Committee endorses donation and reassignment of conservation easements to expand Skylark Ranch habitat area

The Capital Development Committee recommended that Colorado Parks and Wildlife accept two donated conservation easements totaling roughly 240 acres to expand the Skylark Ranch State Habitat Area in Grand County. Daphne Gervais, director of legislative affairs for the Department of Natural Resources, described the proposal as cost‑neutral: the landowner would donate and reassign the conservation easements to CPW so no purchase funds are required. She said the additional parcels would add to an existing roughly 5,000‑acre state habitat area and provide sage‑grouse habitat, movement corridors for deer, elk and pronghorn, and seasonal winter range. Representative Winter asked for clarification of “cost‑neutral.” Cameron Kennedy of the Department of Personnel and Administration explained the landowner is donating the easements with no monetary exchange. Concurrence letters from Grand County, Speaker McCluskey and Senator Roberts were included in the department packet. Senator Heinrichsen moved that the committee recommend support for the acquisition of the Skylark Ranch State Habitat Area perpetual conservation easement (American Farmland Trust and Trapper Valley Ranch LLC). The committee approved the motion on a 4–0 vote: Senator Hendrickson, Representative Lindsey, Representative Winter and the committee chair voted yes; Senator Pelton and Senator Malika were excused. The committee’s action is a recommendation; CPW will proceed with the administrative steps to accept reassignment and conveyance of the donated easements.