HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOCC Packet 12192012 Two Shoes AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
REGULAR MEETING DATE: December 19, 2012
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Approve on first reading, and set for public hearing on January 8,
2013 an Agreement between County Road, LLC, Ranch Lake III,
Inc.,Ranch Lake IV, LLC Ranch III, LLC and Ranch IV, LLC
("Two Shoes")and the Pitkin County Board of County
Commissioners (the "County").
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Jon Peacock, County Manager
ISSUE STATEMENT:
This is a first reading for an agreement between the County and proponents of the Sutey/Two Shoes
Land Exchange.
BACKGROUND:
For the past two years,Pitkin County has been engaged in discussions and negotiations with
proponents of the Sutey/Two Shoes Land Exchange. In February 2011,Two Shoes submitted a
proposal to the BLM for an Administrative Land Exchange. Many of the County's community
partners have supported the exchange, including Aspen Valley Land Trust, Crystal River
Caucus, Garfield County Commissioners, Eagle County Commissioners, Carbondale Town
Council, Eagle Valley Land Trust, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, Sierra Club,
Wilderness Society, Colorado Environmental Coalition,the Roaring Fork Audubon Society.
However,the Board continued to have reservations about whether there was sufficient public
benefit to support the exchange as expressed in a June 2012 letter to the BLM. In August 2012,
the Board directed the County Manager to continue discussions with the proponents of the
exchange on behalf of the Board. The goal of ongoing discussions was to significantly improve
the public benefits of the proposed Administrative Land Exchange, and join our many
community partners in supporting it. After several months of productive discussions with the
proponent's representative we have reached an agreement (attached)that meets the Board's
goals. In the agreement with Pitkin County, which is not part of the exchange application with
the Bureau of Land Management(BLM),proponents have agreed to conserve additional land for
wildlife, relinquish development rights to maintain views, and to pay for recreational
opportunities for the public as follows:
• Wildlife Benefits: A conservation easement will be placed on two parcels of the Two
Shoes Ranch within the area known as Potato Bill. These parcels were identified by the
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife as important winter range for deer and elk, and
significant cliff habitat for big horn sheep. The conservation easements will protect the
property from future development and recreational uses and will be administered by
Aspen Valley Land Trust.
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• View Protection: Development rights for ten single-family homes in the Crystal River
Vatley totaling 50,000 square feet along Highway 133 and Prince Creek Road will be
extinguished. A proposed indoor riding arena near Highway 133 will be moved to a less
visually impactful location.
• Additional Recreation: The Counry will receive a contribution of$70Q,000 from the
proponent,for the costs of property acquisition and trail construction including
approximately 10 acres of land needed to create a one-mile-long trail parallel to Prince
Creek Road within what is now the Tybar Ranch. Should the County not be successful in
obtaining the trail corridor adjacent to Prince Creek Road, the money could be used to
improve the Rio Grande Trail connecting the Crystal River Valley with the Roaring Fork
Valley or for other open space opportunities in the Crystal River Valley area.
These benefits would become effective upon approval of the BLM exchange.
In addition to the public benefits agreed to with Pitkin County,the proponents have added the
Haynes/West Crown Property in Pitkin County to the exchange. This is an important access
point for mountain bikers to the Crown in the Prince Creek drainage. An additional 37 acres was
also added to the Sutey Ranch exchange increasing that property, located adjacent to the Red Hill
Recreation Area. The added acreage will not only enhance recreational opportunities but also
provide valuable wildlife habitat and additional water rights.
Upon approval of the Agreement, a letter in support of the exchange, from the Pitkin County
Board of Commissioners, will be sent to the Bureau of Land Management for its consideration.
LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
Flourishing Natural and Built Environment: Conserved Natural Resources and Environment
Livable and Supportive Community: Access to recreation, education, arts and culture.
BUDGETARY IMPACT: 'Fhe agreement provides funding for property acquisition and trail
development(up to $700,000), or other open space projects as mutually agreed to by the
� proponents and the County.
RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Approve the agreement on first reading, set for public
hearing on January 8�'authorizing the County Manager to sign the agreement.
ATTACHMENTS: Agreement between County Road, LLC, Ranch Lake III, Ine., Ranch
Lake IV, LLC Ranch III, LLC and Ranch IV, LLC ("Two Shoes")and the Pitkin County Board
of County Commissioners (the"County").
AGREEMENT
This Agreement("Agreement")is made and entered into this day of 2012
between 2343 County Road, LLC, Ranch Lake III, Inc., Ranch Lake IV, LLC,Ranch III, LLC
and Ranch IV, LLC, ("Two Shoes")and The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners
(the"County").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Two Shoes Ranch includes certain real property located in Pitkin County
and Garfield County, described in Deeds recorded at:
1. Reception No. 756089, Garfield County
2. Reception No. 526422,Pitkin County
3. Reception No. 529705,Pitkin County
4. Reception No. 473325, Pitkin County
5. Reception No. 473331,Pitkin County
WHEREAS, Two Shoes has proposed a land exchange as evidenced in its submittal to
the Bureau of Land Management("BLM")of the Sutey Ranch Bureau of Land Management
Administrative Land Exchange on February 11, 2011 and Amended on March 15, 2011 (the
`Bxchange");
WHEREAS,the Exchange includes, among other things,the deeding of certain BLM Parcels
(the"BLM Parcels")to Two Shoes.;
WHEREAS,the County has expressed reservations about the Exchange as more
specifically spelled out in its June 19, 2012 letter to Mr. Steve Bennett,Field Manager of BLM
concerning"Pitkin County's comments on the proposed Sutey Land Exchange";
WHEREAS,the County and Two Shoes desire to agree upon the addition of certain
public benefits that will be granted by Two Shoes for the benefit of Pitkin County upon the final
consummation of the Exchange;
WHEREAS, the County now desires to support the Exchange and modify its June 19,
2012 letter to the BLM, by a letter of support and other public pronouncements of support
subject to the terms,provisions and conditioris contained in this Agreement.
WITNESSETH
NOW,THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises,the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained,the foregoing Recitals, and other good and valuable considerations,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
L Countv Support. The County agrees to support the Exchange, subject to terms,
provisions and conditions contained in this Agreement. Its support shall include the delivery to
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the BLM of the Exchange Support Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein
by this reference,which delivery shall occur no later than one(1)business day after this
Agreement is signed by both parties. This agreement and the support letter attached as Exhibit A,
represents the official policy of Pitkin County regarding the Sutey/Two Shoes Land Exchange.
When reasonably requested by Two Shoes,the Board, working through the County Manager,
shall direct county staff in their professional capacity to reiterate the County's support for the
exchange either through public statements or additional letters of support. The County will not
take any action whatsoever which in any way challenges or appeals the BLM process or seeks to
prevent a BLM decision to move forward with the Exchange,or in any manner seeks to prevent
the Exchange's consummation.
2. Conservation Easements. Two Shoes wi11 record Conservation Easements with
Aspen Valley Land Trust, substantiaity in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B ("Easement")
against certain lands(in the Potato Biil area}, which lands are described in the Co�nservation
Easements attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Once the Conservation
Easements have been compteted and executed, they will be held in Escrow with Land Tit1e
Guarantee Company of Aspen ("Title Company"). . The Conservation Easements shall be
recorded after the deeding of the BLM Parcels to Two Shoes and the expiration of all protest,
challenges or stay periods. If the Exchange is not completed,then upon the request by Two
Shoes, the Escrow Agent shall return the Conservation Easements to Two Shoes,whereupon .
they shall be null and void and of no effect. �
3. Crvstal Island Ranch Ap rp oval. Two Shoes agrees to relinquish ten(10)vested
development rights acquired during the Crystal Island Ranch Subdivision Approval ("Approval")
which lots are described on Exhibit C attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
This relinquishment shall be accomplished through the recording of a Deed Restriction against
each lot, attached as Exhibit D hereto,which restriction shall preclude any residential
development. The relinquishment of the development rights shall be recorded after the deeding
of the BLM Parcels to Two Shoes and the expiration of al1 protest, challenges or stay periods. If
the Exchange is not completed,then upon the request by Two Shoes, the Escrow Agent shall
return Conservation Easement to Two Shoes, whereupon it shall be null and void and of no
effect.
4. Ridin Arena. The current vested size and location of the riding arena, agreed
upon in the Approval, may be changed Yo the location on the adjacent property, described on
Exhibit E, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,which is a less visible
location. This relocation may be approved through site plan review, scenic view protection and a
development agreement,vesting these rights for ten(10)years. Two Shoes may apply for the
relocation, scenic view protection and vesting of the riding arena after the execution of this
Agreement.
5. Trail Easement Parcel. Within one (1) husiness day of execution of this
Agreement, Two Shoes shall deposit with the Title Company$700,000.00 to be held, in escrow,
in a separate account to the benefit of the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners for the
acquisition of Open Space. The Escrow Instructions shall recite that after the deeding of the
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BLM Parcels to Two Shoes and the expiration of all protest, challenges or stay periods, and the
purchase by Pitkin County of the Ty Bar Parcel and construction of an approximately one mile of
trail as shown on Exhibit F,attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, ("the
Properly")the $700,000.00 shall be delivered to Pitkin County to reimburse the County for the
purchase price of the Properly and trail construction. In the event the Property and trail
construction costs less than$700,000.00, any remaining funds may be used by the County for
riparian area improvements or parking on the Property. In the event the County has not acquired
the Property by the time of the deeding of the BLM Parcels to Two Shoes and the expiration of
all protest,challenges or stay periods, the $700,000.00 shall be delivered to Pitkin County to be
used for Rio Grande Trail improvements. Two Shoes and the County may also mutually agree
upon the use of the$700,000.00 for the acquisition of trails or Open Space in the Crystal River
area. In the event the County has purchased the Property, and the Exchange does not occur,the
Escrow Agent shall deliver to the County$350,000.00 or one-half of the purchase price paid by
the County for the actual Property,whichever is less. The remaining funds shall thereupon be
delivered to Two Shoes. In the event the County has not purchased the Property, and the
Exchange does not occur,the Escrow Agent shall, upon written request from Two Shoes, deliver
to Two Shoes the entire $700,000.00 held in Escrow.
6. Counterparts/Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts which together shall be one and the same instrument, binding on all parties,
although not signatory to the same original document. This Agreement can be accepted and/or
executed by either party by facsimile, email or electronic transmission which shall be binding
upon the party so executing.
7. Further Assurances. Each of the parties agrees to execute, acknowledge and
deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such further instruments and
documents and to do all things and acts as the other party may reasonably require in order to
carry out the intentions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
parties and supersedes all prior understandings, negotiations and representations,written or oral,
not contained herein. It may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing
signed by both parties hereto.
9. Inter�retation. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed against or
interpreted to the disadvantage of any party by reason of such party having, or being deemed to
have requested, drafted, required or structured such provision.
10. Controllin Laws. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.
11. Attornevs'Fees. In the event of any litigation between the parties involving the
interpretation andlor enforcement of this Agreement or any provision hereof,the substantially
prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its costs and expenses(including reasonable
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costs and attorneys'fees) incurred therein as a part of the judgment or stipulated settlement
entered in such litigation.
12. Notice. Any notice required under this Agreement shall be deemed delivered by
facsimile transmission(as evidenced by the date of the transmission confirmation from the
sending facsimile machine), hand delivery, facsimile, Certified mail return receipt requested or
detivered by overnight courier to the following addresses:
If to Two Shoes:
Gideon Kaufman
315 E. Hyman Avenue, Ste. 305
� Aspen, Colorado 816ll
If to the Countv:
Pitkin County Manager
Attn: Jon Peacock
530 East Main Street
Aspen, Colorado 81611
IN VVITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.
2343 County Road, LLC,
By:
Ranch Lake III, Inc.,
By:
Ranch Lake IV, LLC,
By:
Ranch III,LLC
By:
Ranch IV, LLC
BY=
4
Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners
By:
Approved as to Form
Pitkin County Attorney
By:
John Ely
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E�iibit A — BLM Letter
January 9, 2013
Mr. Steve Bennett,Field Manager, U.S. Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Colorado River Valley Field Office
2300 River Frontage Road
Silt, CO 81652
Dear Mr.Bennett:
This letter is written on behalf of the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners in support
of the Sutey/Two Shoes land exchange. Pitkin County's support of the proposed land
exchange is based on enhanced public benefits offered by the proponents, both in the
exchange proposal now under consideration by your office, and through a separate
agreement with Pitkin County tied to consummation of the exchange. With these
enhancements the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners joins our many community
partners, including,but not limited to:the Eagle County Commissioners, Ga�eld County
Commissioners, Carbondale Town Council,Aspen Valley Land Trust,Eagle Valley Land
Trust,The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, Sierra Club, Wilderness Society,
Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Roaring�ork Audubon,Society, the Crystal River
Caucus and many others in supporting the Sutey land exchange.
Since the Sutey land exckange was originally proposed in 2010 Pitkin County has
expressed concern about whether there was adequate public benefit to justify it, most
recently in a June 19,20121etter to your office. Pitkin County now believes there is a
substantial public benefit to the exchange in light of what has been agreed to by the
proponents, the most important of which are highlighted hereafter.
The proposal now under cc�nsideration by your office has significantly more public
benefits than>originally proposed in the`legislative exchange. From Pitkin County's
perspective the most important enhancements to the proposal now under consideration by
your office are:
• The addition of the Haynes/West Crown property, which is an important access
point to the Crown. Pitkin County requested this parcel be added when originally
discussing the legislative proposal and we are glad to see it included in the most
recent proposal.
• The addition of thirty seven acres to the Sutey ranch further enhancing the
wildlife values of the property;
_.._�.__�_u_ .
,� _
Mr. Steve Bennett, Field Manager, U.S. Bureau of Land Management
December 14, 2012
Page 2
• The $I.1 million provided by the proponents for development of a site specific
management plan for the Sutey Ranch ($l 00k)and fands for long-term
implementation of the management plan($1 M).
Furthermore, in a separate agreement with Pitkin County the proponents have agreed to
additional public benefits that will protect wildlife, maintain view sheds, and enhance
recreation opportunities for the public. While not part of the exchange proposal with the
BLM we believe it is important that both your office and the public be aware of these
additional benefits as you evaluate the land exchange.
