In 1969, Malcolm Forbes bought Colorado's Trinchera Ranch; 35 years later his family...

A huge area of alpine wilderness in southern Colorado has been permanently protected from commercial development after the family of late publishing tycoon Malcolm Forbes donated an 80,000-acre conservation easement. The agreement, managed by Colorado Open Lands, is the largest donated conservation easement in Colorado’s history. It permanently limits subdivision and commercial development on the historic Trinchera Ranch, protecting large areas of pine forests, mountain peaks and important wildlife habitats in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The landmark agreement completes 35 years of stewardship by the Forbes family, which first bought the historic property in 1969. Through the easement, the family ensured that the mountain landscape would remain in its natural state forever, regardless of future changes in ownership. Documents published by Colorado Open Lands and the National Park Service highlight the environmental importance of the agreement. The protected land connects large high-altitude areas that provide important habitats for native elk, black bears, bighorn sheep and cutthroat trout.High-altitude wilderness and historic rootsLocated in Costilla County in Colorado’s ...