Durango, COLa Plata County

Valley Ranch Estate

Colorado, La Plata County, Durango.

This 25-acre/42 acre equestrian estate is situated in the lush Animas Valley. It includes a 4,000 SF main home, guest house, care-taker house, 100 year-old historic barn with hay loft and tractor bay, horse arena, multiple pastures and a maintenance shop with equipment storage. This is a beautiful estate that offers unmatched elegance, privacy and ease of care in the Animas Valley just a few miles north of Durango.

Location and Area

Nestled in a picturesque red cliff and tree lined valley a convenient ten minutes north of Durango, the ranch has a private gated entrance off of County Road 250 and a shared entrance off of Elkhorn Mountain Road.

Durango is a town of rural mountain charm and character, and has many big city conveniences, including a state-of-the-art new hospital, many fine restaurants, hotels, shopping, a four-year college, golf courses, first class fly fishing, numerous outdoor hiking and biking trails, with endless activities for the outdoor sports enthusiast. It is located 6,512 ft. above sea level, surrounded by scenic mountain views, and over 300 days of sunshine each year. Comfortable summer temperatures reach the upper 80s, while the autumn days are clear, cool and full of vibrant foliage colors. The crisp and sunny winter days often feature abundant, light powdery snow.

The La Plata County area that includes Durango and Bayfield has a population of 44,000. La Plata County Airport runs daily commercial air service to Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Phoenix, with seasonal service to Houston, and includes facilities for full service general aviation. The property is 100 miles from Telluride, 170 miles from Grand Junction, 200 miles from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, about 300 miles from Denver and Colorado Springs and 450 miles from Phoenix.

Property Details

GROUNDS

Arriving at Valley Ranch Estate through the private, gated entrance, one finds the location, setting, views, and functionality of this property offer a rare opportunity for the Durango rancher and horse enthusiast. There are equestrian facilities, with multiple pens and fenced and cross-fenced pastures with iron pipe and split rail. The land is mostly pasture with some woodland. The views of the mountains surrounding the Animas Valley and Engineer Mountain to the north are breathtaking. The option to add 17 acres of land adjacent to the 25 acres provides another building site with ponds and the stream/ditch running through it. This area has a historic river rock shed on it and additional pasture.

The property enjoys extensive water rights. These water rights enable the extensive landscaping and pastures to remain lush and vibrant. Multiple garden beds, designated for vegetables and perennials, are located conveniently near the house and other amenities and are on a drip irrigation system. Irrigation water plus a high-yield, 360 gallons-per-minute well are equally shared.

Highlights include:

Private gated entrance

Twenty-five or forty-two acres

Extensive water rights

Reid Ditch runs year-round; creates 2 islands in center of property

Extensive gardens, landscaping and pastures, all timed irrigation

Multiple pens and fenced and cross-fenced pastures with iron pipe and split rail

Two-car heated garage by main residence

Four-car garage

Wine cellar adjacent to four-car garage

Ponds

Well-house structure encloses domestic well

Irrigation well produces 360 gallons-per-minute

River rock accents on garage, house and perimeter fence

Gas heated greenhouse/potting shed for over-wintering summer plants; concrete floors; original log beams; shelving

Original chicken shed

Care-takers house in private area

MAIN RESIDENCE

Custom décor and classic accents are found in every corner of this home, which has been masterfully and expertly remodeled to retain some of its original interior and exterior log accent walls and original Fir hardwood flooring from the property’s original homestead. The main house includes construction using exposed beams from a local historic 100-year-old barn, creating various vaulted and cathedral ceiling levels with numerous gables throughout the home; abundant windows allow ample natural light to stream in. Artistic accents, multiple hand-painted interior walls and high-end light and bath fixtures give this home a one of a kind, very elegant and yet rustic ambiance, fitting right in to the Durango mountain lifestyle. Outside living space with fireplace and covered porches allow al fresco dining most of the year.

Features include:

4,000 SF

Multiple outside sitting areas/porches

Natural carved boulder water feature at entrance of house

Rock wall with custom wrought iron railing surrounding front of house

Outdoor patio with wood-burning fireplace under covered porch; outdoor sound system

Several porch seating areas

Log wall accent from original farm house

Rustic shake roof

Attached large wooden flower boxes, some with perennials

Custom door from knotty Alder; screened French doors on each side

3 bedrooms – 2 master suites; all baths en suite

Master suite on main level

3.5 baths

Historic barn wood beams incorporated in construction of house with original mortise & tenon joining

