Sunset Over Marabou Ranch

Here is a nice shot of the sun setting over Marabou Ranch to get you back to Steamboat Springs soon.

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Bull Riding at the Marabou Ranch party

My lovely wife Wendy decided to step up and ride the mechanical bull tonight. Click on the play button at the bottom left of the picture to see the action for yourself. Her form is pretty good so I expect her to be invited to give a cameo appearance at the Steamboat Springs Rodeo series this summer. It starts a little slow but I guarantee you will get a good laugh. Wendy did a great job and her performance drew quite a crowd. Ride back to the Marabou Ranch blog main page for more.

Marabou Ranch Party with Julie Roberts

We had a great time tonight at the Marabou Ranch put on tonight. They transformed the Sheraton Ballroom into a mix between and dining room concert hall and living room with leather couches, a large rustic bar, a stage, and even a mechanical bull. The food was first class like all Marabou events. Country singer Julie Roberts was the featured entertainment and she quickly filled the dance floor with her intimate high energy performance.

If you have any interest in Marabou Ranch make sure to attend one of their quality events even if it means making a special trip. They will plan a complete weekend (or just a brief encounter) for you and your family to enjoy Steamboat and get a feel for what Marabou Ranch has to offer. It's all very low key and they show tremendous respect for your time and intelligence. Even if there is not a special event when you plan to be in town they will put together a cool experience for you and your family.

The developer, Jeff Temple, is a fourth generation local whose father started the ski area so they understand what makes Steamboat a special place and they do a great job taking it to a whole different level out at the Ranch.

Let me know if you would like to learn more about Marabou Ranch here in Steamboat Springs. I can send you more info and a DVD, talk with you about how it might fit your goals and set up some time for you to experience it first hand. Nothing else can really get across what a special place it is and help you see why it is a special place for families to spend time together. Call me at 970-819-6930 if I can help.

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General Update on Marabou Ranch

Today's Steamboat Pilot had a nice article by Tom Ross that summarizes a few things I have mentioned recently about what is going on at Marabou Ranch. I've summarized the article below for your convenience followed by a link to the article.

"Steamboat Springs The developers of Marabou Ranch luxury subdivision west of Steamboat Springs have responded to the pending sale of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. by temporarily withdrawing about 40 home sites from the market and accelerating construction of community buildings. We feel that it'’s fantastic news, development team member Jeff Temple said of the pending ski area sale. Marabou is a sprawling ranch of 1,800 acres bordering the Elk River. The developers, Elk River Partners, have Routt County's approval to create 62 homesteads in a land preservation subdivision that keeps large parcels of ranchland intact. The community will continue to employ a ranch manager, harvest hay and raise grass-fed beef.

Thus far, DMB Real Estate of Scottsdale, Ariz., representing the developers, has sold 17 lots at prices ranging from about $1.8 million to $5 million. Another handful of lots are expected to close within the next week or two. Temple said sales of homesteads were exceeding the development team’s expectations and the holidays represented an opportunity to call a timeout and reassess the market.

“We'’re feeling very, very positive, Temple said. “We'’ve had some interaction with (representatives of Fortress and Intrawest) that some people may have not had, and it's more positive than we had hoped.

Temple said he and principals Mark Hall and Jeff Jepson sat down to envision the best scenario for Marabou going forward. They decided that spending the money necessary to complete the community buildings at Marabou Ranch on an accelerated timetable better represented the ideal. The intent is to have the improvements complete when prospective buyers arrive in the Yampa Valley during the summer months, which are most critical to land sales.

Drain said road construction as well as construction on the equestrian barn, lodge compound and other buildings is proceeding throughout the winter. Temple said the theater and spa would be complete in June. Work on mountain biking trails will resume April 1. Work on trout habitat improvements to the Elk River is proceeding during the difficult winter months. Link to the full article here

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Schedule for Marabou Ranch amenities buildings

The developers of Marabou Ranch are not taking anything for granted. They are now pulling in the schdeule for completion of the amenities buildings to June. Marabou is one of those places you need to see to truly appreciate and it won't be long before very little imagination is required to see what a special place they are carefully carving out of the Elk River Valley for a few families to enjoy. Give me a call if you would like ot know more about Marabou Ranch. I will give you some more details and help you see if it is right for you and your family. Call Jon Wade @ 970-819-6930.

