Rio Blanco County Commissioners approved a “letter of neutrality” regarding a proposed conservation easement at Elk Creek Ranch during a special meeting Thursday, Dec. 30.
The acquisition of 7 Lakes Lodge in 2021 quintupled Elk Creek Ranch’s physical footprint — 25,000 acres for hunting, fishing and recreation, including more than 33 miles of private fishing access on the White River and Elk Creek — while keeping the number of private owners at 67. According to a 2021 press release on the Elk Creek Ranch website, plans were underway to “…place nearly every acre into a conservation easement as part of our commitment to stewardship, long-term preservation, family tradition, and a legacy for generations to come.”
Conservation easements are created between the landowner and the designated easement holder, typically a land trust or governmental entity, to fulfill specific conservation purposes such as maintaining open space and wildlife habitat. In exchange, landowners receive tax credits, and future development opportunities are limited, even if the property is sold to new owners.
Commissioners cited concerns about limitations on the development of private land and the economic impact that could have on the county in the future as reasons for taking a neutral position on the proposed easement.
Whether bison should be listed as a wildlife species and managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) was discussed during Thursday’s meeting. In the past few years conservation groups have filed citizen petitions to change the classification of bison from livestock to a managed game species. CPW Area Wildlife Manager Johnathan Lambert said there will be a public hearing in the coming months to hear public comment on the topic.
Commissioners Doug Overton and Jennifer O’Hearon said they attended the Colorado Counties Inc. (CCI) meetings in Denver last week, as well as the conservation district’s third Mormon cricket control planning meeting. Area residents are encouraged to complete a form with information about the last place they saw cricket outbreaks this fall to assist with mapping and planning for control measures in the spring. The form is available at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPayHJGTe8DEa-rPqMjeEXK-MdFzrG_L735wrlvT45ytdSaA/viewform?pli=1
On Monday, Dec. 4, the BoCC held a special work session to discuss planning and direction for the 2024 county budget.
During the nearly three-hour session, commissioners reviewed various expenditures, including proposed capital projects at the Meeker Fairgrounds, a remodel at the RBC Annex building, cybersecurity upgrades, American Rescue Plan funding obligations, the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series’ use of the fairgrounds, funds for the conservation districts and wildlife management services, computer equipment for the Fair Board and extension office, and personnel requests, among other items.
