FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

December 19, 2025

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is partnering with landowners to conserve two ranches in Las Animas County, ensuring more than 1,900 acres of working lands, wildlife habitat, and scenic open space is permanently conserved. The newly conserved properties are Freedom Outfitters Aguilar Ranch, a 760‑acre property, and Money Pit Ranch, an adjacent 1,185‑acre conservation easement.

Freedom Outfitters Aguilar Ranch

The Freedom Outfitters Aguilar Ranch is used as a hunting destination and is leased to local cattle operations. The ranch shares its northern border with Vezzani Ranch, also a CCALT easement, and is surrounded by a network of CCALT‑conserved lands, including Borrego Ranch, Sporleder Centennial Ranch, and Sam Capps Ranch. Together, these easements form a contiguous block of more than 34,000 acres of conserved lands in Las Animas County.

The property is visible from several county roads and offers sweeping views of the Spanish Peaks, oak‑brush habitat, deep canyons, and rolling grasslands. It provides significant habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and mountain lion, as well as breeding range for species of concern such as burrowing owl, mountain plover, long‑billed curlew, and golden eagle.

Money Pit Ranch

Located three miles west of the Town of Aguilar and adjacent to the Freedom Outfitters property, Money Pit Ranch encompasses 1,450 deeded acres, of which 1,185 acres are now conserved under the easement. The property has long been used for hunting and cattle grazing. The easement retains two residential building envelopes while safeguarding the ranch’s agricultural and open space in an area facing increased subdivision pressure.

Currently, about 75 acres are planted in alfalfa, with plans to expand production by an additional 20 acres. The landowner also anticipates supplementing alfalfa with oats and winter rye, which are dryland crops. Grazing operations will continue alongside crop production, maintaining the property’s working lands character.

Money Pit Ranch is bordered to the north by Sciacca Ranch, a CCALT easement, with additional CCALT-conserved properties nearby, including Borrego Ranch, Kancilia Apishapa, Provenza, and Eichler Ranches. The property provides views of the Spanish Peaks, Mauricio Canyon, and the Apishapa River, and supports critical wildlife habitat, including severe winter range for elk and mule deer, summer range for black bear, and overall range for mountain lion.

Conserving a Legacy

“Las Animas County is a hidden gem within southern Colorado. I am honored to be a part of forever protecting these special places, working with these amazing and dedicated landowners to ensure their legacy endures,” said Erin Quinn, Senior Project Manager for CCALT.

The two easement closings, made possible by the generosity of the ownership families, reflect CCALT’s continuing mission to keep Colorado’s working lands and open spaces thriving for generations to come. In Las Animas County, where ranching heritage and wildlife habitat weave together across a vast landscape, each new project strengthens a growing network of conserved lands. By conserving nearly 2,000 additional acres here, CCALT and the landowners have ensured that the Spanish Peaks, forests, rock cliffs, streams, and vital wildlife corridors will remain part of Colorado’s shared legacy.

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.