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Hmmm. Where does one start?

In a bold experiment, three conservation groups have persuaded Mr. Rusk and five other ranchers to sign a unique covenant limiting the kinds of development that they – or any future buyers – can do with the land. The conservation easements forbid the ranchers from converting their 1,500 acres into trophy homes, golf courses, and condominiums.

I wonder how they persuaded them? I wonder if they know how little control they'll have over their land with an easement? For instance, how many banks will loan them money against their land now?

"This is as big and ambitious a program to protect ranching and the environment in a single effort as I know of," says Woody Beardsley of the Trust for Public Land, which has shepherded through the deal, along with the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust and Colorado Conservation Trust.

Which one of these groups are representing the private property owner?

This whole article could have been written by the Sierra Club. Who is going to own these conservation easements now? When the land passes to the children, will they be able to remain on as ranchers? Don't bet on it.

But the environmental groups' contract with six large landowners isn't without controversy. A few of the ranchers are being compensated for the easements – funded, in part by state lottery ticket sales. To some, the covenants introduce too many restrictions on the area's land use by outside groups.

The covenant agreement is also rewarding for a few of the landowners. Two ranchers have been compensated for their easements. Mr. Rusk's family, including his father and son, will receive about $1 million in much-needed cash to apply to operating expenses, a huge break on taxes, and estate benefits that enable them to pass down the land from one son to the next.

ITTS. It's The Taxpayer Stupid.

And, of course, I am not calling you stupid.

That's a family legacy that will remain long after I'm gone," he says.

Yup. Sure will. Good thing no one else has a legacy worth considering.