The south-facing slopes adjacent to I-70 from Spraddle Creek to Pitkin Creek east of Vail have forever been critical winter range for a native herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. In summer, the sheep thrive in the high terrain of the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness. But their survival depends on the integrity of just a couple hundred acres of steep winter habitat adjacent to the valley floor where low snowpack levels provide safety and forage from December to May.

In response to the threat of further development within this fragile habitat, a collaborative effort was born to ensure the long-term survival of this small yet iconic native sheep herd.

Visually supported by the Eagle Valley Wild project, the Vail Bighorn Initiative, Town of Vail, Eagle County and the Eagle Valley Land Trust worked together to permanently protect 150 acres of critical winter habitat in the autumn of 2025. Lead by conservation groups, municipal leaders and supported by Colorado Parks & Wildlife research and generous donors, the multi-year effort has now secured the future of this beloved sheep herd.