Forum on State Land Board Leases Hosted by Bent-Prowers Cattlemen

Bent-Prowers Cattle & Horse Growers Association President Pat Ptolemy of Swink, left, thanks Beverly Rave as she wraps up Q&A at an open forum Saturday, Jan. 9 in Lamar. The presentation, sponsored by the area cattlemen’s group, focused on Colorado State Land Board lease changes. (courtesy photos)

Thirty ranchers from southeast Colorado attended the open forum at the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn on January 9^th, sponsored by the Bent-Prowers Cattle and Horse Growers Association.

Ron O’Neal of Wiley, left, visits with featured speaker Beverly Rave of Denver, following the Bent-Prowers Cattlemen’s board meeting and open forum at the Cow Palace Inn in Lamar. At right, Barb Leininger of La Junta, waits in line with a lease question for Rave.

Association President, Pat Ptolemy of Swink introduced Beverly Rave, the featured speaker who provided the audience with information on future Colorado State Land Board lease changes and also answered specific questions from the attendees during the latter portion of the meeting. Rave is the current co-chair of the Colorado Cattlemen’s state lands committee and has over 40 years’ experience in ranch and lease management, private and federal land acquisitions and worked as the Northwest District Manager for the State Land Board and as its Field Operations Section Manager.

Mike Pollart, State Land district manager, visits with Bill and Timy Trosper of Eads. Pollart came to hear Beverly Rave’s presentation. Rave helped hire and train Pollart for a field position. Pollart’s current Southeast Colorado district includes Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Kit Carson and Prowers counties.

Rave discussed insight into the current makeup of the State Land Board, future board vacancies and changes in the board focus which could impact state leases, including how they are managed; Stewardship Action Plans, increased cost and pro-active steps landowners can take to ensure the longevity of personal leases.

A board meeting for the Cattlemen’s group was held prior to the forum which was followed by a dinner and Rave’s presentation. The session was open to county ranchers and various agri-businesses from six counties in southeast Colorado. The Bent-Prowers Cattle and Horse Growers Association was formed in 1870.  Their website is www.coloradocattle.org.