Consider these 3 things before purchasing a Mountain Property for development in Colorado

1. Driveway access

2. Septic location and setbacks from surrounding wells

3. Well location and setbacks from surrounding septic systems

This is a transcription of the video above so some inaccuracies exist in the text below.

all right hey guys what's up jesse i'm up here in alma colorado we're going to take care of this uh little driveway grading job um the customer tried to get this culvert in the ground by hand as you can see it's uh it's you know needs some more cover layer needs to be hogged out here in front as well as

all right guys check it out this is the uh proposed ball i'm up here in alma colorado customer is mark moore this is lot 10. all right hey mark this is jesse i got all this pile of trees here this is after the fir the second little work sprint here got a pile of boulders there there's a machine we're using this is the well spot so they can get right up to it i'll probably ramp this up just a little bit more this is cut down um by your drawing it looks like you're kind of actually wanting to go all the way out into there so we got this stuff here got these trees here i didn't know if you wanted me to go ahead and try to not take these trees down and um set them aside and kind of get this all graded out a little bit big old open parking area right in here i think that would be nice um and then yeah i got a few more hours left in the tank in terms of what we've talked about on budget-wise and everything like that so planning to come out here in the morning i still gotta get the test bits done and yeah i'm gonna grade this out a little a little bit more but this is about what we can do

right over here and so we're gonna cut this in take out these trees give this all a nice nice grate out um take out these stumps that have been cut here in the middle um i'm gonna bring the driveway right up through here and then let's see it's supposed to be flagged out for me i'm gonna see if i can find it looks like we got some x's on those trees there as well as that has some paint on it i am going to assume that these x's indicate we will be removing them um i believe we'll be coming up through and into here

and then we have what looks to me like we got some sticks proposed house this is going to be the proposed house site

that's a nice string here

this is our proposed house site

property line

there's flags and string going all the way down there

string all along the back here believe this is our

approximate property line string here we're still falling all the way up to the top

coming all the way up to

property corner

about 10.

there's some old test bits and two lots down that we did

just amazing to me that i could probably just drive around the country with my excavator and sell jobs and make plenty money

i'm assuming the lot comes back this way there's a fence line for the neighbors

comes back this way

the trees over here let's go all the way out to the front i'll see if i can find all four corners but i do want to come in and see what this steak is here

going to propose the septic system goes we're in park county we need to have 200 feet off of the well so this is quite a ways out

if i go ahead and call the customer here i'm gonna take out a nice wide swath of trees take care of these stumps

and do a little cleanup see if i can find some property corners it's real important to find the property see what we're dealing with i can see there's one right up there in the trees and there's gonna be another one down in here my fourth corner so if i walk straight through the trees over this way i shall find

the next property line

i will need to remember to keep the tape measure with me tomorrow i should probably

angie help me with the placement of the midfield septic the pull tape and i will need to be

there's three stakes there another stake right up there

property line what is going on over here

property line i think let's see what we have over

septic i know that the neighboring wall is down there so this might be our

next property corner is

property corner

so we got quite a bit of room in this aspen grove

it's a nice good sized lot guestimating probably about two acres flags through here definitely gonna need to see where the customer wants to go with this driveway here's some green i'm thinking our customers thinking this is septic

proposed okay right in here that's good these aspens can indicate ground water but i don't think there's gonna be any ground water in here myself i dug super deep like 10 feet deep and i didn't hit groundwater

down below this site

this is the proposed house location closed well we'll need to pull tape and see i don't think we're going to have 200 feet between the septic and the well so that is something that we're gonna have to

revisit with the customer super cool little dp here for now i think we're gonna bring bring the driveway straight into here i'll call the customer and see what we're looking at so yeah we could really use some some gravel in here we a little more time and i could get some nice drainage trenches in on the sides um up here

you know i've been spending a lot of time just kind of pushing dirt and material down into here to kind of get this this transition filled in a little bit better and then this culvert is buried right here as you can see it's really not much uh road the drainage is going right down the road so i mean ideally we would cut a basin from probably right up in there and bring that water right over into here with a little water bar um yeah because that is not gonna be seeing any water which is fine you're gonna have more excavation equipment out here when you do the house so we can just you know keep an eye on that see if you wanted to relocate this into into the road over here the culvert you know this might be a better termination point for it and do a nice big basin for it right there and then send it straight across and over into here where as you can see i kind of have it trenched out a little bit there bring the water in this way and then this is kind of an apron um entrance for the driveway so that's nice took some trees out on the edges but the driveway now i i like the route kind of has a nice meandering route as you go in um it would be really nice to get the

get the turnaround spot up there at the top so you could at least get turned around i think that's my recommendation here's the well those ribbons up there are the corner and then

you know the property line is basically right over in there so i'm essentially right on the property line right here um those ribbons up there straight to here and so what i'd like to do is actually tuck this well head up into there as far up into there as we can possibly get i think this is a pretty good corridor here and the will well rig ought to be able to come right up through this de-vegetated corridor here run over this little aspen and turn this corner and get right up into there we got to take this aspen out a little bit of chainsaw work

and so some ground labor taking out maybe one or two more of these trees that stump get it down low um and get this well rig all the way up in there what that's gonna do is allow us to just barely squeak in our

setback requirement of 200 feet off of the well for the leech field i'm going to go ahead and pace it off here we have one

