Colorado Open Lands

Wet Mountains Open Space :

Coalition Land Protection Project Preserving Open Agricultural and Natural Landscapes

Wet Mountain Open Space MapThe Wet Mountain Open Space Coalition (WMOSC) Land Protection Project was initiated in 1999 by the Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust, Colorado Open Lands, and a group of landowners and ranchers.

The Coalition’s goal is to protect important lands along the eastern slope of the Wet Mountains by working with willing landowners to protect their properties from development.  The project area encompasses approximately 40,000 acres of productive agricultural lands and significant biological resources.

Significance

The WMOSC project area contains some of the most productive agricultural lands in western Pueblo County.  The area is also rich with biological resources, including threatened and endangered species.

In addition to the agricultural and natural values, the Wet Mountains comprise the mountain backdrop for both the city of Pueblo and the I-25 corridor through Pueblo County, and represent some of the most spectacular scenery in the county.

Some of the significant resources include:

  • The Saint Charles River, the Muddy Creek drainage, and associated tributaries, along with their high quality riparian habitat,
  • Important wildlife habitat and migration routes for several species, such as elk, deer, mountain lion, black bear, and wild turkeys,
  • Rare and imperiled species, including the Round Leaf Four O’Clock, Simius Roadside Skipper, Rhesus Skipper, and Eaton’s Lip Fern,
  • Centennial ranches – ranches that have been in the same family for over 100 years, and
  • Scenic views from I-25 and Highway 78.

Threats and Impacts

The WMOSC area has become increasingly threatened by development, similar to that along the entire Front Range.  Several large ranches have already been subdivided into 5- and 35-acre parcels.

According to a Colorado State University Extension Agent, about 7,000 acres per year is converted from productive agriculture to “rural housing” in Pueblo County.  This number has increased in the past year, with the agent observing over 30,000 acres converted to development.

Significant impacts of this growth include:

  • Conversion of agricultural lands to other uses,
  • Loss of wildlife habitat,
  • Fragmentation of open spaces, and
  • Changing the character of the area.

There is still time to protect large areas like the eastern slope of the Wet Mountains at a reasonable cost, before these lands are converted to other uses and their unique agricultural, natural, scenic, and open space values are lost forever.

What Colorado Open Lands is Doing

As a result of the combined conservation efforts of several organizations and Colorado Open Lands, 5,161 acres have been protected through nine conservation easements.  Four of our conservation easements, along with a Keep Pueblo Beautiful easement, have protected 9 miles of the Saint Charles River Corridor.

Colorado Open Lands is:

  • Working with landowners to ensure the preservation of an agricultural land base,
  • Protecting stream corridors and important riparian habitat,
  • Maintaining intact migration corridors for wildlife,
  • Serving as a resource for landowners in the WMOSC area, and
  • Forging effective partnerships with landowners and other organizations and agencies.

Partners

Our partners in the WMOSC Land Protection Project Area include:

How You Can Help

Your support is critical to our ongoing success in helping willing Colorado landowners preserve and protect the great natural, cultural, and working landscapes of Colorado.  You can help support this project and Colorado Open Lands’ ongoing efforts by:

  • Making an online donation
  • Sending your donation to:
    • Colorado Open Lands
      274 Union Boulevard, Suite 320
      Lakewood, CO 80228
      303.988.2373
  • Funding or donating items listed on our Wish List!  To accomplish our mission of land preservation, it is necessary to have the right tools.  By donating either the item or the money necessary to purchase any of the items, you help ensure our ongoing effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Consider putting a conservation easement on your land.

Project Descriptions

Through a landowner initiated effort, Colorado Open Lands has protected 6,560 acres through 15 conservation easements to date.  Additionally, three more easements are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Click here to view completed projects list.

Ninety-nine percent of our revenue goes directly to our land conservation programs.