The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners approved a conservation easement in the Falcon area of unincorporated El Paso County.A conservation easement allows the county to preserve open space without purchasing the land. Easement properties generally limit activities from the amount of development to mining and clear-cutting.However, the property is still owned privately, and the landowner may sell it, continue ranching activities or use it for recreational purposes. To date, the county has acquired 2,115 acres of conservation easements.The latest conservation easement acquired – 39.05 acres along Falcon Highway between Highway 24 and Curtis Road – is owned by John and Leslie Laing. The property exists as a small ranch with native grasslands, several ponds and wetlands.”Our conservation easement program provides sites that give our citizens open space and allows us to preserve the land without a purchase cost to the county,” said Board of County Commissioner Chair Sallie Clark. “This piece of land is a great addition to our list of conservation easements. It is located in a growing area with a need to preserve open space for our citizens to enjoy.”
