$181,566Average Value$142Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Rural living in Rocky Ford
Rocky Ford, famous for its cantaloupes and watermelons, and known as the Sweet Melon Capital, is a small community of about 4,000 in central Colorado’s Arkansas Valley. Surrounded by vast stretches of farmland, the city has been an agricultural community since the 1800s. Today, rooted in its farming traditions, the area continues to have agricultural and livestock fairs, and local farms have produce markets in the summer. “Rocky Ford is very laid-back, relaxed and outdoorsy,” says Tina Godfrey, a Realtor at Re/Max Advantage - The Murphy Group with over 25 years of experience. “There’s a big focus on agriculture and sports. A lot of the land here is private farmland, so you have to find state reservation land or wildlife preserves to do things outdoors.”
Rocky Ford’s economy is heavily supported by farming, with crops like melons, chilies, and corn thriving in the warm climate and rich soil.
While small in size, Rocky Ford plays a big role in Colorado’s agricultural output and continues to embody the heart of rural America.
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Established single-family homes with larger lots
Most houses were built from the late 1800s to the 1960s, with some newer properties from the 1990s. Single-family ranch-style, cottage and shotgun homes usually sell between $140,000 and $350,000, with smaller houses under 1,000 square feet priced between $50,000 and $130,000. The pricier homes tend to have larger lots, ranging from a quarter-acre to one acre. Overall, the home prices in Rocky Ford are mostly below the national median of approximately $400,000.
Charming cottage homes, typically built before 1940, add character with their small footprints, cozy interiors, and often colorful façades, reflecting Rocky Ford’s long history.
Many properties whether ranch, cottage, or shotgun, sit on large lots, providing generous yards, room for gardens and a spacious, rural feel that’s quintessentially Rocky Ford.
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Outdoor activities for residents in Rocky Ford
Rocky Ford offers a public nine-hole golf course, a community swimming pool and several parks and sports fields. The city’s parks and recreation department offers many youth sports programs, ranging from basketball and soccer to volleyball and football. “The youth recreation leagues are a big summer activity for people,” Godfrey says. In addition, nature areas such as the Purgatorie River, Withers Canyon and Dinosaur Tracks are about 40 miles away, approximately an hour’s drive, with even more to do. “There’s rodeo and horseback riding, which goes along with our agricultural roots,” Godfrey says. “People also go fishing, boating, camping and hiking. Hunting is also huge here, and some also do off-roading with ATVs and four-wheelers.”
Nestled adjacent to Babcock Park, the Rocky Ford pool serves as a popular community hub where locals—especially families—cool off during the warm Colorado afternoons.
Locals in Rocky Ford often gather at neighborhood parks, enjoying each other’s company and embracing a fulfilling, relaxed lifestyle rooted in strong community connections.
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Agricultural festivals are a tradition in the Arkansas Valley
Celebrating the city’s agricultural traditions, Watermelon Day and the Arkansas Valley Fair, the country’s oldest continuous fair, are held each August at the fairgrounds. The fair features livestock shows, horse races, best-grown crop competitions and live entertainment. In conjunction with the Arkansas Valley Fair, Watermelon Day features watermelon-eating contests and family-friendly activities.
Rocky Ford School District serves the community
The city is served by Rocky Ford School District, which has an overall B-minus grade from Niche and a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Rocky Ford Elementary School, recently consolidated from Washington Primary School and Jefferson Intermediate School, serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Niche currently does not have a score for Rocky Ford Elementary, but the two former schools had B ratings. Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High School gets a C-plus. Echoing the community’s agricultural spirit, the high school’s sports team is called the Meloneers.
Serving grades 7 through 12, Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High is part of the newly unified PK–12 campus, offering students a tight-knit academic experience.
The new elementary wing at Rocky Ford Elementary, integrated into the PK–12 campus, opened in October 2024 and brings together Pre‑K to 5th grade students under one modern roof.
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Shopping and dining options in Rocky Ford and La Junta
Restaurants and local shops are concentrated along Elm Avenue and Main Street. Popular Mexican eateries include Taqueria Mexico 2 and Fiesta Restaurant. The Rock House Bar and Grill offers American classics and gastropub fare. Seasonal farm markets like Knapps Farm Market are close by for residents to shop for local produce in the summer. Walmart, Safeway, Walgreens and additional establishments are in La Junta, about 10 miles away.
The Rock House Bar and Grill in Rocky Ford is a family-owned, community-focused spot known for its rock-solid burgers char-broiled to order, cold beer, and lively happy-hour specials.
Taqueria Mexico #2, nestled in Rocky Ford, is a beloved family-owned spot serving authentic, from-scratch Mexican favorites like tacos al pastor, burritos smothered in green chili, and house-made chips and salsa.
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Traveling around the Arkansas Valley region
U.S. Route 50 passes through the city, and residents can take the highway to access other communities in the Arkansas Valley region. La Junta and Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center are about 10 miles east, while the city of Pueblo and Pueblo Memorial Airport are approximately 50 miles west. People can also get to Pueblo Memorial Airport via a Bustang Outrider bus.
U.S. Highway 50 cuts right through Rocky Ford, serving as the town’s main thoroughfare and linking local businesses and neighborhoods along its busy, four-lane stretch through the plains.
Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in nearby La Junta serves as the Arkansas Valley’s vital regional hospital, bringing top-tier healthcare to residents of Rocky Ford and the surrounding plains.
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Written By
Christina Xu
Photography Contributed By
Darren Asay
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jerry Biesboer,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Rocky Ford, CO sell after 132 days on the market compared to the national average of 69 days. The median sale price for homes in Rocky Ford, CO over the last 12 months is $210,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This well-maintained bi-level offers 5 generous bedrooms and 3 full baths. The lower level also features a charming wood-burning fireplace, perfect for cozy movie nights or gathering friends around the hearth. On the upper level, enjoy the elegance of gleaming hardwood floors flowing from the bright living area into the dining area. Step outside to the expansive, fully fenced backyard an ideal
Move in ready home just waiting for you! This home features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There was a 500 square foot addition added in 2014 for a nice family room, or whatever you need the room for. The kitchen has been nicely redone in recent years and there is plenty of elbow room here for hosting family and friends for dinner. Stainless fridge stays, as well as the dishwasher and gas stove.
Want to become a landlord? Come see this Investor special! Month to month tenant would like to stay. Plenty of storage in the house and the attached shed could be transformed back into a garage. Metal fence on 2 sides and a high block fence on the North side of the property.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
