The 3,638-acre Taylor Ranch in northern Fremont County is located in the high foothills, spanning nearly 5.5 linear miles along the eastern flank of Waugh Mountain. The property includes high mountain meadows, mixed-conifer and aspen forests, oak woodlands, and riparian vegetation along numerous creeks and small tributaries. It includes 3.5 miles of North Tallahassee Creek, a perennial stream with water rights that irrigate hayfields and pastures used by livestock and wildlife. The property is rich with wildlife year-round and connects to over 11,000 acres of public land.
This property has been owned by the Taylor Family for over 100 years, except for a period when it was sold to a uranium mining company and the water rights changed to augmentation for mining operations. Fortunately, Buddy and Diane Taylor bought the property back in the early 1990s and changed the water rights back to irrigation-only. This ranch could have become a giant, open-pit mine, with one of the world’s largest uranium deposits – but no longer, thanks to these dedicated landowners.
The Taylors are planning to conserve additional acreage in 2026, but for now, this property represents the largest conservation easement in all of Fremont County!
Keep it Colorado was a project partner.