Summit County approves conservation easements to protect Kamas Valley’s Ure Ranch

Photo: Summit County Ure Ranch Property

KAMAS, Utah — Summit County Council approved two conservation easements Wednesday on the 834-acre Ure Ranch in Kamas. The easements are prerequisite to finalizing the purchase, ensuring the property remains protected for future generations.

The Ure Ranch spans multiple parcels north and south of State Route 248 and has been in the Ure family since 1892. For more than 130 years, the family operated dairy and cattle operations, making the ranch a cornerstone of the Kamas Valley’s agricultural heritage.

The conservation easements protect the land from development and mining while allowing agricultural use to continue. One residential home may be constructed on the “North Meadows” portion of the property in the future, if it is sold to a producer. The North Meadows easement covers 185 acres north of SR-248, permanently protecting the meadows while reducing future residential density.

The easements also define areas for recreation.  A 454-acre recreation area will be open for non-motorized activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and picnicking, and will help preserve wildlife habitat and the scenic viewshed.

The total purchase price of $25 million is being funded through multiple sources. Summit County contributed $5 million from a voter-approved 2021 Open Space Bond and extended the closing deadline from the end of this year to 2026, adding $2 million to the bond funding. The remaining $20 million will come from Summit Land Conservancy grants, state and federal grants, and other partnerships. The federal government shutdown had delayed the purchase, which involves federal funding, prompting the County to extend the deadline.

The Ure Ranch acquisition is unique for Summit County because it blends land protection with continued agricultural use. The County says it remains committed to preserving the Kamas aquifer, maintaining open space, and honoring the Ure family’s legacy.