The Baca Grande Property Owners Association is where most people around Crestone reside, comprising approximately 900 homes. About 1,500 people live in the Baca, a number that rises seasonally. The Baca Grande is a POA, with annual dues of $658 in 2024. It spans approximately 14,000 acres and features about 90 miles of rural roads. There is 24/7/365 fire and EMT service. It maintains parks, greenbelt trails, and rustic golf & tennis facilities. From the official website linked above:
Among the Association’s many privately funded missions is the core purpose to provide for the health, safety, and well-being of its member-citizens within its portion of unincorporated Saguache County.
The Design Guidelines, Governing Documents, and much more can be found at the same link. Minimum build size is 900 Sq Ft in the Chalets and Grants, 720 Sq Ft in Casita Park. The Chalets and Casita Park are within a water district, while the Grants require well and septic.
Chalets
The Chalets are located mostly above the tree line, and serviced by Baca Grande Water & Sanitation District (BGWSD); wells and septic systems are not permitted. Base residential water and sewer bills currently total $88.86/month. Within BGWSD, tap fees total $10,000, and must be paid before hooking into the system. If already paid, they run with the land and transfer upon sale. Another consideration is the location of water and sewer mainlines and AOS (Availability of Services). If located within 100’ of a lot, services are available. Beyond 100’, they are considered “unavailable”, and line extensions are required at owner expense. It’s advisable to contact BGWSD (719-256-4310) to get learn about the costs and details of engineering water and sewer to any lot within the Chalets.
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op (SLVREC, 800-332-7634) provides electricity to the Baca Grande. Underground electric service is available to most of the Chalets, but only a small portion of the Grants. Solar PV is often used in the Grants where electric service is unavailable; as such, the Grants are ideal for off-grid building. It is always advised to contact SLVREC to learn about the costs and details of connecting to the electric grid.
Grants
The Grants are mostly below the tree line, fanning out into the valley. Grants lots are outside the water district and require well and septic at time of development. Properties less than 35 acres qualify for a Domestic In-House-Use-Only well permit, and those 35 acres and greater for a Domestic well permit, with one acre of irrigation and the ability to water small animals.
Casita Park
Casita Park is beside the golf course, and allows for smaller build size (min. 720 Sq Ft). Water and sewer are provided by BGWSD, electricity by SLVREC.
That is a brief introduction the Baca Grande Property Owners Association. Zoning is Residential Single Family, and there are allowances for building Additional Structures. It is advised to contact the Baca Grande POA office (719-256-4171) with specific questions. Or feel free to call us; we are happy to assist!