Land deal tied to NM-Colo. conservation

Associated Press

Updated: Jun 15, 2012 2:53 PM

DENVER (AP) — Billionaire Louis Bacon plans to protect the rest of his vast landholdings in southern Colorado from development.

Bacon and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the plan Friday.

Bacon will place 90,000 acres into a conservation easement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if the government moves ahead with plans to create a larger Sangre de Cristo conservation area in Colorado and New Mexico.

Bacon's land in Colorado's San Luis Valley includes three, 14-thousand-foot peaks. The hedge fund manager owns both the Trinchera and Blanca ranches, a total of 172,000 acres. About 82,000 are already under a conservation easement.

Ted Turner also owns a ranch in the area.

Salazar didn't address whether there had been any talks with him but he did say he hopes others will be inspired by Bacon's pledge.

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