CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST 2005 NEWSLETTER
JC LEACOCK
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST “Preserving the Present for the Future” P.O. Box 2224 Crested Butte, Colorado 81224 Phone: (970) 349–1206 Fax: (970) 349–1210 cblt@crestedbutte.net
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Sandra Allen Leinsdorf VICE-PRESIDENT Jennifer Rose SECRETARY Jim Starr TREASURER Lowry Smith Beverly Griffith Jeff Hermanson John Hess Dan McElroy John Spencer
DEAR FRIENDS, ITH RENEWED OPTIMISM, our community has just enjoyed a winter with much needed abundant precipitation and hope for a rebounding economy after years of drought and meager economic growth. With evidence of a renewed local ski industry, increased real estate sales and more visitors, the protection of open space and support of land conservation couldn’t be more important. The protection of our precious open spaces is a huge part of the economic equation as it protects our incredible view sheds, provides recreation opportunities and helps keep Crested Butte unique. With careful planning and balance between smart growth and land conservation, we can continue to protect the integrity of our valley and offer our visitors a unique experience in a resort community that is unlike any other. We are pleased to have completed the first phase of the Rozman Ranch project, adding 319 acres of open space to our protected total. We enjoyed working with the Rozman family and appreciate their dedication to the ranching business. The second and third phases of this project will follow in future years and protect one of our target areas, the Highway 135 corridor. Our total preserved acres increased by 361 acres in the year 2004 to a new total acreage of 3,481. The use of conservation easements continues to be one of our most effective tools, and we encourage all landowners to explore its tax advantages and open space benefits. Higher real estate values, promising to make our job more challenging this year, could be an incentive for landowners to take advantage of tax benefits offered through land conservation options. We appreciate the generous support of our growing membership, as well as that of the Town of Crested Butte, County of Gunnison, Great Outdoors Colorado and the 1% for Open Space program. Your support is visible in our projects, and we will continue to protect our open spaces for you and future generations.
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EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Bill Abraham Norm Bardeen David Baxter Peter Bogardus Tim Clark Glo Cunningham Jim Gebhart Marcia Hegeman Jackie Ingham Dan Jones Robert Kerr Paula Lehr Linda Powers Scott Truex
ACCOUNTING Bookie
STAFF DIRECTOR Victoria Church OPERATIONS MANAGER Sonda Donovan STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR Melissa Giacchino DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Mandy Loori
Sincerely,
LAND STEWARD Lou Barnett
Sandra Allen Leinsdorf PRESIDENT
COVER PHOTO Jannette Runge
INTERN Dan Phillips
NEWSLETTER 2005
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST CM SMITH
ROZMAN RANCH: WORKING WITH A RANCH FAMILY TO PRESERVE A CENTENNIAL RANCH FOREVER B y Vi c t o r i a C h u r c h
AST SEPTEMBER THE CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST successfully
Lclosed on the first of a three-phase conservation project
this southern portion of the ranch will be protected in perpetuity. Phase two will start to take shape this summer; the Land Trust plans to start working with the Rozmans to protect the northern portion of the ranch. This part of the property (230 acres) is currently subject to a lease with Valco for a gravel mine; the actual gravel mines will be the last phase of the project, which probably will not occur for a decade or more. Once the gravel mines have been fully reclaimed, the Land Trust has an option to purchase the final conservation easement to complete the preservation of the ranch. With a generous in-kind donation from the Rozman family and many contributing sources, the Land Trust has only $30,000 left to raise in private donations. We appreciate much needed contributions earmarked to protect the first phase of this timeless ranch. The Crested Butte Land Trust is grateful to the Rozmans for working with us to protect their family lands in addition to the following funding sources: the Town of Crested Butte, the Gunnison County Land Preservation Board, 1% for Open Space, Inc., Great Outdoors Colorado, The Conservation Resource Center, the Carlson Family Foundation, and many other Land Trust members for their kind generosity for helping to purchase a conservation easement on a beautiful Crested Butte ranch.
preserving the conservation values of the Rozman Ranch. The first phase preserved 319 acres of irrigated hay meadows, forest, river frontage, wetlands and an incredibly beautiful working landscape. John and Marilyn Rozman, a third-generation Crested Butte ranching family, worked with the Land Trust to structure the transaction so that we could preserve the balance of the ranch over time — allowing the Land Trust to raise the needed funding to eventually protect the entire ranch. Located three miles south of Crested Butte at the base of Whetstone Mountain, the 550-acre Rozman Ranch has been a home to our county’s cattle ranching heritage for over 100 years, making this one of the oldest working ranches in our valley. The property is an important wildlife corridor allowing wildlife to migrate up and down the valley and is adjacent to U.S. Forest Service Lands to the west. This property boasts one of the most breathtaking autumn aspen hillsides in the state and is located along the entrance to Crested Butte on the West Elk Loop Scenic Highway 135. As part of the conservation easement, the Rozmans have elected to have the opportunity to build one additional homesite and renovate the current ranch house. Ranch buildings will continue to be allowed within a building envelope. The balance of NEWSLETTER 2005
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JC LEACOCK
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST WORKS WITH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO TRADE THE KEBLER PARCEL INTO PUBLIC LANDS B y Vi c t o r i a C h u r c h
at certain criteria when considering trading land; the parcel must N 2001, THE LAND TRUST purchased an inholding in our meet certain environmental, appraisal, title and survey beautiful Gunnison National Forest, encompassing some of the requirements to qualify for a trade. In all exchanges the U.S. Forest most gorgeous vistas, pristine wetlands and critical habitat — a Service is obligated to get value for value rather than acre for acre. home to many critters and species, including black bear, elk, deer, Often times it can be difficult to find a compatible trade parcel. In coyotes, great horned owls and many more. Located along Kebler this situation, the Forest Service has a land-locked parcel that is Pass, this property straddles Coal Creek, has a rich wetlands hard to access in Routt County, which made an excellent match for complex, and thick forest uplands and is situated just before the a trade with the Kebler Parcel. fork to Lake Irwin. According to Jim Dawson, Gunnison County Ranger, there are This property had been on and off the market over the years no real defined criteria for selecting properties for public lands and the Land Trust believed it was a significant parcel to protect ownership; however, the Forest Service typically looks at a for its critical position within public lands and because it is parcel’s location giving priority to those that are completely situated strategically along