Lorraine Morrison, Broker
24820 Creek Ranch Road
970-819-3115
Once the summer hunting and fishing grounds of Cheyenne, Arapahoe, and the Weenuche band of the Ute Nation, the valley now known as Creek Ranch has had a rich and colorful history.
Following the rivers and streams into the mountains of Routt County, Colorado, trappers came from the east, seeking beaver pelts. Soon, rich mineral deposits were discovered, and the miners appeared, bearing high hopes for opportunity and fortune. Just a few miles south of Creek Ranch, the town of Oak Creek had more brothels than churches. The mountain climate was ideal for sheep, and by the early 1900’s, close to 100,000 cattle dotted the rich, grassy valleys of Routt County.
With its headwaters in the Flattop Mountains, over three miles of Trout Creek meander through Creek Ranch. In the old days, miners would stop at the creek after their shift to draw out massive trout for dinner. But a hundred years of cattle ranching took its toll, and by the end of the 1900’s, the creek banks were eroding and much of the native vegetation had been destroyed. In 1999, when Creek Ranch was developed, a full restoration of the creek became the focus project of the developers. Hundreds of willows and other native plants were installed along the creek banks, cooling the waters, and large boulders were added to create refuge for trout. The award-winning restoration caught the eye of state biologists, and soon after, the project was used as a prototype by the state to restore streams in other areas of Colorado. Three lakes were built, fed by the creek, and today residents of Creek Ranch enjoy top quality angling, supplemented by an annual stocking of the lakes and creek.
Owners of thirty-nine private homesteads, totaling 393 acres, enjoy extensive and exclusive amenities. Beside the individual properties, the ranch additionally includes 1,287 acres of deeded open space, plus 640 acres of exclusively leased state land, and abuts 486 acres of BLM property, bringing the total accessible open space for Creek Ranch owners to 2,413 acres. An extensive trail system of over 25 miles provides access to the far reaches of the property.
1,287 Acres Deeded Open Space
640 Acres Exclusively Leased State Land
486 Acres Abutting BLM Land
Total of 2,413 Acres of Accessible Open Space
24820 Creek Ranch Road is outlined in blue.
The Headquarters, referred to by owners as the HQ, includes a two bedroom luxury ranch house for owners’ use as well as equestrian facilities. Outfitted with luxury western furnishings and a fully stocked kitchen, owners and their guests can kick up their heels by the fireplace in winter and grill outside in the summer. An expansive covered porch overlooks Trout Creek and the HQ Lake.
Head down to the HQ Lake for evening angling. Just below the HQ house, the lake is a welcome oasis in the summer for kayaking, swimming, fishing, or roasting marshmallows next to the picnic shelter. Two other lakes, Baker and Thames, reside at the other end of the ranch. All lakes and creeks are stocked annually with trout, with plans in the future to add warm water fishing for kids and grandkids to “catch for keeps.” nd best of all? Annual dues are kept at a minimum, as much of the ranch expenses are covered by income from the producing hay meadows.
Owners enjoy the convenience of a large western style barn with built in stalls, tack room for saddle and tack storage, and a bathroom complete with a shower for rinsing the exercise off after rides.
The community riding arena sits just across from the HQ barn. Along with the arena, owners have use of several paddocks as well as grazing pastures.