The Historic 7X RANCH

Hotchkiss, Colorado

"CATTLE  BARON'S  CASTLE"

In the late 1800s "Cattle Baron" Ed Hanson founded the 7X Ranch on Leroux Creek. The rather eccentric Mr. Hansen had decided to settle down, following a career of gambling and adventure, to create a cattle ranch worthy of his reputation. Having the resources to go about anywhere, he finally chose this splendid location on Leroux Creek. Mr. Hanson felt the land was perfect as the protected benches had deep loam productive soils and gentle south sloping fields to raise hay and a variety of other crops. There was abundant water from three different creeks for irrigation and warm year around spring water for the livestock. There are plenty of trees for construction and fence posts, lots of game animals for food, and rock to construct his "Castle". The elevation is prime for a livestock headquarters with a climate not too hot in the summer and not too cold and snowy in the winter. The southern exposure contributes significantly to mild winters and combined with the many cedar and pinion pines, makes a quality area to calve-out in the early spring. The 7 X Ranch is still operated today much as it was then. Hay is raised on the same productive deep soiled benches and fed to the cows in the winter. The cows calve-out and are  moved to spring range adjacent to the hay fields until June when they are trailed up to the lush summer pastures on Grand Mesa where they remain until October. Grand Mesa is the dominant geologic feature of the area and is located just up the road north of the ranch. At 9,000 to 10,000 feet elevation and with hundreds of lakes, it is a great place to cool off in the summer. The summer range on Grand Mesa is a combination of aspen forests, spruce forests, and large open grassy meadows. This is premium quality summer grazing in the Rocky Mountains and calves grow fast and healthy. There is bountiful stock water from streams and lakes. You will want to ride and check the cows every day in this mountain wonderland but you don't have to as the pool rider watches over the herd. But go check them anyway, and take along your fishing pole to catch some pan size Brookies for lunch! Grand Mesa is also fun in the winter with 50 miles of snowmobile and cross country ski trails. Or drop over to Powderhorn Ski Area 40 minutes away and downhill ski. Or, do the same activities on the ranch, plus have sleigh rides and ice skate. Leroux Creek lies along the west side of the property for over a mile. The creek is secluded and private and has superb trout fishing. Towering Ponderosa Pine trees along the creek remember when the Ute Indians fished under them only 120 years ago. Cow Creek and Dever Creek are also on the Ranch supplying water and riparian habitat. Hunting and wildlife enjoyment are a big plus to this ranch with herds of deer and elk, some residents, some migrating. The ranch is home to many large animals including lions, bears, bobcats, turkeys, water fowl, pheasants, hawks and eagles to name a few. The main ranch house is a hundred year old mansion built from stone which was quarried on the ranch. The Victorian age style is stunning at first sight and truly a magnificent Colorado landmark.  Behold the beautiful wood work and two foot thick stone walls!

The Ranch is offered as a complete operating unit.

7 X RANCH Features:

· 1,400 Deeded Acres, including around 600 Irrigated Acres
· Over One Mile of Great Fishing on Leroux Creek
· Two Other Year Around Creeks, Two Ponds and a Large Reservoir
· Several Miles of Public Lands Boundary
· Good year around Access on County Maintained Road
· Several Pastures, Good Fences
· Modern, Labor-Saving, Efficient Irrigation Delivery System
· Large Historic Stone Mansion
· Stone Carriage House with Guest House
· Original Log Cabin
· "Big Red Barn", with Three Lofts and a Shop
· Cattle Barn and Corrals
· Two Hired Hand Houses
· Lots of Trees and Wildlife
· Excellent Water Rights

THE OFFERING:

· The Deeded Lands and Improvements
· Complete List of Water Rights
· Mineral Rights
· USFS Summer Grazing Permit for 220 Head
· Two BLM Grazing Permits
· 250 Commercial Cows
· 600 Tons of Hay (depending on time of year)
· All Machinery and Equipment
· 7X Brand

Exhibit C - Personal Property Inclusions

Cattle:
  250 Crossbred Commercial Cows
  Colorado Registered Brand - 7 X
  220 Head USFS Grazing Permit
  43 Head BLM 3 Month Grazing Permit
  174 Head BLM 1 Month Grazing Permit

Permits for Two Domestic Water Wells

All Irrigation Equipment and Pipe, including:
  One - Center Pivot Sprinkler,
  Five - Wade Side Roll Sprinklers,
  RainBird Irrigation Gun.

Farm Equipment:
  JD 4430 Tractor
  JD 4020 Tractor
  MF 1155 Tractor
  MF 1085 Tractor
  MF 85 Tractor
  Ford 8N Tractor
  JD 310 Backhoe
  JD 400 Crawler
  Catapillar D7 Crawler
  NH 1037 Stackwagon
  NH 6550 Swather w/Cab
  NH 1282 Baler
  Gemini Hay Rake
  Three - Hay Wagons
  Hay Sled
  Hay Basket
  NH Corn Chopper, Two Head
  Two - JD 3 Bottom Spin Plows
  JD 3 Bottom Disc Plow
  JD Four Row Corn Planter
  JD Four Bottom Spin Plow
  JD Chisel Plow w/gauge wheels
  6 Row 3 pt Marker
  Three - Spike Tooth Harrows
  Wood Brush Cutter
  Hay Elevator
  Cement Mixer
  Krause Chisel Plow
  JD Grain Drill
  IHC Tandem Disc
  JD Manure Spreader
  Krause 18 ft Oneway Disc
  Dyno Sickle Blade
  Roller Harrow
  Two - Meadow Drags
  Two - Eversman Land Levelers
  5 Row Cultivator
  Snow Blower
  Portable Loading Chute
  Portable Welder/ Generator w/Trailer
  Danser Post Hole Digger
  Tool Bar w/Markers
  3 pt Land Leveler
  Stone Boat
  Duetz Diesel Pump
  20 ft Stock Trailer
  20 ft Flat Bed Hay and Equipment Trailer
  Low Boy Equipment Trailer
  Pipe Trailer
  Ford 2 Ton Truck
  Ford 1 Ton 4x4 Truck
  Chevrolet Ranch Truck

Exhibit B - Water Rights

Together with all easements, rights of way, ditches, embankments, flumes, headgates, measuring devises, and any other structures or rights appurtenant thereto.

Exhibit A - Legal Description

Township 13 South, Range 93 West of the 6th Principal Meridian

Section 21: Lot 6, Lot 7, N1/2 SE1/4, SW1/4 SE1/4, E1/2 NW1/4, and NE1/4 SW1/4

Section 22: Lot 6, Lot 7, Lot 8, Lot 9, W1/2 SW1/4, and NE1/4 SW1/4

Section 23: Lot 12

Section 26: SE1/4 NW1/4

Section 27: Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4, Lot 5, Lot 6, Lot 9, Lot 10, Lot 11, Lot 12,
                       Lot 13, Lot 14, and NW1/4 NW1/4

Section 28: NE1/4, and E1/2 NW1/4

This property is offered exclusively by Shaffer Real Estate Company as Sellers Agent or Transaction Broker.  No sub-agency is offered.  Transaction and Buyer Broker participation is welcome.  All information contained herein is subject to error, omission, and change without notice.  Any maps provided by Broker are rough sketches and should be treated and relied on as such.  All information about the property should be independently verified by purchaser.

  Home Page | Broker | Appraiser | Gallery | Sold | Contact | Disclaimer 

Shaffer Real Estate Company
P.O. Box 220 -  Austin, Colorado 81410

(970) 835-9350
(800) 375-8864
Fax: (970) 835-9351
shafferrealestate@hughes.net
www.westernrange.com