FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2026

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – As the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) begins its new fiscal year, the organization is pleased to announce Rye Austin has been elected President of the Board of Directors.

CCALT is also welcoming two new members to its Board of Directors: Christy Belton and Ann Walker. Their initial appointments are for three years and will last through June 2029, after which they may be reappointed for subsequent terms.

In addition, the following appointments were approved by the Board of Directors:
• Ben Duke as Secretary and Treasurer
• Billy Gascoigne as Vice President and Chair of Relevance and Strategic Partnerships Committee
• Chancy Love as Vice President and Chair of its Governance and Nominating Committees
• Jeff Pyatt as Vice President and Chair of Advancement Committee
• Lee Rooks as Vice President and Chair of Conservation Committee

Finally, CCALT recognizes the distinguished service and lasting contributions to working lands conservation made by outgoing President Stacy Kourlis Guillon and Board members Tawny Halandras, Ken Mirr, and Tom Stoever.

Biographical information on the new CCALT President and members of the Board of Directors (alphabetically):

Rye Austin is the Chief Executive Officer of the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation, where he oversees efforts to protect and preserve significant working lands and landscapes. His role involves strategic leadership and the management of conservation projects, reflecting his commitment to sustainable land preservation. The Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation works to protect land by developing, implementing, and disseminating sustainable management practices, supporting rural and agricultural communities, and protecting and preserving historic structures. The Foundation currently operates in the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

Christy Belton spent her summers growing up in Routt County, where she developed her drive to be a lifelong advocate for agriculture and working landscapes. For over 20 years, she has worked as a ranch real estate broker, where she is able to combine her first-hand experience as a ranch owner with her love for the land. She received her bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from Regis University, founded Ranch & Resort Realty based in Steamboat Springs, and in 2021 was appointed by Governor Polis as a member of the Forest Health Council. She also serves on the local Farm Service Agency Committee. Drawing upon her own experience with a conserved property and cattle management, Belton is able to share her insight with others in areas such as balancing quality agriculture production with the conservation of natural resources.

Ann Walker has a distinguished background in historic preservation, public lands, heritage education, and tourism outreach and policy. She served on the Board of Directors for History Colorado for over 15 years, including two years as Chair (2015-17). During her tenure, she played a key role in developing the History Colorado State Historical Fund into the nation’s largest statewide preservation grants program.

A graduate of Scripps College and the University of Vermont, Walker has a BA in American Studies and her MS in Historic Preservation. She served as a State Historic Preservation Officer and received other gubernatorial appointments to various state-level positions. At the federal level, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a “Historic Preservation Expert” for two four-year terms on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, where she also served as Chair of the Preservation Initiatives Committee and on the Executive Committee.

In addition to her work at History Colorado, Walker was Chair for three different State Preservation Plans and continues to serve on the State Historical Preservation Review Board. She is a Trustee and Scholarship Committee Member for the National Western Stock Show and serves as an advisor to the federal Advisory Council on Historical Preservation. Walker also founded several nonprofits committed to preservation and conservation, including Colorado Preservation, Inc., HistoriCorps™, NTHP Hope Crew™, and the Saving Places Conference™.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Walker has a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, inspired at a young age by her family’s farm. A lifelong equestrian, she brings a love for the land and profound appreciation for Western heritage to her role with CCALT.

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