Pinestone Ranch: Protected Today. One Day, Yours to Explore
Back to blog feedA rare stretch of pristine, undeveloped mountain landscape near Woodland Park—674 acres protected today, open to all in the future.
A place that few people have ever had the opportunity to explore will one day be accessible to everyone.
Nestled against the northern flanks of Pikes Peak, Pinestone Ranch is one of the last large, undeveloped tracts of land between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Today, we are proud to announce Palmer Land Conservancy has acquired this 674-acre treasure—ensuring its conifer-and-aspen-covered ridges, sun-drenched meadows, and vital creek corridors will never be lost to development.
This is more than a land deal. It is a promise to the future of the Pikes Peak region.
The Story Behind Pinestone
Get the inside scoop on Pinestone Ranch—a "now-or-never" win for conservation, recreation, and the community.
Pinestone Ranch represents a new era for Palmer. For the first time in our nearly 50-year history, we have stepped forward to acquire a property of this scale for future public use. It is a bold response to the community’s needs and a testament to the power of community-driven conservation in ensuring Colorado’s iconic landscapes remain unbroken for generations to come.
BJ Hybl, Board Chair, Palmer Land Conservancy
Why Pinestone Matters
A Gateway to the Wild
Pinestone Ranch connects to 100,000 acres of public lands and is in close proximity to 6,000 acres of permanently protected ranchland in the Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor—protecting a seamless corridor for both people and wildlife to roam.
A Sanctuary for Wildlife
The property provides critical habitat for 63 species of conservation interest—including nearly half of Colorado’s highest priority mammal species and a quarter of the state’s highest priority bird species.
A Win for Recreation
Positioned adjacent to Woodland Park, Pinestone Ranch will, one day, offer a "backyard" mountain experience for a community with minimal direct access to trails—despite being surrounded by National Forest.
Pinestone Ranch Wildlife Cam
Be the First to Know
The journey from private ranch to public open space is just beginning. Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive updates on Pinestone Ranch, including progress updates, and be among the first to hear about opportunities to explore the property.
We respect your privacy. Palmer Land Conservancy will never share or sell your information.
The Roadmap for Pinestone Ranch
Phase 1: Complete
Secure the Land
Palmer acquires the property to prevent development and subdivision.
Phase 2: Active
Fundraise & Visioning
Palmer works with the local community and other strategic partners to determine the long-term land manager for the property and raise funds to re-pay the loan for half the property value.
Phase 3
Protect & Transfer
Determine the best conservation tool to permanently protect the property and transfer ownership to the long-term land manager.
Phase 4
Master Planning & Infrastructure
Palmer works with the local community and other Community input and thoughtful deliberation will determine what infrastructure is needed before opening to the public.
Phase 5
Open Public Access
Opening the gates for the community to explore and enjoy.
Want to be the first to know when the gates open? Sign up for updates.
Pinestone Ranch is NOT Currently Open to the Public
While the land is now protected, there is much work to be done before we can welcome you to the property.
Can’t wait to get outside?
While we work to prepare Pinestone Ranch for its public debut in the coming years, there are 20 other Palmer-protected parks and open spaces waiting for you to explore today.
We respect your privacy. Palmer Land Conservancy will never share or sell your information.
The Funders Who Said Yes When It Mattered Most
In an active real estate market, a legacy property like Pinestone can sell in days. Three visionary partners stepped forward with the speed and conviction this moment demanded. Thank you Lyda Hill Phillantropies for establishing an Impact Fund for Palmer. The H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Foundation set everything in motion by providing early funding that brought Palmer to the table and allowed us to act quickly. Great Outdoors Colorado provided a grant and loan which was the critical anchor that made acquisition possible.
The acquisition is complete. The fundraising has just begun.
Palmer has committed to fundraising for half of the property cost over the next three years. Your gift today ensures a legacy that will last for generations by establishing a permanently-protected open space where wildlife and people can roam—forever.
It Takes a Community to Protect a Place Like This
"There are very few chances left to create public open space at this scale on the Front Range. When an opportunity like Pinestone Ranch comes along, you don't just protect it. You protect everything it can become."
Rebecca Jewett
President & CEO
"There are very few chances left to create public open space at this scale on the Front Range. When an opportunity like Pinestone Ranch comes along, you don't just protect it. You protect everything it can become."
Jackie Miller
Executive Director
"The acquisition of Pinestone Ranch for open space is such a great achievement for Colorado and the greater Woodland Park community. We love doing conservation transactions and are immensely fortunate to live and work in a state with amazing organizations like Palmer Land Conservancy doing the important work of keeping Colorado special."
Woody Beardsley
Vice President
"As a mountain town, what drew so many of us here to begin with is the open spaces and the wild places, and so protecting a parcel like this not only is beneficial when you're on the land, but it protects the defining character of the community and helps preserve that character for generations to come."
Chris Gonzales
Founder, Executive Director
Dig Deeper: The Conservation Work Behind Pinestone Ranch
Conservation 101:
What it Means to Permanently Protect Land
Study Reveals $31-$49 of Public Benefit for Every Dollar Invested in Conservation
About Palmer Land Conservancy
As a community of people who believe Colorado is a special place and who want to protect it for future generations, Palmer Land Conservancy offers an action-oriented approach to tackling the biggest challenges facing land, water, and the Colorado Good Life.
OUR CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
We are committed to protecting land and water for the wellbeing of nature and people.
To achieve our mission, our work is focused on four conservation priorities:
Land for People
Celebrating and connecting people to the land and nature through the conservation of open spaces and public parks, and bringing green spaces to our urban centers.
Land for Food
Strengthening rural communities and economies by protecting local farms and ranches, and connecting urban dwellers to essential local food systems.
Land for Nature
Safeguarding the health and resiliency of landscapes that support wildlife, biodiversity, waterways, and wetlands.
Water for Life
Advancing large-scale water initiatives that balance the competing needs of water in the West and prioritize community needs and goals.