Custer County has long had a
friend in the form of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and that friendship was
reinforced last week when the organization announced its gift of $484,200 to
the San Isabel Land Protection Trust to purchase a conservation easement on the
720-acre Harold G. Vickerman Ranch south of
Westcliffe.
The ranch, located on the Valley floor,
consists of prime hay and cattle land, and provides habitat for greenback
cutthroat trout; mammals like elk, deer and antelope; and several rare plant
species. The conservation easement will protect the property from future
development.
This most recent GOCO grant supports the
Wet Mountain Valley Ranchland Preservation Program, which is now focused on
protecting the southern half of the Wet
Mountain Valley.
The program’s first phase concentrated on the northern half of the Valley,
which has resulted in the local Land Trust and its partners protecting more
than 11,000 acres of land.
GOCO was established
through a citizens’ initiative passed in 1992, and this year is celebrating its
15th anniversary of grant making. Since that time, GOCO has given Custer County,
the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, the local Land Trust and similar
organizations here some $6.5 million in grants. Money has been used for
everything from new and improved ballparks in the two towns and trail
maintenance in the Sangres to purchasing conservation easements on a number of
area ranches.
The Vickerman
Ranch project was one of 55 grants awarded by GOCO last week to benefit 34 Colorado counties.
Statewide, the projects will result in the preservation of nearly 44,000 acres
of open space, plus the addition or enhancement of 37 community outdoor
recreation projects.
The GOCO money that has poured into Custer County
over the years has certainly helped preserve our incredible views and our
ranching heritage, as well as improve our outdoor recreational opportunities.
More importantly, though, is the knowledge that powerful organizations like
GOCO realize the importance and fragile nature of places like our own Wet Mountain
Valley. We’re fortunate
to have friends like them.
