Colorado Springs marks over 1,000 acres of land as ‘forever protected’ on east side

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs announced it was preserving 1,000 acres of land on the city's east side as "forever protected."

Officials say the Wild Horse Ranch will be protected through a conservation easement held by Palmer Land Conservancy, with plans to create a public open space in the future. The city acquired the 1,018-acre property in 2023 for $7.5 million through the Trails, Open Space and Parks Program. Great Outdoors Colorado also helped the city purchase the land with a grant in 2024, according to the city.

The city says the ranch plays an important role in preserving wildlife, including pronghorn and prairie dogs, in an area of increasing development. It is located south of State Highway 94 near Corral Bluffs and Jimmy Camp Creek Open Spaces.

Before the land is open for public use, the city says it is working on a master plan to look at opportunities for recreation and conservation.

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