Plans, Reports and Advisory Boards
2025
July August September
2024
Quarterly Board Report: July, August, September 2025
Canyon Edge Open Space earns Starburst Award for conservation impact
Larimer County, in partnership with the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, received the 2025 Starburst Award from the Colorado Lottery for the acquisition of Canyon Edge Open Space. The award, presented in August to the Board of County Commissioners, recognizes exemplary projects funded through Lottery proceeds. Acquired in November 2022 for $9 million, the 1,500-acre property was under immediate threat of development. Swift coordination and a $1.5 million Centennial Program Grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) helped secure the land’s protection. Located within the Blue Mountain Land Conservation Priority Area and near the Big Thompson River and Buckhorn/Redstone priority areas, Canyon Edge plays a key role in regional landscape connectivity, habitat conservation, and future public access. The award highlights the power of partnerships in protecting irreplaceable natural resources and reinforces the long-term community benefits of proactive land conservation.
Honoring a legacy through preparedness and collaboration
On August 20, the five-year anniversary of Ranger Brendan Unitt’s passing was marked with the annual Brendan Unitt Boat Rescue Training Day at Horsetooth Reservoir. The event honors Brendan’s legacy while preparing rangers and partner agencies for real-world water emergencies. This year’s training was the largest yet, with boats and personnel from Carter Lake, Horsetooth, Boyd Lake, Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and Longmont, along with Fort Collins Natural Areas rangers, seasonal Big Thompson District rangers, Larimer County staff, and Emergency Services medics. Ten scenarios were run during the day, supported by 15–20 role players and six private boats to simulate realistic emergencies. Inlet Bay Marina generously donated two personal watercraft rentals, while Sam’s Club of Fort Collins contributed a $150 gift card to provide meals and hydration for participants. The training reflects a continued commitment to preparedness, collaboration, and honoring Brendan’s legacy by ensuring first responders are ready for critical moments.
Efforts underway to enhance operations and reduce costs
In Q3, the Business Services Division implemented key operational upgrades to improve financial accuracy, reduce staff time, and support department-wide consistency. Permit revenue reconciliation was automated, cutting daily processing time from two hours to just ten minutes and eliminating manual entry. The department also transitioned to a unified credit card processor, MSB, aligning with county-wide standards and enabling expanded online payment options. A Fleet Liaison transition is underway, with division managers now engaged in reviewing workflows and finalizing 2026 vehicle replacement plans. The FY2026 budget was submitted on schedule, with post-approval plans to enhance reporting clarity through simplified account coding and regular check-ins. Work also began on a centralized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) library and the development of process maps to support training, cross-coverage and audit readiness. These efforts lay the groundwork for more transparent, sustainable, and resilient operations across the department.
Early Detection Rapid Response targets high-priority noxious weeds
In 2009, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, launched the Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) program to eradicate emerging noxious weeds threatening the local economy and environment. Now in its sixteenth year, the program continues to provide significant benefits to the county and its residents.
During this summer, staff mapped and addressed, through management or landowner contact, all known land parcels with eighteen high-priority noxious weed species. To prioritize sites for treatment, staff considered multiple factors, including landowner permission, total acres infested, and biological characteristics such as seed viability in the soil and plant reproduction strategies. On parcels with high-priority weeds where LCDNR crews cannot provide on-the-ground management due to limited resources, staff inspectors verify that the responsible landowner is managing these noxious weeds independently. Ongoing monitoring and early intervention remain essential tools in preventing the spread of invasive species across Larimer County.
Federal Lands Access Project gains speed at reservoirs
Parking area paving and access improvements at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir ramped up this summer, with revenue-impacting portions on track to finish by the end of 2025. Led by Central Federal Lands in coordination with the project contractor, the accelerated timeline minimizes disruptions during peak recreation months. At Carter Lake, active construction is underway at the new Quarry lot, North Pines, Eagle Campground, Big Thompson Day Use Area, and along County Road 31. At Horsetooth Reservoir, paving is progressing at South Bay, Inlet Bay, and along West County Road 38E. Looking ahead, finishing work will continue into 2026, with a new turn lane into South Bay at Horsetooth Reservoir scheduled for completion by Memorial Day. Advancing the schedule not only saves both dollars and resources but also helps ensure safer, smoother access for visitors during Larimer County’s busiest outdoor season.