the watershed for the Town of Crested surrounded by Forest Service lands. The parcel must have Butte. With financial assistance from the Town of Crested Butte, significant resources of interest and management must be 1% for Open Space, Gunnison County Land Preservation Board, consistent with the area around it. In addition the property cannot Land Trust members and owner financing, the Land Trust be encumbered with restrictions or easements. purchased this parcel for $800,000. Jim Dawson comments, “We’re really excited about acquiring Today, four years later, the Crested Butte Land Trust is near the Kebler Parcel. It was a parcel identified and included in our the completion of a three-way land trade with the U.S. Forest ownership adjustment strategy. This was a piece chosen to be Service to trade 160 acres of the Kebler Parcel into public lands. added to the public estate and it’s consistent with our long-term Tim Wohlgenant, a broker from Western Land Group in Denver, management strategy. Ultimately, it being in public ownership is has assisted CBLT to structure the transaction with the Forest consistent with the Kebler Pass Corridor.” Service so the parcel will be eligible to be considered part of The Crested Butte Land Trust is scheduled to trade this first Forest Service lands. Wohlgenant comments about the trade, parcel this summer. The proceeds from the sale of this acreage into “The Kebler Pass Parcel contains high-quality wetland habitat the Forest Service will be used to retire a loan that was used for the along a frequently traveled scenic by-way and between two purchase of the parcel. wilderness areas. If the property had not been purchased by the Land Trust president Sandy Leinsdorf comments about the trade, CBLT, its eventual development would have compromised the “The Land Trust tries to be as innovative as possible to parlay funds integrity of the habitat and diminished the experience of forest into open space preservation. We need to be pretty savvy in today’s users in the area.” market to get the job done. We’re already starting the paperwork to Trading land into the U.S. Forest Service is a relatively get the balance of the property traded into Forest Service hands.” complicated matter and lengthy process. The Forest Service looks 4 NEWSLETTER 2005
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CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
MOMENTUM IN THE HIGH ELK CORRIDOR B y J u s t i n S p r i n g — Tr u s t f o r P u b l i c L a n d
the market. Your support is still needed to help achieve the remaining $1.9 million goal for private contributions. Additional contributions of land or conservation easements will also be necessary to reach our land protection goal. Bolstering private philanthropy is a $750,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriation to the Forest Service for land acquisition in High Elk in the final Interior Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2005, and a $500,000 appropriation in the President’s budget for Fiscal Year 2006. The Crested Butte Land Trust, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, and their members are assisting TPL in demonstrating strong constituent support to the Colorado delegation for the Fiscal Year 2006 appropriation. It is crucial that we continue building upon this momentum to protect the High Elk Corridor. Two additional years of fundraising and land conservation are required to conserve the high-altitude resources of the Corridor. Please continue to contact the Colorado delegation to voice your support for the current High Elk Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriation. If you have questions or would like to make a contribution, please contact Victoria Church, Crested Butte Land Trust (970) 349–1206, or Justin Spring, Trust for Public Land (303) 837–1414, or visit www.tpl.org/highelk for more information. GREG PAYNE
CRUCIAL LINK BETWEEN THE Bells and Raggeds Wilderness areas at the heart of the Elk Mountains is benefiting from permanent protection and management thanks to an effort led by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in cooperation with Crested Butte Land Trust, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, and other “Friends of High Elk.” For several years, TPL and the Friends of High Elk have been working to protect the High Elk Corridor, between Aspen and Crested Butte. This sub-alpine valley provides important habitat for numerous species of plants and wildlife, an unpolluted water resource, a unique outdoor laboratory, an open-air museum showcasing Colorado’s mining history, and a multitude of year-round recreation opportunities. Yet a significant portion of the Corridor is privately owned and subject to development as cabin and second home sites. The goal is to help prevent the “backcountry sprawl” that could fragment this wilderness region. The plan is to acquire and protect over 2,500 acres of privately owned mining claims in the area. In February 2005, TPL purchased and conveyed nearly 800 high-priority acres in High Elk to the United States of America for permanent protection and management as part of the White River National Forest. Private fundraising was key to this success, allowing TPL to move quickly to protect lands as they came onto
ASnowmass-Maroon
PEANUT MINE RECLAMATION GAINS TRACTION By Jim Sta rr
IT IS SAID, “THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM,” and although this is only the second attempt by the Crested Butte Land Trust to reclaim the Peanut Mine site, we consider ourselves charmed because it is actually going to happen this summer. As reported in previous newsletters, CBLT purchased the approximately 85-acre mine site in 1999 because it is a critical piece to the Lower Loop trail system and, in winter, the Magic Meadows cross-country track system. We also thought it would be great if some day the coal piles and tailings pits could be cleaned up and reclaimed. Reclamation of the parcel is very important because water continues to flow through the most polluted part of the old mine site, carrying heavy metals into Peanut Lake. With financial and other assistance from the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment Voluntary Cleanup Program, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Assistance Fund, Town of Crested Butte, Gunnison County, Gates Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, Brownfields Cleanup Program and many Land Trust member donations, a contract
was signed and the cleanup was scheduled to begin last summer. But at the last minute, the private contractor for the Division of Minerals and Geology notified the Division that it did not have the financial wherewithal to do the work. Lastminute attempts to engage another contractor to commence the work were unsuccessful and the bidding process began anew. The Board is in the process of commissioning a film crew for the purpose of creating a documentary about the reclamation project. We are pleased to announce that Spallone Construction of Gunnison will be commencing the reclamation work around July 12th and our hope is to have a community-wide voluntary shrub and tree planting day before the first (real) snow starts to fall. In the meantime, the Lower Loop Trail will remain open and we urge all of you to visit the site to see what a successful communitysupported mine and mill site cleanup program can accomplish. We sincerely thank all of you who have contributed financially and otherwise to this worthwhile project and for your continuing support and patience in completing the reclamation. It will be our pleasure to create a pastoral and healthy landscape on this community land of which we can all be proud.
