This summer, the Colorado State Land Board had the honor of hosting the 2025 National Association of State Trust Lands (NASTL) Summer Conference in Denver. The four-day event, held July 20–23 at History Colorado, brought together more than 150 participants from 16 states and over 30 organizations under the theme “Resilience & Stewardship: Managing an Intergenerational Trust.”
The gathering spotlighted how state trust land managers nationwide are tackling shared challenges—from balancing economic return with resource protection to navigating emerging opportunities in renewable energy, carbon storage, and water management. For Colorado, the conference was more than a showcase of our work—it was a catalyst for deeper collaboration across state lines.
A Platform for Partnership and Innovation
Throughout the week, breakout sessions and keynotes covered a wide range of topics central to the stewardship of trust lands: managing complex water portfolios, creating successful public recreation partnerships, investing trust cash assets for greater beneficiary impact, and stewarding cultural resources. Governor Jared Polis opened the conference by highlighting Colorado’s innovative approaches to wildfire mitigation, water conservation, and renewable energy—all examples of how state trust lands contribute to ecological and economic resilience.
The conference concluded with a tour of the Lowry Ranch, where participants saw firsthand the State Land Board’s multifaceted approach to stewardship. Stops included a solar array, grazing lands at Coal Creek, and the Box Elder Creek overlook—home to SLB’s Stewardship Trust and biological carbon programs. A friendly scavenger hunt along the way encouraged hands-on engagement and earned glowing reviews from attendees.
Strengthening National Networks
The relationships forged at NASTL didn’t end in July. In the months since, State Land Board staff have followed up on dozens of conversations with peers from across the country—sharing Colorado’s experiences with ecosystem services and learning from others’ innovative approaches.
Sharing Our Model: Recently, our staff presented to Minnesota’s State Land Board about Colorado’s emerging ecosystem services framework, which integrates natural capital valuation and market-based stewardship into trust land management.
Learning from Others: We also met with the New Mexico State Land Board to learn more about their cultural resources program—an area where Colorado aims to expand its own capacity.
Ongoing Collaboration: Additional follow-up conversations are underway with colleagues in Utah, Arizona, Washington, and Nebraska to exchange ideas on carbon sequestration, renewable energy leasing, and recreation partnerships.
These exchanges embody the collaborative spirit that makes NASTL a cornerstone for advancing trust land management nationwide. As one attendee from New Mexico shared, “The Colorado State Land Board is so ahead of the game when it comes to stewardship—we were all thoroughly impressed, especially with how you manage the Lowry Ranch.”
Leading by Example
Hosting the 2025 NASTL Conference underscored Colorado’s role as a national leader in innovative state trust land stewardship. From exploring ecosystem services and regenerative agriculture to expanding renewable energy opportunities, the State Land Board continues to evolve in service of its beneficiaries—the public schools of Colorado—while helping shape a more sustainable, interconnected future for trust lands across the West.