Colorado’s Groundbreaking Wildlife Deal—Ranchers Paid to Host Migrating Elk!
Colorado launches a unique program paying a ranch to support elk migration. 🌐 #News #JeffersonCO #Colorado #Lifestyle
JEFFERSON, CO – A pioneering effort in Colorado is set to change how ranchers and wildlife coexist. In Jefferson, Eagle Rock Ranch has signed on to the state’s first-ever Elk Migration Agreement. This five-year pilot program pays the ranch to leave parts of its land untouched, giving migrating elk a place to feed during harsh winters. It’s a bold move that could shape conservation efforts statewide.
A New Path for Ranching and Wildlife
Eagle Rock Ranch, nestled in Jefferson, Colorado, is at the heart of this trailblazing initiative. Partnering with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) and the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), the ranch will set aside specific pastures.
These areas will remain ungrazed, offering critical forage for elk moving through the region. In return, the ranch receives payments to offset the costs of hosting these animals.
Owner Dave Gottenborg sees this as a lifeline for his family’s operation. The funds help cover losses—like eaten forage and damaged fences—while keeping the ranch financially afloat as a working agricultural business.
Voices Behind the Agreement
“The Elk Migration Agreement demonstrates how agricultural stewardship and conservation can work hand-in-hand to create lasting benefits for wildlife and the people who manage working lands,” said Brendan Boepple, Director of Conservation at CCALT.
“By supporting landowners like Dave Gottenborg and Eagle Rock Ranch, we’re protecting the economic sustainability of agricultural operations and conserving critical habitats that benefit all Coloradans.”
“For too long, private landowners have borne the costs of hosting wildlife that the public values, potentially at the detriment to agricultural operations,” added Travis Brammer, Director of Conservation at PERC.
“This voluntary agreement creates a framework where ranchers can be compensated for providing crucial wildlife habitat, making conservation an asset rather than a liability and supporting the viability of working ranches.”
How It Works
The program, launched on February 21, 2025, is straightforward.
CCALT, which has conserved over 805,000 acres with ranchers statewide, manages the agreement. PERC, known for market-based conservation solutions, designed the payment system. Together, they ensure ranchers like Gottenborg are rewarded for their role in supporting elk migration corridors and habitats.
The deal tackles real challenges.
Elk often strain ranch resources, eating crops meant for livestock and breaking fences. By compensating for these losses, the initiative keeps ranches viable while giving elk room to roam.
A Win for Everyone
“Creating a reality where both private landowners and migratory wildlife can co-exist peacefully is a win-win-win for the environment, ranchers, and the general public, as working lands are the cornerstone of rural communities and play a vital role in supporting landscape-scale ecosystems,” said Dave Gottenborg.
“We applaud PERC and CCALT for thinking outside the box to help solve the perennial western problem of fence and forage damage caused by winter elk. Ultimately, this first-of-its-kind agreement gives credence to Aldo Leopold’s belief that conservation boils down to the private landowner who preserves the public interest.”
This pilot could pave the way for more partnerships, balancing agriculture and nature across Colorado. For now, Eagle Rock Ranch stands as a bold example of what’s possible.
RELATED TOPICS: Animals | Colorado | Lifestyle
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