Lost Canyon among 'once-in-a-generation' projects getting record funds by Great Outdoors Colorado

A curious, surprise canyon on the plains between Denver and Colorado Springs represents a "high-value, once-in-a-generation" opportunity for conservation and recreation.

That's how Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) — the 32-year-old agency doling out lottery proceeds to lands, rivers and trails around the state — describes projects within its Centennial Program. In its largest ever wave of funding recently announced for several such projects, GOCO granted $3 million toward a collaboration aiming to put the long-sought, privately-held Lost Canyon in the public trust.

Amid the prairie and vertical, creek-cut rock and sweeping views from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak, Lost Canyon continues to draw researchers who have tracked the land's connection to Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. A cave is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jeff Brauer, Castle Rock's parks director, sees the land as a future "recreational oasis" and "a window into the natural and cultural history" of Douglas County.

The town's vision is shared by The Conservation Fund. While the national leader in conservation real estate works toward closing on an agreement to buy the scenic 680 acres, the local government is positioning itself to accept a transfer that would make Lost Canyon the largest open space under Castle Rock's management.

"It is a big step for us," Brauer said, adding that the GOCO grant "essentially takes this project from impossible to possible."

The grant "helps to put Lost Canyon on the statewide map," said Justin Spring, The Conservation Fund's Colorado director. "It's going to provide amazing benefits, not just for Castle Rock and Douglas County residents, but for folks around the state and around the region."

Lost Canyon Ranch has long been on the map for developers. East of Castle Rock near a land of similar characteristics, Castlewood Canyon State Park, the ranch at one point was listed for $20 million.

A deal became a national priority for The Conservation Fund.

"You only have so many undeveloped parcels left on the Front Range," Spring said, "and I would say Lost Canyon is one of the most unique I've ever seen in my 20-plus years of doing conservation work."

Spring declined to disclose terms of a purchase that he said could be complete by the end of April. The Conservation Fund would hold Lost Canyon while continuing to work out a transfer to Castle Rock's parks department, which benefits from "shareback" portions of sales tax revenue under the Douglas County Open Space program.

That program — funding the beloved likes of Greenland, Spruce Mountain, and Sandstone Ranch open spaces — is a proposed partner in Lost Canyon's public acquisition. County officials have yet to take formal steps toward financial contribution.

While recognizing "pieces to put into place," the GOCO grant "is a huge shot in the arm," Spring said, "and we're hoping it helps to build momentum."

Other high-profile projects around the Front Range gained momentum from the record round of funding, while another about 60 miles southwest of Denver became fully realized.

In an announcement crediting $6.25 million from GOCO, Gov. Jared Polis proclaimed "the amazing Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area."

Alongside Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Western Rivers Conservancy previously announced the acquisition and transfer to the state: 1,860 acres along five miles of Tarryall Creek in South Park. Regarded as an "important elk migration corridor" and "an excellent fishing habitat," Collard Ranch will join CPW's roster of 350-plus state wildlife areas open to people with a hunting or fishing license.

The Peaks to Plains Trail is among other Centennial Program projects to be funded by GOCO within the broad round of funding totaling more than $117 million.

The ambitious vision connecting Denver to the Continental Divide received $7 million toward the three-mile Huntsman segment, what promises to be a complicated, rugged build from Clear Creek Canyon Park. Similar funding was announced for "major improvements" to High Line Canal Trail's Aurora section — the northeast-most section of the regional trail starting in Douglas County.

Another highly anticipated regional trail was awarded $7 million: the Eagle Valley Trail, which is down to a final 7 1/2-mile gap in the 63-mile network from the top of Vail Pass to Glenwood Canyon.

Within the funding cycle, GOCO's largest gift to a single project was a $10 million loan to Pitkin County in efforts to acquire Snowmass Falls Ranch. The 650 acres of glacial valley represent the county's biggest investment in open space. The plan is to eventually transfer the land to the U.S. Forest Service.

Back on the Front Range, GOCO awarded $1.5 million "for conservation and future public recreation" at Heaven's Door Ranch, which Larimer County called a "crown jewel" upon acquisition in 2022. The scenic 1,547 acres are seen from U.S. 34 approaching Big Thompson Canyon.

Also deemed worthy of Centennial Program funding was Wild Horse Ranch, the 1,000-plus acres of grassland east of Colorado Springs between Corral Bluffs and Bluestem Prairie Open Space. City parks Director Britt Haley said GOCO's $2 million represented reimbursement for the $7.5 million deal that came together last year.

The deal was through the same owner — the family of late rancher Waldo Morris — overseeing Lost Canyon Ranch. With Wild Horse Ranch, it seemed the family got comfortable enough to work with government on another sale, Haley said.

"I felt really good about that, because that Lost Canyon property is absolutely incredible," she said.

Like Castle Rock, Woodland Park has looked to add an open space unlike anything in its local portfolio.

The "City Above the Clouds" is a crucial step closer with $523,250 from GOCO — key to the city buying the 120-acre Avenger Open Space of hilly woods and meadows overlooking Pikes Peak.

A local advocate, Chris Gonzales, told The Gazette he viewed Avenger Open Space as "ushering Woodland Park into a new era. … This is a chance for Woodland Park to start to step into that sort of world and preserve a new type of access and experience for the community.”