NEWSLETTER 2005
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CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
SUPPORT THE CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST IN 2005 The following donors supported the Crested Butte Land Trust from May 31, 2004 to May 31, 2005. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to “Preserve the Present for the Future.” Kathie L. Broyles Michelle Brugiere Bill and Carolyn Brusman Bob Brust Dale and Georgiana Buckler Sinclair and Dee Buckstaff Russell and Dorothy Budd Jeff and Beth Buehler Gail Burford Betty Jane Burke William N. and Lenore K. Burke CONTRIBUTORS Glenn Burnham Mark Abraham Richard and Martha Burr Mr. and Mrs. William E. Abraham H. Norman and Idelle R. Abramson Ashley Burt Albert Busch and Joan Heinz G. Achenbach Nan Buxton Charles W., Marshall and Joseph and Michelle Calandra Caroline Adair Jim Campbell and Heather Radley Alan and Anne Adams Lee and Kathleen S. Cannon Mr. and Mrs. James Akers J. Christopher Carey William H. Alexander Mollie Carson Richard and Mary Allen Darlene Carter Bruce and Deborah Alpern Hermann R. and Betty M. Altenfelder Lisbeth Carter Henry and Diana Cashen Lawrence Anaya Mike and Midge Castillo Karen Anderson Harvey Castro and Margot Levy Laura Kay Anderson Paul W. Chambliss Trent and Linda Anderson E. Hugh and Linda H. Chappell Susan H. Anderton Dr. Barbara Chase Monica Ariowitsch Edward L and Barbara Christian Edward and Dee Arnold Steve and Victoria Church James D. and Joanne W. Arnott Bruce and Gabriele Clark Tom and Joan Atkinson James R. Cobb Elizabeth Jane Ayarra and Paul and Anne Cohen Peggy Preston Jack and Peggy Colby Lou R. and Nell F. Baeten Kenneth W. and Mabeth Coleman Karin Bagn, Ph.D. Darrell and Judy Collins Nakca Bagn-Ellison Mark W. and Emily G. Collins H. Whitney Bailey Nancy Conant C.B. Baird, Jr. Tom F. Cone, Jr. Beverly Baker Gary and Kirsten Cook Donald R. and Janis Baker Mr. and Mrs. Harold H. Cook, Jr. Ron and Ruth Baker Reagan and Susan Coon Ann Barbier Robert and Elizabeth Cooperman David A. Barnard Eugene and Shirley Cordes Mike and Kim Barnard Diane Cornwall Barney Family LLC Thom and Sharon Cox Kate Barney Winfield Craven, MD Paul J. Barney Richard and Eva Critchfield Clif and Kathy Barnhart John Todd and Caroline Crocker billy barr James Crowell III, MD and Mark and Mary Barrett Mary T. Crowell Dr. Lawrence S. and Dolores Barzune Joe Cruz and Jane Kuenzel Jack and Nancy Bass Glo Cunningham Wayne Batwin and Sandy Huffman Joe and Liz Currier David and Chris Baxter Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Curtis Harry and Nancy Beaudry Nel Curtiss Linda and Allen Beck Steven and Gaynelle Curtiss Elizabeth Becker Joseph B. Cyberski and Clifford T. and Susan D. Beckman Barbara A. Colwell Lou Beckman Mark Daily and Lynn Cudlip Kevin J. and Susan W. Beltz Brian and Carol Dale Charles Bennett, Ph.D. Charles and Sharon Daubenberger Richard C. Berg Joan Davidsen Walker and Ruth Berkshire Steve and Susan Davis Mr. and Mrs. Fred Berry, Jr. Taylor Davis Thomas Bielefeld Craig and Tapley Dawson Families Glee Biery John C and Neva C. Dawson Arin Billings Ane De Nio John Biro Peter Dea and Cathy L. Carpenter Robert J. or Tina M. Bishop Dea Pat Pielsticker Bittle Judith B. Dean Paul and Mary Lou Blacharski Earl Defrates Roy and Toni Bliss Jeffrey Delaney and Don and Sallie Bolich Dana Beardslee Delaney H. David Bonnett and Anne M. David DeLeeuw Cargill David Delue Peter Booth William and Karen Deneka Tim Boulding Daniel W. Dennison Robert J. and Malla T. Gwen G. des Cognets Brandenberger Maggie Dethloff Bill and Elaine Brandt Caroline Diani John and Kay Braziel Jack and Paula Dietrich Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Breeze Randy Dietrich Robert D. and Susan M. Brickman Rick and Karen Divine Peter and Mary Jane Bridges Christopher and Carole Dobbie Alison K. Brody Dale A. and Christina E. Broekemeier Richard Dobbin Tom and Mary Dobert William and Susan Brooks Kevin and Sonda Donovan Allen T. Brown Brian Dorfman Anthony and Wendy Brown Kenneth R. Dorman Bernie Brown Curtis and Margaret Dorris John A. and Mary Nelson Brown Sterling and Melinda Doster Peter Brown Brian Downs and Gail Mancuso Richard and Sharon Brown Robert Drabkin Roger Brown Fred and Marie Drake Stephen and Bernadette Brown TRUSTEES OF THE LAND Carlson Family Foundation in recognition of Tom Norton’s dedication to conservation in Crested Butte Phillip Coombs Family Phyllis Cowell Dr. John and Margie Haley Pine Tree Foundation
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Robin E. Dreyfuss Bruce Driver John and Jackie Dugenske Gilbert R. Dunn and Erika Ericksen William and Susan Duryea Margaret Easly Scott W. and Pamela F. Eaton David D. and Carole J Ebner Dr. Paul R. and Anne H. Ehrlich David and Lois Einsidler John R. Elflein and Dana Nesbitt-Elflein John R. and Sandra Kipp Emery Peter Esposito Paul and Nancy Essex Dr. and Mrs. B. Henry Estess, Jr. Mitch and Chris Evans Nicholas and Debby Faes Mrs. Theodora L. Feldberg Raymond and Mary Ferrari Charles A. Ferrell Frank and Linda Fialkoff Stephen Figlewski and Carol Lipsitch J. Pierre Filardi, M.D. William Fischer William and Jennifer Florian Marilyn Fordyce Halle Fowler Mary Frame William Frame Keith Frates Nan Frates Cheryl Baldwin Frech Timothy and Christe Fretthold Gil and Lynn Friedlander Alison Fuchs John M. “Chip” Fudge Gilbert L. and Alice Fuld Scott and Casandra Fulkerson Robert J. and Ann Fyfe Charles K. and Stephanie R. Gailey Bruce Gallagher Carol Garcia Joe Garcia Shelley Garcia-White Susan Gardiner Jim Garot Gary and Holly Garrett Jim and Rosie Gebhart Christine G. Geer Jacob and Martha Geller Gary Gellin and Holly Harris Michelle Gerber GGO Architects Melissa Giacchino Mr. and Mrs. James Gibbs Bob, Mandy, Ben and Mo Gillie Roger A. Glasgow Steve Glazer and Diana Graves David and Sharon Gleeson Christie Glowinski Robert T. Goettge Robert and Cara Goldsbury Julie Goldstein Robert Goldthwaite James and Nancy Goode Dennis and Charlene Goree Doug and Karen Gorman Tara Gorman Nicholas Gradisar David Grainger Bill and Susan Grana James and Diane Grandey David Gray and Carolyn Blanchard Elijiah Gray Scott and Sarah Brandt Green Walter and Sherron Green Balie J. and Beverly Griffith Andrew Grimes, M.D. Barry and Rena Grossman Steve Hach and Marty Ames Dr. and Mrs. Arvel Haley Charles E, MD and Marcia Haley Richard and Wendy Hall Robert and Maureen Hall William L. and Ursula A. Hall Fred and Alicia Hallett Ann Hambleton J. Marshall Hamilton Ralph and Carol Hamner Michael R. Haney Lash and Arlene Hansborough Scott and Kristi Hargrove Max Harper, III Kelly B. and Tanja Harrison Kirk and Mary Haskell
NEWSLETTER 2005
