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Eagle Valley Land Trust |
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| Gates Ranch: Preserving Our Vanishing West |
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The Ranch: A Living Legacy |
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Lying in the heart of the great expanse of the Derby Mesa ranches in northwestern Eagle County is the 740-acre Gates Ranch. Its sweeping expanses can be seen from miles away along the Colorado River Road. Its pastures serve as home to more than 200 head of cattle and its woodlands shelter a wide variety of wildlife. |
| The ranch, originally homesteaded by James P. Gates in 1893, is one of the last reminders of a way-of-life that is an integral part of Eagle County’s history. The current owners, now the fifth generation of Gates to call this land “home”,
have preserved this heritage. While the land could someday be
considered prime real estate for development, the Gates family decided to ensure that the property will always be ranchland, protected as such with a conservation easement. The easement protects the conversation values of the land, yet enables the Gates to continue their family’s ranching tradition and encourage their good stewardship of the land, which is truly a family treasure.
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Conservation values: A unique diversity Scenic beauty. Wildlife habitat. Waterways and riparian areas. Working agricultural lands. These are all importantto conservation and all four are characteristics of the Gates Ranch. The ranch provides both summer and winter range for ungulates. Black bear, coyotes and numerous other mammals and birds are indigenous to the property. A three-acre lake and numerous natural springs attract duck, geese, and other species of waterfowl and aquatic life.
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The Gates pioneered ranching in Eagle County more
than a century ago. Today, the Gates family is pioneering
the use of conservation easements to
preserve that heritage.
The value of their vision to
future generations of people who live in or visit Eagle County
is immeasurable.
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| You can also get more information regarding the Gates Ranch and it's current hunting operation at http://www.riversbendoutfitters.net |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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1) How big is this project?
740 acres. It is located in the heart of ranching country in northwestern Eagle County. |
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2) Why a conservation easement? |
| Easements are cost-effective alternatives to outright purchases. The property stays on the tax rolls as a working ranch and the owners continue to be responsible for maintaining the property according to the requirements of the easement. If and when the property is sold, the conservation easement remains with the property. |
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| 3) Is the property visible to the public? |
| Absolutely. The Gate Ranch is clearly visible from the Colorado River Road as part of the scenic vistas of Derby Mesa. It is also visible from the County Road 39 as part of the large expanse of ranchlands in the area. |
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| 4) Will public access be allowed? |
No. Uncontrolled public access is not possible on any working ranch. However, the Gates family has always been
gracious hosts to small groups of people interested in learning about a working ranch and issues facing today’s ranchers such as water rights. The Gates will continue to encourage such education. |
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| 5) What is the role of the Land Trust? |
In addition to raising the funds required for this transaction, the Trust
has assumed a responsibility to protect and defend the property according to the terms of the conservation easement in perpetuity. At least once a year, the Trust will inspect the property to assure terms of the easement are being met. Should the easement terms be violated, the Trust will pursue legal recourse. The fundraising effort for the ranch includes funds that will be set aside to defray the Trust’s perpetual stewardship and legal defense obligations.
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