• Wildlife Enhancements -Upon approval of the exchange the pcoponents ha�e
agreed to place a conservation easement on two parcels of the Two Shoes Ranch
known as the Potato Bill area(see Attachment A). The Colorado Division of
Parks and Wildlife identified these two parcels as very important winter habitat
for deer, elk, and big horn sheep (see Colorado Parks and Wildlife comment letter
dated 6/20/2012). The conservation easements will recognize the important
wildlife values of the land, and will protect the property from future development
and recreation uses.
� View shed Protection - The natural landscape and visual quality of the Crystal
River Valley contributes significantly to the quality of life of residents and
visitors alike. The proponents have 10 vested single family development rights
acquired during the Crystal Valley Ranch subdivision and approval for an indoor
riding arena which, if developed,would bave a significant visual impact from
Highway 133. Upon approval of the exchange the proponents have agreed to
extinguish the 10 vested single family development rights totaling 50,000 square
feet of potential development, which will result in significant amounts of land
remaining undisturbed and undeveloped. The proponents have also agreed to
move the indoor riding arena to a less visually irnpactfui location(see Attachment
B).
• Recreation Enhancement- Upon approval of the exchange, the proponents have
agreed to assist the county in acquiring approximately 10 acres to create a trail
parallel to Prince Creek for approximately one mile, within what is now the Tybar
Ranch(see Attachment C). Recreational use on Prince Creek Road by bicycles
and pedestrians has dramatically increased in the last decade as residents and
visitors seek to access the Crown and Hays Park. This trail would improve safety
on the Tybar reach of this road(above the bend at the Flying Dog Barn) and
would provide safe, managed and legal access for the public to the Crown from
the Prince Creek area. Should the County not be successful in obtaining the 10
acres adjacent to Prince Creek,the proponents have agreed to assist the County
with improvements to the Rio Grande Trail (a major trail artery connecting the
Crystal River Valley with the Roaring Fork Valley or other Open Space and Trail
opportunities in the Crystal River area)
Mr. Steve Bennett, Field Manager, U.S. Bureau of Land Management
December 14, 2Q 12
Page 3
In Summary,Pitkin County now supports the Sutey Land Exchange in light of the
considerable enhancements the proponents have made both in the proposal to the BLM
and through a separate agreement with Pitkin County. Pitkin County encourages the
BLM to move forward with its due diligence on this exchange proposal, including an
Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement,whichever level of
analysis the BLM determines is appropriate. We are happy to be able to communicate to
your office the additional public benefits that will be realized if the Sutey Ranch Land
Exchange is approved.
We recognize that discussion about this land exchange have not always been easy.
Though at times difficult,we appreciate the willingness of the proponents to seek
opportunities to improve the public benefits of the exchange, and now look forward to
approval of the exchange with all the enhancements and public benefits discussed herein.
Sincerely,
Signed by supporting board members
�
Mr. Steve Bennett, Field Manager, U.S. Bureau of Land Management
December 14, 2012
Page 4
Attachment A—Potato Bill Conservation Easements
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December 14, 2012
Page 5
Attachment B—Crystal Valley Ranch Development Right Extinguishment
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December 14, 2012
Page 6
Attachment C—Prince Creek Trail
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Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
NOTICE TO TITLE COMPANY: This Deed of Conservation Easement in gross requires one-
hundred dollars ($100.00) be paid to Aspen Valley Land Trust or its successor organization by
the recipient at the time of every transfer of this Property, as described in Section 16. This
payment is exempt from the transfer fee restrictions contained within C.R.S. 38-35-127.
DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN GROSS
, Two Shoes Ranch IV—Lower Potato Bill Parcel
Pitkin County
THIS DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN GROSS ("Easement") is granted
this day of , , by RANCH IV LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company ("Grantor"), to and far the benefit of ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST, a Colorado
nonprofit corporation having offices at 320 Main Street, Suite 204, Carbondale, Colorado 81623
(the"Trust")(collectively, the"Parties").
The following exhibits are attached hereto and incorporated in this Easement by reference:
Exhibit A: Property Legal Description; and
Exhibit B: Map of Property.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Grantor is the sole owner in fee simple of approximately 242 acres of real
property, more or less, located on Potato Bill Creek in Pitkin County, State of Colorado, more
particularly described in Exhibit A herein(the"Property");
WHEREAS, the Property possesses natural, scenic, open space, agricultural, and wildlife
values (collectively, "Conservation Values") of importance to Grantor, the Trust, and the
people of the State of Colorado that are worthy of preservation;
WHEREAS, the Conservation Values of the Property are documented more specifically
in the Baseline Documentation, described in Section 4 herein, and generally include the
following, the protection of which are recognized under §170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("IRC"), and §1.170A-14(d) of the Treasury Regulations as valid
conservation purposes:
• Relatively Natural Habitat [§ 1.170A-14(d)(3)]. The Property provides natural habitat for
many wildlife and plant species, and is traversed by Potato Bill Creek, an intermittent
stream, and its steep inclines. It is part of Two Shoes Ranch and abuts an undeveloped
area of the White River National Forest, and is comprised mostly of pinyon and juniper
1
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
forests. In particular, the Property provides significant cliff habitat for bighorn sheep,
potential nesting habitat for peregrine falcons, and important winter range for deer and elk.
• Open Space [§ 1.170A-14(d)(4)]. The Property qualifies as open space because it will be
preserved for the scenic enjoyment of the general public and is pursuant to a clearly
delineated federal, state or local governmental conservation policy and will yield a
significant public benefit.
o Scenic Enjovment. The Property lies adjacent to National Forest land on the
northwestern flanks of Mount Sopris, and as such is part of the scenic rural landscape
surrounding Mount Sopris. The Property is also visible from State Highway 133, a
heavily used public road close to the Town of Carbondale and part of the West Elk
Loop Scenic Byway.
o A�riculture. The Property is part of a large active ranch, and as such provides
rangeland for livestock grazing.
o Governmental Policies. Conservation of the Property is promoted by certain state,
federal and local governmental policies, laws and regulations, which support
conservation of the Property relative to its scenic, wildlife habitat and natural area
values, including the following:
• The State of Colorado has recognized the importance of private efforts toward the
preservation of natural systems in the State by the enactment of Colorado Revised
Statutes ("C.R.S.") §§38-30.5-101 et seq. ln addition, C.R.S. §33-1-101 provides
in relevant part that "it is the policy of the state of Colorado that the wildlife and
their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the
use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors." C.R.S.
§38-30.5-102 provides for the creation of conservation easements to maintain land
"in a natural, scenic, or open condition, or for wildlife habitat, or for agricultural,
horticultural, wetlands, recreational, forest or other use or condition consistent
with the protection of open land . . ."
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife ("CPW") promotes the conservation of the Property
as it provides potential nesting habitat for peregrine falcons as mapped by the
CPW, a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and significant cliff habitat
for bighorn sheep, a Tier 2 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in
CPW's 2006 Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and Wildlife Action
Plans, and which species are also listed as having special conservation status in
Colorado.
o Si�nificant Public Benefit. The Property is located in a rural, agricultural,
mountainous area of Pitkin County less than four miles from the Town of Carbondale,
where there is a current and foreseeable trend of development in the general vicinity
of the Property. There is a strong likelihood that development of the Property would
compromise its scenic and natural character and the ecological integrity of the area.
2
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Easement will be recorded and placed on
the Property immediately upon completion of the Sutey/Two Shoes administrative land
exchange, and after the expiration of all protests, challenges or stay periods;
WHEREAS, Grantor intends, as owner of the Property, to convey to the Trust the right to
preserve and protect the Conservation Values in perpetuity and the Trust agrees by accepting this
grant to honor the intentions of Grantor stated herein and to preserve and protect in perpetuity the
Conservation Values for the benefit of this generation and the generations to come;
WHEREAS, the Trust is a charitable organization as described in IRC §501(c)(3), and is
a publicly-supported organization as described in IRC §170(b)(1)(A) whose primary purpose is
to permanently preserve and protect the natural, scenic, agricultural, historical, and open space
resources of the greater Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, including the area in which
the Property is located, and who is a"qualified organization"to do so within the meaning of IRC
§170(h)(3), possessing the resources and commitment to protect and defend the conservation
purposes of this grant and Conservation Values identified herein;
WHEREAS, the Trust also meets requirements of Colorado law as a qualified recipient
for a conservation easement under C.R.S. §38-30.5-104, and is accredited by the Land Trust
Accreditation Commission for the term ending August 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Trust has duly authorized the Trust's
Executive Director or her designee to execute and accept this conservation easement on behalf of
the Trust.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the matters above, the mutual covenants,
terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,the Parties agree as follows:
1. Gu�rrr
Grantor hereby voluntarily and irrevocably grants and conveys to the Trust a perpetual
Conservation Easement in gross ("Easement"), pursuant to C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq.,
through the terms mutually agreed to in this Easement, consisting of the rights and restrictions
enumerated herein, over and across the Property, to hold said Easement unto the Trust and its
successors and assigns forever. Grantor agrees that the donation of the Easement gives rise to a
property right, immediately vested in the Trust, which shall constitute a binding servitude upon
the Property and shall be subject to prior reservations, easements, encumbrances and exceptions
of record, except as otherwise set forth herein.
2. PURPOSES
3
Exhibit B —Lower Potato B�11 Conservation Easement
Pursuant to the terms of C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq., the purposes of the Easement are
to assure that the Property will rennain forever predominantly in its scenic, natural and open
space condition, subject to the uses of the Property permitted hereunder, including ongoing
grazing and agricultural use, to protect and preserve the Conservation Values in perpetuity, to
prevent any use of the Property that is inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the
Conservation Values and, in the event of their degradation or destruction, to restore such
Conservation Values as required herein. The primary purposes of this Easement are: 1) to
preserve and protect important natural habitat; 2) to protect agricultural range land; 3) to protect
scenic resources visible to the public; 4) to prevent residential development on the Property; and
5) to prevent mineral development of the Property to the degree that Grantor is able. (This
paragraph collectively describes the "Purposes"of this Easement.)
3. INTENT
Subject to the express reservations and prohibitions described in Section 7 below, the
intent of the Parties is to permit all specified uses of the Property and any other uses that are not
inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values as determined by
the Trust in its sole discretion. Nothing in this Easement is intended to prevent Grantor's quiet
and reasonable enjoyment of the Property, or to compel a specific use of the Property other than
the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values.
4. BASELINE DOCUMENTATION
The Parties acknowledge that a Baseline Documentation of the Conservation Values and
relevant features of the Property was prepared on by Colorado Wildlife Science,
LLC of Basalt, Colorado, a company familiar with conservation easements, the Property, and the
environs, which will be kept on file with the Parties. The Trust and Grantor acknowledge and
agree that by the execution of this Easement, they hereby approve, acknowledge, and accept the
Baseline Documentation as an accurate representation of the condition of the Property at the time
of this grant. The Parties agree that the Baseline Documentation is not intended to preclude the
use of other evidence to establish the present condition of the Property should a controversy arise
over its use.
5. RIGHTS OF THE TRUST
To fulfill the Purposes of this Easement, Grantor hereby conveys to the Trust a property
right and interest in the form of this Easement, which immediately vests with the Trust (as
agreed in Section 1 and stipulated in Section 14.3, herein), and includes the following affirmative
rights:
5.1. All development rights deriving from, based upon, or attributable to the Property
in any,way ("Trust's Development, Rights"), except those expressly reserved by Grantor in
Section 7 herein, and the Parties agree that Trust's Development Rights shall be held by the
Trust in perpetuity in order to fulfill the Purpose of this Easement, and to ensure that such rights
are forever released, terminated and extinguished as to Grantor. The grant of this Easement shall
not entitle Grantor to increase development density on adjacent properties owned by Grantor, or
4
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
to create any transferrable development rights from the Property onto such adjacent properties.
The granting of this Easement across only part of a developable lot as approved by Pitkin County
and depicted on Exhibit A, does not in any way prevent development of the remainder of the lot,
which lot shall retain all previously granted development approvals from Pitkin County, with the
exception that the portion of the lot included in this Property shall be subject to the terms of this
Easement in perpetuity;
5.2. The right to preserve and protect the Conservation Values in perpetuity;
5.3. The right to enter upon the Property at least annually at reasonable times agreed to
mutually by Grantor and the Trust to inspect the Property thoroughly, to monitor Grantor's
compliance with, and otherwise enforce the terms of this Easement; provided that such entry
shall not unreasonably interfere with Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of the Property, with the
exception that, upon an advanced good faith attempt to contact Grantor verbally or
electronically, the Trust may immediately enter upon the Property in the event the Trust
reasonably believes that such entry is essential to prevent or mitigate a violation of the Easement;
5.4. The right, as an interest owner in the Property, to prevent or enjoin Grantor or
third parties (whether or not invitees of Grantor) from conducting any activity on, or use of, the
Property that is inconsistent with the purposes of the Easement; and the right to require Grantor
or third parties, as may be responsible, to restore such areas or features of the Property that are
damaged by any inconsistent activity or use, subject to the qualifications of Section 13.5 herein;
5.5. Any other rights that the Parties may approve consistent with the purposes of the
Easement, including adding additional purposes or defining additional Conservation Values; and
5.6. The right, as an interest owner in the Property, to receive notification from and
join Grantor as a necessary party to any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting
the Property (as described in Section 14), or to any leases, surface use agreements, damage
agreements or rights-of-way that may be proposed, granted or required hereafter as a result of
mineral development (as described in Section 7.3.G) or other activities with the potential to
impact the surface of the Property or its Conservation Values.
6. RIGHTS OF GRANTOR
Grantor reserves to itself and to its personal representatives, heirs, successors, and
assigns, all rights and obligations accruing from its ownership of the Property, including the right
to engage in all uses of the Property not prohibited herein that are not inconsistent with the
preservation and protection of the Conservation Values, pursuant to IRC §170(h)(3) and C.R.S.
§38-30.5-102.
7. PROHIBITED AND PERMITTED USES
The following uses and practices by Grantor, though not an exhaustive recital, are either
prohibited or permitted by this Easement. Certain of these uses, where specifically indicated,
require notice to or approval from the Trust, or both, according to the procedures described in
5
��.
