2008 year granted
160 acres (two parcels of 80 acres each)
Conservation Values Protected
- Agricultural Open Space: The landowner is a fourth-generation rancher in Grand County; his great grandfather homesteaded on Eight Mile Creek in 1883. From the 1920s to the 40s, iceberg lettuce was commercially grown on one of the two conserved parcels. During this time, the area around Granby, CO, was the center of commercial high altitude lettuce production. The name “iceberg lettuce” originated with lettuce grown in this high altitude, cold temperature region. Lettuce production in Grand County began to decline in the 1940s due to competition from other areas of the country where lettuce could be grown at a lower cost. Now, the property is used for livestock hay production and pasture. The other parcel, which was bought by the landowner’s grandfather in the 1920’s and used for cattle and sheep grazing, is currently used for cattle grazing.
- Scenic Open Space: The public can view this property from County Road 55 over Cottonwood Pass and from the adjacent Arapaho National Forest and BLM land, which provide ample opportunity for mountain biking, hiking, camping, and hunting. The property is undeveloped and very scenic, as it is surrounded by mountainous views of the Arapaho National Forest, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and the continental divide. The area surrounding the ranch is very open and undeveloped, other than rural home sites. The property is also close to another conservation easement held by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.
- Wildlife Habitat: The property is habitat for many wildlife species, including elk, mule deer, and black bear. Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists the property and surrounding area as deer and elk overall range, elk winter range, elk summer range, and deer summer range.