LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is proud to partner with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and landowner James Ritchie to conserve 7,434 acres of R Lazy J Ranch, located in Rio Blanco County. Originally purchased by Ritchie in 1989, the property provides scenic views, a wealth of wildlife habitat, and significant agricultural value.

CPW previously completed an easement on approximately 2,587 acres on the northern portion of the ranch in 2015, followed by a second phase easement completed by CCALT in 2020 on approximately 2,597 acres, which was also funded by CPW. This third phase will now combine the exiting easements and place an additional 2,250 acres all into one conservation easement.

R Lazy J Ranch provides habitat to a wide range of species. The ranch is a key migration corridor for elk and mule deer and provides severe winter range, transitional range, calving and fawning areas, summer range, and a winter concentration area for both species. The property also provides habitat for greater sage grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and greater sandhill crane, all of which are considered State species of special concern. In the winter, bald eagles forage in the area, all contributing to an expansive ecosystem – now being conserved for generations to come.

Currently, hay is grown on approximately 300 acres of the ranch, and the property is leased for grazing cattle. In the past, Mr. Ritchie worked with Trout Unlimited and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on a major irrigation project and hosts recreational hunting with the Combat Marine Outdoors program.

“The ranch is a transition area from summer to winter feeding and a spring calving ground. This easement will allow those aspects to be maintained uninterrupted. While this goal is key to CPW and CCALT it is also key to my long-term goals,” said landowner James Ritchie.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with James over the past nine years to bring his conservation vision to fruition,” explained Molly Fales, Staff Attorney for CCALT. “We are delighted to partner with James and CPW to conserve this final portion of the R Lazy J Ranch and secure the future of this beautiful property as a working ranch with spectacular wildlife habitat.”

“James is one of the most generous and selfless landowners that I have ever had the privilege to work with in my career with CPW,” said Bailey Franklin, CPW’s District Wildlife Manager for Meeker South. “The R Lazy J Ranch is truly a stellar example of leaving a wildlife conservation legacy and stewardship for the entire state and country to benefit from in the future, and I am very proud to have played a very small part of that successful private land conservation partnership project with James Ritchie for the past 22 years.”

CCALT and the community at large extends its appreciation to the Ritchie Family for their vision, patience, and generosity in conserving the R Lazy J Ranch. By doing so, they have ensured this meaningful landscape will permanently remain intact and available for agricultural use, wildlife habitat, and scenic value. This project was made possible through the support of CPW, which provided funding for the conservation easement and transaction cost assistance.

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 500 families to
conserve more than 840,000 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

Members of the media: for more information, please contact Lauren Walters, CCALT
Strategic Communications and Brand Manager, at (720) 249-8070 or lauren@ccalt.org