Ask Sloan Smith
Adobe Creek Ranch
The Adobe Creek Ranch has been a working cattle ranch for generations, located in the Arkansas Valley in Southeast Colorado near the town of Las Animas. The large ranch expands across Bent County, into Kiowa County. Named after the Adobe Creek, which stretches over 10 miles across the ranch, providing surface water through out the west side. With the open short grass prairie and gently sloping terrain, the ranch offers views for miles of nothing but grass and blue sky.
The ranch consists of deeded and state lease ground tied together. The total acreage of deeded that is selling is 9,894 +/-, and the total State Lease acres that the seller will assign upon purchase is 38,906 +/-, giving the ranch a total of 48,800 +/- acres. The ranch is rated for a stocking rate of 42 acres per animal unit. Currently the ranch is running around 1,000 pair, and offers 9 different pastures for rotational grazing. Adobe Creek and Adobe Creek Reservoir provides surface water, with addition to 6 water wells and tanks providing water throughout the ranch. There are 170 acres of farm ground, with 13 CFS irrigation water rights from the Adobe Valley ditch. The water rights are available when in priority during March 16th through November 14th, and during November 15th through March 15th, the water is available anytime. There is good access to most of the areas of the ranch with internal county roads and canal roads. Two-track roads throughout the ranch, accessing wells and pens.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife leases the ranch for hunting, naming the access the Adobe Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area. The area provides hunting for whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, pheasant, scaled quail, dove, and waterfowl. The owner is currently leasing the deeded acres to the CPW for $7,000 per year, on a year to year lease. The Adobe Creek Reservoir provides quality fishing for several warm water species. Known locally as "Blue Lake", this reservoir has historically been a favorite for crappie and catfish anglers. Enjoy boating and camping on the lake as well. As an irrigation storage lake for Ft. Lyon Irrigation Co., Blue lake can experience fluctuation in depths.
The Adobe Creek Ranch offers a low maintenance, cost effective cattle ranch that can comfortably run 1,000 head cow/calf operation. Contact Sloan Smith with Great Plains Land Company for more details and to set up a private tour.
