Aspen Market Takes a Tumble

The 2008 numbers are in, and Pitkin County – the bellwether market for high-profile, high-dollar real estate in the Colorado Rockies – has gone downhill. Dollar volume? Down 46 percent from 2007. Real estate transactions? Off 40 percent. Read more

The Land Report Looks at the Bush Administration

Change. If Barack Obama delivers on his simple campaign pledge, that’s what’s coming to Washington. But George W. Bush offered change of his own — particularly on laws and regulations affecting landowners.

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Illinois Land Auction Gins $24 Million

A crowd of 800, including 250 bidders, gathered at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield on Jan. 21 and spent more than six hours and $24 million to acquire 4,000 acres of prime Illinois farmland. Read more

Jeff Gordon to Sell Aspen Ranch?

The Aspen Times is reporting that four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is under contract to sell his 2,000-acre Aspen ranch. The buyer? John MacDonald, a Dallas developer who created the Dallas National Golf Club. According to the report in the Aspen newspaper, Gordon bought the acreage in 2006 for $9 million. No word on his sale price. The property is divided into two parcels: a 1,400-acre upper ranch, which will not be developed, and a 500-acre lower ranch, where the golf course is slated to be located. Gordon himself plans to retain 50 acres in the lower ranch and will receive several memberships in the proposed club.

The Land Report Looks at the New Congress

The 111th Congress, with the strongest Democratic majority in years, was seated on January 6 and already the body is at work on legislation of significant importance to landowners nationwide. Read more

70 – Isaac Ellwood Heirs – 130,000 acres

Joseph Glidden and Isaac Ellwood brought an end to the open range in the American West. The two entrepreneurs co-owned the original patent for barbed wire and profited handsomely. Ellwood’s descendants own and lease five ranches in West Texas totaling 260,000 acres. According to family spokesman John Welch, approximately half is deeded land.

61 – Mike Mechenbier – 142,000 acres

An Albuquerque businessman, Mechenbier owns 142,000 acres spread across several New Mexico counties, including farmland and four adjoining cattle ranches. And he wants the land to stay in the family as long as possible. A large portion of the acreage lies in a trust that prevents that land from being mortgaged.

68 – Wilson-Hodge Ranches – 134,000 acres

Headquartered in Del Rio, Texas, this family-owned ranching company has three divisions spread out in three counties in Southwest Texas. In addition to traditional ranching operations, a wildlife management program has been implemented that has bolstered native populations of whitetail and mule deer, turkey, dove, and quail.

88 – Danny, Doug & Larry Adams – 100,000 acres

Based out of Atlanta, the Adams brothers operate one of the most extensive real estate companies in the nation. They literally own hundreds of pieces of property. Some are cattle ranches. Others are for hunting and fishing.

88 – Powell Heirs – 100,000 acres

Jimmy Powell, head of Powell Ranches, runs his family’s sheep and cattle operation on an estimated 100,000 acres in several Texas counties as well as Cherry County, Nebraska. In 2005, the Rice University graduate was recognized for his longtime leadership in Texas agriculture.

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