Conservation easements are important tools for protecting open space for the benefit of the American public. This management tool is widely used to protect private lands. Here in Durango, we have the unique partnership with local municipalities to protect recreational open space. The City of Durango owns and manages public access parks that contribute greatly to our quality of life as residents of southwestern Durango, and to the experience of tourists visiting our community.

LPOSC partners with the City of Durango to protect Dalla Mountain Park, Overend Mountain Park, Oxbow Park & Preserve, and large portions of Horse Gulch through conservation easements. These parks are owned by the City, and with the invaluable support and efforts of Trails 2000 to build and maintain multi-use recreational trails in these parks, we are able to enjoy the open space and recreational opportunities accessible from downtown Durango.

An important source of funding that makes our local parks possible, is Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance Colorado’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. Since being voted into existence in 1992, GOCO has awarded more than $825 million in lottery proceeds through competitive grants to local governments and land trusts. More than 3,500 projects in all 64 counties have been completed without any tax dollar support.