The 2,564-acre Rock Ridge Ranch property is located in Moffat County between Meeker and Craig. The property consists of sagebrush shrublands, montane meadows, rock outcroppings, and gambel oak shrubland. Exceptional wildlife habitat is provided for bald eagle, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, and greater sandhill crane (all Colorado Species of concern), burrowing owl (designated Threatened by the state), black bear, elk, moose, mountain lion, mule deer, and pronghorn. Two active and thriving Columbian sharp-tailed grouse leks (where birds conduct their courtship displays) are located on the property. Colorado Parks and Wildlife transplants some of the grouse found on this property to other leks to help bolster additional populations. Rock Ridge Ranch is also visible from State Highway 13 and adjacent to State Land Board and Bureau of Land Management lands. Additionally, the property connects with 6,600 acres of public lands, including the Iles Grove State Trust Lands property.
Rock Ridge Ranch has been owned and operated by the same family for almost 100 years. The original patriarch began purchasing portions of the property in the 1920s and lost the land during the Great Depression. He then worked on a neighboring family’s ranch until he saved up enough money to repurchase his ranch, which he subsequently expanded. The family originally raised sheep, then shifted to wheat, and now graze cattle and grow hay.
Project partners include Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