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
Sections 10 and 11 herein. Any other activities that are inconsistent with the Purpose of this
Easement or with preservation and protection of the Conservation Values are prohibited. Trust's
prior notice and approval is required for uses not expressly described herein when there is a
question as to consistency with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values.
7.1. Division of Property. Grantor may not divide or subdivide (including de facto
subdivision) the Properiy into more than one parcel of land. At all times the Property shall be
owned as a single parcel subject to this Easement. Ownership of the single parcel by joint
tenancy or tenancy in common is permitted; however, actions to partition or condominiumize the
Property are prohibited.
7.2. Development Rights and Improvements. The construction, improvement,
placement, or replacement of any improvements (defined as buildings, structures, mobile homes
or other physical, human-introduced development of or on the Property, including landscaping,
fences, wells, roads, septic systems, utilities, etc.) are prohibited on the Property, except as
follows:
A. Fencin . Grantor may repair and replace existing fences, provided any
replacement fencing in wildlife migration corridors is consistent with then-current
CPW guidelines for fencing in wildlife migration areas so as to permit the movement
of wildlife across the Property. Grantor may construct new fences needed for
agricultural purposes (e.g. cattle and range management), provided such new fencing
is consistent with CPW fencing guidelines;
B. Roads. There are no improved roads on the Property, and construction of
improved roads is prohibited. Unimproved, primitive roads and tracks (meaning not
graded, surfaced, cut or filled) may be maintained and developed on the Property as
necessary for agriculture and property maintenance in a manner that minimizes
erosion, soil compaction, and disturbance to sensitive ecosystems and habitat. Paving
of roads is prohibited. Limited grading or surfacing of unimproved roads or tracks is
permitted only as necessary for agriculture or property maintenance upon approval of
the Trust;
C. Footpaths and ATV Trails. The development and use of footpaths and other
unimproved, low-impact (as defined in Section 21.1) natural-surfaced trails not to
exceed three feet in width is permitted for agriculture, property maintenance and
private, non-motorized recreation in a manner that minimizes erosion and disturbance
to sensitive ecosystems and habitat;
D. Ponds and A�ricultural Water Sources. There is no irrigation infrastructure now
located on the Property, however, construction or development of irrigation ponds or
stock ponds, water wells (for which there is an existing permit) and pumps, together
with other agricultural water sources such as stock watering tanks, wildlife guzzlers
(which collect rain, snow and runoff to provide a water source for wildlife), and low-
impact or portable water storage tanks are permitted on the Property to support
6
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
agricultural and wildlife use of the Property in a manner not damaging to the
Conservation Values;
E. Utilities and Other Technolo�v. Grants of easements and rights-of-way for, and
the installation of utilities, utility lines, pipelines, communications technologies and
all related infrastructure (collectively "utilities") is prohibited without prior approval
from the Trust, except that:
a. Agricultural water wells and pumps are permitted in accordance with Section
7.2.D, above;
b. Low-impact (as defined in Section 21.1) utilities, such as fence-mounted solar
panels, or solar or wind-powered pumps may be located on the Property without
further notice to or approval from the Trust.
Grantor shall promptly reseed and restore any surface impacts that result from the
installation or maintenance of any permitted utilities or related improvements to the
Property to as close to the Property's original condition as possible within three
months,weather permitting, or an alternate time period approved by the Trust.
7.3. Resource Management and Use. Grantor recognizes the importance of good
resource management and stewardship to preserve and protect the Conservation Values.
Accordingly, Grantor agrees not to alter the topography of the Property through placement or
removal of soil, gravel, land fill, or other materials nor to impair the relatively natural habitat for
native plants, wildlife, or similar ecosystems within and upon the Property, except: (a) as
necessary in emergencies, including for fire control and prevention; (b) for weed control as
described in subsection F, below; (c) as approved by the Trust and any required permitting
agencies for habitat enhancement or restoration purposes; (d) as specifically permitted for
improvements described in Section 7.2 above; and (e) as necessary for the uses described below,
which shall be conducted in a manner not inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the
Conservation Values:
A. A�riculture and Livestock Grazin�. Grazing of horses and livestock and leasing
of grazing rights is permitted on the Property in a manner that does not result in
degradation of wildlife habitat, or significant soil erosion or low soil quality as
determined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or its successor
organization ("NRCS"). The following agricultural and livestock husbandry practices
are specifically prohibited:
a. Intensive growth livestock farms or commercial feed lots, defined as confined
areas or facilities on the Property, within which the land is not grazed or
cropped annually, for purposes of extended feeding and finishing of large
numbers of livestock for commercial purposes;
b. Grazing or keeping of domestic sheep on the Property without CPW consent;
c. Clearing or conversion of native rangeland or habitat to create new pastures
without approval of the Trust in consultation with CPW;
7
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
d. Tilled cultivation of crops, including tree farms or sod farms;
e. Fish hatcheries or other aquaculture; and
f. Commercial horse boarding.
B. Use of Vehicles Uff-Road. Grantor's private use of vehicles off road or off-trail is
permitted only in a low-impact manner that does not result in erosion of, or
significant compaction to, the Property's soils, harassment of wildlife, or damage to
the natural vegetation, ecosystems or scenic values of the Property. Commercial,
recreational, or public use of vehicles off roads is prohibited on the Property, except
for private or guided hunting purposes permitted by Grantor, as described below;
C. Hu_ ntin�. Hunting and the leasing of hunting rights on the Property is permitted in
accordance with all applicable laws, and may include guided hunting for youth,
veterans and handicapped individuals per agreement with CPW;
D. Trash. Grantor shall not dump, permanently accumulate, or dispose of trash,
garbage, or other hazardous or unsightly refuse on the Property, except for
agricultural by-products and compostable matter(including chipped, diseased or dead
wood resulting from habitat improvement or fire control) produced or used on the
Property;
E. Habitat and Vegetation Mana ement. Grantor may cut, thin or burn trees and
native vegetation on the Property on a limited and localized basis to control weeds,
insects, wildfire danger and disease; to prevent personal injury and property damage;
for domestic and agricultural uses on the Property such as firewood collection and
construction of permitted fences; or as approved by the Trust to otherwise maintain or
enhance the character and health of the wildlife habitat or ecosystem, which may be
subject to a management plan prepared in cooperation with the Trust as deemed
necessary in the sole discretion of the Trust;
F. Weed Control. Grantor agrees to control noxious weeds and invasive plant
species on the Property in accordance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (January
23, 2006), or as such Act may be amended, and other applicable laws (as defined in
Section 21.1), and shall not intentionally introduce noxious weeds or other invasive
species to the Property;
G. Minerals. In accordance with IRC §170(h) and §1.170A-14(g) of the Treasury
Regulations, exploration for, extraction or removal of any mineral resource (which
may include, but is not limited to, sand, gravel, rock, soil, peat, coal, uranium, oil, oil
shale, natural gas or other hydrocarbons) by any surface mining method or any other
method in�a manner inconsistent with the Purposes of this Easement is prohibited on
the Property. Because Grantor does not own all of the mineral rights associated with
the Property, a mineral remoteness letter, on file with the Trust, was prepared by Rare
Earth Science LLC on � , 2013, finding that the]ikelihood of surface mining on
the Property is so remote as to be negligible, in compliance with IIZC §170(h) and
Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(g).
8
��
�., �_..___._.,,�..
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
In order to satisfy the intent of the above paragraph, Grantor may not separate or
transfer Grantor's portion of the mineral rights from the Property, nor engage in, lease
or otherwise permit the development of mineral rights on or under the Property (via
leases, surface use agreements, non-surFace use agreements, damage agreements,
rights-of-way, or other easements or agreements related to mineral development
(collectively, "mineral agreements")) except as may be required by third party
mineral interest holders and in compliance with the following:
a. Trust's Participation in Future Mineral Agreements. Grantor shall notify the
Trust prior to entering into any mineral agreement with a third party mineral
interest holder, and the Trust shall have the same legal rights as Grantor to review
all proposed mineral agreements prior to execution, and to participate in
negotiations therefore in order to direct the future development of mineral
resources to occur only by those methods having no more than limited, localized,
temporary and reclaimable innpacts on the Property, which impacts must not be
irremediably destructive of the Conservation Values in accordance with IRC
§170(h)(5), (6) and Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(g)(4). The Trust's participation may
not deny any third party's ultimate right to develop minerals underlying the
Property, and the Trust shall claim no rights to proceeds or royalties from such
development. Grantor retains sole execution authority for any mineral agreements
or transfer deeds; however, failure to notice the Trust prior to entering into any
mineral agreement or transfer may result in a $5000 fine payable to the Trust, in
addition to other remedies available under law. All mineral agreements entered
into after this date shall, at a minimum, include the following:
1) Reference to this Easement and summary of the Conservation Values;
2) Acknowledgement that the agreement is subordinate and subject to the
terms of this Easement;
3) Non-surface occupancy methods of mineral development are strongly
preferred, and only the minimum structures, infrastructure, and other
disturbance or impacts to the Property shall be permitted as reasonably
necessary to mineral deveiopment;
4) All impacted sites associated with mineral development shall be
recontoured and revegetated, and any damage to the Property or its
Conservation Values restored, to as close to the Property's original state as
possible upon completion of active drilling or mineral development
operations; any structures required to remain upon the Property for more
than one year shall be concealed from public view and constructed and
maintained in a manner not damaging to the Conservation Values.
b. Current Mineral Leases. There are no active oil and gas or other mineral
leases on or affecting the Property at this time.
9
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
H. Water Resources. Grantor shall not divert, dam, pollute, dredge, intentionally
destabilize or degrade Potato Bill Creek, or other naturally-occurring streams,
springs, designated wetlands or other surface or subsurface water features that may
occur on the Property, except as approved by the Trust, and except for any work or
structures deemed necessary by Grantor, in consultation with CPW or other agency
qualified at the time to oversee such work, to enhance, restore or control erosion or
siltation of water resources on the Property in compliance with all applicable laws (as
defined in Section 21.1). The construction, installation, maintenance, improvement
and replacement of ponds, wetlands, and irrigation structures (including ditches,
pipelines, headgates and related equipment) are permitted for agricultural purposes or
the enhancement of wildlife habitat, provided such activities are in compliance with
applicable laws. Soil, sand, rock and gravel produced during the excavation or
construction of permitted ditches or ponds may be used or relocated on the Property
in a manner not inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation
Values;
I. Water Ri�hts. There are no water rights included in or encumbered by this
Easement;
J. Commercial and Industrial Activities. Grantor shall not conduct in�dustrial activity
or commercial recreational activity on the Property, except for guided hunting
activities that may be approved by CPW and leasing of hunting rights;
K. Recreation. Private, 1ow-impact recreational uses such as hiking, horseback
riding, cross-country skiing,hunting, fishing and short-term camping are permitted on
the Property, provided that recreational trails are limited pursuant to Section 7.2.B
herein, and that any private recreationaI easements or agreements with neighboring
Iandowners that predate the grant of this Easement shall be permitted.
S. NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Except by the terms of this Easement, including Section 7.3.C,Hunting, Grantor shall not
afford the public any more than visual access to any portion of the Property, although Grantor
may permit guests or invitees to access the Property on such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate, provided that such access is consistent with the terms of this Easement and
preservation and protection of the Conservation Values.
9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Grantar represents and warrants that, after reasonable investigation and to the best of its
actual knowledge: �
9.1. Except for fuels customarily used or transported in connection with agricultural
activities; no substance defined, listed, or otherwise classified pursuant to any federal, state, or
local law,regulation, or requirement as hazardous,toxic,polluting, or otherwise or threatening to
human health or the environment exists or has been used or released on the Property;
10
_. ,_
eis,reemne� n aqaa�wweAeren.i.xw.w -.
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
9.2. There are not now any underground storage tanks located on the Property, and no
underground storage tanks have been removed from the Property in a manner not in compliance
with applicable laws, regulations, and requirements;
9.3. Grantor and the Property are in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and requirements applicable to the Property and its use; and there is no existing, or
pending litigation in any way affecting, involving, or relating to the Property;
9.4. Grantor has good and sufficient title to the Property and has lawful authority to
grant and convey the Easement, that any mortgages or liens on the Property are subordinate to
the terms of this Easement, and that Grantor shall warrant and forever defend the title to the
Easement against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming by, through or under
Grantor; the whole or any part thereof, except for rights-of-way, easements, restrictions,
covenants and mineral reservations of record.
10. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE CERTATN PERMITTED ACTIONS
The purpose of requiring Grantor to notify the Trust before undertaking certain activities
or uses, as specifically identified in Section 7 or elsewhere herein, is to afford the Trust an
opportunity to update its records and, if approval is required pursuant to Section 11 below, to
ensure that the activities or uses in question are not inconsistent with the terms of this Easement.
Grantor shall also notice Trust and seek its approval, pursuant to Section 11 below, for proposed
activities or uses when there is a question as to consistency with the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values. Whenever notice and the Trust's approval are required, Grantor
shall notify the Trust in writing not less than 45 days prior to the date Grantor intends to
undertake the activity or use in question, unless this Easement provides otherwise, and describe
the nature, scope, design, location, timetable, and any other material aspect of the proposed
activity or use in suf�icient detail to permit the Trust to make an informed judgment as to the
� activity or use's consistency with the terms of this Easement and the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values. Whenever notice is required without the Trust's approval, Grantor
shall notify the Trust in writing not less than 14 days in advance of the proposed activity or use,
unless the activiry invotves emergency activities, such as f,re fighting, in which case no notice is
required.
11. THE TRUST'S APPROVAL
Whenever this Easement requires that Grantor obtain the Trust's approval for any activity
or use of the Property, or if Grantor desires approval for any activity or use of the Property not
specifically addressed herein, such approval shall be given in the Trust's sole discretion,
according to whether the Trust determines that such activity or use of the Property is not
inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values. Grantor has the
burden to prove that Grantor's proposed uses are not inconsistent with the preservation and
protection of the Conservation Values. Where the Trust's approval is required, the Trust shall �
grant or withhold its approval in writing within 14 days of receipt of Grantor's written notice (as
described in Section 10, above) of and request therefor. The Trust's approval may be withheld at
lI
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
the TrusYs sole discretion if the Trust determines that the action as proposed would be
incorisistent with the Conservation Values or the purposes or terms of this Easement. The
reason(s) for such a determination shall be set forth with specificity by the Trust in a written
notice to Grantor. Where a modification of the proposed use or activity by Grantor would render
the same not inconsistent with the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation Values, the
Trust may specify, in such written notice to Grantor, such modifications to render approval
appropriate.
