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Snowcats: Bringing the ‘Wild Life’ to Your Colorado Ranch in Winter

By Sean Saffell,

Wildlife abounds in the high country of Colorado. Deer, elk, marmots, foxes, bears and more roam freely through the thousands of pristine acres on Colorado mountain properties. Although summer is the prime viewing season for most of the animal denizens, winter invites some rather unique visitors as well.

Why use a snowcat on your mountain ranch in the winter?

One of the rarest and most fascinating of these creatures is the fabled ‘Snowcat.’ Larger than its feline brothers the cougar and lynx, it leaves a distinctive track. Wide belts of corduroy follow it wherever it goes, grooming out the imperfections in piles of Rocky Mountain snow surfaces.

Rumored to be a matched pair living on the property, snowcats create hours of winter fun. Sometimes they encourage cross-country skiers, out for a relaxing morning or evening tour of the property. Other days, the more adventurous alpine skiers will hitch a ride on the ‘cats’ docile backs to link some perfect turns on the way back down to their private apres’ in the lodge. These snowcats are so versatile, they even pave the way for herds of high-octane snowmobiles.

They are truly an indispensable part of winter adventure ecology.

Through a simple process, the snowcat uses its powerful rotors to turn over the snow, loosening the structure and breaking apart any icy chunks. It then smooths the disturbed snow with its drag tail to leave that iconic ridged corduroy trail. Whether softening and smoothing a freeze/thaw icy patch, or firming up the deep shoals of loose powder after a big storm, the groomed path opens up hundreds of incredible opportunities for both residents and their guests.

Caution: After prolonged exposure to the private snowcat experience, many people refuse to return to crowded resorts and long ski-day commutes.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

To find out more about unique, private adventures when becoming a ranch owner in the Rocky Mountains, contact the Ranch Sellers team.

CategoriesColorado Ranches Ranch Lifestyle Western Lifestyle

Living up to the Standard: High Plains Ranch – Colorado’s Heaven on Earth

By Sean Saffell,

You hear it all the time, that worn-out phrase: This is heaven on earth! But how many places can truly live up to that standard? Not as many as we would like. For a locale to be called “Heaven on Earth” it needs to offer a lot of qualities like freedom, beauty, comfort, and happiness. High Plains Ranch offers all of that, and so much more. Consider these eight amazing things about living on this Colorado Ranch:

High Plains Ranch - Colorado's Heaven on Earth

1. Main Lodge Luxury

Curl up around fireplace with a throw over your legs and your dog at your feet, sip your coffee overlooking the vast green expanse of paradise watching for wildlife to wander by — your ranch home will provide relaxation and comfort in rustic elegance and pristine beauty. And this amazing Colorado ranch is for sale!

2. Party Time With Friends & Family

Create happy, lasting memories with your children, family, and friends as you entertain in your party barn, feasting on food lovingly prepared by staff in your spacious and well-appointed kitchen. Socialize at your Western-style bar with friends while you contemplate a movie or a lively game of poker.

3. Hunting On Your Land

Experience the absolute freedom and privilege to hunt big and small game on your Ranch, as you participate in the Landowner Preference Program. Colorado Parks and Wildlife designed this program to give landowners a preference for hunting licenses and to encourage private landowners to provide healthy habitat that increases wildlife populations for the benefit of all hunters. Utilize your Ranch’s Hunting Lodge to outfit your friends and family so you can share this experience and create legacy memories, and maybe even a trophy or two.

4. Ski Without Crowds

Even though beautiful resort towns like Aspen and Vail are mere hours away, why mess with the traffic and bustle of busy ski slopes when you can enjoy the comfort and freedom of your very own slopes right here at home! Teach your children and grandchildren the joys of fresh powder, or have your personal snowcat driver groom your slopes for perfect corduroy.

5. Lake For Fishing, Canoeing, Skating

When that Colorado sun gets a little too much in July, cool off body and soul in fresh, cool mountain water of your own private lake. Enjoy early morning peacefulness of your Ranch as you listen to the water lap against the bow of your canoe. In winter when the ice thickens up, get your Zamboni out on the lake surface to create a most marvelous skating rink for a pick-up game of hockey or some laps around on figure skates before warming up with hot cocoa.

