Boulder Valley Farm Colorado - Boulder County - Lafayette
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This rare and significant farm parcel is located in one of the most desirable places along the Colorado Front Range with agricultural benefits, significant water resources, wildlife, established improvements, and picturesque beauty. Conveniently located northeast of Boulder with direct access to the Denver corridor, this spectacular and spacious farm is situated on 642 acres. Boulder Creek flows across the property along with eight ponds, which vary in size up to ten acres, providing recreational value and support to part of the farm s valuable water rights. This historic agricultural land has been a working cattle ranch supporting 100-150 head, producing 500 tons of Brome and Orchard grass hay, while providing exclusive and comfortable rural living in a strategic location. The scenic Boulder Creek corridor is a prime ecological resource, supports a rich diversity of wildlife, provides excellent fishing of bass, blue gill, crappie, and includes the Heron Rookery s abundance of geese and ducks. The primary owner s 3,834 sq.ft. home, with a two-story 1,812 sq.ft. guest house, is located at the crest of a gently-rolling hillside overlooking Boulder Creek valley to the south, and includes a swimming pool and tennis court. An adjacent 2.3-acre lot with exceptional views has development potential. Additional residences include a manager s home and the landmark 1890 red brick two-story farm house. Other improvements include a two-story barn with attached horse stalls, office and equipment storage along with nine open cattle sheds, four farm equipment/utility sheds and extensive steel pipe corrals. 3
Location and Area s Boulder Valley Farm is central to the northern Front Range Corridor, a popular area with close proximity to the Rocky Mountains and top-caliber educational facilities including the University of Colorado, a well-educated and skilled labor force, and headquarters to several leading technology companies. Located in rural lands east of Boulder, with the town limits of Lafayette and Louisville to the south, the property is in close proximity to Highway 52, which runs east to I-25 and west to Highway 119. East of the property is Highway 287, which runs north/south between Lafayette and Longmont. Denver International Airport is 30 minutes away and the Longmont Municipal Airport is less than 10 miles north of the farm. Bordering the northeast corner of the property is the top-ranked Alexander Dawson independent, private coeducational, college preparatory day school. The property is convenient to several major hospitals and an assortment of shopping, restaurants and cultural activities. The neighborhood around Boulder Valley Farm is primarily rural irrigated farmland and rural residential land. Boulder Valley Farm is associated with a high-end Non- Urban Planned Unit Development established in the early 1990s along with significant land holdings adjacent to Boulder Valley Farm which are preserved by Boulder City/County open space and/or conservation easements. Boulder Valley Farm History of the Farm s Boulder Valley Farm, considered one of the key landmark agricultural/residential properties in all of Boulder County, was purchased in 1961 by the current ownership from the affluent Aksel Nielsen, a prominent businessman and devoted philanthropist with a love for his farmlands and great pride in his Hereford cattle. Nielsen, a former close friend and financial advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was said to have had breakfast at Boulder Valley Farm s landmark red brick house following one of their many fishing exploits prior to Eisenhower s presidency. During the current owners 50-plus years of owning the property, which began with a small herd of cattle brought from Maryland, they developed a quality purebred Angus cow herd that won several National Western Stock Show awards, while raising a family of seven. 4
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Property Overview Historic 642.4-acre farm located 15 minutes from Boulder, voted #1 Sports Town in Amercia by Outside Magazine Convenient to the Denver corridor, top-caliber educational facilities, Eldora Ski Area and Rocky Mountain National Park Boulder Creek flows across the property; Eight ponds range in size up to 10 acres; Significant and valuable water rights Working cattle ranch supporting 100-150 head and producing 500 tons of Brome and Orchard grass hay Improvements include 8 Residences, General Purpose Barn, 4 Utility Sheds and 9 Cattle Sheds 6
Property Description s Boulder Valley Farm has 642.4 acres with two contiguous areas known as less than an acre to approximately ten acres provide fishing for bass, blue the North Farm and the South Farm, separated by an inactive railroad gill and crappie, as well as waterfowl hunting. Conservation easements leasehold interest located south of Boulder Creek. Boulder Creek flows along the Boulder Creek corridor ensure environmental preservation of through the North Farm and the South Farm providing approximately 100 the natural beauty and water quality of this important ecological resource. acres of irrigated farmland. Elevations range from 5,023 ft. along Boulder A large grove of cottonwood trees along the eastern portion of the Creek to 5,138 ft. in the northern housing area, with views of Boulder Creek creek property became a significant nesting area for great blue herons, valley to the south and the scenic Boulder Flatirons and Rocky Mountains providing for one of the most important heronries along the Colorado to the west. Front Range geographic area, commonly known as the Heron Rookery. The North Farm is a combination of irrigated farmland, pasture, and creek corridor, most of which is located north of Boulder Creek, with the exception of a small portion in the southwest corner. The farmland is irrigated by the Leggett Ditch, while the south is irrigated by the Lower Boulder Ditch and Leyner-Cottonwood Ditch. The farmland produces 500 tons of Brome and Orchard grass hay to support a livestock operation with a capacity of 100-150 cattle. Much of the pasture is irrigated or subirrigated, and a significant