12. TRUST'S REMEDIES:ENFORCEMENT
The Trust shall have the right to prevent and correct or require correction of violations of
the terms and purposes of this Easement. The Trust is not responsible for monitoring for or
enforcing violations of any applicable laws (as defined in Section 21.1), permits or third party
contracts affecting the Property now or in the future, except to the degree that any such
violations may damage the Conservation Values, violate this Easement, or be otherwise
inconsistent with the Purposes or terms of this Easement.
If the Trust finds what it believes is a violation, or a threat of a violation, the Trust shall
notify Grantor of the nature of the alleged violation. Upon receipt of this notice, Grantor shall
immediately discontinue any activity that could increase or expand the alleged violation and
shall either: (a) restore the Property within 60 days as is best possible, subject to weather
conditions and season, to its condition prior to the violation in accordance with a plan approved
by the Trust, or if immediate restoration is not possible, Grantor shall submit such plan to the
Trust within 60 days; or (b) provide a written explanation to the Trust of the reason why the
alleged violation should be permitted. If the Trust is not satisfied with Grantor's written
explanation, the Parties agree to meet as soon as possible to resolve this difference. If a
resolution of this difference cannot be achieved at the meeting, the Parties agree to attempt to
resolve the dispute pursuant to Section 12.1,below.
At any time, including if Grantor does not immediately discontinue any activity that
could increase or expand the alleged violation while the Parties are attempting to resolve the
alleged vioiation, or if the Trust believes an ongoing, imminent, or proposed activity violates the
Easement, the Trust may, upon an advanced good faith attempt to contact Grantor verbally or
electronically, take immediate, appropriate legal action to stop the activity, without prior notice
to Grantor; without waiting for the period provided for cure to expire; and without waiting for
the 60-day mediation period ta expire. The Trust may bring an action at law or in equity, ex
parte as necessary, in a court of jurisdiction, to enforce the terms of this Easement and to enjoin
by temporary or permanent injunction a violation, which may require restoration of the Property
to the condition that existed prior to the violation. The Trust's remedies described herein sha11 be
in addition to all remedies now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, and shall include,
without limitation, the right to recover damages for violation of the terms of this Easement or
injury to the Conservation Values including damages for the loss of scenic, aesthetic, or
environmental values. Without limiting Grantor's liability therefore, the Trust, in its sole
discretion, may apply any damages recovered to the cost of undertaking any restorative,
remedial, corrective action on the Property.
I2
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
Enfarcement of the terms of this Easement sha11 be at the sole discretion of the Trust, and
any forbearance by the Trust to exercise its rights under this Easement in the event of any breach
of any term of this Easement by Grantor shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver by the
Trust of such term or any subsequent breach of the same or any other term of this Easement or of
any of the Trust's rights under this Easement. No delay or omission by the Trust in the exercise
of any right or remedy upon any breach by Grantor shall impair such right or remedy or be
construed as a waiver. The failure of the Trust to discover a violation or to take immediate legal
action shall not bar the Trust from doing so within four years from the date upon which the
violation is discovered.
All reasonable costs incurred by the Trust in enforcing the terms of this Easement,
including, without limitation, costs and expenses of pursuing legal action and reasonable
attorney's fees, shall be paid to the Trust by Grantor, and any costs of restoration necessitated by
Grantor's violation of the terms of this Easement, shall be borne by Grantor, unless: (1) a court
finds that the Trust acted in bad faith in seeking enforcement thereof, in which case the Trust
shall pay Grantor's court-awarded costs and fees, or (2) if Grantor ultimately prevails in a
judicial enforcement action,the Trust shall pay its own costs and fees.
12.1. Mediation. If a dispute arises between the Parties concerning the consistency of
any proposed use or activity with the ternns of this Easement, and Grantor agrees not to proceed
with the use or activity pending resolution of the dispute, either Party may refer the dispute to
mediation by written request upon the other. Within 10 days of the receipt of such request, the
Parties shall select a trained and impartial mediator with experience in easements and other land
preservation tools. If the Parties are unable to agree on a mediator, then the Parties shall each
select a mediator with experience in conservation easements and other land preservation tools,
and those two mediators shall select a mediator who shall alone mediate the dispute. Mediation
shall then proceed in accordance with the following guidelines:
A. Pu ose. The purpose of the mediation is to: (a) proznote discussion between the
Parties; (b) assist the Parties to develop and exchange pertinent information
concerning the issues in dispute; and (c) assist the Parties to develop proposals which
wi11 enable them to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution of the controversy. The
mediation is not intended to result in any express or de facto modification or
amendment of the terms, conditions, or restrictions of this Easement;
B. Partici�ation. The mediator may meet with the Parties and their counsel jointly or
ex parte. The Parties agree that they will participate in the mediation process in good
faith and expeditiously, except in cases when the Trust believes that Conservation
Values are continuing to be harmed during the mediation process, in which case the
Trust can suspend its involvement in the mediation to remedy this threat of ongoing
�iolation. Representatives of the Parties with settlement authority will attend
mediation sessions as required by the mediator;
C. Confidentialitv. All information presented to the mediatar shall be deemed
confidential and shall be disclosed by the mediator only with the consent of the
' 13
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
Parties or their respective counsel. The mediator shall not be subject to subpoena by
any Party in any subsequent litigation;
D. Time Period and Fees. Neither Party shall be obligated to continue the mediation
process beyond a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of the initial request or if
the mediator concludes that there is no reasonable likelihood that continuing
mediation will result in a mutually agreeable resolution of the dispute. The Parties
shall equally share and each bear 50%of the mediator's fees.
13. COSTS,LIABILITIES,TAXES,AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
13.1. Costs, Legal Requirements and Liabilities. Grantor retains all responsibilities
and obligations and shall bear all costs and liabilities of any kind related to the ownership,
operation, upkeep, and maintenance of the Property, including the payment of property and other
taxes related to the Property, and maintenance of liability insurance coverage. Grantor shall
make best efforts to keep the Property free of any liens arising out of any work performed for,
materials furnished to, or obligations incurred by Grantor. Nothing in this Easement shall be
construed or interpreted as prohibiting Grantor from obtaining loans secured by deeds of trust
encumbering the Property, provided any such deeds of trust are subordinate to this Easement,
and shall encumber the entire Property;
13.2. Control. Nothing in this Easement shall be construed as giving.rise, in the
absence of a judicial decree,to any right or ability of the Trust to exercise physical or managerial
control over the day-to-day operations of the Property, or over any of Grantor's activities on the
Property, or otherwise to become an operator with respect to the Property within the meaning of
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended ("CERCLA"), and any Colorado state law counterpart;
13.3. Hold Harmless. Grantor shall hold harmless, indemnify and defend the Trust
and its members, directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors and the heirs, personal
representatives, successors, and assigns of each of them (collectively, the "Trust Parties") from
and against all liabilities including, without limitation, court awarded third-party attorneys' fees,
arising from or in any way connected with: (a) injury to or the death of any person, or physical
damage to any property, resulting from any act, omission, condition, or other matter related to or
occurring on or about the Property, regardless of cause, unless due solely to the gross negligence
or intentional act of any of the Trust Parties; (b) the violation or alleged violation of, or other
failure to comply with, any state, federal, or local law, regulation, or requirement, including,
without limitation, CERCLA, by any person other than any of the Trust Parties, in any way
affecting, involving, or relating to the Property; (c) the presence or release of hazardous or toxic
substances in, on, from, or under the Property at any time, of any substance now or hereafter
defined, listed, or otherwise classified pursuant to any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or
requirement as hazardous, toxic, polluting, or otherwise contaminating to the air, water, or soil,
or in any way harmful or threatening to human health or the environment, unless caused solely
by any of the Trust Parties; (d) payment of taxes imposed upon or incurred by the Property as a
result of this Easement, including property taxes and the sale of income tax credits acquired as a
result of this Easement; (e) tax benefits or consequences of any kind which result or do not result
14
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
from entering into this Easement; and (� the obligations, covenants, representations, and
warranties described herein;
13.4. Waiver of Certain Defenses. No action shall be commenced or maintained to
enforce the terms of any building restriction described in this Easement, or to compel the
removal of any building or improvement, unless said action is commenced within four years
from the date of discovery of the violation for which the action is sought to be brought or
maintained. To the extent that any defense available to Grantor pursuant to C.R.S. §38-41-119 is
inconsistent with the foregoing, Grantor waives that defense. Grantor waives the defenses of
laches, estoppel and prescription with regard to the enforcement of all other terms of this
Easement; and
13.5. Acts Beyond Grantor's Control. Nothing contained in this Easement shall be
construed to entitle the Trust to bring any action against Grantor for any injury to or change in
the Property resulting from causes beyond Grantor's control (including wild fire, landslides and
avalanches) or from any prudent action taken by Grantor under emergency conditions to prevent,
abate, or mitigate significant injury to the Property resulting from such causes. Grantor is not
responsible for acts of third parties not authorized to access the Property, but shall be responsible
for those third parties, including guests or invitees, authorized by Grantor to access the Property.
The Trust retains the right to enforce against third parties for violations of the Easement or
damage to the Property pursuant to Section 5.6 herein.
14. EXTINGUISHMENT AND CONDEMNATION
14.1. Extinguishment. The Parties agree that any changes in the economic viability of
the uses permitted or prohibited by this Easement, or changes to neighboring land and its use
shall not be deemed circumstances justifying the termination or extinguishment of the Easement.
In addition, the inability of Grantor, or Grantor's heirs, successors or assigns, to implement any
or all of the uses permitted under this Easement shall not impair the validity of the Easement, or
be considered grounds for termination or extinguishment of this Easement.
If circumstances arise in the future that render the purposes of this Easement impossible
to accomplish, the Easement can only be terminated or extinguished, in whole or in part, by
judicial proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction after the court has explored all options
for importing other purposes for the Easement pursuant to the cy pres doctrine. Each Party shall
promptly notify the other when it first learns of such circumstances. The amount of the proceeds
to which the Trust shall be entitled, after the satisfaction of prior claims, from any sale,
exchange, or involuntary conversion of all or any portion of the Property subsequent to such
termination, shall be determined, unless otherwise provided by Colorado law at the time, in
accardance with the Proceeds paragraph below, and such proceeds shall be used by the Trust in a
manner consistent with the conservation purposes of the original Easement contribution, as
required by §1.170A-14(g)(6)(i)of Treasury Regulations.
14.2. Condemnation. If all or any part of the Property is taken by exercise of the
power of eminent domain or acquired by purchase in lieu of condemnation, whether by public,
corporate, or other authority, so as to terminate the Easement in whole or in part, Grantor and the
15
Exhibit B --Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
Trust shall act jointly to recover the full value of the interests in the Properiy subject to the taking
or in-lieu purchase and a11 damages resulting therefrom. All expenses reasonably incurred by
Grantor and the Trust in connection with the taking or in-lieu purchase shall be paid out of the
amount recovered. The Trust's share of the balance of the amount recovered shall be determined
by multiplying that balance by the percentage set forth in Proceeds paragraph below.
14.3. Proceeds. Grantor and the Tr�ist stipulate that as of the date of this Easement,
they are each vested with a real property interest in the Property. The Parties further stipulate
that the Trust's interest in the Easement has a value of 15 percent(%) of the fair market value of
the Property from this date forward, and such percentage interest shall remain constant in
relation to any future fair market value of the Property. Such percentage interest shall be used
only for determining the Trust's proportion of proceeds from any payment of damages or action
resulting from circumstances described in the Extinguishment and Condemnation paragraphs
above. The Parties agree that the value of any improvements to the Property made by Grantor
after the date of this Easement is reserved to Grantor.
15. ASSIGNMENT OF EASEMENT
In the event the Trust is no longer able to carry out its duties and obligations under this
Easement, or if circumstances change so that another similar organization is better able to carry
out such duties and obligations, the Trust may, upon no less than 60 days prior notification to
Grantor, elect to transfer the Easement and assign its rights and obligations under this Easement
to either: (1) Colorado Open Lands, (2) the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, (3)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or(4) a qualified non-governmental land conservation organization
charged with a mission similar to that of the Trust; provided however, that any organization or
entity selected to accept this Easement is, at the time of transfer: (a) willing and able to accept
the transfer; (b) a qualified organization under §I70(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (or any successor provision then applicable), and its applicable regulations; and (c)
authorized to acquire and hold conservation easements under Colorado law. The Trust shall
consult with Grantor regarding any selection of a qualified assignee of the Easement, but shatl
ultimately have the right to select an organization as defined herein that is willing, able and
qualified to the hold the Easement (the "Assignee"), and to notify Grantor of its selection. As a
condition of such transfer, the Trust shall require the Assignee to expressly agree, in writing, to
carry out and uphold the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation Values and otl�erwise
assume all of the obligations and liabilities of the Trust set forth herein or created hereby. After
such trarisfer, the Trust shall have no further obligation or liability under this Easement. Should
the Trust be unable to assign the Easement according to this procedure, a court with competent
jurisdiction shall assign the Easement.
16. SUBSEQUENT TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY �
Grantor agrees to notify any party who may purchase, lease, or otherwise hold interest in
this Property of the existence and terms of this Easement, and to provide a copy of the Easement
and the Baseline Documentation to such party if requested. Grantor further agrees to give notice
to the Trust of the transfer of any such interest prior to transfer. The Trust shall be available for
and welcome the opportunity to meet with any prospective buyers or transferees of the Property
I6
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
to explain the terms of this Easement to potential new owners prior to or after sale closing, or to
answer any questions or concerns related ta this Easement, or any of its supporting
documentation, including the Baseline Documentation.
Tn addition, at any time Grantor transfers the Property to a third party, including all
subsequent transfers, that party shall pay $100.00 to the Trust to cover administrative costs
associated with the transfer, as well as to put the third party recipient on notice of the terms of
this Easement. This payment is exempt from transfer fee restrictions of C.R.S. §38-35-127
because it does not affect residential real property, and only affects agricultural land. The failure
of Grantor to perform any act required by this paragraph shall not impair the validity of this
Easement or limit its enforceability in any way.
