Blair Ranch is 320-acres and lies in the northern part of Alderfer Three Sisters Park in Evergreen, Colorado. Prior to its acquisition in 2002 by Jefferson County, the area shared almost a mile boundary with Alderfer Three Sisters Park and abutted Denver Mountain Park’s Elephant Butte Park. It is a crucial elk and deer calving ground and is populated by lion, bear, coyote, fox and other wildlife. It includes the riparian areas of Buffalo Creek and undisturbed forest and meadow. Today, it also serves an extension of the Alderfer Three Sisters Park trail system.
Blair Ranch
History
In 1889, Henry Venable homesteaded the property and built a ranch house. The property was then purchased by the Blair family in 1921 who initially used it as a mountain retreat. After a few years, Victoria Blair moved from a ranch in Sterling, Colorado to Blair Ranch in Evergreen, Colorado. While she lived there, several buildings were constructed including a greenhouse, which Victoria turned into a thriving greenhouse flower enterprise called the Winding Trails Nursery and operated it for nearly 15-years before a fire destroyed it, ceasing operations. After Victoria passed away in 1946, her children used Blair Ranch as a vacation rental and mountain retreat. Upon the passing of the Blair family elders in the early 2000s, Blair Ranch was listed for sale.
Because of its prime location and spectacular setting, developers were interested in breaking it up into 10-acre lots. But, the community had other plans for this beautiful space.
Mountain Area Land Trust’s Involvement
Upon learning Blair Ranch was for sale, staff and volunteers at MALT took immediate steps to raise community awareness, solicit donations and helped to facilitate the eventual purchase by Jefferson County Open Space.
Community awareness involved gathering facts and information, hosting informational neighborhood meetings, launching direct mail campaigns, setting up a telephone campaign, encouraging the public to publicly share comments, and speaking to Jefferson County Open Space, Jefferson County Commissioners, Evergreen Parks and Recreation and other organizations. Additionally, MALT staff and volunteers facilitated conversations between the owners and county.
Thanks to MALT supporters, thousands of dollars were raised, which was given to Jefferson County specifically earmarked for saving Blair Ranch. The money raised was allocated towards the $4.75 million purchase of Blair Ranch by Jefferson County in 2002.
Today, more than 2,000 acres of contiguous open lands in this area are protected for recreational use and wildlife habitat. Blair Ranch ties together Denver Mountain Parks land on Elephant Butte with Jefferson County’s Alderfer-Three Sisters Open Space. Over the years, the two agencies developed a trail system that serves hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers and maintain this special place.
MALT thanks Ginny Ades, Mel Andrew, Tandy Jones, Greg Vallin, Suzanne Van Hall, Jim and Trudy Chiddix and the countless other individuals and organizations that contributed to the preservation of Blair Ranch.
