Summit County celebrates the permanent protection of the iconic Ure Ranch in Kamas, Utah
Summit County, Utah (December 15, 2025) — Summit County and Summit Land Conservancy proudly announce the successful acquisition the iconic 835-acre Ure Ranch. The land located along the entry corridor in the Kamas Valley will be protected for agriculture, wildlife habitat, and public recreational open space. The acquisition transfers the ownership of the land to Summit County and assigns the first conservation easement on the North Meadows to Summit Land Conservancy. Summit County will finalize the remaining five easements in the coming months to ensure that the scenic, agricultural, recreational, and ecological values of the property will be preserved for generations to come.
The Ure Ranch conservation project is divided into several parcels, each with a unique purpose:
- Ure North Meadows – Funded through the NRCS Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) Program and Summit County General Obligation Open Space Bond Funds, this land will remain in agricultural production, likely sold or leased to a local agricultural producer.
- Ure Homestead – Acquired with Summit County General Obligation Open Space Bond Funds and Summit County Transient Room Tax (TRT) dollars, the property is envisioned to remain as a functioning agricultural environment, recreational hub, and Summit County operations center, that will further agricultural production, education, equestrian experiences, and community support through extension and community outreach.
- Ure Recreation – Funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Utah Outdoor Recreation Initiative (ORI), Summit County General Obligation Open Space Bond Funds and Summit County Transient Room Tax (TRT) dollars this area will provide public outdoor recreation opportunities featuring trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
- Ure South Meadow & Ure Southeast Meadow – Preserved with Summit County General Obligation Open Space Bonds Fund, these areas may remain in agricultural production, be programed for limited recreation, or be sold/leased to a local agricultural producer.
- The Swamp – Funded with Summit County Transit dollars to restore a meaningful and functioning wetland ecological system.
It took a village of collective key partnerships and funding opportunities to acquire the property, including those provided by the USDA’s NRCS ALE program ($6.2M) to protect the agricultural heritage pastures of the North Meadows, the LWCF ($2.5M) and the ORI ($500k) both provided funds to create the first Summit County owned public recreation area in the Kamas Valley, and by Summit County, who provided the bulk of the funding with contributions from the 2021 voter approved General Obligation Open Space Bond ($7M), TRT funds ($10M), and from County Transportation allocations ($210k).
“The Ure Ranch is big enough to give the Kamas Valley a fighting chance to remain rooted in agriculture,” said Summit Land Conservancy’s CEO, Cheryl Fox. “Preserving it protects the long-term livelihood of local producers, by creating synergies with other agricultural landscapes. We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service which helped make this project possible.”
As a cornerstone of Kamas Valley, the Ure Ranch is a generational agricultural gem that supports hay production and cattle grazing. Its meadows are classified as “farmland of statewide importance” and are irrigated with historic flood irrigation systems that further productive soils, wetland habitats, and critical ecological functions, including aquifer recharge and improved water quality.
“On behalf of Summit County, I want to say how excited I am to see this precious land protected for open space and agriculture for generations to come,” Summit County Council Chair Tonja Hanson said. “I lived directly across the street from this property for 28 years. My fear was that someday I would wake up and see nothing but rooftops across the beautiful Kamas Valley. With a conservation easement on this property that will never happen. Thank you to everyone who has worked on this through the multi-year process that has led to this day. This would not be possible without the support of residents, county staff, community partners, state and federal agencies, Summit Land Conservancy, and of course, the Ure family who provided the County this incredible opportunity.”
In addition to its agricultural value, the Ure Ranch provides vital habitat for wildlife, including elk, mule deer, and migratory waterbirds such as Sandhill cranes. Its protection further contributes to the region’s scenic beauty, preserving wetlands and riparian areas, and aligning with local and county land-use plans emphasizing public open space, agricultural heritage, and mitigation of regional growth.
“It has been an honor to work alongside the Ure family throughout this conservation journey,” Summit County Director of Lands and Natural Resources Jess Kirby said. “Their decision to choose conservation over development is a profound gift to both the land and the community. Our vision is to honor the family by shaping a future on the Ranch that celebrates Summit County’s agricultural roots to inspire and sustain generations to come”
The Ure Ranch conservation effort collectively preserves the scenic Kamas Valley viewshed, maintains agricultural traditions, protects water resources, provide recreational opportunity and safeguards critical wildlife habitat—ensuring this iconic property continues to benefit the community and environment for generations to come. Ultimately it is a true testament to the collaborative conservation spirit of Summit County, Summit Land Conservancy, and Summit County private landowners.