Thomas and Dorothy Haskell John and Ruth Hatfield John and Margaret Hatlem Donald and Be Haver Christine L. Hayes Matthew M. Hayes Matthew S. and Helen Y. Hayes Betsy Heartfield Alan G. and Gloria M. Heath Lucy Hecker Alan and Marcia Hegeman Louise Heller Don and Cindy Hempel Sandra C. Henry Mary Hense Jeff Hermanson Nick and Louisa Hernandez Lester Hess John and Jill Hickey Karen Hickey Anne A. Hickman Joseph and Elisabeth Hise Jodi Hodgeboom Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hogue Christine P. Holbrook Joe and Tracy Hollister Scott Holwick and Jennifer Kemp Jonathan and Roanne Rouse Houck Galen and Nancy Houston Robert Howard David and Lezlie Hudiburg Mrs. W.J. Hunt Melinda Hunter C.A and J.M. Hutchings Matt and Monica Hutson Ryan Ignatz Cyndi Lang Ingalls John and Jackie Ingham Edith P. Ingraham Brian Inouye and Nora Underwood David and Bonnie Inouye John and Simone Irwin Randa Jacobs Lynn Jagaciewski Donald H. Janney and Elizabeth Farnum Janney Karen Janssen Linda A. Jennings M. Charles and Lometa P. Jennings Steve Jennison Marlo Johansen Ralph K. and Jean B. Johnsen Carol M. Johnson Jay and Cynthia Johnson Kathryn C. Johnson Michael and Nancy Johnson Rusty and Marla Johnson W. Tom and Katherine Johnson David and Elizabeth Johnston Judy P. Johnston John and Mary Jones Bill and Suzanne Joyce Heidi Juhl Robin Kaminsky Gregg and Kristine Kampf Mr. and Mrs. William Kastning Bob and Barbara Kauffman Ernest and Nancy Keet Polly Keller Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Kelsey Glenn G. Kendrick and Marsha S. Perkins Peter and Margaret Kennel Richard Kimball and Mary Louise Skinner Anne Lamkin Kinder Charity King Robert and Anita King Paul and Jacquelyn Kingsbury Jim and Nina Kingsdale Paul E. and Mary Alice Kirincic Kleimor Energy, LLC Michael A. Klein Carol Kline Richard Knapp and Carol Moesel Michael J. Knoll Katherine Knorr Nicholas Koch Joyce A. Kohler Bryan and Diane Kovacs John W. Kozyak and Barbara A. Silverman Robert and Angela Kray Doug Kroft Nita Kubricht Craig Kurtz and Kila Lau
C. Prewitt and Connie Lane LaDonna Largo Don G. Lebrasse and Josephine L. Longfellow Clarke and Charmon Lehew Edwin Lehrburger David and Sandra Leinsdorf Bettye A. Lemon Elyse LePage Wm. Wayne Leslie Dr. Ross Levine and Family Michael and Ellen Levitt Betty Light David and Carolyn Light Ed and Judy Ligon Bill and Michelle Lockhart Thomas F. Londrigan Robin, Roxanne and Sydney Loyed Lucille Lucas Sam and Nan Lumb G.R. and Joni Lund Charlie and Michele Lutz Robert Lyman Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Paul Mack James and Susan Maclean Laura Magner Kathy Mancha David L. and Lisa Z. Manning James Marra and Marla Covey Archie and Margaret Martin David and Maria Martin Jane Martindell and Robin Cash Laura and Tyler Martineau C. Taylor and Sarah L. Phipps Massey Reggie Masters James M. Masur Ross Matsumoto William Matthews Joe and Christine Matyk Jeff and Laura Mauck Dr. John McAllister William E. and Diane McCreight Dan McElroy Charles and Cathy McGinnis David and Kelly McGuire T.J. McIntyre Art Mears and Paula Lehr Elisabeth Meeker Withrow Meeker Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Jane Meginnis Steve Meredith John and Katie Meyer Jack G. and Gwendolyn I. Mickle Allan and Diane Miller Betty Miller David and Patricia Miller David R. Miller John E. and Judith Miller Mr. and Mrs. William H. Miller, Jr. William W. and Ruth N. Miller John E. and Dorothy A. Mitchell Thomas and Rebecca Mitchell Kenneth and Barbara Moffitt Tod and Connie Mongan Jim and Alyce Moore W. Henson Moore Toby R. and Nancy C. Morey James Morgan Gideon Morrison, MD Grant and Mary Morrison Talie Morrison Travis Morrison James R. and Linda Morton Lawrence F. Mosher Tim and Diane Mueller Barry and Lynne Muirhead John and Christy Murchison, Jr. John Murphy Anne C. Murray Christopher S. Hansen-Murray Sam Myers and Kelsey Wirth Buffy Naake Rod Nash and Honeydew Murray Sue Navy Sam Nay, III David Neben Mike Nelson and Sherri Deetz Jeff and Martha Neumann Monika Nevergold Allan Newcomb Edward and Pamela Nickels Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Nodell Donald and Katherine Norgard
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST Tom and Adria Norton Berek Novak Seth Novatt and Priscilla Natkins Maggie Nunn Patrick and Jane O’Neill Mr. and Mrs. David O’Reilly Olesen Family Limited Partnership Amy Olexy Mr. and Mrs. Allen G. Oliphant Mose Orion and Maren Orion Oppenheimer David Owen Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence C. Paddock John and Linda Page Mrs. R.L. Palmer Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Jerre Paseur John and Caryn Patton Robert and Monique Patton Greg Payne and Sandy Cortner Bill Peatross Dan and Harriet Peavy Tom Peden and Magaret Rudd David Penney and Sarah McAllister Thomas H. Perkins Stephen Perlman and Roberta Kilroy Shelly Perlmutter Leslie C. Perrot Michael and Jeannette Peter Kirk and Stacey Petersen Eric Peterson and Cathy Steinberger Kay Peterson-Cook and Don Cook Bert Phillips and Happy Fowler Ralph W. and Julie B. Pike Kenneth Plake and Janet EversonPlake Isabell Pogoloff Rollin and Ruth Marie Polonitza John and Sandra Polson Camille Polster Garland Porterfield, MD James R. Potter Linda Powers Sherry L. Powley Terry and Sarah Powley James and Joan Prentice George and Carol Price Greg and Margo Price Peter and Susan Pritchett William and Margaret Puckett Robert and Barbara Pyle Rob Quint Charles and Mari Rabinowitz Gary and Frances Rainwater Melanie Rees Kevin Reinert and Denise Duffy Donald and Susan Reithel J. Royce and E. Lee Renfrow Richard and Sharon Renwick David and Carol Reynolds Kenneth and Lucy Reynolds Paul and Joanne Reynolds Mike and Cille Ribaudo Chris and JoAnne Richardson Lee Riciputi Jeff and Gloria Riddle Chris and Sarah Riopelle Krehe and Katherine Ritter Kevin Roache Gareth and Linda H. Roberts Mary Jean Robertson Dennis Rodman and Nancy Beishline Rodman J.A. and Judy T. Rodriguez Rolling River, LLC William and Anne Ronai David Rose and Ceil Murray Randy and Barbara Rosenblatt Brent and Betty Rosenthal Diane Ross Jane Dunn Rossiwall Dr. Sandra G. Rosswork Sharon Rouse Rudolph and Lois Rozman Thomas and Jessica Rutherford John H. Ryan Steven and Ann Ryan Dr. and Mrs. Steven A. Rymal Scott Sanders GJ and Lisa Santelli Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Saperstein Gary Kenneth Sawyer J.R. and Jean Scalmanini James and Amy Schaeffer Mr. and Mrs Lee and Sis Schalon Stephanie Scheske James Schmidt Gary Schultz Alan Schwartz Joseph Schwartz Judge Ross A. and Mariann Sears
