Aztec, NM 87410 - San Juan County

The Animas River Farm is an irrigated, river-front property boasting 818.8 acre-feet of adjudicated water rights fronting 2.25 miles of the Animas River. Nestled in a private valley and just 21 miles south of Durango, CO and 11 miles north of Aztec, NM off Hwy. 550, the farm is inaccessible to the public with a charming private bridge being the sole point of ingress and egress. Borders are formed on 3 sides by the winding Animas River and on the fourth side shear, tall bluffs that create a natural barrier. The bluffs are on BLM land and impassible therefore there is no practical public access to the farm.

Four pivots cover most of the 304 irrigated acres with some smaller pastures under flood irrigation. The farm currently harvests alfalfa and has a long-standing contract delivering the majority of the feed to a large New Mexico dairy operator. New owners are not bound to the existing contract but have the choice to continue delivery.

Water Rights

The property will sell with 818.8 acre-feet of adjudicated water rights, allowing 294.533 irrigable acres. The substantial rights are the largest single ownership in the surrounding area. The rights date back to the the 1890s and became fully adjudicated in 1943. The water has been in beneficial agricultural use since the inception of the rights.

The Land

The farm consists of 587 deeded, contiguous acres. The center of the property holds the cleared pivot and flood irrigated pastures. The western, northern and southern borders of the property are the Animas River and feature a beautifully wooded riparian zone. The eastern border of the land is a section of tall, shear bluffs which create privacy and colorful beauty. On the north and south boundaries, the river runs up to and along the bluffs, cutting off access to the farm and creating complete privacy.. The bluffs are BLM land and top out on a tall mesa teaming with mule deer and elk.

Farm Improvements

A 40 x 100 wooden barn currently houses the large tractors and bailers. The barn is ready-designed for stalls, tack room and shop and could be quickly converted for horse and livestock use. Two 32 x 96 x 24 hay storage buildings keep the 1,500 lb bales dry and secure. A beautiful set of pipe fence pens behind the barn are setup to gather, hold and brand and ship up to 300 head of cattle. Three, 80-acre pivots and one 40-acre pivot cover the majority of the irrigated acres. Two pastures totaling just under 30 acres are under flood irrigation.

20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art greenhouses were installed in 2022. Digitally automated climate control,lighting and watering systems create an incredible revenue potential for a multitude of agricultural crops. The system was installed at a cost just over $1.3 million.

Residential Improvements

The ranch manager lives in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1900 sq. ft. stick built home built in the 1960s and in good shape. When on property, the owners stay is a river-front, customized triple-wide mobile home. The home is very comfortable with many upgrades including two large redwood decks, upgraded flooring, kitchen and more. The third residence is a double-wide mobile home is occupied by another ranch hand and is also kept in good condition.

Animas River

The river runs strong through the property with 2.25 miles of river frontage. Rainbow and brown trout grow large and are plentiful in the deep and wide waters. The opposite banks of the river sits on private land so there is no public access anywhere in the 2.25 mile section.

Location

Animas River Farm is accessed from Highway 550, which connects norther New Mexico to Souther Colorado. The farm is 21 miles south of Durango, CO and 11 miles north of Aztec, NM. Farmington, NM is a quick 25 minute drive from the farm. From highway 550, its a quick drive on a county road to the private bridge which serves as a gran entrance to the farm as it crosses over the Animas River and enters the farm on a fence-lined road.

As this farm has been a strong producer of crops for many decades, it holds potential for numerous development opportunities thanks to its strong water rights, incredible river frontage, vast beauty and proximity to Durango, Colorado.