[Closed] Request for Proposals: Thorne Ranch Lease

Huerfano County is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced agricultural operators to lease, manage, and maintain the Thorne Ranch.  Sealed proposals will be accepted until Friday, April 22, 2022 at 4PM MT.  Any proposal received after that time will not be considered.  Proposals must be submitted by mail or hand delivered to Huerfano County, 401 Main Street, Suite 201, Walsenburg, CO 81089

View the Full RFP Here

Faxed or emailed proposals will not be accepted.  Interested parties may submit their proposals on paper or in PDF Format on a flash drive.  Paper proposals must be typed and legible.  Regardless of format, proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly identified on the envelope as “Thorne Ranch Lease Proposal”.

Procedural and technical questions are to be submitted in writing to Carl Young at cyoung@huerfano.us.  Questions will be accepted until Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 4PM MT.  Interest parties may not contact any other County Staff or Elected Officials on this matter.

The selected party will enter into a negotiated lease agreement with the County for an initial term ending December 31, 2022.  The County has the following requirements for said agreement.

1. The Ranch must be cultivated, irrigated, and farmed by the selected party.  No part of the agricultural operation may be sublet.
2. Selected party must fix and maintain fences, ditches, and irrigation structures on the Ranch.
3. Selected party must accept the Ranch “as is, where is” and indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County for any and all claims, liabilities, losses, demands, damages, expenses due to or arising out of any use by the selected party.  Selected party will be required to carry both comprehensive automobile and vehicle liability insurance and broad form comprehensive general liability insurance.
4. Selected party must cooperate with and advise the County on major capital improvements, upgrades, and other projects on the Ranch.  The County will take the lead on noxious weed and invasive species mitigation.  The County is also working on a planning project for future uses of the property and is considering other capital improvements to the Ranch.
5. The County does intend the development of community amenities on the property during the term of the lease and the County will plan such amenities and their operations with the selected party.
6. The County has the authority to access the property at any time and will coordinate such access to the extent possible.
7. Selected party may not live on the property.
8. Selected party may sublet hunting operations on the property with the approval of the County.

Interested parties must submit a letter of interest, not to exceed four pages, that includes the following information:

1. Name, daytime phone number, and email address for the primary point of contact
2. Describe the operation you propose for this property, with as much detail as possible.
3. If you are currently involved in other agricultural enterprises, briefly describe the operation(s) and include general locations and include a statement as to how the Ranch will fit in with the rest of your operation.
4. Describe your agricultural background.
5. Include three references or letters of reference.

Note that letters of reference do not count to the four-page maximum.