Top 5 Most Expensive Homes in Colorado

Posted on July 3, 2019 by blogeditor

Most Expensive Homes and Horse Properties in Colorado

It is no secret that Colorado has some of the biggest and most beautiful luxury homes in the country. Homes zoned for horses adds even more, with rustic flares and of course the land that comes along with it. The following is a list of the top 5 most expensive homes in the world (according to us!). Oh and don’t forget, all of these luxury homes are for sale at Colorado Horse Property.

1. Homes For Sale in Gateway, Colorado

Gateway Colorado is a testament to the great old Colorado life, though nowadays there is great cell phone coverage in the area and the community has access to the internet. Gateway has an old general store and is home to an auto museum. To the north lies The Palisade, a three-mile (4.8-km) long butte. Most notably, Gateway is home to the Gateway Canyons Resort, one of the most expensive homes in Colorado. This beautiful resort offers kayaking, off-road tours, guided fly-fishing, horseback riding, air tours and more. In the past, the resort hosted several foot races each year and a large bike race.
Guess what? The Gateway Canyons Resort is for sale!

Gateway Canyons Resort

40275 Highway 141, Gateway, CO 81522

That’s right, with the price tag of $279,000,000, the Gateway Canyons Resort is the most expensive horse property on our list. According to the listing, there are tons of amenities that comes with that large ticket price. “The offering includes a full-service resort, in addition to West Creek Ranch – featuring an extraordinary residence and four unique parcels of land, all creating this unique destination where humanity can pause and contemplate its relationship with nature.

The main residence boasts more than 22,000 square feet of indoor living space and 3,500 square feet of covered verandas, with eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms on four levels. Also, Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa offers seventy-two rooms that house guests who seek a place to relax, reflect, and quench their curiosity. The resort features exceptional lodging, dining, outfitting, educational programs, outdoor adventures, and the world-class Gateway Colorado Auto Museum. For more information about this extraordinary offering, please visit GatewayCanyonsProperties.com.”
Listing By: Listed by Kerry Endsley, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

2. Homes For Sale in Edwards, Colorado

This next horse property is not a full resort and spa, but it is in the town of Edwards Colorado, which is only 4 miles to Beaver Creek Resort, a ski resort with beautiful white slopes. Edwards offers a modern downtown area that was built next to the Eagle River, which is full of popular fishing spots. Downtown Edwards is called Riverwalk, and boasts many shops, restaurants and businesses. The motto for Riverwalk is “Live, Work, Play”, meaning residents can do all three downtown. Edwards is also a popular camping spot because of its proximity to Sylvan Lake, which has over fifty campsites, and the National Forest.

Edwards Colorado Horse Property

25 Casteel Creek Rd, Edwards, CO 81632

Home much will it cost you to live in this fantastic horse property? Casteel Creek has a price of $78,000,000. According to the listing, there are tons of amenities that comes with that large ticket price. “Experience the best of Vail Valley without ever leaving home at majestic Casteel Creek Retreat a 439-acre retreat nestled between Edwards, Beaver Creek Ski Resort, and Vail Mountain Club. Also, it borders 2 million acres of White River National Forest with snowcapped views of the Gore Range. 32,000 sq. ft. main home has 8 en suites, elevators, theater, pool, hot tub, gym and spa.

Also on-site are 3 apartments, 1 caretakers apartment, 2 guest homes and 2 cabins with a total of 21 bedrooms and 34 bathrooms. Can build 5 additional homes! Extensive water rights, 12+ miles of groomed paths for snowmobiles, skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Plus, a recreation building with 5 story rock climbing wall, shooting range, Olympic lap pool and Teppanyaki grille. Offering includes 12 high-performance snowmobiles, 3 ATVS, stocked trout pond, tubing hill, soccer field, indoor arena, on-site gas station, spots for helipad and meeting rooms. Fully-staffed, furnished, and turnkey.”
Listing By: Listed by Kerry Endsley, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

3. Homes For Sale in Meeker, Colorado

Our next horse property can be found in the beautiful Meeker, Colorado. Meeker is largely an agricultural community, located in the wide fertile valley of the White River. This winding river flows west, then northwest, past Meeker (site of the White River Museum), and across the broad valley between the Danforth Hills on the north and the Roan Plateau on the south. Northwest of the town of Meeker you will find the Colorow Mountain States Wildlife Area, where there is camping, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on the 1500-acre park.

