A “conservation fixture” in the San Luis Valley and across Colorado, Rio is known for finding common ground among many different groups, connecting people and forming collaborations. After connecting landowners with national organizations to help them permanently conserve their land, she helped bring together local ranchers, biologists and water managers to create a local land trust for the San Luis Valley, the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust. The Rio Grande Initiative, for which Rio rallied several partners to conserve 25,000 acres along the Rio Grande, is among her advocacy accomplishments. Rio was also the founding director of the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center at Adams State University, where she continued her advocacy work for conservation, with a focus on educating the next generation about the importance of water and drought.

The coalition exemplifies what can happen when a group of passionate stakeholders come together in partnership to meet local community needs. With a mission to foster an equitable local food system that restores the health of the people, community, economy and ecosystem, the SLVLFC formed when dozens of people gathered out of a common desire to connect with the soil, the seeds and the stories of local growers. Today the coalition’s Rio Grande Farm Park is a place where people can practice growing food in living soil, learn about regenerative farming and the environment, and share resources – as well as walk along scenic trails, observe wildlife and purchase fresh vegetables. The park’s Farm-to-Pantry project brings fresh produce to local nonprofits serving community members in need. The coalition also provides bilingual farm business training and is working to engage the next generation of farmers.

Steve is a leader and visionary for conservation in southeastern Colorado, an area known for its native grasslands and prairies, roaming wildlife and legacy ranching. When the U.S. Army began making plans to expand its Piñon Maneuver Site by hundreds of thousands of acres, Steve rallied local community members and collaborated with experts in plant science and historic preservation to make a case for better understanding and protecting this vulnerable region. That work now informs one of the state’s most comprehensive database about this intensive, eco-rich region. Steve and his family chose to place a conservation easement on their ranch, with a vision to produce a resilient grassland mosaic that supports both livestock and wildlife in perpetuity. He is a model for ranchers and other neighbors who are considering protecting Colorado’s unique landscapes through conservation.

Landowners, community partners and land trust staff revere Travis for his commitment to protecting southwest Colorado lands while challenging the conservation sector to think about conservation in new ways. His innovative ideas, programs and strategies for conservation that supports all community members combine with a personal approach that is both bold and gentle. While historically, the land trust only focused on “traditional” conservation methods that are transactional in nature, Travis is expanding the work to include engaging people who may not have been invited to discussions about conservation. Programs engage youth in educational field trips and agriculture immersion programs, landowners in workshops, and members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in cross-cultural conversations. Travis has hired and engaged individuals from the LGBT and Indigenous communities to ensure that their voices are included in this work and they have a safe place to work. His vision includes increasing access to land, creating connections and generating more understanding about the history of these places and what the future can be.

An ambassador for conservation and for volunteer stewardship, Dawson is exemplary for the significant time, leadership and energy he puts into conservation efforts that benefit communities with regional impact. His range of volunteer activities includes recommending legislation; fundraising; conducting outreach; convening with groups to problem-solve; leading educational outings; and advocating to help Black, Indigenous and People of Color, women, and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community enter the conservation sector and spend more time recreating outdoors. Dawson has also volunteered on environmental projects related to watershed and wildlands restoration. Recently, his department at Colorado State University recognized him with a DEI in Conservation award for his commitment to making the conservation field more equitable and inclusive.

Senator Winter has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing conservation through her legislative work at the State Capitol. Her outspoken advocacy is unmatched among her peers. Senator Winter approaches her legislative work in true collaborative fashion, building partnerships and relationships across the aisle for the benefit of conservation across the state. In 2021 and 2022 her efforts helped pass landmark legislation that supports and enhances critical conservation tools and incentives for voluntary conservation.

Senator Simpson has quickly become a leading voice in conservation advocacy and a strong partner for the community. He advocated for forward-thinking conservation policy that passed in 2022, protecting investments already made in permanent land conservation. As the general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and a farmer and rancher himself, Senator Simpson’s passion for land and water conservation runs deep, and he is a respected advocate for conservation policy that supports rural communities.

At the conservancy’s helm for 22 years and now set to retire, Patti’s leadership has increased the number of conserved acres of Douglas County lands by almost five-fold. Markers of her success go beyond acres conserved. Among landowners, partners, community members, volunteers, and her staff and board, Patti has a reputation for cultivating meaningful relationships that make every person feel valued and trusted. Her vision for community engagement has led to significant fundraising results, and to programming that attracts nature-loving supporters and friend groups from across the Front Range. Her partnership-building skills have led to a long-standing relationship with Douglas County Open Space – one that is recognized by many as one of the strongest government-land trust partnerships in the state.

Since early 2020 Aaron has operated a nearly one-person show at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Division of Conservation. As administrator of the state’s Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program and head of the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission, Aaron continuously demonstrates deep commitment, resourcefulness and thought partnership to the conservation community. He stands ready to support new conservation legislation, responds professionally and respectfully to new ideas, and approaches his role as a public servant with enthusiasm.