17. NoTICEs
Any communication that either Party desires or is required to give to the other shall be in
writing and served personally or sent by first class mail,postage prepaid, addressed as follows or
to such other address as either party from time to time shall designate by written notice to the
other:
To Grantor: Ranch IV,LLC
c/o Gideon Kaufman
315 Hyman Avenue, Suite 305
Aspen, CO 81611
To the Trust: Aspen Valley Land Trust
320 Main Street, Suite 204
Carbondale, CO 81623
18. RECORDATION
This instrument shall be held in escrow to be recorded innmediately after completion of
the Sutey/Two Shoes administrative land exchange, and after the expiration of all protests,
challenges or stay periods, in the official records of Pitkin County, Colorado and may be re-
recorded at any time as may be required to preserve its rights in this Easement.
. 19. AMENDMENT
If circumstances arise under which an amendment to this Easement would be appropriate
to promote the purposes of the Easement, Grantor and the Trust may jointly amend this
Easement. However, neither Grantor nor the Trust is under obligation to amend this Easement,
and the Trust may decline any amendment in its sole discretion according to then-current Trust
policies, which shall be made available to Grantor upon request. Any amendment must be
consistent with, and protect and preserve, the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation
Values and may not affect the Easement's perpetual duration. Any amendment must be in
writing, signed by all the Parties, and recorded in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the
appropriate Colorado County. Corrections to correct factual mistakes or typographical or clerical
17
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
errors may be made at the discretion of the Trust. No amendment shall be allowed that affects
the qualification of this Easement or the status of the Trust under any applicable laws, including
C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq., or IRC §170(h) or any regulations promulgaYed thereunder. No
amendment shall be permitted that will confer a private benefit to Grantor or any other individual
or entity(see IRS Reg. 1.170A-14(h)(3)(i)) greater than the benefit to the general public, or that
will result in private inurement to a Board member, staff or contract employee of the Trust (see
IRS Reg. 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(2)).
20. SUBORDINATION
The Property is not subject to any mortgages or liens.
21. GENERAL PROVISIONS
21.1. Definitions.
A. The terms "Grantor" and "the Trust," wherever used herein, and any pronouns
used in place of those terms, shall refer to, respectively, Grantor and its heirs,
personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and the
Trust and its successors and assigns;
B. The terms "Easement", "conservation easement", "Deed of Conservation
Easement", and "Deed of Conservation Easement in gross" refer to the immediately
vested interest in real property defined by Colorado Revised Statutes §§38-30.5-101
et seq., and this legal document, consisting of the rights and restrictions enumerated
herein,by which said Easement is granted;
C. A�plicable Laws. The term "appticable laws" refers to all relevant federal, state,
and local statutes, ordinances, judicial decisions, executive ordersl codes, permits or
regulations ha�ing the force and effect of law that have bearing on or may control
certain uses ailowed by the Easement;
D. Low-Impact. The term "low-impact" refers to activities or improvements whose
location, use and construction have little or no impact on the Property and do not
negatively impact the Conservation Values:
21.2. Controlling Law. The interpretation and performance of this Easement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Colorado;
21.3. Liberal Construction. This Easement shall be liberally construed in favor of the
grant to effect the purposes of the Easement and the policy and purpose of C.R.S. §38-30.5-101
et seq. If any provision in this instrument is found to be ambiguous, an interpretation consistent
with ensuring continuation of the purposes of the Easement and the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values that would render the provision valid shall be favored over any
interpretation that would render it invalid. The common law rules of disfavoring restrictions on
the use of real property and construing restrictions in favor of the free and unrestricted use of real
18
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
property shall not apply to interpretations of this Easement or to disputes between the Parties
concerning the meaning of particular provisions of this Easement;
21.4. Severability. If any provision of this Easement, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, is found to be invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this Easement
shall be deemed severable and remain in full force and effect;
21.5. Entire Agreement. This instrument sets forth the entire agreement between the
Parties with respect to the Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations,
understandings, or agreements relating to the Easement, all of which are merged herein;
21.6. No Forfeiture. Nothing contained herein will result in a forfeiture or reversion of
Grantor's title in any respect;
21.7. Joint and Several Obligation. The obligations imposed by this Easement upon
Grantor shall be joint and several. If the Property's ownership, now or in the future, is by a
single entity consisting of multiple parties including shareholders, partners, or members, that
entity is required to notify its shareholders, partners, or members of the entity's and their
individual rights and responsibilities, including any monetary or other obligations set forth in this
Easement. Grantor shall provide a copy of such notice at any time upon the Trust's request;
21.8. Successors. The covenants, terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Easement
shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto and Grantor's respective
personal representatives, heirs, successors, transferees, and assigns, and the Trust's successors,
transferees, and assigns, and shall continue as a servitude running in perpetuity with the
Property;
21.9. Termination of Rights and Obligations. A Party's rights and obligations under
this Easement terminate upon transfer of the Party's interest in the Easement or the Property,
unless the transferee assumes such obligations, except that liability for acts or omissions
occurring prior to transfer shall survive transfer;
21.10. Captions. The captions in this instrument have been inserted solely for
convenience of reference and are not a part of this instrument and shall have no effect upon
construction or interpretation;
21.11. Counterparts. The Parties may execute this instrument in two or more
counterparts, which shall, in the aggregate, be signed by all the Parties; each counterpart shall be
deemed an original instrument as against any Party who has signed it. In the event of any
disparity between the counterparts produced,the recorded counterpart shall be controlling;
21.12. Merger. Unless the Parties expressly state that they intend a merger of estates or
interests to occur, no merger shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder or under any document
executed in the future affecting this Easement;
19
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
21.13. Authority to Execute. Each party represents to the other that such party has full
power and authoriry to execute and deliver this Deed of Conservation Easement, and perform its
obligations under this Easement, that the individual executing this Easement on behalf of said
party is fully empowered and authorized to do so, and that this Easement constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of said party enforceable against said party in accordance with its
terms; and
21.14. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Easement is entered into by and between
Grantor and the Trust with the intent that there are no intended third party beneficiaries that have
the right or obligation to enforce the terms and provisions of this Easement.No person or entity,
other than the Grantor or the Trust, shall have standing to enforce, nor the right or obligation to
enforce,the terms and provisions of this Easement or to otherwise commence or intervene in any
lawsuit pertaining to this Easement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and the Trust have executed this Deed of
Conservation Easement as of the date first written above.
(signatures on following pages)
20
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
GRANTOR:
2343 COUNTY ROAD, LLC,
a Colorado limited liability company
By:
Name:
Title:
STATE OF )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of ,
2011,by as of 2343
COUNTY ROAD, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, as Grantor.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
[SEAL]
Notary Public
My commission expires:
21
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
ACCEPTED by the TRUST:
ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST,
a Colorado nonprofit corporation
BY:
Martha Cochran, Executive Director
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of ,
2011,by Martha Cochran as Executive Director of ASPEN�ALLEY LAND TRUST, a
Colorado nonprofit corporation.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
[SEAL]
Notary Public
My commission expires:
22
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
EXHIBIT A
Legal Description of Property
23
Exhibit B —Lower Potato Bill Conservation Easement
EXHIBIT B
Map of Property
24
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
NOTICE TO TITLE COMPANY: This Deed of Conservation Easement in gross requires one-
hundred dollars ($100.00) be paid to Aspen Valley Land Trust or its successor organization by
the recipient at the time of every transfer of this Property, as described in Section 16. This
payment is exempt from the transfer fee restrictions contained within C.R.S. 38-35-127.
DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN GROSS
Two Shoes Ranch III— Upper Potato Bill Parcel
Pitkin County
THIS DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN GROSS ("Easement") is granted
this _ day of , , by RANCH III LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company ("Grantor"), to and for the benefit of ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST, a Colorado
nonprofit corporation having offices at 320 Main Street, Suite 204, Carbondale, Colorado 81623
(the"Trust")(collectively,the"Parties").
The following exhibits are attached hereto and incorporated in this Easement by reference:
Exhibit A: Property Legal Description; and
Exhibit B:Map of Property.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Grantor is the sole owner in fee simple of approximately 135 acres of real
property, more or less, located near the Town of Carbondale north of Potato Bill Creek in Pitkin
County, State of Colorado, more particularly described in Exhibit A herein(the"Property");
WHEREAS, the Properiy possesses natural, scenic, open space, agricultural, and wildlife
values (collectively, "Conservation Values") of importance to Grantor, the Trust, and the
people of the State of Colorado that are worthy of preservation;
WHEREAS, the Conservation Values of the Property are documented more specifically
in the Baseline Documentation, described in Section 4 herein, and generally include the
following, the protection of which are recognized under §170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("IRC"), and §1.170A-14(d) of the Treasury Regulations as valid
conseroation purposes:
• Relatively Natural Habitat [§ 1.170A-14(d)(3)]. The Property is part of Two Shoes Ranch
and provides natural habitat for many wildlife and plant species. It is comprised mostly of
pinyon and juniper forests and provides important winter concentration areas for mule
deer.
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
• Onen S,�ace [§ 1.170A-14(d)(4)]. The Property qualifies as open space because it will be
preserved for the scenic enjoyment of the general public and is pursuant to a clearly
delineated federal, state or local govemmental conservation policy and will yield a
significant public benef t.
o Scenic Enio�ment. The Property lies near National Forest land on the northwestern
flanks of Mount Sopris, and as such is part of the scenic rural landscape surrounding
Mount Sopris. The Property is also visible from State Highway 133, a heavily used
public road close to the Town of Carbondale and part of the West Elk Loop Scenic
Byway.
o A�,riculture. The Property is part of a large active ranch, and as such provides
rangeland far livestock grazing.
o Governmental Policies. Conservation of the Property is promoted by certain state,
federal and local governmental policies, laws and regulations, which support
conservation of the Property relative to its scenic, wildlife habitat and natural area
values, including the following:
• The State of Colorado has recognized the importance of private efforts toward the
preservation of natural systems in the State by the enactment of Colorado Revised
Statutes ("C.R.S.") §§38-30.5-101 et seq. In addition, C.R.S. §3�-1-101 provides
in relevant part that "it is the policy of the state of Colorado that the wildlife and
their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the
use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors." C.R.S.
§38-30.5-102 provides for the creation of conservation easements to maintain land
"in a natural, scenic, or open condition, or for wildlife habitat, or for agricultural,
horticultural, wetlands, recreational, forest or other use or condition consistent
with the protection of open land . . ."
o Significant Public Benefit. The Property is located in a rural, agricultural,
mountainous area of Pitkin County less than four miles from the Town of Carbondale,
where there is a current and foreseeable trend of development in the general vicinity
of the Property. There is a strong likelihood that development of the Property would
compromise its scenic and natural character and the ecological integrity of the area.
WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Easement will be recorded and placed on
the Property immediately upon completion of the Sutey/Two Shoes administrative land
exchange, and after the expiration of all protests, challenges or stay periods;
WHEREAS, Grantor intends, as owner of the Property,to convey to the Trust the right to
preserve and protect the Conservation Values in perpetuity and the Trust agrees by accepting this
grant to honor the intentions of Grantor stated herein and to preserve and protect in perpetuity the
Conservation Values for the benefit of this generation and the generations to come;
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
WHEREAS, the Trust is a charitable organization as described in IRC §501(c)(3), and is
a publicly-supported organization as described in IRC §170(b)(1)(A) whose primary purpose is
to permanently preserve and protect the natural, scenic, agricultural, historical, and open space
resources of the greater Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, including the area in which
the Property is located, and who is a"qualified organization"to do so within the meaning of IRC
§170(h)(3), possessing the resources and commitment to protect and defend the conservation
purposes of this grant and Conservation Values identified herein;
WHEREAS, the Trust also meets requirements of Colorado law as a qualified recipient
for a conservation easement under C.R.S. §38-30.5-104, and is accredited by the Land Trust
Accreditation Commission for the term ending August 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Trust has duly authorized the Trust's
Executive Director or her designee to execute and accept this conservation easement on behalf of
the Trust.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the matters above, the mutual covenants,
terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,the Parties agree as follows:
1. Gualv�r
Grantor hereby voluntarily and irrevocably grants and conveys to the Trust a perpetual
Conservation Easement in gross ("Easement"), pursuant to C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq.,
through the terms mutually agreed to in this Easement, consisting of the rights and restrictions
enumerated herein, over and across the Property, to hold said Easement unto the Trust and its
successors and assigns forever. Grantor agrees that the donation of the Easement gives rise to a
property right, immediately vested in the Trust, which shall constitute a binding servitude upon
the Property and shall be subject to prior reservations, easements, encumbrances and exceptions
of record, except as otherwise set forth herein.
2. PURPOSES
Pursuant to the terms of C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq., the purposes of the Easement are
to assure that the Property will remain forever predominantly in its scenic, natural and open
space condition, subject to the uses of the Property permitted hereunder, including ongoing
grazing and agricultural use, to protect and preserve the Conservation Values in perpetuity, to
prevent any use of the Property that is inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the
Conservation Values and, in the event of their degradation or destruction, to restore such
Conservation Values as required herein. The primary purposes of this Easement are: 1) to
preserve and protect important natural habitat; 2) to protect agricultural range land; 3) to protect
scenic resources visible to the public; 4) to prevent residential development on the Property; and
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
5) to prevent mineral development of the Property to the degree that Grantor is able. (This
paragraph collectively describes the"Purposes"of this Easement.)
3. INTENT
Subject to the express reservations and prohibitions described in Section 7 below, the
intent of the Parties is to permit all specified uses of the Property and any other uses that are not
inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values as determined by
the Trust in its sole discretion. Nothing in this Easement is intended to prevent Grantor's quiet
and reasonable enjoyment of the Property, ar to compel a specific use of the Property other than
the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values.
4. BASELTNE DOCUMENTATION
The Parties acknowledge that a Baseline Documentation of the Conservation Values and
relevant features of the Property was prepared on by Colorado Wildlife Science,
LLC of Basalt, Colorado, a company familiar with conservation easements, the Property, and the
environs, which will be kept on file with the Parties. The Trust and Grantor acknowledge and
agree that by the execution of this Easement, they hereby approve, acknowledge, and accept the
Baseline Documentation as an accurate representation of the condition of the Property at the time
of this grant. The Parties agree that the Baseline Documentation is not intended to preclude the
use of other evidence to establish the present condition of the Property should a controversy arise
over its use.
