A Better Place to Play

Colorado is to outdoor recreation what Nevada is to gambling and what California is to gawking at celebrities.

It's often what draws people here; that, and the beer. It's why ski bums populate the high elevations, and why avid hikers and mountain bikers flock to the Front Range. It's why the Rockies are like the state’s calling card, rising up like a stage for the state’s climbers, mountain bikers, white-water rafters and campers.

Looming just above Fort Collins is one of Larimer County's biggest recreation jewels—crowned by the rocky front teeth of a mountainous steed. And the diamond that is Horsetooth Reservoir, as well as the surrounding park and its amenities, will soon become a little less rough around the edges and a little more attractive to recreators.

Late last year, several initiatives within the Larimer County Parks Master Plan got a big boost from Great Outdoors Colorado, which approved a grant request to fund several projects at Horsetooth Reservoir. On top of the $695,000 grant from GOCO, the Bureau of Reclamation has offered up a one-time grant of $600,000 and the county will add in $436,000 to complete this round of projects, which are estimated to total $1.73 million.

“What this means is it gives us a large funding mechanism to start working on these projects,” said Horsetooth district manager Mark Caughlin. “The Master Plan is a 10-year outlook, and this is going to help us fund a large portion of the projects that have been recommended.”

The Horsetooth Reservoir area, surrounded by winding trials, camping areas and sandy beaches, is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. In fact, about 50 percent of the area’s recreators come from outside the county.

Now, with the GOCO and Bureau of Reclamation grants helping to fund several projects over the next three years, Horsetooth will get a few more amenities and upgrades.

The most popular of the projects, Caughlin said, are the new trailhead with northern access to the Blue Sky Trail, a new swim beach on the reservoir's east side, and the new showers and flush toilets at Inlet Bay.

The projects were based on the Larimer County Parks Master Plan for Horsetooth Reservoir, which was completed after hearing the wants and needs of those who use the area for recreation.

“We are not unlike any other business, and we need to keep up with the trends in our business—and that's what the plan addresses,” Caughlin said.

The projects that will come out of the grants are varied, meaning that all types of recreators will see some benefit from the funds. Hikers get a new trailhead, campers get new and improved campground space, kids and families get a new swimming beach and picnic area, and climbers get improved trail access to climbing areas.

“What's amazing is that it is so diverse,” Caughlin said. “You have climbing trails, you have trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. You have showers and a swimming beach for locals—as well as improved group use. Really, the improvements hit a diverse group of visitors. It's not just for boating or camping or rock climbing. It really covers a wide range recreation.”

Horsetooth Reservoir Projects: Field of Dreams • New trailhead providing a free, northern access to the Blue Sky Trail SouthBay • One expanded and one new campground to include new campsites, camper services building, full hook-up RV sites and an outdoor classroom • Develop group day use facilities with new picnic tables and group use pavilion, restroom, and additional parking at the existing swim beach area Lower Sunrise • New swim beach on east side of reservoir to include picnic area, trail access and parking area InletBay • Camper services building (showers/flush toilets) RotaryPark • Improve trail access to climbing areas and shoreline, provide interpretive signs