The History of the Community Agriculture Alliance

The Community Agriculture Alliance (CAA) is a Colorado incorporated, non-profit community organization serving Routt County and the Yampa River Valley. The CAA was established in 1999 to ensure that the agricultural community can adapt to changes in the local and regional economy and still be active and vital in the Yampa River Valley for generations to come. The Community Agriculture Alliance’s mission is “To preserve the agricultural heritage of the Yampa River Valley by initiating, supporting and encouraging actions, programs and policies that mutually benefit and connect agricultural producers and consumers”.

The Yampa Valley is truly a unique place. We have a rich history of cattle and sheep ranching, dating from the 1870s, with many of the ranches still in continuing family ownership. We have a deep economic base of coal mining with a heritage of gold and silver mining. We are located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies and are blessed with abundant scenery and wildlife that provides a strong recreational economy. We are also home to the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, an internationally acclaimed ski and snowboard area, which provides a strong resort and service economy. All segments of the area are dependant upon each other for economic survival because of soaring land prices, continual residential and commercial growth and the desire to maintain the rural way of life. The challenge is to intermingle all of the players in
Northwest Colorado to assure that the amenities that we so love will exist for generations to come.

The CAA's Goals are...
1. Unite the residents of our Community
2. Education and Awareness of Agricultural Issues
3. Preserve and Protect Agricultural lands
4. Develop Agricultural Business Activities