the city of Walsenburg via way of Colorado State Highway 69. Access to the ranch is via well-maintained county roads. This part of the state is comprised primarily of rural ranches and offers both quiet and low-stress living. Huerfano County is large with approximately 1,593± square miles of land and only a population density of only 5± people per square mile. Offering some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Colorado, The San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range frame the Rito Oso Ranch. The nearest commercial airport is Pueblo, located approx. 1½ hours away. The Silverwest Airport outside Westcliffe is the nearest general aviation airport with a 7,000’ x 54’ runway.
PROPERTY & IMPROVEMENTS
The headquarters to the ranch is located here in the lower valley. The ranch consists of 520± acres of great grass hay fields and meadows that are irrigated by the Huerfano River and a 1/3 right to Ditch #30. With this kind of water the ranch produces a large tonnage of good quality grass hay every year. The current owner uses this area for winter pasture. The river runs through the property for almost 1½ miles and has great fishing holes right on the ranch. The main home is a custom cedar Lindal, one-level ranch with a huge deck to watch the wildlife and listen to the sounds of the gently running stream. Offering 3 bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, the home also features a huge living area, with large stone fireplace, a large country kitchen and detached 3-car garage with workshop. The manager’s home is an older adobe home with the character of the Old West. It is in excellent shape has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, nice living area and country kitchen. It has huge trees that shade and cool the home. There is also a single wide trailer that could be used as a rental or for hired-hands quarters. The cattle operation handling facilities are second-to-none. There is a huge equipment shed for tractors, trailers, implements and outdoor storage. The well-kept calving shed is attached to the paddocks, corrals, sorting chutes and squeeze chute. There are assorted other small garages, sheds and storage buildings, as well as loafing sheds in the pastures for protecting the herds. A nice road system throughout the entire ranch is maintained for year-round use. This turnkey operation needs nothing more than the new owner’s livestock. Wildlife abounds on the ranch, such as deer, turkey, black bear and a multitude of birds, waterfowl and small game.
RECREATION
Recreation in this part of southern Colorado is some of the finest the state has to offer. The San Isabel National Forest offers 19 of the states “fourteeners” and some of the most breathtaking scenery found anywhere. Big game hunting is world-class for deer, elk, bear and antelope. Fishing is abundant throughout the area. The ranch offers great trout fishing. Warm water fishing is found less than an hour away at Lathrop State Park near La Veta. Lathrop State Park also offers water/boating activities, golfing and camping. Horseback riding, ATV’s or motorcycle riding on the ranch appears limited only by the length of day. Hiking and sightseeing throughout the area is simply the best. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a short distance away. Local points of interest include the nearby artisan community of La Veta with the scenic “Highway of Legends”, the San Luis Valley with its many historic and scenic destinations, or the nearby quaint tourist destination of Westcliffe.
Ask for Paul Machmuller or Bob Pierotti
