We’re shining a spotlight on Trinchera Ranch’s stewards — the dedicated individuals who uphold our commitment to conservation and make each guest’s experience truly unforgettable. In our latest interview, we spoke with Judy Lopez, whose passion for Colorado’s natural beauty drives her work in spearheading sustainability at Trinchera.

“Trinchera Ranch is a wild place whose habitat is stewarded especially for the wildlife that call it home.”

What makes Trinchera such a special place?

Our organizations conservation ethos and their ongoing support for science-based management.  I think about it this way. Trinchera is more than a property, because of its size, it is a landscape. There are six ecological steppes that begin with alpine peaks and their sensitive tundra that transitions to high spruce and mixed montane forests which continue their trip downward to the pinyon-juniper steppes and move out to sage covered range lands that transition to beautiful cottonwood and willow lined riparian areas that guide the creek to farm fields on the valley floor.  

Take the beauty of the Ranch and realize that it is not explored by throngs of visitors every year and you begin to understand that Trinchera is a wild place whose habitat is stewarded specially for the wildlife that call it home.

What type of stewardship happens at Trinchera Ranch?

We actively work to protect the ecosystems and biodiversity by monitoring environmental health and implementing conservation strategies that work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the watershed. This includes a robust forestry program that strives to mitigate natural forest disturbance – whether caused by pests, severe wind, drought or fire; disturbance is a natural part of the forest ecosystem and we work to adaptively manage the forest so that one hundred years from this forest remains vital.

How does Trinchera Ranch support fish and wildlife conservation?

We have an active fisheries program that is working to restore the upper Rio Grande’s native fishes, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Rio Grande Sucker and ultimately the Rio Grande Chub. This coupled with active restoration of the stream reach and adjacent riparian area will insure the fish’s future. We also manage our rangeland using high intensity grazing to freshen pastures for deer and elk as well as mastication to curb pinyon, juniper and sage encroachment into vital riparian areas. These are the big three but there is so much more.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with or employee’s and guests to understand why this work is important. There are close to 8 billion people on the planet and there has never been a time where conservation of the natural world is so important. We have a very unique opportunity to inspire our employees and guests to become active stewards simply because they understand that we at a tipping point. Using the wonders of Trinchera to get them outside to build there understanding of nature on a bike ride, hike or tour is a pleasure and an opportunity.