6. Toys, Toys & More Toys

Now take a peek in your toy store. In the winter, burn off cabin fever by taking your family on an exciting snowmobile ride around your thousands of acres of private land. In summer, experience the thrill of crawling over boulders and impressive rock formations on your RTVs. Or simply take a relaxing drive in your pick-up truck to see your cattle and horses grazing, and catch the sunset with your loved ones by your side.

7. Your World

Short of installing your very own landing strip, you can enjoy the ease of landing your private plane at the McElroy Airfield whose staff can help coordinate your travel needs, including a shuttle to deliver you right to your front door.

8. The City

If you are ever in need of the amenities or bustle of civilization, exciting Denver is just a couple of hours away — close enough to offer its services, but far enough to leave your magical ranch world undisturbed.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

Let those dreams come true and start making great things happen for you and your family by choosing High Plains Ranch as your very personal piece of Colorado Heaven on Earth. If you’re ready to discover what “heaven on earth” truly means, don’t hesitate contact the Ranch Sellers team.

CategoriesColorado Ranches Ranch Lifestyle Western Lifestyle

How to Choose the Best Cattle Dog for Your Western Ranch

By Sean Saffell,

When you are dreaming of your new ranch and everything that goes with it, there are many things that can round out the perfect ranching lifestyle. One of the items to think about is choosing the best cattle dog for your Colorado mountain ranch property.

How to Choose the Best Cattle Dog for Colorado Mountain Ranch

Cattle or livestock herding dogs are selectively bred to do just that – herd. The American Kennel Clublists 30 breeds in the herding category – below are our five favorites. These are breeds that can do their job in an excellent manner, and do double duty as an ideal hunting dog or family pet. We did the research for you and below are a few popular top candidates to choose from when selecting a canine ranch worker or loyal companion, and they are also game to join you on your family’s Colorado outdoor winter activities!

Australian Cattle Dog aka Queensland Heeler

This breed needs a job to do. Very active and driven, they like to stay busy and can be extremely playful. They are one of the smartest working dogs and easy to train when that training starts early. But caution – they can become mischievous if they are bored! This is an alert and loyal dog who is very attentive, and in tune with his master.

Australian Shepherd aka Aussie

Aussies are another dog that needs to work. They are aggressive when at work and then instantly become a playful and loving family pet, and that love of play lasts well into their golden years. Excellent watchdogs and guardians, they are a great all-around dog.

Border Collie

Border Collies love to be praised for a job well done. They thrive on pleasing their people. This remarkably intelligent breed requires loads of exercise and excels at agility courses as well as herding work. They make a fun and lively family pet, but do need monitoring with smaller animals such as cats and poultry.

Corgi

Corgis are one of the smaller herding dogs but are in no way less effective. Their heeling abilities are quite impressive for their size. They make excellent watchdogs and are very affectionate with their family. It is important to let Corgis know that all family members are above them in the chain of command. They can become bossy if they feel that they are in an alpha position – tell them who is in charge!

Old English Sheepdog

The herding instinct is so ingrained in this breed that they usually need to be taught NOT to herd people. Old English Sheepdogs are happy, friendly dogs that love being part of a family. They are great with children and love to play well into adulthood. They are another breed that needs firm training in the beginning. They will ignore commands if they feel they are higher in the family “pack”.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

When you’re ready to make your vision of a new ranch a reality and build a family legacy that will bring generations of joy, let the Ranch Sellers team be your guides.

CategoriesColorado Ranches Ranch Lifestyle

Sunset Canyon Ranch – Rare Fly-fishing Gem of the Upper Colorado

By Sean Saffell,

“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” -Henry David Thoreau

Live the Colorado Fly Fishing Lifestyle

What fly fishing offers to the men and women who live for it is very rarely about the trout, be they cutthroat, brook or brown. And this is a good thing, because every fisherman knows there is no guarantee of a full creel at the end of the day. Instead, what is often a lifelong pursuit of mastery offers peace, solitude, the quiet rhythm of patient hope, and of course, the grinning pride of outsmarting the occasional finned adversary.

Why go fly fishing in Colorado?

