Property Description

The Rito Seco Ranch is a 7,383.81 deeded acre plus a 40-acre New Mexico State Lease Ranch. 5,134.76 acres are in Colorado and 2,249.05 acres in New Mexico. The terrain varies from mountainous to hilly in New Mexico and on the Colorado, the landscape is more of an undulating to rolling hills and ravines. This varying terrain not only supports a well-balanced livestock operation but also offers excellent recreational and hunting opportunities. Elevation ranges from approximately 7,600 feet at the south side to 6,000 feet at the northern property line in Colorado. 

The Rito Seco Ranch, being in both Colorado and New Mexico offers a unique hunting scenario.  In Colorado, Rito Seco Ranch is in Game Management Unit 140 and in New Mexico Game Management Unit 57. Wildlife on the Ranch consists of Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey, and Predatory Animals. Through management, the wildlife concentration and quality on Rito Seco Ranch is considered to be very strong in comparison to the surrounding area. 

LOCATION

Rito Seco Ranch is located in the mid-southern part of Las Animas County, Colorado, and the mid-northern part of Colfax County, New Mexico. The ranch is approximately 35 minutes east of Trinidad, Colorado. Travel from Trinidad, Colorado is via US Highway 160. Departing Highway 160, you travel on well-maintained county roads offering year-round access. The county road ends at the headquarters. 

TERRAIN

The ranch offers a variety of terrain from the South boundary setting at the caprock edge to mountainous terrain with lush meadows, ponds, and trees to rolling hills, arroyos, and plains. Traversing the New Mexico portion of the ranch is best done either by horseback or an ATV. ATV roads and trails make it possible to access the majority of the ranch. Several intermittent water drainage ways or rivulets are scattered throughout. 

WATER

The main water supply is from a spring located at 7,400' and delivers water via a pipeline to the headquarters and 12 drinking tanks, the lowest at 6,400 feet. As with all springs and wells, the production will vary, however, this spring historically produces about 8 gpm. There are numerous water ponds dotted throughout the ranch. Dry Creek meanders through the ranch and diverts water to the Mestas Ditch, a water right used for the irrigation of pasture lands on wetter years. Blue Creek also meanders through the New Mexico side and leaves the ranch prior to the Colorado line. It is a productive stream and seems to flow longer into the season than Dry Creek. 

VEGETATION

The main grasses are native vegetation, June Crested Wheat and Blue Grama. In addition, there are abundant varieties of nutritional forbs. The ranch has a population of Pinon, Ponderosa, Blue Spruce, Jack Pine, Juniper, White and Red Cedar Trees along with Oak Brush. There is an ongoing effort to mechanically control any locust trees. 

HUNTING AND RECREATION

Rito Seco Ranch, being in both Colorado and New Mexico, offers a unique hunting scenario. The New Mexico segment offers a different elk hunting than Colorado in allowing the landowner a greater opportunity to allow elk hunting on their property. Wildlife on the ranch consists of Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey, and Predatory Animals. In Colorado, Its located in Game Management Unit 140 and in New Mexico Game Management Unit 57. The owner and ranch manager have been enthusiastic in promoting wildlife environment and habitat as well as being guarded in allowing minimal guided outside hunts. Through management, the wildlife concentration and quality is considered to be very strong in comparison to the surrounding area. 

RECREATION

Rito Seco Ranch offers several recreational adventures for the family. These can be horseback riding for hours through the thickly treed area or wandering through the oak brush. While ATVing through the rougher New Mexico side, one can go for days and find new adventures each day or hiking through the same terrain and taking pictures. While on horseback or hiking, one can look for old artifacts abandoned by homestead settlers and homesteads. In the early days, most of this ranch was homesteaded and what now are grass meadows were once farm fields growing beans and wheat. One can occasionally find old farm tools and wagon parts. 

BUYER REPRESENTED BY ST. JAMES SPORTING PROPERTIES