Near Crested Butte, CO
Overview: The Mt. Emmons (AKA Red Lady) land exchange involved the exchange of three parcels of federal land (551 acres) needed to facilitate “Remediation Activities” at the historic Keystone Mine for one parcel of non- federal land located in Gunnison County and three parcels of non-federal land located in Saguache County, Colorado (totaling 624 acres).
Crested Butte locals and organizations have long pursued this exchange as a means of halting mining on Mt. Emmons, a widely popular site for recreation. Mount Emmons Mining Company (MEMC) seeks the exchange for easier management of a water treatment facility and remediation. Although this exchange is widely supported, it was complicated in scope given the number of stakeholders, questions on conservation easements and water rights, and the Forest Service pursuing it through a categorical exclusion. Public benefits of the exchange included preserving almost all existing public uses and access, a restrictive conservation easement which included a mineral withdrawal in conjunction with the CORE act, facilitating mine reclamation and restoration of the formerly public parcels, and incorporating parcels along the Continental Divide Trail into the National Forest.
• Status: The Exchange closed in September of 2024 with the support of the Crested Butte Community and Colorado Wild Public Lands.
• Federal Agency: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, Gunnison Ranger District
• Proponents: Mount Emmons Mining Company (MEMC)
• Representatives: Western Land Group
• Location: Gunnison and Saguache Counties, near Crested Butte
• Public Land To Be Conveyed To Proponent: Three parcels of federal land aggregating 551 acres
• Non-Federal Land To Be Acquired By Public: One parcel of non-federal land totaling 624 acres
• USFS Project Website for all project documents
Documents Received by CWPL via Freedom of Information Act Requests