Priority Area: 
Estes Valley   Map
Size: 
192 Acres

Description

Enos Mills, acknowledged as the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, came to this area when he was 14 years old and the rest, as they say, is history. Even as a teenager he recognized the important wildlife and wetland values of this area. The conservation easement protects the areas where he lived and worked and was established through a partnership with the Estes Valley Land Trust. It has very limited public access.

Property Information

Type of Acquisition #Acres Property
Value
Partnerships
Bargain Sales
Donations
Date
Acquired
Public
Access
Conservation Easement 192.0 $ 335,000 Larimer Co. - $ 45,000
EVLT*/ Estes Park** - $ 290,000
2000 Only at Homestead

* Estes Valley Land Trust
** Town of Estes Park

Management Plan

When only the development rights of a property are purchased, as in the case of a conservation easement, any future development of that land is limited. The landowner continues to manage the property, and the land remains on the tax rolls. Land with a conservation easement is not generally open to the public because it is still in private ownership.

The property covered by the Enos Mills Conservation Easement is not open to the public. However an 84-acre parcel which was purchased as part of the conservation easement transaction contains a residence, bookstore, and the Enos Mills' original homestead. The homestead is now a museum and open to the public. This property is owned and is monitored by the Estes Valley Land Trust.