Our History
1999
The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) was founded to protect San Luis Valley water from transmountain diversions. Cathy McNeil led the effort, joined by Chris Canaly, Susan Pierce, Karen Henderson, Ralph Curtis, Pete Magee, and other community members.
First Donation received for $5,000 from Ruth H. Brown Foundation.
2000
Hired our first staff members: Julie Gallegos and Susan Pierce.
2001
Closed our first conservation easements: 7L Diamond Ranch and the Bonanza project.
2002
Nancy Butler was hired as Executive Director. Rio de la Vista joined as Coordinator of the San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee. Outreach with landowners and conservation successes expanded significantly.
2006
Launched the Rio Grande Initiative with the goal of conserving 25,000 acres in 10 years. Raised over $12 million in the first two years, with major support from Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and other key funders.
2010
Received first Land Trust Alliance Accreditation, a mark of excellence in land conservation. Renewed in 2015 and 2021.
2011
2013
Hosted the first Headwaters Hoedown and received The Nature Conservancy’s Phil James Award for extraordinary contributions to conservation in Colorado.
Honored with the El Pomar Foundation’s Award for Excellence, recognizing RiGHT’s leadership and impact in the region.
Recent Milestones
2015
Completed the Rio Grande Initiative, exceeding our goal by protecting more than 25,000 acres and 35+ river miles.
2017
Hosted our first community conservation event for youth in the San Luis Valley.
2020
Co-launched the Local Farms to Local Families program in response to COVID-19, delivering meals from local producers to over 1,000 families. Supported by a $10,000 grant from the Gates Family Foundation.
Received a GOCO Resilient Communities Grant to expand staff and build organizational capacity for long-term conservation impact.
2023
2024
Celebrated our 60th conservation easement, with over 35,000 acres permanently protected across the San Luis Valley.
Purchased RiGHT’s first permanent office building in Del Norte, anchoring our long-term presence in the heart of the community we serve.