Meeker Colorado Horse Property

22110 County Road 8, Meeker, CO 81641

This is one of the most expensive homes in Meeker. It is right in the middle of all outdoor wonders, so that you can enjoy the beauty that is the river, the mountains, and the forest from the comfort of your home. And with a price tag of $46,000,000, there are plenty rooms to enjoy these views from! “Westlands is one of Colorado’s premier mountain recreational and retreat properties. Within its 4,603± deeded acres is some of the finest private river fishing in the mountain states, excellent big game hunting, bird hunting, an exquisite owner’s home and guest quarters, extensive support buildings, four hole Greg Norman designed golf course, tennis court and immaculately maintained grounds.

Located in the treasured White River valley in Colorado’s western slope near Meeker, Westlands has hosted many distinguished guests, from CEO’s of large corporations to well-known dignitaries, political figures and celebrities. Also, Westlands has been carefully developed and nurtured over the last 30 years by its owner who has spared no expense and whose fine eye for detail has created a family and business retreat that is unrivaled.”
Listing By: Listed by Brian Smith, Hall and Hall Partners LLP.

4. Homes For Sale in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

If you enjoy skiing, then this next horse property is going to be your favorite! Number four on our list of most expensive properties in Colorado is located in Steamboat Springs. The city is an internationally known winter ski resort destination. Steamboat Springs is home to the Steamboat Ski Resort on Mount Werner and the smaller Howelsen Hill Ski Area. Horseback riders will also love Steamboat Springs. This town is located in the upper valley of the Yampa River, just west of the Continental Divide and Rabbit Ears Pass and is full of horseback riding trails for residents to enjoy.

Steamboat Springs

46600 CR 129, Steamboat Springs

Coming in at just under $40,000,000, this horse property has one of the most expensive homes in Steamboat Springs. “Big Creek Ranch is approximately 4,850 acres of pristine ranch land. This ranch checks off nearly every box a legacy ranch buyer has: prime big game hunting, outstanding fishing along Big Creek, public land boundary, smart improvements and close proximity to a major resort area. Over 80% of the boundary is shared with the Routt National Forest and the setting is nothing short of spectacular. Tucked in its own private valley, the house provides the ideal space for large family or corporate gatherings.

The cold, high mountain and richly oxygenated waters of Big Creek flow through the ranch for over 6 miles; this is some of the best fishing you’ll find in the Rocky Mountain west. Steamboat Springs, with its famous slopes, great dining and boutique shopping, is a only a few minutes’ drive on paved, year-round county roads. Big Creek Ranch is arguably the finest large acreage ranch within 10 miles of a major resort area on the market today.”
Courtesy of: Christy Belton, RANCH AND RESORT REALTY.

5. Homes For Sale in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

Our last luxury home for sale in Colorado can be found in Cherry Hills Village. This is one of the most expensive homes in Cherry Hills Village. There are over 30 miles of trails in this beautiful town. Cherry Hills Village also has 47 acres of park lands, and boasts two horse areas. The city is also the home of the exclusive Cherry Hills Country Club, where seven USGA championships and two PGA championships were held. The club features a championship 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole par three golf course. It also has a lap pool and eight tennis courts. Cherry Hills Village is also a great place to raise a family because it has some of the most prestigious schools in the country. These include St. Mary’s Academy, Kent Denver School, and the Cherry Hills Village Elementary School.

