Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Larimer County Natural Resources releases cumulative "Rate Your Day" visitor satisfaction results

Visitors report strong outdoor experiences and satisfaction, offer future improvements

As Larimer County celebrates Earth Day today, recent ‘Rate Your Day’ findings serve as a reminder that caring for public lands is a shared effort in Larimer County.

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Department
Natural Resources
A fun, yet challenging hiking adventure, open and inclusive for civilian and veterans. A day enjoyed outdoors that celebrates community, partner collaboration and pushing to thrive.

Tucked away in Northwest Fort Collins, Lions Open Space offers a serene window into the wild heart of the Poudre River corridor. Our naturalists will lead you through this hidden landscape to observe the resilient species and seasonal shifts that make the Poudre River ecosystem so vital. It's an invitation to slow down and connect with the vibrant biodiversity that defines Northern Colorado.
A fun, yet challenging hiking adventure, open and inclusive for civilian and veterans. A day enjoyed outdoors that celebrates community, partner collaboration and pushing to thrive.

The Poudre River is more than just water; it is a bustling corridor of biodiversity and a testament to the power of restoration. Alongside Larimer County Naturalists, you'll track the progress of both human and beaver-led efforts to protect these sensitive riparian lands. Discover the science and the stories behind the river's ongoing recovery.

Paving improvements occurring at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir

Major paving improvements are actively occurring in the Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir areas this month, marking the next phase of a multi-year effort to enhance public access. Since June 2025, Larimer County Natural Resources has partnered with federal highway officials to modernize day-use areas, parking lots, and connecting county roads. Supported by the Colorado Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), this project ensures smoother travel for visitors to two of the region's most popular outdoor destinations.

Published on
Department
Natural Resources
What's in a name? A whole lot if your name is Horsetooth Mountain and your profile is part of Fort Collins' City logo. In this 2-hour guided hike, we'll explore the geology, topography, and ecology of one of our area's most iconic natural landmarks. As we hike through the lower part of Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, we'll dig into the science of deep time and the ancient geologic events that shaped the dramatic foothills landscape we see today. We'll also reflect on creation stories passed down through generations by some of the area's earliest residents.
Are you interested in learning about the natural world that exists in our County Open Spaces? So many interesting plants and animals, birds, butterflies and, of course, there is the geology. Explore and learn about the many life forms that call Larimer County their homes. Join naturalist Rob Pickett and friends for this easy 3.5-mile hike on the Sundance Trail, running along the west side of Carter Lake. This natural history hike will include identification of the flora and facts about the fauna that can be found in this part of Larimer County.
Join Larimer County Naturalists for an up-close exploration of the geology of Devil's Backbone Open Space. Learn more about the area's distinct rock formations that formed hundreds of millions of years ago in ancient environments such as salt flats, floodplains, deserts, alkaline lakes, and gravelly rivers—when North America looked vastly different than it does today. As we hike the Morrison Loop, you'll learn the basics of Earth's history through the colorful rock layers, which have been uplifted by geologic forces to create the Backbone's striking landscape.
What's in a name? A whole lot if your name is Horsetooth Mountain and your profile is part of Fort Collins' City logo. In this 2-hour guided hike, we'll explore the geology, topography, and ecology of one of our area's most iconic natural landmarks. As we hike through the lower part of Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, we'll dig into the science of deep time and the ancient geologic events that shaped the dramatic foothills landscape we see today. We'll also reflect on creation stories passed down through generations by some of the area's earliest residents.
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