Cutting the ribbon for the new Bighorn Springs State Wildlife area are, pictured left to right: Sean Shepherd, Area Wildlife Manager (CPW), Karen Dils (Trout Unlimited) and Tam Pham (BlueTriton Senior Springs Resource)
Collaboration of Blue Triton Brands and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Solidifies New Conservation Easement
On Friday, September 8, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and BlueTriton Brands formally dedicated a new conservation easement, the Bighorn Springs State Wildlife Area. The move preserves 122 acres of wildlife habitat along the Arkansas River. Included in this State Wildlife Area is a new trail to a third fishing easement on the property, which is open to the public.
The property buffers Browns Canyon National Monument and the Ruby Mountain Recreation Site.
“This state wildlife area is an excellent venue for raptor viewing and for observing the local Bighorn Sheep population,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Sean Shepherd.
“We appreciate BlueTriton Brands’ outreach to us to hold the Conservation Easement, the purpose of which is to preserve, in perpetuity, relatively natural habitat, open-space conservation values, enhance recreational and educational opportunities, and protect groundwater resources.”
This announcement has been years in the making. It began as a 1041 permit for Nestlé Waters to pump spring water for its Arrowhead Brand bottling plant in Denver. Maintaining a fishing easement was brought up early on, but Chaffee County has waited years for this stage, which became more complicated when in the middle of the 1041 permit renewal, Nestlé sold to BlueTriton Brands. It now owns the property that was dedicated as the new conservation easement.
As a part of the permit negotiations, BlueTriton committed to completing the work to restore and the area. It had historically had a fish hatchery, and very limited road access to reach the area around Browns Canyon National Monument, as well as a resident Bighorn Sheep herd.
Colorado Bighorn sheep. Image courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
“We are proud of this partnership opportunity with Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Senior Springs Resource Tam Pham. “Our commitment to sustainability and to preserving the natural environment is well reflected in our work here at the Bighorn Springs State Wildlife Area.”
Public access fishing easements occur on the northern and southern portions of the property and a public access wildlife viewing area has been constructed.
Local schools and conservation organizations may tour and study the property, through access from CPW or BlueTriton Brands. All other public access is limited to parking areas, viewing areas and designated trails. The Bighorn Springs State Wildlife Area is only for fishing access and wildlife viewing, all other recreational activities are prohibited.
Attendees at the dedication and ribbon-cutting included representatives from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Senator Mark Baisley, the Chaffee County Community Foundation, Trout Unlimited and BlueTriton.
For the uninitiated, BlueTriton Brands, based in Stamford, Connecticut, offers an extensive portfolio of highly recognizable, responsibly sourced and sustainably packaged spring water, purified water and water beverage brands. BlueTriton Brands and its affiliates in the United States and Canada employ approximately 6,600 associates. It now manages resources for long-term sustainability and helps to conserve more than 20,000 acres of watershed area.
As the Bighorn Springs State Wildlife Viewing Area was being celebrated, wildlife wandered on to the scene. It is only for fishing access and wildlife viewing, Photo courtesy of CPW.
The Company has 28 production facilities across the United States, 13 of which are Alliance for Water Stewardship (“AWS”) certified across 12 sites, with eight of the certified facilities being AWS Platinum, the highest-level certification.
Many Colorado residents don’t realize that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency. It relies primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW’s work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Editor’s Note: BlueTriton Brands include Poland Spring® Brand, Deer Park® Brand, Ozarka® Brand, Ice Mountain® Brand, Zephyrhills® Brand, Arrowhead® Brand, Origin™ Natural Spring Water, Saratoga® Spring Water, AC+ION® Alkaline Water, Pure Life® Purified Water, B’EAU™ Marine Collagen Water Beverage, Splash Blast® Flavored Water Beverage and Splash Fizz® Fruit Flavored Sparkling Water Beverage. BlueTriton Brands also owns and operates ReadyRefresh®, a customizable water and beverage delivery service that has been certified as a CarbonNeutral® business.
They did a little weed pulling for the photo opp! The most ridiculous part was that the first educational sign you come to about invasive weeds asks people to use a boot brush, which they failed to actually install there.
This conservation easement is a far cry from what was promised! There is no “wildlife viewing platform” and lots of no trespassing/private property signs due to the infamous river frontage land swap deal!