5. RIGHTS OF THE TRUST
To fulfill the Purposes of this Easement, Grantor hereby conveys to the Trust a property
right and interest in the form of this Easement, which immediateiy vests with the Trust (as
agreed in Section 1 and stipulated in Section 14.3, herein), and includes the following affirmative
rights:
5.1. All development rights deriving from, based upon, or attributable to the Property
in any way ("Trust's Development Rights"), except those expressly reserved by Grantor in
Section 7 herein, and the Parties agree that Trust's Development Rights shall be held by the
Trust in perpetuity in order to fulfill the Purpose of this Easement, and to ensure that such rights
are forever released, terminated and extinguished as to Grantor. The grant of this Easement shall
not entitle Grantor to increase development density on adjacent properties owned by Grantor, or
to create any transferrable development rights from the Property onto such adjacent properties.
The granting of this Easement across only part of a developable lot as approved by Pitkin County
and depicted on Exhibit A, does not in any way prevent development of the remainder of the lot,
which lot shall retain all previously grarited development approvals from Pitkin County,with the
exception that the portion of the lot included in this Property shall be subject to the terms of this
Easement in perpetuity;
5.2. The right to preserve and protect the Conservation Values in perpetuity;
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
5.3. The right to enter upon the Property at least annually at reasonable times agreed to
mutually by Grantor and the Trust to inspect the Property thoroughly, to monitor Grantor's
compliance with, and otherwise enforce the terms of this Easement; provided that such entry
shall not unreasonably interfere with Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of the Property, with the
exception that, upon an advanced good faith attempt to contact Grantor verbally or
electronically, the Trust may immediately enter upon the Property in the event the Trust
reasonably believes that such entry is essential to prevent or mitigate a violation of the Easement;
5.4, The right, as an interest owner in the Property, to prevent or enjoin Grantor or
third parties (whether or not invitees of Grantor) from conducting any activity on, or use of, the
Properiy that is inconsistent with the purposes of the Easement; and the right to require Grantor
or third parties, as may be responsible, to restore such areas or features of the Property that are
damaged by any inconsistent activity or use, subject to the qualifications of Section 13.5 herein;
5.5. Any other rights that the Parties may approve consistent with the purposes of the
Easement, including adding additional purposes or defining additional Conservation Values; and
5.6. The right, as an interest owner in the Property, to receive notification from and
join Grantor as a necessary party to any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting
the Property (as described in Section 14), or to any leases, surface use agreements, damage
agreements or rights-of-way that may be proposed, granted or required hereafter as a result of
mineral development (as described in Section 7.3.G) or other activities with the potential to
impact the surface of the Property or its Conservation Values.
6. Ricxrs oF G�1v�roR
Grantor reserves to itself and to its personal representatives, heirs, successors, and
assigns, all rights and obligations accruing from its ownership of the Property, including the right
to engage in all uses of the Property not prohibited herein that are not inconsistent with the
preservation and protection of the Conservation Values, pursuant to IRC §170(h)(3) and C.R.S.
§38-30.5-102.
7. PROHIBITED AND PERMITTED USES
The following uses and practices by Grantor, though not an exhaustive recital, are either
prohibited or permitted by this Easement. Certain of these uses, where specifically indicated,
require notice to or approval from the Trust, or both, according to the procedures described in
� Sections 10 and 11 herein. Any other activities that are inconsistent with the Purpose of this
Easement or with preservation and protection of the Conservation Values are prohibited. Trust's
prior notice and approval is required for uses not expressly described herein when there is a
question as to consistency with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values.
. 7.1. Division of Property. Grantor may not divide or subdivide (including de facto
subdivision) the Property into more than one parcel of land. At all times the Property shall be
owned as a single parcel subject to this Easement. Ownership of the single parcel by joint
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
tenancy or tenaney in common is pertnitted; however, actions to partition or condominiumize the
Property are prohibited.
7.2. Devetopment Rights and Improvements. The construction, improvement,
placement, or replacement of any improvements (defined as buildings, structures, mobile homes
or other physical, human-introduced development of or on the Property, including landscaping,
fences, wells, roads, septic systems, utilities, etc.) are prohibited on the Property, except as
follows:
A. Fencin . Grantor may repair and replace existing fences, provided any
replacement fencing in wildlife migration corridors is consistent with then-current
CPW guidelines for fencing in wildlife migration areas so as to permit the movement
of wildlife across the Property. Grantor may construct new fences needed for
agricultural purposes (e.g. cattle and range management),provided such new fencing
is consistent with CPW fencing guidelines;
B. Roads. There are no improved roads on the Property, and construction of
improved roads is prohibited. Unimproved, primitive roads and tracks (meaning not
graded, surfaced, cut or filled) may be maintained and developed on the Property as
necessary for agriculture and property maintenance in a manner that minimizes
erosion, soil compaction, and disturbance to sensitive ecosystems and habitat. Paving
of roads is prohibited. Limited grading or surfacing of unimproved roads or tracks is
permitted only as necessary for agriculture or property maintenance upon approval of
the Trust.
C. Foot�aths and ATV Trails. The development and use of footpaths and other
unimproved, low-impact (as defined in Section 21.1) natural-surfaced trails not to
exceed three feet in width is pezmitted for agriculture, property maintenance and
private, non-motorized recreation in a manner that minimizes erosion and disturbance
to sensitive ecosystems and habitat.
D. Ponds and A�ricultural Water Sources. There is no irrigation infrastructure now
located on the Property, however, construction or development of irrigation ponds or
stock ponds, water wells and pumps, together with other agricultural water sources
such as stock watering tanks, wildlife guzzlers (which collect rain, snow and runoff to
provide a water source for wildlife), and low-impact or portable water storage tanks
are permitted on the Property to support agricultural and wildlife use of the Property
in a manner not damaging to the Conservation Values;
E. Utilities and Other Technolo�v. Grants of easements and rights-of-way for, and
the installation of utilities, utility lines, pipelines, communications technologies and
all related infrastructure (collectively "utilities") is prohibited without prior approval
from the Trust, except that:
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
a. Agricultural water wells and pumps are permitted in accordance with Section
7.2.D, above;
b. Low-impact (as defined in Section 21.1) utilities, such as fence-mounted solar
panels, or solar or wind-powered pumps may be located on the Property without
further notice to or approval from the Trust.
Grantor shall promptly reseed and restore any surface impacts that result from the
installation or maintenance of any permitted utilities or related improvernents to the
Property to as close to the Property's original condition as possible within three
months,weather permitting, or an alternate time period approved by the Trust.
7.3. Resource Management and Use. Grantor recognizes the importance of good
resource management and stewardship to preserve and protect the Conservation Values.
Accordingly, Grantor agrees not to alter the topography of the Property through placement or
removal of soil, gravel, land fill, or other materials nor to impair the relatively natural habitat for
native plants, wildlife, or similar ecosystems within and upon the Property, except: (a) as
necessary in emergencies, including for fire control and prevention; (b) for weed control as
described in subsection F, below; (c) as approved by the Trust and any required permitting
agencies for habitat enhancement or restoration purposes; (d) as specifically permitted for
improvements described in Section 7.2 above; and (e) as necessary for the uses described below,
which shall be conducted in a manner not inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the
Conservation Values:
A. A�riculture and Livestock Grazin�. Grazing of horses and livestock and leasing
of grazing rights is permitted on the Property in a manner that does not result in
degradation of wildlife habitat, or significant soil erosion or low soil quality as
determined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or its successor
orgar�ization("NRCS"). The following agricultural and livestock husbandry practices
are specifically prohibited:
a. Intensive growth livestock farms or commercial feed lots, defined as confined
areas or facilities on the Property, within which the land is not grazed or
cropped annually, for purposes of extended feeding and finishing of large
numbers of livestock for commercial purposes;
b. Grazing or keeping of domestic sheep on the Property without CPW consent;
c. Clearing or conversion of native rangeland or habitat to create new pastures
without approval of the Trust in consultation with CPW;
d. Tilled cultivation of crops, including tree farms or sod farms;
e. Fish hatcheries or other aquaculture; and
f. Commercial horse boarding.
B. Use of Vehicles Off-Road. Grantor's private use of vehicles off road or off-trail is
permitted only in a low-impact manner that does not result in erosion of, or
significant compaction to, the Property's soils, harassment of wildlife, or damage to
the natural vegetation, ecosystems or scenic values of the Property. Commercial,
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
recreational, or public use of vehicles off roads is prohibited on the Property, except
for private or guided hunting purposes permitted by Grantor, as described below;
G Huntin . Hunting and the leasing of hunting rights on the Property is permitted in
accordance with all applicable laws, and may include guided hunting for youth,
veterans and handicapped individuals per agreement with CPW;
D. Trash. Grantor shall not dump, permanently accumulate, or dispose of trash,
garbage, or other hazardous or unsightly refuse on the Property, except for
agricultural by-products and compostable matter(including chipped, diseased or dead
wood resulting from habitat improvement or fire control) produced or used on the
Property;
E. Habitat and Ve�etation Mana e��ment. Grantor may cut, thin or burn trees and
native vegetation on the Property on a limited and localized basis to control weeds,
insects, wildfire danger and disease; to prevent personal injury and property damage;
for domestic and agricultural uses on the Property such as firewood collection and
construction of pernnitted fences; or as approved by the Trust to otherwise maintain or
enhance the character and health of the wildlife habitat or ecosystem, which may be
subject to a management plan prepared in cooperation with the Trust as deemed
necessary in the sole discretion of the Trust;
F. Weed ControL Grantor agrees to control noxious weeds and invasive pIant
species on the Property in accordance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (January
23, 2006), or as such Act may be amended, and other applicable laws (as defined in
Section 21.1), and shall not intentionally introduce noxious weeds or other invasive
species to the Property;
G. Minerals. In accordance with IRC §170(h) and §1.170A-14(g) of the Treasury
Regulations, exploration for, extraction or removal of any mineral resource (which
may include, but is not limited to, sand, gravel, rock, soil, peat, coal, uranium, oil, oil
shale, natural gas or other hydrocarbons) by any surface mining method or any other
method in a manner inconsistent with the Purposes of this Easement is prohibited on
the Property. Because Grantor does not own all of the mineral rights associated with
the Property, a mineral remoteness letter, on file with the Trust, was prepared by Rare
Earth Science LLC on ;, 2013, finding that the likelihood of surface mining on
the Property is so remote as to be negligible, in compliance with IRC §170(h) and
Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(g).
In order to satisfy the intent of the above paragraph, Grantor may not separate or
transfer Grantor's portion of the mineral rights from the Property,nor engage in, lease
or otherwise permit the development of mineral rights on or under the Property (via
leases, surface use agreements, non-surface use agreements, damage agreements,
rights-of-way, or other easements or agreements related to mineral development
(collectively, "mineral agreements")) except as may be required by third party
mineral interest holders and in compliance with the following:
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
a. Trust's Participation in Future Mineral Agreements. Grantor shall notify the
Trust prior to entering into any mineral agreement with a third party mineral
• interest holder, and the Trust shall have the same legal rights as Grantor to review
all proposed mineral agreements prior to execution, and to participate in
negotiations therefore in order to direct the future development of mineral
resources to occur only by those methods having no more than limited, localized,
temporary and reclaimable impacts on the Property, which impacts must not be
irremediably destructive of the Conservation Values in accordance with IRC
§170(h)(5), (6) and Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(g)(4), The Trust's participation may
not deny any third party's ultimate right to develop minerals underlying the
Property, and the Trust sha11 claim no rights to proceeds or royalties from such
development. Grantor retains sole execution authority for any mineral agreements
or transfer deeds; however, failure to notice the Trust prior to entering into any
mineral agreement or transfer may result in a $5000 fine payable to the Trust, in
addition to other remedies available under law. All mineral agreements entered
� � into after this date shall, at a minimum, include the following:
1) Reference to this Easement and surnmary of the Conservation Values;
2) Acknowledgement that the agreement is subordinate and subject to the
terms of this Easement;
3) Non-surface occupancy methods of mineral development are strongly
preferred, and only the minimum structures, infrastructure, and other
disturbance or impacts to the Pro�erty shall be permitted as reasonably
neeessary to mineral development;
4) All impacted sites associated with mineral development shall be
recontoured and revegetated, and any damage to the Property or its
Conservation Values restored, to as close to the Property's original state as
possible upon completion of active drilling or mineral development
operations; any structures required to remain upon the Property for more
than one year shall be concealed from public view and constructed and
maintained in a manner not damaging to the Conservation Values.
b. Current Mineral Leases. There are no active oiI and gas or other mineral
leases on or affecting the Property at this time.
H. Water Resources. Grantor shall not divert, dam, pollute, dredge, intentionally
destabilize or degrade Potato Bill Creek, or other naturally-occurring streams,
springs, designated wetlands or other surface or subsurface water features that may
occur on the Property, except as approved by the Trust, and except for any work or
structures deemed necessary by Grantor, in consultation with CPW or other agency
qualified at the time to oversee such work, to enhance, restore or control erosion or
siltation of water resources on the Property in compliance with all applicable laws (as
defined in Section 2 L 1). The construction, installation, maintenance, improvement
and replacement of ponds, wetlands, and irrigation structures (including ditches,
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_ �..� .�,.�...e�
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
pipelines, headgates and related equipment) are permitted for agricultural purposes ar
the enhancement of wildlife habitat, provided such activities are in compliance with
applicable laws. Soil, sand, rock and gravel produced during the excavation or
construction of permitted ditches or ponds may be used or relocated on the Property
in a manner not inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation
Values;
L Water Ri�hts. There are no water rights included in or encumbered by this
Easement;
J. Commercial and Industrial Activities. Grantor shall not conduct industrial activity
or commercial recreational activity on the Property, except for guided hunting
activities that may be approved by CPW and leasing of hunting rights;
K. Recreation. Private, low-impact recreational uses such as hiking, horseback
riding, cross-country skiing,hunting, fishing and short-term camping are permitted on
the Properly, provided that recreational trails are limited pursuant to Section 7.2.B
herein, and that any private recreational easements or agreements with neighboring
landowners that predate the grant of this Easement shall be permitted.