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Marabou Ranch Winter Festival

Plans are coming together for a winter festival party at Marabou Ranch. The party will be a chance for people to see the progress the team have made out at Marabou Ranch, learn more about what makes Marabou special and to re-introduce the project after the break for the holidays.

More details are forthcoming but expect live music, great food and most importantly a chance to see Marabou Ranch for yourself. I will be happy to arrange for you to attend if you have an interest in a special place to live or spend time with your family. You can call me at 970-819-6930.

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Marabou Ranch Sales are taking a breather

It has been a fast paced year at Marabou Ranch. The project had a kickoff event in late March, began construction of all infrastructure, continued significant habitat improvements in it's 2 miles of the Elk River, added amenities like private fishing access to 50 miles of prime fly-fishing river in North Park and sold 17 of the 62 homesites to mention just a few of the things that came together in 2006.

It's not official yet but my understanding is that the developers have decided to take the lots off the market since the sale of the ski area has been announced and people have chosen lots faster than they expected to take a break. In the meantime there should still be a chance for people that are interested to tour Marabou Ranch but sales will be on hold until February. Expect more news after the new year and feel free to email me or call in the meantime for the latest at jon@mybrokers.com or 970-819-6930.

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The Only Way to appreciate Marabou Ranch is to visit

If you are looking for a truly spectacular place in Steamboat with views, privacy, incredible amenities for kids of all ages and no pretense Marabou Ranch is worth a look. I took clients out to the ranch to see what it has to offer and I was reminded again what a special place the Marabou Ranch is. Back to the Marabou Ranch blog main page for more.

Marabou Ranch featured in NY Times Article

NYT photo
There is a great feature article in Sunday's New York Times that covers large ranch communities that go the extra mile to preserve the land for future generations> Marabou garnered most of the coverage due to all of the unique things they are doing to be good stewards of the land. If you would like to know more about Marabou Ranch give Jon Wade a call at 970-819-6930. I will give some perspective on what a special place they are creating out at Marabou, will send you more info and can arrange for you to see it in person. You can't truly appreciate Marabou without setting foot on the property.

From the NY Times: "Of all the attractions at Marabou Ranch, in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Jeff Temple, one of its developers, is most animated about the sharp-tail grouses mating grounds. “From April to June each year, about 50 birds come back, so we close off our trails and keep the construction away, he explained. “We set up a viewing area and go out at daybreak to see them. Open space is disappearing, he said, sounding more like a conservationist than a real estate developer. But Mr. Temple, a fourth-generation Steamboat resident whose father founded the Steamboat Ski Resort, sees a larger picture. “Here, were creating a legacy for our kids and grandkids.

Mr. Temple and his partners at Due West Land Ltd., which owns the property, have preserved in perpetuity 1,300 of the ranch'’s 1,700 acres. On the remaining land, they have created 62 lots what he calls homesteads— of 7 to 10 acres, priced at $2 million to $4 million apiece. If we’'re doing this right, each of our buyers can say they bought a 1,700-acre ranch, he said. Marabou, which sits along the Elk River, is among a widening group of expensive developments in Western states that are preserving land. At Marabou, Mr. Temple said, the developers decided not to place homesites along the Elk River or on the ridgelines, locations that would have reaped handsome profits. From a business perspective, this was risky,” he said.

We've said to potential buyers: ‘You can'’t have a home on the edge of the river. That's for everybody, he said. “Many of our owners are successful entrepreneurs used to running their own show. If you tell them they can'’t build their dream house, you risk turning them off, and away. But the conservation ethos has not deterred buyers. Since the 62 homesteads were put on sale early this year, 7 have sold, 9 are under contract and 11 have been reserved. It's an incredible piece of property,” said David Rayner, a communications executive from Denver, who bought a nine-acre parcel for $2.65 million this summer.