Fishing the clear streams of the Colorado Rocky Mountain west brings with it a special kind of clarity. The views are outstanding, the air is clear, and the crowds are thinner. Many avid devotees of the fly rod make yearly pilgrimages to the gold medal waters of the Upper Colorado to experience all that it has to offer. They rent drift boats, pry out secret fishing spots from tight-lipped locals, and hire expert guides to take them to the best locations.

But time spent on the river is always too short.

Buy a Colorado fly fishing property

So imagine if home was ON the river. Imagine watching an unexpected hatch rise from the eddys and knowing that your rod was simply leaning against the porch, waiting for just such an opportunity. Imagine if the retreat from real life was your real life.

Sunset Canyon Ranch is one of the last private properties with river access to the Upper Colorado. This jewel of a property is rare, and it creates unlimited potential for everything that the rushing waters offers. Host friends, family and potential business partners in the pristine comfort of a remote, yet luxurious, truly one-of-a-kind ranch.

And then, at the end of the day, just before sunset, sneak out the back door, tie on a nymph and cast away.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

Contact us at Ranch Sellers to buy or sell a Ranch in Colorado

CategoriesColorado Ranches Ranch Lifestyle

Colorado Ranches: The Dark Sky’s the Limit

By Sean Saffell,

When was the last time you saw the stars? I mean really SEE the stars at night. People are looking for dark sky destinations. Own your own when you buy a ranch for sale in Colorado.

Find a Dark Sky Destination on Your Colorado Ranch

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” Stephen Hawking said this, and it seems as though more of us are doing just that–looking up at the stars! With a boom in popularity, star-gazing is a hobby that’s sure to make us stand in awe of this miraculous universe in which we live. To star-gaze properly, however, one needs a dark sky destination (remove link), remote locations away from ubiquitous city lights and “light pollution.” Owning a ranch gives you unparalleled opportunity to view the pristine night sky.

Star Gaze While Enjoying Your Ranch

When gazing upon the seemingly infinite skyscape in a dark sky location, it’s possible to observe not only stars and constellations, but oftentimes planets and satellites–maybe even the orbit of the International Space Station! Now imagine owning a wide swath of pristine land in a remote location that allows you to enjoy the night sky every clear night you are there–a luxury ranch in the great American West, where by day, you enjoy vistas with the grandeur of the landscape, and by night, you are blessed with appreciating the vast beauty of the heavens above you.

Get The Most Out of the Night Sky

A luxury ranch not only provides you with an amazing family gathering place and a lifestyle unmatched by any other type of home, but it provides a location perfect for discovering the nascent astronomer within you. When replacing or adding lighting to your home to incorporate this hobby, maximize the benefit of your natural surroundings by following these Dark Sky guidelines:

  • Choose shielded fixtures that direct light downward where you need it most but eliminates unnecessary light pollution;
  • Consider warm, white LEDs that are more energy-efficient, while reducing the glare of the blue light that interferes with star-gazing; and
  • Look for International Dark Sky Association approved lighting to be sure new lights meet these guidelines.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

Contact us at Ranch Sellers to capture your own slice of heaven on earth. While you watch the heavens above the earth, you’ll be creating a legacy you and your family will delight in for generations to come.

CategoriesRanch Lifestyle Western Lifestyle

Decorating Your Western Ranch: High Plains Style

By Sean Saffell,

There is an authenticity to Western ranch decorating that’s as rugged and honest as the Western landscape a ranch home graces. Ranch styles can be casual yet elegant, practical yet cozy, and are best brought into the ranch home decorating style to please the residents who appreciate the beauty of the land, waterways, and sky.

Western decorating often includes a nod to history and tradition depicted in art as well as cowboy and native American decorative elements. Animal-inspired touches reinforce a respect for native wildlife such as trout, moose, or local birds; and domestic animals central to ranch living, such as herding dogs, horses, and cattle.

Here are some examples of Western ranch home decor to illustrate beautiful choices to surround yourself with the outdoors while cuddling up indoors…

Decorating Your Western Ranch: High Plains Style

Rough and Rugged Living Spaces

This ranch-style kitchen embodies several elements of a ranching lifestyle, from the leather-covered stools to the extensive use of beautiful hardwood, a cowboy lifestyle art piece. Who wouldn’t want to belly up to the bar of this island and throw back a cold one here?

