Conservation Easement First to Protect a Working Ranch in Chaffee County
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) recently placed the Roberts family ranch (also known as the Post Office Ranch) west of Salida into a conservation easement. This is the first conservation easement-protected working ranch in Chaffee County. The 310-ranch, bisected by the South Arkansas River, is used for cow-calf operations and hay production. Senior water rights and abundant seep water enhance the biological and agricultural productivity. Large cottonwoods and adjacent public land is important winter range for local deer and elk populations. "Keeping these ranchlands in continuing productive agriculture, along with the culture, water and the ability to recharge the aquifers that they represent, are hugely important to the County," said Tim Glenn, Chaffee County Commissioner. Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, is committed to protecting these same agricultural lands and showed their support by giving a donation towards the closing of this Post Office Ranch.
Click here to read more information on this full CCALT article.
