The Poudre Trail is 3.7 miles longer thanks to two projects near I-25 that were recently completed.
The first project, is a 3.1-mile section of trail west of I-25, from the Harmony Park-N-Ride through Arapaho Bend Natural Area to a loop around Rigden Reservoir. This new trail segment provides paved access through Arapaho Bend Natural Area and views of Rigden Reservoir.
The second project, a section of trail east of I-25 from Gateway Trailhead Park to Stonefly Court in Timnath, 0.6 miles, included trailhead improvements (picnic tables, pavement and drainage features) and underpasses at Harmony Road and County Road 5. This new trail segment provides views of the Swetsville Zoo and access to the Poudre River.
Partnerships were key to both projects. The Arapaho Bend Natural Area section of trail was funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and City of Fort Collins. The work was coordinated by the City of Fort Collins Park Planning and Development and Natural Areas Departments and completed by Connell Resources.
Larimer County and Town of Timnath coordinated the trail and trailhead improvements east of I-25. The work was funded by Larimer County, Town of Timnath and GOCO. The trail was built by NORAA Concrete Construction Corporation and the trailhead work was done by Connell Resources, Inc.
GOCO has invested more than $47 million into outdoor projects and has helped to preserve more than 60,000 acres in Larimer County since 1994.
The region-wide vison for a complete Poudre Trail from Laporte to Greeley is nearly complete with only about 4 miles of trail and an I-25 underpass remaining.
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has funded more than 4,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. The grants are funded by GOCO’s share of Colorado Lottery revenues, which are divided between GOCO, CPW, the Conservation Trust Fund and school construction. For more information, visit goco.org.