Land on “14er” Mount Bross permanently added to national forest

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and The Conservation Fund announced the Forest Service’s purchase and permanent protection of 480 acres on Mount Bross from The Conservation Fund, which acquired the property last September to secure outstanding recreational opportunities and access to Colorado’s high mountain peaks.

The agency plans to manage the land on this “Fourteener” — or “14er,” a peak that rises above 14,000 feet — for public trail access and to protect critical headwaters and wildlife habitat. The purchase includes a portion of the DeCaLiBron Loop Trail — across Mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross — between Mount Lincoln and Mount Bross. Local communities have expressed support for the acquisition, including Park County and the nearby towns of Alma and Fairplay, who depend on the recreation economy that Mount Bross supports and the water that it provides.

"We are excited to bring access and conservation efforts that will benefit the community and wildlife in such a popular recreation area," said Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Forest and Grassland Supervisor Ryan Nehl. "We could not have accomplished this without the support of The Conservation Fund, Park County and many other partners, with whom we are honored to care for the land and ensure its protection for many generations to come."    

This announcement continues momentum on a multiyear initiative to protect Colorado’s 14ers. It builds on The Conservation Fund’s and Forest Service’s recent work in 2023 to add 289 acres to the national forest at the Kite Lake Trailhead and major portions of the DeCaLiBron trail, places on the 14ers that had been closed to hikers in past years. The Mount Bross purchase occurs at a key time, as Colorado, the “Centennial State,” celebrates its 150th statehood anniversary.  

  As part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, these 480 acres will protect the headwaters of the South Platte River, a vital source of drinking water, agricultural irrigation and a healthy downstream environment. They will also protect and strengthen critical wildlife corridors by preserving continuous, undeveloped habitats for elk, moose and bighorn sheep, easing the threat of human-wildlife encroachment.

While this acquisition protects land and improves overall access on Mount Bross, it does not include the summit, which remains privately owned. Consequently, public access to the summit remains restricted at this time.

Funding for the acquisition came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which was permanently funded through the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act signed by President Trump in 2020. LWCF, established in 1965, reinvests a small percentage of offshore energy revenues — not taxpayer dollars — in conservation and recreation access projects that support critical natural resources, wild habitats, historic sites and working lands. This project was made possible thanks to swift action by The Conservation Fund and in partnership with Park County, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, Colorado Mountain Club Foundation, and a local landowner, Earth Energy Resources, LLC. 

“Colorado Mountain Club Foundation is pleased to help with this important acquisition,” said John Lacher, a board member of the Colorado Mountain Club Foundation.



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The Conservation Fund Secures Land on Mount Bross to Benefit Public Access and Alpine Ecosystems

In a major win for conservation and public access, The Conservation Fund has protected more than 480 acres of critical land on Mount Bross — one of Colorado’s iconic 14ers, or 14,000-foot peaks. The acquisition marks a significant step toward securing long-term public access, safeguarding fragile alpine ecosystems, and preserving the sweeping viewsheds that define Colorado’s high country.

The newly conserved property ensures public hiking access on a section of the popular nearly eight-mile DeCaLiBron Loop Trail, named for the four peaks it traverses: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross. The loop is one of Colorado’s most treasured alpine hikes, offering access to four distinct 14,000-foot peaks in a single route. With this addition, The Conservation Fund advances its multiyear initiative to protect Colorado’s 14ers — building on its 2023 purchase of Mount Democrat, now protected by the U.S. Forest Service.

“This project is a win for outdoor enthusiasts, for conservation, and for the future of Colorado’s mountain heritage,” said Kelly Ingebritson, senior field representative at The Conservation Fund. “By protecting this land, we’re not only ensuring trail access to a beloved 14er, but also preserving the breathtaking views and ecological value of one of the state’s most treasured forests and landscapes.”

The 480 acres will be added to the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, expanding the protected alpine forest viewshed by an area nearly one and a half times the size of Denver’s City Park. The land also helps protect the headwaters of the South Platte River — a vital source of drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and a healthy downstream environment.

Without protection, the property was at risk of development that could have limited public access and fragmented a scenic landscape. Securing the land is a step forward after decades of complex land ownership and trail closures that have challenged land managers and impacted local communities that rely on outdoor recreation for economic stability.

The project was made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Park County, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, and a local landowner, Earth Energy Resources, LLC. The property is expected to transfer to public ownership within the year.

While this acquisition marks a significant step toward long-term access and conservation on Mount Bross, some private land remains on the mountain. As a result, legal access to the summit is not permitted, and work continues to protect remaining inholdings in collaboration with landowners and partners.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com