Meet Your Local Land Trust
Connect. Volunteer. Learn. Enjoy.
Land trusts are working to conserve land, water and wildlife - and protect people’s connection to Colorado’s special places - across the state. Diverse in size, geographic scope and programming, their conservation and stewardship efforts are vital to Coloradans’ quality of life every day.
Who’s your local land trust? No matter which region of Colorado is your favorite, a land trust is working on something important there right now. Meet them today. Browse the Colorado map to find a land trust in your region, and read a little bit about each land trust below.
Get involved. Land trusts offer numerous ways to get involved, from volunteer opportunities and outdoor education programs, to guided hikes and social events. Your involvement will help them advance their work and continue protecting the lands you love in Colorado.
Get involved: Volunteer
central colorado conservancy
Region: Central Colorado
Mission: Protecting the lands, waters and quality of life of central Colorado as our communities face pressure and rapid growth.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Since 2001, 5,000 acres have been protected thanks to Central Colorado Conservancy’s work. One well-known easement called Raspberry Gulch sits just below Mt. Antero, winding through open meadows and huge aspen groves. Read more.
Get involved: Explore | Find Local Food | Hike
PALMER LAND conservancy
Region: Southern Colorado
Mission: To protect land and water for the health and wellbeing of people and nature.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Thanks to Palmer Land Conservancy, 20 parks and open spaces have been protected, forever, for the enjoyment of southern Coloradans and anyone who visits the region. Read more.
Get involved: Events
Southern Plains Land Trust
Region: Southeastern Plains
Mission: The Southern Plains Land Trust creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, which ensure a future for all native animals and plants.
One of many ways their work benefits you! The prairie land protected by Southern Plains Land Trust provides a home to native species of plants and animals that are important to our prairie habitats. It’s even created opportunities to reintroduce bison back to the land, helping to maintain and protect the shortgrass prairie - among the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. Read more.
Douglas LAND CONSERVANCY
Region: Central Front Range and Douglas County
Mission: Douglas Land Conservancy is a non-partisan, non-profit land trust dedicated to the protection and conservation of the natural character, habitat, and open space of Douglas County and other areas within the central Front Range region of Colorado.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Thanks to easements on over 11,000 acres, the public of Douglas County and the Central Front Range have unique opportunities to hike and explore nature close to home. Read more.
Get involved: Volunteer
Region: Estes Valley
Mission: To preserve and protect open space, valleys, wetlands, streams, ranch lands, and wildlife habitat in the Estes Valley and surrounding area.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Protecting scenery or open space means preserving land that is open and natural, where views are not hindered by billboards or buildings. Many of the Estes Valley’s natural features – the distinctive “Thumb” on Prospect Mountain, Lumpy Ridge, the Twin Owls – have shaped this community’s identity and enjoy protection from future development. Read how Estes Valley Land Trust is protecting all of that in its Open Space Plan.
Get involved: Events
MOUNTAIN AREA LAND TRUST
Region: Mountain Regions of the Front Range and Central Colorado
Mission: Our mission is to save natural areas, wildlife habitat, streams and rivers, working ranches and historic lands for the benefit of the community and as a legacy for future generations.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Located 30 minutes from downtown Denver, Floyd Hill is one of the few purpose-built, downhill bike-only trails along the Front Range and a must-ride destination for mountain biking enthusiasts. Read more.
Region: Roaring Fork and Middle Colorado River Valleys
Mission: To permanently preserve open lands for agriculture, wildlife habitat, scenic enjoyment, and recreation in the greater Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.
One of many ways their work benefits you! For more than 45 years, thousands of middle school children have listened to the nighttime forest, learned to backpack and camp, and developed an appreciation for the natural world that comes only from experience - it all happens at Chapin Wright Marble Basecamp. Read more.
Get involved: Volunteer
Region: Grand County
Mission: To preserve and steward open lands within the headwaters of the Colorado River for agriculture, water, wildlife and vistas, in partnership with landowners and for the benefit of all.
One of many ways their work benefits you! The magnificent Colorado River — the carver of the Grand Canyon and the lifeline of the southwest — is the most endangered river in the United States. These headwaters are struggling to retain their valuable natural attributes and that’s where Colorado Head Waters comes in. Read more.
Get involved: Events | Volunteer | Youth Programs
Eagle Valley Land Trust
Region: Eagle Valley
Mission: To protect forever the lands we love; to preserve our heritage, scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitats; and to build a permanent legacy for future generations.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Eagle Valley residents and visitors have access to a variety of outdoor activities thanks to the work of Eagle Valley Land Trust. If you’re looking for a great picnic spot, a waterfall hike or a place to view wildlife, or want to know more about your local ranching families, their work covers the gamut. Read more.
Get involved: Shop Conserved Farms | Events | Webinars and Field Club
Colorado West Land Trust
Region: Western Colorado
Mission: To protect and enhance agricultural land, wildlife habitat and scenic lands in western Colorado to benefit the community at large, enrich lives, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and ensure our connection to land for generations to come.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Thanks to the work of Colorado West Land Trust and partners, middle school students are learning and engaging in the Monument Corridor Restoration Project, restoring native vegetation along No Thoroughfare Wash and the paved Monument Trail. Read more.
