Upper Arkansas River Valley

The Upper Arkansas River Valley sits on the border of Chaffee County and Lake County. It offers pure, serene vistas featuring the Collegiate Peaks as a backdrop. Along with vibrant green pastures and snow-capped peaks, the Upper Arkansas River Valley is home to many family-owned ranches dating back to the late 1800s.  

Hikers, bikers, skiers, and hunters flock to the mountains, and boaters and anglers ply the clear streams and rivers. The market for second homes in Chaffee County—just two hours from downtown Denver—has surged, putting a strain on the working lands and water resources that help make the Valley an attractive place to live and visit. 

 As the area’s popularity increased, so did the prices of ranching properties. Long-term ranchers faced inheritance taxes and other expenses that their traditional ranching operations could not support. 

 TPL works with landowners to place a conservation easement on their properties, a process that protects that land from development in perpetuity while allowing the ranchers to continue working the land. 

 The permanent protection of these ranches also benefits the entire community. The ranches:  

• Play a significant role in the agricultural, ecological, and scenic heritage of the Upper Arkansas River Valley. 
• Offer panoramic views of Arkansas River Valley, Collegiate Peaks, and other iconic Colorado fourteeners.
• Provide easier access to the Arkansas River, one of the country’s most beloved rivers for fishing and boating. 

 “One of the great things about protecting working agricultural land is that you’re helping families continue to own and work land that’s been in their family for generations,” says TPL Project Manager Wade Shelton.  

 “However, their benefits don’t end there; by protecting properties, we’re ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the Upper Arkansas Valley.” 

 Learn more about these ranching properties in the Upper Arkansas River Valley.