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Wildlife success or deal with devil? Land swap approved in Southwest Colorado, but not without detractors by Jonathan Romeo
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he U.S. Forest Service has approved a land exchange with a group of property owners near Pagosa Springs that has sides split: is it a success story for wildlife, or a deal with the devil? Well, it depends who you ask. In fall 2020, the Forest Service announced that a group of landowners – including Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer Partners (of Dakota Access Pipeline fame) and owner of Boot Jack Ranch, northeast of Pagosa Springs – requested to give the Forest Service 880 acres they owned south of Pagosa Springs, known as “Valle Seco.” In exchange, they would get pockets of public lands near Wolf Creek Pass and the Blanco River in the South San Juan Wilderness that amounted to about 380 acres in an attempt to expand their estates and private recreational opportunities. The Forest Service, along with wildlife agencies and hunting advocacy groups, say once under federal control, the 880 acres would be protected as critical habitat for big game, such as elk and deer. Without the exchange, supporters say, the property, which is surrounded by national forest, could be developed and displace animals. Detractors of the project, on the other hand, argue the wealthy consortium of landowners forced the Forest Service’s hand by threatening to develop the 880-acre Valle Seco property. On top of that, these groups fear the Forest Service has set a precedent for tampering with the Colorado Roadless Rule, which could threaten future public land decisions. On June 29, the Forest Service released its final decision, approving the land exchange (though it does not become official until the real estate transaction is complete, which is pending). “Any kind of land exchange that’s done for equal value, you’re going to lose some resources and gain others,” Dave Neely, acting forest supervisor for the San Juan National Forest, said. “It is a tradeoff.” Public Land Ultimatum In 2014, Warren bought Valle Seco, a former inholding (property surrounded by public land), for $4 million. Calls to the Boot Jack Ranch and the project’s representative, Western Lands Group, were not returned. It appears, however, the landowner group had been looking for years for land it knew the Forest Service wanted in order to initiate a land swap to expand their lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. Valle Seco had long been on the Forest Service’s radar, since at least the 1980s. In fact, the Forest Service had been negotiating a land exchange with the previous property owner when Warren and others stepped in. Now, the landowner group has no interest in selling to the Forest Service. Instead, a sort of public land ultimatum was thrown
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n July 21, 2022
Looking south from Wolf Creek Pass, one can see most of Boot Jack Ranch on the valley floor. Its owner, Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, just added acreage to his estate after successfully negotiating a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service./ Courtesy photo out: hand over the pockets of forest land to expand the private ranches or risk development of the 880-acre inholding. According to federal documents, Warren said if the land exchange was not approved, he’d fence the property, raise elk (which spread chronic wasting disease to wild animals), apply for year-round motorized access and build a hunting lodge. Warren purchased the 3,100-acre Boot Jack Ranch, about 14 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, in 2010 for $46.5 million, surrounded by the San Juan National Forest and the upper reaches of the San Juan River. As part of the deal, Warren would acquire three parcels totaling 192 acres. Other landowners include: Linder Ranches (three parcels, 58 acres); and David Skidmore and Cynthia Sites (three parcels, 133 acres). A Key Piece Over the past two years, the Forest Service analyzed the pros and cons of the swap. The Valle Seco property is indeed a critical habitat for big game in the winter, espe-
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cially at a time when elk and deer populations are on the decline in Southwest Colorado. And, winter habitat under Forest Service control is in short supply in the region, Neely said (the land the Forest Service swapped was summer range). Colorado Parks and Wildlife wrote in a letter of support that “this proposal presents a rare opportunity to possibly expand sensitive, high-quality habitat for big game and other wildlife species in southern Colorado.” The project even has the backing of hunting groups, such as Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Jon Holst, energy and wildlife senior advisor for the partnership, said a study showed big game uses the area around Valle Seco for winter grounds and migration routes. “It’s just a key piece (for wildlife),” Holst said. “We understand concerns, but from a biological perspective, given how rapidly developing that area is, it’s hard to ignore the benefit to the public to get that parcel.”
