The Mountain View

La Veta, Colorado

$1,600,000

35± Acres

INTRODUCTION

The Mountain View is a beautifully finished 4,780± square-foot log home perched high on 35± acres just minutes from La Veta, Colorado, and is accessible year-round via POA-maintained roads. Featuring stunning views of the Spanish Peaks and prominent dike walls, the quality workmanship of this home has made it locally known as a special property.

The Mountain View lies in the gated Raspberry Mountain Ranch subdivision off Colorado Highway 12, the statedesignated Scenic Highway of Legends. The elevation of 7,900± feet tends to have a great mix of milder winters and cooler summers. Views from almost every room in the house are dramatic and offer an angle of view seen by only a few lucky souls. The spacious home has four bedrooms but could be expanded to five or six. There are three bathrooms, including the well-appointed primary ensuite bath that, with the bedroom, enjoys its own floor of the house. A central gathering room gas fireplace compliments the study’s wood-burning kiva-style fireplace. The log exterior has recently been restored and re-chinked. The deck has been replaced with a maintenance-free synthetic surface. Previous owners have had horses. Though there are no existing equestrian facilities, it is permitted. Elk, mule deer, and various wildlife are frequent visitors to the property.

One of the most outstanding features of the area is its breathtaking scenery, with expansive mountain vistas, Cucharas River creeks, and abundant wildlife. The setting supports a wide range of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing, appealing to both recreational users and those drawn to an active mountain lifestyle. For equestrian enthusiasts, there is a corral and hay shed, adding practical infrastructure for horse use. Just a short drive up the road, Cuchara Mountain Park offers limited skiing opportunities during the winter months.

Moreover, La Veta is a vibrant community that values the arts, history, and local traditions. Its downtown area is home to art galleries, restaurants, live music venues, and boutiques. Various cultural events and festivals occur throughout the year, including the Celtic Festival, Oktoberfest, and July 4th Art in the Park.

The people in this area are friendly and welcoming and honor the town’s heritage, as seen at the Francisco Fort Museum. Mountain people embrace a laid-back and relaxed lifestyle; La Veta is no exception, with a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

1 The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

ACREAGE

• 35± deeded acres

The parcel is comprised of a gently rising hill, with the house located at the crest. The setting allows for commanding views in all directions, with the giant West Spanish Peak view dominating. There are aspen and pine trees near the house, and other native vegetation is nicely distributed on the property.

*The house seen in the distance is not on the property.

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

IMPROVEMENTS

The centerpiece is a magnificent log home in true Colorado Mountain style with 4+ bedrooms, multiple fireplaces, stunning floor-to-ceiling views, privacy, 35± pretty acres, and high-end finishes. Special touches include central air conditioning, in-floor heating, new synthetic decking, a chef’s kitchen, and a heated oversized garage. The exterior was completely refinished and re-chinked recently.

AREA HISTORY

La Veta’s history can be traced back to the late 1800s when the Ute Native American tribe inhabited the area. In the early 1800s, Spanish explorers and trappers, attracted by the region’s natural resources and abundant wildlife, settled the town. La Veta’s development accelerated in the late 1800s with the arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, which connected the town to other parts of Colorado and facilitated the transportation of goods and people. The town quickly became a bustling center for the surrounding mining communities, providing supplies and services to miners working in nearby coal and silver mines.

During this period, La Veta experienced a significant population increase and established various businesses, including saloons, general stores, and hotels. The town’s economy relied heavily on mining and agriculture, with ranching and farming becoming important industries.

However, like many mining towns, La Veta faced its fair share of challenges. The decline of the mining industry and several devastating fires in the early 1900s led to decreased population and economic activity. The town gradually transitioned to a more agricultural-based economy, with ranching and farming becoming the community’s primary income sources.

Throughout the 20th century, La Veta maintained its small-town charm and historic character. The surrounding natural beauty of the Spanish Peaks and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains made it an attractive destination for artists and tourists. The town’s historic buildings and architecture have been wellpreserved, and today, La Veta is known for its artistic community, galleries, and annual events such as the Art in the Park festival.

Fort Francisco photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beal

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Near La Veta, several top attractions offer diverse experiences for visitors. Here are some of the highlights:

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: Located a short drive away, this remarkable national park features North America’s tall sand dunes, surrounded by stunning mountain vistas. Visitors can hike on the dunes, go sandboarding, and explore the park’s unique ecosystems.