The fly fishing on the Elk River is quality, he said. A passionate fly fisherman, he has been casting on the river with his son, Michael, 18, throughout the summer and fall. In 2001, he and his wife, Cheryl, bought a 70-acre lot at Storm Mountain Ranch, a 1,000-acre development that was Mr. Temple'’s first in Steamboat.

The planning process for these low-density developments is lengthy. Mr. Temple estimated that it took an extra year to work out the details with Routt County officials, who supported the conservation approach. Marabou consulted wildlife biologists, agriculturists and others to create a master plan that would protect wildlife habitats and support ranching. One great way to preserve open space is to produce food on the land, Mr. Temple said. Marabou expects to produce 200 tons of hay a year, most of which the homeowners association will sell. Some will be used as feed for the 55 head of cattle and 15 horses on the property.

Marabou continues a long tradition of ranching in Steamboat Springs. To avoid overgrazing the land, ranchers rotate the cattle through different paddocks, a process known as intensive grazing because of the extra work needed to move them. When he is not herding cattle at Marabou Ranch, Chad Bedell, a former world champion steer wrestler, saddles up the horses at the development'’s barn and equestrian center and rides with owners on the 12 miles of trails. Mr. Bedell is one of five full-time employees whose principal duty is to show residents the art of fun.

Other master guides available to Marabou residents include Abi Slingsby, the Colorado state champion in cross-country mountain biking and Todd Lodwick, an Olympic Nordic skier and ski jumper who has won 17 national titles. We'’re avid skiers, so we'’re really looking forward to these services, Mr. Rayner said of his family. Mrs. Rayner and the couple's daughter, Lauren, 13, also plan to go horseback riding on the property.

Read the whole article here.

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Marabou Construction Update

Here is an update the Marabou Team sent out today on the progress the are making as they build the infrastructure at Marabou Ranch. They plan to have most site infrastructure roads and stream improvements in during the winter and then will finish things like paving once the roads have had the chance to settle over the winter. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet it is very impressive how much Jeff Temple and his team have accomplished so quickly. It is even more exciting to see the the level of thought and quality they are putting into every detail.

From Marabou: In construction news, two of our six owners' cabins, Sundance Cabin and Riffle Cabin, are both vertical with Sundance Cabin having windows, electrical, and plumbing installed. Sheet rock will be hung by the end of the week. The Riverhouse Lodge and River's Edge Fitness Center have all been framed and are vertical. The River’s Edge Fitness Center will have a roof within the week.

Stream restoration has been progressing steadily. The Army Corps of Engineers has recently approved phase one of the river restoration project. The roads have been coming along with over 90 percent of the sub-grade laid. The water main is also being installed at this time with over 75 percent of the water main now complete. The ranch is easily accessible with a four wheel drive vehicle.

The property development with a plan . . .

From Private Air Magazine Sept/ Oct Issue:
The property development with a plan . . .a conservation plan.
Once you drive—or fly—into Steamboat Springs, you’ve entered the real Colorado. While world-class sports have firmly established Steamboat’s reputation as a winter destination, it’s truly an outdoor paradise year-round—every bit as much in the summer as the winter.

Unlike other Colorado resort towns Steamboat is first and foremost a ranching community that just happens to have incredible snow and skiing—and Steamboat is working hard to preserve ranching not only as a way of life but also as a way to conserve the land. A total of 1,800 acres of productive ranchland along the revered Elk River are hosting the development of 62 homesteads for families who want to live on a working ranch, and an astonishing 1,300 acres of open lands will be held in easement. The underlying foundation of Marabou—the property named after the fly-tying material that emulates the flight of life in the water and proves to be irresistible to trout—is not building out the land but rather preserving the land and increasing wildlife capacity.

As Jeff Temple, Marabou’s managing partner and a fourth-generation Steamboat-native, explains, “I was born and raised in Colorado, and I love the American West. Open space, land production, and sustainability with energy efficiency add up to what conservation is about,” he emphasizes. “The earth is a finite resource, and mankind hasn’t been very kind in our history. It’s time to wake up and do a better job.”

