Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas Community

Protecting Central Colorado

The geographic focus of LTUA is the area of Chaffee, Fremont and Lake Counties in central Colorado. The Arkansas River flows through and connects these counties.

The river, neighboring foothills, and mountains contain many truly outstanding natural and cultural features that are worthy of preservation. The LTUA was formed for this reason and needs your help to preserve these special areas. Join us, your friends and neighbors, to help us accomplish these goals.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become involved.

 2007 Major Accomplishments

We are an officially independent land trust recognized by the State of Colorado.  In 2007, we have organized and completed the following tasks with the assistance of our community:

• Completion of a phase 1 (175-acres) of a 3,400 acre ranch in Lake County with 11 cfs water rights on the Arkansas River; other phases yet to come with CO DOW.  Property has riparian shrubland, wetlands and grassland ecosystems. 
• Completion of 73.2 acres in North Cottonwood Creek of Buena Vista; a second easement for this  landowner who recognizes the importance of a wildlife refuge for elk as well as a development buffer for both east/west of his property.
• Received a Colorado Conservation Trust (CCT) capacity building grant in order to hire a part-time office Administrator in August 2007.  This same organization gave a supportive grant in October 2007 to help with the closing of two important easements.  One is still awaiting final approval for 2007 or early 2008.
• Received a Colorado Conservation Trust (CCT) matching grant in November 2007 based on an assessment completed in June 2007.   Matching funds from the community is essential to continue our foothold in acquiring more easements as well as hiring a full-time Executive Director in Spring-2008.   A year-end appeal letter has been sent to all community-minded individuals to help support this task.
•  A 2007 Land Trust Alliance donation for board training and development in the areas of fundraising, governance, and attendance of the 2007 Land Trust Alliance Southwest Conference.
• Successful in adding 12 of 16 new Common Cents for Conservation partners. Business owners ask customers to give a voluntary 1% contribution at the point of sale. These businesses support LTUA in order to protect wildlife, ranches, open space and important water rights tied to the Upper Arkansas Valley.
• Completion of a new website by Mark Wiard of Wiards Web Design and marketing materials for the open space program by Susan Dunn of GrandSlamDesigns. 
• Board members and staff attended several community business meetings and programs; also met with County Commissioner’s on the Comprehensive Plan for Chaffee County to ensure open space is a priority in the Upper Arkansas Valley. 

By resolution of the Board, LTUA adopted the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices as a basis for conducting business in Lake, Chaffee, and Fremont Counties.

Bylaws Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas - 29-August, 2001.pdf