Farm & Ranch Property Statistics
| Average Price | $47.2M |
|---|---|
| Lowest Price | $9.5M |
| Highest Price | $300M |
| Total Listings | 15 |
| Avg. Price/SQFT | $4.1K |
Property Types (active listings)
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Aspen Farm & Ranch History
Aspen was born as a mining town. The vast silver lode beneath the Earth gave birth to the beautiful, historic downtown we know and love today.
However, long after the silver rush dried up and the mines’ profitability diminished, the farming and ranching lifestyle quietly subsisted on in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Homestead Acts of the late 1800s, which granted 160 acres of land to those willing to start a homestead, began to attract new immigrants to the Roaring Fork Valley.
Life was harsh in the Roaring Fork Valley, especially during winter. But the Valley was also a fertile oasis in a largely uninhabitable intermountain west. Each year, mountain snow and rain brought new grasses, and cattle grew fat in the pastures. Meanwhile, the cold climate somewhat imitated Northern Europe, and potatoes became the staple crop.
Eventually, many of the original ranches had to sell due to the high cost of maintenance and the rise of large industrial farms in the Midwest. Most of these ranches were divided into the Valley’s many subdivisions, now serving as comfortable homes for those looking to live in the best place on Earth.
Modern Aspen Ranching Culture
However, Aspen’s farm and ranching history still echoes throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Chances are you weren’t born into a cowboy lifestyle, but you can still step into Aspen’s history.
One way to experience this traditional Western heritage is through a rodeo. Rodeos started as a way for ranchers and cowboys to turn their livelihood into a competition, as we humans love to do.
Two rodeos still throw down each week in the summer. In 1971, Snowmass founded the Snowmass Rodeo, which has remained on the docket each Wednesday night during summer. Similarly, in 2003, Carbondale started its own rodeo on summer Thursdays.
In the past few years, perhaps due to the immensely popular TV series Yellowstone, western chic has become a la mode in Aspen. Of course, Kemo Sabe in downtown Aspen is the place to get decked out in all the right gear. You can design a one-of-a-kind Stetson or felt hat, hand-shaped to your preference, complete with personalized branding and hatbands. Kebo Sabe also offers hand-tooled leather belts, cowboy boots, and various other Western accessories.
Much of a rancher’s day involves sitting atop a horse. The best way to discover what it’s really like to work the land is to spend the days on horseback, exploring Aspen’s pristine wilderness environments. Aspen is a haven for equestrian estates; check out our article on the subject if you’re interested in purchasing this type of property, or contact Ryan Schwartz.
For those who don’t have their own estate or haven’t ridden a horse before, exploring the Maroon Bells, Owl Creek, and Snowmass Creek by horseback is also possible with local outfitters like T-Lazy-7, Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters, and Snowmass Creek Outfitters. These guided rides harken back to Aspen’s ranching days, when horses were the primary way to navigate the rugged terrain.
Lastly, for a taste of Old Aspen, check out the Hotel Jerome, one of Aspen’s most famous landmarks. The hotel’s J-Bar was once the go-to watering hole for cowboys, miners, and outlaws, and today serves up the Aspen Crud, a Prohibition-era bourbon milkshake that once helped locals discreetly enjoy a drink.
Aspen Farm & Ranch Properties
Ranching offers a distinct lifestyle that combines independence, hard work, and a deep connection to nature. The appeal extends beyond ranching itself, drawing people who seek a slower pace of life and the ability to live off the land. These attributes define Aspen’s exceptionalism, and that’s why the town has embraced its ranching past.
To understand the magnificence of the ranching dream in Aspen, let’s transport to Old Snowmass. Down an unassuming lane, dubbed Snowmass Creek Rd., lies some of the Roaring Fork Valley’s most prized ranching real estate. This unincorporated town is home to the Roaring Fork Valley’s largest and most valuable property.
The 3,739-acre ranch was purchased by Benedictine Monks, aka trappists, in the 1950s. Since then, they’ve managed the cattle ranch and tended to their monastic duties. However, in 2023, the monastery announced its closure, and the property was listed for sale at 150 million.
Even if you’re priced out by the St. Benedict’s Monastery, there are still plenty of other ranches, equestrian centers, and farms in communities like Old Snowmass, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.
Working Farms and Ranches in the Valley
Here are a few of the family-owned farms and ranches and farms remaining in the Valley, providing high-quality, locally raised meats and produce to the community:
- Eagle Butte Ranch: Eagle Butte Ranch provides USDA-certified natural grass-fed beef. They’re part of the larger T Lazy 7 Ranch family.
- Milagro Ranch: Locally raised 100% grass-fed beef. Their cattle are raised without hormones, antibiotics, or exposure to pesticides.
- Crystal River Meats: A Carbondale-based ranch offering 100% grass-fed beef raised on open pastures and locally harvested hay. They’re among the top producers of consistently marbled and tender domestic grass-fed beef.
- Shanaroba Organic Farm: Specializing in organic turkeys.
- Sustainable Settings: A Carbondale-based ranch offering meats, produce, eggs, and other goods.
Buy an Aspen Ranch
If you’re in the market for a luxury farm or ranch in Aspen, you’re going to want the help of a true expert. Of all Aspen real estate agents, none has a better track record for success than Ryan Schwartz. For more information regarding Aspen homes for sale and Aspen real estate trends, or to list your home with a premier Aspen real estate agent, contact Ryan Schwartz today via phone or email.
