Background on Colorado Working Landscapes:

Colorado Working Landscapes (CWL) was born out of a four month period of meetings beginning in December 2001 between farmers/ranchers, conservation organizations, state associations, financial organizations, legal firms, real estate companies and government.

An important goal is to establish a public policy forum from which multiple viewpoints can be expressed and shared understanding achieved.  Success will be the result of involvement from a broad range of landowners and organizations having direct interest in the future of rural Colorado.

Because environmental benefits typically are not sold on a market, managers of our rural landscapes have limited marketplace incentives for providing them.  Conservation programs can provide that incentive and compensate land managers for the benefits they produce.

Colorado has had success creating incentives through Great Outdoors Colorado, the legislature and local governments.  Clustering, purchase of development rights, and tax credits are tools that compensate landowners for land conservation.  They have proven effective and are supported by landowners and the public at large.  A 2001 Colorado State University survey of public attitudes about agriculture shows that 80% of Coloradoan's feel agriculture is very important to their quality of life.

Landowners, conservation organizations and public officials recognize that existing incentives are only a beginning.  The toolbox must grow and serve a broader range of needs if Colorado is to achieve more than marginal success.  In fact, a number of incentive programs are currently under development.  It is essential for landowners to play a meaningful role in the development of these tools.

CWL is a landowner-driven coalition of interests committed to establishing a leadership role in the development of incentives for the conservation of working landscapes and enhancement of landowner values.  An important goal is to establish a public policy forum from which multiple viewpoints can be expressed and shared understanding achieved.  Success will be the result of involvement from a broad range of landowners and organizations having direct interest in the future of rural Colorado.

Landowner Values Financial Viability Equity Value of Land Private Property Rights Lifestyle Land Stewardship Preservation of Agriculture Local Control

Public Benefits Open Space (aesthetics) Environmental Quality (air, water, land) Wildlife Cultural Heritage Recreation Commodities (food, fiber, energy)

CWL’s current focus is on building the Colorado Harvesting Energy Network, administering the effort to bring rural prosperity through renewable energy in partnership with the Farm Bureau, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and Environment Colorado.

See our new web site for information on our renewable energy work: www.harvestenergy.org