Kapushion-Spehar Wetlands Acquired

On February 10, 2026, the Crested Butte Land Trust closed on the 90-acre Kapushion-Spehar Wetlands. On the same date, the Slate River Wetlands campaign to raise $2.1 Million for the parcel was completed as well. Thanks to all of our grant partners and donors for your help in this historic project! 

Long known as Crested Butte’s cherished “front door,” this landscape lies in the shadow of the Paradise Divide and provides vital wetland and floodplain habitat, supports sustainable cattle grazing, and safeguards the iconic views that define the approach to town.

• The last large piece of the Upper Slate River Valley not yet conserved or developed
• Home to native wildlife, including wild trout, Great Blue Heron, elk, and moose
• A wetland area that supports sustainable cattle grazing
• A popular recreation corridor for fishing, floating, and paddling
• A critical piece in protecting the headwaters of the Colorado River

Flowing for nearly 23 miles, the Slate River carries snowmelt and spring runoff into the mighty Colorado River Basin, the lifeline for more than 40 million people across seven states. Protecting this parcel means protecting the river at its source, ensuring clean water, resilient landscapes, and a legacy that stretches far beyond Crested Butte.

In less than a year, this community came together to raise $6.35 million to protect 419 acres across the Gunnison Valley from Long Lake to Cement Creek Ranch, and now the Slate River Wetlands. These victories did not happen in isolation. They built upon one another, gaining momentum with every success and reaffirming what is possible when vision is matched with commitment. 

Susan and Asche Ackerman
Debbie and Bruce Alpern
Susan and Kevin Beltz
Martha Blackwell
Mary and Jack Blake
Jessica and Fred Brazelton
Lenni and Bill Burke
Diane and Richard Clark
Cathy and Peter Dea
Margery Feldberg and Jeremy Levin
Shannon and John Fudge
Blake Hawk
Jeff Hermanson

Carolyn and Gary Achenbach
Debbie and James Alsup
Barbara Amstutz
Joanne and James Arnott
Jennifer and Will Bain
Kathy and Clif Barnhart
Jeanne and Tom Baur
Don Bechter
Maria and Charles Bennett
Ruth and Skip Berkshire
Sarah Broadwell and Zach Vaughter
Susan and Bill Brooks
Cassia and Ryan Cadenhead
Debra Cameron and Jeffrey Hallett
Nick Caronna
Elizabeth Ann Carson
Les Choy
Jane and Jerry Clark
Natalie York and Adam Cook
Kirsten and Gary Cook
Shirley and Eugene Cordes
Anda and Winfield Craven
Lynn Cudlip and Mark Daily
James Daley
Cindy and Allen David
Roberta and Paul Davis
Weston DeHart
Joe Drouin
Philippe Dujardin
Susan and Mark Elmenhorst
Teri Felix and Marco Romani
Kiley Flint
Alex and Bill Furlong
Lisa Gidday
Logan Giorda
Leslie Glustrom
Judy and Jim Haller
Tanja and Kelly Harrison
Cindy and Marc Haverland
Tom Hawk
Emily and Jamie Henkel
Stanton Henry
Nellie and Eric Hester
Jill and Jay Indovino
Bonnie and David Inouye
Debbie and Bruce Jenevein
Kathleen Johnson and Fernando Burstein
Laura and Holt Johnson
Kay and Sonny Johnson
Lisa and Bruce Joss
Stephanie Juneau
Kristine and Gregg Kampf
Ruth Keene
Erin and John Kiltz
Anne Lamkin Kinder
Kerry King Talc
Shelly and Jon Kreykes
Katherine and James Kull

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