Pitkin County agrees to contribute $7.7 million toward joint purchase of 3 Meadows Ranch

Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday approved on first reading an ordinance that authorizes up to $7.7 million toward the joint purchase of the 3 Meadows Ranch, a roughly 4,300‑acre property in the Roaring Fork watershed in Eagle County. Commissioners said the combined purchase, financed by Eagle County, Aspen Valley Land Trust and a private donor, will conserve the ranch and protect migration and wintering habitat for elk and deer.

The purchase price for the property was reported to be $27.7 million. Under the deal as presented at the meeting, Eagle County would contribute $12.5 million, Aspen Valley Land Trust would contribute $7.5 million (funds provided by the Wexner family), and Pitkin County would provide up to $7.7 million. Pitkin Open Space staff said the county’s amount was unanimously recommended by the Pitkin County Open Space &…