1. Why/how did you start working with CHLT?
We became aware of the CHLT and the work that they were doing in Grand County when we purchased a 40-acre property in Tabernash seven years ago. We were told that the land behind that property was in a conservation easement and we were assured that there would not be development there in the future. That was one of the main reasons we bought our original property. Then several years later, our neighbors came to us and asked if we wanted to own those 108 acres. That land is contiguous to our property, so it made a lot of sense to purchase it, but we also wanted our ranch to always look just like it did when we first saw it. So we took the plunge and became CHLT land owners!
2. Was there a desire or need that you were hoping to fulfill?
It is a pretty selfish thing to say, but our “desire” was to be able to sit on our patio or look out our window and see the mountains, trees, wildlife and fields…forever and always. Being from Nebraska, I need lots of space and trees around me. When we first met, Mike is a geophysical engineer who just finished a job where he lived and worked on a seismic ship collecting data in the Gulf of Mexico and off the shore of St John’s Newfoundland. He could not wait to return to the Colorado mountains.
Those two facts prompted us to buy a “ski cabin” in Fraser . We were second home owners up here for 12 years before we found our “forever” property. We knew from the beginning that the Fraser Valley is where we both belong. We also know that we can’t keep this area small forever. We love it, so others who see it will certainly want to live here, too; but we saw the land trust as a way to keep at least “our part of the universe” beautiful and untouched.
3. What is the most significant difference CHLT is making for you today?
Previously, when we first bought our original 40 acres, we had some issues with neighbors that were trying to develop their property for multiple commercial interests. We felt so strongly about keeping this area free of commercialization, we fought to make sure it would not happen. Because the property behind this proposed commercial site was in a conservation easement, I think if we would have needed to take things to court, it would be easier to prove that agricultural/rural/forestry was the original intent for that area and the property owners who purchased land there.
4. How would you describe CHLT to someone else?
We have talked about CHLT to many of our friends and neighbors. All have been interested and so many have questions. One misconception we hear a lot is, “Doesn’t that make your property worth less when you sell?" I find that amusing. We looked at it the other way. Since we knew that the property behind our home was in a land trust and could never be developed, we were willing to pay MORE! Now we own that property, we have never regretted the sacrifices we had to make to purchase it!
5. In your opinion, what is the single greatest benefit CHLT provides?
Since we are in a “resort area”, it would be so easy for this land to be gobbled up by people looking to make money on what we hold so dear…our views…our wildlife…our wide open spaces. CHLT is a great resource for helping to make sure that doesn’t happen to Grand County, the way it did in other, over-developed mountain resort communities.
6. What do you wish you had known at the beginning/when you started?
I had heard of land trusts previously, but didn’t understand how flexible these agreements could be between the land owner and organization. We use our property for producing hay in the summer, we do pasture lease agreements for livestock grazing, we snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski on it in the winter, etc. We are even allowed to hunt that land, if we choose. The restrictions are minimal and aligned with our values and wishes. CHLT works with land owners to make sure it’s a win-win situation for both parties. I truly don’t know why anyone who plans to leave their property to the next generation wouldn’t consider working with CHLT to secure their investment and assure it remains much like it is today.
