YVLT is a Steamboat Springs-based land conservation organization and the state’s only land trust to work exclusively in Northwest Colorado. YVLT has permanently conserved more than 56,000 acres of land in Northwest Colorado, offering the benefits of scenic landscapes, recreational access, and working ranchlands for the residents and businesses in Steamboat Springs and the surrounding communities, as well as the more than 600,000 tourists who visit the area every year. These conservation efforts will not change following the merger.

The merger is currently slated to close on October 1, 2019.

Two members of the YVLT board will join the CCALT Board of Directors following the completion of the merger and CCALT will establish the Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Advisory Committee, which will ensure the Steamboat Springs and Routt County communities continue to have a powerful voice in conservation efforts in Northwest Colorado and across the state. Furthermore, the new committee will continue to maintain and expand the local connections cultivated by YVLT over the last three decades throughout Northwest Colorado.

Recognizing YVLT’s contributions to the Steamboat Springs and Routt County communities over the last 30 years is just as important to us as the foundation we’re setting for continued success in the coming 30 years. One of the most visible ways will be through the creation of the new Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Advisory Committee, which will be a program of CCALT. Further solidifying our shared values, the partnership will provide an avenue for historical YVLT donors to earmark funds for use in specific projects located in Northwest Colorado. In addition to the establishment of the Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Advisory Committee, CCALT will immediately create the Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Committee, which will ensure the Steamboat Springs and Routt County communities continue to have a powerful voice in conservation efforts in Northwest Colorado and across the entire state. Historical YVLT properties, such as YVLT.org and its social media accounts, will remain active in the near term to provide updates as the merger progresses.

Two members of the YVLT board – Orlando González and Adonna Allen – will join CCALT’s board following the completion of the merger and both will be part of the Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Advisory Committee. Bryce Hinchman, who has been serving as a conservation associate with YVLT since 2014, will continue in his role as a conservation manager and will continue to be based out of Steamboat Springs. Hinchman will be joined in Steamboat by CCALT’s Stewardship Director Megan Knott, who is already located in Steamboat, and External Relations Coordinator Amber Pougiales, a Steamboat Springs native. We are also working with the city of Steamboat Springs as we consider relocating additional staff and resources to the area in order to assist Bryce, Megan and Amber in managing the ongoing local conservation and community engagement efforts.

Donors will have multiple ways to continue supporting conservation efforts moving forward. Unrestricted donations, which are those made to CCALT without the donor communicating specific intent for the funds, will be used to advance conservation efforts statewide. We also recognize that donors may have a personal connection to a specific conservation project or areas of the state they wish to help conserve for future generations, so we will offer all donors the option to restrict the use of their donations by simply indicating their intent at the time of donation.

All questions should be directed to Jayne Thompson, director of external relations with CCALT, at 720-557-8264 or jayne@ccalt.org.