Blue Creek

Acres: 21.00
Date Acquired: October 31, 2002
Riverfront Protected: 1,410 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner: Blue Creek Ranch Homeowners Association
Public Access: Limited to trail along river

The Blue Creek Easement is located on the bank of the Roaring Fork River, near Catherine Store Bridge. Pictured are some of the towering cottonwoods and ponderosas that make the easement unique. The property offers public fishing access along the river trail and carry-in boat access from a parking lot off County Road 100.

Brooks

Acres: 0.29
Date Acquired: December 31, 2001
Owner: Privately Owned
Public Access: None

Located in the Crystal River Valley, the Brooks Conservation Easement contains a viable aspen stand that connects open space to a deer and elk migration corridor.  

Burry

Acres: 8.07
Date Acquired:  December 31, 2005
Riverfront Protected: 1,370 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner:  Privately Owned
Public Access: None

The Burry Conservation Easement protects important riparian habitat along the Roaring Fork River below Carbondale. Stands of narrow-leaf cottonwood provide a canopy for a thriving community of riverside plants, small mammals and over 110 bird species, as well as serving as winter habitat for migrating deer and elk populations.

Cattle Creek Confluence

Acres: 53.60
Date Acquired: February 3, 2000
Riverfront Protected:  6,865 feet of Roaring Fork River (combined with Heron Point Easement) and 1,350 feet of Cattle Creek
Owner: Carbondale Investments, LLC
Public Access: None currently

Formerly occupied by the Sanders Ranch, this property continues south from where Cattle Creek joins the Roaring Fork River. A varied landscape of wetlands, upland hillsides, pastures and riparian vegetation serve an equally diverse array of wildlife. The active great blue heron rookery highlights the Cattle Creek Confluence Easement, in addition to mule deer, elk, osprey, bald eagles, trout, mink, beavers, bobcat and even an occasional mountain lion.

Crystal River Confluence

Acres: 6.29
Date Acquired: February 7, 2000
Riverfront Protected: 1,000 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner: Midland Point Homeowners Association
Public Access: Limited fishing access

Located near the junction of the Crystal and the Roaring Fork Rivers, the Crystal River Confluence Easement consists primarily of wetlands and riparian habitat. Mule deer, bald eagles, great blue heron, and coyotes can be found amongst the gamble oak, Rocky Mountain Juniper and wild rose around this property. In addition to providing critical wildlife habitat, the healthy wetlands associated with this space function to improve water quality and help moderate spring runoff.

Filoha Meadows

Acres: 50.00
Date Acquired: November 8, 2002
Riverfront Protected: 3,250 feet of Crystal River
Owner:  Pitkin County
Public Access: Limited Access from Redstone

Located on the Crystal River between Redstone and Avalanche Creek, Filoha Meadows encompasses one of the most unique landscapes in the watershed. Filoha, the Ethiopian word for hot water, earned its name from the picturesque hot springs and thermally heated meadows that create an unprecedented plant and wildlife community. In the winter, bighorn sheep bask in the warmth of the meadows, while an endemic population of fireflies flickers over the grasses between rare orchid species through the summer. In recent years, Roaring Fork Conservancy has partnered with Pitkin County Open Space and Trails to provide naturalist guided programs at Filoha Meadows, offering exploration beyond the railroad gate with insights into the natural and human histories of this one-of-a-kind landscape. 

Fourmile Creek

Acres: 13.00
Date Acquired: September 7, 2007
Riverfront Protected: 440 feet of Fourmile Creek
Owner:  Privately Owned
Public Access: None

In an area where increased development pressures have resulted in disturbed and fragmented riparian habitat, Fourmile Creek Easement provides a refuge of native vegetation for wildlife use and habitat. Mule deer, songbirds, raptors, owls and turkeys are all known to frequent the area. The undisturbed in-stream habitat benefits native trout, macroinvertebrates, American dippers and waterfowl. Additionally, the protection of this space preserves open space and viewsheds crucial to the Fourmile Creek Watershed.

