146 Acres in Almont, CO - $13,000,000

Harmel’s Ranch Resort spans just over 146-acres (+/-) along both banks of the Taylor River and is situated seven miles from Almont, Colorado in the highly coveted Taylor River Valley.  From the property, Gunnison is located 16-miles south and the ski resort town of Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte about 16-miles to the north (via Jack’s Cabin Cutoff and State Highway 135).  From the Front Range population centers of metro-Denver and Colorado Springs, the property is within an approximate 2.5-hour drive via Cottonwood Pass (set to reopen in late summary 2019) following paving operations. Harmel’s is located in the heart of the 1.672 million-acre Gunnison National Forest, which directly borders the property on the east and south.  The surrounding area contains some of the most spectacular scenery and recreational amenities Colorado has to offer.  The popularity of the Taylor River Valley continues to grow as evidenced by the number of up-scale and luxury subdivisions completed in recent years in concert with increased area tourism.  Daily non-stop flights are available from Denver and Houston to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport year-round with Dallas added during the winter months.

RESORT

Harmel’s Ranch Resort has been operated by the same family since 1958 and is a fixture of the Taylor River Valley.  Families have enjoyed the property for generations with the following of new guests increasing annually.  The resort consists of 37 rustic, yet modern and fully furnished rental cabins (including basic appliances) that have been placed along the banks of the Taylor River.  The cabins can accommodate combined occupancy of 150 guests.  In addition, employee housing is fully contained on-site with portions recently remodeled.  Harmel’s Stables is situated in the area recognized as the north pasture and contains a remuda of 40 trail horses that provide guests with the opportunity to see the Colorado back country at its finest.  The Beaver Creek trail into Gunnison National Forest is accessible from the resort by a special use permit held by the current ownership (transferrable).  The guest recreation room is located between the restaurant and reservation counter and provides wi-fi accessibility, billiards, games, business center and big screen tv seating area.  Harmel’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (menu or buffet) with an adjoining full-service saloon.  Restaurant demand is serviced by a well-maintained commercial kitchen that includes walk-in freezer/coolers.  A large deck extending just above the Taylor River at the rear of the restaurant and saloon provides the ideal outdoor dining and gathering experience.  The general store and fly shop are stocked with basic merchandise, food and drink provisions, trout fishing supplies and provides anglers with daily updates on fishing conditions.  Additional resort amenities and activities include; (2) stocked trout ponds, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, sauna, kid’s playground and large barbeque area that hosts Thursday night cookouts.  The resort also hosts weddings, family reunions, other group-style gatherings and accommodates guided river rafting, fly fishing and rock-climbing excursions.  From the resort, there is easy nearby access to motorcycle, ATV, mountain biking and hiking trails.  Colorado GMU 55 is also known for its Mule Deer, Elk and Moose hunting.

TAYLOR RIVER

The Taylor River originates high-up in the Elk Mountains just outside of the Maroon Bells Wilderness and flows along the west side of the Collegiate peaks before entering Taylor Park Reservoir.  Taylor Park Dam, located at the south end of the reservoir, serves as the start of the tailwaters.  The stretch immediately below the dam contains some of the largest rainbow trout at the statewide level with phenomenal fishing continuing all the way to the confluence of the Gunnison River and beyond.  According to the owner, the approximate three-quarter mile stretch of the Taylor flowing through the resort has received a 16x Gold Medal rating from the State of Colorado.  This portion of the river is also fed by the Spring Creek and Beaver Creek tributaries that flow down from the mountains to the north and south of the resort.  Whitewater rafting and kayaking are also popular activities on the Taylor River.  The 2,040-acre Taylor Park Reservoir just to the north offers the lake angler the chance of catching big Lake/Mackinaw, Brown, Rainbow and Cutbow Trout along with Kokanee Salmon and Northern Pike (Colorado Lake Trout record had been held by Taylor Park until 2007).  Boat access is available at the Taylor Park marina. 

UPSIDE/DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

The re-opening of Cottonwood Pass is expected to have an immediate impact on revenues as it serves as the most direct access route from the Colorado Front Range population centers.  The historic operating season of the resort has generally spanned from May 15 thru September 30.  Winterization of the water and septic lines servicing the cabins would further allow a new owner the ability to operate on annual basis in capitalizing on winter fishing, snowmobiling and over-flow skier demand from Crested Butte.  The existing footprint of the resort may also be conducive to the addition of more cabins and/or VRBO oriented homes.

In addition to the resort, there are approximately 110 additional acres of land extending to the north and south.  The area recognized as the North Pasture (approx. 47-acres +/-) has been improved with a small stable and pens and contains (2) fishing ponds that are filled by irrigation ditches from Spring Creek.  The balance of the property is contained within what is recognized as the Beaver Creek parcel (approx. 60-acres +/-) that is directly bound by the National Forest on the east.  The Northern Pasture contains a higher percentage of level ground with the Beaver Creek tract mostly treed with rock outcroppings.  The elevated portions of the Beaver Creek tract would afford exceptional down valley views to the west along the Taylor River.  The transferable National Forest Service Use Permit would allow an owner continued private access to the Beaver Creek Trail.  Interested parties should contact Gunnison County Community and Economic Development regarding the possible development potential of the larger property.

The availability of land tracts this large, with the possibility of expansion and development potential in one of the most sought-after areas of Colorado, is exceedingly rare.  Development of the areas extending north through Taylor Canyon to Taylor Park and to the south nearing Almont has continued in recent years as some of the most discriminate buyers vie for the ultimate Colorado has to offer.  All owned water and mineral rights will convey, and the property is not encumbered by conservation easement.  The property is available for purchase in whole or in one of three individual parts.  All merchandise/business inventories and furniture, fixtures and equipment are included.  Financial documentation of the resort operation can be provided upon the signing of a non-disclosure agreement.