Overview of Routt County Colorado Ranches For Sale
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- Population estimate, 2006: 21,580, 9.1 persons/sq. mi.
- Square miles: 2368
- Approximate driving time from Denver: 3 hours
- Commercial Airport: Hayden Field, Hayden
- Ski Areas: Steamboat Springs
- Major Communities: Steamboat Springs (9300), Hayden (1500), Oak Creek (800). Yampa (400)
- Elevations: 6000 to 13,000 feet
- Major streams: Yampa River, Elk River, Little Snake River, East Fork of Williams Fork River, Elkhead Creek, Slater Creek
- Average ranch/farm size: 759 acres (NAICS, 2002) vs. Colorado average 991 acres
- Pros: Abundant water, elbow room, significant tracts of private land
- Cons: Heavy snows in winter, rapid growth and very high land values near Steamboat Springs
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Routt County is dominated by broad valleys flanked by ranges of moderately high mountains. Well-watered by heavy winter snows, this may be the “greenest” region of the state. Beginning in the 1880s, this region became home to many large acreage cattle ranches, and agriculture remains economically important. Much of the arable land below 8000 feet is private, with abundant National Forest land filled with large stands of aspen and spruce/fir forests in the higher elevations.
In the immediate vicinity the ski resort of Steamboat Springs, Routt County is experiencing rapid growth. Other more remote areas such as the Little Snake Valley on the Wyoming border, have changed little in over 100 years. Many areas are still dominated by working cattle ranches and large coal mines. Attractive, off-the-beaten-path properties can still be found in the Little Snake and East Fork of the Williams Fork valleys.
Private hunting potential: Elk and deer populations are strong in Routt County. Given the size of many of the ranches, private big game hunting has high potential in this region, and access to hunting on public lands is generally good as well. Many of the ranches contain excellent deer and elk habitat and also valuable winter range.
Private fishing potential: River property in the Steamboat Springs area is expensive, but for good reason. The Upper Yampa is among the best trout rivers in the state, producing many rainbows and browns in the 3- to 5-pound class. Tailwaters below Stagecoach Reservoir and Lake Catamount are popular for year-round trophy fishing. Northern pike and smallmouth bass inhabit the Yampa, too, especially in sections near Hayden. The Elk River is an excellent trout stream as well, and is almost entirely private, but ranchland on the Elk is highly valued. Excellent, but little-known trout fishing properties can be found along the Little Snake and East Fork of the Williams Fork rivers as well.
Contact Harrigan Land Company for more information about Routt County Colorado Ranches.
