We hosted our fourth annual roundtable for public agencies on Aug. 20 in Larimer County. About 30 representatives from across the state joined us for a tour of the Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery; two presentations from public agencies; a networking lunch; and a tour of River Bluffs Open Space. 

This summer our team made some serious tracks to visit a few of our members across the state. Meeting with our members face-to-face is a unique opportunity to learn more about their work, meet their community members, and set foot on some gorgeous conserved land.

Oh, what a week it was! Spring Summit this year (May 8-10) was an event for the books. Over 150 members and partners traveled to Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs for the annual convening despite snowy roads and tunnel closures. We packed three full days with a water classroom, a water lab, a field trip to Cold Mountain Ranch, learning sessions, plenty of connection and networking opportunities, and Conservation Olympics.

This year at our summer regional meetings, we explored challenges and solutions related to water. The groups also had fun creating vision boards for our “why” and the ideal state of conservation in Colorado. Each meeting featured a unique walking tour on conserved land.

What do good partnerships look like in the conservation space? A recent panel discussion featured four land trusts and four local public agencies, who shared what it takes to build successful partnerships. The dialogue centered on strategies, experiences and lessons learned - and celebrated the conservation projects that have been the fruit of these partnership efforts.

Every year, Keep It Colorado convenes members and partners for our annual Spring Summit. This year we gathered in-person at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Partners in the Outdoors Conference, and our theme was “The Ideal State of Conservation” where conversations centered on climate resiliency and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).

Six land trusts shared what their work looks like on the ground, and the many benefits people and wildlife receive from conservation efforts. People from all reaches of the state joined us for our Virtual Conservation Showcase. They discovered that conservation means many different things, and that the work of land trusts varies widely!

Keep It Colorado staff had the tremendous opportunity to convene with our members across the state. These regional meetings were packed with conversation, learning and sharing, as well as some social time and spectacular tours of conserved properties.

During Spring Summit 2021 we brought our coalition members together virtually for an opportunity to showcase their work - creating meaningful learning opportunities and connection with conservation peers across the state.

People often wonder how private land conservation directly benefits them. The benefits are many. And for many of our land trusts, their work leads to some surprising results — extending the benefits of conservation into communities in previously unimagined ways.

Thank you to those who attended our first-ever virtual Spring Summit in late April. And many thanks to our presenters for taking the time to share and celebrate your work! Your presentations were informative, interesting and inspiring!

We recently wrapped up a series of storytelling workshops on the Front Range and on the Western Slope. What did people love most? The share-outs! Shared stories illustrated that conservation means many things to many people.

We had an impressive turnout at our Fall Policy Summit on November 7. Here is a recap of what happened, where the policy proposals currently stand and what’s next.