The 1,300 acres of preserved ranchland will support active cattle and hay operations that will allow residents—if they so choose—to participate in ranching activities. “Marabou families will have the unique opportunity to enjoy the adventures of ranch life and the variety of year-round outdoor activities right in their own backyard, Temple points out. The everyday activities include herding cattle, caring for horses, baling hay, and mending fences—but that is only the beginning.

Aside from the fervent efforts to preserve Colorado’s ranchlands with comprehensive ecologically-sound methods, Marabou’s developers are also providing for the residents’ need to balance ranch living with amenities such as a private spa, a health club, and the Marabou Master Guide program. As part of this exclusive program Olympians, world champions, and field experts will help residents learn not only about ranching but also about all the outdoor activities Colorado so incredibly offers. The Master Guide program opens a door to the northwest Colorado outdoors and enhances every experience—from tying a Marabou fly and landing brown trout to blazing the nature-dense trails by mountain bike or snowshoes. Homeowners will even have access to their own private Olympian guide to take the family up Steamboat Mountain for ‘“first runs”’ on snowboard, alpine, and Nordic ski trails—before they open to the public.

One of the finest feathers in Marabou’s cap—or tied into the fly—is the amazing opportunity for home-owners and their guests to experience quintessential fly-fishing on the best private waters in the lower 48 states. North Park, about 50 miles from Marabou, encompasses the North Platte River and three other rivers—the North Fork of the Platte, the Michigan, and the Canadian—offering a truly priveledged opportunity to become one with nature. It’s also one of the few places in the world where anglers can vie for the Rocky Mountain Grand Slam of fishing and hook rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout all in one day. Pat “I Believe”
Stefanek, one of the fly-fishing master guides, maintains the North Park fisheries and habitats where he is constantly improving the natural resources and working with the surrounding ranchers to maintain bank stability, which improves fishability.

You can reach North Park by car in just under an hour from Marabou, but consider hopping into a helicopter or plane to experience the beauty of Colorado’s last frontier in under 20 minutes. Either way homeowners can meet Pat and his team of accomplished guides who can provide once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences.

Whether you’re on the water, slopes, or horseback or at the spa, you’ll find a wide diversity of activities at Marabou that provide lots of enjoyment while still protecting the land. Each 6 acre-plus homestead features surrounding protected ranchland and natural habitats with no views of neighboring properties. If you’re a pilot, you’ll be pleased to know that a landing strip is just 14 miles away. But if you choose to make Marabou your second (or third) home—just know it’s going to be very difficult to go back to your first.

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Fly Fishing at Marabou Ranch

I went out to Marabou Ranch this morning to fly-fish with my father in-law Ted, a friend Todd and John from Marabou. If you think you know what fly fishing is like on the Elk River, think again. The level of improvements they have put into the river to enhance fish habitat is very impressive but let's get to the fishing first.

We arrived a little early so we would be ready for the hatch that has been going off between 10 and 2pm lately. It was a moderately overcast day and a little bit cool. Steve Henderson from Steamboat Fly Fishing was there to meet us and be our guide for the day. Steve is a great guy, knowledgeable fisherman and skilled guide. We started by walking up to one of the side channels of the Elk River and looked for fish. RIght away we saw a large trout on the other side about 20 feet away. Ted made a few casts and caught a smaller 18 inch Rainbow trout right away just as a much larger fish was closing in on his fly. The fish put up a solid fight and kicked off what would turn out to be a great day trying to outsmart the rest of his extended family.

Next we made our way upstream a bit and spread out over various holes and riffles. We each got several solid bites but the fish were pretty wiley and quickly returned most of our flies without the courtesy of entering our nets for a visit. Steve helped me bring up my game a bit and soon we were all rising to the challenge the fish laid down for us. The group fished up and down the area until about 2:30 when everyone left. Ted caught about a dozen fish ranging from about 12 inches to 3 large trout well over 20 inches. Todd caught about 9 with 2 twenty plus inchers. John and Steve also brought in some nice fish even though they were "working" to help us have a great day on the river. Both of them have it pretty well figured out in my book. Now that I think about it I was "working" too since I do need to understand all of the benefits of living in Steamboat Springs and each property my clients are interested in (I am pretty lucky too).

