Recreational Land & Farm for Sale in La Junta, Colorado

Premium Irrigated Hay Operation with Water Rights, Infrastructure, and Income Potential

Offered for the first time in nearly three decades, this highly functional 260+- acre hay and livestock operation--comprised of two 130+- acre farms--offers exceptional production capacity, senior water rights, and well-maintained infrastructure in the desirable Swink School District.

North Farm: 130+- acres total, with 119+- acres under Zimmatic pivot (2014) and a 15+- acre-foot collection pond. Water rights include 109 shares of Catlin Canal and 109 shares of Larkspur Ditch. A conservation easement covers 64+- acres and 64+- Catlin shares, while 66+- acres and 45+- shares remain unencumbered. Two headgates (one gravity-fed, one pump-fed with a 12" Fischer lift pump and 20 HP electric motor) directly pull from Catlin Canal--no lateral ditches needed. Water can also be pumped to the South Farm. A domestic tap from South Swink water serves the winter cattle pasture. Producing high-quality alfalfa and grass hay for 28 years, yields average 5 tons/acre for grass (3 cuttings/year) and four alfalfa cuttings/year. Corn and wheat base included. Excellent access from paved County Road 24.

South Farm: 141+- acres with 100 acres irrigated by a 2018 Zimmatic pivot and supplied by a 10+- acre-foot pond. Water rights include 120 shares of Otero Canal, with additional Catlin water transferable from the North Farm via a 12" underground pipeline. Pivot corners are irrigated with a concrete ditch and risers. Re-seeded to alfalfa in 2024, this field has historically yielded 3 tons/acre of alfalfa/grass hay. Corn and wheat base included. Access from paved County Roads Z and 24.

Water Overview:

Catlin Canal: Premier Arkansas Valley water with average 5 AF/share, ~2.4 AF CU/share, winter storage access, Fry-Ark project allocations, and augmentation/lease programs.

Otero Canal: 2.5 AF/share, ~0.875 AF CU/share, strong reliability, Fry-Ark allocations.

Larkspur Ditch: Transmountain water, no return flow restrictions.

Otero County Irrigated Farm presents a rare opportunity to own a well-irrigated, productive farm with transferable, high-value water rights and long-term ag viability.