In early June, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) announced the first project funded by sales of the Colorado Habitat Stamp.  "We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a perpetual easement to a mile and half stretch of the Arkansas River in Lake County," said DOW Director Bruce McCloskey.
 
The easement, known as the Hardeman Property, runs along both sides of the Arkansas just north of the current site of the Granite State Wildlife Area.  Previously, the Hardeman section was open to public access through a short term lease.  The availability of funds from the sale of Habitat Stamps, coupled with a contribution from the local TU chapter, made it possible to secure a perpetual easement to ensure public access forever.  The cost of the perpetual easement was $99,000.  Funds collected from the sale of the habitat stamp covered $89,000 and the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited pitched in $10,000.
 
"The Hardeman property is one of the few sections of the upper Arkansas that doesn't ice over in the winter," said Mark Cole, the president of the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  "TU is proud to help fund a portion of this project to keep public a very productive fishery," Cole said.
 
The Hardeman easement is divided into two sections along both sides of the Arkansas River.  The lower section begins at the Lake-Chaffee County line and runs north for one mile.  There is a small section of private land, and then public access starts again and runs north for a third of a mile.  The public access portions are marked with green and white Division of Wildlife signs.

The Arkansas River at the Hardeman lease.  Photo courtesy Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Colorado Trout Unlimited joined with other hunters, anglers, and conservationists to develop and lobby for the legislation establishing Colorado’s Habitat Stamp.  Adopted by the General Assembly in 2005, the legislation requires anglers and hunters to purchase a $5 stamp with their license, as well as requiring other users of State Wildlife Areas to purchase a stamp.  The resulting dollars are earmarked to provide an ongoing public funding source for habitat protection and improvement, and for securing public fishing and hunting access.

“We’re very pleased that anglers were beneficiaries of the first Habitat Stamp acquisition,” said CTU President Steve Craig.  “Opportunities to secure angler access and protect aquatic habitat are the very reason we supported this legislation, and we’re proud of the role the Collegiate Peaks Chapter played in this success story.”