Cherry Hills Village

8 Cherry Hills Park Dr, Cherry Hills Village

Considerable cheaper than the Gateway Canyons Resort, this horse property is a steal at $19,750,000. “Words do not adequately describe the splendor of this incredible property. Amazing entertainment options in a resort setting. Although grand in scale it is also a home for family and friends to comfortably share life and love.

Also, it has tiled rug and skylight in the gathering room imported from Italy and England. Conservatory imported from England; Awesome great room surrounded by walls of doors opening to pool and entertaining courtyards; wine grotto boasts cigar lounge; Beautiful secondary bedroom suites appointed with sitting areas and fireplaces; professional wellness studio includes racquet ball court; two lane regulation bowling plus golf simulator; Gardens and grounds are nothing less than phenomenal with multiple fountains and waterfalls; changing rooms off pool; Two bed/four bath guest cottage. Visit www.8CherryHillsParkDrive.com.”
Listing By: Listed by Sandy Weigand, KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC.

Horse Properties in Strasburg CO

Posted on April 30, 2019 by blogeditor

Homes For Sale in Strasburg CO

If you are looking to relocate to a small quiet town with your horses, Strasburg CO could be the right place for you. Strasburg is between the city of Denver and the high plains of Adams County. This agricultural community is rightfully cherished. Its 1,400 townspeople appreciate open fields, a simpler lifestyle, good schools and caring neighbors. Enjoy the comforts of living within driving distance of the city, with less noise, traffic, and bustle at home.

There are many developed areas in and around Strasburg where you may find available horse properties. These include Wolf Creek Farms and Coyote Ridge, and houses for sale in areas such as Strasburg East, Autumn Ridge, TC Estates, Comanche Crossing, Hutton Estate and Headlight Mile Road Estates. With so many options, Colorado Horse Property is here to show you what is actually available at any given time. If you need help in your search, contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

Strasburg CO

Besides its beautiful countryside, Strasburg is an important part of American history. Strasburg CO is the place where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans Continental Railroad. There is still a railroad depot in Strasburg as a reminder of the past. The depot is part of the Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum. The Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum also includes an old school, period house and additional display buildings.

Even though the town is small, Strasburg features a few shops, some casual sit-down restaurants, and beautiful parks. Denver isn’t the only thing within a short drive. There are several recreational facilities outside of town, including Barr Lake State Park. Barr Lake State Park is ideal for boating, fishing, bird watching and camping. You could also go to the Aurora Reservoir. The Aurora Reservoir includes a scuba-diving area, where a sunken twin-engine airplane can be viewed.

Horse Properties in Arvada CO

Posted on April 25, 2019 by blogeditor

City of Arvada

There are many horse properties for sale in Colorado. Colorado Horse Property alone has over 3,000 listings to choose from. With so many great locations, it can be hard to start your search. A great place to look from horse properties for sale is Arvada Colorado. Arvada CO is in Jefferson and Adams counties, and a part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area. Therefore, this city has a great mix of urban and rural life that accommodates horses as well as their owners. In other words, you will have the space to care for your horses and then not have to drive a ton to get to civilization.

Arvada is the seventh most populous city in Colorado. The Olde Town Arvada historic district is only 7 miles away from the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. In fact, many horse owners work in Denver and are still able to go home to a quiet life with their horses. Check out our listings in Arvada today.

Arvada CO Attractions

Arvada CO, is full of things to do. For the horse owners, you can visit the famous Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Also, their is the Cussler Museum, which boasts a rare automobile collection. For the horses, their are many equine trails in the area they can benefit from. Most noteworthy of these trails follow beautiful creeks and canals. They are also Regional in nature, linking to other cities and counties outside Arvada’s boundaries. Popular trails include Ralston Creek Trail, Van Bibber Trail, and Little Dry Creek Trail. Arvada is also home to Rocky Mountain Horse Rescue and Iron Gait Ranch.

Arvada Weather

The city of Arvada has just the right climate for rearing horses. The average high temperature in Arvada is in 88 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Average low temperatures occur in January at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The average precipitation is approximately 15.6 inches per year.

