Committee approves purchase of 632-acre Eagle Butte parcel using compensatory mitigation funds

The Capital Development Committee approved a fee-title acquisition for 632 acres in Weld County to establish the Eagle Butte State Wildlife Area, funding the $943,700 purchase with compensatory-mitigation fees collected by Colorado Parks and Wildlife under provisions referenced in the transcript as Senate Bill 19-181.

Daphne Gervais (Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Natural Resources) told the committee that the property, northeast of Grover, was identified as a high-priority site to conserve habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, golden eagles and sharp-tailed grouse. Gervais said CPW intends to use fee revenue from multiple oil-and-gas operators' compensatory mitigation obligations to fund the acquisition and future habitat restoration work.

Mark Leslie, CPW's Northeast Region Manager, noted the parcel's proximity to Grover and nearby conserved properties, and said seasonal access for youth programs, veterans and hunters with disabilities is anticipated under a management plan that will prioritize wildlife habitat.

Senator Pelton voiced constituent concerns that state land purchases can remove land from production, asking whether the acquisition was voluntary; Gervais and CPW staff said the proposal involved voluntary cooperation with the landowner and local support from Weld County.

Senator Heinrichsen moved to accept the fee-title acquisition for $943,700; the committee approved the motion by unanimous vote (6-0). Committee staff and agency presenters said the acquisition will be managed to balance habitat conservation, public access and grazing uses where appropriate.

The committee approved the purchase and will not require further immediate committee action beyond standard post-acquisition reporting from CPW.