70 paces right to here so that's roughly 200 feet from where i went back and so here's our test pits got a ramp coming out i'm going to leave these open uh we have a real kind of really fine super dusty topsoil and silty material that goes down to about there or so i'd say about three and a half feet down underlain by a another fine kind of sandy uh silty till material and this is it here it's got some cobbles in it and this is really what we're we're looking at so this is like a sandy material

with cobbles sand and gravel we've got two of these pits here

both of them eight feet deep about 15 feet apart or so this is where i would propose we put the sta basically in parallel to this driveway um again we're gonna need to maximize our setback and then this property is in between three already existing properties with existing wellheads so we got one there to the south one there to the west and one there to the east the one there in the east is way up in the hills up behind the up behind the property because the neighbors over here have a have a septic right in here but we basically need to come this far up away from that property there in order to be 200 feet away from that wellhead and then we're basically i'm guesstimating right at 200 feet away from that other wellhead at the property of the west so there's not a lot of room we could do treatment i believe here in park county and get a setback reduction down to 100 feet from 200 feet which would basically give us a lot of free reign so if this is a disagreeable location for the for the leech field for whatever reason you know we can always just look at doing advanced treatment which is an additional ten thousand dollars by the time it's all said and done with installation and everything else to get this field and then we can put this field anywhere we want it was originally marked out over here in the aspens which is seems like a nice spot but these aspens could indicate some shallow groundwater over here yeah so that's that's long and short of it

Assessing Driveway Access Improvements in Boulder County

Assessing some drainage issues and proposed repairs to the access road and parking slab.

• 0:01 - 0:29 All right, this is Jesse. I'm up here looking at the customers name bit right Brett's property up here by Filipino. Vyra gorgeous property Michael Ackerman did this whole development and we're looking at grading and doing some road work for this this whole subdivision up here. And this is the customer who is spearheading a lot of our initial work and trying to round up funds from the neighbors.

• 0:30 - 0:59 But he wants to have his property worked on for sure. So he wants a groove cut in this slab that's going to be 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep and has a metal grate on top and it'll be a drain line Bill come and drain all the way out to the front of his driveway and it's going to go all the way back up the center line to the second post there and then over to the rock over there. So it's 85 feet. Total is my guesstimation. We're also going to go ahead and clean the slab on a percent around the.

• 1:00 - 1:29 Pull back all the dirt. So you get a nice edge of the slab and we will go ahead and just braid right to it, but will clear and clean out all that vegetation that's and coaching on the slab and causing the hillside to come and carry that slab. So that's a recommendation customer wants it if he doesn't no big deal, but we will basically start from right and there and then start and clean this whole edge of the slab will pull all this dirt.

• 1:29 - 1:53 Up onto this road and grayed out all this rock here and we'll bring in probably about two loads of native road base and we will fill potholes and will will grade all this for perfect drainage looks to me like we have almost a dead nuts level line right here. And what we can do is use our laser guided rating system. We can find the point right here. • 2:00 - 2:25 Act perfect pitches here or we can you know we can do so. Anyway, we've got some options but I think this would be a really good use of our laser-guided greeting apparatus bobcat and that way we can make sure that that little zone right through there is always staying dry.

• 2:28 - 2:57 And then we're going to want to make sure that this is all kind of coming this way this water and then right down here at the bottom of that stays nice and clean and that little belly right there on the left has a good opportunity to get down down the hillside. That's what he's trying to do is get this the holdup love to get this water here sooner probably like right here drive out of here. I'm going to take notes on how much Native.

• 2:57 - 3:11 Base the regular Road can use as well as this road here. So we're driving out of here counting bullets broad-based there. I think we could definitely go for one right here will do one at the beginning of the driveway over there by the house is that would be the end of the driveway, so.

• 3:16 - 3:19 This whole area rocks in here. • 3:43 - 3:43 Stretch it. • 3:45 - 4:15 Then it out and budget we can do for you wants to spring for one more. I think we could definitely so now we're talking. This is the new part of the driveway that we would be bringing in Native road base is to fill these ruts and manage this drainage great this out a little bit be looking to cover the wrong and I suppose it would just be the section coming up to here. So let's say we.

