On March 26, 1969, an informational meeting was held with 24 interested citizens from Eastern Colorado to establish an RC&D project area to include 5,571,840 acres. By April 1970, the application for East Central Colorado RC&D project area had been approved by the Governor of Colorado and was sent to Washington D.C. for approval. National approval and funding was not received until October 1976, but projects were underway by June 1970. Support from USDA Soil Conservation Service and various state and federal agencies was vital to the tremendous successes of the first six years. By July 1972 there were eight water and sewer projects in various stages and five housing projects underway.

The East Central Colorado RC&D Area originally included Elbert, Lincoln, Cheyenne, Kit Carson counties and the northeast corner of El Paso County. In 1989 the East Central Colorado RC&D Area expanded to include the entire eastern half of El Paso county as far west as Peyton Highway, bringing the total area to 6,226,160 acres. In 1997, an expansion proposal to include Washington County was approved. In 2006 Washington County was realigned to the adjacent newly authorized Northeast Colorado RC& D area.

The original objectives included (but were not limited to) 1) Accelerated application of land conservation, to reduce erosion and water losses and improved production. 2) New industries to increase job opportunities and improve the area’s economy. 3) Improve highways and roads. 4) Better medical facilities. 5) Improved low-cost housing for low income families and homes for the elderly.

The area is bordered on the east by the Kansas line and on the west by the front range of the Rocky Mountains. The east half of the area is a typical plain, consisting of nearly level loamy land and sand hills. The west half has scattered tablelands with many valleys and foothills. Elevation ranges from about 4,000 feet on the east border to 7,000 feet on the west. The semi-arid climate with very low humidity and abundant sunshine with a wide range in temperature makes it a very comfortable place to live. The average annual precipitation ranges from 10 to 18 inches.

Farming and ranching are the predominant economic activities of the area. Bonny Reservoir, Flagler Lake, Ramah Dam, Kinney Lake, and Karval Dam offer the only water-based recreation sites in or near the area with limited boating and fishing potential.

The area was claimed as a Spanish territory until 1706. It was purchased from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. As a United States possession it was part of the Kansas territory until 1861 when it joined the Colorado territory. The first settlers came to the territory in the 1860's with large droves of cattle and sheep. The building of the Union Pacific and the Rock Island railroads opened the country up to the mass western migration in the 1870's and 80's. Kit Carson, the famous scout, had a trading post in the present community that carries his name in Cheyenne County.

The sponsorship of the RC&D area is made up of counties, conservation districts (CD), towns, businesses, civic groups, and individuals. The entire area is included in state designated enterprise zones, having tax incentives and investment credits for new business and expansion. Two residents from each county make up the Executive Board that carries on the day to day operations of the council.