Pitkin County buys Redstone open space

REDSTONE ” Pitkin County taxpayers are now the proud owners of 266 hillside acres in the hamlet of Redstone, south of Carbondale.

The land is to be purchased by the county’s Open Space and Trails program in exchange for about $2 million and six transferable development rights to be split among several property owners.

The 266 acres, known collectively as the Sawmill Hill property, are located uphill from the historic Redstone Castle. In moving to buy the land, the county has ensured that the wooded hillside above the picturesque landmark will not be filled in by second homes, said Open Space director Dale Will.

The county also has given its final approval to the purchase of slightly less than 10 acres along Highway 133 north of Redstone, known as the Larson Property, for $550,000.