• 4:15 - 4:22 You play up to three of the road base five at this point. • 4:25 - 4:27 And down here this good. • 4:30 - 4:36 Really? Well, I'll just take some grating I guess but that little spot right there the water crossing. • 4:59 - 5:08 Five or six slugs road base into the main part. Nice will pick up Phillips so you can see who won the election.
• 5:16 - 5:24 Good capitalist here. He comes I like the stranger. Yeah liberals. • 5:28 - 5:43 The gangster gangster Rancher Cowboy the Wall Street Cowboy Wall Street guys are driving around dangling rebar around and everything else. • 5:49 - 5:51 Here we are Phillip land.

Purchasing Front Range Mountain Land

Purchasing Mountain Property in the Front Range Region (Boulder County & the Surrounding Central Colorado Areas)

Owning a parcel of land in the Rocky Mountains is the dream of many folks looking to homestead or to set up a rustic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city or suburban life. That being said, there are many things to consider in terms of purchasing land in Colorado's mountainous and rural areas. There are many factors including the Colorado mountain home's topography, road access, water, drainage, access to septic systems, wildlife, heritage sites, and regulations and laws that need to be contended with.

It is essential that Colorado mountain home purchasing is conducted through properly researching what you getting into before you close on a house in the Colorado mountains.  For example, it may be cheaper to buy a parcel of mountain land and develop it in Colorado instead of purchasing a mountain property with a pre-built home on site. This is just one of many things to consider moving forward with purchasing your first Colorado mountain property. This piece designed to provide you with a broad overview of things to consider before you purchase a mountain property or other structures in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. At the conclusion of this article, it is our objective that you will walk away with a bit of information about purchasing Rocky Mountain land or property, a better idea what to look out for in the mountains, and fresh ideas on how to move forward with the rustic mountain getaway of your dreams.

Considerations when Purchasing a Rocky Mountain Parcel or Home

The first thing to consider is how close you want to live to other people in the Colorado mountains and how near or far you would like to be to a local mountain towns or the more populous civilization in Denver, CO. How far are you willing to drive to from your recently purchased Colorado mountain home to get to the nearest town with shops, stores, and amenities is very important. Consider how long it would take you to get from your mountain property and into town if your car is broken down, there is a sudden blizzard, or if there is another emergency.

It may seem like a dream come true to purchase a mountain property away from other people in the far back woods, out in nature. However, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you find yourself too far away from civilization and need help of some sort. Another thing to consider is the convenience factor when purchasing your Colorado mountain property. It may seem amazing at first to have to travel dozens of miles to the nearest town, the appeal of that can be quite exhilarating, at first. However, really ask yourself if you are prepared to make that kind of trek every time you need something as simple as household hygienic items. It is also important to ask yourself at this phase how ready you are for the rigors of rustic living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. How handy are you? Can you mend a fence? Fix a leaky roof? Repair plumbing? Many times, folks are caught off guard by how much upkeep is required in a rural location, which is subject to wear and tear that modern city living just doesn’t require.

This is not meant to deter from your goals of being a rugged Colorado outdoorsperson and purchasing your mountain property, but it is good to reality check yourself before embarking on such an endeavor. Through doing your research performing an honest self-analysis you can save yourself a lot of trouble later on if you discover that real rustic living isn’t for you.

Consider the accessibility of your potential mountain property purchase. Determine whether there is ease of access because of roads, and not only roads, but the condition the Colorado mountain roads are in. A well paved mountain access road can mean a world of difference in terms of speed of movement as opposed to a dirt road that has deep bore, washes, or potholes that require a four-wheel drive vehicle to navigate to your Colorado mountain property. In addition, learn who is responsible for maintaining roads leading to your property. This can be everyone from the HOA to the local property owners, or even the towns or townships. Verify that you have year-round, permanent access to roads leading to your property. If you can only get to your property on privately-owned roads, verify that your purchase includes permanent use of those roads.

Purchasing a Mountain Property in Colorado:  Topography

The next step in the process of purchasing your mountain parcel or home requires that you perform an in-depth analysis of the topography of the land you are looking at. You need to check on soil suitability in order to make certain that the soil can maintain additions to buildings, foundations, and other structures. You may also need to analyze your mountain parcel's soil in order to make sure that it can maintain crops or areas for livestock. You must ensure that your Colorado mountain parcel isn’t prey to things like rot or disease in the trees or plants. You should also check on light availability - Where are all of the spots with sunlight vs. darkness on your Colorado mountain parcel? This is important when purchasing your Colorado mountain parcel, because it can be very difficult to sustain growth and sustenance without good light sources. This is also absolutely essential if you want to run off the grid with solar panels, as you will obviously have to have access to sunlight to run them effectively.

