OTERO COUNTY IRRIGATED FARM
La Junta, Colorado
$4,500,000
295± Acres
INTRODUCTION
This exceptional 295± acre irrigated farm and feed yard spans two irrigated parcels. The property includes a fourbedroom, two-bath home with a wrap-around porch, mature landscaping, and a finished basement. Ideal for cattle and hay operations, the farm boasts an 800-head feedlot, ample horse improvements including a pipe roping arena, tack shed, irrigated grass trap, and extensive livestock infrastructure: grain bins, 120’ x 65’ hay shed built in 2023, calving barn, small platform scale, and 2,040± square foot shop. The feedlot features six pipe pens, an automatic water system, a hydraulic chute, cattle scales, and a semi-loadout with easy access from paved Road 24.
The North Farm covers 130± acres, with 119± irrigated acres under pivot and a 15± acre-foot collection pond. Water rights include 109 shares each of Catlin Canal and Larkspur Ditch. Water delivery includes gravity and pump-fed systems. For the past 28 years, the farm has produced high-quality alfalfa and grass hay mix, averaging three grass hay cuttings a year at about 5 tons/acre. It produces four alfalfa cuttings a year.
The South Farm also spans 130± acres, with 100± irrigated acres under pivot and a 10-acre-foot collection pond. It includes 120 Otero Canal water shares, plus Catlin Canal shares that can be transferred from the north farm to the south farm. For the past 28 years, the farm has raised alfalfa/grass hay, averaging 5 tons/acre. The farm was re-seeded to alfalfa in 2024.
This highly functional, well-watered operation offers a rare blend of production, livestock infrastructure, and livability— all just off paved roads in the Swink School District.
1 Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
• 295± deeded acres
This farm has proven its productivity for decades. The 800-head pipe-fenced grow yard is an excellent source of income, providing a demand for the hay grown on the farm. The farm is located near two large cattle auctions.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
IMPROVEMENTS
The farm features a four-bedroom, two-bath home with a wrap-around porch and finished basement, an 800-head feedlot, a pipe roping arena, a tack shed, a hay shed, a calving barn, a shop, grain bins, and advanced cattle handling systems, including pipe pens, a hydraulic chute, cattle scales, and a semi loadout.
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
This productive farm offers multiple streams of income, including hay production and utilizing the grow yard to make some income from yardage and feed sales. Other crops besides hay are possible and do well, including corn, wheat, sorghum, and a variety of produce. The home could be used for many purposes, but with the horse facilities and well-planned improvements, a farm manager or owner can enjoy the cozy home and amenities.
AREA HISTORY
Swink and La Junta, Colorado, grew with the expansion of the railroad and agriculture in the late 1800s. La Junta, founded in 1875, became a key rail junction for the Santa Fe Railway, spurring economic growth and trade. Swink, established nearby, developed as a farming community known for its melon production and strong agricultural roots. Both towns played vital roles in southeastern Colorado’s development, with La Junta hosting a World War II Army Airfield and contributing to regional military history. Today, they maintain their heritage through farming, local commerce, and historic landmarks like Bent’s Old Fort.
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Bent’s Old Fort, Photo credit JayGannett
LOCATION
The Otero County Irrigated Farm is conveniently located about 7 miles from the quaint town of La Junta, Colorado, and only 7± miles from Rocky Ford. La Junta is a town of 7,200 people offering shopping, various dining options, groceries, wellestablished feed stores, highly regarded livestock auctions, a hospital, and a community college.
GETTING THERE
Take Highway 50, west of Swink, to Road 24. Turn south on 24 and follow it for 4 miles. The property is on your right.
WATER RIGHTS
This farm has immense water rights. The amount of consumptive use this farm offers is substantial in Colorado. Due to the varied seasons of water availability and the sheer amount of water for a farm, this size is very desirable.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
North Farm has a 64 acre/64 shares of water conservation easement with Otero County Land Trust. The remaining 45 shares and 66 acres are unencumbered by the easement. These acres are on the east side of the farm and border County Road 24.
Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
21 Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
Otero County Irrigated Farm | La Junta, Colorado
PRICE
$4,500,000 Cash
$2,231
Please contact Joette Schalla, ALC, at (719) 469-8374 | jschalla@fayranches. com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches, Inc. must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
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