WZ Ranch and Colorado Horse Boarding

Posted on April 19, 2019 by blogeditor

Colorado Horse Boarders

Looking for a home is not easy. Finding the perfect area for you and your family will depend on many factors. Add a few horses into the mix and that search just got a lot harder. Finding the property with the right stable and pasture spaces can be difficult. Your friends at Colorado Horse Property suggest the best way to see if an area is suited for your horses is to bring them into the area. When searching for a new house, don’t you like to take a look at it first? Well, the same can be said for your horses. For a lot of horse owners, this could be an impossible task. Searching for a new home is hard enough for you and your family. Having to worry about hauling your horses up and down the state of Colorado puts stress on you and your horses. This is where a specialized horse boarding facility can benefit you.

There are many options for horse boarding services in Colorado. When choosing where to board your horse, ask yourself “what is important to me when looking for horse boarding near me?” Does your horse like to graze? Do you and your horse need ample trail riding nearby? Do you need access to a round pen or arena for training? If you said yes to these questions, then WZ Ranch is the overnight and short-term boarding facility you’ve been looking for.

WZ Ranch

WZ Ranch, a unique boarding facility accommodating traveling and relocating horsemen, is run by Tom and Phyllis Ellis. If regular overnight horse boarding facilities are horse hotels, WZ Ranch is the horse Hilton! Located just off of I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver, WZ Ranch has everything you and your horses need. The ranch boasts grand indoor stalls, paddocks with loafing sheds, indoor and outdoor runs, a round pen, a large indoor arena, and several grazing pastures as well.

The Ellis team moved to the Palmer Divide from Texas with the dream of offering spacious, clean, and safe spaces for horses traveling through Colorado. You will definitely want to pick their brains, since they have thirty years of experience with horses and the rodeo circuit. They can also connect you with the best clinicians, veterinarians, and farriers in the area. To make things more convenient for you while looking for your Colorado horse property, WZ Ranch offers LQ-RV pads with hookups so you don’t need to be away from your horses while searching for the perfect Colorado horse property. The Spruce Meadows and Greenland Open Space equestrian trailheads are only a few minutes away. For more details, visit the WZ Ranch website. If you need help looking for a horse property for sale, contact one of our horse-person realtors today. Also, check out our local resources page for more information on the horse services that Colorado has to offer.

WZ Ranch Photos

Taken by Colorado Horse Property with permission from Tom and Phyllis Ellis of WZ Ranch.

Boating Lakes in Colorado

Posted on April 12, 2019 by blogeditor

Best Boating Lakes in Colorado

It is a common misconception that Colorado does not have rivers and lakes. In fact, some of the best boating lakes in Colorado are the most beautiful in the world! The following is a list of the best boating lakes in Colorado, put together by your friends at Colorado Horse Property. If you find yourself looking for properties for sale in Colorado near these great boating spots, search Colorado Horse Property. We have over three thousand listings.

Boating Lakes in Colorado

Chatfield Lake receives boaters from all over the state. The lake is a popular summer destination, where visitors take advantage of its impressive waters. It is located just outside of the Denver Metro Area. Boaters enjoy everything from fishing to water skiing on the lake’s pristine waters. The reservoir houses a full-service marina including boat rentals and a floating restaurant. Another boating paradise is Grand Lake, located at the headwaters of the Colorado River. Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake. Bring your boat and have fun swimming, participating in water sports and of course fishing. The historic Grand Lake Marina offers pontoon boats, whalers, kayaks and canoes for rent. Also, Grand Lake has some of the best view of the Rocky Mountains.

Also, Granby Lake is great for boating. Granby Lake is one of Colorado’s largest bodies of water. It has approximately 40 miles of shoreline. It sits at an altitude of 8,280 feet. The lake is home to the famous Lake Granby Yacht Club. Let’s not forget about Boyd Lake! Boyd Lake is located in Northern Colorado, one hour north of Denver. Boyd Lake has approximately 1,700 acres. Like other lakes, Boyd offers swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and biking.

