Protecting Why You Love It Here

Since 1977

Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, elected to the Environmental Position at learge on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable

Our congratulations to Jon Hare, our Advocacy Director, who was recently elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable. Jon’s leadership and participation in this influential group further elevate our conservation efforts, especially around water use and watershed health in the Gunnison Country.

Read the full press release on what this position entails, and how it will ensure that HCCA’s voice will continue being heard at key decision-making tables, where the future of our public lands, waters, and wildlife is determined.

Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, standing on the Red Lady peak during the celebratory weekend (10/05/24)
Photo courtesy: Eric Phillips

HCCA’s Holiday Auction IS LIVE!

Bid on unique items, exclusive experiences, and one-of-a-kind treasures, all while supporting a conservation in the Gunnison Country. Whether you’re treating yourself or searching for the perfect gift, there’s something for everyone.

Don’t miss out — your winning bid could make a lasting impact! Click the link below to browse the prizes today.

Prizes include: 18-hole rounds of golf at The Club, one night’s stay at a hot springs, Red Lady themed ROMP Skis, and more!

RED LADY IS SAVED! — After 47 years of dedication to our valley's most beloved mountain, we can finally celebrate a forever mine-free Red Lady! View HCCA’S FULL PRESS RELEASE on the Mt. Emmons (Red Lady) CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND LAND EXCHANGE.

Areas of Work

Red Lady

Red Lady rises from the western edge of Crested Butte’s scenic National Historic District and is a favorite of skiers, sportsmen, and recreationists. In the course of 47 years, Red Lady has been the target of three mining proposals that HCCA successfully led the community’s fight to defeat.

Public Lands

Since fighting a planned timber sale on Kebler Pass in the early 1980s, HCCA’s Public Lands Program has been protecting threatened landscapes, preventing harms to important ecosystems, and promoting sustainable enjoyment of the diverse public lands of the Gunnison Country.

Water

HCCA’s Water Program aims to enhance the health of stream and riparian ecosystems by protecting healthy instream flows, improving water efficiency and conservation through local partnerships, and by using the best science available to collaborate with water resource managers about water management planning.

Stewardship

HCCA’s Stewardship Program worked collaboratively with land management agencies and community organizations to address climate resiliency through the coordination of on-the-ground stewardship projects. These past volunteer-driven projects connect and educate the local community through restoring the health and ecological resiliency of our shared public lands.

 

47 Years of Advocacy in the Gunnison Valley! View HCCA’s timeline of accomplishments, and revel in the success.

Gunnison Sage Grouse is one of many works found within the Contemporary Icons of Threatened and Endangered Species series.

Please give to High Country Conservation Advocates and support environmental conservation on public lands in Gunnison County, Colorado.

News

News
Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable
Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable

Our congratulations to Jon Hare, our Advocacy Director, who was recently elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable. Jon’s leadership and participation in this influential group further elevate our conservation efforts, especially around water use and watershed health in the Gunnison Country.

Read More →
HCCA on Colorado Public Radio!
HCCA on Colorado Public Radio!

Still feeling the Red Lady love? Tune in to Colorado Public Radio to celebrate the success of Red Lady once again!

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Post-Election Conservation Message - Jon Hare, Advocacy Director
Post-Election Conservation Message - Jon Hare, Advocacy Director

Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, shares a post-election message - It’s now more important than ever to support HCCA to help protect why you love it here.

Visit hccacb.org/donate-online to join us in making a difference. Together, we can ensure that the lands, waters, and wildlife of Colorado's Gunnison River Country remain protected for years to come.

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GORP Act Introduced into Congress by Sen. Michael Bennet
GORP Act Introduced into Congress by Sen. Michael Bennet

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Gunnison Outdoor Recreation Protection (GORP) Act into the U.S. Congress. This is the largest public lands bill since the early 1900s, and when enacted will protect over 730,000 acres of public lands in Western Colorado.

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RED LADY IS SAVED FROM AN INDUSTRIAL MINE!
RED LADY IS SAVED FROM AN INDUSTRIAL MINE!

The FINAL piece to the Red Lady package is complete! With the signing of the Mineral Extinguishment and Conservation Easements our beloved mountain that embraces the town is officially protected. “This is one of the greatest outcomes of the conservation legacy in our nation’s history. . ." - Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director

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GMUG NF Forest Supervisor Signs Decision Memo for Mt. Emmons Land Exchange
GMUG NF Forest Supervisor Signs Decision Memo for Mt. Emmons Land Exchange

We are one step closer to our beloved town mountain being moly-mine forever free. On July 8 2024, the GMUG National Forest Supervisor Signs the Decision Memo for Mt. Emmons (Red Lady) Land Exchange!

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Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Visits Crested Butte to Celebrate the Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Visits Crested Butte to Celebrate the Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal

The celebration of the Administrative Mineral Withdrawal on the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons continues. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Crested Butte on June 30th to celebrate with the community on this success for public lands and conservation. View HCCA’s full press release.

