The Routt County Commissioners voted to approve funding applications for five conservation easements on July 27, through the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) secured $2.8M to complete conservation easements on more than 8,400 acres of working lands in Routt County. In the early 1990s, many residents grew […]
By: Kai Miranda I have spent a lot of time over the past few days contemplating how to explain my year and a half as a CCALT and CCA fellow. I mean, how do I go describing everything I have learned and been exposed to in one of the most historical years of my life? […]
One of the barriers to completing a conservation easement are the costs associated with completing the transaction. There are a variety of reports required to document the conservation values of the property, reports to understand the water use on the property, and reports to confirm the future likelihood of mineral development on the property. Despite […]
After seven years (give or take), I’ll be leaving the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT). Finding the words to thank the CCALT community and adequately commemorate this phase of my life is challenging to say the least. I’ve put pen to paper many times at the land trust, but these words are harder to […]
Ranching is a labor of love, driven by hard work, optimism, and a deep respect for the land. In Colorado, farmers and ranchers can face long winters, harsh droughts, and growing development pressure. Despite these hardships and many other obstacles, agriculture remains one of Colorado’s largest industries. In honor of the individuals who have dedicated […]
Brendan Boepple joined the CCALT team as a Conservation Manager in January. Brendan’s focus at CCALT will be on managing conservation projects and developing new opportunities for landowners to conserve and steward their lands. Prior to joining CCALT and returning to Colorado, Brendan worked in the Housatonic Valley in New England coordinating conservation transactions with […]
2020 proved to be CCALT’s busiest year to date. Our work last year and the success it brought are a direct result of the support we received from our community. Read on for a list of wins that YOU helped to make possible for CCALT in 2020
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) team is growing and we are thrilled to introduce you to our newest team member, Sally Ross! Sally will be working out of CCALT’s Steamboat Office. Read on to learn more about Sally and her new position at CCALT. Where are you originally from and how did you […]
2020 has distributed its fair share of challenges to all of us. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the CCALT team decided to take a moment to celebrate what we are thankful for this year. As it turns out, there are plenty of silver linings to be had. Common themes for us were family, place, and […]
There are many ways to support the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) – you can make a general donation, a gift of real estate, or even donate an old vehicle! While we hope we’ve been diligent in sharing these different giving vehicles with you (pun intended), we are aware that there is one aspect […]
Tribute Written by Richard L. Knight Vince Kontny died unexpectedly in his sleep on August 9, 2020. The news of his passing saddened and surprised staff and supporters of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT). In the year that CCALT celebrates its 25 anniversary, we must pause and remember how this man’s legacy anchored […]
It is bittersweet to announce that CCALT conservation manager, Bryce Hinchman, will be leaving his position at the land trust and transitioning to a full-time legal career this fall. Bryce joined CCALT following the 2019 merger of CCALT and the Yampa Valley Land Trust. Bryce was instrumental in the success of that merger, and his […]
Each year, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) invites our community to gather on a conserved ranch to celebrate the protection of Colorado’s open space, wildlife habitat, scenic views and western culture. The Forever Colorado BBQ is a chance for our community to catch up with those we don’t see regularly and enjoy the […]
An interview with CCALT Project Manager, Brad Cory Each year, CCALT staff spend a large portion of their spring and summer monitoring every CCALT conserved property to make sure that the terms of the conservation easement are being upheld. That means all of our properties must be visited each year. This year, due to the […]
This year is different. This year, we are unsure about what these gatherings will mean; we are trying to heed the advice of our industry associations, attempting to find the delicate balance of social distance while showing up to work with and for our neighbors.
A CCALT staff member gets reacquainted with her sense of place during her daily commute in Routt County.
Julia Currier and Kai Miranda are CCA and CCALT’s most recent fellows. We are excited to welcome Julia and Kai to our team and for you to get to know them.
2019 proved to be CCALT’s busiest year to date. Read on for a list of successes and victories that YOU helped to make possible last year. WIN #1: 7 Families Utilize Conservation Easements The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust partnered with seven ranching families across the state to conserve some of Colorado’s most productive agricultural […]
The 1930s was a defining decade for the United States; the Dust Bowl swept across the nation’s prairies, and the decade was bookended by the crash of the stock market in 1929 and the beginning of America’s involvement in World War II in 1941. The families who held onto…
Every year the CCALT staff takes a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous 365 days. As we reflect back we always find ourselves in awe of the work accomplished and the outpouring of support from donors, partners, and landowners who made it all possible….
“The event focuses on conservation achievements in the broadest sense—knowing that successful conservation involves more than just resource protection; it involves a wide variety of champions across political, educational, business, research, and land management…
To celebrate the time Courtney Bennett devoted to CCALT, we’ve asked each of the current CCALT staff members to share their favorite memory of her. We hope you enjoy them!
Thank you for sharing a wonderful experience with us at Prairie Canyon Ranch, and on behalf of our entire staff and board of directors, thank you for being willing to support this work so that the next generation of Coloradans can know these important places.
As we gear up for our annual Forever Colorado BBQ on July 14th we want to take a moment to celebrate all of the past CCALT BBQ’s by sharing photos from each.
I have a unique opportunity to have an impact on an organization that I have watched grow from one staff member to nine, and to continue working with landowners and families to conserve their land.