Photo by Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash.

Horse Properties in Westminster Colorado

Posted on March 28, 2019 by blogeditor

Westminster, Colorado

As a northwest suburb of Denver’s metropolitan area, Westminster Colorado has a lot to offer any horse lover looking to move to Colorado. Westminster is close to many great trails where you can take your horse for a ride. These include Little Dry Creek Trail, Farmers’ High Line Canal Trail, Rocky Mountain Greenway, U.S. 36 Bikeway, and Big Dry Creek Trail. One of the areas in Westminster with the most striking views is Standley Lake Regional Park. Just imagine the sparkle of the sun shining off the surface of the lake with the Colorado Rocky Mountains lining the background.

Westminster Mall and Landmarks

Colorado is full of beautiful landmarks. Besides the picturesque trails in the Westminster area, there are also man-made landmarks. The Westminster Mall opened in 1977 and has seen many successful additions over the years before its closing in 2011. Another famous landmark is the Westminster Old Spaghetti Factory. Contrary to what it sounds like, The Old Spaghetti Factory is not a decrepit old building, it is a thriving Italian restaurant that was founded in 1969. The restaurant is still a Westminster staple to this day. Also landmarks of the community, you will find The Westminster Library and Westminster High School. You can also visit the magical Westminster University, commonly known as the Westminster castle. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Horse Properties in Westminster Colorado

Looking for a great horse community to move into? Westminster is a great place to raise your horses. Westminster has some of the leading companies to work for in the country, including Ball Corporation and Alliance Data Systems. There are horse properties for sale in Westminster Colorado right now! If you are thinking about building a horse stable or barn in Westminster, make sure to read the Westminster land use code before getting started.

Building Tiny Houses in Colorado

Posted on March 6, 2019 by blogeditor

Making Your Tiny House Legal

In Colorado, tiny houses built on a foundation are more legal than tiny houses on wheels. But when it comes to building tiny houses on wheels (THOW), don’t loose hope. Some jurisdictions in Colorado consider THOWs as residents if certain conditions are met. Permanently affix your tiny house on wheels to the ground. Hook it up to utilities and built it to the necessary safety standards. Even if a THOW is legal where you live, you also need to confirm the THOW can be used as an additional dwelling unit. However, ADUs are not lawful in every zone.

If your local government does not allow THOWs for residential use you can change it. Start by asking about the process for amending the zoning code to make them legal. The journey to legality will be costly and time-consuming. However, enough political pressure on your local government will lead to change of the land use code to allow tiny houses. Know what building and safety standards will apply to the construction of your tiny house on wheels. You will have to self-certify that it will meet Recreational Vehicle Industry Association standards. These will need to meet the American National Safety Institute standard 119 or manufactured home building standards. You can also contact your local building department for the safety standards that apply to you.

Tiny houses pose unique challenges to local governments. It may be tempting to forgo the permitting process. A neighbor could file a complaint and your local government may force you to remove your THOW and pay a fine. If you are looking for a horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property.

Image by callmewillen on Pixabay.

Tiny House Regulations in Colorado

Posted on March 5, 2019 by blogeditor

Tiny House Building Regulations

Though the tiny house community continues to grow, it still isn’t legal to build them for full-time use. Zoning laws and tiny house regulations require a minimum square footage for new-construction homes. The journey to reduce this minimum is a slow and arduous one. But don’t give up just yet. You can count with your fingers how many cities have directly addressed tiny houses. Though there’s a lot of enthusiasm on tiny house living the zoning codes and tiny house regulations are often confusing. Most people feel intimidated to go to their local governments with their questions.

