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Baca Ranch: From Investment to National Treasure
25 Aug
Summary
- Once sold for 30 cents an acre, Baca Ranch now part of national park.
- Water export debates led to a $31.28 million conservation deal.
- The land acquisition protected vital ecosystems supporting the dunes.
The Baca Ranch, a vast property in Colorado, has a remarkable history from a forgotten investment to a national treasure. Initially granted in 1823 and later sold in 1862 for just 30 cents an acre, the land was treated as a distant asset.
By the late 20th century, the ranch became central to a debate over exporting groundwater from the San Luis Valley. This controversy highlighted the crucial link between land ownership and water rights.
In 2002, The Nature Conservancy purchased the 97,000-acre Baca Ranch for $31.28 million. This significant conservation effort helped expand the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
The acquisition ensured the protection of vital ecosystems, including wetlands and wildlife habitats, supporting the famous dunes. The land was transferred to federal ownership, becoming part of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge.
