DOC UTTERBACK ELK RANCH
Steamboat Springs, Colorado $2,200,000 490± Acres
INTRODUCTION Located approximately nine miles west of the renowned resort community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the 490± acre Doc Utterback Elk Ranch offers a rare opportunity to own a premier recreational property in Northwest Colorado. With convenient access from U.S. Highway 40 and just 1.5± miles north on County Road 50, the ranch combines accessibility with a private, scenic setting. Situated in Colorado Game Management Unit 214, the property is known for exceptional elk and mule deer hunting. Its diverse landscape features open meadows, dense stands of Gambel oak, and groves of quaking aspen, creating ideal wildlife habitat. Tow Creek meanders through the western portion of the ranch, where multiple beaver dams enhance riparian habitat, provide seasonal water, and add unique natural character. The ranch’s varied topography offers privacy, striking mountain-ranch aesthetics, and numerous elevated building sites with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It is well-suited for a private residence, hunting lodge, guest cabins, or equestrian and agricultural improvements. Close proximity to Steamboat Springs and Yampa Valley Regional Airport further enhances its appeal for both seasonal and year-round use. Unencumbered by a conservation easement, the property provides significant flexibility for future ownership. The ranch’s big game and agricultural values and close proximity to 35± acre subdivision developments enhance the conservation easement opportunity, including potential for Routt County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program. In addition, the new owner may elect to retain the development rights for future demand. Combining location, wildlife, water resources, and versatility, the Doc Utterback Elk Ranch represents a compelling offering in the Yampa Valley—an increasingly rare property type near one of Colorado’s most sought-after resort market.
Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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QUICK FACTS • • • • • • • • • • • •
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490± deeded acres located in the heart of Colorado’s Yampa Valley Just 9± miles west of Steamboat Springs and approximately 15 minutes from downtown amenities Convenient access via U.S. Highway 40 and County Road 50 Less than 10 miles from Yampa Valley Regional Airport, providing exceptional travel convenience Located in Colorado Game Management Unit 214, known for quality elk and mule deer hunting Diverse habitat featuring open meadows, Gambel oak, and quaking aspen groves Tow Creek traverses the western portion of the ranch Multiple beaver ponds and dams create productive wildlife habitat and attractive water features Numerous elevated homesites offer privacy, views, and excellent improvement potential Suitable for a custom residence, hunting lodge, guest cabins, barns, and equestrian facilities Unencumbered by a conservation easement, preserving future ownership flexibility Strong conservation easement potential due to the ranch’s wildlife values, riparian resources, and scenic character
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Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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ACREAGE The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch encompasses 490± deeded acres of diverse and highly functional mountain-ranch terrain in the Yampa Valley. The acreage is characterized by a mix of open parks, productive wildlife habitat, and scenic riparian corridors that create both recreational and residential appeal. Open meadows transition into dense stands of Gambel oak and pockets of mature quaking aspen, providing excellent cover and forage for elk, mule deer, and other native wildlife. Tow Creek traverses the western portion of the ranch, where multiple beaver ponds and wetlands enhance habitat diversity and add significant visual appeal. The property’s varied topography offers a collection of private building sites with expansive views of the surrounding landscape while maintaining seclusion and natural character. Large enough to support meaningful recreational use and wildlife management, yet manageable in scale, the ranch presents an exceptional opportunity for a private retreat, hunting property, legacy family ranch, or conservation-minded ownership in one of Northwest Colorado’s most desirable locations.
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Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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SCENIC VISTAS The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch offers exceptional panoramic views of some of the most iconic landscapes in Northwest Colorado. From numerous elevated vantage points across the property, sweeping vistas extend east toward the unmistakable slopes of Steamboat Ski Resort, where snow-covered runs create a stunning backdrop throughout the winter months, and lush green mountains dominate the summer landscape. Looking south, the ranch commands impressive views of the rugged Flat Tops Wilderness, one of Colorado’s most celebrated wilderness areas known for its dramatic mesas, deep forests, and expansive alpine scenery. The ranch’s rolling terrain, open meadows, and strategically positioned building sites maximize these long-range views while maintaining a sense of privacy and seclusion. Surrounding vistas encompass the Yampa Valley’s working ranchlands, oak-covered hillsides, aspen groves, and distant mountain ranges, creating an ever-changing landscape that reflects the beauty of every season. These remarkable views enhance both the recreational enjoyment and future residential appeal of the property. 6
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Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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RECREATION The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch offers exceptional year-round recreational opportunities centered on biggame hunting, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventure. Located within Colorado Game Management Unit 214, the ranch provides quality habitat for elk and mule deer, with a combination of open meadows, Gambel oak, aspen groves, and riparian corridors that attract and retain wildlife year-round. As a 490± acre property, the ranch exceeds the minimum acreage requirement for participation in Colorado’s Landowner Preference Program, providing owners the opportunity to apply for landowner big game hunting licenses and vouchers, subject to Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. Beyond the ranch boundaries, additional recreation is available just minutes away on the renowned Yampa River. Public fishing access is conveniently located at the U.S. Highway 40 Pump House Recreation Area, offering excellent walk-in fishing opportunities as well as one of the region’s most popular drift boat launch sites. Combined with nearby skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling, the ranch serves as an outstanding base for enjoying the diverse recreational amenities of the Yampa Valley.