5 hot water heaters, zone controlled

Radiant and baseboard heat, in-floor heat and air-conditioned second level

River rock accents; all river rock from property

Various patios, courtyard and living spaces; back patio wired for hot tub

Cathedral and vaulted ceilings; multiple gables and plenty of windows throughout

Multiple lighted art niches

Custom multi-control lighting throughout house; all on dimmers

House wired for high speed internet

Ceiling fans in most rooms

Numerous antique accents throughout

LOWER LEVEL

Kitchen/Breakfast Room/sitting area

Breakfast room/sitting area adjacent to kitchen with wall mount TV

Raised, wood burning fireplace with wood storage below

High end granite and hand-crafted wood countertops

Bar seating facing kitchen

Custom lighting

Original Fir hardwood flooring

Faux paint designs

Hand-made tile

Hand-made Butcher block for chopping next to stove

Ample cupboard space, some w/ lighted glass cabinets

6 burner Stainless steel dual fuel range

Stainless steel double Frigidaire ovens; gas & electric

Stainless steel Kitchen Aid dishwasher

Stainless steel trash compactor

Stainless steel warming drawer

Stainless steel microwave

Stainless steel GE side-by-side refrigerator

Antique French window

Separate coffee bar with sink; built-in shelving; ice maker; wine storage/cooler

Extra large Utility Room – off kitchen with close-off Dutch door, additional refrigerator; deluxe chef’s pantry with pull out storage; broom closet; ample shelving and cupboards; wrapping center; windows and door to outside patio

Living Room/Great Room/Piano Room

Custom Italian travertine, wood burning fireplace w/ mantle

Travertine tile floors

Built in entertainment center

Multiple lighted art niches

11 FT ceiling with Fir beams

Lighted underneath stair-well cove for displaying treasures

Piano room across from great room has large bay window that looks out to Animas Valley views; vaulted and gabled ceiling; wall sconces; travertine tile flooring

Charming Powder Room off living room with antique French garden sink; Italian wax method hand-painted walls; Kohler fixtures, crystal chandelier

Separate Formal Dining Room

Walk-out French doors to central, flagstone courtyard with antique gate and water feature

Travertine tile flooring

Custom light fixture

Vaulted ceiling

Wet Bar

Built in glass shelving; cupboards

Granite tile countertop, extended for separate bar seating

Hand-blown glass sink

Beverage center; ice maker

River rock accent wall and log wall from original homestead

Library/Reading Room

Custom wool carpet

Built-in shelving

Hand painted ceiling

Custom stained glass to Web Bar

Main Master Bedroom and Bath

Walk-out doors to central courtyard

Large walk-in closet with built in shelving and cupboards; automatic lighting

Wool carpet in bedroom

Art niches; accent walls, recessed lighting

Vaulted ceiling; fan

Travertine tile flooring

Jacuzzi whirlpool tub with double windows above, including antique hand-painted stained-glass window

Hand-painted dual sink/vanities with natural tile countertops and backsplash

Separate sit down make-up vanity with counter to ceiling mirror and custom shelving

Large custom walk-in shower/glass walls

Kohler top of the line fixtures

Separate water closet with wash-let toilet; window with private Animas views

Ample windows allow private views out to meadows

Second Guest Room & Bath

Custom wallpaper and carpet

Large bath with dual antique cupboards with sinks

Large walk-in shower with travertine tiles

Travertine flooring

Walk out doors to central courtyard

Large storage closet

Water closet with Kohler bidet and toilet

UPPER LEVEL

Office Loft

Built in u-shaped bookshelves and large desk

Large seating

Custom wrought-iron railings

Vaulted ceiling; Fir beams

Doors to outside porch; antique storm shutters

Track lighting, recessed lighting

Upstairs Second Master Bedroom/Bath

Hand-painted walls in bedroom

Cushioned window seat area

Wool sculpted carpet

Dormer and vaulted ceiling

Air-conditioning and fan

Walk-in closet

French doors leading in to bathroom

Dual vanities/sinks in bath, each set in armoire with open window-paned doors

Walk-in shower with travertine and glass tiles

Separate large Jacuzzi tub

Separate water closet with bidet

Kohler top of the line fixtures

Hand-painted walls in bath

Custom lighting

Storage closet

OTHER BUILDINGS INCLUDE:

Separate Wine Cellar

Originally the root cellar with original lintel and stone entrance from 1885, attached to four-car garage;

Original stone flooring and walls

Custom lighting; heated

Guest/Bunk House

Large covered porch

2 bedrooms, one Master, one w/ bunk beds

Tooled-leather accents on door jams

Concrete floors

Fans in all rooms

Wood burning stove

Baseboard hot water heat

Fully air conditioned, heated

Stackable washer/dryer

Breakfast bar area in kitchen

Full bath

Barn

100-year old historic barn

5,000 SF

Riding arena

Horse stalls

Exercise pen

Hay loft stores large quantities of hay

Tractor bay

Machine Shop

5,000 SF

½ bath

Hoist

Wash rack (horse)

Tack room

Commercial compressor

Wildlife and Recreation

The property has an ideal combination of wildlife habitat, pastures, manicured lawns and gardens in a very private setting. Commonly seen are migrating elk, deer, coyote, red tail hawks, eagles, and many other small animals and sporting birds. The ranch’s creek and ponds are stocked with trout and there is exceptional fishing in several near-by rivers. For downhill skiing, Durango Mountain Resort is a short drive from the ranch, while Wolf Creek and Silverton Mountain Ski Areas are an hour away. Cross-country skiing and snow-mobiling are also available throughout the area and on the ranch. Summertime is filled with opportunities for riding, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing and visiting the local Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners National Monument.

Excellent golf can be found at Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Hillcrest Community Club, the private Glacier Club (memberships available), and a top-rated public course at Pinion Hills in Farmington, NM (approximately 40 miles).

$2,495,000 (25 acres) or

$3,345,000 (42 acres) - Major Price Reduction