The Town of Berthoud announces the successful acquisition of another parcel of farmland adjacent to the Little Thompson River. The purchase of the 105-acre Schaal farm is another step forward in the Town’s commitment to conservation along the river.
Town of Berthoud Acquires Schaal Property to Support Conservation Efforts on the Little Thompson River
BERTHOUD, CO – April 8, 2025 – The Town of Berthoud is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of another parcel of farmland adjacent to the Little Thompson River, just west of County Road 5. The purchase of the 105-acre Schaal farm is another vital step forward in the Town’s commitment to conservation and responsible land stewardship along the river.
“This is another landmark achievement for our community that builds off of the conservation of the 226-acre Lewis Heritage Farm and the acquisition of the 138-acre Befus farm,” said Town Administrator Chris Kirk. “It also shows a clear commitment from the Town toward our goals of preserving this critically important part of our community for current and future generations to enjoy.”
Funding for the acquisition of the Schaal farm comes from the Town’s budget with support from a generous grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Colorado’s outdoor spaces. Additionally, Colorado Open Lands played a crucial role in facilitating the transaction, and they will ultimately hold a conservation easement on the property to ensure the long-term stewardship of the land, the protection of critical riparian habitat, and expanded opportunities for outdoor recreation.
“When the Town approached us about purchasing and conserving the farm, we were excited to know that our family’s agricultural legacy would be preserved,” said Jana Smith, one of the former owners of the farm. “My sister Linda and I didn’t want to continue managing the farm, but we didn’t want to see it lost to development. The Town’s purchase gave us peace of mind that our family legacy would be preserved and a sense of pride that the community will be welcomed to enjoy our family land for a very long time.”
The Town of Berthoud is planning conservation efforts for the Schaal property and invites community input on land management and recreational access. Committed to balancing conservation with public enjoyment, the Town looks forward to engaging residents and growing our recreational amenities.
Please visit Berthoud.org/LandConservation for more information on property conservation and to learn more about Berthoud’s commitment to our open spaces.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Berthoud is known as the Garden Spot of Colorado and is within easy travel distance to three major universities, the Denver metropolitan area, and Estes Park. Since its early days in the 1800s as an agricultural center, Berthoud has grown and evolved while retaining the unique character and feel of a small, rural town surrounded by farms and open lands. For more information about the Town of Berthoud, please visit Berthoud.org.
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