Landowners > Conservation Easement Application & Example Easement

Model Conservation Easement

Click here to download EVLT’s Landowner Packet

Few conservation easements look alike because few properties are the same, and few landowners want exactly the same provisions.

Download a copy of our model conservation easement here.

Conservation Easements are customized to meet the conservation and financial goals of individual landowners. The Model Conservation Easement is the ‘kitchen sink’ — designed by Eagle Valley Land Trust — to guide you through the process. You’ll be able to consider all benefits when creating an easement. The Model Conservation Easement is reviewed annually to ensure it is up-to-date with current regulations.

As with all EVLT conservation easements:

You continue to own and manage your land the way you always have and as set forth in your conservation easement.
EVLT does not meddle in the operations and management of your land.
EVLT believes you, as the landowner, are the best steward of the land. We are here as a resource if you need help.
You can sell your property. The next landowner must continue the stewardship and management of the land as set forth in the conservation easement.

This conservation easement establishes the benefits of the easement, including:

Recreation
Donation status
Site improvements
Resources management
Rights of Grantee and Grantor
Transfer of property
and much more

For more information on customizing your easement, contact Eagle Valley Land Trust at 970.748.7654 or info@evlt.org.

Landowner Application Form

Thank you for your interest in a conservation easement with the Eagle Valley Land Trust! The Eagle Valley Land Trust needs to evaluate both the property and the project itself to determine if we are the best organization for the project. If we believe we are not the most appropriate organization, we will do our best to direct you to another organization that would be better suited to meet your needs and those of the project.

This form is designed to help Eagle Valley Land Trust understand the basics of your property and your goals for the proposed conservation easement. After receiving and reviewing your completed form, we will then schedule a site visit to get to know you and your property, if we think our goals may be aligned. At that time, we will describe the conservation easement process in more detail. After a site visit, our staff will discuss your project, and if we decide to move forward, we will present it to our Stewardship and Projects Committee for review and, if appropriate, a recommendation to the Board of Directors for official project approval.

Please take the time to carefully read and complete this application to the best of your ability. We understand that you may not have all of the necessary information and we are happy to work with you to complete it. Please know that all of the information you provide will be kept confidential within our organization. We will only share the information with relevant project consultants (such as appraisers, baseline preparers, etc.) if you decide to move forward with a conservation easement. If we determine another organization may be a better fit for the project, we will ask your permission first before sharing any of your information with another conservation easement holder.

Choosing to conserve your property is a significant decision which should be given appropriate thought and consideration. Eagle Valley Land Trust highly recommends that landowners hire independent legal representation and tax professionals to assist with the conservation easement transaction.

Landowner Application Form

Property name (e.g., Smith Ranch, Double Bar E Ranch, Jones property, etc.):

Who is/are the legal owner(s) of the property (who is listed on the ownership deed(s))?

If the property is owned by an entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), please list all members, partners, shareholders, etc., as well as their ownership percentages:

If available, please provide any title work and/or vesting deeds relevant to the property.

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Name of primary contact:

Phone number of primary contact:

Mailing address of primary contact:

E-Mail address of primary contact (if applicable):

PROPERTY INFORMATION

County

Parcel Number(s), if known:

If available, please attach the legal description of your property and a map showing the boundaries of the entire property. If you do not have a map, we can provide you a base map on which to draw your property boundary. If any portion of the property is leased, please help us understand the portion you own in fee.

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Please describe the location of your property (miles from nearest town, county roads, etc.) and/or provide the physical address:

Please describe the legal access to your property (for example, is it directly from a county road or do you drive through a neighbor’s property?).

Total property acreage:

Proposed conserved property acreage (if less than entire property):

Please list the county zoning status for your property:

Are there any deeds of trust or mortgages on your property?

If yes, have you had any conversations with your lender(s) regarding a potential conservation easement?

CONSERVATION VALUES

Is your property used for agriculture? If yes, please describe whether irrigated or dryland, livestock pasture or cropland, etc.):

Please describe any wildlife that you have seen on the property:

Do any rivers, streams, and/or creeks flow through your property? Are there any ponds or wetlands on your property? Please describe:

Is your property visible from any public roads or nearby public land? Please describe:

Are you aware of any nearby land under conservation easement or in public ownership? Please describe:

Does your property contain any historic structures or archeological sites/resources? Please describe:

Have you had any conversations with other land trusts, local government agencies, or conservation groups regarding a conservation easement on your property?

CURRENT AND HISTORIC USES

How long have you and/or your family owned the property?

Please describe the current uses of the property (e.g. livestock grazing, crop production, recreation, etc.). If agriculture has already been described above, please feel free to skip this question.

Have you ever worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, CSU Cooperative Extension, Colorado Forest Service, or any other natural resource professional on your property to address water, forest management, soil health, stream improvement or any other resource concerns?

Are there water rights associated with the property for irrigation, storage, or other uses? If so, please list them (including any shares in mutual ditch companies or wells). Please provide any documentation describing water rights associated with your property.

If irrigated, please describe what irrigation methods are used (center pivot, flood) and how much of the property is irrigated.

How many residential structures exist on the property, including cabins? (If possible, please mark the approximate location of residential structures on the map).

Please list any other buildings or structures that exist on the property? (barns, unattached garages, cell towers, power lines, substations, loafing sheds, hunting blinds, etc.):

Do you lease your property to any individual or group (e.g. ag. producer, outfitting/guiding group, etc.)?

Are there any legal or historic access or utility easements across the property? If so, please explain:

Please describe the land use of the properties surrounding your property (e.g. agricultural, residential subdivision, etc.):

MINERALS AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Do you own all or part of the mineral rights associated with your property?

Please list any current mineral extraction activity which is currently taking place on the property or on neighboring properties (i.e. gravel, oil, gas, uranium, coal, etc.):

Are there currently any mineral leases on the property (whether with you or a third party mineral owner)? If yes, has a surface use agreement been executed?

Has mineral extraction taken place on the property in the past 3 years? Please describe:

Have you been contacted about leasing your minerals within the past couple years?

Please list any renewable energy development that may be occurring on the property (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) or that you may be interested in exploring.

PROPERTY PLANS AND PROJECT GOALS

A conservation easement is a forever document and our hope is to use your answers below to help you think about what you might want for the future and to help us have a conversation with you about how to balance protection of the property with flexibility for yourself and future owners.

Please describe the reason(s) you are interested in pursuing a conservation easement parcel on your property (no right or wrong answers – we just want to understand your goals so we can determine how to best help you achieve them):

Are all owners and/or family members aware of and supportive of the decision to potentially encumber the property with a conservation easement?

The general policy of EVLT is to prohibit division of the conservation easement. Is there any reason why you may need the ability to divide the property into two or more parcels which could potentially have separate owners?

Would you like to reserve the right to construct additional residential structure(s) on the property? If so, are you willing to construct these near existing residences/structures or do you want to be able to build in a new area?

Do you plan on constructing any additional major improvements? Please describe:

What is your desired timeline for completing the conservation easement transaction?

Please provide a few photos of your property that you feel highlight the conservation values. These photos will be used in EVLT’s project evaluation form to help inform the conversation in our Stewardship and Projects Committee.

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Are you already working with any professional advisors on this project? If so, please list them below.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Phone

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