Fort Garland/Sangre de Cristo Ranches (San Luis, Branson: fit in, for sale, crime)

[DeborahFox]

I would like to hear from anyone living in Fort Garland, particularly in the Sangre de Cristo Ranches. We are thinking of building or purchasing a home in the SCRanches. We are in our fifties and would probably use it for a second home for now . I am interested in an honest evaluation of the pros and cons of living there. I have visited the area both in the summer and winter, so I do know about the climate and general services. Some questions I have are as follows: 1. Are there problems with snakes, fire ants, rodents, etc. that are hard to control? (or any other unusual pests) 2. Are the roads in the Ranches plowed in the winter? 3. Are the relations between the Ranch residents and the town residents cordial? 4. Is there honestly much crime or vandalism? I have seen some homes with gates on all the windows and doors, and others with none. 5. Are there other issues unique to that area that I should know about? (E.g., agricultural or industrial smells, noise levels in general, violence). Thank you!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by DeborahFox

I would like to hear from anyone living in Fort Garland, particularly in the Sangre de Cristo Ranches. We are thinking of building or purchasing a home in the SCRanches. We are in our fifties and would probably use it for a second home for now . I am interested in an honest evaluation of the pros and cons of living there. I have visited the area both in the summer and winter, so I do know about the climate and general services. Some questions I have are as follows: 1. Are there problems with snakes, fire ants, rodents, etc. that are hard to control? (or any other unusual pests) 2. Are the roads in the Ranches plowed in the winter? 3. Are the relations between the Ranch residents and the town residents cordial? 4. Is there honestly much crime or vandalism? I have seen some homes with gates on all the windows and doors, and others with none. 5. Are there other issues unique to that area that I should know about? (E.g., agricultural or industrial smells, noise levels in general, violence). Thank you!

I do not live there but, like you, I was thinking about moving there at one time and did a LOT of research on the area.

There were reports of some crime and vandalism there. People who do not fit into "polite society" who move to the area because it is remote and relatively undeveloped where they hope that people will not bother them. When it fact, they end up bothering other people.

The biggest deterrent to our living there was the water and lack of electrical service. You can drill a well but there is no guarantee that you will have water. Even so, I believe that you cannot use it for anything but "household" purposes (no gardens, no washing cars, no landscaping). Also, I was told that it costs almost $20,000 to run electricty 1/4 mile. Hence a LOT of houses there are solar or run on generators.

Another area to look at is Wild Horse Mesa which is very beautiful. We decided against it because, in our old age, we prefer the comforts of being closer to civilization. I have heard that Fort Garland is not terribly welcoming of new residents. But as far as Colorado goes, the San Luis Valley is one of the nicest places.

One last tip! Lots and lots and lots of those lots can be purchased for back taxes. Get in touch with the assessor's office before you make any purchases. I have seen 5 acre lots going for as little as $700 - $800 in back taxes that are owing. (The Assessor's office is not friendly, but they have a print out of all back taxes available that you can ask for and peruse).

Best of luck.

20yrsinBranson

[DeborahFox]

Thank you 20YearsinBranson for your helpful comments. You mentioned that you heard that Fort Garland residents may not be welcoming to newcomers. Do you know if the community is a "closed" society or can a newcomer become involved in community activities? I don't need to be best friends with my neighbors and value my privacy, but I do like to live in a place where one can get involved if one wishes and where people at least nod and say "good day" more often than not.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by DeborahFox

Thank you 20YearsinBranson for your helpful comments. You mentioned that you heard that Fort Garland residents may not be welcoming to newcomers. Do you know if the community is a "closed" society or can a newcomer become involved in community activities? I don't need to be best friends with my neighbors and value my privacy, but I do like to live in a place where one can get involved if one wishes and where people at least nod and say "good day" more often than not.

I get the feeling there is some clannishness amongst the old timers there. They are a little guarded, and understandably so. I think that, in time, once people in the area get to know you they will open up and be more friendly. When we were there I did not get the feeling that we were not welcome. People at gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., were certainly as friendly as people in other areas that DON'T KNOW YOU. But they were not as friendly as the people back home, who know you well. If you know what I mean.

A lot of people bought those developments out (San Luis Ranchos, Rio Grande Ranchos and Sangre de Cristo Ranches) and then never moved there or paid their taxes. Some of the people do not keep their places up very well, or do not "follow the rules" and let their places go downhill. I think that once people know you are good, decent folks, that everything will be ok. As long as you try to understand how the valley is and don't try to change things. That is sometimes a problem with new people moving in. They want to make things "better" and people just want things to remain the same (even though it could be better).

20yrsinBranson

[maedwards]

Like yourself, my husband and I are in our fourties and earlie fifties and looking for a getaway. I would just like to say that we have made several trips up and around Fort Garland in the past few weeks, I thought that is was a very friendly town. Everyone was very nice to us and gave us alot of information on the history of the area. And like yourself we were looking to buy a place. Well we looked around and fell in love with a place in Forbes Park ,it's in Fort Garland and it's gated so there is no problems with anyone bothering our cabin. It is a beautiful place for a second home you should check it out. Good Luck and who knows we might end up neighbors.

[DeborahFox]

Thanks, Maedwards. Where exactly is Forbes Park? Is it near the Sangre de Cristo Ranches? Are you building a house?

[PrinDi59]

I own property in Forbes Park as well (have not built on it yet). I think you will find that the property in Forbes Park costs more that SDCR, but you get some very nice services - gated access, the availability of cable tv, phone, electricity, snow plowing, etc. If you don't want to deal with a water well, you can get a cistern and have water delivered. There is a community association (and all the drama that goes with it), a community center, several small lakes and common areas. Very nice property. The gated access reduces what might happen to your property in your absence, but is no guarantee. There have been some incidents of vandalism and a few rogue bears have broken into cabins.

Forbes Park is located south of 160, east of the SDCR area. You might want to get a local realtor to show you some lots in Forbes Park (there are quite a few up for sale right now probably due to the economy). I'd take a look before I bought elsewhere.

[CTC]

I used to own a lot in the Sangre de Christo ranch area-we sold because we decided that there was a million or so acres of the same kind of land available for free (BLM etc) throughout CO.

Fort Garland is very poor...I felt sorry for those stuck buying their groceries at the local store-white bread,canned veggies,bologna

It would be a tough relocation IMO.

[DeborahFox]

Yes, I can imagine the difficulties of relocating, especially to an area such as Fort Garland--to the point that I am too timid to do it yet! :-) We were considering a vacation house first as a prelude to retirement. What a beautiful area, though!

[esya]

The ranches offer lovely views, the area has overall harsh winds in summer and winter, and there are lots of similarly situated retirees like you in the area.

I had some friends that bought--then later decided to build, and got taken. It's too remote of an area to find a reputable firm that won't disappear on you, and the cost of bringing in custom is high. So beware. Plus, if something goes wrong there are few local attorneys to be on your side.