Regions
Colorado’s land regions include the Great Plains, Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, Wyoming Basin, and Middle Rocky Mountains.
Agriculture
Agriculture in Colorado is a $47 billion-dollar industry. There are approximately 38,900 farms in the state, covering 31.7 million acres. The average size farm comprises 822 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 64 counties.
Cattle is Colorado’s top agricultural commodity, followed by dairy products. Colorado’s most valuable crops are corn, hay, and wheat. The Centennial state also leads the country in hemp production. While ranch land can be found throughout the state, most of the crops are grown in the eastern Plains region.
Wildlife
Colorado’s diverse landscape provides ecosystems for a large variety of species on both land and water. With 350 wildlife areas across the state, wildlife observation is widely available along with hunting and fishing opportunities. Primary wildlife includes bear, deer, elk, moose, coyote, duck, and more.
Thousands of lakes, creeks, and rivers lend to ample fishing opportunities in Colorado. Popular species include trout, salmon, whitefish, sunfish, and yellow perch.
Colorado invests in multiple conservation efforts to help protect wildlife habitats, support agricultural production, and improve natural resources.
Major Rivers and Lakes
The three major rivers in Colorado are the Rio Grande, Arkansas River, and Colorado River. Their main tributaries include the Pecos River, Devils River, Gunnison River, White River, and Salt Fork River.
Colorado’s largest natural lake is Grand Lake. Located just west of Rocky Mountain National Park, this lake spans 507 surface acres. Lake San Cristobal is the second largest naturally-formed lake. However, Colorado is known for many man-made lakes and reservoirs. By surface area, the largest is Navajo Reservoir at 15,600 acres, followed closely by John Martin Reservoir and Blue Mesa Reservoir. Other significant bodies of water include Lake Granby and Dillon Reservoir.
State and National Parks
Colorado has 42 state parks and 4 national parks.
National Parks:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | Centennial State |
| Neighboring States | Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah |
| Regions | Great Plains, Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, Wyoming Basin, and Middle Rocky Mountains |
| State Flower | Colorado Blue Columbine |
| State Bird | Lark Bunting |
| Big Game | Bear, deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn |
| Small Game | Coyote, Canadian goose, mallard, and white winged dove |
| Freshwater Fish | Trout, salmon, whitefish, sunfish, and yellow perch |
| Saltwater Fish | N/A |
| Hunting Information | https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/hunt.aspx |
| Total Acreage | 66.7 million acres |
| Total Public Land Acreage | 8.3 million acres |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 17 inches |
| Farmland by Acreage | 31.7 million acres |
| Woodlands by Acreage | 23 million acres |
| Coastline | N/A |
| Conservation Program | https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/co/programs |
| Primary Crops | Corn and wheat |
| Main Rivers | Rio Grande, Arkansas River, and Colorado River |
| Largest Lake | Navajo Reservoir |
| Other Lakes | John Martin Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Lake Granby, and Dillon Reservoir |
| Major Rivers | Missouri River, Mississippi River, Des Moines River, and Big Sioux River |
| Other Tributaries | Pecos River, Devils River, Gunnison River, White River, and Salt Fork River |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties Colorado began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in Colorado. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties Colorado can provide the powerful combination of brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
Find an Colorado land real estate agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drives land prices in rural Colorado?
Elk hunting access drives values in mountain and foothill counties more than almost any other single factor. Properties within or adjacent to highly rated elk hunting units trade at substantial premiums, even with limited agricultural productivity. Water rights are the second major driver. Colorado follows prior appropriation water law and senior irrigation rights can be worth more per acre than the land itself in some valleys. Scenic views and proximity to ski towns like Steamboat, Durango, or Telluride add lifestyle premiums disconnected from agricultural value. Livestock carrying capacity and irrigated hay meadow acreage drive ranch values in the San Luis Valley, Grand Valley, and South Park.
What are typical land prices in rural Colorado by region?
Eastern plains dryland crop and cattle range runs $500 to $2,000 per acre. Mountain and foothill working ranches in Gunnison, Rio Blanco, or Routt counties run $2,500 to $6,000 per acre. Ranches near resort communities in Pitkin, Summit, or Teton adjacent counties routinely exceed those figures, driven by lifestyle buyers and development potential. San Luis Valley irrigated farm and ranch land with senior water rights trades for $2,000 to $4,000 per acre plus a significant separate water rights premium. High-end legacy elk hunting ranches in premium units have sold at $8,000 to $15,000 per acre where justified by the combination of terrain, water, and hunting access.
How do Colorado water rights work and why do they matter so much?
According to the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the state follows prior appropriation water law, meaning the first person to put water to beneficial use has priority over later users during drought. Water rights are separate legal property interests that can be bought, sold, and transferred independently of the land. A senior irrigation water right on a Colorado ranch may have a priority date from the 1870s and is protected even against later users who hold rights from the 1950s. When evaluating any Colorado agricultural or ranch property, the water rights must be specifically investigated. The amount and priority date of the water rights can significantly affect both the agricultural productivity and the market value of the property.