My father in-law has fly-fished all over the world and on the Elk River at and above this area before Jeff Temple put together Marabou Ranch. He loves the fly-fishing in and around Steamboat Springs to the point he often says that he knew it would be good here but never realized how good it would be. That said he wasn't very enthusiastic about what the Elk River had to offer in comparison to the Yampa River. Today really changed his mind about what was possible at Marabou Ranch. This is without without all of the extensive improvements they plan in place.

It would be one thing just to stock a river but they have hired some of the best people in the business to design and build improvements to the river. The idea is that improving the habitat will attract the largest fish in the river, grow larger fish naturally and keep all of them healthier will result in superior fishing that is suatainable over time. They have ordered generously from a large menu of ways to improve the Elk River through the ranch like adding limestone boulders for more flies to hatch from while using them to build beneficial structures. They put in just a few of the improvements in the river that are planned last winter so one has to wonder what it will be like once the habitat has time to grow some bigger fish and the full complement of improvements is in.

The list is too big to cover here but they are also adding 15 acres of ponds and streams through the property to provide a much longer fishing season that isn't blown out by the spring runoff and where the fish can cycle in and out of the river. They will keep the fish healthy by flowing 10 cubic feet per second of their water rights through the ponds and streams to keep the water cool and fresh. By the way I should mention that these pond and streams are not just holes and ditches but well thought out habitat for the trout with considerable attention to detail in their design and contsruction. It is an undstatement to say that Jeff Temple builds things right and beyond the expectations you form from the description. I have spent a good amount of time at Storm Mountain Ranch and I'm still impressed as I see how well Marabou Ranch is coming together.

One other feature of Marabou Ranch that I should mention is that they have their own private lease on 76,000 acres, giving over 40 miles of private fly-fishing on the North Platte, Michigan, Canadian and Platte Rivers near Walden Colorado. It is a reasonable drive or a very short flight by helicopter from Marabou Ranch. This fishery is well known for the quality of its fishing and stunning natural beauty since it is surrounded by the continental divide on one side, verdant pastures all around it and the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance.

Contact me if you would like to hear more about any of this or have me send you a stunning DVD that shows you more about the fishing and other amenities at Marabou Ranch. My number is 970-819-6930. Let me know if you are interested in a lot at Marabou Ranch and want to see it for yourself. I will arrange a visit to the ranch and a chance to fish it next time you are in town.

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Marabou Ranch gaining steam

I have heard from several sources in the last week or so that progress on the basic infrastructure, the quality of the developers plans and the depth of the thought put into making Marabou Ranch a special place (my opinion) have really come together recently. I don't have hard data since lots at Marabou are not listed in the MLS but indications are that this development is shaping up to be a real winner.

I don't think that this is a surprise since I have followed it closely from the start of the planning process and seen what a special place Storm Mountain Ranch (an ultra high-end ranch community the lead developer Jeff and his brother Jamie who is not involved in Marabou built here in Steamboat a few years ago) turned out to be.

Marabou Ranch is a very high-end development but I feel the value they have put together exceeds the price tag. It is hard to say that at this price point so that makes this feat all the more impressive. This is especially true given you couldn't touch this sort of package for a multiple stated prices if it were even available in any other world class ski town. I wouldn't even dare to speculate what something like Marabou Ranch would cost in Vail or Aspen if it was even possible. Even if youcould find something you still wouldn't have the balance of a family friendly and upretentious that Steamboat represents. Steamboat Springs has some of the nicest people you can find. It's hard not to be nice when you live here in Steamboat, you have big problems if you can't be happy here. A few people manage to but not too many.

Marabou Ranch also has some amenities they don't even market. You would never find out if you didn't give it a closer look and come out to visit the ranch. Let me know if you would like to hear more about Marabou Ranch at 970-819-6930.

