1,000 acres forever protected for future open space on Colorado Springs' east side

Palmer Land Conservancy, the City of Colorado Springs, and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) announced the permanent protection of Wild Horse Ranch on Colorado Springs' east side through a conservation easement held by Palmer Land Conservancy designed to allow future public open space planning by the City. This milestone ensures 1,018 acres will remain open space forever, serving both the rapidly growing east-side community and the wildlife that call this landscape home.

Located directly south of State Highway 94, Wild Horse Ranch will address a growing need for access to outdoor recreation in one of Colorado Springs' fastest-developing areas. The city acquired Wild Horse Ranch in May 2023 for $7.5 million through the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program, to protect its conservation values and its potential for public benefit. GOCO awarded the city a grant in early 2024 to help fund the acquisition. Before the property opens for public use, the City will develop a master plan to explore opportunities for recreation, conservation and stewardship.

"This protected property represents a permanent commitment to Colorado Springs' east-side residents and the natural systems that sustain our region," said Rebecca Jewett, President and CEO of Palmer Land Conservancy. "Through community-driven conservation, we're ensuring this landscape supports people and wildlife for generations to come."

Beyond community access, Wild Horse Ranch plays a vital ecological role. With close proximity to Corral Bluffs and Jimmy Camp Creek Open Spaces, Wild Horse completes a 2,000+ acre wildlife corridor where pronghorn, migratory birds, and prairie dogs can migrate and thrive across a landscape increasingly fragmented by development.

"Wild Horse Ranch represents an incredible opportunity to preserve one of the large grassland landscapes on Colorado Springs' east side while planning for future public access and recreation," said Lonna Thelen, Parks Design and Development Manager and TOPS Program Manager for the City of Colorado Springs. "We're grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible and look forward to working together as we plan for the property's future stewardship and public enjoyment."

The property boasts 992 acres of shortgrass prairie, wetlands, a spring-fed pond, and areas along Jimmy Camp Creek. This section of shortgrass prairie comes full circle after more than a century of various uses: from coal mining operations in the 1880s, to strip mining in the 1960s, to cattle grazing, to the natural restoration underway today.

"Strategic collaboration is key to protecting the outdoors and all it provides," said Jackie Miller, GOCO Executive Director. "At Wild Horse Ranch, this approach has secured critical wildlife habitat, expanded recreation access for a growing community, and preserved a piece of our state's history. This kind of multi-layered, lasting impact is what GOCO was created to support, and we're so grateful to these partners for making it possible."

About Palmer Land Conservancy

Since 1977, Palmer Land Conservancy has protected land and water across southern Colorado for the well-being of nature and people. Palmer has permanently protected more than 150,000 acres, including 21 public parks and open spaces. Learn more at palmerland.org.

About Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)

Created by voters in 1992, GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state's parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO's independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Learn more at goco.org.