Mission Statement: To ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational experience by providing the highest degree of protection for the visiting public, our ranger staff, and our natural resources.

We are able to accomplish this goal by having highly trained, professional rangers who are skilled in a variety of disciplines which reflect the diverse needs of the people we serve. Our rangers perform many functions that may include being firefighters, emergency medical technicians, wildlife biologists, interpretive guides, teachers, and law enforcement officers.

The Small Grants for Community Partnering Program awards grants to communities throughout Larimer County using a portion of the Help Preserve Open Space sales tax for outdoor neighborhood and community-based projects. 

UPDATE OCTOBER 1, 2025

Construction is underway on the final mile of the Poudre River Trail, marking the last phase of a project more than 40 years in the making. Crews began work in late September on the stretch between South Timnath and North Windsor, which includes a 10-foot-wide concrete path and a bridge over the Greeley #2 Canal.

This 4.4-mile, multi-use concrete, multi-use, non-motorized trail opened on August 18, 2018, with a ribbon cutting by elected officials and staff from Larimer County, City of Loveland and City of Fort Collins.

The 2-mile, multi-use Colorado Front Range Trail - Loveland to Fort Collins Connection opened on November 14, 2017. The trail connects Loveland's Recreation Trail with Fort Collins' Fossil Creek Trail, between Lemay Avenue and Timberline Road.

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A graduate of Colorado State University in cultural anthropology, Brendan uses his photographic talent to capture rugged landscapes, sacred architecture, wildlife, performance art and other subjects. His work has been featured in 5280 Magazine, Cross Country, Outside, Colorado Outdoors, Thrillist and Yahoo! Travel.

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Originally from the steel city, Pittsburgh, Walt now lives in Colorado, where he's a travel and nature photographer with a gift for finding surprising beauty in the most unexpected places. His photos of parks and open spaces illustrate the need to preserve these special places for future generations.

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In 1969, Mark bought his first camera, a Kodak 126, and has developed a passion for photography ever since. He enjoys shooting anything nature, including wildlife, flowers, bugs and landscapes. Mark is always looking for the shots others have overlooked and amasses around 50,000 photos a year.

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As a photojournalist, Charlie received national and state awards in photojournalism. He has been published in numerous newspapers and publications, including US News & World Report, Newsweek, Runners World, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Playboy (news story), Chemical Times, Animal Rights Weekly and Weekly Reader.

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Jeff moved to the Fort Collins area more than 20 years ago. He has had a lifelong passion for photography of all types, and especially enjoys combining this passion with his love of the Front Range. He also enjoys spending time with his family.