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Ute Pass Ranch
Divide, Colorado | Teller County | 1011 Acres
Property Information
Ute Pass Ranch, is 1,011+/- deeded acres available in 3 parcels and is located on the west side of the Ute Pass summit near Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The property looks at the northwest side of Pikes Peak and is located west of Divide, Colorado and along both sides of US Highway 24. It has been utilized for cattle grazing along with hunting and recreation and consists of Aspen and Pine ridges with grass covered slopes and live water draws, making it a great recreation ranch for family enjoyment. Historically operated as a summer grazing unit and for private hunting the ranch is in excellent condition with a resident elk herd and plentiful mule deer. Over time the area has seen population growth resulting in an increase in development and conservation values.
The long term past ownership and overall land quality has allowed a “gem” to be created in an appealing historically significant mountain community serviced by a small town atmosphere with close proximity to a major city with shopping, employment, cultural and transportation services.Close Details
LOCATION
Near the summit of Ute Pass (elevation 9,165 feet), the ranch borders both Highway 24 and 67 and starts just on the west edge of the town of Divide. Divide is 26 miles west from Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs and 8 miles from Woodland Park. Divide and Woodland Park are bedroom communities for Colorado Springs and used for summer getaways and recreational pursuits. The property is in Teller County and the county seat of Teller County is Cripple Creek, CO which lies southwest of Divide and accessed by Highway 67.
HISTORY & LOCALE
Ute Pass was first used as a trail between the prairies and the mountains by the Ute people, who depended on the resources of both areas to support their nomadic lifestyle. In the 1860s, the Ute trail became a wagon road connecting Colorado City to the mining camp of Leadville. Travelers through the pass brought prosperity to the region.
Starting in 1888, the Colorado Midland Railway ran tracks through Ute Pass in to the mines at Leadville, Aspen, and later Cripple Creek. With the coming of the railroad, tourism flourished. Hotels, cabins, and small lakes were built to serve the crowds of summer guests and expanded the local economy that had previously relied on ranching and lumber mills. Mining declined over the years and the railroad stopped running, but tourism continued to flourish in the mountain towns. Today, the railroad tracks are gone, and the old wagon road is a four-lane U.S. highway.
Many of today’s residents are employed in the City of Colorado Springs. While general services are offered in nearby Woodland Park, Colorado Springs is the metropolitan area where most of the commercial support facilities are found for this area. The greater metropolitan Colorado Springs population is estimated at 678,000. Colorado Springs economy is driven primarily by the military, the high tech industry and tourism. With its close ties to defense, the aerospace industry also influences the Colorado Springs economy. Military components are represented by Fort Carson Military Base, Peterson Air Force Base, NORAD, Schriever Air Force Base and the U. S. Air Force Academy. Leisure and tourism activities provided by the Rocky Mountains provide locals and visitors world class skiing, river-related activities on the notable South Platte River system and the Arkansas River and countless other recreational mountain venues including lake fishing at Spinney Mountain Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir and Antero Reservoir.
Colorado Springs offers a multitude of arts, events and attractions including Broadway touring shows, nationally acclaimed dance companies, top jazz artists, internationally recognized performers and the regions own Philharmonic Orchestra. Many notable venues are offered including the Broadmoor, a 5 star hotel, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak International Raceway and the U. S. Olympic Complex.
Within Divide there is a relative new retail commercial center that includes grocery store, restaurant, post office, gift shop and a local brewery. Mueller State Park adjoins the south end of the ranch and offers over 5,000 acres of natural splendor.
ACREAGE
Ute Pass Ranch has approximately 1,132 acres. The roads and highways give the property excellent access and influence the value of the property. There are several rural subdivisions in the area; however, they do not impact the use or character of the ranch. The property is very private and is a haven for elk, deer and other mountain wildlife. The ranch has several live water draws traversing through the acreage with intermixed aspen trees and dense stands of pine timber on the northerly slopes and more open southerly exposures highlighted with unique rocky outcroppings. The owners were creative in the placement of an electric transmission line through the property setting the route so that it does not interfere with development as well as creating a wildlife riparian food plot. The grass production is excellent with a variety of mountain grass species available for summer season grazing and as part of the habitat for the ranches wildlife.
