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The Turkey Creek Conservation District works to protect, enhance, and educate landowners, land users, and conservation partners on the importance of natural resources within and around the District's geographic boundaries of north Pueblo County.

Interesting Info

Serving Pueblo County Since 1943!

The Turkey Creek Conservation District was organized under the Colorado Soil Conservation Act of 1937 (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 35, Article 70) working within the framework of state and federal conservation policy through a referendum vote held on May 1, 1943 by the local farming and ranching community who initiated and supported its creation. The referendum showed strong community support, with 64 votes for the creation of the district and one against. The (Colorado) Secretary of State issued a Certificate of Organization to the District on May 17, 1943, which was "duly recorded in the county records of Pueblo County, Colorado (Reception No. 702673).

We play a pivotal role in providing educational resources, and guidance for technical assistance and financial support to landowners, land users, and conservation partners within our service area. This work is guided by our mission to actively promote the wise and sustainable use of our finite natural resources. On and after July 1, 2002, by direction C.R.S. § 35-70-102.5, the word “soil” was removed from Colorado conservation district titles.

Land Ownership in the District

2025 Data from the Pueblo County Assessor’s Office shows the following property use type acreage. This table does not include El Paso County nor Fremont County data.

PROPERTY TYPE

ACRES

PERCENT

Commercial

630

<1%

Land

244,904

86.06%

Residential

39,035

13.74%

TOTAL

284,568

100%

 

The Pueblo County data for in-District parcels contains approximately 1,755 records, 1,538 unique parcel numbers, and about 453 unique owner names/contact addresses. The top (approximately) 89% of total acreage in this data is owned by 10 unique landowners:

OWNER

ACRES

% OF IN-DISTRICT TOTAL

State of Colorado

103,557

36.39%

private owner

72,327

25.42%

private owner

20,316

7.14%

Pueblo Springs Ranch

16,664

5.86%

U.S. Ammunition Depot

16,620

5.84%

Neptune Energy Center

7,497

2.63%

PuebloPlex

4,983

1.75%

private owner

4,142

1.46%

private owner

3,428

1.20%

private owner

2,877

1.01%

TOTAL

252,410

100%

Trends Impacting Natural Resources in the Region

Community Development:

Impact: Balancing conservation goals with community needs, particularly in relation to land use and water resources.

 

Drought Conditions, Invasive Plant and Pest

Impact: Ongoing drought and related plant and pest imbalances pose challenges for agricultural operations and natural resource management in the region.

 

Federal Program/Resource Uncertainty:

Impact: Potential organizational reductions, funding cuts, and resource loss with federal partner agencies may affect programing and operations.

 

Land Use Sustainability:

Impact: The need for soil health management, sustainable practices, and water conservation continues to grow.

 

Wildfire Risk:

Impact: Increased wildfire threats require enhanced education and mitigation strategies for landowners.

Natural Resource Goals and Priorities

Education and Outreach

Goal: Enhance community awareness and youth engagement in conservation through educational initiatives and direct support programs.

  • Objective 1: Expand educational sponsorships from $50-$350 range to $150-$750 by 2027
  • Objective 2: Establish high school scholarship program growing from one $500 scholarship to $1,500 total by 2027
  • Objective 3: Host annual meetings and partner with organizations on conservation classes, events, and workshops
  • Objective 4: Continue development of District resource guide as primary outreach tool

 

Conservation Programs

Goal: Support basic conservation practices through education and support of technical assistance to address local resource challenges.

  • Objective 1: Actively participate in Upper Arkansas Watershed Association initiatives
  • Objective 2: Deploy printed and electronic conservation directory and guide highlighting conservation practices
  • Objective 3: Explore annual tree/plant/seed to elementary school distributions by 2026
  • Objective 4: Facilitate conservation planning assistance through partner organizations
  • Objective 5: Support partner-led classes, events, local workgroups, meetings, and summits as reasonable

 

Partnerships

Goal: Strengthen collaborative relationships with agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to achieve conservation objectives.

  • Objective 1: Maintain and develop partnerships with local, regional, state, and federal conservation, natural resource, and related entities
  • Objective 2: Participate in Upper Arkansas Watershed Association and other 11 conservation district members with regional activity and initiatives
  • Objective 3: Support local agricultural organizations through co-sponsorships and shared events

 

Financial Resources

Goal: Maintain fiscal responsibility while securing resources to support conservation programs and educational initiatives.

  • Objective 1: Maximize state grant opportunities (successfully secured $11,260 in 2025)
  • Objective 2: Maintain strict fiscal management with limited resources and manage district finances efficiently and transparently
  • Objective 3: Leverage partner resources and intern/volunteer opportunities for shared conservation goals and savings
  • Objective 4: Explore government and NGO funding opportunities including resources not traditionally considered by local governments/special districts

Camp Rocky

Discover, Experience, and Conserve

Camp Rocky is an educational, week long residential camp for 14 through 17 year-olds who enjoy the outdoors and are interested in natural resources, agriculture, or environmental science. Instruction comes together with a traditional summer camp experience in the high rockies. Learn more at https://www.camprocky.org/

Envirothon

Knowledge, Skills, Dedication

Envirothon is North America’s largest and most academically challenging high school environmental competition. The goal of Envirothon is to enhance students’ environmental literacy and enable them to make informed decisions regarding the environment. The Colorado Envirothon was established in 2012 by representatives from several agencies and organizations throughout Colorado. Learn more at https://coloenvirothon.org/

Videos about Conservation Districts