Gem on the South Platte River: Protecting Abell Ranch

Gem on the South Platte River

Protecting Abell Ranch

Nestled near the quaint Park County community of Lake George lies the stunning Abell Ranch. Highly visible from Highway 24, this 500-acre wildlife paradise is a working cattle ranch that includes nearly three miles of the South Platte River offering ample recreational and fly-fishing opportunities. With rock outcroppings and ponderosa pine woodlands as a backdrop, and the Tarryall Mountains in the distance, this property is also a relic of the region’s agricultural history and features buildings dating back to the 1870s. 

Shortly after purchasing the property, the landowner approached Palmer to protect it to prevent subdivision and has committed significant resources to wetland and streambed restoration efforts. Thanks to the landowners’ vision and commitment to conservation as well as a transaction cost grant awarded by Keep it Colorado with funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Palmer moves one step closer to permanently protecting Abell Ranch—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve an iconic Front Range ranch forever.