BLM, Blue Valley Ranch land exchange in Colorado completed

KREMMLING, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management has closed on the Blue Valley Ranch land exchange which will increase public access for fishing, hunting, and other recreation in Grand and Summit counties, Colorado. Implementation of the exchange on public lands will take place as weather allows. Along with the exchange, Blue Valley Ranch will fund improvements including new boat ramps for rafts and kayaks, wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms, trails, restrooms, and parking areas.

“I have enjoyed floating and fishing on the Blue River for many years and am excited that access to the river will be improved for people of all abilities to enjoy the scenery, boat, fish, hike, or hunt,” said BLM Colorado State Director Doug Vilsack. “We especially appreciate the close coordination with local governments, other agencies, and the public throughout the process to ensure that this land exchange provides benefits for all.”

The Blue Valley Ranch land exchange includes nine parcels of federal land, totaling 1,489 acres in Grand County, for nine parcels of private land, totaling 1,830 acres in Grand and Summit counties.

The exchange expands access along about a mile of the Blue River near its confluence with the Colorado River, plus an additional 1.66 miles of hike-in access to the Blue River that is currently inaccessible except by floating. The exchange consolidates public land and transfers small, isolated public land parcels that have little to no public access, and results in a net gain of 341 public land acres.

“Access to and preservation of our outdoor spaces remains a high priority for Summit County, which is why we continue to be a strong supporter of this exchange. We are anxious to see it get underway so that our citizens and recreationalists may enjoy the many benefits, including river restoration, public open space, and more walk-in access to the Blue River,” said Summit County Board of Commissioners Chair Tamara Pogue.

“Grand County commissioners have remained steadfast in their support of the land exchange since its inception and commend all of the parties involved for their commitment to bring us to this closing. Our local communities look forward to the many public benefits it will bring, including the new Confluence Recreation Area near Kremmling funded by Blue Valley Ranch,” the board of county commissioners said.

Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs said, “We congratulate the Colorado Bureau of Land Management and other local stakeholders in finalizing this land exchange. The Blue River is treasured by Summit and Grand County residents and all Coloradans. This land exchange will provide new improvements along the river benefiting our wildlife, increased access to the river for rafts and kayaks, include wheelchair access, and other amenities to ensure Coloradans can enjoy this fantastic stretch of the Blue River for generations to come.”

“The Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited has supported this land exchange because the Blue Valley Ranch has given up so many concessions that are either good for fishing access or for the Blue and Colorado Rivers. The most important concession for us was the almost 1 mile of river improvement project just before the confluence of the Blue and Colorado Rivers,” said Trout Unlimited Colorado River Headwaters Chapter President Kirk Klancke. “This project will have positive impacts on the aquatic ecosystem in this stream reach of the Blue River and downstream on the Colorado River. We are a project-based organization and raising funds and overseeing projects consumes most of our effort. We applaud the BVR for helping us with this work by improving this stream reach. This puts the headwaters of the Colorado River one mile closer to returning to a healthy aquatic ecosystem.”

More information and maps of the land exchange are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.