Cold Spring Ranch

In 2011, 1% for Open Space granted $55,000 to the Trust for Public Land for the preservation of 190 acres, the first phase protecting Cold Spring Ranch through a conservation easement.

Owned by Myrtle and Michele Veltri, Cold Spring Ranch is situated at the southern end of the Upper East River Valley. The funding of this conservation easement includes the current Veltri homesite as well as the historic home and barn on the west side of Brush Creek Road which will continue to be used for agricultural purposes. Phase II of the conservation easement will protect approximately 120 acres including the popular Strand Hill Trail. Funding from this easement will help the Veltris financially pursue a land exchange with the United States Forest Service in order to rectify a long-term boundary dispute involving their highly important calving meadow. The conservation easement allows the Veltris to maintain their property as a working cattle ranch. Additionally, the easement and land exchange provide the opportunity to re-open the popular Strand Hill Trail – access to which is through the Cold Spring Ranch. Public access to this trail was closed in the early 2000’s, but was reopened in the summer of 2011.

Cold Spring Ranch has been a working ranch since the 1870’s. The Veltri family purchased the ranch in 1932. The ranch possesses some of the most senior water rights in the Valley, as well as frontage on the East River. In addition to supporting the ranching operation, the water and associated vegetation support a variety of ideal habitat for the Gunnison sage grouse, Canada lynx, ptarmigan and many other species. Cold Spring Ranch provides diverse wildlife habitat and buffers two areas of the Gunnison National Forest. As one of only three private land parcels along this stretch of the Upper East River, protecting it creates a critical conservation bridge. Additionally, it abuts the Lazy F Bar Ranch owned by the Guerreri family, for whom 1% for Open Space helped fund a conservation easement purchase in 1998.

Other funding partners in this effort include Great Outdoors Colorado, the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund, the Town of Crested Butte and a private donation from the Veltris. The conservation easement is held by Colorado Open Lands.