1,540-acre Hardscrabble Ranch is Conserved

After months of negotiations and feverish pre-purchase research and fundraising, the county’s conservation of Hardscrabble Ranch closed July 31st.

The 1,540 acre property stretches for 3.3 miles along Brush Creek Road and includes 8 miles of boundary contiguity with adjacent BLM land.  The project protects 2.5 miles of riparian habitat along Brush and Salt Creeks, as well as 25 cfs of senior water rights.  Hardscrabble serves as very important wildlife habitat for numerous species, including critical winter range for deer and elk.

The effort was coordinated by The Conservation Fund and Eagle County Open Space, with significant funding assistance from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Eagle Ranch Wildlife Committee, Town of Eagle, and Trout Unlimited.

The Our Valley campaign, coordinated by EVLT, also raised over $250,000 towards the purchase.

Upon the county’s receipt of the GOCO funds this fall, a conservation easement will be granted to EVLT to ensure the permanent protection of the property for all future generations, both human and animal, to enjoy.