Protecting Big Game Migration
Elk are iconic Rocky Mountain animals, and the Gunnison Valley is fortunate to provide important summer grazing habitat for these herds. Protecting wildlife habitat, including the routes animals rely on to move between seasonal ranges, is an important part of CBLT’s conservation work.
Each fall, elk in the Gunnison Valley begin migrating toward their winter range in the San Luis Valley. They follow migration corridors, which are routes animals use year after year to travel between seasonal habitats.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has studied elk migration for more than a decade, using data from GPS and radio-collared animals to track their movements. This research identifies the lower Cement Creek area, including the newly conserved Cement Creek 17 parcel, as a key part of the East Gunnison Basin Ungulate Corridor (EGBUC).
Some elk travel up to 70 miles between their summer and winter ranges. Based on collar data and current and historical population estimates, an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 elk migrate through this area each spring and fall.
Protecting this corridor helps elk herds by preserving critical habitat and maintaining the routes they rely on to migrate. These efforts benefit the entire community, hunters and non-hunters alike. Healthy wildlife populations, open space, and intact ecosystems support the natural resources and quality of life that make the Gunnison Valley special.
Stewardship Work by the Numbers
Our stewardship team spent much of the spring, summer, and fall monitoring CBLT’s conserved lands to ensure conservation easements are being upheld. Conserving land is just the beginning of our work! These are some highlights of the diverse landscapes and ecosystems we’re committed to protecting and stewarding for generations to come.
💧 13.8 miles of rivers and streams protected
🌾 703.26 acres of cultivated agricultural land protected
🦫 487.9 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat protected
🥾 20.6 miles of trails protected
🐄 3,662 acres managed for cattle ranching
🔬 22 scientific research sites hosted on conserved lands
Trailhead Outreach & Recreation Numbers
Land Trust staff were out and about this summer, conducting outreach at our local trailheads led by Recreation Lands Coordinator Mars Charlebois. From June through August, CBLT staff hosted outreach tables at Gunsight Bridge and Lower Loop on most Fridays, spending 3 – 4 hours at each location connecting with visitors and recording the number of hikers, bikers, and conversations.
In addition to in-person outreach, trail counters were installed at both locations to monitor recreational use. These counters do not distinguish between individual visitors or types of recreation, so they provide a general estimate of trail use rather than an exact visitor count. This year, our estimated visitation count was over 100,000 recreational land users.
The table below summarizes the data collected by the trail counters from May 7 through October 22, 2026.
Calling all Photographers!
We are so grateful to the photographers who help us celebrate the wildlife, open spaces, and beauty of the Gunnison Valley. Your images help us share our story and inspire conservation.
Have high-resolution photos to share for our 2028 Calendar or other Land Trust marketing? We’d love to see them, especially photos of local wildlife, recreation, ranchlands, and the places that make this valley special.
Calendar submission deadline: March 1, 2027
How to submit: Email photos to eve@cblandtrust.org or share them via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or another file-sharing service.
Get Your 2027 CBLT Calendars!
🎁🎄 Do your holiday shopping early! ✨🛍️ Our 12-month calendar features stunning local photography of the landscapes, ranchlands, and wildlife of the Gunnison Valley. It’s the perfect gift for friends, family, and coworkers who love the places we call home!
Click the link here to purchase yours!
Winter Community Events
We hope to see you this winter at one of our free community events.
Saturday, January 16 @ 4:30 PM | Preserved Film Screening at the Center for the Arts
Join us for an inspiring film focused on restoration, followed by an educational panel discussion exploring the film’s themes and the broader importance of conservation.
Saturday, January 23 @ 10 AM | Spanish-Language Snowshoe with Juntos por Gunnison & Crested Butte Nordic
Join us with Juntos por Gunnison and CB Nordic for a snowshoe field trip in Spanish! Meet at the 4-way @ 10 AM to carpool to the Alien Shack.
Friday, February 12 @ 9:45 | Yoga at the Yurt
Ski or snowshoe to the Magic Meadows Yurt and enjoy an hour long beginner level yoga class lead by a certified instructor from CB Power Yoga. Enjoy warm drinks and the cozy atmosphere of Yurt.
Saturday, February 27 @ 10 AM | Yurt Story Time with the Crested Butte Library
Ski or snowshoe with your little ones to the Magic Meadows Yurt for a story time lead by a local librarian. The story will be conservation minded and drinks and snacks will be provided.
Saturday, March 13 @ 10 AM | Snow Science at the Yurt
Join us to learn from a local snow expert about snowpack conditions, how the snowpack develops throughout the winter, and what it tells us about our mountain environment.
