Community members of Larimer and Weld counties will soon be able to travel the Poudre River Trail all the way from Bellvue to Greeley once a 40-year vision of a regional paved trail is complete in late 2024, early 2025.
The trail, beloved by bikers, joggers and other recreators, began in localized segments decades ago and has gradually expanded over the years with the ultimate vision of connecting northern Colorado communities located along the Poudre River.
Now only two gaps remain and partner organizations are working to close these gaps throughout the end of 2024 and the spring of 2025. Once the final legs are complete, the Poudre River Trail will include 45 miles of continuous, paved, multi-use trail connecting Bellvue, north of Fort Collins, to Greeley.
Once finished, an approximately 18-mile section located in and managed by Fort Collins will connect to a 22-mile section located in unincorporated Larimer County, Timnath, Windsor, Weld County and Greeley.
Photo credit: Brendan Bombaci
Note: The map below is for illustrative purposes. It is not to scale.
The trail is currently separated by two gaps. (See Gap Map)
Participating entities in the completion of trail connections include Larimer County, City of Fort Collins, the Towns of Windsor and Timnath, and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Thanks to a $2 million Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant (the 2019 Connect Initiative Grant), the Colorado Front Range/Poudre River Trail Initiative has been able to work towards filling the three trail gaps of the Poudre River Trail between Fort Collins and Windsor.
Timeline for trail completion:
- 2015: Timnath and Larimer County partnered to build a 0.5-mile segment of trail near I-25 and Harmony Road, while Fort Collins built a new segment through Arapaho Bend Natural Area.
- 2019: Project partners obtain the GOCO grant to complete additional trail connections.
- 2024-2025: The City of Fort Collins finished a section of the trail from Arapaho Bend Natural Area to the recently constructed I-25 underpass in October, 2024. It is now working to complete one remaining section that runs west of Arapaho Bend Natural Area long the north side of the Rigden Reservoir to the existing trail at CSU's Environmental Learning Center. Construction is anticipated to be completed no later than spring 2025. Larimer County and partners are also in current construction planning for its final segments of trail between Timnath and Windsor, which should be completed by spring 2025.
Both Fort Collins and the Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc., a non-profit organization, currently manages sections of the trail. Larimer County manages the Poudre River Trail at River Bluffs Open Space, which connects to 21 beautiful miles of trail running southeast through wildlife areas and parks.
For more information about the Poudre River Trail, email Zac Wiebe or phone (970) 619-4534.
