Over 5 Miles of Mancos River Now Protected by Land Conservancy

Montezuma Land Conservancy completes 24-year conservation project on West Fork of Mancos River.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Montezuma Land Conservancy (MLC) has announced the completion of a 24-year conservation project on the West Fork of the Mancos River in Colorado. With the addition of a final 165-acre property, the MLC now protects over 5 miles of the river through a series of conservation easements, ensuring the land and waterway remain undisturbed and pristine for wildlife.

Why it matters

The protected Mancos River corridor provides a vital riparian habitat for a variety of species, and the conservation easements prevent any future development that could harm the river's water quality and ecological balance. This long-term project represents a significant win for environmental protection in the region.

The details

The final property that completed the 5-mile conservation puzzle shares a northern border with state land and flows into the rest of the protected areas. Landowners along the river signed away their development rights to the MLC, which will now hold those rights in perpetuity to ensure the land remains undeveloped. The MLC will continue to monitor the properties to ensure they stay in good condition.

  • The Montezuma Land Conservancy began the conservation project in 2002.
  • The final 165-acre property was added in late March 2026, completing over 5 miles of protected river corridor.

The players

Montezuma Land Conservancy

A nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and natural resources in Southwest Colorado.

Molly Mazel

The deputy director of the Montezuma Land Conservancy.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It really leaves the wildlife undisturbed and able to thrive without vegetation coming down, without the river becoming polluted. It keeps the stream species healthy, which keeps the predators and browsers and grazers all coming.”

— Molly Mazel, Deputy Director, Montezuma Land Conservancy

“Having now five conservation easements in a row protecting more than 5 miles of the river right below state-managed land is really – we feel – a huge win for the Mancos watershed as a whole.”

— Molly Mazel, Deputy Director, Montezuma Land Conservancy

What’s next

The Montezuma Land Conservancy will continue to monitor the protected properties to ensure the land and river remain in pristine condition for wildlife.

The takeaway

This long-term conservation project on the Mancos River demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships and landowner cooperation to safeguard critical natural habitats. The protected river corridor will benefit the local ecosystem for generations to come.