A Piece of Colorado’s San Juan Forest Saved from Development

A Win for Outdoor Recreation and Wildlife 

The newly protected land sits directly south of the Lizard Head Wilderness, about 10 minutes west of the town of Rico and 20 minutes from Telluride. Hikers, backpackers, climbers, and hunters come here for some of the most dramatic terrain in the state. That includes three of Colorado’s famous 14,000-foot peaks: Mount Wilson, El Diente, and Wilson Peak. Once the property becomes national forest, it will offer new public access for backcountry recreation at the doorstep of roughly 41,500 acres of wilderness. 

Lizard Head Mesa’s remote setting also provides important habitat for a range of wildlife, including golden eagles, elk, Canada lynx and black bears. Developing this inholding with even a few homes, roads, and fences would break up an otherwise connected landscape and cut into critical wildlife habitat.  

Protecting the property also keeps the view of Lizard Head monument intact. The monument is the eroded remnant of an ancient volcano and an important cultural site for the Ute Tribe. 

This project was made possible with support from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Once the U.S. Forest Service takes ownership, the property will join a connected network of protected public lands in the San Juan Mountains. It could even be considered for inclusion in the Lizard Head Wilderness someday.