Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge
Located just outside Rollinsville, Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in Lump Gulch. The area is known for its rich trapping & mining history, outdoor recreations, vast amount of wildlife and stunning mountain views. In 2004, Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge was established with a mission to protect this valuable land and its wildlife with goals to expand buying surrounding patented mining claims and private property in order to create a buffer around the important wetlands/rare fen.
With conservation easements, donations, and public education, the Refuge has been able to protect beaver populations. In doing so, the beaver families have created food, shelter and water for all the mountain wildlife. Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge is an important wildlife corridor for deer, elk, moose, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, wolves and mountain lions. Not to mention the neo-tropical birds in the summer months and endangered green back cutthroat trout. The refuge owns 45 acres of adjacent property to buffer and protect the important habitat.
In order to provide a wide array of environmental education opportunities and scientific research, Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge plans to scrap and replace a steel World War II garage with the donation of a very historic log structure into an educational facility, and build a speaker/meeting hall. With future grant money and donations, plans are being made to completely restore the two historic 1909 numbered and documented Colorado and Southern Railroad Cars for future exhibits. Future plans also include the addition of a narrative trail and underwater viewing station within two restored mining ponds. The refuge plans on making education of Denver's inner city school children, adults, and researchers the core activities from spring to fall.