Front Range
Great Outdoors Colorado funded a Mountain Backdrop Study that identifies important Front Range lands from Larimer to El Paso County. The Study evaluates Critical Parcel Candidate Lands (CPCLs) within the Mountain Backdrop for potential conservation or preservation as open space.
These high priority lands run along the Front Range foothills from Palmer Lake to Penrose. Additional high priority lands along the US 24 corridor include the Rampart Range Road ridge and areas around the Pikes Peak massif.
The CPCL areas are experiencing heavy growth pressure. Degradation of scenery coupled with a rapid decline in biodiversity is the resulting trend. According to Colorado Natural Heritage Program studies, over fifty rare or imperiled plants, animals, and natural communities can be found in 16 x 20 mile area framing Pikes Peak. Frequently, priority viewsheds in the Backdrop’s corridors overlap the highest priority habitat areas.
Palmer Land Trust is working diligently to protect these important lands along the Front Range.
