Kochevar Parcel

In 2010, 1% for Open Space granted the Town of Crested Butte $110,000 for the acquisition of the second phase of the Kochevar Parcel. Phase I and Phase II which were completed in 2011, protected 383 acres of land adjacent to National Forest, next to Meridian Lake and above Nicholson Lake on Smith Hill. This protected open space is visible from nearly every corner of town. The property had been under contract by a developer who wished to build high-end resort homes overlooking the Slate River and the town of Crested Butte. Luckily for us, the timing of the stagnant real estate market and the slow economy in 2010 made it hard for the developer’s project to be financially feasible and the contract fell through. The Town of Crested Butte, the Trust for Public Land, the Crested Butte Land Trust, Great Outdoors Colorado and of course, 1% for Open Space, stepped up to take advantage of preserving this open space.

1% for Open Space felt it important to help protect these 383 acres because of their high conservation value connecting three existing open space parcels and bordering National Forest Land. The land also serves as an elk migration corridor, provides a significant uninterrupted viewshed and provides ample opportunity for recreation. Preserving our ranching heritage, another one of 1%’ values also benefits from the Kochevar parcel as this land provides grazing opportunities for local ranchers.