Sidebar by Marcia Darnell
Land Use – February 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
Preservation is, ironically, the hot new trend. Land trusts, easements, and other means of maintaining open space, wildlife, and historic landmarks are growing, especially in rural Colorado.
In addition to the Everson Ranch saved by the Orient Land Trust, other good land in the San Luis Valley is being preserved from development.
The Saguache Creek Corridor Project hopes to preserve 18,400 acres bordered by BLM land along Highway 114. The project, sponsored by the Cattlemen’s Agriculture Land Trust, recently received a $3.7 million grant from Great Outdoors Colorado. That money will purchase the first easements in the corridor.
Another 81,400 acres in the Valley will stay open thanks to Forbes, Inc. The Forbes Trinchera Ranch in northern Costilla County will remain undeveloped under an easement donated to Colorado Open Lands. Purchased by Malcolm Forbes 35 years ago, the ranch has been a family and guest retreat for many years.
Colorado Open Lands has conserved land in 30 counties. For more information, visit coloradolands.org.
