High Country Conservation Advocates has spent decades standing up for the wild heart of Gunnison County. What began in 1977 as a grassroots effort to protect Mt. Emmons fondly known as Red Lady has grown into a respected force for conservation across more than 3,500 square miles of public lands and waterways. Strong collaboration with towns, counties, landowners, and public agencies has helped secure lasting victories and opened doors to permanent protection for the places that define the character and economy of Crested Butte and its surrounding communities.

Over time, the organization’s focus expanded beyond mining to address the broader threats facing alpine ecosystems, rivers, and wildlife habitats. Today, High Country Conservation Advocates leads with science, education, advocacy, and partnerships to safeguard landscapes stretching from the Raggeds Wilderness and the Collegiates to the Black Canyon, the North Fork, and the Lake Fork. Every effort is rooted in the belief that a thriving environment and a resilient economy go hand in hand, and that the land and water sustaining this region deserve protection for generations to come.