and Jessica Jensen David Seltzer and Lisa Roberts Daniel Semegen and Susan Firestone Semegen Ronald J. Seuferling The Honorable Stephanie Seymour Peg Sharp Charles and Victoria Shaw Sandy Shea A.J. and Julia C. Shoup James and Delrena Sides Robert and Ann Simmons Mr. and Mrs. J. Peter Simon Bruce R. and Catherine E. Smerch Bill Smith and Jennifer Rose Christian and Julie Smith Forrest and Dawn Smith Harley and Marion Smith Lowry and LeIla Smith Michael and Meg Smith Dr. John and Mrs. Marsha Soucheray John and Haden Spencer Nina Scripps Spitzley, Adeline M. and Armig Smith Cathy Sporcich Margaret A. Sporcich Raymond Sprague and Kathleen J. Turner Gary Sprung William F. and Marcia A. Stamm Jim and Annie Starr Eric Steacy Elaine Steele Christopher and Maureen Stenger Anne Steninger Robert Stephens and Julie Packard Juliet Stillman Kenneth and Judy Stockton Jerry and Virginia Stone Lee and Elizabeth Stone Michael A. and Carolyn W. Stone Bruce and Alice Ann Street Anthony and Randi Stroh Kathleen Sullivan Randy and Joan Swift Hazel Hale Taylor John and Elizabeth Carson Taylor Julie F. Taylor Lindsay and Nancy Thomas James and Barbara Thomson Carol Lynn Tiegs Wally Trepp Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tropiano Mark and Cynthia Trumble David and Corinne Tyler Dirk and Nancy Tyler Michelle U’Ren Norman B. Urmy Drs. James and Aileen Utley Kevin and Sarah Van Horn Wouter and Jill Van Tiel Sue Vasko Norman and Suzanne Veasey Chuck and Sally Vennel Theodore and Martha Violett Albert V. and Kathryn G. Vogel Nancy Vogel Erika C. Vohman Deborah Voorhees Mercy Voorhees Moss Wagner John and Janet Walker Peggy Wall Mr. and Mrs. James R. Wallace Kim Walter Hal and Carolyn Warnick Robert Warren Nickolas M. Waser and Mary V. Price Shirley Watson Ward B. Watt and Carol Boggs Mike and Cindy Watts George H. Wear Covie M. and Sherry L. Weaver Norman J. Wechsler Lee and Lynn Weiner Michael and Donna Weinstock Nancy N. Welch Michael and Laura Werner Larry and Alice West Elinor White Mr. and Mrs. Richard Whiting Mary Whitson Roy and Susan Widjeskog Helen L. Wilke Kane Wilkerson Charles and Becky Wilkins Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wilkinson Ruth and Robert Willey Chris Williams
Claire Williams Cohen E. and Leah Williams Joe and Becky Williams Lacy Williams, MD Jenny Wilner Devon and Grayce Wilson Peter and Mary Winants Neil and Joan Windsor William and Diana Winkler, MD Walter B. Winne and Abigail Palmer Tim and Wren Wirth Klaus and Karin Wisiol Scott Wissinger Thomas M. Woodell, II Terry Woodrow Jeff Writer and Eney Jones Mary Jane Wurster Clyde and Bitsy Wyant Ms. Loraine Yeatts Robert and Susan Youker Barry and Janet Young Frank S. and Paula L. Zahniser Robert and Betsy Zakely Rick and Annie Zander Lucy Zavala Ed Zwick and Liberty Godshall Henry N. and Marilyn T. Zwirek SUSTAINING MEMBERS Alice and Robbin Dawson Xavier Fane Ed and Heather Fornataro Gunnison County Electric Assn., Inc Michael and Edith Kennedy Richard and Kim Sweitzer
Butte Botanica Certus City Market Cares Program Cliggett & Associates, P.C. Community Banks of Colorado Crested Butte Bank Crested Butte Mountain Crested Butte True Value Cristiana Guesthaus Dragon Sheet Metal Gears, Inc. Harrison Jewelers Headwaters MB, LLC Holbrook & Guy General Contractors Doug and Gina Kroft Noreen Construction, Inc. Oppenheimer Funds Legacy Gifts Program PR Property Management, Inc. Prescor, Inc. Rocky Mountain Trees and Landscaping Shondeck Financial Services and Insurance Steve Farley Custom Carpentry and Residential Remodeling Storage One Tomichi Tire – Towing Service TRAILSOURCE.COM Wildflower Weddings Young Enterprises Inc.
GIFTS IN KIND Alpineer Kathy Amen Design GRANTORS Bank of the West 1% for Open Space, Inc. David and Chris Baxter Great Outdoors Colorado Alan Bernholtz Gunnison County Land Bookie Preservation Board Brush Creek Flies Town of Crested Butte Buffalo Grille Cement Creek Ranch FOUNDATIONS AND Roger Cesario CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS John Chandler Akers Foundation Tim Clark American Express Foundation Clark’s Market The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Crested Butte Mountain Brandt Foundation Crested Butte News Carlson Family Foundation Crested Butte Nordic Council Community Foundation of Santa Crested Butte Printing Cruz County — Robert Stephens Crested Butte Property and Julie Packard Fund Management & Sales, Inc. The Crested Butte Community Crested Butte Weekly Foundation Cucina The Dallas Foundation Creste Butte Rod Works Dallas Jewish Community Kathy Darrow Foundation Rene DeFourneaux Ernest and Nancy Keet Foundation Dragonfly Anglers Fidelity Investments Charitable Dr. Henry and Sandra Estess Gift Fund Dan Ewert The Gunnison Area Foundation Sandy Fails H.B. Alexander Foundation Inc. Fantasy Ranch Hidden Pond Foundation Barry Grossman Houston Jewish Community The Gym Foundation Peter Hagen Jane Bekins Meginnis Foundation Jeff Hermanson Pikes Peak Community Foundation Ethan Hicks — Paul and Annie Cohen Fund Paul Hird Pine Tree Foundation Fred Holbrook Richard Goldstein Private Ice Mountain Jewelry Foundation Idle Spur The Saint Paul Foundation John Ingham Sandra Polson Trust John Fielder Colorado David Seltzer and Lisa Roberts Gregg Kampf Sylvan and Marquerte Wall Rev. Bob Kray Living Trust Kathy Kruger Design Whetstone Mountain Foundation Kendall Jones and Cindy Mattson The Winslow Foundation David and Sandra Leinsdorf The Winston-Salem Foundation Little Nells Lucille Lucas Gallery ORGANIZATIONS Angela Manno Conservation Resource Center Milky Way Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce Mountain Spirits Crested Butte Wildflower Festival The Mountain Store Paragon Gallery Dr. Roderick Nash Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Olives, St. Regis Resort Aspen Trappers Crossing at Paradox Footwear Crested Butte Association Paragon Gallery Trust for Public Lands Kay Peterson-Cook Pooh’s Corner Jeff Poole BUSINESSES AND Linda Powers CORPORATIONS Betsy Reader Alpine Acupuncture Kim Reichhelm Alpineer Matt Robbins Atmos Energy Corporation Vinnie Rossignol Bacchanale John and Marilyn Rozman Bank of the West Safeway Betlin Group, LLC The Secret Stash The Book Store Mark Sibley Brookins Properties
Bill Smith and Jennifer Rose John and Haden Spencer Three Rivers Resort Outfitters Union Congregational Church Ruth and Robert Willey Peter and Mary Winants Tim Wirth Jeff Writer CODICIL CLUB Frank and Tate Brookins Fund Richard Kimball and Mary Louise Skinner Melanie Rees IN HONOR Linda and Allen Beck in honor of Kathy Darrow Clifford T. and Susan D. Beckman in honor of Lou Beckman and Pete Davis Lee and Kathleen S. Cannon in honor of Jim and Anne Fairchild Harvey Castro and Margot Levy in honor of Glo Cunningham Kenneth W. and Mabeth Coleman in honor of the birth of Haley Katherine Coleman Franklin and Sharolyn Cox in honor of John and Margie Haley Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce in honor of Denis Hall Brian and Carol Dale in honor of John and Peggy Hatlem Kenneth R. Dorman in honor of John and Margie Haley John R. and Sandra Kipp Emery in honor of the birth of Ian Michael Haney Halle Fowler in honor of Happy Fowler GGO Architects in honor of John and Margie Haley Bob, Mandy, Ben and Mo Gillie in honor of Jan Gillie Robert Goldthwaite in honor of Lou Beckman James and Nancy Goode in honor of John and Margie Haley David Grainger in honor of Tim Clark Dr. and Mrs. Arvel Haley in honor of John and Margie Haley Max Harper, III in honor of John and Margie Haley Law Clerks of Judge Stephanie Seymour in her honor Kleimor Energy, LLC in honor of Jeff Hermanson Craig Kurtz and Kila Lau in honor of Glo Cunningham and Scott Wimmer Bill and Michelle Lockhart in honor of Jim Watson John and Linda Page in honor of John and Margie Haley Sherry L. Powley in honor of Terry and Sarah Powley Jim and Annie Starr in honor of Nicholas and Tina Kempin’s wedding Covie M. and Sherry L. Weaver in honor of John and Margie Haley Thomas M. Woodell, II in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ingraham, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Biery and Mr. and Mrs. William Manuel IN MEMORY Butte Beauties in memory of Natalie Morrison Charles K. and Stephanie R. Gailey in memory of Helen S. Buynoski Leslie C. Perrot in memory of my husband, David Friedkin James and Delrena Sides in memory of Julie Moore Employees of le Bosquet in memory of Candy Shepard’s father, Russell Anderson CONSERVATIONISTS The Crested Butte Land Trust thanks the following families and organizations for their generous land contributions and preservation efforts: Allen, Anders, Beitner, Betz, Biery, Burstein, Cavalli, Conroad Associates LP, Cosentino, Divine, Eccher, Gallin, Glacier Lily Partnership, Hansen Huckeby, Jucha, Kapushion,
