COLORADO

The Trust Moves to Purchase Critical Lands in Colorado and New Mexico

The El Malpias National Monument, near Grants New Mexico, includes vast stretches of congressionally designated wilderness, and one 320-acre private inholding. As scattered residential development surrounds this vital wilderness, land so does the prospect of this inholding becoming a prime residential retreat. We’d rather see it remain home to Elk, Deer, Turkey, Antelope, Bear, Mountain Lion, Coyote and numerous native and migratory birds. Additionally, the lava tube system and caves from the Hoya de Cibola crater on this inholding is home to several species of bats including the Townsend's Big Eared Bat, a federal species of concern and candidate for threatened status.

The Wilderness Land Trust entered into a contract to purchase this wilderness inholding in July 2003. We anticipate that we can transfer it to the National Park Service in late 2004, or early 2005. For more information on this fascinating wilderness well off the beaten path in western New Mexico, visit the El Malpias website.

In Colorado, the West Elk Wilderness Area and the Snowmass Maroon Bells Wilderness Area frame the High Elk Corridor, a very popular non-wilderness route between mountain villages of Crystal and Gothic, Colorado. Mountain bikers, hikers, jeep enthusiasts and the occasional hearty cabin dweller all cherish this area over Scoffield Pass. The Nature Conservancy and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory value it for environmental and biological reasons. RMBL conducts pressing climate change research there; the Nature Conservancy operates a large preserve in the valley. The Crested Butte Land Trust, Aspen Valley Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land and The Wilderness Land Trust are working in cooperation to help preserve this area for the future.

The Wilderness Land Trust is working through the complex estate issues with the heirs of an individual who owned multiple wilderness inholdings in the designated wilderness areas that border the High Elk Corridor and provide its spectacular setting. We are negotiating with the estate to acquire these critical inholdings, the acquisition of which will secure the wilderness they are in and preserve the beloved High Elk Corridor for its many devotees.