Chico Basin Ranch RFP

landscape of short grass prairie land with stormy cloudy sky in background

The State Land Board currently is requesting proposals for multiple leases at the Chico Basin Ranch. 

Chico Basin Ranch is located in El Paso and Pueblo Counties and spans 86,000 acres. This RFP solicits competitive proposals for a 10-year agriculture lease, up to three 10-year recreation leases, and a 10-year hospitality lease. Extensive grazing management experience is preferred for the agriculture lease. Interested applicants may bid on an individual lease, a combination of lease(s) or all five lease offerings in response to this request for proposals. Occupancy begins January 1, 2025.

Interested parties may place a bid by following the instructions and deadlines per the RFP. 

View the RFP packet materials. Responses to the RFP are due July 27, 2023.

Mandatory Tour

Attendance by the applicant or their representative on a one-day property tour is required in order to submit a proposal. The deadline to RSVP for the tour was Monday June 5, 2023. We are no longer accepting registrations. The tour will include information about all leasing types. State Land Board is hosting two tour date options and registrants will tour on the date of their preference:

  • Tuesday, June 20, 2023
  • Wednesday, June 21, 2023

In the event of inclement weather, the tours will be rescheduled to Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Please do not attempt to access the property at any other time. 

Vehicle access throughout the Ranch is limited. An ATV or UTV is required for the full tour. An abbreviated tour will be conducted for those who choose to bring 4-wheel drive vehicles (4-wheel drive pickups are recommended).

Property video

Q&A 

All questions about the Chico Basin Ranch RFP will be posted and addressed below. The deadline to submit questions will be posted soon. 

Please submit your questions in writing to slb_questions.cbr@state.co.us.

You may also contact Mariah Pillmore, South Central District Manager, at mariah.pillmore@state.co.us.

Please note that all questions and responses will be posted publicly on this webpage to ensure all applicants have access to the same information. 

Commissioners are fiduciaries of a trust and make decisions that are in the best interest of beneficiaries. The State Land Board occasionally releases Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Market-based responses for RFPs support the Board’s selection process of determining the most beneficial opportunities for the trust.