Laurel Morales/KJZZ Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye announced the tribe has signed contract to purchase Wolf Springs Ranch for $23 million. The land is approximately 16,379 acres, located about 195 miles south of Denver.

Begaye said he’s excited about multiple opportunities that will come from the ranch, both commercial, because of the rich grasslands on the property they’ll use for beef and bison, and cultural. He said the land they will buy is filled with Navajo history, with ancient Navajo dwellings in the area and filled with sacred meaning.

Begaye said this purchase has not been a long time coming. In fact, it’s only been three months since he pulled together a committee, hired real estate companies to look for lands in Colorado.

In the end, Begaye said, this was more than a business transaction. The purchasing of the property, from engaging with the ranch’s previous owner to understanding the significance of restoring a place for his people, was a moving experience for the entire Navajo Nation.