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Marabou in the Denver Post

There was a nice article in the Denver Post today about Marabou Ranch. It's worth a read for some of Jeff Temple, the developer's, thoughts on the ranch. The lots that are currently availble sell for $2.4-$4.2M and include shared usage of about 1,300 of the 1,800 acre ranch and an incredible set of amenities to make you truly feel home on the range. They have reserved or sold 9 of the 62 lots plus 7 have been taken by the 7 partners. That is pretty solid for a few months into a development of this size and price point. It's hard to say value at this price point but if you think about what something like Marabou Ranch would cost in Vail or Aspen, if it was even possible, Marabou is worth a look.

I am an independent Realtor that follows Marabou Ranch and the Steamboat luxury market very closely so give me a call if you have any questions or would like my thoughts on this or the Steamboat market. My number is 970-819-6930.

See the full article here

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Marabou Ranch Pictures

I went out to Marabou Ranch to get a few pictures for a client last week so I thought I would share them with you. I didn't have the best light to work with so it was hard to do it justice but the pictures at the link below will give you a quick preview of what Marabou Ranch is like. My photos are all copyrighted but a few people have asked so feel free to set one as your desktop photo by right clicking on the photo and selecting teh option to place it on your destop. Follow this link to Marabou Ranch Steamboat photos. Let me know if you would like to learn more about Marabou Ranch or see it for yourself. My contact info is availible in the top right of this page.

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Marabou Mountain Club

The Marabou Mountain club in Steamboat Springs is now complete and open. This is a private club in gondola square for owners atMarabou Ranch with beautiful finishes and furnishings, an area for refreshments, lockers and private bathrooms. It gives them a place at the base of the mountain to call home, keep their things, meet or just hang out even though their home is out along the Elk River. This strikes a pretty cool balance if you ask me. There is dedicated parking at the Sheraton so owners can drive into covered parking and just be a short walk in street shoes away from their base of the mountain refuge.

Marabou Ranch press release

Here is a press release from the Developers: (its worth reading as a good summary)

MARABOU PROTECTS RANCH LAND WHILE OPENING IT FOR CUSTOM HOMESTEADING

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO. - Close to 1,800 acres of productive ranch land on the shores of Colorado’s renown Elk River will soon be home to approximately 62 families seeking to live on a working cattle ranch. Offering a relaxed, yet adventurous lifestyle, MARABOU will preserve the land’s ranching and farming way of life, with more than 1,300 acres of it remaining a working, sustainable cattle ranch.

Here, residents and their guests can participate, at their discretion, in all aspects of ranching, from herding cattle, mending fences and baling hay on the property to caring for the horses that live there. Or they can simply kick back and enjoy the many amenities built just for them on the edge of the Elk River, a renown private fly fishing retreat. Marabou is three miles outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, an authentic Rocky Mountain town widely known as Ski Town USA.

Homesteads will average 6.3 acres and are carefully placed on the land to maintain privacy and protect the overall viewshed of the property. Homes can consume less than three-quarters of an acre, preserving the remaining land as open space, left undisturbed and cared for by the ranch association. More than 1,300 acres will remain common open space.

“When designing this project, preserving the land and protecting the wildlife was our first priority and will continue to be the most critical part of this community,” said Jeff Temple Marabou Development Managing Partner. “Marabou families will have the unique opportunity to enjoy the adventures of ranch life and the variety of year-round outdoor recreation right in their own backyard.”

At Marabou, no homes will be built on ridgelines, protecting views of the ranch and surrounding mountain ranges. Home sites are situated on the edges of meadows, outside of agriculture areas and wildlife corridors. The remaining land will continue to be farmed and ranched, as it has been for the past 105 years. Only now Marabou residents will have partial ownership and will be able to hone their skills and learn new ones, all under the watchful eyes of the masters.

Marabou’s Master Guide Program is a defining characteristic of the community. The Marabou Master Guides are experts in areas such as fly fishing, horsemanship, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. They will mentor and educate residents about how to have safe and enriching adventures while living on the ranch. U.S. Olympian skiers Nelson Carmichael and Todd Lodwick, fly fishermen Steve Herter and Steve Henderson, master snowboarder Erin Simmons and ranch manager Chad Bedell are among the masters at Marabou who will be sharing their passions and experience with residents and their guests.

