A Rare Opportunity to Create a One-of-a-Kind Mountain Retreat in the San Juan Mountains
Nearly 30 years of history, surrounded by National Forest, with a transferable development permit already in place - offering a foundation for something truly special.
Phoenix Ridge Yurts is not just a property - it's a place that has quietly created meaningful experiences for hundreds of people over the past three decades. Guests have celebrated anniversaries, proposed marriage, hosted small weddings, and stepped away from the noise of everyday life to reconnect with nature in a setting that is both remote and deeply peaceful.
Many have said it is difficult to fully understand the experience without being there in person.
The Opportunity
After nearly 30 years of ownership, the property is now being offered for the next steward — someone who sees not just what it is today, but what it can become.
Whether envisioned as a private mountain sanctuary, a boutique retreat, or a thoughtfully expanded hospitality concept, the foundation is already in place for something exceptional.
A Rare and Valuable Development Permit
Included with the property is a transferable development permit — originally obtained in 1997 and reaffirmed by the county in 2022 — that allows for expanded use well beyond what would typically be approved today.
The permit provides for:
- 4-6 additional yurts
- 2-4 cabins
- A lodge and shower house
- Up to 24 overnight guests
This creates a unique opportunity to develop a small-scale, high-quality retreat environment over time, and the new owner has a 10-year window for completion.
In Colorado's regulatory environment, obtaining approvals of this nature is extremely difficult.
This property is ideally suited for someone seeking to create a boutique mountain retreat, a private legacy property, or a low-density hospitality experience centered around nature, simplicity, and meaningful connection.
While the property has historically operated on a small scale, the existing use represents only a fraction of what is possible under the current permit. Financial projections are provided as a reference for potential future development, not as a reflection of current operations.
For the right person, this is not simply a real estate purchase — it is an opportunity to carry forward something that has already touched many lives, and to shape its next chapter in a way that remains true to the land and the experience it offers.
A Message from the Owner
After nearly 30 years of caring for this land, I wanted to share a few thoughts about what it has meant to me — and what I believe it could become for the next steward.
For the right person, this is more than a property — it is an opportunity to continue something that has already touched many lives, and to shape its next chapter in a meaningful way.
Existing Structures
- One 20' yurt with attached 12' bathroom yurt (Pacific Yurts)
- One 24' tall-wall yurt with detached bathhouse (Colorado Yurt Company)
- Fully equipped kitchen, propane appliances, quartz finishes
- Large Trex-style deck with propane fire pit and dramatic 1,100' views
- County-approved septic system installed in 2021
Development Potential
- Transferable Conditional Use Permit (issued 1997, reaffirmed 2021)
- Allows 6-9 yurts and 2-4 cabins
- Up to 24 overnight guests
- Lodge + shower house permitted (no specific size limits)
- 10-year buildout window
- Permit runs with the land and transfers automatically
- Opportunities like this are increasingly difficult to obtain in Colorado today
Access & Infrastructure
- Legal access via transferable Forest Service permits (multi-year effort to obtain)
- County-maintained road to within 1.5 miles year-round
- Seasonal access via jeep road or snowmobile in winter
- Starlink internet capability (no cell signal, but reliable Wi-Fi calling)
Location & Access Highlights
- 15 minutes to Creede
- 45 minutes to Wolf Creek Pass
- ~1 hour to Pagosa Springs
- ~2 hours to Durango & Great Sand Dunes
- Mineral County Airport (6,880 ft runway, recently repaved, supports private aircraft)
- Prior helicopter landing access on property
Business & Growth Potential
- Historically operated May-October (winter expansion opportunity)
- No formal marketing has been done for over 20 years, demand has exceeded capacity
- No social media presence — strong organic demand
- Growing interest in yurts/experiential lodging
- Potential for upscale retreat or boutique hospitality concept
Additional Highlights
- Featured in 5280 Magazine (multiple years)
- Considered for reality TV productions
- Owner financing available (minimum 50% down)
- Owner willing to consult with new owner
Practical Considerations
- No well currently on property
- Future development must comply with Colorado Rule 43
- Seasonal access considerations
Price:
$1,500,000
Mark Richter
hutrentals@gmail.com
(303) 565-6787