Spanish Peaks: Seen from the house’s back patio, these iconic twin peaks, known as the “Wahatoya” in the local Native American language, dominate the horizon and offer breathtaking views. Hiking trails in the area provide opportunities to explore the beauty of the surrounding forests and meadows.

Cuchara Valley: Nestled in the mountains, the scenic Cuchara Valley is known for its tranquil beauty. It offers hiking and biking trails, fishing spots, and picturesque picnic areas. Visitors can also explore the charming town of Cuchara, with its art galleries, shops, and cozy restaurants.

Lathrop State Park: Situated near Walsenburg, this is Colorado’s first state park and features two beautiful lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, camping, and picnicking, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad: Take a nostalgic train ride through the picturesque landscapes of the San Luis Valley. This historic railroad offers various excursions, including themed rides, dinner trains, and scenic journeys.

Bishop's Castle: Only 45 minutes away, near the town of Rye in Colorado, is a unique and awe-inspiring attraction that showcases the imagination and craftsmanship of one man, Jim Bishop. This remarkable structure, built entirely by hand over several decades, is a towering castle that stands proudly in the San Isabel National Forest. Bishop’s Castle

is a testament to Jim Bishop’s determination and passion for construction, featuring intricate stone and ironwork, spiral staircases, towering turrets, and hidden passages. Visitors to Bishop’s Castle can explore the castle’s many levels, admiring the intricate details and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It is a true labor of love that has become a beloved landmark and a testament to one individual’s extraordinary vision and dedication.

Bishop’s Castle

Great Sand Dunes National Park

CLIMATE

La Veta features a high-altitude, semi-arid climate with seasonal variations. Summers are warm, reaching up to the 80s Fahrenheit, with occasional rains. Autumns cool gradually, showcasing vibrant fall foliage. Winters are cold, dry, and moderately snowy. Springs warm gently, transitioning through occasional showers to blooming wildflowers.

Climate charts courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/La-Veta-Colorado.html

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

The Mountain View sits just south of the quaint town of La Veta, Colorado, with a permanent population of less than 1,000 at the base of the Spanish Peaks. The town in southern Colorado is ideally situated on the front range of the Rocky Mountains, with equidistance driving time from Denver and Santa Fe (3 hours) and equidistance driving time from Taos, New Mexico, and Colorado Springs (2 hours). Traditionally a ranching community, La Veta enjoys a wonderful elevation of 7,000± feet, attracting a large influx of summer visitors, artists, and second homeowners.

GETTING THERE

The Mountain View is 10 minutes south of La Veta, off the Scenic Highway of Legends, CO 12. La Veta is a mere 20 minutes west of I-25 from Walsenburg, south of US Highway 160 on Colorado State Highway 12. There are no mountain passes to cross, and interstate driving south of Colorado Springs offers the feel of the old days in Colorado, with sparse traffic and grand panoramic views.

AIRPORT SERVICES

There is commercial air service into Denver International, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo Memorial Airports. Depending on the type of aircraft, there are also other alternatives to land private planes.

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

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

Each of us at Fay 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 has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay 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.

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

SUMMARY

The Mountain View is the quintessential Colorado mountain property, a magnificent custom log home with stunning mountain views, situated strategically on 35± private acres. The home is in fantastic condition; the exterior has recently been completely refinished and re-chinked, and a new synthetic decking has been installed. There are impressive views from every window in the house. The home features an open floor plan, four bedrooms, and several flex space rooms that can serve as an office, den, library, or another bedroom suite. The Mountain View is located near the charming small town of La Veta, Colorado, and a gorgeous few minute drive from the little mountain village of Cuchara, where between both, you will find restaurants, a microbrewery, coffee shops, a ranch and hardware supply, and a mom and pop grocery store with an ice cream fountain. The property is easy to get to, with no mountain passes to cross and a 20-minute drive to Interstate 25. If you are looking for a dream Colorado mountain property, this should be at the top of your list.

The Mountain View | La Veta, Colorado

Please contact Jim Vidamour at (719) 890-4590 | jvidamour@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.

$1,600,000 Cash

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.

| 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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