RECREATION
The property offers unlimited recreation opportunity. The ranch has a resident herd of elk along with mule deer that reside on the property. Other Rocky Mountain wildlife species are present including coyote, bear, grouse, raptors and more.
The opportunity for ATV riding and horseback riding is unlimited with a variety of terrain present to challenge the most skilled riders. Jeep touring, sightseeing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking or just a quiet stroll through the rustling Aspen stands make the property an enjoyable place to spend time. There are multiple sites that highlight the Pikes Peak views or have a private setting with a mountain feel that would make desirable home sites.
Whether the next owner is interested in development, conservation or operating the property for ranching and hunting, the recreation potential will always be present.
DEVELOPMENT & CONSERVATION
The opportunity to develop or conserve will be in the hands of the next owner. Due to the proximity to Colorado Springs and the Front Range of Colorado, the areas mountain setting is sought after as a place to live and play. The development activity over the years has provided a stable land value base allowing for either development or conservation planning.
IMPROVEMENTS
The ranch headquarters are the site of the improvements, which consist of a 1,747 square foot, two-story three-bedroom home, originally built in 1898 with the latest remodel in 2003. There is also a frame shed, horse barn, calving barn and several pole sheds along with a more modern four bay shop building (50’x76’) with concrete floor and a 12’ concrete slab in front of the building. The improvements are adequate for the operation of the ranch property. A domestic well serves the building site (Permit No. 49102) along with a well in the northern part of the property (Permit No. 28-60887). Multiple springs and wet draws, and a lake provide adequate water for livestock and wildlife.
SUMMARY
Ute Pass Ranch is an outstanding ranch property that has been held by the Maytag family for 65 years. The outstanding location and accessibility make it a highly sought after property. Between the Pikes Peak views, blend of Aspen, Pines and live water draws, privacy and wildlife attributes Ute Pass Ranch is an ideal land investment. The long term potential for increasing land values driven by development or conservation plans is as very favorable. The long term past ownership and overall land quality has allowed a “gem” to be created in an appealing historically significant mountain community serviced by a small town atmosphere with close proximity to a major city with shopping, employment, cultural and transportation services.
Near the summit of Ute Pass (elevation 9,165 feet), the ranch borders both Highway 24 and 67 and starts just on the west edge of the town of Divide. Divide is 26 miles west from Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs and 8 miles from Woodland Park. Divide and Woodland Park are bedroom communities for Colorado Springs and used for summer getaways and recreational pursuits. The property is in Teller County and the county seat of Teller County is Cripple Creek, CO which lies southwest of Divide and accessed by Highway 67.
HISTORY & LOCALE
Ute Pass was first used as a trail between the prairies and the mountains by the Ute people, who depended on the resources of both areas to support their nomadic lifestyle. In the 1860s, the Ute trail became a wagon road connecting Colorado City to the mining camp of Leadville. Travelers through the pass brought prosperity to the region.
Starting in 1888, the Colorado Midland Railway ran tracks through Ute Pass in to the mines at Leadville, Aspen, and later Cripple Creek. With the coming of the railroad, tourism flourished. Hotels, cabins, and small lakes were built to serve the crowds of summer guests and expanded the local economy that had previously relied on ranching and lumber mills. Mining declined over the years and the railroad stopped running, but tourism continued to flourish in the mountain towns. Today, the railroad tracks are gone, and the old wagon road is a four-lane U.S. highway.