The recent activity in the community has been ran by grassroots organizers. They have pushed cities to accommodate tiny homes all by themselves. These small town groups asked their government officials for changes to local building and zoning codes. Therefore, new tiny house ordinances are very specific to the town or city they are approved in. We also now have the American Tiny House Association. This association has rounded up regulations for many states, as well as contact info for state chapter leaders. For the states without new regulations, your only option is to petition your own city for tiny house friendly zoning changes.

Tiny House References

We have gathered a lot of information on tiny houses for your convenience. In the state of Colorado, tiny houses on wheels are recreational vehicles in the eyes of the law. For more information on the legality of tiny houses on wheels in Colorado, read “Is Tiny House Living Illegal in Colorado.” Your other option is to build a tiny house on a foundation. For more information on this type of tiny house living, read “Additional Dwelling Units in Colorado.” If you are looking for a horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property.

Image by WinnieC on Pixabay.

Finding Tiny House Parking in Colorado

Posted on March 5, 2019 by blogeditor

Tiny House Parking in Colorado

As we discussed in “Is Tiny House Living Illegal?“, tiny houses on wheels (THOW) aren’t legal in Colorado as a permanent structure. However, you can always travel with your THOW and park it legally. This is a strategy that many THOW owners have adopted. So you’ve registered your tiny house on wheels as an RV and plan to travel with it, now what about tiny house parking? You could stay in a friend or family member’s backyard or park on their driveway. You could pay to stay at a camping or RV site. The latter will be temporary.

Also, Colorado prohibits RVs as full-time residences in zones other than RV parks. Rules are only enforced when your tiny house on wheels is reported or complained about. This rarely occurs. Building a tiny house on a foundation is more permanent. Zoning and building regulations will prohibit you from buying land and building your own tiny house on it. Instead, you’ll have to build an additional dwelling unit. For more information, read our article on additional dwelling units. ADUs are sometimes built around one larger structure. This is known as a tiny house community.

Tiny House Building Codes

Local building codes have been adopted from the International Residential Code (IRC) for one and two-family dwellings. This specifies that bedrooms must be at least 70 square feet, while ceiling height must be at least 7 feet. However, zoning regulations are based off more local factors, and determine the size requirements of your home based on what zone it’s located in. However, you will need to call your local zoning or planning department to find that info. Most local governments require a minimum size requirement of 1,000 square feet or more for construction of a new home on its own land. If you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today.

Image by ArmbrustAnna on Pixabay.

Additional Dwelling Units in Colorado

Posted on March 1, 2019 by blogeditor

Additional Dwelling Units

Affordable housing is a priority for many Coloradans in this current economic climate. Tiny houses on wheels are not legal in Colorado. Good news, there is another option. You can take advantage of tiny homes built on foundations in your backyard, called ADUs. These Additional Dwelling Units (sometimes called granny flats) are self-contained apartments in an owner occupied single-family home or lot. Homeowners who want to make the transition into tiny house living can construct an ADU in their backyard, and live in the ADU while renting out the house.

The number of ADU permits issued annually in Colorado has risen and the trend is still on the rise. Make sure to research your city’s land use code to insure there are no hidden restrictions. In the past, cities have been known to ban ADUs. Likewise, some areas can have restrictions on size, owner occupancy, and parking. While many states are lagging behind, Colorado cities have adjusted their regulations to encourage more ADUs.

Benefits of ADUs

There are a lot of social and economic benefits of living in a tiny house. ADUs are great because they allow people housing flexibility over time. You can design your ADU to be more accessible to the elderly. This will allow you to stay in your neighborhood as you grow older, and at less cost. ADUs are also great for parents, caregivers, adult children, and grandparents. ADUs use fewer resources like gas and electricity due to their size. They’re often built in walkable and bikeable areas, so their residents generate less of an environmental impact. This includes traffic, harmful emissions, and noise pollution.

They greatly reduce the per capita residential footprint. ADUs help fill the need of one and two person households in cities. ADUs have a significantly less infrastructural impact on a city than most apartment buildings. Read more on Tiny Houses in Colorado on our blog. If you are looking for a horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property.