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Gov. Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and The Conservation Fund Acquire Pristine Wildlife Habitat in Gilpin and Boulder Counties, Land Will Become Colorado's Next State Wildlife Area

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DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and The Conservation Fund announce the conservation of Tolland Ranch in an important victory for wildlife habitat and public land access. Located in Gilpin and Boulder counties, the 3,314-acre property is critical habitat for elk, deer and moose, and the access to South Boulder Creek and 16 ponds will provide anglers with new fishing opportunities. The Conservation Fund acquired the property from private owners and conveyed it to CPW in order to conserve the habitat for future generations. CPW is developing a management plan to operate Tolland Ranch as a State Wildlife Area (SWA), which prioritizes access for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing recreationists, and will evaluate opening the property to limited hunting and fishing opportunities in fall 2026, after necessary accessibility updates and regulations are made.

"This is a major win for Colorado and our commitment to protecting our natural resources, wildlife and iconic outdoors. Colorado is a leader in outdoor recreation and conservation, expanding public access to some of Colorado's natural treasures like Fishers Peak, Pikes Peak and many more. I am excited to protect Tolland Ranch, creating a new State Wildlife Area to protect an important wildlife habitat, and create more outdoor recreation opportunities for all Coloradans to enjoy" said Governor Polis.

"Tolland Ranch is a unique opportunity to conserve important wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing opportunities along Colorado's Front Range," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "This is another great example of how funds generated by hunters and anglers help to conserve critical fish and wildlife habitat - and secure permanent public access for hunting, fishing and wildlife-related recreation.  I want to also acknowledge the tireless work by staff at The Conservation Fund, CPW and Great Outdoors Colorado to help make this project a reality."

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Courtesy: Marc Bergreen/The Conservation Fund

Media Kit with B-Roll & Photos available for use

"The acquisition of Tolland Ranch exemplifies Colorado Parks and Wildlife's mission to perpetuate the state's wildlife and protect public lands for future generations," said CPW Northeast Region Manager Shannon Schaller. "It is an honor to be entrusted with managing such an excellent wildlife habitat. We thank our partners for their hard work and collaboration on this important project."

Situated east of the Continental Divide in southwest Boulder and northern Gilpin counties, the alpine forested land serves as a critical migration corridor for elk herds and the rut mating season. In the late spring and early summer, cow elk and deer are known to give birth to calves and fawns on the property. Other wildlife such as blue grouse, snowshoe hares, red foxes, coyotes and a variety of nesting waterfowl have been spotted on Tolland Ranch. The 3.5-mile stretch of South Boulder Creek on Tolland Ranch will provide excellent fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout.

"Protecting Tolland Ranch is a once-in-a-generation conservation achievement for Colorado," said Justin Spring, vice president and Colorado state director at The Conservation Fund. "With Colorado Parks and Wildlife managing the property, this win protects vital wildlife habitat, creates new public access for fishing and hunting and preserves access for Nordic skiing. After more than a decade of collaborative conservation work, Tolland Ranch will remain undeveloped and serve as a lasting legacy for the state's communities, wildlife and outdoor heritage."

"The conservation of Tolland Ranch is a tremendous win for Colorado," said Great Outdoors Colorado Executive Director Jackie Miller. "By protecting critical habitat and expanding opportunities for people to experience this remarkable landscape, this project demonstrates what's possible when partners come together to secure the outdoors we love and rely on. GOCO is proud to have supported this effort and is excited to see its lasting impact."

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While previously privately-owned, Tolland Ranch allowed public access to Eldora Ski Resort Nordic runs on the north side of the site and the Kinglet Trail, a mountain bike trail managed by Boulder County. CPW will continue the recreation lease with Eldora Ski Resort for Nordic trail access and recreational use on the Kinglet Trail without changes. Seasonal closures for the Nordic and mountain bike trails will still apply under CPW management. Visitors must hold an SWA pass, hunting or fishing license to access the property.

The acquisition of Tolland Ranch SWA was funded in part through habitat stamp purchases. The $12.47 fee is paid by hunters and anglers annually when they apply for licenses, which in turn funds wildlife conservation and the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) to protect and expand public access to state lands. Since the inception of the program, CWHP has secured more than 300,000 acres in conservation easements and nearly 35,000 acres with fee title for Coloradans. Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) contributions were also used in the sale, aligning with the committee's goals of resource conservation and outdoors stewardship.

"Colorado's hunters and anglers are pleased to have played a meaningful role in financing the acquisition of the Tolland Ranch property through their contributions of Habitat Stamp dollars," said Gaspar Perricone, Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project Chair. "The property's exceptional habitat hosts a wide variety of wildlife species and will provide for quality hunting and angling opportunities into the future."

Four generations of the Toll family have owned and stewarded the property since 1893. Through their commitment to the valley's natural resources, Tolland Ranch was permanently protected in 2015 as a conservation easement with The Conservation Fund and local partners, ensuring the family's stewardship legacy for future generations.

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