Colorado Open Lands, a private nonprofit land trust focused on conservation, announced this week that it has appointed Cleave Simpson of Alamosa and Jeff Trujillo of the Denver-metro area to serve on its board of directors.
Simpson is the general manager for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and state senator representing Senate District 6. His appointment builds on the work the Rio Grande Water Conservation District has been focused on with Colorado Open Lands and its land conservation efforts in the San Luis Valley.
“I am honored to be invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Colorado Open Lands. Our lands and waters are critically important to our unmatched Colorado quality of life,” said Simpson.
In a unique twist to conservation, Colorado Open Lands a year ago worked with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and Valley farmer Ron Bowman to create the first-ever groundwater conservation easement to restrict the use of groundwater on Bowman’s nearly 1,900-acre ranch near Moffat. The groundwater conservation easement was the latest in Colorado Open Lands’ conservation work in the Valley.
Simpson, as general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, has been influential with Colorado Open Lands and its work in the San Luis Valley.
“I bring an agricultural and water rights owner perspective to the Board that will serve the institution and all Coloradans extremely well,” he said of serving on the Colorado Open Lands board. “Having diversified interests and life experiences can only serve to enhance the conservation process and assure the most beneficial outcomes for individuals and the state of Colorado.”
Paul Phillips, chair of the Colorado Lands Board, said Simpson and Trujillo’s “deep Colorado roots and proven commitment to land stewardship and conservation will make them invaluable additions to Colorado Open Lands.”
Trujillo leads PwC’s U.S. Alliances & Ecosystems Commercial team which is responsible for identifying and activating strategic growth investments with the firm’s key technology alliances.