Overview of Model, CO

Located on the lonely stretch of **Highway 350** between Trinidad and La Junta, Model, Colorado, is a place of haunting beauty and ambitious history. Founded in the early 20th century as a "model" city for a planned irrigation project that ultimately succumbed to drought, today it stands as a quiet sentinel on the high plains of Las Animas County. It is a community—or rather, a scattering of homes and historic structures—that defines the phrase "middle of nowhere" in the most romantic sense. Model is a testament to the resilience of the prairie and the people who still ranch this vast landscape.

Model appeals to the buyer who seeks silence, history, and the horizon. It is the destination for the cattle rancher, the history buff fascinated by the **Santa Fe Trail**, and the individual who finds peace in the isolation of the high desert. The real estate market here is strictly rural; you won't find subdivisions, but you will find hundreds or thousands of acres of grazing land for some of the lowest prices in the state. It is a place for those who want to watch the storms roll in over the Spanish Peaks without another soul in sight.

The Ranching & Historic Lifestyle

In Model, the lifestyle is dictated by the land and the weather. This is cattle country, pure and simple. "Horse property" here is vast open range, where a horse is a necessary tool for checking fence lines that might stretch for miles. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, covered in hardy shortgrass and cactus, offering unlimited riding opportunities for those who don't need a trail map.

The area is steeped in the history of the **Santa Fe Trail**, which ran nearby. Residents live among the ghosts of the past, with the ruins of the old irrigation project and historic homesteads dotting the landscape. For the modern resident, the lifestyle is one of self-sufficiency. Supplies are gathered in **Trinidad** (about 20 minutes south), but daily life is spent tending to livestock, maintaining the land, and enjoying the incredible stargazing that is possible only in an area with zero light pollution.

Landscape, Climate, and Community

Sitting at an elevation of roughly 5,600 feet, Model experiences a semi-arid steppe climate. It is a land of extremes: wind is a constant companion, summers are hot and dry, and winters can bring biting cold and snow that drifts across the highway. However, the views are world-class. To the south, **Fisher’s Peak** dominates the skyline, and to the west, the **Spanish Peaks** (the Huajatollas) rise majestically, providing a stunning backdrop to the endless golden plains.

The community is tiny and spread out. There is no town council or mayor here; neighbors are defined by proximity, which might mean the ranch house three miles down the road. Despite the distance, there is a strong "high plains code"—if you see someone pulled over on the highway or stuck in a drift, you stop to help. It is a place where privacy is absolute, but community support is available when it matters most.

Why Buy a Property in Model?

Buying real estate in Model is an investment in freedom and scale. It offers the opportunity to own massive acreage for a fraction of the cost of land closer to the mountains. If you are looking for a property where you can run cattle, explore the ruins of the Old West, and live a life of true independence, Model is your high plains homestead.