Summit County buys 835-acre Ure Ranch to preserve Kamas Valley open space

Rolling hills and open meadowlands stretch across Summit County’s Ure Ranch near Kamas, part of an 835-acre property the county says it acquired to protect agricultural land, wetlands, and future trail access. Photo: Summit County

KAMAS, Utah — Summit County has purchased the 835-acre Ure Ranch along the Kamas Valley entry corridor, preserving pasture and wetlands from development. This acquisition protects local habitat, preserves scenic views, and expands public recreation opportunities and open space.

The property has transferred to county ownership, and the first conservation easement — covering the ranch’s North Meadows — has been assigned to Summit Land Conservancy, according to a joint announcement Monday.

The county plans to finalize five additional easements in the coming months.

“The Ure Ranch is big enough to give the Kamas Valley a fighting chance to remain rooted in agriculture,” said Cheryl Fox, CEO of Summit Land Conservancy.

County Council Chair Tonja Hanson, who lived across from the property for 28 years, described the acquisition as a measure to protect against growth pressures in the valley. “My fear was that someday I would wake up and see nothing but rooftops across the beautiful Kamas Valley,” Hanson said. “That will never happen” with the conservation easement in place.

Divided uses planned

The conservation effort divides the ranch into areas with different long-term uses — from continued agricultural production to trail access and wetland restoration.

The North Meadows will remain in agriculture and is expected to be sold or leased to a local producer, county officials said. The “Homestead” portion is envisioned as a working agricultural setting that could also serve as a recreation hub and county operations center, supporting agricultural education, equestrian experiences, and community outreach.

A separate recreation area is planned to provide public outdoor access, including trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. Other meadow parcels could remain in production, be limited to specific recreational uses, or be sold or leased to a local producer.

One section, called “The Swamp,” is slated for wetland restoration, funded with county transit dollars, to rebuild a functioning wetland ecosystem.

Federal, state, and local funding

The acquisition blended federal, state, and local funding sources. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provided $6.2 million through its Agricultural Land Easements program for the North Meadows. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund contributed $2.5 million, and Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Initiative added $500,000.

Summit County provided most of the funding through a 2021 voter-approved general obligation open space bond, transient room tax revenue, and county transportation allocations.

Agriculture and wildlife habitat

The ranch supports hay production and cattle grazing, with meadows classified as “farmland of statewide importance.” It is irrigated by historic flood systems that contribute to soil productivity and wetland habitat while aiding aquifer recharge and water quality, according to the announcement.

The property also provides habitat for elk, mule deer, and migratory waterbirds such as sandhill cranes.

“It has been an honor to work alongside the Ure family throughout this conservation journey,” said Jess Kirby, the county’s director of lands and natural resources. She called the decision to conserve the property “a profound gift to both the land and the community.”