Popular Telluride waterfall, mining claims hit market for $14.9M

DENVER (KDVR) — The area that is home to one of Telluride’s most popular waterfalls hit the market for millions.

Bear Creek Falls and the Upper Bear Creek Falls are waterfalls along the well-traveled Bear Creek Trail just miles outside downtown Telluride, and the land was listed for the first time in over 100 years.Take a look: Billionaire’s Aspen home on the market for $125M

The waterfalls are a Telluride staple as they are accessible by wide trails with Aspens, pine groves and sweeping views of San Miguel County. While the waterfalls and surrounding area are on U.S. Forest Service Lands in San Miguel County, it’s not public land.

According to the listing on Zillow, the falls are privately owned. The offer includes the Wild Yankee Millsite claim, which contains Bear Creek Falls, and nearly full ownership of four other surrounding mining claims that surround the falls, including the Wild Yankee Lode, the Silver Chief Millsite, the Silver Chief Lode and the Excelsior Lode.

Realtor Shane Jones with Best of Pagosa Springs said on the listing that the popular property could have some revenue benefits.Mansion for sale with almost $1M worth of windows overlooking Snowmass Valley

“Similar to Hanging Lake, 7-Falls (A Broadmoor Hotel-owned waterfall attraction), or Maroon Bells, a user fee model could be imposed, and with improvements such as a viewing platform, stairs to the upper falls, etc., the revenue estimates are significant,” said Jones on the listing.

Jones also mentioned that if the property was acquired and brought back into the public domain, it could bring significant tax credits.

The waterfalls and surrounding land make up 33.6 acres of land and five patented mining claims and are on sale for $14,999,995.