Eagle County acquires Spencer’s Cabin parcel along Colorado River near Burns

Eagle County is celebrating the acquisition of the Spencer’s Cabin property, a 34-acre parcel located upstream from Burns. The acquisition by the county permanently protects nearly one-half mile of Colorado River frontage and provides habitat for river otter, bighorn sheep, mink, mountain lion, birds and black bears. The property also offers winter range for elk and mule deer.

Spencer’s Cabin upstream from Burns on the Colorado River.

Starting in 2015, the 180-square-foot cabin will be available for rent by boaters and anglers completing multi-day float trips. Public access to the cabin is only permitted via the river, as there is no public road or trail access. Details regarding the use of the cabin will be finalized at a later date.

Total purchase price of the property was $300,000, with $270,000 coming from Eagle County’s dedicated Open Space Fund. Colorado Open Lands helped to facilitate an additional $30,000 in funding through a grant from the Gates Family Foundation.

For more information on the county’s open space program, contact Open Space Director Toby Sprunk at 970-328-8698 or toby.sprunk@eaglecounty.us. For photos of the property, visit the Eagle County Open Space Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ECOpenSpace .