If we have inadvertently left you out, please let us know. We thank you for your gift and we apologize for this oversight.
NEWSLETTER 2005
7
MATTHEW LANCASTER
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
SCIENCE AND EASEMENT: DO THE TWO MIX? By Lynn Cud lip
F SUMMERS WERE LONGER in the Crested Butte area, would we
Ijump for joy? Some might find a little more green tantalizing,
especially if the mud season were shortened. Others might prefer a longer ski season. Regardless of our desires, extending the growing season through a shortening of spring and fall may change the type of plant species and how they function together in a community, which is critical for the workings of an ecosystem. A question recently posed by a researcher at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory will address lengthening of the summer season by manipulating end-of-growing-season temperature on one of the Crested Butte Land Trust’s conservation easements. The easement, referred to as the Maxfield Meadow, was donated to the Land Trust, and is located on Gothic Road at the toe of the slope between Gothic and Snodgrass mountains. Have other donated easements supported scientific research? No, and so the effort and review of a project on one of the Trust’s properties is important, promising and subject for debate. The Trust reviewed the proposed project in light of the conservation values proscribed in the conservation easement document. The easement document states that science and viewshed are the two critical conservation values assigned to the easement, with science having primary consideration if conflict were to arise between the two. Though scientific study provides numerous benefits — and in this case continued exploration of the effects of global climate change on high-altitude ecosystems — negative impacts can occur. In this particular study, plots of vegetation will be clipped 8
and covers will be installed at night to prevent frost damage and retain heat. Monitoring hardware will also be in place for three years. We will be able to see the setup and scientists working on the project. Should that detract from our viewshed? No, more likely it will blend very well with all the scientific projects taking place on property nearby at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The principal researcher offers that no species extinction will occur as a result of the work; species numbers may change, but plant diversity will not. And with any research project, the principal always cleans up after himself. The covers, the gauges, the litter bags and other scientific paraphernalia will all disappear after three years. Science aside, the Crested Butte Land Trust is pleased to hold an easement on this property, because it lies in the upper reaches of the East River drainage southeast of Gothic Mountain. Spectacular views and ecological features such as a Thurber fescue grassland, willow thickets associated with a spring on National Forest lands to the west, and aspen stands make this a special piece. Of particular importance is the sighting of the Gunnison sage grouse within one mile of the parcel. This parcel is in near-pristine condition and presents a buffer for Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory to human activity to the south. The Crested Butte Land Trust anticipates maintenance of the parcel’s near-pristine conditions, and more importantly, advances in our knowledge about how high-mountain ecosystems may change under changing climate conditions.
NEWSLETTER 2005
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
LAND CONSERVATION IS BECOMING MORE ATTRACTIVE WITH RECENT TAX BENEFITS FOR COLORADO LANDOWNERS “Altruism d o esn’t have to be a financial sacrifice; it can o ften benefit the p ro p erty o w ners and the p ublic at the sam e tim e.” By Je ff He rm anso n
HE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS have created powerful
Ttax incentives to encourage conservation. The tax benefits
represent an approach of realizing a property’s value, or a significant portion of it, without actually developing. Where a conservation easement, such as giving up development rights, offers a public benefit, the federal government allows a tax deduction for the full value of the easement. This allows the property owner to reduce his taxable income by the value of the easement. But the real financial benefit may come from the state of Colorado, which allows, additionally, for a tax credit. The credit is an offset to state tax liability, but is further enhanced, because this tax credit can often be sold. This benefits most property owners who don’t have a significant state tax liability, but can convert their tax credit to cash. This powerful tool can be used for protecting land or creating public trails if they make sense for the landowner. This year, the Land Trust is happy to report that we were the recipients of two conservation easements from property owners who utilized the tax incentives as a mechanism to preserve land in the valley. Both parcels are significant because of their
geographic proximity. The first donation is the Conroad Associates conservation easement number two. This property owner controls 800 acres at the base of Whetstone, including parts of Baxter Gulch, with borders to the Rozman Ranch and Forest Service lands. Conroad Associates plans on conveying a total of nine contiguous 35-acre parcels over time scheduled to tax-planning needs. Although there has been no public access conveyed yet, the property owner has reserved the ability to grant it in the future. The second donation is the Rolling River conservation easement. Granted by the Divine family, this 6.8-acre parcel is located in the Slate River Valley, adjacent to the Slate River road. With its high visibility and its location near the Slate River Wetlands Preserve, we believe this conservation easement represents real value for the community. The landowner will retain the ability to construct a yurt during the summer months. We applaud and are grateful to Conroad Associates and the Divine family for taking advantage of the state tax credit and donating conservation easements on their properties.
