Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy exists to serve landowners in the conservation easement process. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, GRCL works on behalf of conservation-minded landowners to place conservation easements on lands in the Gunnison Valley. Services offered by GRCL include:
helping landowners assess their needs and future plans.
finding an appropriate land trust.
obtaining funding to pay for conservation easements.
completing legal and technical aspects of the transaction.
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Recent Projects
Flying W Ranch
Jim and Claire Woodcock protected 1,545 acres in the Powderhorn area in 2022. This adds to 2,433 acres of previous conservation completed in 2002. The conservation easement protects agricultural use and wildlife habitat. The project was partially funded by grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowners. Colorado Open Lands holds the easement.
Crittendon Property
Colten Crittendon protected 120 acres in the Powderhorn area at the end of 2021. The conservation easement protects agricultural use and wildlife habitat. The project was partially funded by grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowner. Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust holds the easement.
Bar IV Ranch
Steve Crittendon protected 240 acres in the Powderhorn area at the end of 2021. The conservation easement protects agricultural use and wildlife habitat. The project was partially funded by grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowner. Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust holds the easement.
Ocate Property
Mike and Andy Schaefer protected 160 acres along Cebolla Creek in the Powderhorn area in 2021. The conservation easement protects agricultural use, wildlife habitat and more than a mile of stream corridor. The project was partially funded by grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowners. Colorado Open Lands holds the easement.
Robbins Ranch
The Robbins family conserved 440 acres of irrigated meadow and sagebrush rangelands in north of Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Steuben Creek drainage in 2020. The property contains critical habitat for Gunnison Sage-grouse and agricultural resources for hay production and livestock grazing. The project was made possible by grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowner. Colorado Open Lands holds the easement.
Krueger Ranch
The Krueger family conserved 198 acres on Cochetopa Creek in southern Gunnison County . The property consists of irrigated hay meadows and sagebrush shrublands in critical Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat. The project, closed in September 2020, was partially funded with grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. The remainder was a donation by the landowners. Colorado Open Lands holds the easement.
GRCL would like to thank the ranch families and the Gunnison Valley community for supporting conservation and completing projects that continue to protect the agricultural lands and heritage of our community. Please check back often for more project updates in 2020!
Conserve Ranchlands. Preserve Ranching.
Consider Supporting Ranchland Conservation in the Gunnison Basin
GRCL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions help us provide professional expertise to guide landowners through their conservation projects and to match grants for conservation easements.