Gerbaz Bridge

Acres: 0.95
Date Acquired: October 9, 2008
Riverfront Protected: 280 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner: Pitkin County
Public Access: Fishing and boating access; public parking

The Gerbaz Bridge Easement is nestled between the Roaring Fork River and the Rio Grand Trail, seven miles south of Basalt. Narrow-leaf cottonwoods provide a shady space for fishing or boat access. As one of many protected properties in the area, Gerbaz Bridge aids in the conservation of wildlife habitat and the scenic viewshed of the Roaring Fork River.

Grange Loadout

Acres: 9.33
Date Acquired: December 4, 2008
Riverfront Protected: 1,250 feet of Crystal River
Owner: Pitkin County
Public Access: Passive fishing access

Located just across the Crystal River from the south end of Filoha Meadows, the Grange Loadout Easement provides an invaluable buffer between the nearby developments of Highway 133 and the Crystal River. Under the towering narrow-leaf cottonwoods and blue spruce, a dense shrub layer provides habitat for the mountain bluebird, northern pocket gopher, a variety of raptor and owl species, short-tailed weasel and red fox among others. Fishing access and a historic cattle chute compliment the picturesque ecology of Grange Loadout.

Grange River

Acres: 13.00
Date Acquired: September 7, 2007
Riverfront Protected: 2,530 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner:  Eagle County & Town of Basalt
Public Access: Fishing access along Two Rivers Road side of easement only

The Grange Ranch Conservation Easement protects prime Roaring Fork River habitat, wetlands and river bank just west of downtown Basalt. The Grange River parcel fills an essential central piece of continuous protected land. With its Gold Medal Trout Waters, lush riparian vegetation and irrigated agricultural plain, this property has recreational, ecological and historical appeal. Home to elk, mule deer and bald eagle in the winter, and a host of bird, active beavers and other small mammals in the summer, the habitat at Grange River is bustling year round. Framed by narrowleaf cottonwoods and river birch, the healthy riparian area serves as a buffer around this vibrant stretch of river.

Heron Point

Acres: 7.11
Date Acquired: December 4, 1998
Riverfront Protected: 6,865 feet of Roaring Fork River (combined with Cattle Creek Confluence easement)
Owner: Ironbridge Homeowners Association
Public Access: None currently

Sandwiched between the Cattle Creek Confluence Easement and the Roaring Fork River, the Heron Point Easement contributes to 1.25 continuous miles of riverside protection. Heron Point serves its namesake by providing critical habitat and nesting sites for Great Blue Heron within the towering cottonwood stands. Bald eagles, woodpeckers and swallows are among the bird species that accompany the great blue heron, while active beavers continue to contribute to a healthy wetland understory.

Park East

Acres: 7.95
Date Acquired: August 30, 1999
Riverfront Protected: 2,120 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner: Park East Homeowners Association
Public Access: Along paved trail west of easement and via two gravel trails to the river

The Park East Conservation Easement is located in Glenwood Springs along the banks of the lower Roaring Fork River. This protected riparian hillside offers peaceful community river access where the historical township of Cardiff once thrived on coal production. A relic from this bygone era, the adjacent Cardiff Schoolhouse now provides a local gathering place for arts and education.

Powerhouse

Acres: 2.69
Date Acquired: November 20, 2007
Riverfront Protected: 1,040 feet of Crystal River
Owner: Pitkin County
Public Access: None currently

Just 1.5 miles south of Redstone, the Powerhouse Easement spans the Crystal River. The robust riparian vegetation, dominated by narrowleaf cottonwood and blue spruce trees, serves not only as habitat for native wildlife, but also provides significant buffer for high water events. With qualities characteristic of the Crystal River Valley, this easement protects both ecological and historical assets. Alongside the river is the historic Redstone Hydroelectric Power Plant, which operated from the late 1800s through 1950s. Protection of this property contributes to the ecological and historical preservation of the valley.

Silver Lining Ranch

Acres: 2.70
Date Acquired: August 3, 2011
Riverfront Protected: 872 feet of Roaring Fork River
Owner: Privately Owned
Public Access: None currently

Silver Lining Ranch Conservation Easement preserves the ecologically signifcicant weland and riparian communities along the Roaring Fork River above Aspen. Plant communities include beaked sedge, mountain big sage bruch, mountain willow and narrow leafed cottonwood. The property provides wildlife habitat for 20 mammal, 10 reptile, five fish, and 68 bird species.