Financial Summary
Larimer County Natural Resources Department has five primary revenue sources including Colorado Lottery proceeds, the Help Preserve Open Spaces Sales Tax, user fees on open spaces, user fees on reservoir parks, and the weed district property tax. Below are the July 1 through September 30 revenue summaries and operating expenses as compared to the same period the previous year.
Open Spaces
| 2024 | 2025 | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | |||
| Help Preserve Open Space Tax | 6,583,604 | 6,846,467 | |
| User Fees Revenue | 1,202,684 | 1,258,657 | |
| Service Charges Revenue | 137,162 | 118,984 | |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | 6,435 | 103,920 | |
| Interest Revenue | 923,225 | 782,984 | |
| Total | 8,853,110 | 9,111,012 | 3% |
| Grants/Partnerships | 163,876 | 6,158,059 | |
| $2Mil from GOCO, $3Mil from City of FC Livermore Conservation | |||
| Expense | |||
| Personnel Expenses | 1,468,024 | 1,430,969 | |
| Operating Expenses | 2,493,537 | 2,439,141 | |
| Total | 3,961,562 | 3,870,110 | -2% |
| Countywide Indirects | 171,593 | 155,130 | -10% |
| Acquisitions/Projects | 101,620 | 16,586,654 | |
| Redtail, Livermore, HP Shop, Etc | |||
Conservation Trust - Lottery
| 2024 | 2025 | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 764,081 | 743,891 | -3% |
Reservoir Parks
| 2024 | 2025 | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | |||
| User Fees Revenue | 4,384,547 | 4,371,317 | |
| Service Charges Revenue | 269,186 | 226,943 | |
| General Fund | 100,561 | 67,000 | |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | 68,317 | 68,976 | |
| Total | 4,822,611 | 4,734,236 | -2% |
| Grants/Partnerships | 145,413 | 235,249 | |
| Expense | |||
| Personnel Expenses | 4,073,817 | 4,321,592 | |
| Operating Expenses | 321,391 | 296,003 | |
| Total | 4,395,209 | 4,617,595 | 5% |
| Countywide Indirects | 477,104 | 491,940 | 3% |
| Projects | 232,847 | 279,181 |
County Weed District and Enterprise
| 2024 | 2025 | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | |||
| Property Taxes | 1,063,355 | 1,049,275 | |
| Service Charges Revenue | 259,446 | 247,355 | |
| General Fund | 78,862 | 108,000 | |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | - | - | |
| Total | 1,401,663 | 1,404,630 | 0% |
| Significant Donation/Other Revenue | |||
| Sale of Mulberry Building | 516,474 | ||
| Expense | |||
| Personnel Expenses | 516,537 | 550,237 | |
| Operating Expenses | 574,600 | 569,783 | |
| Total | 1,091,137 | 1,120,020 | 3% |
| Countywide Indirects | 30,318 | - | -100% |
| Indirect Exemption for 2025 | |||
PDF Board Report Downloads
Chimney Hollow Open Space Adaptive Management Plan moves forward
After nearly a year-long public process, the adaptive management plan for Chimney Hollow Open Space is complete, and this plan will guide the initial capital development and ongoing management of this open space. Public access amenities will include parking and trailhead areas, a boat ramp, 10-12 miles of naturalsurface trail, and accessible day-use facilities. Construction starts in 2025 and continues through an anticipated grand opening date in 2027. Ongoing ecological improvement activities will consist of vegetation management, restoration, and ongoing monitoring. Together, these ecological practices and the addition of nature-based public access are intended to provide a quality outdoor experience for generations of visitors. The public process included input from community stakeholders, citizen advisory board members, and the general public. The resulting plan supports DNR’s objectives to maintain high natural resource values while providing appropriate public access. To read the finalized plan, please visit https://larimer.gov/naturalresources/plans-reports-advisory-boards.
