Opening a New Chapter for Outdoor Recreation in the Pikes Peak Region

Palmer Land Conservancy acquires 674-acre Pinestone Ranch to create the Woodland Park area’s largest public outdoor recreation destination.

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. – A place that few people have ever had the opportunity to explore will one day be accessible to everyone.

Palmer Land Conservancy announced the acquisition of the 674-acre Pinestone Ranch in Woodland Park, a remarkable mountain landscape that will become publicly accessible open space in the coming years. The acquisition will provide the Woodland Park area with the largest and most easily accessible mountain open space, and marks Palmer Land Conservancy’s first acquisition project of this scale dedicated to future public access.

Positioned alongside thousands of acres of existing federal public lands, the property also creates exciting opportunities to improve connectivity across the broader Pikes Peak landscape and enhance the region’s outdoor recreation network.

“There are very few chances left to create public open space at this scale on the Front Range,” said Rebecca Jewett, President and CEO of Palmer Land Conservancy. “When an opportunity like Pinestone Ranch comes along, you don’t just protect it. You protect everything it can become.” 

Palmer Land Conservancy will temporarily own the property while working with partners to determine its long-term ownership and stewardship, ensuring Pinestone Ranch is thoughtfully managed as public open space for future generations.

“The acquisition of Pinestone Ranch for open space is such a great achievement for Colorado and the greater Woodland Park community,” said Woody Beardsley with the Mirr Ranch Group. “We love doing conservation transactions and are immensely fortunate to live and work in a state with amazing organizations like Palmer Land Conservancy doing the important work of keeping Colorado special.”

The acquisition was made possible through the partnership of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Mirr Ranch Group, H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Foundation and Palmer Land Conservancy. Palmer Land Conservancy is grateful to GOCO and the H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Foundation for providing up-front funding to act quickly on this rare opportunity and to Mirr Ranch Group for advancing this extraordinary conservation opportunity.

“The places that define Colorado do not stay that way by chance,” said Jackie Miller, Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado. “Pinestone Ranch is proof of what is possible when partners come together to protect extraordinary places and create new opportunities for generations of Coloradans to experience the outdoors.”

About Palmer Land Conservancy

Since 1977, Palmer Land Conservancy has protected land and water across southern Colorado for the well-being of nature and people. Palmer has permanently protected more than 150,000 acres, including 21 public parks and open spaces. Learn more at palmerland.org.

About Mirr Ranch Group

Mirr Ranch Group is a ranch real estate brokerage specializing in legacy ranches and sporting properties with conservation values across the American West and Patagonia. With a deep understanding of land stewardship, conservation, and ranch operations, our expert team provides unmatched advisory services to buyers and sellers at every stage of ownership. At Mirr Ranch Group, we believe in helping clients to be true custodians of their land, preserving its legacy and ecological integrity, while maintaining the cultural heritage of the West. Learn more at mirrranchgroup.com

About Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)

Created by voters in 1992, GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Learn more at goco.org.