Plans, Reports and Advisory Boards

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Public tours launch at Canyon Edge Open Space

In September, LCDNR launched the first round of limited public tours at Larimer County’s newest open space, Canyon Edge Open Space, west of Loveland. These popular walking tours invited the public to learn about the property’s features, current stewardship activities, and our management planning process while enjoying views of dramatic hogbacks and valley grasslands. Additional tours will be facilitated during the multi-year planning and development phase to highlight the progress of opening a new space and engage with the community during the process.

LCDNR contributes to summer fire suppression

As the Alexander Mountain Fire was burning west of Loveland in August, LCDNR staff kicked into action to support fire suppression and ensure safe evacuation of visitors at sites close to fire areas. Rangers swiftly cleared Horsetooth Reservoir (and later Carter Lake) of all boats and water recreators to make way for incoming water scooper planes – a first time in our history. The team also supported the closure of Pinewood and Flatiron reservoirs due to their location within mandatory fire evacuation zones. DNR staff managed an all-hands-on-deck effort to keep recreators safely off the water while helping campers with reservation refunds for campgrounds affected by closures and evacuations. Then, once again in September, rangers successfully cleared Carter Lake to allow water scooping operations to suppress the Pearl Fire near Red Feather Lakes.

Seeing is believing in grassland recovery

Grassland and foothill plant communities at the Devil’s Backbone and Eagles Nest open spaces are rebounding after years of being suppressed due to competition from invasive grasses - cheatgrass and feral cereale rye. Portions of these two open spaces were treated with herbicide that kills cheatgrass and feral rye seeds, allowing native perennial plants to thrive. For years, these invasive grasses have taken away vital nutrients, sunlight and water, and in doing so, have degraded the native ecosystem. Once the native plant communities have recovered, they will provide greater wildlife habitat value, carbon sequestration and resilience to climate change.

Less drive time improves efficiency in the Laramie River Valley

Managing noxious weeds in the Laramie River Valley is a challenge every year as it is a 2.5 hour drive one way from LCDNR’s offices. To increase efficiency and time on the ground controlling noxious weeds, LCDNR staff have arranged to stay at U.S. Forest Service bunk houses near the Laramie River Valley for a week at a time. This action saves LCDNR fifteen hours of drive time every week allowing staff to focus on multiple projects in a week rather than only focusing on the U.S. Forest Service lands. Rather than commuting, staff can instead spend valuable time implementing weed management in this beautiful location.

A more sustainable RV dump station

This quarter, LCDNR staff were able to complete a programmatic shift in the way we provide RV dump services to the public. In the past, RV dump stations were free of charge and were being used by the general public, not just visitors to county open spaces and parks. We were able to partner with a company to deploy their latest technology to both automate and charge a fee for dump station use. Consequently, the new solar powered RV dump system and fee will help the Department ensure long-term financial sustainability with maintenance and replacement costs to continue to provide this service. In the first few weeks following installation, these units are working successfully and cost recovery has been right on target.

Historic structure rehab: Goodbye graffiti!

LCDNR volunteers continue to help keep county open spaces and our parks clean, safe and well-maintained. Early in September, a small group of volunteers paired up with ranger staff to paint over graffiti at a historic structure at Devil’s Backbone Open Space. Staff will continue to monitor to ensure future graffiti does not take hold and manage accordingly.

Keeping water recreation safe in Larimer County

When summer is in full swing, public safety on the water is a key priority, which was highlighted by two successful programs this year. In July, rangers increased patrols at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir for July 4th weekend as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign to heighten awareness around the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI). Staff contacted over 380 people aboard vessels, which resulted in several citations, including three BUI arrests, and one DUI arrest of a driver trailering a boat. In August, LCDNR hosted a successful Brendan Unitt Boat Rescue Training Day attended by area medics, firefighters, and rangers. Not only does this training help first responders be better prepared for water emergencies, but it also honors the late Brendan Unitt, a Larimer County ranger who lost his life on Aug. 20, 2020, responding to a water emergency at Horsetooth Reservoir.

Financial Summary

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has five primary revenue sources including Colorado Lottery proceeds, the Help Preserve Open Space Sales Tax, user fees on open spaces, user fees on reservoir parks, and the weed district property tax. Below are the July 1 through Sept. 30 revenue summaries and operating expenses as compared to the same period the previous year.

Open Spaces


Revenue 

Help Preserve Open Space Tax

2023:
$6,447,454 
2024:
$6,583,604

User Fees Revenue 

2023:
$1,282,198
2024:
$1,202,684

Service Charges Revenue
2023:
 $123,782
2024:
 $137,162 

Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $40,700
2024: $4,550 

Grants/Partnerships
2023: $117,160
2024: $165,761

Interest Revenue
2023: $689,876
2024: $923,225
Total:
2023: $8,701,170
2024: $9,016,987

 4% increase

Expense 

Personnel Expenses
2023: $1,391,272
2024:  $1,461,841 

Operating Expenses
2023: $1,880,030
2024: $1,714,471

 Total 
2023: $3,271,303
2024:  $3,176,312 

3% decrease

Countywide Indirects

2023: $157,011
2024: $171,593 9% 

Acquisitions/Projects

2023:  $284,776
2024: $314,958

Land Stewardship Building 

2023: $418,000

Conservation Trust - Lottery

Revenue Conservation Trust/Lottery 

2023: $765,674
2024: $764,081 

0% change

Reservoir Parks

Revenue

User Fees Revenue 
2023: $4,592,062
2024: $4,384,547 

Service Charges Revenue
2023: $222,620
2024: $269,186 

Grants/Partnerships
2023:  ($7,960)
2024:  $145,413

General Fund
2023: $148,609
2024: $100,561 

Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $63,500
2024: $68,317 

Total:
2023: $5,018,831 

2024: $4,968,024

1% decrease

 

Expense Personnel Expenses

2023: $4,042,535
2024: $4,071,038 

Operating Expenses
2023: $956,649
2024: $792,217

 Total 
2023: $4,999,185
2024: $4,863,255

 3% decrease

Countywide Indirects
2023: $454,178
2024: $477,104

5% increase

Projects
2023: $10,768
2024: $429,497*

Other

2023: $154,000

*Includes $350k for a new ANS station and $75k for asphalt projects

 

County Weed District & Enterprise

Revenue Property Taxes
2023: $876,354
2024: $1,063,355

Service Charges Revenue
2023: $273,675
2024: $259,446 

General Fund
2023: $83,846
2024: $78,862

Miscellaneous Revenue
2023: $44,198
2024: $34,878

Total
2023: $1,278,073
2024: $1,436,541

12% increase

Significant Donation/Other Revenue

2024: Sale of Mulberry Building - $516,474 
Expense Personnel Expenses
2023: $526,313
2024: $516,537 
Operating Expenses
2023: $562,750
2024: $481,814 

Total $1,089,062 $998,351 -8%

Countywide Indirects
2023: $28,687 
2024: $30,318 6%

Capital Expenses Land Stewardship Building
2023: $1,128,000


Annual Reports

Master Plans

Stewardship and Management Plans

Other Plans, Reports, Studies

Our Lands Our Future: Recreation and Conservation Choices for Northern Colorado

Agricultural Lands 

Devil's Backbone Visitor Use Study

Understanding Our Visitors: 2017-18 Larimer County Visitor Use Study