On-time, under-budget capital projects improve visitor experience and much more
In 2024, the Department made large strides in creating safer experiences, visitor amenities, and financial sustainability through the completion of seven capital projects. These projects included building a new maintenance shop and installing a wastewater treatment system at Hermit Park Open Space; adding an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection building, an ANS decontamination station, and a flush toilet at Horsetooth Reservoir; installing shoreline protections for the Horsetooth Area Information Center; and upgrading four RV dump stations system-wide. These projects were all completed on time and under budget with high quality outcomes ensuring greater efficiencies and improvements for visitors.
Rate Your Day 2024: Results are in
The Department of Natural Resources is pleased to report that respondents to our 2024 Rate Your Day visitor satisfaction survey gave an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars (a “satisfied” rating). Key findings revealed: • 52% of total respondents gave a 5-star rating. • 79% of total respondents gave a “satisfied” or “very satisfied” rating (4 or 5-stars). • 87% of total respondents reported feeling safe and welcome. • 78% of total respondents provided comments about their visit. A total of 1,112 respondents participated in the survey facilitated through a QR code on posters, flyers, social media, and signage at trailheads, campgrounds, visitor centers and email. Launched in 2023, “Rate Your Day” is conducted to get a self-reported measure of visitor satisfaction and identify areas for continuous improvement. A third cycle of “Rate Your Day” will occur in 2025.
Text-2-Park pay system launches
Larimer County launched its new Text-2-Park parking payment system in late October and is progressively rolling out signage to all paid parking areas. This program offers visitors another option to purchase day passes for their vehicles via a unique QR or text code. Text2-Park purchases of passes will link to the visitor’s vehicle license plate, enabling staff to verify them in real-time using an enforcement application. The program complements Larimer County’s existing payment options, helping to decrease wait times at pay stations and fulfilling a crucial payment collection need when pay stations are down or gatehouses are closed. The initial implementation of the program cost Larimer County approximately $2,000 and has so far brought in over $15,000 in revenue.
A more sustainable RV dump station
This quarter, LCDNR staff were able to complete a programmatic shift in the way we provide RV dump services to the public. In the past, RV dump stations were free of charge and were being used by the general public, not just visitors to county open spaces and parks. We were able to partner with a company to deploy their latest technology to both automate and charge a fee for dump station use. Consequently, the new solar powered RV dump system and fee will help the Department ensure long-term financial sustainability with maintenance and replacement costs to continue to provide this service. In the first few weeks following installation, these units are working successfully and cost recovery has been right on target.
Hello to same-day camping reservations
To gain further efficiencies and aid the public in securing campsites year-round, Larimer County Natural Resources moved to a same-day camping reservation window. Previously, same-day reservations were only available during the off season, or winter months, when staffing reductions made paying for walk-in camping difficult. Campers wanting to camp during the peak season could make reservations up to one day in advance, but had to either visit one of the county buildings during open hours or fill out a temporary card and pay an invoice sent at a later time for day-of campsite availability. Campers can now use a QR code located at each individual campsite, or follow a link directly to the reservation page to reserve their campsite. This means more time to relax and enjoy all that Larimer County’s campgrounds have to offer.
A successful grant year brings in $2.7 million in critical funds
In 2024, the Department of Natural Resources secured six grants totaling $2.7 million, supporting land acquisition, capital construction, native wildlife habitat enhancement, and trail maintenance projects across the department. Grant funders include Great Outdoors Colorado, the Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The grants provided critical funds to support the acquisition of Canyon Edge Open Space, parking area improvements at Horsetooth and Carter Lake reservoirs, the hiring of temporary trail management staff to address trail maintenance needs following severe rain events of 2023 and locating and monitoring List A and List B invasive weeds throughout the county.
Conservation easements play winning role in stewardship excellence
Conservation easements (CEs) are an invaluable tool in Larimer County Natural Resources efforts to conserve land and protect ecological, scenic, agricultural, and recreational values in Larimer County. By partnering with private landowners and agency partners to restrict development and promote these values, Larimer County has conserved over 21,000 acres in CEs that provide buffers to other protected lands. Since CEs protect land that is typically in private ownership, these ecological and community values can be protected at a relatively low ongoing cost to DNR when compared to land that the county owns in fee-title. Through a certification from the State of Colorado, DNR annually monitors and ensures that the conservation values on each of the over 50 easements we hold are maintained. In 2024, all CEs were monitored, and no new issues or violations were identified. Fortunately, this is a typical outcome from the monitoring season which is a testament to DNR’s partnership with dedicated landowners and a commitment to excellent stewardship.
