Colorado Open Lands
Peak to Prairie CCA Projects
347, LLC
Adams Open Space
Bert Reissig
Frost Ranch
Midway Ranch
Myra Benjamin
Stonewall Enterprises
Tiegs Family Trust
Venetucci Farm
2007
347, LLC, El Paso County, 120 acres
Partners: 347, LLC and Cheyenne Mountain Reserve LLC, with funding from City of Colorado Springs and Colorado State Parks
Conservation Values: Thanks to foresight, persistence and a great deal of patience, highly significant land on the top of Cheyenne Mountain is now permanently protected. The 347, LLC land contains a portion of the historic Dixon Trial, which is planned to become a formal public trail linking the existing trail system on Cheyenne Mountain State Park to the summit of Cheyenne Mountain.
With mixed conifer forest, grassland, ravine riparian and foothills shrubland habitats, this property provides habitat for black bear, mule deer, elk and wild turkey, among other wildlife species. In addition, the threatened Mexican spotted owl is likely to use the property. The land also includes a prominent southern shoulder and east-facing slopes of Cheyenne Mountain that can be seen from the Cities of Colorado Springs, Security and Fountain, Fort Carson, Interstate Highway 25, and Colorado Highway 115.
Bert Reissig, El Paso County, 105 acres
Partners: Bert Reissig and Cheyenne Mountain Reserve LLC, with funding from the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado State Parks
Conservation Values: As with the 347, LLC conservation easement, foresight, persistence and patience paid off, and additional highly significant land on Cheyenne Mountain’s summit is now permanently protected. The Bert Reissig land contains a portion of the historic Dixon Trial, which is planned to become a formal public trail linking the existing trail system on Cheyenne Mountain State Park to the summit of Cheyenne Mountain.
In addition to mixed conifer forest, grassland, ravine riparian and foothills shrubland habitats, this property contains massive granite outcrops of the Pikes Peak batholiths with vertical cliff faces. These habitats provide nesting sites for peregrine falcons and golden eagles, along with species such as black bear, mule deer, elk and wild turkey. In addition, the threatened Mexican spotted owl is likely to use the property. With a portion of the summit and higher east-facing slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, the property can be seen from the Cities of Colorado Springs, Security and Fountain, Fort Carson, Interstate Highway 25, and Colorado Highway 115.
Frost Ranch, El Paso County, 915 acres
Partners: Great Outdoors Colorado, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Frost Livestock Co.
Conservation Values: The Frost Ranch is located in the Fountain Valley and contains important riparian habitat, Fountain Creek floodplain lands, shortgrass prairie and irrigated fields. It is also potential habitat for the Arkansas Darter, a Colorado threatened species and candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act.
The 2007 easement permanently protects the confluence of Williams Creek and Fountain Creek as well as the ranch headquarters and scenic “teepee buttes” which are ancient sea floor vents that appear as cone shaped mounds on the landscape. Frost Ranch represents Colorado Open Lands’ first easement along Fountain Creek and kicks off our Peak to Prairie Conservation Initiative to protect the Fountain Creek corridor, significant riparian habitat and associated shortgrass prairie uplands. Please see an associated article about this important ranch on the front page of this newsletter.
Myra Benjamin, El Paso County, 105 acres
Partners: Myra Benjamin and Cheyenne Mountain Reserve LLC, with funding from the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado State Parks
Conservation Values: As with the 347, LLC and Bert Reissig conservation easements, foresight, persistence and patience paid off, and additional highly significant land on Cheyenne Mountain’s summit is now permanently protected. The Myra Benjamin land contains a portion of the historic Dixon Trial, which is planned to become a formal public trail linking the existing trail system on Cheyenne Mountain State Park to the summit of Cheyenne Mountain.
In addition to mixed conifer forest, grassland, ravine riparian and foothills shrubland habitats, this property contains massive granite outcrops of the Pikes Peak batholiths with vertical cliff faces. These habitats provide nesting sites for peregrine falcons and golden eagles, along with species such as black bear, mule deer, elk and wild turkey. In addition, the threatened Mexican spotted owl is likely to use the property. With a portion of the summit and higher east-facing slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, the property can be seen from the Cities of Colorado Springs, Security and Fountain, Fort Carson, Interstate Highway 25 and Colorado Highway 115.
