[cobirds] Chico Basin to be kept intact

Birders,

 

It delights me to announce that the Colorado State Land Board today unanimously agreed to keep Chico Basin Ranch intact once the current lease expires on Dec 31, 2024. That means a continuation of one lease for one 87,000-acre parcel.

In addition, they've decided to put the ranch out to a competitive bidding process, meaning that the Phillips family will have to bid against other ranchers. Staff did alert us that they do not typically go with the highest bidder, but rather, they consider both the stewardship record of the rancher along with the bid.

The plan had also been to seek Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a 10-year lease, but the Commissioners are now asking staff to develop options for 118 rights (which would allow the future lessee to match a competitive bid) or similar methods in which leases on large properties (Chico, Lowry and Chancellor) might be extended. Staff hopes to present such options to the Commissioners in April, and to devise a final RFP by May. RFPs would not go out to the public for at least 18 months.

So, while this was all meant to be wrapped up today, the Commissioners – to their credit – have decided to continue the process in order to find a way to reward future lessees for their stewardship. Since three new Commissioners will come on board in July, all would like to see this finalized by June.

As far as whether birders would need a layered lease to access the property post-2024, that remains likely but still unclear. Similarly, whether one organization would hold a lease for all birder access - or whether more than one birding group would be allowed to hold a lease - has yet to be determined.

We were told that approximately 200 comments were sent in regarding Chico for today's meeting, which is astounding. The Commissioners thanked those who took the time to express their thoughts, and I, too, thank all of you for your concern for this beloved property.

Linda

Linda Hodges

Conservation Chair

Aiken Audubon

Colorado Springs

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