FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Darryl Seibel, Darryl@ccalt.org , 720-557-8266

December 12, 2025

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is proud to announce the completion of a conservation easement on the Walker Ranch in Moffat County, Colorado. Through this easement, landowner Dawn Nottingham has permanently conserved 4,075 acres of working land across the various parcels — Lower Ranch, Upper Ranch, Summer Camp Parcel, and Upper Zenobia Parcel. This easement conserves a spectacular landscape that holds deep family history, provides critical wildlife habitat, and sustains Colorado’s ranching heritage.

Dawn Nottingham shared, “My grandparents, Dio and Laura Walker, originally homesteaded the Lower Ranch parcel in 1915. They added further homestead sites over the years and ran livestock on the property for decades. Laura Walker later homesteaded the Upper Zenobia parcel that is part of this easement. My father, Boyd Walker, took over in the late 1930s, and after marrying my mother, Wanda (Ramsay) Walker, in 1945, they continued to expand the ranch by purchasing other homesteads in the area.”

She added, “My goal in putting the property into the conservation easement is to preserve it for my children and future generations, as well as to preserve the memory of my family’s hard work and legacy.”

The Walker Ranch encompasses sweeping rangelands and rugged mountain terrain on Douglas Mountain. The property supports livestock operations while providing habitat for elk, mule deer, wild turkey, and other species. The Upper Zenobia parcel, formerly homesteaded by Dawn’s grandmother, is a full inholding within Dinosaur National Monument, making its conservation especially significant. Associated access easements will provide opportunities for youth turkey hunts in perpetuity and limited big game hunting for the next 20 years, coordinated and administered through Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“Dawn is an incredible woman. Throughout the long process of completing this transaction, her commitment to the ranch and to conservation has never wavered,” said Molly Fales, CCALT Staff Attorney. “CCALT is proud to partner with Dawn to secure the future of this stunning corner of Colorado for generations to come.”

This easement secures the majority of privately owned land on Douglas Mountain and strengthens conservation efforts in northwest Colorado. By conserving an inholding within Dinosaur National Monument and safeguarding migration corridors for big game species, the project enhances regional connectivity and supports both wildlife and agricultural traditions. This project was made possible through the support of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which provided funding for the bargain sale conservation easement, and The Nature Conservancy, which provided transaction cost support. CCALT extends its gratitude to CPW and The Nature Conservancy for their partnership in ensuring the permanent conservation of the Walker Ranch.

About the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

The mission of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust is to conserve Colorado’s Western heritage and working landscapes for the benefit of future generations. Since 1995, CCALT has partnered with more than 400 families to conserve more than 820,000 acres of Colorado farmland, ranchland, open space, and wildlife habitat.

Members of the media: for more information, please contact Darryl Seibel, CCALT Director of External Relations, at (720) 557-8266 or darryl@ccalt.org.