Many of today’s residents are employed in the City of Colorado Springs. While general services are offered in nearby Woodland Park, Colorado Springs is the metropolitan area where most of the commercial support facilities are found for this area. The greater metropolitan Colorado Springs population is estimated at 678,000. Colorado Springs economy is driven primarily by the military, the high tech industry and tourism. With its close ties to defense, the aerospace industry also influences the Colorado Springs economy. Military components are represented by Fort Carson Military Base, Peterson Air Force Base, NORAD, Schriever Air Force Base and the U. S. Air Force Academy. Leisure and tourism activities provided by the Rocky Mountains provide locals and visitors world class skiing, river-related activities on the notable South Platte River system and the Arkansas River and countless other recreational mountain venues including lake fishing at Spinney Mountain Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir and Antero Reservoir.
Colorado Springs offers a multitude of arts, events and attractions including Broadway touring shows, nationally acclaimed dance companies, top jazz artists, internationally recognized performers and the regions own Philharmonic Orchestra. Many notable venues are offered including the Broadmoor, a 5 star hotel, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak International Raceway and the U. S. Olympic Complex.
Within Divide there is a relative new retail commercial center that includes grocery store, restaurant, post office, gift shop and a local brewery. Mueller State Park adjoins the south end of the ranch and offers over 5,000 acres of natural splendor.
ACREAGE
Ute Pass Ranch has approximately 1,132 acres. The roads and highways give the property excellent access and influence the value of the property. There are several rural subdivisions in the area; however, they do not impact the use or character of the ranch. The property is very private and is a haven for elk, deer and other mountain wildlife. The ranch has several live water draws traversing through the acreage with intermixed aspen trees and dense stands of pine timber on the northerly slopes and more open southerly exposures highlighted with unique rocky outcroppings. The owners were creative in the placement of an electric transmission line through the property setting the route so that it does not interfere with development as well as creating a wildlife riparian food plot. The grass production is excellent with a variety of mountain grass species available for summer season grazing and as part of the habitat for the ranches wildlife.
RECREATION
The property offers unlimited recreation opportunity. The ranch has a resident herd of elk along with mule deer that reside on the property. Other Rocky Mountain wildlife species are present including coyote, bear, grouse, raptors and more.
The opportunity for ATV riding and horseback riding is unlimited with a variety of terrain present to challenge the most skilled riders. Jeep touring, sightseeing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking or just a quiet stroll through the rustling Aspen stands make the property an enjoyable place to spend time. There are multiple sites that highlight the Pikes Peak views or have a private setting with a mountain feel that would make desirable home sites.
Whether the next owner is interested in development, conservation or operating the property for ranching and hunting, the recreation potential will always be present.
DEVELOPMENT & CONSERVATION
The opportunity to develop or conserve will be in the hands of the next owner. Due to the proximity to Colorado Springs and the Front Range of Colorado, the areas mountain setting is sought after as a place to live and play. The development activity over the years has provided a stable land value base allowing for either development or conservation planning.
IMPROVEMENTS
The ranch headquarters are the site of the improvements, which consist of a 1,747 square foot, two-story three-bedroom home, originally built in 1898 with the latest remodel in 2003. There is also a frame shed, horse barn, calving barn and several pole sheds along with a more modern four bay shop building (50’x76’) with concrete floor and a 12’ concrete slab in front of the building. The improvements are adequate for the operation of the ranch property. A domestic well serves the building site (Permit No. 49102) along with a well in the northern part of the property (Permit No. 28-60887). Multiple springs and wet draws, and a lake provide adequate water for livestock and wildlife.
SUMMARY
Ute Pass Ranch is an outstanding ranch property that has been held by the Maytag family for 65 years. The outstanding location and accessibility make it a highly sought after property. Between the Pikes Peak views, blend of Aspen, Pines and live water draws, privacy and wildlife attributes Ute Pass Ranch is an ideal land investment. The long term potential for increasing land values driven by development or conservation plans is as very favorable. The long term past ownership and overall land quality has allowed a “gem” to be created in an appealing historically significant mountain community serviced by a small town atmosphere with close proximity to a major city with shopping, employment, cultural and transportation services.