Montrose Daily Press, June 24, 2026- A 266-acre ranch along the Dolores River in Paradox Valley is now permanently protected through a conservation easement with Colorado West Land Trust.

The Johnston Ranch conservation easement preserves important wildlife habitat, agricultural land, and more than half a mile of river frontage while expanding a growing network of protected private lands near Bedrock.

By connecting to a neighboring 114-acre conservation easement completed in 2025, over a mile of the Dolores River frontage is now conserved. The project strengthens landscape-scale conservation efforts in Paradox Valley and helps safeguard the Dolores River corridor, a vital resource for the region’s wildlife, agriculture, and recreation.

Landowner Jim Johnston assembled the property over several years to protect it from development, purchasing three parcels between 2008 and 2016. He was initially drawn to the property by a blue heron rookery and the mature cottonwood trees lining the river.

“Having the open space and letting wildlife have a place to be without pressure from people is important,” Johnston said. “There are bears, mountain lions, turkeys, deer, and elk that are pretty much there year-round. It’s nice to have that protected.”

The conservation easement protects cottonwood woodlands, riparian habitat, and open pastureland that support a wide variety of wildlife species. The property lies within mapped mule deer and elk winter range, while the Dolores River provides habitat for native fish species and migratory birds. Together, these habitats support wildlife movement across the landscape and contribute to the health and resilience of the river corridor.

The conserved property contains grazing land and includes valuable water rights. Protecting agricultural land and associated water resources helps ensure water remains connected to productive working lands rather than future subdivision and development. This conservation easement advances priorities identified in CWLT’s Water Protection Plan, which recognizes the critical role conserved agricultural lands play in safeguarding water resources.

The ranch is highly visible from nearby public lands and nearby roads. Boaters traveling the Dolores River experience views of an undeveloped river corridor framed by cottonwood woodlands and the dramatic red rock cliffs of Paradox Valley.

More than 1,400 acres of private land within 10 miles of the property are now permanently conserved through conservation easements, helping maintain habitat connectivity and preserve the working landscapes that define the region.

“The West End is a special place in our service area,” said CWLT Conservation Director Ilana Moir. “From the Dolores River and red rock canyons to the forests of the Uncompahgre Plateau, it’s an incredibly diverse landscape. As more people discover the area because of its proximity to places like Telluride and Moab, it’s becoming increasingly important to protect the lands and river corridors that make it unique.”

Johnston says he is encouraged to see neighboring properties joining the conservation effort as development pressures continue to grow in the region. “More and more people are starting to discover this area,” Johnston said. “Property gets sold, divided up, and then it gets crowded. It’s nice to have this area starting to be put into conservation easements.”

As conservation efforts continue across the West End, projects like Johnston Ranch play an important role in protecting connected river corridors, working lands, and wildlife habitat in one of western Colorado’s most unique and rapidly changing regions.

This project was made possible by the support of The Telluride Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) through the Keep it Colorado Transaction Assistance Program, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Habitat Partnership Program.

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