8. No PUBLiC AcCESs
Except by the terms of this Easement, including Section 73.C, Hunting, Grantor shall not
afford the public any more than visual access to any portion of the Property, although Grantor
may permit guests or invitees to access the Property on such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate, provided that such access is consistent with the terms of this Easement and
preservation and protection of the Conservation�alues.
9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Grantor represents and warrants that, after reasonable investigation and to the best of its
actual knowledge:
9.1. Except for fuels customarily used or transported in connection with agricultural
activities; no substance defined, listed, or otherwise classified pursuant to any federal, state, or
local law, regulation, or requirement as hazardous, toxic,polluting, or otherwise or threatening to
human health or the environment exists or has been used or released on the Property;
9.2. There are not now any underground storage tanks located on the Property, and no
underground storage tanks have been removed from the Property in a manner not in compliance
with applicable laws, regulations, and requirements;
9.3. Grantor and the Property are in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and requirements applicable to the Property and its use; and there is no existing, or
pending litigation in any way affecting, involving, or relating to the Property;
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
9.4. Grantor has good and sufficient title to the Property and has lawful authority to
grant and convey the Easement, that any mortgages or liens on the Property are subordinate to
the terms of this Easement, and that Grantor shall warrant and forever defend the title to the
Easement against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming by, through or under
Grantor, the whole or any part thereof, except for rights-of-way, easements, restrictions,
covenants and mineral reservations of record.
10. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE CERTAIN PERMITTED ACTIONS
The purpose of requiring Grantor to notify the Trust before undertaking certain activities
or uses, as specifically identified in Section 7 or elsewhere herein, is to afford the Trust an
opportunity to update its recoxds and, if approval is required pursuant to Section 11 below, to
ensure that the activities or uses in question are not inconsistent with the terms of this Easement.
Grantor shall also notice Trust and seek its approval,pursuant to Section 11 below, for proposed
activities or uses when there is a yuestion as to consistency with the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values. Whenever notice and the Trust's approval are required, Grantor
. shall notify the Trust in writing not less than 45 days prior to the date Grantor intends to
undertake the activity or use in question, unless this Easement provides otherwise, and describe
the nature, scope, design, location, timetable, and any other material aspect of the proposed
activity .or use in sufficient detail to permit the Trust to make an informed judgment as to the
activity or use's consistency with the terms of this Easement and the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values. Whenever notice is required without the Trust's approval, Grantor
shall notify the Trust in writing not less than 14 days in advance of the proposed activity Qr use,
unless the activity involves emergency activities, such as fire fighting, in which case no notice is
required.
1L THE TRUST'S APPROVAL
Whenever this Easement requires that Grantor obtain the Trust's approual for.any activity
or use ofthe Property, or if Grantor desires approval for any activity or use of the Property not
� specifically addressed herein, such approval shall be given in the Trust's sole discretion,
according to whether the Trust detenmines that such activity or use of the Property is not
inconsistent with the preservation and protection of the Conservation Values. Grantor has the
burden to prove that Grantor's proposed uses are not inconsistent with the preservation and
protection of the Conservation Values. Where the Trust's approval is required, the Trust shall
grant or withhold its approval in writing within 14 days of receipt of Grantor's written notice (as
described in Section 10, above) of and request therefor. The Trust's approval may be withheld at
the Trust's sole discretion if the Trust determines that the action as proposed would be
inconsistent with the Conservation Values or the purposes or terms of this Easement. The
reason(s) for such a determination shall be set forth with specificity by the Trust in a written
notice to Grantor. Where a modification of the proposed use or activity by Grantor would render
the same not inconsistent with the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation Values, the
Trust may specify, in such written notice to Grantor, such modifications to render approval
appropriate.
12. TRUST'S REMEDIES:ENFORCEMENT
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Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
The Trust shall have the right to prevent and correct or require correction of violations of
the terms and purposes of this Easement. The Trust is not responsible for monitoring for ar
enforcing violations of any applicable laws (as defined in Section 21.1), permits or third party
contracts affecting the Property now or in the future, except to the degree that any such
violations may damage the Conservation Values, violate this Easement, or be otherwise
inconsistent with the Purposes or terms of this Easement.
If the Trust finds what it believes is a violation, or a threat of a violation, the Trust shall
notify Grantor of the nature of the alleged violation. Upon receipt of this notice, Grantor shall
immediately discontinue any activity that could increase or expand the alleged violation and
shall either: (a) restore the Property within 60 days as is best possible, subject to weather
conditions and season, to its condition prior to the violation in accordance with a plan approved
by the Trust, or if immediate restoration is not possible, Grantor shall submit such plan to the
Trust within 60 days; or (b) provide a written explanation to the Trust of the reason why the
alleged violation should be permitted. If the Trust is not satisfied with Grantor's written
explanation, the Parties agree to meet as soon as possible to resolve this difference. If a
resolution of this difference cannot be achieved at the meeting, the Parties agree to attempt to
resolve the dispute pursuant to Section 12.1, below.
At any time, including if Grantor does not immedia�ely discontinue any activity that
could inccease or expand the alleged violation while the Parties are attempting to resolve the
alleged violation, or if the Trust believes an ongoing, imminent, or proposed activity violates the
Easement, the Trust may, upon an advanced good faith attempt to contact Grantor verbally or
electronicalIy, take immedia�e, appropriate legal action to stop the activiry, without prior notice
to Grantor•, without waiting for the period provided for cure to expire; and without waiting for
the 60-day mediation period to expire. The Trust may bring an action at law or in equity, ex
parte as necessary, in a court of jurisdiction, to enforce the terms of this Easement and to enjoin
by temporary or permanent injunction a violation, which may require restoration of the Property
to the condition that existed prior to the violation. The Trust's remed'zes described herein shall be
in addition to a11 remedies now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, and shall include,
without limitation, the right to recover damages for violation of the terms of this Easement or
injury to the Conservation Values including damages far the loss of scenic, aesthetic, or
environmental values. Without limiting Grantor's liability therefore, the Trust, in its sole
discretion, may apply any damages recovered to the cost of undertaking any restorative,
remedial, corrective action on the Property.
Enforcement of the terms of this Easement shall be at the sole discretion of the Trust, and
any forbearance by the Trust to exercise its rights under this Easement in the event of any breach
of any term of this Easement by Grantor shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver by the
Trust of such term or any subsequent breach of the same or any other term of this Easement or of
any of the Trust's rights under this Easement. No delay or omission by the Trust in the exercise
of any right or remedy upon any breach by Grantor shall impair such right or remedy or be
construed as a waiver. The failure of the Trust to discover a violation or to take immediate legal
action shall not bar the Trust from doing so within four years from the date upon which the
violation is discovered.
12
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
All reasonable costs incurred by the Trust in enforcing the terms of this Easement,
including, without limitation, costs and expenses of pursuing legal action and reasonable
attorney's fees, shall be paid to the Trust by Grantor, and any costs of restoration necessitated by
Grantor's violation of the terms of this Easement, shall be borne by Grantor, unless: (1) a court
finds that the Trust acted in bad faith in seeking enforcement thereof, in which case the Trust
shall pay Grantor's court-awarded costs and fees, or (2) if Grantor ultimately prevails in a
judicial enforcement action,the Trust shall pay its own costs and fees.
12.L Mediation. If a dispute arises between the Parties concerning the consistency of
any proposed use or activity with the terms of this Easement, and Grantor agrees not to proceed
with the use or activity pending resolution of the dispute, either Party may refer the dispute to
mediation by written request upon the other. Within 10 days of the receipt of such request, the
Parties shall select a trained and impartial mediator with experience in easements and other land
preservation tools. If the Parties are unable to agree on a mediator, then the Parties shall each
select a mediator with experience in conservation easements and other land preservation tools,
and those two mediators shall select a mediator who shall alone mediate the dispute. Mediation
shall then proceed in accordance with the following guidelines:
A. Pur�ose. The purpose of the mediation is to: (a) promote discussion between the
Parties; (b) assist the Parties to develop and exchange pertinent information
concerning the issues in dispute; and (c) assist the Parties to develop proposals which
will enable them to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution of the controversy. The
mediation is not intended to result in any express or de facto modification or
amendment of the terms, conditions, or restrictions of this Easement;
B. Participation. The mediator may meet with the Parties and their counsel jointly or
ex parte. The Parties agree that they will participate in the mediation process in good
faith and expeditiously, except in cases when the Trust believes that Conservation
Values are continuing to be harmed during the mediation process, in which case the
Trust can suspend its involvement in the mediation to remedy this threat of ongoing
violation. Representatives of the Parties with settlement authority will attend
mediation sessions as required by the mediator;
C. Confidentialitv. All infortnation presented to the mediator shall be deemed
confidential and shall be disclosed by the mediator only with the consent of the
Parties or their respective counsel. The mediator shall not be subject to subpoena by
any Party in any subsequent litigation;
D. Time Period and Fees. Neither Party shall be obligated to continue the mediation
process beyond a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of the initial request or if
the mediator concludes that there is no reasonable likelihood that continuing
mediation will result in a mutually agreeable resolution of the dispute. The Parties
shall equally share and each bear 50%of the mediator's fees.
13. COSTS,LIABILITIES,TAXES,AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
I3
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
13.1. Costs, Legal Reqnirements and Liabilities. Grantor retains all responsibilities
and obligations and shall bear al1 costs and liabilities of any kind related to the ownership,
operation, upkeep, and maintenance of the Property, including the payment of property and other
taxes related to the Property, and maintenance of �iability insurance coverage. Grantor shall
make best efforts to keep the Property free of any liens arising out of any work performed for,
materials furnished to, or obligations incurred by Grantor. Nothing in this Easement shall be
construed or interpreted as prohibiting Grantor from obtaining loans secured by deeds of trust
encumbering the Property, provided any such deeds of trust are subordinate to this Easement,
and shall encumber the entire Property;
13.2. Control. Nothing in this Easement shall be construed as giving rise, in the
absence of a judicial decree,to any right or ability of the Trust to exercise physical or managerial
control over the day-to-day operations of the Property, or over any of Grantor's activities on the
Property, or otherwise to become an operator with respect to the Property within the meaning of
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended("CERCLA"), and any Colorado state law counterpart;
13.3. Hold Harmless. Grantor shall hold harmless, indemnify and defend the Trust
and its members, directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors and the heirs, personal
representatives, successors, and assigns of each of them (collectively, the "Trust Parties") from
and against all liabilities including, without limitation, court awarded third-party attorneys' fees,
arising from or in any way connected with: (a) injury to or the death of any person, or physical
damage to any property, resulting from any act, omission, condition, or other matter related to or
occurring on or about the Property, regardless of cause, unless due solely to the gross negligence
or intentional act of any of the Trust Parties; (b) the violation or alleged vioiation of, or other
failure to comply with, any state, federal, or local law, regulation, or requirement, including,
without limitation, CERCLA, by any person other than any of the Trust Parties, in any way
affecting, involving, or relating to the Property; (c) the presence or release of hazardous or toxic
substances in, on, from, or under the Property at any time, of any substance now or hereafter
defined, listed, or otherwise classified pursuant to any federal, state, or locat law, regulation, or
requirement as hazardous, toxic, poiluting, or otherwise contaminating to the air, water, or soil,
or in any way harmful or threatening to human health or the environment, unless caused solely
by any of the Trust Parties; (d} payment of taxes iznposed upon or incurred by the Property as a
result of this Easement, including property taxes and the sale of income tax credits acquired as a
result of this Easement; (e)tax benefits or consequences of any kind which result or do not result
from entering into this Easement; and (� the obligations, covenants, representations, and
warranties described herein;
13.4. Waiver of Certain Defenses. No action shall be commenced or maintained to
enforce the terms of any building restriction described in this Easement, or to compel the
removal of any building or improvement, unless said action is cornmenced within four years
from the date of discovery of the violation for which the action is sought to be brought or
maintained. To the extent that any defense available to Grantor pursuant to C.R.S. §38-41-119 is
inconsistent with the foregoing, Grantor waives that defense. Grantar waives the defenses of
14
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
laches, estoppel and prescription with regard to the enforcement of all other terms of this
Easement; and
13.5. Acts Beyond Grantor's Control. Nothing contained in this Easement shall be
construed to entitle the Trust to bring any action against Grantor for any injury to or change in
the Property resulting from causes beyond Grantor's control (including wild fire, landslides and
avalanches)or from any prudent action taken by Grantor under emergency conditions to prevent,
abate, ar mitigate signif cant injury to the Property resulting from such causes. Grantor is not
responsible for acts of third parties not authorized to access the Property, but shall be responsible
for those third parties, including guests or invitees, authorized by Grantor to access the Property.
The Trust retains the right to enforce against third parties for violations of the Easement or
damage to the Property pursuant to Section 5.6 herein.
14. EXTINGUISHMENT AND CONDEMNATION
14.1. Extinguishment. The Parties agree that any changes in the economic viability of
the uses permitted or prohibited by this Easement, or changes to neighboring land and its use
shall not be deemed circumstances justifying the termination or extinguishment of the Easement.
In addition, the inability of Grantor, or Grantor's heirs, successors or assigns, to implement any
or all of the uses permitted under this Easement shall not impair the validity of the Easement, or
be considered grounds for termination or extinguishment of this Easement.
If circumstances arise in the future that render the purposes of this Easement impossible
to accomplish, the Easement can only be terminated or extinguished, in whole or in part, by
judicial proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction after the court has explored al1 options
for importing other purposes for the Easement pursuant to the cy pres doctrine. Each Party shall
promptly notify the other when it first learns of such circumstances. The amount of the proceeds
to which the Trust shall be entitled, after the satisfaction of prior claims, from any sale,
exchange, or involuntary conversion of all or any portion of the Property subsequent to such
termination, shall be determined, unless otherwise provided by Colorado law at the time, in
accordance with the Proceeds paragraph below, and such proceeds shall be used by the Trust in a
manner consistent with the conservation purposes of the original Easement contribution, as
required by §1.170A-14(g)(6)(i)of Treasury Regulations.
