Continued Progress on the ARC Preserve

By Harmony Jump, Natural Resources Conservation Manager

The Arkansas River Community Preserve is the result of decades of vision, partnership, and community commitment. In the 1990s, the Lake County Open Space Initiative (LCOSI) was formed to address rapid growth in Lake County and identify priority lands for protection. Among the most important was a stretch of high-quality wildlife habitat along the Arkansas River that now forms the heart of the Preserve.

Central Colorado Conservancy acquired property from willing landowners in four phases, assembling 345 acres, including nearly three miles along the river. Major funding came from Great Outdoors Colorado and the California Gulch Natural Resource Damages Trustees, with

additional support from the Freeport McMoRan Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, 1% for the Outdoors: Leadville–Lake County funds, and Conservancy donors. To ensure permanent protection, the Conservancy partnered with Colorado Open Lands to place a perpetual conservation easement over the entire property. Lake County also secured a public access easement, allowing for recreation while safeguarding ecological values.

A comprehensive land management plan was finalized in late 2024 through collaboration among Colorado Open Lands, Lake County Government, and the Conservancy. Guidance came from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, GARNA, and Trout Unlimited. Public input included outreach efforts, a survey, and a town hall meeting at Colorado Mountain College’s Timberline Campus. The plan carefully balances recreation with long-term habitat conservation. We are now taking steps with Lake County to open the ARC Preserve to the public through exploring management options with the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. We anticipate this management arrangement to be finalized and the Preserve opened later this summer.

In late 2025, the Conservancy began pursuing the acquisition of additional properties adjacent to the Preserve. In January, we put in an offer on one 9.81-acre parcel which was accepted by the landowner, and we are under contract to purchase it. Once the transaction is completed, the property will be incorporated into the Preserve boundary. By purchasing additional properties from willing landowners, we will further strengthen the long-term conservation integrity of the ARC Preserve, ensuring cohesive management of this treasured river corridor.