At A Glance
- 624 acres of land conserved
- 80% Larimer County-managed trails maintained at ‘B’ level or higher
- 6,105 Community members engaged in land management decisions
- $1.7 million Invested in capital maintenance and construction
- 18,606 Volunteer hours donated
- 797 Discover Pack check-outs
- $1,892,377 Grant and partnership dollars secured
- 4 out 5 stars Rate Your Day visitor satisfaction rating
2024 Highlights
Preserving our landscapes and stewarding resources
- An adaptive management plan was completed for Chimney Hollow Open Space to guide future stewardship, trails, and visitor amenities.
- Restoration work moved forward at Canyon Edge Open Space through invasive species treatment, structure removal, and public tours.
- Partnerships helped conserve 624 acres of land to protect wildlife habitat, viewsheds, and future public access opportunities.
- Targeted invasive species treatments supported the recovery of native grasslands at Devil’s Backbone and Red Mountain open spaces.
- Seven capital improvement projects were completed to enhance visitor amenities and support long-term operational sustainability.
Connecting people, nature and place
- Nearly 800 people connected with inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities through the Discover Pack program and community partnerships.
- Grant funding supported trail repairs and the completion of 1.3 miles of the Bay to Bay Trail at Horsetooth Reservoir.
- The Our Lands, Our Future countywide survey and Rate Your Day visitor satisfaction survey showed strong public support for land conservation and high levels of visitor satisfaction.
- New tools such as Text2Park, same-day camping reservations, and a marina slip lottery improved visitor access and transparency.
- More than 4,200 community members helped shape future access and day-use improvements at Carter Lake through public engagement.
Laying the foundation with COMPASS
- The COMPASS strategic plan continued to guide priorities through visitor feedback, financial sustainability planning, and adaptive management.
Financial Summary
Larimer County Natural Resources revenues are realized from several sources and totaled $26,261,043 in 2024.
Expenses for 2024 were $13,577,877. Future land acquisition and capital improvement projects are funded
through the difference between annual revenue and expenses.
2024 Revenue
$26,261,043
- 49% Help Preserve Open Spaces Sales Tax ($12,908,129)
- 26% User Fees & Service Charges ($6,936,466)
- 8% Donations/Other Revenue ($2,212,569)
- 4% Colorado Trust/Lottery ($1,045,412)
- 11% Intergovernment ($2,919,237)
- 1% General Fund ($239,230)
2024 Expenses
$13,577,876
- 46% Reservoir Parks Operations/Personnel ($6,271,402)
- 35% Open Space Maintenance/Personnel ($4,764,244)
- 1% Weed District / Enterprise ($1,534,962)
- 7% Open Space Acquisition/Development ($1,007,278)
Help Preserve Open Spaces Tax Revenues
Revenue from the ¼ - cent Help Preserve Open Spaces sales and use tax is shared among Larimer County and eight municipalities. The tax renewed in 2014, took effect in 2019, and sunsets in 2043. It is not imposed on food or prescription drugs. The total revenue collected to date is more than $355 million. Distributions to municipalities are based upon the highest yield of either population or sales tax generation. This revenue sharing agreement ensures that residents throughout Larimer County receive benefits from the Help Preserve Open Spaces sales and use tax.
Total tax revenue collected in 2024 was $23,887,252
HPOS Tax Revenues per Area/Municipality:
- Unincorporated Larimer County $11,943,626
- Fort Collins: $6,213,060
- Loveland: $3,098,592
- Estes Park: $625,143
- Johnstown: $452,140
- Timnath: $427,359
- Wellington $420,258
- Berthoud: $409,123
- Windsor: $297,948
