Save Floyd Hill Meadow on I70

Over the past 50 years,  Floyd Hill Meadow, also known as "Clear Creek’s Front Yard", has been threatened by high density development. At one point, a developer was hoping to build 180 homes in the meadow. 

Now, thanks to Albert Frei & Sons gifting the parcel to the Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT) in June 2023, our community has the chance to save this area by conserving it forever!

Saving Floyd Hill Meadow means:

1. the area will forever remain a meadow;
2. wildlife habitat and corridors are permanently protected;
3. the protection of valuable water sources;
4. unobstructed mountain views of Colorado's majestic mountain peaks and wilderness area.
5. less traffic and congestion along this beautiful stretch of I70.

To permanently protect Floyd Hill Meadow, the Mountain Area Land Trust needs to raise $50,000 to conserve the meadow in perpetuity.

Where is Floyd Hill Meadow? 

It is located on the south side of I70 on Floyd Hill a few miles from Evergreen Parkway. As you head West on I70 to go hiking or skiing, and you pass the Beaver Brook exit and look to the south. It's the big open space area with a large pond and Clear Creek High School on the backside of the property. Every year, the meadow is seen by millions of visitors driving by on I-70, Coloradans hike and bike nearby trails, and Floyd Hill neighbors enjoy beautiful views of this large parcel of land.

How can Floyd Hill Meadow be permanently protected? 

MALT can forever conserve the meadow by placing a Conservation Easement on it. The Conservation Easement will ensure that the area can never be developed with homes, commercial buildings, or any other structures. To accomplish this, MALT needs community support to help raise $50,000.

What is a Conservation Easement?

A Conservation Easement is a voluntary, legal, binding agreement between a landowner and a Land Trust that permanently restricts certain aspects of land use in order to protect the conservation values of the property forever.

Why does it cost so much to place a Conservation Easement on the property? 

There are several items that are required of landowners, in this situation, MALT, to be compliant with IRS and State regulations. These include completing a specialized appraisal, mineral and environmental assessments, survey, project management, and funding stewardship and legal defense endowments.

Who is the Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT)?

MALT’s mission is to save natural areas, wildlife habitat, streams and rivers, working ranches and historic lands, for the benefit of the community and as a legacy for future generations.

MALT works with private landowners and public agencies to permanently conserve land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Park, Gilpin, Boulder and Teller counties with offices in Evergreen and Fairplay, Colorado.

Since 1992, MALT has conserved nearly 27,000 acres; 18,000 acres in private voluntary conservation agreements and 8,000 acres in public projects that include Floyd Hill Open Space, Beaver Brook Watershed, Mount Tom, Noble Meadow at Elk Meadow and more.