SUPPORT THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND By Be ve rly Griffith
THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND, which has granted $3.5 billion to cities and states over the past 40 years, is now threatened with termination in Washington D.C. The money funding this program has been raised from royalty payments made to the U.S. Government from oil drilling leases that compensate for the depletion of our nation’s natural resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. This program is an essential tool used by cities and states to create parks and preserve open space for
public enjoyment including several projects in Gunnison County. Please let our U.S. Senators and Representatives know how important this program is by encouraging them to restore the State and Local Assistance Program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund with $100 million for 2006. Please call as soon as possible with your support of full LWCF funding to the U.S. Capital Switchboard at (202) 224–3121 and ask for the phone numbers of your senators and representative.
REMEMBERING A FRIEND: TOM NORTON
THE CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST is very sad to report Tom Norton, one of our friends, members, leading conservationists and supporters, passed away last summer. Tom Norton became a member of the Crested Butte Land Trust in 1999 with the preservation of the Lower Loop. He and his family had been visiting Crested Butte for many years and had a second home in the valley. “Tom just took a genuine interest in the Land Trust,” comments David Baxter, Land Trust Board Member. “Every time he was in town, he would drop by the office and get an update on current Land Trust projects. Typically in the spring he would call to invite the Land Trust to make a grant application to his family’s foundation — The Carlson Family Foundation.” Over the last five years, with Tom’s sponsorship, the Carlson Family Foundation has made significant grants to the Lower Loop, Peanut Mine, Kebler Parcel and Gunsight Bridge Parcels. A few years back the Carlson Family Foundation board members hosted their board meeting here in Crested Butte to see
the fruits of their investments and to come to understand Tom’s appreciation for Crested Butte. The family took a tour on horseback led by former board member Glo Cunningham to see properties protected by their foundation funding. This past year, after Tom’s passing, a family member contacted us to submit a grant proposal in recognition of Tom’s commitment and support of conservation. The Carlson Family Foundation generously funded a $50,000 grant to be used toward the purchase of a 319-acre conservation easement on the Rozman Ranch. The Crested Butte Land Trust is very grateful to have had the opportunity to know and appreciate the lovely person Tom Norton was and to be the fortunate recipient of so much generosity and support for conservation from the Carlson Family Foundation. We will truly miss Tom’s visits to Crested Butte, but his memory will not be forgotten for the difference he made to our community. His presence made a profound and permanent impact and will live on in the land that was preserved in perpetuity.
NEWSLETTER 2005
9
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
BEVERLY GRIFFITH JOINS THE LAND TRUST BOARD OF
working at both the local level in Austin and the national level in the San Francisco office. In Austin, Beverly was active in politics as a town council Beverly comes to the Land Trust with a wealth of member for six years and helped to secure $76 knowledge working in real estate and with public million in a bond appropriation for land acquisition and private institutions whose mission is to protect and parks facilities in local neighborhoods. As the open space and recreational opportunities for chairman of the Parks Board in Austin, Beverly was public use. successful in initiating a bond election that resulted Beverly and her husband, Balie Griffith, first in $20 million to purchase 1,000 acres of land along came to Crested Butte in July of 1999. They learned the Barton Creek Greenbelt and $14 million to build about Crested Butte while vacationing in Aspen. recreational facilities. One summer, they decided to spend their holiday Beverly Griffith Occasionally Beverly travels to Washington, D.C. to fulfill her in Crested Butte, ended up loving it and purchasing their home, obligations as a Trustee of the National Recreation and Park where they now spend the majority of their time. When not in Association. Currently Beverly is working to protect funding Crested Butte the Griffiths are in Austin, Texas, where their son under the Land and Water Conservation Fund allocated for parks and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Stephanie Griffith, manage and open space preservation. (Please see article on page 9.) the family business, which is a real estate investments and Beverly comments about her new position with the Land property management company. Trust, “Our astounding natural beauty is our unique selling Through her experience working on the National Leadership proposition as a destination and as a way of life.” Please help Council for the Trust for Public Land, Beverly has worked to us to welcome Beverly to our board. improve recreational opportunities and add to preserved land HE LAND TRUST IS HONORED to welcome
TBeverly Griffith to its Board of Directors.
IT’S FAREWELL, BUT NOT GOODBYE TO TWO INFLUENTIAL LAND TRUST BOARD MEMBERS By Sa nd ra A lle n L e ins d o rf
TWO OF THE LAND TRUST’S longest serving board members and past presidents retired in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments that will enhance this community forever. David Baxter and Glo Cunningham came to the Land Trust board with a passion for open space preservation and a vision for protection of the uniqueness of our valley. David’s masterful abilities as a negotiator with real estate transactions will be sadly missed by the board and staff. He was an essential part of many Land Trust projects, most importantly, Schofield, Woods Walk Trail, Lower Loop and Gunsight Bridge/Pitkin Iron projects, four major land conservation projects heralded by the Land Trust. He initiated the partnership with the Trust for Public Land to kick off the High Elk Corridor project. David was the patriarch of the 1% for Open Space program, which is now its own entity David Baxter and has raised nearly $1,000,000 since the Crested Butte Land Trust started it in 1997. He has been an active board member working on land and conservation easement
acquisitions since December of 1996 and served as president from 1999 to 2002. David’s leadership role and participation have made an astounding impact on the preservation efforts of the Crested Butte Land Trust. Glo’s connection to the people of this community is unique, especially through her participation in organizing concerts and picnics for the Land Trust. Her historical perspective and work Glo Cunningham ethic will always be remembered as essential to our success. Glo started on the board in May of 1993 and from 1996 to 1999 served as president. During Glo’s presidency, the Land Trust hired its first staff person, and the 1% for Open Space program was started. Her leadership role helped the Land Trust to preserve the Robinson Parcel, Lower Loop and the Anders’ Ranch projects. Glo participated in the acquisition of Schofield and many other important purchases and conservation easements. After Glo’s presidency, she worked as the membership chair and more recently as the Crested Butte Land Trust Calendar producer, a role which she will continue to fill. Glo’s presence on the board has made a lasting mark both locally and nationally with the land
PETER BOGARDUS STEPS DOWN FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WE WILL MISS PETER BOGARDUS, a board member for three years. Peter came to the Land Trust as a professional mediator to facilitate strategic visions for the education, fundraising and membership committees. He was soon asked to join the board of directors and acted as the education chairman. He often 10
accompanied the acquisition committee on site visits, and his input was invaluable. Peter’s professional perspective and challenging questions always helped us make better decisions. We will miss Peter especially for his great sense of humor and legal expertise.
