Cactus Hill — Capulin, CO

While working to conserve Cactus Hill Farm, RiGHT and the landowners learned that the City of Alamosa needed part of its #1 water right, el Viejo Ditch, to keep people's faucets running after new groundwater rules and regulations went into effect. Rather than "buy-and-dry" any of Cactus Hill, the City, the landowners, and RiGHT worked together to develop a lease agreement diverting five to ten percent of the farm's irrigation water back into the Alamosa River. With this agreement the City will follow the new groundwater rules. Farmers and ranchers in Capulin will receive more of their water rights. Cactus Hill can move the unirrigated acres around the farm, keeping their land healthy and productive. Finally, the Alamosa River and its wildlife will benefit from increased flows. The project is a true win-win-win for agriculture, the City of Alamosa, and the environment.

Just as importantly the Cactus Hill conservation easement is helping this family farm transition from one generation to the next. Conservation easements can be a powerful tool to help young farmers and ranchers. Land protection may provide income to reinvest in improvements to the operation, clarify an estate plan, or make land much more affordable to buy. RiGHT is proud to support several young agricultural families with its conservation programs.