Colorado West Land Trust

10/19/2026

What’s a one-rock dam?

Despite the name, it’s not just one rock! A one-rock dam is a low structure made from many rocks, stacked only about one rock high. Along the Monument Trail, these simple structures help slow down water as it moves downhill, reducing erosion and helping keep soil in place.

Recently, volunteers helped us build a one-rock dam along the trail, adding another important tool for caring for this well-loved landscape.

Thanks to everyone who came out to lend a hand and help care for the places we all enjoy!

10/16/2026

Join Western Slope Conservation Center for this exciting volunteer opportunity next week that benefits the land! Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wafVwuq5oVv4todEb4LGZ_TkNyjkY7ufm3DoBGvG9ZY/edit

Come volunteer with us on Thursday, October 22, and/or Friday, October 23, for river stewardship days!

We'll be planting native trees and shrubs on restoration projects in our watershed. Click the link in our bio to access the interest form, or email [email protected] directly.

10/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Thinking Like Water screening. The film gave us a chance to think differently about water, not just as a resource, but as something that connects our communities and landscapes.

We were grateful to hear from filmmaker Renea Roberts and our panelists, who brought their own perspectives and experiences to the conversation. We’re grateful for everyone who showed up ready to learn and share.

There’s still plenty to think about, and, as Thinking Like Water reminds us, there’s plenty to do.

10/12/2026

Join us in welcoming Seth Urbanowitz to the CWLT team as our new Water Program Manager.

We’re excited to have Seth’s experience and perspective as we continue to develop CWLT’s water program and work with agricultural producers across western Colorado, as outlined in our Water Protection Plan.

Seth brings more than 15 years of experience in agriculture and conservation, much of it in the arid Intermountain West. He has worked with farmers and ranchers on irrigation, on-farm research and conservation practices across a variety of roles.

His education includes a B.S. in agricultural economics, an M.S. in agricultural education and an M.S. in plant science with an emphasis in agronomy.

When he’s not working, Seth enjoys the outdoors with his partner (Anna) and dog (Bear), volunteering, reading, and gardening.

10/08/2026

This month, Tüv Süd joined us for a volunteer day at Monument Trail. The group helped build a one-rock dam to slow water and reduce erosion, removed weeds, and planted native vegetation. They also created small holes in the hillside to help slow runoff and prevent erosion.

It was a great opportunity to connect community members with the trail and give them a hands-on look at what stewardship entails. Thanks to Tüv Süd for spending the day with us and helping care for the land!

10/05/2026

We’re making some improvements to the Colorado West Land Trust website and want to make sure we’re focusing on what’s most useful to you.

Have a few minutes? Take our short, three-question survey to let us know how you use our website and what could make it better.

Take the survey here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/L1agh5m/WebsiteSurvey

10/01/2026

We recently took a group of land trust supporters out to Horsefly Mesa Ranch in Montrose County to spend some time on this incredible property. And yes, we made some new friends with some cows along the way.

The ranch has been part of the Vogelaar family for generations, and it was special to hear more about its history while walking the land and seeing it firsthand. We explored the ranch, took in the views, and got a close look at some of the meadows, ponds, and riparian areas that make this place so special.

The Vogelaar family recently donated the approximately 1,360-acre ranch to us, and a conservation easement will protect the property from development forever.

We’re grateful to the Vogelaar family for sharing this place with us and to everyone who joined us for the day. It was a pretty great way to spend an afternoon.

09/28/2026

A family’s love for one special place is becoming a lasting investment in conservation across western Colorado.

The approximately 1,360-acre Horsefly Mesa Ranch in Montrose County has been part of the Vogelaar family for generations. Anita Vogelaar inherited the ranch from her parents, and her children spent their summers there exploring the landscape, working on the ranch, and building memories that stayed with them throughout their lives.

Anita loved the land, understood its history, and worked hard to protect its open character and wildlife habitat.

Through her estate plans, Anita chose to donate the ranch to Colorado West Land Trust. A conservation easement with Colorado Open Lands will ensure the ranch remains protected from development forever. Proceeds from the sale of the ranch will provide resources for protecting other important lands across western Colorado.

“Those experiences shaped us, and the ranch became much more than a piece of property,” said Anita’s son, Slade Sowle. “It was part of our family’s story and a connection to the generations who came before us.”

The gift protects the place Anita loved while carrying her legacy far beyond Horsefly Mesa.

“She had a deep love of history and a strong belief in preserving the things that connect us to where we came from,” Slade said. “It feels fitting that part of her legacy will now be the permanent protection of a place she loved so deeply.”

We’re deeply grateful to the Vogelaar family for this extraordinary gift and for helping create a future where more of western Colorado’s special places can remain protected.

Read more here: https://cowestlandtrust.org/vogelaar-family-donates-1360-acre-ranch-to-land-trust/

09/24/2026

🌿 Lend a hand at Crane Landing in Delta this Friday!

Join Colorado West Land Trust staff and community volunteers to remove invasive plants and help restore native vegetation along the Gunnison River. Delta County and the Land Trust are working together to improve the area around the County’s new boat ramp—and you can help!

📅 Friday, September 25
🕑 Volunteer work: 2–4 p.m.
📍 Crane Landing, along G50 Road in Delta

Bring a camp chair and stay for refreshments provided by Colorado West Land Trust from 4–5 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected] [email protected].

Spend an afternoon outside, meet your neighbors, and help care for a community space!

09/24/2026

Join us tomorrow for a fun opportunity to care for the land!

🌿 Lend a hand at Crane Landing in Delta this Friday!

Join Colorado West Land Trust staff and community volunteers to remove invasive plants and help restore native vegetation along the Gunnison River. Delta County and the Land Trust are working together to improve the area around the County’s new boat ramp—and you can help!

📅 Friday, September 25
🕑 Volunteer work: 2–4 p.m.
📍 Crane Landing, along G50 Road in Delta

Bring a camp chair and stay for refreshments provided by Colorado West Land Trust from 4–5 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected] [email protected].

Spend an afternoon outside, meet your neighbors, and help care for a community space!