NEWSLETTER 2005
CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST
1% FOR OPEN SPACE: ONE IN A MILLION % FOR OPEN SPACE, INC. continues to succeed,
By Mo lly Murfe e
1raising funds for the protection of open space
lands through monetary grants totaling $85,000 since January 2004. The following projects were funded this year, protecting 783 acres of open space: the Maxfield Conservation Easement, Rozman Ranch, Schofield Townsite lots and Steuben Creek. Receiving organizations were the Crested Butte Land Trust, the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The 1% for Open Space program has helped to Molly Murfee raise funds for the protection of over 1,300 acres since its inception in 1997, and this year will hit its million-dollar mark for money collected for the preservation of land in Gunnison County. Without the support and enthusiasm of our participating businesses, which are willing to deal with the paperwork of collecting 1% of their sales, this program could obviously not exist.
KATHERINE DARROW
Karyn Adelman Acupuncture, Inc. The Air Up There Alpengardner The Alpineer Audrey Anderson Animal Hospital of Crested Butte Artesanos Susie Attaway The Bacchanale The Bakery at Mt. Crested Butte Nathan Bilow Photography Cement Creek Ranch Clear Rivers Skin Care and Waxing Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty Cookworks Crested Butte International Lodge and Hostel
Crested Butte Medical Center Crested Butte News Crested Butte Property Management Crested Butte True Value Hardware Crested Butte Weekly Donita’s Cantina Dragonfly Anglers Dragon Sheet Metal Elizabeth Anne Bed and Breakfast Elk Avenue Medical Center Elk Mountain Floor Coverings / Red Horse Tile Co. Evans Contracting Flying Petito Sisters Video Store GCEA
After almost five years of awesome work with the 1% for Open Space, Inc., Karen Janssen has decided to step down from the position of development director. She has not only organized the 1% program from its separation from the Crested Butte Land Trust, but she has also significantly grown the number of participating businesses. I am proud and honored to follow in her footsteps in taking on the position of development director of 1% for Open Space. I have long said that if I had a million dollars I would just buy land for its preservation. Well, I still haven’t made my first million, but now I have the unique opportunity to assist in raising funds to help the 1% for Open Space reach its million-dollar mark this year. I look forward to meeting all of you who have been an integral part of the Crested Butte Land Trust as I embark on this new journey. We would like to heartily thank the following businesses for their time, effort and support:
The Gourmet Noodle High Mountain Drifters Interior Visions Le Bosquet Lil’s Land and Sea Lucille Lucas Gallery Laura Magner, Attorney at Law Mabuhay Alex Moran Mountain Colors Decorating Center Mountain Spirits Liquors The Mountain Store The Natural Butte Crested Butte Nordic Council Paradox Footwear Paragon Gallery
Pioneer Guest Cabins Pitas in Paradise Pooh’s Corner Red Lady Realty Brokers and Broker Assoc. Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory / Gothic Store 50 Rocky Mountain Sports Medicine Rocky Mountain Trees and Landscaping Round Mountain Organics The Secret Stash Spellbound Furniture Works Timberline Mechanical Town of Mt. Crested Butte Troutfitter Sports Why Cook?!
SONDA DONOVAN JOINS THE CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST STAFF THE CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST is pleased to welcome Sonda Donovan to the staff of the Land Trust as the operations manager. Sonda’s first introduction to Crested Butte was as a student when she spent the summer in Gothic doing a research project in 1987 for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology. In 1995, she moved to Crested Butte as a full-time resident Sonda Donovan and now lives in CB South with her husband Kevin and two daughters. Prior to working at the Land Trust, Sonda worked for Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory for three years as associate and interim director.
NEWSLETTER 2005
11
KEVIN KRILL
THE THIRD ANNUAL CRESTED BUTTE BANK TRAILS TRIATHLON HE CRESTED BUTTE BANK presents the Third Annual Crested
TButte Bank Trails Triathlon, a Nissan XTERRA Points Series
Race to benefit the Crested Butte Land Trust and local children’s charities on Sunday, July 31, 2005. We are thrilled that the Skyland Metro District and Skyland Community Association are allowing this community event to take place for the third year. A special thanks to those boards as well as the residents of Skyland. Special thanks also go out to West Wall
Lodge, which is offering $5000 in prize money to the top five male and female pros. The event will raise money for the Crested Butte Land Trust as well as provide a fun event for the Town. You can help! The event will require 100 volunteers on the day of the event. Many of these will hopefully be Land Trust members. Call Tina or Rebecca at Crested Butte Bank, 349–0170. In exchange for volunteering you will get a T-shirt, support the Land Trust, help the town and have lots of fun!
GUNSIGHT BRIDGE REPAIR SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2005, AREA DESIGNATED DAY-USE ONLY By Me lissa Giacch ino
THE GUNSIGHT BRIDGE will receive a well-deserved repair this fall, creating a safe crossing of the Slate River for pedestrians and mountain bikers completing the Lower Loop Trail. This area is known for its recreational opportunities and pristine ecosystem — the Slate River Wetlands Preserve. The bridge will be temporarily planked this spring to allow pedestrian users safe crossing. In late summer, once the water level has dropped, the bridge will be remodeled, and during this construction phase, the bridge will be closed. All usable support timbers will be saved to retain its historic look and the bridge will be planked with new timber and given a hand railing. The width of the bridge will allow for pedestrian uses only. All motor vehicles will be prohibited from crossing the bridge. The Lower Loop Trail System is a beautiful location to spend
the day hiking, picnicking with friends and family, and enjoying the spectacular scenery. The Land Trust is proud to provide the community with this opportunity. To maintain a balance between preserving the delicate wildlife habitat and the heavy recreational use, the Land Trust has designated the site as dayuse only. In recent years, the parcel has seen an increase in the use of overnight camping and some resulting negative impacts to the environment. As a result, camping is prohibited. We ask you to help us steward our lands and continue to preserve the present for the future. The Whetstone Mountain Foundation, The Gunnison Area Foundation, and Robert and Susan Youker have provided funding for the Gunsight Bridge remodel. Donations earmarked for this project are welcomed. The Land Trust still needs to raise $23,000.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR DIANE ROSS
DIANE ROSS IS A FOUNDING member of the Crested Butte Land Trust. She has continually supported the Land Trust and donated many hours of volunteer time. Stop by any of our bulk mailings and Diane will be there stuffing envelopes with a smile on her face and entertaining us all with her unique stories and charming character. The Land Trust is grateful to Diane for her continual assistance and commitment to preserving open space in the Gunnison Valley. The Board of Directors has named Diane Ross the 2004 Volunteer of the Year. Special thanks go to Kathy Amen, Sandy Fails and Crested Butte Printing for helping to make this color newsletter possible.