Coyote Ridge Natural Area is open to the public and is an example of a transition zone between grasslands and montane forests sometimes called montane shrublands. This property is located between Loveland and Fort Collins approximately 1 mile south of the Larimer County Landfill on the west side of County Road 19 (Taft Hill Road from Fort Collins - Wilson Street from Loveland).
Natural Resources
Natural Resources
The Board of County Commissioners and the Natural Resources Advisory Board utilized extensive public input to identify priority areas for protection. It is not the intention of Larimer County to acquire all land within these priority areas. Acquisition depends on willing landowners and available funding, as well as identified priorities.
Questions regarding the e-bike study, research, and findings:
Zac Wiebe, Planning and Natural Resource Specialist
(970) 619-4534; zwiebe@larimer.org
Questions regarding administration or enforcement:
Chris Fleming, Visitor Services Division Manager
(970) 214-6083; cfleming@larimer.org
General Questions:
Parks Customer Service, parksoffice@larimer.org
Quarterly Reports
Proposal to Adopt Fines for Noxious Weed Violations in Unincorporated Larimer County
In 2025, the Colorado State Legislature amended the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35.5.5-118.5) to authorize local governments to levy fines against private landowners found in violation of state and local noxious weed regulations.
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources works to conserve significant open space, natural areas and wildlife habitat and develop parks and trails for present and future generations. These open lands provide opportunities for leisure, human renewal and protection of our natural and cultural resources.
Camping with us
Larimer County Natural Resources manages campgrounds across the county — from group sites and equestrian camps to boat-in and back
Boating Access Hours
All vessels entering Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake must receive an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection before launching. Because of this requirement, boat launching is limited to designated inspection hours.
Boats already on the water may continue operating after launch hours, but new launches are not permitted once inspections close.
Do your part to support your parks and open spaces!
Revenue generated from entrance permit sales goes directly back into your parks and open spaces to cover operations, maintenance, and personnel expenses.
Entrance permits are required at Carter Lake, Flatiron, Pinewood and Horsetooth Reservoirs, Blue Sky Trailhead, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (including Soderberg Trailhead), Ramsay-Shockey Open Space, Hermit Park Open Space, and Devil's Backbone Open Space.
After the devastating flood of 1976, Larimer County acquired several parcels along along Highway 34 in the Big Thompson canyon west of Loveland, Colorado.
Four of those parcels became County Parks and include public river access for fishing, picnicking, and general outdoor enjoyment of such a stunning canyon. The Big Thompson Parks have no entrance fee, are open April through October from sunrise to sunset.