More Considerations when Purchasing a Mountain Parcel in Colorado

You also want to check on whether or not the land is located on a flood plain or mud-slide zone in the mountains. As the people of Boulder Colorado can attest, a flash flood can be a pretty harrowing experience, even in a city environment. A flashflood or large movement of water in the Rocky Mountains can leave you completely cut off for days or weeks at your mountain parcel, and if this threat exists you must provision yourself and your home accordingly. You also want to ensure that your land will have year-round access. Winters in the Rocky Mountains, for example, can be particularly brutal and you may find yourself without access to your home if the weather turns too extreme near your mountain parcel.

Calculate the external costs of owning Colorado mountain land in cold-weather regions. You may need to purchase items like a snowplow, snow and mud tires, and a heavy-duty vehicle on which to mount them. These are essential things to have when accessing your mountain land during inclement weather. In addition, a word on the Colorado Biome - Colorado is a desert, technically, and as such has difficulties with water at times. You may want to look into water availability and whether or not you will need to set up a cistern in order to store water on your mountain parcel during the driest months.

Purchasing a Rocky Mountain Property:  Septic Systems in the Front Range

You need to determine right away if a Colorado septic system and well must be installed. Installing these essential items can be a very costly endeavor for your mountain parcel, so you must hire the best Colorado excavation services team to come down and dig the trenching, reservoir, and structure for a septic system and well. This is also based on road availability and the ability for excavation companies to be able to move large excavation equipment into the area. This can drastically increase the overhead of your Colorado mountain property, so exercise caution in confirming your water systems before you make a final parcel purchase. Also look into natural water sources. Is there a creek or river nearby that can be utilized as a source of water? What are the laws surrounding water usage for this body of water? Water is an absolutely essential component for any living situation in the, not even to mention on a rural mountain property in Colorado - Do you research especially in this area to make sure that you can keep your costs down and your water flow up.

Purchasing Colorado Mountain Parcels

The next step is to decide how the land is going to be utilized once you purchase your Colorado Mountain Parcel. This is essential as mountain properties have HOA’s just like any other location, which dictates restrictions on how land can be utilized. There are many complex factors that govern these decisions, so it is important to narrow down how you want to utilize a particular plot. Many HOA’s make distinctions between residential and farming territory, for example. Or may be touchy about where and when you can keep livestock on your mountain parcel. It can become a very difficult situation if you intend to grow your own crops or set up off the grid living, only to discover that there are laws preventing you from doing so. Deciding upon the lifestyle that you want to lead and then checking into land that meets your needs is a great way to go about this.  Review the Rocky Mountain land ordinances, zoning and mineral rights rules as well. Many Colorado mountain properties are located in areas that restrict how the property can be utilized, what can be built on the land, and whether or not individuals or state governments can own the rights to minerals located underneath the soil. All of these things can factor into how you are able to establish yourself on your new Colorado mountain property, so make sure you study all of these restrictions and provisions carefully.

Selecting Your Colorado Mountain Real Estate Agent

The next step is logistical. You need to gather your financial team together in order to make sure that your Colorado mountain purchase will be a smooth transition. Start by locating a reputable real estate agent or broker who who specializes in rural property. It is also a good idea to try and find someone with intimate knowledge of the Boulder and Jefferson County area.  A remote agent who only sells residential properties in established communities may not have enough familiarity with the Colorado mountain area's regulations about septic systems, water wells and road infrastructure. Choose your agent carefully.

Rely on extensive reviews and enlist the aid of friends or family prior to purchasing your Rocky Mountain parcel. Next you want to combine saving a lot of cash with approaching appropriate financial institutions. Having a lot of cash around can ease a lot of this process, as many rural folks deal in cash. Next consider finding a bank or financier that actually comes from the mountainous area you are considering for your parcel. They will have a much better insight into the financing structure and will be much better able to serve you.

Finally, make plans to build structures on the property, as the financiers will be much more likely to invest if you are going to have some sort of collateral involved. It is good to mention here to look towards the future in terms of value. Research the re-sale value of the property and try to project what the additions you will be adding - This may impact the overall value of the Colorado mountain property. When you are hunting for a plot, look for a steady rise of property values in the area where you want to buy. Slow, upward growth often indicates that land will be more valuable in the future.

As you can see there is a lot more to owning a mountain home in Colorado than merely purchasing the mountain property. There are many things to consider in the purchasing of mountain parcel, and it pays to be very prepared before entering into such an endeavor. Don’t try to do everything on your own, seek out people with different areas of expertise that can help you to make an informed decision.  Rely on their words and wisdom to set you upon the right course in terms of owning one of these Colorado properties. By doing so, you not only make sure that you are making sound decisions, but you will also create a network of people who can help you in the future.