ARC Preserve

The Arkansas River Community (ARC) Preserve is made possible by decades of collaboration between LCOSI, the Central Colorado Conservancy (CCC), Colorado Open Lands, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Lake County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, Gates Family Foundation, the Climax Mine, the Natural Resources Damages (NRD) Trustees for California Gulch, and individual donors. This area was identified by LCOSI as a high priority for conservation due to high potential for development contrasted with its importance in supporting riparian habitat, wildlife migration, and a gold-medal fishery. The Preserve also includes a section of the historic stage road that linked Cañon City to Leadville, a critical link in the proposed multiuse Stage & Rail Trail from Salida to Leadville.

Over 20 parcels along a three-mile stretch of the Arkansas River between Two Bit Gulch and Spring Creek (Balltown) have been purchased by CCC. These lands, combined with the 103-acre Shawn Andrick Memorial Preserve, were placed under a permanent conservation easement held by Colorado Open Lands. A combined 345 acres are conserved in perpetuity under this cooperative arrangement.

The ARC Preserve will be managed to balance wildlife and environmental needs with recreational access including fishing, boating, and trails. Lake County is designing the Preserve’s management plan in cooperation with CCC, with official public access expected to begin in 2027. The partnership will continue to identify and pursue opportunities to expand the Preserve’s conservation footprint through further land acquisitions.