Extensive grazing permits are extremely valuable and rare commodities
in the ranching business, yet the Spanish Forks Cattle Company comes
equipped with some of the best on the market. Attached to two base
properties totaling 80 acres within the San Luis Valley near Alamosa
are massive allotments on both BLM and United States Forest Service
land near Rifle, Colorado, that total 6119 AUMs, presently sufficient
for grazing 858 cow/calf units in the summer months. An additional BLM
allotment near Grand Junction can support 200 animals throughout the
winter. Those looking to add to their leased grazing lands or to even
start out with an extensive operation on federal allotments would need
to look far and wide to find a comparable opportunity.
The prime grazing territory in this extensive permit package are BLM
and Forest Services allotments north of Rifle, Colorado, totaling over
50 square miles of tributaries to Rifle Creek. Encompassing elevations
from approximately 6500 feet to 9500 feet, these allotments provide
the ideal seasonal variation for moving cattle upward in elevation
towards new growth as the summer progresses. These allotments are
generally rolling in nature, covering everything from pinon/juniper
forest and grasslands, through grassy aspen groves, and to dark
spruce/fir forests. With abundant creeks and springs throughout, water
for livestock is not a problem. These allotments begin to be available
May 15 or each year and run through December. They also include a cow
camp and horse pasture for summer use.