We loved this towering Western-style living room emphasizing the use of oversized furniture, rough-hewed wood, leather lamp shades, stone elements, and comfortable, worn leather upholstery. Note the chandelier with its lantern lights and charming wagon-wheel design. The room manages to feel cozy despite its massive proportions.

This rustic living room pays homage to Western American design as well as other elements traditional to the West, such as brushed leather-covered furniture, native print area rug, log-cabin construction, unique old chandelier, huge trophy bison head, and rugged stone work on the fireplace.

Cozy Western Bedroom Styles

Kids love the feeling of bunk house living in their own bunk house bedroom, complete with under-bunk storage for the kids’ gear, animal cut-out and lantern style wall sconces, and Indian print blankets!

Who says rustic can’t be elegant, too? Here’s a master bedroom fit for the ranch- owning couple. Note the western cowboy-themed art on the wall, and the mellow, warm colors with heavy wood and log detail.

Breakfast with a View

This simple wood table and chairs are the perfect accent for the ranch sitting room. Imagine enjoy your first cup of gourmet coffee while planning your day of fun and activities. The view out the sitting room window is inspiring and breathtaking.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

For more information about Colorado and the ranching lifestyle, contact us today. We have over 40 years’ experience buying and selling luxury legacy ranches in the American West. Colorado ranches for sale offer magnificent water and mountain views, with wide open spaces you and your family will treasure for generations.

CategoriesRanch Lifestyle Western Lifestyle

The Top 5 Colorado Westerns to Watch this Year

By Sean Saffell,

Nothing captures the spirit of ranching like an old western! The great classic westerns give rise to the cowboy or cowgirl in all of us, calling us to adventure, romance, and grit. Here is our list of top pics for western watching set in Colorado.

The Top 5 Colorado Westerns to Watch this Year

During the snowy, early-sunset winter season, watching movies with family and friends is one of most enjoyable ways to snuggle in and be entertained. Many wonderful western movies, set in the beautiful state of Colorado, should top your list of must-see films this year. Get the popcorn popping and settle in for these classics. This experience is made all the more enjoyable from your own Colorado Ranch.

1. The Cowboys

This film, released in 1972, stars John Wayne as a rancher who hires a group of boys to help him drive his cattle to market. Set just outside of Pagosa Springs, adjacent to the largest wilderness area in Colorado, the movie showcases the beautiful Colorado vistas and how, by working together, you can overcome any obstacle in your path.

2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Released in 1969, the film stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford. This great American western, full of action, follows Butch and Sundance as they try to outrun the law. The filmmakers chose Animas River Gorge and the San Juan National Forest as the backdrop for this film. Fast-paced horse riding through the Colorado canyons and across the rivers — combined with the strength of friendship — makes this a film that you’ll want to watch over and over.

3. True Grit

This film, released in 1969, is another great John Wayne movie. Wayne plays U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn who’s hired by a young woman to track down the man who killed her father. Filmed in Ouray & Ridgway Colorado, this film shows off the gorgeous forested mountains in the area.

4. How the West Was Won

Released in 1962 and starring John Ford, this film is an epic western, which follows several generations of one family as they travel across the country. They filmed parts of this movie in Durango, Colorado, which still contains many beautiful and historic buildings. This film is now considered a true classic with its panoramic views of the stunning Colorado landscape.

5. The Searchers

This film, released in 1956, stars John Wayne as a Civil War veteran who’s searching for his kidnapped niece. Many people consider this movie as one of the best westerns ever made. Filmed in Gunnison — which is known for its great fishing, hiking, and biking activities — you’ll fall in love with Colorado after watching this film.

Contact Ranch Sellers - Colorado's Premier Ranch Broker Team

For more information about Colorado and the ranching lifestyle, contact us today. We buy and sell luxury ranches in the American West that offer magnificent water and mountain views, with wide open spaces that you and your family will treasure for generations.

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Buying & Selling Ranches in the American West by Showing Them to the World

Buying & Selling Ranches in the American West by Showing Them to the World

© 2022 – Ranch Sellers, LLC. All rights reserved.

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