Chancellor Ranch RFP

The State Land Board is requesting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the Chancellor Ranch located in Las Animas County starting on April 16, 2025. This RFP solicits competitive proposals for a 10-year agricultural grazing lease and a 10-year recreation lease. The leases can be bid on individually or combined. 

The State Land Board hosted a mandatory tour of the property on May 20, 2025. Participation in the ranch tour by the applicant or their representative is required in order to submit a proposal. This ensures that all applicants are familiar with the property, its context and existing improvements, prior to formulating a bid. There will be no other opportunity to view the property.

Staff are reviewing proposal submissions. 

About the Property 

The Chancellor Ranch is located in central Las Animas County, approximately 30 miles east of Trinidad and 20 miles north of the New Mexico border. It encompasses a contiguous block of 50,165.65 acres, or approximately 83-square miles. The State Land Board acquired the Chancellor Ranch in late 2004 from James and Loretta Chancellor, who owned it since 1974. At the time of acquisition, the Chancellors’ deeded ownership of 45,751 acres was commingled with just over 7,200 acres of state trust land. The resulting assemblage is characterized as upland mesas, steep-sided canyons, and river bottom parcels on the banks of the Purgatory (aka Purgatoire) River. The ranch is generally surrounded by large working ranches and public lands.

Additional details about the property and instructions to submit a proposal are provided in the RFP documentation below. 

Q&A 

The deadline to submit questions related to this Request for Proposals was Monday, June 2, 2025. 

Chancellor Ranch Q&A (as of June 10, 2025)

Additional Resources 

Hunt Lodge Photos (recreation lease)

The Hunting Lodge (2,384 square feet) is owned by the State Land Board and is included in the recreation lease. 

Ranch Headquarters Photos (agriculture lease) 

The Main Ranch House (2,075 square foot residence) is owned by the State Land Board and is included in the agriculture lease. 
 

Clarifying 'Local Community Stability'  

During the April 2024 Board Meeting, Assistant Director, Eliot Hoyt, presented information to the State Land Board Commissioners on what is meant by ‘Local Community Stability’ when considering Competitive Bids. Watch the presentation. Read the April 2024 Board Meeting Packet.    

(last updated 6/6/2025)