For the rest of the press release click here.

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Background on Jeff Temple and Marabou Ranch

The lead developer of Marabou Ranch is Jeff Temple, the following article gives some good background on Jeff's previous ranch projects at Storm Mountain Ranch and Maytag Mountain Ranch plus a few details on Marabou.

More info here in the Steamboat Pilot.

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Storm Mountain Ranch Lots

If you are looking for a lot in Storm Mountain Ranch there is currently one on the market for about $4m dollars. You might also consider checking out Marabou Ranch along the Elk river. While it cannot replicate the location of Storm mountain Ranch it does offer more amenities including incredible fishing and extensive ski trails. Jeff Temple, who developed Storm Mountain Ranch along with his brother Jamie, is also putting together Marabou Ranch. He said that they have learned several things from Storm Mountain Ranch that they are using to improve the amenities at Marabou Ranch. I think based on the plans I have seen that Marabou Ranch has the potential to be as nice or nicer overall than Storm mountain Ranch.

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Marabou Ranch project launch

They put on quite a show for the launch of the Marabou Ranch project today. Videos playing aerial views of the property in all seasons interspersed with great photos of the local elk, grouse and other wildlife. Jeff Temple the lead developer gave an excellent presentation on the history of the project and how they planned it to improve on the successful Storm Mountain Ranch project they did at the base of Rabbit Ears Pass. I'll add more details later.

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A Large Ranch in Steamboat without the work

One interesting feature of the Marabou Ranch is that it allows people to participate in any phase of ranching on the 1,300 acres of common space with their family when it is conveinent for them without the hassles or exposure of managing a large ranch year round. Affluent buyers have followed their dreams out west for decades and bought large ranches to live them. The only problem is that it is a challenge to find and maintain capable ranch managers then expensive to keep things running smoothly. Large ranches are generally profitable when run as a business which isn't always compatible with the offsite owners other goals and demands on their time. The most successful gentlemen and women ranchers tend to be retired business people. It can be much more of a challenge for someone still active in their career and even more so for some one form out side the ranching or business world.

Several articles in the Wall Street Journal have documented the trend of celebrity ranch owners moving on after finding that owning a large ranch was more of a time and financial commitment than they hoped for. The great thing about Marabou Ranch is that people can buy in long before retirement, for much less than a large ranch on their own and enjoy most if not more perks than the typical large ranch without the responsibilites of ranch management taking away from their time off.

The Marabou Ranch just outside Steamboat Springs, Colo., will include 62 home sites, open space for grazing, haying, dry-land crops, a sharptail-grouse breeding ground, a winter elk range, riding trails and horse facilities. It will include extensive amenities and superior trout fishing habitat along its two miles of the River, extensive stream system and 15 acres of ponds. It will also have master guides on staff for every aspect of ranhcing and outdoor sports availible in the Steamboat area including Olympians Nelson Carmichael and Todd Lodwick on staff to improve residents' skiing when they aren't tending to the herd.

To see more info on Marabou Ranch click on Marabou Ranch

Elk River Ranch LPS approved

The plan for the the Elk River Ranch (now Marabou Ranch) was unanimously approved by the Routt County planning commission tonight. Marabou Ranch will consist of 62 lots on 1,787 acres. Instead of simply didving up the parcel into 35 acre pieces the developers went through the land preservation subdivision process which allows them to group the home to minimize impact to the land and allow them to keep 1,300 acres of land in argicultural or its native state. A true win-win since it makes for a much nicer end result for homeowners and nature plus cost savings on infrastructure for the developer.

Marabou is patterned after Storm Mountain Ranch and will include many high level common amenities along with great fishing due to many improvements in habitat for fish on the Elk River and new ponds and streams on the ranch.

Here is a link to a story in the Steamboat Pilot with more details.

Update: The project was given final approval by Routt County in due course.

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