LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is collaborating with Colorado Youth Outdoors (CYO), the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Chevron in a conservation project that will conserve high priority habitat for pronghorn while expanding opportunities for young people to participate in outdoor recreation. The Tepee Ring Ranch conservation project also helps support important U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research into management practices for fragile grasslands. 

The collaboration is centered around Tepee Ring Ranch — a 131-acre property located in Weld County, near the town of Nunn in Northeast Colorado.  The ranch features shortgrass steppe prairie range and is used primarily for livestock grazing by the USDA’s Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER), a research initiative designed to develop improved management practices for fragile grasslands.  Set upon the rolling hills of Colorado’s eastern plains, the ranch offers inspiring views of Long’s Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park and the James Peak Wilderness.  

With funding from Chevron, TPL facilitated the acquisition of Tepee Ring Ranch by Colorado Youth Outdoors in July 2025.  CYO has since worked with CCALT to place the ranch in a conservation easement, which will allow for continued cattle grazing and research as directed by CPER, and recreational use for CYO participants.  Chevron also provided funding for the transaction costs associated with the conservation easement, which closed on February 19. 

The Tepee Ring Ranch conservation project is part of Chevron’s innovative Comprehensive Wildlife Plan, which implements targeted programs such as habitat enhancements, land conservation, wildlife collaring studies and native seed cultivation to support wildlife and habitat.  

Tepee Ring Ranch is designated as high priority habitat for pronghorn and includes segments of Owl Creek, a seasonal stream corridor vital for pronghorn migration and other wildlife movement. The land supports a rich diversity of species, including golden and bald eagles, grassland songbirds, swift foxes, prairie dogs and amphibians such as tiger salamanders and spadefoot toads.  

“CCALT is thrilled to collaborate with Colorado Youth Outdoors on the conservation of the Tepee Ring Ranch, and we see this as the beginning of a truly meaningful, long-term relationship,” said CCALT Chief Executive Officer Erik L. Glenn.  “Projects like this one are at the heart of how conservation gets done. This project highlights the multiple benefits that can be achieved by investing in rural working landscapes. The project includes support for grassland research, wildlife habitat conservation, and expanded opportunities for Colorado’s youth and their families to connect with the outdoors. 

“We are grateful to Chevron for their commitment to conservation of wildlife habitat and working landscapes. Without their support this project would not have been possible,” added Glenn. 

Founded in 2001 by brothers Bob and Tom Hewson, CYO’s focus is on building relationships between youth, their parents/adults and their communities through traditional outdoor recreation. Its programs help youth connect with Colorado’s recreational opportunities, including archery, fishing and shooting sports, which foster strong relationships and help everyone grow and thrive.  

In 2025, CYO served more than 13,000 participants with its outdoor-based programming.  The addition of Tepee Ring Ranch will allow CYO’s mission and vision to reach many more Colorado families and create unique outdoor opportunities for Colorado youth. 

About Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) 
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) partners with landowners to conserve and steward Colorado’s working landscapes and agricultural heritage for the benefit of all Coloradans.  Since 1995, CCALT has partnered with over 400 families to conserve more than 820,000 acres of Colorado ranch land.  CCALT seeks to build a future where Colorado’s working lands, farm and ranch families, and rural communities thrive — ecologically, economically and culturally.  More information about CCALT is available at: ccalt.org 

About Colorado Youth Outdoors (CYO) 
Colorado Youth Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2001. CYO’s mission is to build relationships and bring kids and parents closer through traditional outdoor recreation.  To help accomplish this, CYO integrates the words Participate, Appreciate, Communicate and Dedicate into their recreation curriculum, which they call the PACD Model.  The nonprofit works to incorporate PACD into all activities, which include spin and fly fishing, archery, camping, shooting sports and nature play.  More information about CYO is available at: coloradoyo.org 

About Chevron 
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and seeking to grow lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com. 

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