DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has purchased new property in Park County that it will protect as a state wildlife area , the state announced on Friday.
When Collard Ranch was initially listed for sale, Western Rivers Conservancy, which acquires land along rivers to conserve, jumped at the chance to protect the area and negotiated a purchase agreement with the landowner before buying it in December 2023. It held the property until funding was in place and then it was transferred to CPW, which will now manage it moving forward, according to GOCO.
"Colorado Parks and Wildlife's acquisition of the Collard Ranch property marks a significant conservation success for our state,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “The purchase underscores CPW’s mission to preserve land for outdoor enthusiasts. With the support of partners like Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado, we are proud to take this crucial step in preserving Colorado's natural heritage for generations to come.
Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | March 15, 5pm The property will not open as Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area until infrastructure is put in place. Once that is complete, hunters and anglers can access the SWA with a hunting or fishing license, or a SWA pass.