Larimer County approves purchase of Dent Ranch conservation easement to protect 40‑acre inholding in Livermore Valley

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 3‑0 on Sept. 16 to approve the purchase of a conservation easement on a roughly 40‑acre inholding at Dent Ranch in the Livermore Valley.

Megan Flynnken, representing the county’s Natural Resources Department, and Justin Kaur, senior land agent with the county engineering department, described the parcel as an important inholding that strengthens a contiguous block of conserved land along County Road 74E. Kaur said the conservation easement interest on the 40‑acre parcel was appraised at $125,000 and that closing was scheduled for Oct. 3.

Why it matters: The parcel sits amid a larger landscape of conservation easements and public lands and protects natural communities, wildlife habitat, scenic viewsheds and agricultural values including irrigated ground and associated water rights. County presenters said the parcel “plays bigger than it is” because it closes a gap inside an otherwise conserved swath of land.

Terms and cost: County staff described the transaction as a permanent conservation easement that will prohibit further subdivision and limit residential development outside an approved building envelope; the easement protects agricultural and habitat values. The county received a recommendation to acquire the easement from the Open Lands Advisory Board; county staff reported the easement value at $125,000.

Board action: Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally moved to approve “the resolution approving the acquisition of Dent Ranch conservation easement statement of authority and deed of conservation easement.” The motion passed unanimously, 3‑0.

Next steps: Staff said they planned to close on the easement on Oct. 3 and will integrate the parcel into the county’s Livermore Conservation Area and the open lands master plan.