HONORING OUR ROOTS

FIRSTS ALL AROUND

This first tribute honors the deep roots of CCA and the visionary land stewards who helped create the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT). Established in 1867, nine years before Colorado achieved statehood, CCA has always been a leader in advancing the interests and values of agriculture.

Today, nearly 60 percent of Colorado’s land remains privately owned and Colorado is one of America’s leading agricultural states. Across these landscapes, families and communities continue to pass down a powerful ethic of land stewardship. It was the extraordinary foresight of these families and the leadership of CCA that gave rise to CCALT.

Recognizing the growing threat of development and fragmentation to Colorado’s working lands, CCA members did more than just support conservation—they redefined it. They launched the nation’s first “cowboy conservation” organization, grounded in the values, culture, and legacy of Colorado’s farm and ranch communities. Through their dedication to stewardship and sustainability, CCALT has partnered with more than 400 families to conserve over 810,000 acres of productive agricultural land over the past 30 years. These lands not only grow the food and fiber that feeds the world, but they also support the wildlife habitat, water resources, scenic views, and open space that define Colorado.

From the beginning, CCA members led with boots on the ground and hearts on their sleeves. Their commitment has inspired a national model, adopted by peers throughout the West and Midwest. The founding of CCALT was bold, visionary, and ahead of its time—a fusion of generational ranching wisdom and a forward-looking resolve to conserve Colorado’s working landscapes for generations to come.