What has private lands conservation done for you lately?

If you've been to Grand Junction, you might know the Lunch Loop Trailhead. Its redesign has provided several benefits – some obvious, others unexpected! – for the local community.

Following the 2008 recession, the Western Slope's most precious landscapes became susceptible to being filled with housing developments. Colorado West Land Trust purchased private land slated for development and deeded it to the City of Grand Junction for public open space – then created a paved trail to connect downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods to the Lunch Loop Trail system. Bikers and hikers now had close-to-home access to some incredible recreational opportunities.

But something unexpected happened, too. Suddenly, children who had never been on a bike before, or hadn't been able to access their backyard playground that is the Western Slope, began to spend time outside. As a bonus, today the trailhead is the most popular in Mesa County and is one of three there that contribute $15 million to the local economy.