Trinchera Blanca Foundation supports Mountain Home Reservoir project

FORT GARLAND – The Fort Garland Revitalization Committee (FGRC) has received $35,000 from The Trinchera Blanca Foundation to help The Trinchera Irrigation Company (TIC) preserve water in Mountain Home Reservoir during its planned upgrade, allowing county residents to continue fishing, camping and boating as work on the reservoir proceeds.

Only two percent of Costilla County is public land, and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities are limited. To address that shortfall, Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains a conservation pool of 653 acre-feet at Mountain Home Reservoir, stocking the reservoir with rainbow trout on a regular basis.

Earlier this year, TIC had proposed a rehabilitation that normally would require significant drainage of the reservoir, seriously impacting fishing and recreational benefits and TIC’s normal water storage and distribution operations. As an organization focused on enhancing overall quality of life through revitalization and outreach programs, FGRC was determined to work with TIC to find a way to keep this popular outdoor spot accessible to residents and tourist during the upgrade.

Support from the Trinchera Blanca Foundation will enable a portion of the repairs to be completed under water and ensure that people continue to have access to recreation areas at the reservoir throughout the project.   

“We applaud the Fort Garland Revitalization Committee for promoting projects that benefit the Fort Garland community, and we are thankful that they told us about the access dilemma, which TIC can now help resolve,” said Ann Colley, executive director and vice president of The Moore Charitable Foundations and its affiliates, including the Trinchera Blanca Foundation. “Enabling the preservation of local activities at Mountain Home Reservoir in tandem with the TIC’s upgrades is a win-win for all.”

“Mountain Home Reservoir is an essential recreation area and irrigation source for our community,” said Ty Ryland, ranch manager for Trinchera Blanca Ranch. “When the Trinchera Irrigation Company informed us about the issue, that without additional support the reservoir would need to be drained to complete the necessary repairs, it was a no-brainer for us to support a solution to ensure water levels for recreation and irrigation purposes.”

“We couldn’t have protected this significant area and the recreation of our community without the help of The Trinchera Blanca Foundation,” said Lisa Gonzales, executive director of the Fort Garland Revitalization Committee. “We’re delighted to have participated in creating this positive outcome for all.”

Sharon Gibson, president of FGRC said, “Outdoor recreation is important for our community and we are appreciative of the project support that will let us continue to enjoy this special place.” 

The Fort Garland Revitalization Committee was formed in 1995 and became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1998. The organization is run entirely by resident volunteers, with donations and fund-raising efforts used to enhance Fort Garland and the overall quality of life through community revitalization and outreach programs that would otherwise be unavailable to residents of this small unincorporated community.

The Trinchera Blanca Foundation, the Colorado affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation, founded by Louis Bacon in 1992 supports organizations committed to protecting land, water and wildlife habitat in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. The Trinchera Blanca Foundation also supports community programs dedicated to improving quality of life in the surrounding region.