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FISHING The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch enjoys convenient access to some of Northwest Colorado’s finest fishing destinations. The nearby Yampa River offers exceptional trout fishing, while Elkhead Reservoir, Steamboat Lake, and Stagecoach Reservoir provide outstanding opportunities for rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and other warm-water species. Photo not taken on property
Photo not taken on property Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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HUNTING | WILDLIFE Big game hunting is the premier recreational attribute of the Doc Utterback Elk Ranch. Located in Colorado Game Management Unit 214, the ranch lies in Northwest Colorado, home to some of the state’s most productive elk habitat and one of the largest elk concentrations in North America. Colorado’s northwest region supports several of the state’s largest elk herds, providing exceptional hunting opportunities year after year. The ranch’s diverse mix of open meadows, Gambel oak, aspen groves, and riparian habitat creates ideal forage, cover, and travel corridors for both elk and mule deer. Mule deer populations in the region have shown encouraging growth in recent years, further enhancing the ranch’s hunting appeal. Whether pursuing bugling bulls in the fall or enjoying late-season deer hunts, the property offers outstanding wildlife habitat and a classic Colorado hunting experience.
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INCOME OPPORTUNIT Y In addition to its recreational and residential appeal, the Doc Utterback Elk Ranch offers the potential for supplemental agricultural income through seasonal livestock grazing. The ranch has historically supported summer cattle grazing and benefits from newly constructed perimeter fencing, making livestock management straightforward and efficient. The property’s mix of productive meadows and native forage provides a valuable seasonal grazing resource while maintaining excellent wildlife habitat. The ranch currently enjoys agricultural tax status, helping reduce annual holding costs. A new owner may have the opportunity to continue qualifying for agricultural classification through ongoing grazing operations, subject to county requirements. This combination of agricultural utility, favorable tax treatment, and recreational value enhances the ranch’s overall investment appeal while preserving the working-ranch character that defines the Yampa Valley.
Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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AREA HISTORY The Steamboat Springs region has a rich and layered history shaped by ranching, mining, and outdoor recreation. Early settlement in the Yampa Valley centered on cattle and sheep ranching, with large working ranches still defining the landscape today. Coal mining also played a significant role in the local economy, particularly in nearby Oak Creek and Hayden, supporting regional growth through the early 20th century. The discovery of geothermal hot springs led to the establishment of Steamboat Springs as a health and resort destination, eventually evolving into a world-class ski area. The Steamboat Ski Resort opened in 1963 and helped transform the area into a premier four-season recreation community while still preserving its authentic Western ranching heritage and small-town character.
Steamboat Springs Ski Resort
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Photo not taken on property
Photo not taken on property
NEARBY AT TR ACTION S & ACTIVITIES Just minutes from the Doc Utterback Elk Ranch, Steamboat Springs offers a world-class array of yearround activities and amenities. In winter, the Steamboat Ski Resort delivers renowned Champagne Powder® skiing and snowboarding. Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, hot springs, and a vibrant arts and dining scene. The Yampa River, Old Town Hot Springs, and numerous festivals and rodeos add to the town’s authentic Western character and strong recreational appeal. Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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LOCATION The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch is ideally positioned in the heart of Northwest Colorado’s Yampa Valley, offering convenient access to the region’s primary communities. The ranch lies just 9± miles west of Steamboat Springs, providing quick access to world-class skiing, dining, healthcare, and air service at Yampa Valley Regional Airport. To the west, the agricultural town of Hayden is located approximately 15 miles away and serves as an important local hub with additional airport access and ranching services. Further west, the community of Craig, about 40 miles from the ranch, offers full-service amenities, schools, and regional energy and agriculture industries. This central location provides a rare blend of privacy, accessibility, and proximity to the Yampa Valley’s key towns.
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GET TING THERE From downtown Steamboat Springs, head west on U.S. Highway 40 toward Hayden and Craig. Continue on Highway 40 for approximately 9 miles. Look for County Road 50 and turn right heading north. Proceed north on County Road 50 for approximately 1.5 to 2 miles. The ranch will be accessed via entry points and gates off the county road.
AIRPORT SERVICES The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch benefits from excellent regional and national air access. Within a 10± minute drive, the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) offers year-round flights to Denver and seasonal commercial flights to major U.S. hubs. Steamboat Springs Airport (SBS) provides private and charter aviation services. Denver International Airport (DIA), approximately three hours away, offers comprehensive global connectivity year-round.
Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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WATER RIGHTS The ranch sale includes seller-owned spring rights.
CON SERVATION | STEWARDSHIP The 490±-acre deeded ranch is unencumbered, and there is an opportunity for a conservation easement with tax benefits. Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and landuse practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
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Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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SUMMARY The Doc Utterback Elk Ranch is a 490± deeded-acre recreational ranch located just 9± miles west of Steamboat Springs in Colorado’s Yampa Valley. Accessed easily from U.S. Highway 40 and County Road 50, the property offers exceptional proximity to town, Yampa Valley Regional Airport, and local amenities while maintaining privacy and seclusion. The ranch features diverse habitat, including open meadows, Gambel oak, and quaking aspen, with Tow Creek flowing through the western portion, where beaver ponds and riparian habitat enhance the area. Situated in GMU 214, the ranch supports strong elk and mule deer populations and outstanding hunting opportunities. Multiple elevated building sites provide views toward the Steamboat Ski Area and the Flat Tops Wilderness. With no conservation easement in place, the property offers flexibility for development, recreation, or future conservation planning.
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www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Doc Utterback Elk Ranch | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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CONTACT
$2,200,000
This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches and Romick and Associates. Please contact Ren Martyn, ALC, at (970) 846-3118 | rmartyn@fayranches.com or Joan Romick at (970) 846-5416 | joan@ romick.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Romick and Associates must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.
TA XES
NOTICE
PRICE
$157.32
TERMS Cash Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
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Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
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