LOVELAND — The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR), in partnership with the Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), is initiating preliminary staging work at Carter Lake in preparation for a multi-year, multi-phase construction project aimed at improving roads and enhancing visitor access at both Carter Lake and Horsetooth reservoirs. The project is partially funded through the Colorado Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP).

Mobilization activities at Carter Lake will include site surveying, staging construction equipment and materials, and implementing stormwater mitigation measures. Material and equipment staging is expected to occur in June, when construction is also expected to concurrently begin.

Specific project areas that will undergo construction at Carter Lake include:

1. Eagle Campground main access road and parking lot repaving
2. County Road 31 turn lane expansion
3. Quarry Day Use parking lot construction
4. Big Thompson Day Use area parking lot construction
5. North Pines Campground main access road and parking lot repaving

A preliminary construction schedule is forthcoming and will be regularly updated at the project website at https://engage.larimer.gov/flapcarterlake. Construction at Carter Lake is estimated to be complete by early 2026.

While visitors’ access to all areas of Carter Lake will remain open during construction, visitors are asked to demonstrate caution and cooperation by following posted safety protocols. CFLHD will act as the lead implementation agency through construction completion. Funding from the Colorado Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) has totaled $14 million, with a $3 million-dollar matching commitment by Larimer County.

Horsetooth and Carter Lake reservoirs represent the two largest and most visited reservoirs in Larimer County, and in the top 10 statewide, attracting over 1.5 million visitors each year. Since 1954, under an operating agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, LCDNR has operated, managed, and maintained all recreation facilities at Horsetooth, Carter, Pinewood, and Flatiron reservoirs.

For construction updates, please visit https://engage.larimer.gov/flapcarterlake