LOVELAND – Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is seeking public input for proposed management plan recommendations of Chimney Hollow Open Space (CHOS). Public input will be collected beginning Oct. 22 through Nov. 15 via an online survey as well as at a virtual public open house on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Information collected from the community during the first phase of public input this summer informed the proposed management recommendations for the new open space. Nearly 500 people completed an online survey, in addition to contributing 592 comments.

The primary recreation activities represented in the public’s initial feedback include hiking, mountain biking, running, swimming and paddle craft sports. When asked what users value most about open space, opportunities for nature-based recreation, connections to nature, and quality habitat and ecological conditions were predominant.

Community members are invited to leave feedback on the proposed draft plan on LCDNR’s engagement site Oct. 2-Nov. 15. The finalized CHOS plan is slated to be completed by year end.

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE:
When: 5:30 -7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22  
Register: https://larimer-org.zoom.us/s/93595314082?pwd=F6rgtnplIxa5gUbcYP48pnlRgcw5jH.1

ENGAGEMENT SITE & FEEDBACK SURVEY:
All project materials and online survey can be accessed via: https://lcconnects.mysocialpinpoint.com/chimney-hollow-open-space

Acquired by Larimer County in 2004 to protect natural resources and provide future nature-based public access, CHOS is located five miles southwest of Loveland. Chimney Hollow Open Space is 1,847 total acres and is directly adjacent to Chimney Hollow Reservoir, which is 760 surface acres (by comparison, nearby Carter Lake is 1,100 surface acres).

LCDNR will manage recreation on the reservoir in compliance with an existing recreation lease and agreement with Northern Water.  The agreement stipulates no overnight use or camping, ‘wakeless’ boating only, and no access on the east side of the reservoir. 

Further details about CHOS can be found via Natural Resources’ website. For more information, please visit http://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/parks/chimney-hollow.