BLUE MESA RANCH is a typical cow/calf operation located in Central Wyoming and, in particular, the Big Horn Basin. A small percentage of improved or water-sourced deeded land supports large, inexpensive, State and Federal grazing allotments. The Headquarters, at 4,750 ft. elevation, includes all necessary infrastructures to support the business. Improvements include homes, outbuildings, corrals etc. Large irrigated meadows are located at the Headquarters to produce hay and aftermath for winter/spring feed. Summer and Fall (May – November) pasture consists of a huge, in-common, contiguous allotment “out the gate” from the hay meadows. This is a BIG Wyoming cattle operation suited to the personality type that enjoys being outdoors. It is inexpensive to operate and large enough to support a family-sized business.

LOCATION:
The Headquarters is located 25 miles NW of Thermopolis in Hot Springs County on well maintained paved and gravel roads. School bus service for K-12 is to the door.

Deeded Land–                         662 ± Ac.
State Of Wyoming Lease –    3,278 ± Ac. (350 ± AUMs*)
B.L.M. Permit -                   65,000 ± Ac. (1,336 ± AUMs)
*animal unit month

IMPROVEMENTS:
Improvements include a modest home, barns and pens – all in need of update and repair. There is
electricity, phone, and a domestic well at this site.

WATER:
Irrigation - There are 230 acres of adjudicated water rights out of Cottonwood Creek*, a tributary of the Big Horn River. Water is free of charge. A complete list of water rights is attached hereto. It appears that the ranch has the fourth right on the creek.

Stock and Domestic - The ranch controls, with deeded land, approximately 3 miles of Cottonwood Creek which flows year-round. The South Gooseberry Allotment has 2 good wells with gasoline pumps and tanks, and numerous dirt tanks as well as other water sources scattered around the permit that belong to other permitees. Domestic water and stock water in the corrals is from a well with good capacity. Quality is acceptable for livestock but domestic water requires a filter or bottled water (Very common in Central Wyoming).

State of Wyoming:
State Leases are written for a 10 years term and are renewable. The following lease attached to Blue Mesa Ranch;

Lease # 3-8059 3,278 ± acres (350 ± aums)
For State Lease information call: State Land Office at (307) 777-7331

Bureau of Land Management:
B.L.M. Allotments are renewed for a 10 year term when a new owner records the deed to the base property. The process involves an environmental assessment which takes a few weeks.

South Gooseberry Allotment 65,000 ± acres (1,336 ± aums) For more information call the B.L.M. office in Worland at (307) 347-5100.

MINERALS:
Any minerals held by the SELLER, if any, will be transferred to the buyer.

TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS:
Property $685 !!!

State Lease         $5.21/AUM x 350 AUMs = $1,823
Federal Lease   $1.35/AUM x 1,400 AUMs = $1,890

NOTE: Taxes & Assessments can vary from year to year

HAMILTON DOME:
Hamilton Dome oil field, located 10 miles upstream, augments Cottonwood Creek with “treater water”, a by-product of crude oil. This water is of a quality that allows it to be released into the Cottonwood Creek. In 2005 Hamilton Dome produced 85 million barrels of water that was released in the stream flow. Since the 1930’s this water has served to stabilize Cottonwood Creek and subsequent water users making irrigation more stabile then other area drainages.

WILDLIFE:
BIG mule deer, antelope, pheasants, upland birds and small game