DENVER–The Colorado State Land Board on Nov. 14 approved a nearly $50 million sale of the La Jara Basin to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The sale, which has been in the works for roughly nine years, closes only after commissioners first considered backing out of the deal all together.
The more than 43,000 acre La Jara Basin parcel, which sits on the western edge of the San Luis Valley, is part of the state school trust land granted to Colorado from the federal government at the time of statehood. Colorado currently owns 2.8 million acres of such land, with the roughly $280 million in annual revenues generated through farming, grazing, mining, oil and gas, research leases, etc. going to fund public schools.
With over $43 million funneled into the deal from the federal Land and Water Conservation fund, commissioners signed off on transferring 21,800 acres to the USFS, 21,700 acres to the BLM, and 2,224 acres to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which kicked in another $6.1 million in state funds towards the purchase. The $49.6 million total purchase price is expected to generate nearly $5 million a year for public schools.
The approval following a series of meetings from over 100 stakeholders unanimously supporting the sale. Just one month ago, the board considered backing out of the deal, claiming they had concerns that the Trump administration could not properly manage the land.
“There have been significant actions under the current federal administration that reduce regulatory conservation measures for federal lands. These reductions in staffing and regulatory protections may adversely affect the stewardship of La Jara into the future” the November meeting packet reads in part.
The Nov. 13 board meeting was particularly well attended with pro-sale stakeholders, including representatives of both of Colorado’s US senators and Congressman Jeff Hurd, former U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, and three Conejos County Commissioners, all in support of the land sale.
The commissioners quickly backpedaled on their previous concerns and voted 4-1 to move forward with the sale.
“By transferring La Jara to federal and state agencies, we are not only securing its future as a vital conservation area but also enhancing public access for valley communities and ensuring its long-term beneficial management for all Coloradans,” Director Rosmarino said in her official statement.
