LOCATION

Located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range at the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley, Sangre de Cristo Ranches' virtually surrounded by the Rockies. Besides the Sangre de Cristo which get their name from the red color often seen on them at sunset, the Valley is ringed to the north by the La Garita Mountains and to the wets by the peaks of the San Juans. The Valley itself is a part of the upper Rio Grande Valley often referred to in literature as the Rio Bravo. It is basically agricultural land, with a great variety of crops and livestock forage being grown on the many acres of irrigated land. Cattle, sheep and wildlife graze the native grasses of the valley, hills and mountains.

The Valley is also well known for the recreational opportunities available on the many thousands of acres of National Forest lands. There is also light industry and general commerce in the region, but all heavy industry is over the mountains to the east and downwind of the Ranches, leaving the area protected so that the air remains dry, clean and pure.

A look at the map will show that Sangre de Cristo Ranches are located in Costilla County, Colorado. Seven miles east of Fort Garland, 33 miles east of Alamosa, and 50 miles west of Walsenburg. Fort Garland is the site of the fort that was the last command of Kit Carson and is now a state historical monument and museum. Denver is 210 miles to the north, while Albuquerque, New Mexico is 223 miles to the south. San Luis, the Costilla County seat, is 23 miles southwest of the land. Each ranch is five acres or larger in size and fronts on a road built to county specifications. Costilla County maintains all roads except for three wilderness-type roads that require four-wheel drive vehicles and service 14 ranches, which are only available for sale on site. Each Ranch has been designed to take advantage of terrain, views and use and has been platted, surveyed and staked. All plats have been recorded with Costilla County. The gently curving roads are traversable by conventional automobiles except for the three wilderness type private roads.The Ranches are located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The terrain varies from gently rolling to hilly to mountainous as the Ranches rise to meet the spectacular mountains of the Forbes Trinchera Ranch on the eastern boundary of the Ranches. Ranch elevations run from 7,880 feet to 12,000 feet above sea level. Overshadowing all is the majesty of Trinchera Peak and Blanca Peak (13,546 feet and 14,363 feet) in the Sangre de Cristo Range.

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

The climate in Sangre de Cristo Ranches is a real change from the congested cities. Summer days are mild and never hot. Temperatures during the day generally are in the high 70's or low 80's and very rarely do they get into the 90's. No unpleasant odors or noises will spoil your day because there is nothing to create such problems. Summer nights are cool and invigorating, usually with temperatures in the mid 40's. Fall comes with the turning of the aspen and bulging of the elk. Crisp mornings and cool, clear days are normally found at this time of year. Winter, with its white mantle of snow, finds daytime high temperatures pleasant, generally in the mid-30's.

RECREATION

The great outdoors is what it's all about at Sangre de Cristo Ranches. There really are lots of deer and elk to see. Even the bald eagle is often seen soaring high above you. Many different kinds of small animals and birds also inhabit the area. You may hear the wild coyote howling in the night or see him as he hunts his next meal. The thousands of acres of public land within easy driving distance of your ranch and the public Green Belt areas within the Sangre de Cristo Ranches give both you and the wildlife room to roam. Beautiful Mountain Home Reservoir adjoins the Ranches and is open to you for fishing, boating, camping and picnicking. The Green Belt within Sangre de Cristo Ranches not only gives you the use of thousands of acres of timbered mountain land but also gives you access to miles of fishing streams "right next door." The Green Belt recreational areas are shown on your Development Map in green.

Viewing the wildlife, hunting in season, fishing and boating are great. You also have the choice of camping, hiking, landscape painting and photography, arrowhead hunting or simply enjoying the great outdoors. For the really adventurous, there is always a nearby mountain to climb. Or for the less exuberant, just watching the stars and the sky and the scenery in this high mountain clean air is reward enough.

About an hours drive away (57 miles) is a new ski area, Cuchara Valley Resort. In full operation, it offers 5 chair lifts that service 20 trails, featuring beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes as well as ski rental and snow making facilities. There are fine restaurants now open, and plans for expansion are underway. Also, Colorado's famous Wolf Creek ski area is 101 miles away.

