When Knorr Lakeside Ranch sold on August 1, 2018 at a price of $7M, it marked a historic and significant moment for long term land preservation. Listed by Ren Martyn of Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty, the ranch consists of 1125 acres with significant water rights, 1.4 miles of frontage on Green Mountain Reservoir and bordering Arapahoe National Forest in Summit County, Colorado.
The complicated and significant transaction was completed through a historic private-public effort between private individuals, Summit County Open Space, Colorado Cattleman’s Land Trust and the Gates Foundation for conservation of the land. The deeded acreage and water rights will forever be held in conservation, protecting the historic agricultural practices. No development rights were retained in the sale, so this land is forever protected from future development.
Knorr Lakeside Ranch spans from 7950 feet to 8600 feet in elevation, and includes Cataract, Otter and Black Creeks. The historic irrigated meadows on the lower ground of the ranch with a mix of trees transition to grasslands, sagebrush, aspen, fir & spruce trees on the upper acreage.
The water resources cannot be understated, including creek drainages, ponds and over 30 CFS of senior water rights with an average appropriation date of 1896.
Ren Martyn, specialist in the sale of ranches, farms and large acreages, says that the sale of Knorr Lakeside Ranch was one of the most complicated transactions that he has seen in his career, but that all parties involved worked tirelessly toward the same goal of preserving the historic land. So important for land preservation was this sale, that the Summit County Board of County Commissioners is holding an appreciation event to thank those involved and to celebrate the sale.
Ren Martyn can be reached at ren.martyn@steamboatsir.com.
