Owl Canyon Ranch, a 1,862-acre ranch in Northern Colorado, is on the market for $12.5 million (approximately $6,745 an acre). The property is listed by Mason & Morse Ranch Company brokers John Stratman and Karen Mikkelson.

This sale marks the first time that large parcels of the property have come to market in more than 50 years. The ranch has been owned by the Weaver family since 1969.

Potential as working ranchland, conservation tract, or new development

Located off US Highway 287 northwest of Fort Collins, the historic working cattle ranch features lush native pastures and picturesque rock ridges and canyons. In recent years, it has been used primarily as a winter grazing ground for cattle.

The property could be preserved as a private ranch with possibilities for conservation easement protection. The land also has strong potential for small-parcel development because a large-scale water development project — including two reservoirs and a series of pipelines — is under development for the area.

Glade Reservoir, the project’s anticipated primary reservoir, is expected to be ready for water by 2028 in an area just southwest of the ranch, at the base of the Poudre Canyon. Once complete, the five-mile-long reservoir will hold 170,000 acre-feet of water, bringing opportunities for fishing and other public recreation to the region.

“Being a transition property, the ranch is a great investment as its future value will only increase due to its location and development considerations,” its brokers said.

Unique history and wildlife

The ranch’s abundant watering holes attract large elk herds as well as deer, antelope, coyote, and birds of prey. The property’s active wildlife make it an attractive investment opportunity for naturalists and hunting enthusiasts alike.

According to the brokers, the property owners have prioritized sound grassland management practices and careful preservation of the many Indian settlement artifacts — including teepee rings and pigmented stones — still present on the land.

“Rarely does a significant holding with prime location, size, recreational, wildlife, historical, and development considerations come to market along the greater Front Range of Colorado. This is a significant opportunity for a prime investment for a discerning buyer,” the property’s brokers said.