Central Colorado Conservancy’s 2026 Hands for Lands Ditch Cleaning Work Parties Announced

Media Release – March 27, 2026

Salida - Central Colorado Conservancy announces their spring Hands for Lands Ditch Cleaning work parties beginning April 10. Each spring, the Hands for Lands volunteer program helps local ranchers and agricultural landowners clean out their ditches in anticipation of the irrigation season. Miles of ditches need to be maintained by trimming overgrown vegetation, raking up debris, clearing tumbleweeds, and removing anything else that has accumulated over the winter and might impede the flow of water once irrigation season starts. 

By pitching in with our many hands we help lighten the workload and support local ranches and

agriculturalists which provide so much to our community including wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, aquifer recharge, and local food. Irrigation is imperative for ranchers and agriculture in our area, and the benefits ripple out from there. Spreading water out across the land creates valuable wetlands and wildlife habitat, recharges aquifers and adds to the green landscape that makes springtime in the valley so beautiful! 

The April ditch cleaning schedule is as follows:

• Kelly Ranch: Friday, April 10, Buena Vista

• Cooper Property: Friday, April 17, Salida

• Hutchinson Ranch: Friday, April 24, Poncha Springs

Come out and enjoy some incredible scenery, fresh air and exercise on some beautiful and iconic ranches in the valley. For more information or to sign up to volunteer for the ditch cleaning work parties, please visit https://www.centralcoloradoconservancy.org/handsforlands or contact Central Colorado Conservancy at 719-539-7700 or info@centralcoloradoconservancy.org.

The Hands for Lands program is made possible with funding support from Chaffee Common Ground.