OTHER ACTIVITIES WITHIN 75 MILES INCLUDE:

Scenic and Historic Tours:Bicycle tours (Antonito), 4-wheel drive tours (Creeds, Great Sand Dunes), Narrow Gauge Stream Train (Antonito).

Water Sports: Boating on various lakes and reservoirs, rafting on Conejos River (Antonito) and Rio Grande (Creede, South Fork), hot springs swimming pool (Alamosa), Olympic size swimming pool (Monte Vista), swimming pool and recreation center, (Blanca/Fort Garland).

Backpacking and Hiking: Endless opportunities to enjoy these activities in the mountains, canyons and forests.

Trail Rides and Pack Trips (outfitters): Antonito, Creede, Del Norte, La Jara, Monte Vista, Platoro.

Mountain Climbing: The Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains provide endless challenges for practitioners of this sport. Instruction is available near Del Norte.

National Forests and Wilderness Areas: Rio Grande National Forest, La Garita Wilderness Area (Saguache). Weminuche Wilderness Area (Creede).

Golf: Great Sand Dunes Country Club, (Mosea) and Alamosa Golf Club, (Alamosa).

Geological Attractions: Great Sand Dunes National Monument, (Mosea), Toltec Gorge (Antonito), Wheeler Geologic Area, (Creede), Continental Divide, (Creede), National Arch (Del Norte).

FOR YOUR PROTECTION

For the protection of your purchase, we have a number of Protective Covenants that are effective for all Ranch buyers. Designed to preserve as much as possible the integrity of the land, they also restrict certain nuisances and detrimental building practices that have plagued many subdivisions. For example, homes must have at least 600 square feet for a one-story house and not less than 800 square feet of habitable floor space for a two-story house. At no time can any land be used for commercial purposes, nor can any Ranch be sub-divided. The exterior of any finished building must have a color appropriate to the setting, and buildings must be of a permanent nature.

HOME BUILDING

You are never required to build on your Ranch. We feel strongly that building a vacation house or a permanent home should be up to you, when you want to do it.

Many different contractors, offering a variety of styles of homes, are currently building in the area, and Sangre de Cristo Ranches' personnel will be happy to assist you with your contractor needs. The cost of construction is similar to the cost of construction in cities in the area. Since there is such a variance in cost of construction, depending on style of construction and building materials, it is impossible to quote an accurate cost figure.

Although there is no county zoning ordinance, there are statewide building codes, which must be adhered to. In addition, the Protective Covenants limit construction on each Ranch to one single-family residence plus appropriate ancillary buildings. These may include guesthouse, garages, barns and stables. However, no building can be put to any commercial use such as a "guest ranch."

HOW TO GET TO YOUR RANCH

Sangre de Cristo Ranches are located in southern Colorado approximately 41 miles north of the New Mexico border. Denver is 210 miles to the north. The ranch sites are approximately midway between Denver and Albuquerque. Also, north are the larger cities of Colorado Springs (140 miles or 2 1/2 hour drive) and Pueblo (100 miles or a 1 1/2-hour drive). The town of San Luis, the oldest in the state of Colorado, lies 23 miles south of the sub-division.

The ranch sites are accessible by air through Alamosa, a city straddling the historic Rio Grande River, just 33 miles to the west. Continental Airlines provides daily scheduled flights through Alamosa Municipal Airport. There are also private airports in Blanca (just 15 miles west) and San Luis.

Sangre de Cristo Ranches are located just east of the Junction of Colorado State Highway 159 (the Kit Carson Trail) with U.S. Route 160 (the Navajo Trail). The Navajo Trail is part of the shortest, quickest, and most scenic route between Los Angeles and Chicago. Any auto trip along the Navajo Trail or the Kit Carson Trail is full of the romance of the Old Southwest.

TAXES

Approximately $50.00 to $125.00 annually (inquire).

TITLE/COLLECTION

You can escrow the land if you wish. The cost is approximately $300.00. This can be done at any time. You can pre-pay the land at any time. You will obtain clear title when the land is paid in full.

EXCHANGE

You can have one (1) year to look at the land and exchange it for another parcel of the same value. You can trade up or down. All exchanges are subject to availability.