Colorado Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Colorado, the award is presented with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, and Premier Farm Credit. 

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. 

Award applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.   

The nomination deadline date is February 6, 2026. Applications must be emailed to ColoradoLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. 

“The Leopold Conservation Award not only showcases the heritage of natural resource stewardship on working landscapes, but also highlights the positive influences agriculture has on the environment, our communities, and our economy,” said Curt Russell, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association President.

“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the recipients of this award,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

The first Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2003. Wagon Wheel Ranch of Craig received the award in 2025. 

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Colorado is made possible thanks to the generous partnership and support of American Farmland Trust, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sand County Foundation, American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, Premier Farm Credit, The Stanko Ranch, CKP Insurance, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Colorado Partners for Fish and Wildlife, The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and The Nature Conservancy.