Pitkin County adds 530 acres of historic ranch to Maroon Bells Wilderness
Pitkin County is transferring 530 acres of the former Snowmass Falls Ranch to the U.S. Forest Service, officially expanding the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness two years after a $34 million acquisition.
In 2024 Pitkin County secured the 650-acre Snowmass Falls Ranch for $34 million, the largest open-space purchase in its history, to prevent development of the valley floor. The ranch, owned privately for over a century, is now slated for a federal transfer of 530 acres to the White River National Forest, adding it to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Funding came from 2020 open-space bonds, a $10 million loan from Great Outdoors Colorado, and will be reimbursed partly through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The remaining 120 acres, which contain historic farm structures, will stay with the county or be protected by a conservation easement. The land hosts diverse habitats, senior water rights, and two Forest Service trails, ensuring permanent public access and wildlife protection. Officials described the deal as a pivotal step in preserving the region’s natural landscape for future generations.
Why it matters
The transfer safeguards a sensitive mountain valley, preserving wildlife habitat and public recreation for decades.
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