Funded Projects2024 Funded Project: High Country Conservation Advocates

Protecting Local Lands, Waters, and Wildlife

Since 1977, High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) has remained dedicated to protecting the health, integrity, and beauty of the public lands, waters, and wildlife of Colorado’s Gunnison Country. The grassroots non-profit organization was initially founded as High Country Citizens’ Alliance to protect Gunnison County, Colorado, from a proposed molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons, also known locally as “Red Lady.” Since then, HCCA has successfully led the community in keeping Mt. Emmons mine-free and continues to work with local partners to secure permanent protection for Mt. Emmons. Today, the organization’s primary efforts include advocacy for over two million acres of public lands in the Gunnison Country.

Gunnison County’s Environmental Leader

As an outgrowth of its protection work, HCCA has become Gunnison County’s environmental leader, protecting public lands, water, and wildlife in an area that covers more than 3,500 square miles. It recognizes that environmental sustainability is key to a healthy economy and participates in public land processes at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure iconic public lands and waters remain healthy for future generations. Its primary efforts include monitoring, advocacy, outreach, and stewardship.

Monitoring

HCCA monitors 15 specific land management units in the Gunnison Country on a weekly basis to gain information and updates on new and ongoing projects. During this monitoring phase:

• All new project proposals are evaluated for expected impacts on public lands.
• Maps are evaluated for locations and existing land designations.
• Critical resources of concern are identified.
• Project partners, stakeholders, and other interested organizations are contacted.
• On-site visits are conducted, if necessary.
• HCCA develops a position on a topic or project.

Advocacy

After monitoring and developing a position on a project, HCCA engages directly in public processes and occasionally leads and supports appeals, objections, and litigation for decisions that could have negative outcomes. Most importantly, they advocate for conservation solutions to elected officials, agency decision-makers and staff, other interested organizations, and the local community. This is accomplished through direct relationships, public processes and meetings, and publishing essays in local newspapers.

Outreach

Outreach efforts are a strategic component of HCCA’s advocacy work to educate people about the natural beauty of public lands in the Gunnison Country, while providing more specific details about land protections, projects, etiquette, and threats. These efforts are accomplished by partnering with local groups, such as youth summer and after-school camps, the Gunnison Watershed School District, Western Colorado University, weekly HCCA Hikes, community-focused events, and targeting out-of-town visitors at special occasions (Mountain Words Literary Festival, Blister Summit at Crested Butte Ski Area, etc).

Stewardship

In addition to advocacy and outreach, HCCA coordinates and hosts stewardship projects on public lands, providing the community with opportunities for volunteer service and environmental engagement.

Championing Advocacy, Outreach, and Stewardship

In honor of Chris’ adventurous spirit, love of people, and passion for travel, the Chris Mikesell Foundation aims to support organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment’s natural beauty. In 2024, the Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to the High Country Conservation Advocates to support its advocacy, outreach, and stewardship programs.

To see a comprehensive history of organizations and causes the Foundation has supported, view all Funded Projects.