Media contacts:
Kevin League, Palmer Land Trust, 719. or Kevinleague@palmerlandtrust.org
Todd Cohen, Great Outdoors Colorado, 303.226.4530 or tcohen@goco.org

CRIPPLE CREEK – An additional 1,170 acres of the stunning Chapman Ranch southwest of Pikes Peak is now protected by a conservation easement, including more than two miles of scenic land adjacent to the Gold Belt Scenic Byway that is now safe from development.

The easement,  which creates a five-mile protected corridor in one of the most scenic and rugged canyons in Colorado, closed yesterday. It was purchased by the Palmer Land Trust in partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), National Scenic Byways Program, Mary K. Chapman Program and the Marlene Chapman family. The foundation and family are not related. The land trust has previously protected about 930 acres of the 4,000-acre working cattle ranch.

The protected land features dramatic terrain ranging from 6,900 feet to 10,000 feet in elevation and provides critical habitat for bighorn sheep, turkey, black bear, mule deer and mountain lion. It is a big game migratory corridor between the Arkansas River Valley and the peak. The Chapman Ranch, which will continue to operate, is one of the largest ranches in Palmer Land Trust’s Protect the Peak Conservation Initiative area, which seeks to preserve a critical ring of public and private lands on the south side of Pikes Peak

“GOCO congratulates the Palmer Land Trust, the Chapman family and all the partners for this monumental achievement,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, GOCO executive director.  “This is a milestone in the continuing effort to preserve the wildlife habitats and the extraordinary scenic land around Pikes Peak for future generations to enjoy.”

GOCO, which awarded a $650,000 grant toward the purchase in 2012, annually invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has funded more than 3,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. GOCO has helped preserve more than a million acres statewide since its inception. Visit goco.org for more information.

For more information about the Palmer Land Trust and Chapman Ranch, visit http://palmerlandtrust.org/node/463.