Financial Summary
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has five primary revenue sources including Colorado Lottery proceeds, the Help Preserve Open Space Sales Tax, user fees on open spaces, user fees on reservoir parks, and the weed district property tax. Below is the preliminary financial comparison* (2023 vs 2024), including revenue summaries and operating expenses.
Open Spaces
Revenue
Help Preserve Open Space Tax
2023:
$11,650,660
2024:
$10,653,033
User Fees Revenue
2023:
$1,597,697
2024:
$1,498,332
Service Charges Revenue
2023:
$166,938
2024:
$170,221
Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $53,050
2024: $12,440
Grants/Partnerships
2023: $331,680
2024: $1,804,786
Interest Revenue
2023: $1,093,848
2024: $1,398,010
Total:
2023: $14,893,873
2024: $15,536,823
4% increase
Expense
Personnel Expenses
2023: $2,302,465
2024: 2,060,774
Operating Expenses
2023: $4,036,972
2024: $3,378,332
Total
2023: $6,339,437
2024: $5,439,107
-14% decrease
Countywide Indirects
2023: $7,935
2024: $227,427
Acquisitions/Projects
2023: $359,793
2024: $1,069,088
Land Stewardship Building
2023: $418,000
Conservation Trust - Lottery
Revenue Conservation Trust/Lottery
2023: $1,117,989
2024: $1,045,412
-6% change
Reservoir Parks
Revenue
User Fees Revenue
2023: $4,715,656
2024: $4,549,643
Service Charges Revenue
2023: $282,491
2024: $421,784
Grants/Partnerships
2023: $334,287
2024: $373,749
General Fund
2023: $198,146
2024: $134,081
Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $64,671
2024: -
Total:
2023: $5,595,250
2024: $5,479,257
-2% decrease
Expense Personnel Expenses
2023: $5,350,889
2024: $5,614,021
Operating Expenses
2023: $146,644
2024: $35,885
Total
2023: $5,497,533
2024: $5,649,906
3% decrease
Countywide Indirects
2023: $247,468
2024: $621,496
151% increase
Projects
2023: $106,491
2024: $606,755
Other
2023: $154,000
County Weed District & Enterprise
Revenue Property Taxes
2023: $895,837
2024: $1,087,403
Service Charges Revenue
2023: $414,298
2024: $470,655
General Fund
2023: $111,795
2024: $105,149
Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $163,939
2024: $225,585
Total
2023: $1,585,869
2024: $1,888,792
19% increase
Significant Donation/Other Revenue
2024: Sale of Mulberry Building - $516,474
Expense Personnel Expenses
2023: $678,041
2024: $697,790
Operating Expenses
2023: $813,804
2024: $797,749
Total
2023: $1,491,845
2024: $1,495,539
-0%
Countywide Indirects
2023: $34,386
2024: $39,422 15%
Capital Expenses Land Stewardship Building
2023: $1,631,980
Annual Reports
Master Plans
Stewardship and Management Plans
- Big Thompson Parks (2015)
- Chimney Hollow Open Space
- Devil's Backbone Open Space
- Eagle's Nest Open Space
- Hermit Park Open Space
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space - Adaptive Plan (2022)
- Little Thompson Farm Stewardship Plan
- Long View Farm Open Space
- Ramsay-Shockey Open Space
- Red Mountain Open Space
- Red-tail Ridge Open Space
- River Bluffs Management Plan
Other Plans, Reports, Studies
Our Lands Our Future: Recreation and Conservation Choices for Northern Colorado
Agricultural Lands
- Agricultural Lands Strategy (2021)
Devil's Backbone Visitor Use Study
- Executive Summary (2020)
Understanding Our Visitors: 2017-18 Larimer County Visitor Use Study
- Executive Summary (2019)
