June 4, 2011 Coloradoan.com
Another piece of the scenic Sylvan Dale Ranch west of Loveland has been preserved as open space.
Sylvan Dale Ranch guests help drive cattle through ranch property west of Loveland. The ranch has donated a conservation easement on 560 acres in the ranch's backcountry to Larimer County to keep it as open space. / COURTESY OF DAVID JESSUP
Sylvan Dale general partners David and Susan Jessup have donated a conservation easement on 560 acres to Larimer County valued at $450,000.
The donation means the land, which includes three parcels west of the main ranch near the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon along U.S. Highway 34, will remain undeveloped beyond how it is currently used by the dude ranch.
The Cedar Creek conservation easement is the seventh donation the Jessups have made to the county since 1998. With the donation, the ranch has placed 1,720 acres under conservation easements.
The total easements are valued at $1.9 million, said Charlie Johnson, senior land agent with county’s natural resources department.
“They have donated more conservation value than anyone else in our history,” Johnson said.
The land will continue to be used by the guest ranch for grazing cattle and trail rides. The parcels include the historic Cow Camp, which includes a large rustic barn and an old homestead building. (read more)
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