As in any arid region, water is very important in Colorado. Colorado uses the rule of prior appropriation when determining water rights. First in use first in right. This means that simply because a stream runs through your property, you do not have the right to use it. Your water right must be established for the use that you intend whether that is irrigating, household use, livestock, etc. Therefore it becomes very important that you have someone who is familiar with Colorado water rights assist you when buying a ranch. This will help ensure that the water systems that are in use on the ranch are using water that the ranch had the legal right to use.
Ranches in Colorado incorporate many different water sources; from water wells to springs, from ponds to streams. On Colorado's eastern plains water wells are very common. Ranches commonly use windmills to pump water from the wells however it is becoming more common to use solar pumps as they are more reliable and require less maintenance. Once the water is pumped out of the ground, it can then be distributed across the ranch through systems of pipelines and troughs. In the mountains, livestock are typically watered from springs and streams. The exception is the southeastern and southwestern mountains. There are fewer springs and streams therefore water systems similar to those found on the plains are used where needed.
When purchasing a Colorado ranch, make sure that the ranches water rights are intact and suitable for the uses that you intend them for.
There are many types of fencing commonly found on Colorado ranches. Each has uses that it is better suited for. Many ranch fences that will enclose large areas are constructed of 5 strand barbed wire. This type of fence is quick to build and more economical than net wire fencing. However, ranches that run sheep or goats will need to have net wire fences or 8-9 strand barbed wire fences.
Another common fence on Colorado is a jack-leg fence. A jack-leg fence is constructed of logs and is used a lot for decorative fencing on lanes and homes. If a ranch has stands of timber, a jack-leg fence can be constructed very economically from logs harvested from timber stands on the ranch. This type of fence is good for horse and cattle pastures however, it requires more time to build than barbed wire fencing.
When purchasing a Colorado ranch, make sure to inspect all fencing ensuring that it is of good quality and in good repair. The last thing you want to do is pay top dollar for a ranch that looks really good up front only to find out that all the ranch fencing that is out-of-sight is falling down and needs to be repaired or replaced.
As with most ranching ares, Colorado ranches must contend with predators. Colorado ranchers are very conscientious about ethical predator control and ensuring that non-target species are not caught or killed.
Colorado ranches must contend with coyotes, foxes, bears, bobcats, and mountain lions. Coyotes are by far the biggest predator issue on ranches in Colorado. Ranchers can trap, bait, or call coyotes into shooting range. However running trapping lines, baiting, and calling all require time that ranchers and their ranch managers generally do not have.
With the popularity of varmint hunting, ranchers can offer hunters opportunities to hunt coyotes and other predators. Coyote callers are obsessed and will gladly pay for an opportunity to hunt fresh calling grounds! This allows ranchers to control coyotes on their ranches and make some additional money at the same time.
