Elk Crest Ranch

Elk Crest Ranch offers 80± deeded acres with wide views of the West Elk Mountain Range, a strong equestrian setup, productive irrigated ground, and the kind of infrastructure that allows the property to function at a high level from day one. Located just over an hour from Montrose Regional Airport, about 11 minutes from Crawford Reservoir, and approximately 13 minutes from the 4,900-foot asphalt airstrip at Crawford Airport, the ranch combines privacy and utility with convenient access to recreation and travel.

The home is built for comfortable year-round living, with a modern single-level layout, in-floor radiant heat, concrete floors, Daikin mini-split systems in each bedroom, and generous covered porches that take in the surrounding mountain views. Recent improvements to the main house include professional stucco and stonework, a new roof, reverse osmosis drinking water, an on-demand hot water heater, matching exterior window dormers, and a newly added front porch with concrete work and grading. Each residence on the property is well insulated and supported by multiple heating and cooling sources, which adds another layer of everyday practicality.

The ranch’s equestrian infrastructure is one of its defining strengths. A fully engineered 300’x150’ competition arena is fenced and finished with paddocks and pasture, professionally installed heated Ritchie waterers, and multiple patience poles. There is also a round pen at the arena and another in the rear paddock, along with a private trot trail. A custom four-stall barn and tack room adds functionality, with a concrete cross aisle, ceiling fans, no open rafters in the ceiling, new electrical, heated waterers in each stall, Noble feeders, dusk-to-dawn exterior lighting, and a tack room with heat, air conditioning, and a ceiling fan. The setup is practical, well thought out, and ready for real use rather than future planning.

Water and agricultural function are also well established. The property includes two pivots and 1,680 shares of Fruitland irrigation, supporting approximately 35 acres of hay production and 5 acres of pasture. Pivot stops have been moved, and hay sprinklers were added to reach outer areas, making the irrigation setup more complete and more efficient. Domestic water infrastructure has also been improved with a new well pressure tank, a cistern system with two domestic taps, and professionally installed cistern pumps.

Beyond the main home and horse improvements, the ranch includes a strong collection of supporting structures. The one-bedroom, one-bath cabin with loft has been significantly upgraded with new appliances, a bathroom, kitchen, septic, a new bedroom area, custom soft-close cabinetry, a carpeted loft, an upgraded electrical box, relocated power supply, and professional stucco work. A new block equipment wash house with a roll-up door, full electrical, and a 35x35 concrete pad adds additional utility, while the new hay barn, upgraded equipment shed with added enclosure and electrical, and professionally installed diesel and gas storage tanks with gravity-fed pumps further strengthen the property’s operational capacity. The ranch is also supported by three septic systems, serving the main house, the cabin, and the RV dump at the equipment shed.

The work done here is not cosmetic. More than 60 dump truck loads of fill were brought in, along with a road cut connecting the two driveways from the main house and the cabin for easier access to the arena and the rest of the property. There is also an obstacle course and trail through the junipers that can be used for horses, dirt bikes, or ATVs, adding another layer of recreation beyond the ranch’s core function.

Elk Crest Ranch is a property where the major pieces are already in place. The home, equestrian facilities, water systems, and supporting infrastructure all work together to create a ranch that is comfortable to live on, capable of supporting serious horse use, and positioned for long-term enjoyment. It is the kind of Western Colorado property that offers both immediate function and lasting versatility.

Farm Equipment not included, but available for purchase by separate agreement