Canyon Edge Open Space
We're excited to announce Canyon Edge Open Space is a contender for the 2025 People’s Choice Starburst Award! Thanks to the Colorado Lottery, this project will provide amazing ecological benefits and public recreation access in Larimer County. With Colorado Lottery proceeds giving back more than $4.4 billion to Colorado's outdoors, projects like this are made possible. Show your support by voting and help us win this prestigious award!
Northwest of Carter Lake
2025 Public Tour Schedule
- Aug. 29: 5:30-8 p.m.
- Sept. 25: 5:30-8 p.m.
- Oct. 4: 9:30 a.m.-noon
This 1,547-acre property of dramatic hogbacks and canyons, ponderosa pine woodlands and mahogany and mixed shrublands near the foot of the Big Thompson Canyon is currently being developed with limited public access. Formerly known as Heaven's Door Ranch or the Blue Mountain Property, the Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that the open space will be called Canyon Edge Open Space, following the recent completion of a public naming process.
The land provides important winter range and travel corridors for wildlife, including elk and bighorn sheep. Other wildlife to be found here include red-tailed hawks, mountain lion, bobcat and black bear, as well Allen's and Townsend's big-eared bats.
The county acquired this former ranching property in 2022 and is currently in the process of restoring the land to its natural splendor while creating and developing land management plans, picnic areas, parking and bathroom facilities and public trails.
Once the Department of Natural Resources is finished readying the open space (tentatively around 2030) this awe-inspiring area will rank as one of the crown jewels of northern Colorado’s open space system.
As we prepare for full public opening, we are offering limited public tours, starting in 2024. Registration for tours can be made through our public calendar link here: https://offero.larimer.org/calendar These tours will be offered regularly each year until the space opens to the public.