amount of the land used for pasture is located along the Boulder Creek corridor. The creek enters in the southwest portion of the North Farm and runs northeasterly for approximately one and a half miles. The owner s careful stewardship of older gravel mining activity north of Boulder Creek yielded inviting lakes, ponds, and marshes that protect various forms of wildlife habitat. Lakes varying in size from The South Farm, located south of Boulder Creek, includes Outlots I and G, roughly 88 acres. Outlot G is a 5± acre lot along the east side of 95th Street, which is improved with two dwellings, an equipment shed and miscellaneous other outbuildings. Outlot G is directly adjacent to The Farm in Boulder Valley HOA subdivision and includes a portion of a recreational lake owned by the HOA. Outlot I is a larger 82± -acre irrigated farmland parcel that has no development rights. It is irrigated by the Leyner-Cottonwood Ditch, with diversion out of South Boulder Creek through New Dry Creek Carrier, upstream from the farm. Outlot I is directly adjacent to the southwest/east boundary of The Farm In Boulder Valley HOA subdivision to the west, with the inactive railroad leasehold interest owned by RTD located directly to the north. 7
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Owners Home: 3,834 sq.ft. above grade 404 sq.ft. patio area 1,335 sq.ft. porch area 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 800 sq.ft. outdoor heated pool Regulation tennis court 1,375 sq.ft. carport area Two-Story Guest House: 1,812 sq.ft. above grade 110 sq.ft. deck 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Office/Apartment: 2,592 sq.ft. above grade 487 sq.ft. porch & patio area 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms Improvements s 1,100 sq.ft.finished basement area 550 sq.ft. attached garage 320 sq.ft. deck 195 sq.ft. patio area 183 sq.ft. porch area 3 bedrooms, 1 ¾ bathrooms Modular Home: 1,056 sq.ft. above grade 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom Double Wide Manufactured Home: 1,296 sq.ft. 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom One Story Ranch Home: 1,233 sq.ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Brick Farmhouse: 2,098 sq.ft. above grade 330 sq.ft. detached garage 80 sq.ft. enclosed porch area 200 sq.ft. porch area 3 bedrooms, 2 ¾ bathroom Managers Home: 1,650 sq.ft. above grade General Purpose Barn: 2,080 sq.ft. Extensive, steel pipe corrals Nine Open Cattle Sheds: Size: 576 sq.ft. to 2,664 sq.ft. Four Farm Utility Sheds: 520 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. A vacant 3.2-acre lot in a prime development location, with exceptional views of the Boulder Creek valley and the mountains, is directly adjacent to the Owner s Home and Guest House lot, which consists of 4.3 acres. 10
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Water Resources, Utilities & Real Estate Taxes s Water Resources: Boulder Valley Farm has significant water rights for irrigation and pond storage that include two irrigation wells and six domestic wells. Note below the current list of water rights used on Boulder Valley Farm. Buyer should contact listing broker for a detailed list of water rights and the directive for the potential contract obligation on Lower Boulder Ditch water. Leggett Ditch, 262 inches, North Farm (Contract Right) Leggett Ditch, 58 inches, (Contract Right) Boulder & White Rock, 13 Shares, North Farm (Class C) Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (C-BT), 60 Units, North Farm Leyner-Cottonwood, 178 Shares, South Farm Lower Boulder Ditch, Right to irrigate 33 acres, South Farm (Contract Right) Lower Boulder Ditch, 3.95 shares, South Farm (Preferred Stock) Baseline Land and Reservoir Company, 2.63 Shares, South Farm 8 ponds, utilized for augmentation/exchange associated with certain of the above water rights, vary in size from one to ten acres. Utilities: Water: Left Hand Water District, or domestic well Electricity/Gas: Xcel Energy Sewer: Septic and Leach Field Taxes: 2015 Real Estate Taxes: $16,400.00 13
Recreation and Wildlife s Boulder Valley Farm is in an enviable location within one hour of Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Eldora Mountain Resort Ski Area, and 15 minutes from Boulder, recently voted #1 Sports Town in America by Outside Magazine, with over 45,000 acres of open space and a very active outdoor population. The farm presents outstanding recreational outdoor opportunities with excellent geese, duck, and wild turkey hunting. White tail deer frequent the farm and fishing affords up to five-pound bass, blue gill and crappie. Along Boulder Creek in the canopy of cottonwood trees and alongside the great blue herons, nesting bald eagles chose the farm for their home in 2014. Conclusions and Comments s On the market for the first time since 1960 after years of thoughtful agricultural and scenic land improvements, conservation, and limited planned development, this rare and significant farm parcel located in one of the most desirable places along the Colorado Front Range is now available. This exceptional offering reflects a lifestyle property with agricultural benefits, significant water resources, wildlife, established improvements, and picturesque beauty. 14
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Boulder Valley Farm Lafayette, Colorado is available to qualified purchasers inclusive of all real estate, improvements and all water rights owned by Seller. No mineral rights are available. Complete inventory of farm equipment and supplies available for sale through private treaty with Seller. 642.4 acres. $14,000,000. s Shown by appointment only. Broker Cooperation Invited. For further information, contact Ron Morris 970.535.0881 ron@rmabrokers.com the west is our heritage. make it yours. rmabrokers.com 855.535.0881 Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice. All information provided by Ranch Marketing Associates or its representatives is intended only as a general guideline and has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, however we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Prospective purchasers should independently verify all items of interest with their own sources.