Culebra Creek Ranch

160 acres, Costilla county

The Culebra Creek Ranch is owned by the Lobato family, descendants of the original settlers of the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant, established in 1844. The Culebra Creek runs through the property, providing a wide swath of mature riparian habitat and twelve acres of wetlands. The farm is irrigated by two acequias: the Felipe Vialpando ditch and the Gabino Atencio ditch. The ranch produces high quality Timothy alfalfa, and is managed by Joseph Lobato and his family. His daughters have irrigated since they were old enough to put on boots.

This project received funding from Natural Resources Conservation Services, the Gates Family Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, the Watermolen Foundation, and the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.