A family ranch in Western Colorado is among three finalists for an annual award recognizing conservation efforts.

The LeValley Ranch near Hotchkiss is among the finalists for the 2023 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award.

This year’s recipient will be announced prior to Earth Day on April 22. The formal award presentation will take place in June at the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association annual convention in Steamboat Springs.

Named in honor of the conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands.

The Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to landowners in 27 states for achievement in voluntary conservation.

In Colorado, the $10,000 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.

The LeValley family’s rangeland conservation practices and irrigation upgrades have increased water efficiency, biodiversity, crop production and wildlife habitat on their cattle ranch in Delta and Montrose counties.

A deferred grazing system, specialized water infrastructure and the removal of invasive trees and shrubs have all been implemented to provide critical habitat for endangered Gunnison sage grouse.

The other finalists are the Chico Basin Ranch in Colorado Springs and Round River Resource Management of Rush.

“Colorado farming and ranching families proudly produce the food that feeds a growing society and provide invaluable benefits to their communities and the environment,” said Philip Anderson, the president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

“CCA celebrates the Leopold Conservation Award finalists and applicants for their commitment to outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements on working lands,” Anderson said.