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HIgh Country Report (Summer 2024 Newsletter)
HIgh Country Report (Summer 2024 Newsletter)

Missed HCCA’s Summer 2024 Newsletter in your mailbox? Look no further, view the full newsletter here!

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Reflecting on the 47 year fight to Save Red Lady
Reflecting on the 47 year fight to Save Red Lady

As the fight to Save Red Lady nears the finish line, Sue Navy, HCCA’s Board President, reflects on this 47 year fight.

Visit Red Lady Testimonies to read more stories from past Red Ladies!

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Advocacy Director, Jon Hare, dives into the Red Lady package and its protections for public lands.
Advocacy Director, Jon Hare, dives into the Red Lady package and its protections for public lands.

This is definitely a great reason for all of us who love public lands to celebrate, yet at High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) we are focused on the next project in the Gunnison basin that is several years in formulation and moving toward completion in 2024. Right now, at our doorstep, the Mt. Emmons Land Exchange is the best chance this community has ever had to save the mountain known as Red Lady and the best opportunity to protect Gunnison Country from the impacts of a large-scale industrial mining operation.

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The Town of Mt. Crested Butte Passes New Landscaping Code Ordinance
The Town of Mt. Crested Butte Passes New Landscaping Code Ordinance

On March 19th the Town of Mt. Crested Butte voted to pass an outdoor landscaping code ordinance that will help their community grow with less water. The new code encourages keeping mountain meadows intact, reducing the amount of irrigated turf, and plants that use less water and are drought tolerant. HCCA has worked on drafting this code with the Town and SJC Landscape Architects for several years to get it just right. Way to go, Mt. CB!

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the Mt. Emmons and Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal is approved - Protecting Over 221,000 Acres from Hardrock Mining and Oil and Gas Leasing 
the Mt. Emmons and Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal is approved - Protecting Over 221,000 Acres from Hardrock Mining and Oil and Gas Leasing 

April 3, 2024 - Today, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland took action to protect the Mt. Emmons and Thompson Divide area from new mining claims and oil and gas leasing. President Biden first announced the intent to protect this area at the designation of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in October of 2022.

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Update on Red Lady and Thompson Divide
Update on Red Lady and Thompson Divide

As the fight to protect the Red Lady continues, Colorado U.S. Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper provided tremendous support as they urge the department to move quickly to initate protections.

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Centennial WMA Volunteer Project Recap
Centennial WMA Volunteer Project Recap

Sixteen volunteers and 84 hours later, our work prevented further erosion and restored wildlife habitat at Centennial State Wildlife Area, just west of Gunnison.

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Volunteer Opportunity! Wet Meadow Restoration at Centennial State Wildlife Area</a>
Volunteer Opportunity! Wet Meadow Restoration at Centennial State Wildlife Area

(Saturday, October 21) HCCA is partnering with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) and the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) to protect and restore critical wet meadow habitat.

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CB News Publishes HCCA Volunteer Restoration Event Recap
CB News Publishes HCCA Volunteer Restoration Event Recap

HCCA helps coordinate a successful volunteer project focusing on restoring a riparian system in Powderhorn.

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Volunteer Opportunity! Powderhorn Riparian Restoration Project
Volunteer Opportunity! Powderhorn Riparian Restoration Project

Get your hands dirty, and help restore a degrading and incising system along the confluence of Cebolla and Powderhorn Creeks. No experience is necessary, and training is provided.

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Recap: Douglas-fir Protection Project
Recap: Douglas-fir Protection Project

Each May the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) enters into north-facing steep slopes all over the Upper Gunnison Basin to protect mature and old growth Douglas-fir stands from the Douglas-fir beetle.

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HCCA Hike Season 2023
HCCA Hike Season 2023

Following an epic winter in the Gunnison Valley, we are excited for the arrival of summer and all the glorious flowers that surely await us. Our 31 st year of Don Baker Legacy Hikes is here, and we hope you will join our weekly adventures into the magnificent public lands we thrive on conserving.

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A Message From Red Lady #45
A Message From Red Lady #45

Red Lady #45 Gears Up for the Grand Traverse

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Read HCCA’s comments in support for the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal
Read HCCA’s comments in support for the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal

HCCA’s comments to the BLM in support for the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal

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Local business owner sign-on form in support of the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons mineral withdrawal
Local business owner sign-on form in support of the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons mineral withdrawal

You can participate as a local business owner by signing HCCA’s Petition

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HIGH COUNTRY REPORT (Winter Newsletter)
HIGH COUNTRY REPORT (Winter Newsletter)

Stay up to date with HCCA and view our latest High Country Report.

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Farewell to Andi Bonato!
Farewell to Andi Bonato!

My name is Andi, and I am a second-year law student who has been a legal intern at HCCA since June 2022.

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We’re nearly there- we need your help to get a mineral withdrawal for Red Lady and the Thompson Divide!
We’re nearly there- we need your help to get a mineral withdrawal for Red Lady and the Thompson Divide!

In early October Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland initiated an administrative withdrawal process for the Thompson Divide and lands surrounding Red Lady (Mt. Emmons).

Read More →