Lazy F Bar Ranch

In 1998, 1% for Open Space granted the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy $52,625 to help place a conservation easement on 180 acres of the Lazy F Bar Ranch. The conservation easement is held by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. The Lazy F Bar Ranch is located 1.75 miles down Brush Creek Rd, approximately five miles south of the town of Crested Butte. It encompasses 180 acres of beautiful sage brush grazing lands on the banks of the East River and it lies on the flanks of Mt. Crested Butte. The ranch is part of a larger land holding of the Guerrieris’ and became ranchland in 1945. Because of its location in the north Gunnison Valley, it is only accessible to grazing once the snow melts.

1% for Open Space was happy to assist the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy in placing a conservation easement on this property for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is the pristine and completely natural sage brush meadow that spans most of the property creating uninterrupted views and a healthy natural landscape for cattle to graze and mammals to migrate through. The East Rivers runs through the land for about 1.5 miles and creates a home for riparian and aquatic life as well as many migratory birds and waterfowl. The conservation easement helps prevent the further development of a large subdivision to the south west of the ranch and creates an uninterrupted viewshed up the East River Valley.