2005
Midway Ranch, El Paso County, 348 acres
Conservation Values: The Midway Ranch borders I-25 along the busy north-south corridor leading from Colorado Springs to Pueblo. While the growth of Colorado Springs has spurred development of sprawling tracts along the highway, the Midway Ranch offers an open and sweeping landscape with amazing views looking west to the Rockies.
The property consists of rolling hills with low lying shrub and cactus. Protection of the Midway Ranch preserves the open landscape for the scenic enjoyment of the public who utilize the busy corridor, and also protects habitat for birds and mammals.
Venetucci Farm, El Paso County, 186.5 acres
Partners: Pikes Peak Community Foundation
Conservation Values: The Venetucci Farm is a recognized feature of the Colorado Springs community and is also highly visible from I-25 and from State Highway 85. Known for its annual pumpkin giveaway to school children every fall, the Farm is an island of open space along Fountain Creek in an otherwise developed area.
The property provides habitat for migratory birds and animals of all sorts that have been pushed to the Farm from the surrounding encroaching development. The property will provide farm and outdoor education for children and adults of all ages as it continues its legacy of vegetable production. Pikes Peak Community Foundation will also run programs and fairs inviting the public to experience the Farm. Read the Venetucci Blog
2004
Adams Open Space, El Paso County/City of Fountain, 50 acres
Partners: Landowners with funding from the City of Fountain and Great Outdoors Colorado
Conservation Value: Thanks to a unique public/private partnership, a 50-acre parcel along Jimmy Camp Creek has been permanently protected. The property was initially protected with a conservation easement donated by Patric and Christi LeHouillier and then was sold to the City of Fountain. Colorado Open Lands facilitated the transaction on behalf of the City. The property is adjacent to the City of Fountain’s new library and contains extensive wetlands, ponds, meadows, and high quality wildlife habitat.
The protection of the property is consistent with both El Paso County’s Policy Plan and the City of Fountain’s Comprehensive Development Plan. The property lies in an area that is growing rapidly and experiencing tremendous development pressure. However, this purchase will serve as an anchor for additional conservation activity on Jimmy Camp and Fountain Creeks; for example, the property has been identified as a key connection between Metcalfe Park further north along Jimmy Camp Creek and the Fountain Creek Regional Trail System.
This critical acquisition was funded through an Open Space Grant from the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund Board and the City of Fountain. The property will provide scenic open space, wildlife habitat, and recreation for residents and visitors.
Stonewall Enterprises, Pueblo County, 279 acres
Conservation Values: Colorado Open Lands has expanded its successful land protection efforts in Pueblo County by protecting its first two properties along the Arkansas River near the town of Boone, east of downtown Pueblo. Previously, Colorado Open Lands has been a partner in conservation easements focused primarily on the southwest portion of Pueblo County. The 279-acre Stonewall Enterprises property is adjacent to the Tiegs Family Trust property.
The Stonewall property contains riparian vegetation and grasslands that are used by numerous local populations of wildlife, including deer, mountain lion, black bear, bullfrog, osprey, bald eagle, and other birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The property contains sloughs, a drainage ditch, and a creek that provide additional habitat for several species. The southern border of the property is adjacent to the Arkansas River.
The property adds to the scenic character of the local rural landscape and can be seen by the general public from both Highway 96 and the Arkansas River. The property is currently used for agriculture and includes irrigated crop production, livestock pasture, and sloughs. The current agricultural use of the property is compatible with other land use in the vicinity, and the protection of this property will provide a buffer of open space to the Arkansas River.
Tiegs Family Trust, Pueblo County, 322 acres
Conservation Values: Colorado Open Lands has expanded its successful land protection work in Pueblo County by protecting its first two properties along the Arkansas River near the town of Boone, east of downtown Pueblo. Previously, Colorado Open Lands has been a partner in conservation easements focused primarily on the southwest portion of Pueblo County. The Tiegs Family Trust property contains 322 acres and is adjacent to the Stonewall enterprises property.
The Tiegs property contains riparian vegetation and grasslands that are used by numerous local populations of wildlife species, including deer, mountain lion, black bear, bullfrog, osprey, bald eagle, and other birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The property contains sloughs, a drainage ditch, and a creek that provide additional habitat for several species. The southern border of the property is adjacent to the Arkansas River.
The property adds to the scenic character of the local rural landscape and can be seen by the general public from both Highway 96 and the Arkansas River. The property is currently used for agriculture and includes irrigated crop production, livestock pasture, and sloughs. The current agricultural use of the Property is compatible with other land use in the vicinity, and the protection of this property will provide a buffer of open space to the Arkansas River.