14.2. Condemnation. If all or any part of the Property is taken by exercise of the
power of eminent domain or acquired by purchase in lieu of condemnation, whether by public,
corporate, or other authority, so as to terminate the Easement in whole or in part, Grantor and the
Trust shall act jointly to recover the full value of the interests in the Property subject to the taking
or in-lieu purchase and all damages resulting therefrom. All expenses reasonably incurred by
Grantor and the Trust in connection with the taking or in-lieu purchase shall be paid out of the
amount recovered. The Trust's share of the balance of the amount recovered shall be determined
by multiplying that balance by the percentage set forth in Proceeds paragraph below.
14.3. Proceeds. Grantor and the Trust stipulate that as of the date of this Easement,
they are each vested with a real property interest in the Property. The Parties further stipulate
that the Trust's interest in the Easement has a value of 15 percent(%) of the fair market value of
15
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
the Property from this date forward, and such percentage interest shall remain constant in
relation to any future fair market value of the Property. Such percentage interest shall be used
only for determining the Trust's proportion of proceeds from any payment of damages or action
resulting from circumstances described in the Extinguishment and Condemnation paragraphs
above. The Parties agree that the value of any improvements to the Property made by Grantor
after the date of this Easement is reserved to Grantor.
15. ASSIGNMENT OF EASEMENT
In the event the Trust is no longer able to carry out its duties and obligations under this
Easement, or if circumstances change so that another similar organization is better able to carry
out such duties and obligations, the Trust may, upon no less than 60 days prior notification to
Grantor, elect to transfer the Easement and assign its rights and obligations under this Easement
to either: (1) Colorado Open Lands, (2) the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, (3)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or(4) a qualified non-governmental land conservation organization
charged with a mission similar to that of the Trust; provided however, that any organization or
entity selected to accept this Easement is, at the time of transfer: (a) willing and able to accept
the transfer; (b) a qualified organization under §170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (or any successor provision then applicable), and its applicable regulations; and (c)
authorized to acquire and hold conservation easements under Colorado law. The Trust shall
consult with Grantor regarding any selection of a c�ualified assignee of the Easement, but shall
ultimately have the right to select an organization as defined herein that is willing, able and
qualified to the hold the Easement (the "Assignee"), and to notify Grantor of its selection. As a
condition of such transfer, the Trust shall require the Assignee to expressly agree, in writing, to
carry out and uphold the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation Values and otherwise
assume all of the obligations and liabilities of the Trust set forth herein or created hereby. After
such transfer, the Trust shall have no further obligation or liability under this Easement. Should
the Trust be unable to assign the Easement according to this procedure, a court with competent
jurisdiction shall assign the Easement.
16. SUBSEQUENT TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY
Grantor agrees to notify any party who may purchase, lease, or otherwise hold interest in
this Property of the existence and terms of this Easement, and to provide a copy of the Easement
and the Baseline Documentation to such party if requested. Grantor further agrees to give notice
to the Trust of the transfer of any such interest prior to transfer. The Trust shall be available for
and welcome the opportunity to meet with any prospective buyers or transferees of the Property
to explain the terms of this Easement to potential new owners prior to or after sale closing, or to
answer any questions or concerns related to this Easement, or any of its supporting
documentation, including the Baseline Documentation.
In addition, at an� time Grantor transfers the Property to a third party, including all
subsequent transfers, that party shall pay $100.00 to the Trust to cover administrative costs
associated with the transfer, as well as to put the third party recipient on notice of the terms of
this Easement. This payment is exempt from transfer fee restrictions of C.R.S. §38-35-127
because it does not affect residential real property, and only affects agricultural land. The failure
16
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
of Grantor to perform any act required by this paragraph shall not impair the validity of this
Easement or limit its enforceability in any way.
17. No'riCEs
Any communication that either Party desires or is required to give to the other shall be in
writing and served personally or sent by first class mail,postage prepaid, addressed as follows or
to such other address as either party from time to time shall designate by written notice to the
other:
To Grantor: Ranch III,LLC
c/o Gideon Kaufman
315 Hyman Avenue, Suite 305
Aspen, CO 81611
To the Trust: Aspen Valley Land Trust
320 Main Street, Suite 204
Carbondale, CO 81623
1g. RECORDATION
This instrument shall be held in escrow to be recorded immediately after completion of
the Sutey/Two Shoes administrative land exchange, and after the expiration of all protests,
challenges or stay periods, in the official records of Pitkin County, Colorado and may be re-
recorded at any time as may be required to preserve its rights in this Easement.
19. AMENDMENT
If circumstances arise under which an amendment to this Easement would be appropriate
to promote the purposes of the Easement, Grantor and the Trust may jointly amend this
Easement. However, neither Grantor nor the Trust is under obligation to amend this Easement,
and the Trust may decline any amendment in its sole discretion according to then-current Trust
policies, which shall be made available to Grantor upon request. Any amendment must be
consistent with, and protect and preserve, the purposes of the Easement and the Conservation
Values and may not affect the Easement's perpetual duration. Any amendment must be in
writing, signed by all the Parties, and recorded in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the
appropriate Colorado County. Corrections to correct factual mistakes or typographical or clerical
errors may be made at the discretion of the Trust. No amendment shali be allowed that affects
the qualification of this Easement or the status of the Trust under any applicable laws, including
C.R.S. §§38-30.5-101 et seq., or IRC §170(h) or any regulations promulgated thereunder. No
amendment shall be permitted that will confer a private benefit to Grantor or any other individual
or entity (see IRS Reg. 1.170A-14(h)(3)(i)) greater than the benefit to the general public, or that
will result in private inurement to a Board member, staff or contract employee of the Trust (see
IRS Reg. 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(2)).
20. SUBORDINATION
17
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
The Property is not subject to any mortgages or liens.
2L GENERAL PROVISIONS
21.1. Definitions.
A. The terms "Grantor" and "the Trust," wherever used herein, and any pronouns
used in place of those terms, shall refer to, respectively, Grantor and its heirs,
personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and the
Trust and its successors and assigns;
B. The terms "Easement", "conservation easement", "Deed of Conservation
Easement", and "Deed of Conservation Easement in gross" refer to the immediately
vested interest in real property defined by Colorado Revised Statutes §§38-30.5-101
et seq., and this legal document, consisting of the rights and restrictions enumerated
herein, by which said Easement is granted;
C. Applicable Laws. The term "applicable laws" refers to all relevant federal, state,
and local statutes, ordinances,judicial decisions, executive orders, codes, permits or
regulations having the force and effect of law that have bearing on or may control
certain uses allowed by the Easement;
D. Low-Impact. The term "1ow-impact" refers to activities ar improvements whose
location, use and construction have little or no impact on the Property and do not
negatively impact the Conservation Values.
21.2. Controlling Law. The interpretation and performance of this Easement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Colorado;
21.3. Liberal Construction. This Easement shall be liberally construed in favor of the
grant to effect the purposes of the Easement and the policy and purpose of C.R.S. §38-30.5-101
et seq. If any provision in this instrument is found to be ambiguous, an interpretation consistent
with ensuring continuation of the purposes of the Easement and the preservation and protection
of the Conservation Values that would render the provision valid shall be favored over any
interpretation that would render it invalid. The common law rules of disfavoring restrictions on
the use of real property and construing restrictions in favor of the free and unrestricted use of real
property shall not apply to interpretations of this Easement or to disputes between the Parties
concerning the meaning of particular provisions of this Easement;
21.4. Severability. If any provision of this Easement, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, is found to be invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this Easement
shall be deemed severable and remain in full force and effect;
18
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
21.5. Entire Agreement. This instrument sets forth the entire agreement between the
Parties with respect to the Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations,
understandings, or agreements relating to the Easement, all of which are merged herein;
21.6. No Forfeiture. Nothing contained herein will result in a forfeiture or reversion of
Grantor's title in any respect;
� 21.7. Joint and Several Obligation. The obligations imposed by this Easement upon
Grantor shall be joint and several. If the Property's ownership, now or in the future, is by a
single entity consisting of multiple parties including shareholders, partners, or members, that
entity is required to notify its shareholders, partners, or members of the entity's and their
individual rights and responsibilities, including any monetary or other obligations set forth in this
Easement. Grantor shall provide a copy of such notice at any time upon the Trust's request;
21.8. Successors. The covenants, terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Easement
shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto and Grantor's respective
personal representatives, heirs, successors, transferees, and assigns, and the Trust's successors,
transferees, and assigns, and shall continue as a servitude running in perpetuity with the
Property;
21.9. Termination of Rights and Obligations. A Party's rights and obligations under
this Easement terminate upon transfer of the Parly's interest in the Easement or the Property,
unless the transferee assumes such obligations, except that liability for acts or omissions
occurring prior to transfer shall survive transfer;
21.10. Captions. The captions in this instrument have been inserted solely for
convenience of reference and are not a part of this instrument and shall have no effect upon
construction or interpretation;
21.11. Counterparts. The Parties may execute this instrument in two or more
counterparts, which shall, in the aggregate, be signed by all the Parties; each counterpart shall be
deemed an original instrument as against any Party who has signed it. In the event of any
disparity between the counterparts produced,the recorded counterpart shall be controlling;
21.12. Merger. Unless the Parties expressly state that they intend a merger of estates or
interests to occur, no merger shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder or under any document
executed in the future affecting this Easement;
2L13. Authority to Execute. Each party represents to the other that such party has full
power and authority to execute and deliver this Deed of Conservation Easement, and perfarm its
obligations under this Easement, that the individual executing this Easement on behalf of said
party is fully empowered and authorized to do so, and that this Easement constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of said party enforceable against said party in accordance with its
terms; and
19
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
21.14. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Easement is entered into by and between
Grantor and the Trust with the intent that there are no intended third party beneficiaries that have
the right or obligation to enforce the terms and provisions of this Easement.No person or entity,
other than the Grantor or the Trust, shall have standing to enforce, nor the right or obligation to
enforce,the terms and provisions of this Easement or to otherwise commence or intervene in any
lawsuit pertaining to this Easement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantar and the Trust have executed this Deed of
Conservation Easement as of the date first written above.
(signatures on following pages)
20
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
GRANTOR:
2343 COUNTY ROAD, LLC,
a Colorado limited liability company
By:
Name:
Title:
STATE OF )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of ' ,
2011, by as of 2343
COUNTY ROAD, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, as Grantor.
WI'I`NESS my hand and official seal. �
rsEaL�
Notary Public
My commission expires:
21 �
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
ACCEPTED by the TRUST:
ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST,
a Colorado nonprofit corporation
By:
Martha Cochran,Executive Directar
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of ,
201 l, by Martha Cochran as Executive Director of ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST, a
Colorado nonprofit corporation.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
[SEAL]
Notary Public
My commission expires:
22
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
EXHIBIT A
Legal Description of Property
23
Exhibit B —Upper Potato Bill Conservation Easement
ExxIBIT s
Map of Property
24
Exhibit C — Crystal Island Ranch Development Right Elimination
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Ea�hibit D — Crystal Island Deed Restriction
DEED RESTRICTION
THIS DEED RESTRICTIION iS made and entered into this day of
20_by Ranch Lake III, Inc and Ranch Lake IV, LLC (hereinafter
the "Owners of the Burdened Property")as the owners of certain real property described
as Lots lE, 4E, SE, 8W, 9W, lOW, 11W, 12W, 13 W, and 15W, Crystal Island Ranch
Planned Unit Development recorded in Book 74 at Page 46 of the Real Property Records
of the Clerk and Recorder of Pitkin County, Colorado (hereinafter the "Burdened
Property").
RECITALS
WHEREAS,the Owners of the Burdened Property along with 2343 County Road,
LLC, Ranch II,LLC and Ranch IV, LLC entered into that certain agreement with the
Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (hereinafter the `Benefited Party")dated
20_(the"Agreement"); and
WHEREAS,under the Agreement,the Owners of the Burdened Property along
with 2343 County Road, LLC,Ranch II, LLC and Ranch IV, LLC agreed to relinquish
ten(10) development rights that run with the Burdened Property; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire and intention of the Owners of the Burdened Property
to impose on the Burdened Property the restriction set forth in Paragraph 1 below for the
benefit of the Benefited Party.
DECL�IRATION
1. Restriction. Now, therefore,the Owners of the Burdened Property hereby declare
that all of the Burdened Property shall be held and conveyed subject to the following
restriction("Restriction"), which is declared and agreed to be for the benefit of the
Benefited Party
Residential Development is precluded on the Burdened Property.
2. Permitted Improvements. The Restriction notwithstanding: (a)the Owners of the
Burdened Property shall have the right to locate no more than 1 single family residence
along with permitted accessory structures and agricultural buildings on the combined lot
area comprising Lots 14W and 15W; and(b)the owners of the Burdened Property shall
have the right to locate no more than 2 single family residences along with permitted
accessory structures and agricultural buildings on the combined lot area comprising Lots
lE, 2E, 3E, and 4E.
3. Effect; Successors. This Deed Restriction shall be a covenant running with the
land and shall inure to the benefit of the Benefited Party and shall burden and bind the
Burdened Property.
1
Exhibit D — Crystal Island Deed Restriction
4. Severabilitv. In the event any provisions herein or any portion of any provision
herein shall be deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provision shall be deemed severable, and such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceabitity shall not alter any other provision or the remaining portion of such
provision.
5. No Third Party Beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of this Deed Restriction are the
Benefited Party and Owners of the Burdened Property and each of their successors in
interest. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create any rights in, or be for the beneftt of,
any third party.
6. GoverningLLaw. The terms and provisions of this Deed Restriction shall be
constructed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Owners of the Burdened Property
have executed this Deed Restriction effective as of the date first set forth above.
Ranch Lake III, Inc
Owner of Lots lE,4E, and SE
By:
,President
Ranch Lake IV, LLC
Owner of Lots 8W, 9W, IOW, 11W, 12W, 13 W, and 15W
By:
, President
STATE OF )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of
, 20_, by as President of Ranch Lake III, Inc.
Witness my hand and official seaL
My Commission expires:
Notary Public
2
E�ibit D — Crystal Island Deed Restriction
STATE OF )
) ss.
COUNTY OF )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of
, 20_, by as President of Ranch Lake IV,
LLC.
Witness my hand and official seal.
My Commission expires:
Notary Public
3
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