Get involved: Events
Crested Butte Land Trust
Region: Gunnison County
Mission: To forever protect and steward open lands for vistas, recreation, wildlife, and ranching, thus contributing to Gunnison County’s unique heritage and quality of life.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Long Lake is an easily accessible resource that boasts a myriad of recreational opportunities just north of downtown Crested Butte. These activities, such as hiking, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding and other water-based activities, can be enjoyed by the whole family at Long Lake. Read more.
Region: Southwest Colorado
Mission: To permanently protect open lands that have significant agricultural, wildlife habitat, open space, recreational and/or historical/archaeological resources for the benefit of the community and the general public.
One of many ways their work benefits you! In the ‘90s, a homeowner in Vallecito was concerned to hear one of her guests commenting on how he'd like to develop the creekside property adjacent to hers for an apartment complex. With help from neighbors, she leapt into action, purchased the property and put it under a conservation easement held by La Plata Open Space. Today the land is enjoyed by both the neighborhood the local wildlife. Read more.
Get involved: Community Programs | Events
Region: Southwest Colorado
Mission: Changing lives through land conservation by connecting people to place, forever.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Fozzie’s Farm is a budding farm education center that is taking a unique community approach to connecting people to land, and to each other. Students learn valuable leadership and team building skills, explore a variety of agricultural knowledge and gain insight into career opportunities Read more.
Get involved: Support
Region: San Luis Valley
Mission: To conserve our land, water, and way of life in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Rio Grande’s Local Farms to Local Families provides healthy meals sourced from local agricultural producers to Valley families, youth, and our elderly in need — a win-win for the entire community. Read more.
san miguel conservation foundation
Region: San Miguel County
Mission: To preserve land as open space and wildlife sanctuary in San Miguel County, Colorado.
One of many ways their work benefits you! The Valley Floor, located before the entrance to Telluride, represents one of the region’s greatest achievements in preservation. In the winter, the Valley Floor boasts a network of user-friendly cross-country ski trails accessible from town. In summer, it’s a haven for mountain bikers and trail runners. The Town of Telluride Open Space Commission and the San Miguel Conservation Foundation together manage the Valley Floor. Read more.
Get Involved: Events | Virtual Ranch Tours
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust
Region: Statewide
Mission: Conserving Colorado's western heritage and working landscapes for the benefit of future generations.
One of many ways their work benefits you! For more than 27 years, CCALT has partnered with landowners across Colorado to protect productive agricultural working lands, while conserving the natural resources that make Colorado such a special place to live and visit. To date, CCALT has conserved more than 705,000 acres in Colorado and worked with more than 375 families. Read more.
Get involved: Conservation Leadership Series | Fellowship Program
Colorado Open Lands
Region: Statewide
Mission: To preserve the significant open lands and natural heritage of Colorado through private and public partnerships, innovative land conservation techniques and strategic leadership.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Colorado Open Lands has protected over 600,000 acres of the best of Colorado’s wild and working lands, including 80,000 acres with public access for hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the view. This conservation work contributes to a state with thriving wildlife, resilient waterways, healthy local foods, strong communities, and the endless views that create the fantastic quality of life that Colorado offers.
ducks unlimited
Region: Statewide
Mission: Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Wetlands in the San Luis Valley and North Park provide critical migration and wintering stopover points for Central and Pacific flyway ducks, sandhill cranes, water birds and shorebirds. The area is also among the most productive breeding habitats in North America for numerous duck and colonial wading bird species. Read more.
Region: Statewide
Mission: To ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Since 1987, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners have completed 790 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado. These projects have protected or enhanced 469,886 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 122,107 acres. Read more.
The Conservation Fund
Region: Statewide
Mission: The Conservation Fund, working with public, private and nonprofit partners, protects America’s legacy of land and water resources through land acquisition, sustainable community and economic development, and leadership training, emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.
One of the many ways their work benefits you! Each year thousands of kids enjoy nature through environmental education programs at Snow Mountain Ranch. It’s also home to 50 miles of world-class hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding and biking trails. Read more.
The Nature Conservancy
Region: Statewide
Mission: Conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Protecting the Colorado River’s water is incredibly important. We are currently using more water than the river can support, and as the population grows, demands are increasing. That’s why The Nature Conservancy works with farmers and ranchers throughout the Colorado River Basin on projects that will help their growing operation, while also keeping more water in the river to benefit people and nature. Read more.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Region: Statewide
Mission: The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
One of many ways their work benefits you! Land conservation isn't just happening in the mountains and the wide-open prairies! The Trust for Public Land is focused on making sure every kid has a local park within a 10-minute walk. One such park is Montbello Open Space serving more than 42,000 youth and families annually in the Denver area. Read more.
Region: Statewide
Mission: Western Rivers Conservancy buys land along the West’s finest rivers and streams to conserve habitat for fish and wildlife, protect key sources of cold water and provide public access for all to enjoy.
One of many ways their work benefits you! One of WRC’s current projects is habitat protection on the Gunnison River. Despite the area’s extraordinary natural and recreational merits, some miles of the river face development or gravel mining threats. WRC is working to conserve the Gunnison and ensure that riverlands within the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area remain in public hands. Read more.
