What a beautiful building! Staff moved into the Horsetooth Area Information Center earlier this month. A grand opening for the center is slated for spring. Photo by Peggy Watson.

Welcome to the Horsetooth Area Information Center!

The Horsetooth Area Information Center, located in South Bay of Horsetooth Reservoir, opened today to the public. Yay! Visitors to the Horsetooth area can stop by the center for info on trails, camping, boating, fishing and more.

We're putting the finishing touches on the new center, but want people to begin using this great resource as we settle into the building. An official grand opening of the Horsetooth Area Information Center is planned for spring of 2017. Front desk staff can be reached at 970-498-5610.

Look closely. Can you spot the golden eaglet? Volunteer Andy Goris took this photo of the young golden eagle while monitoring its nest on a Larimer County open space.

Young Raptors Begin Their Journey on Open Spaces

Fly, young raptors! Fly! This summer, volunteers observed five golden eagles, two red-tailed hawks and one osprey fledge their nests across six Larimer County open spaces. Raptor nests are monitored annually to protect wildlife and ensure productivity. Thank you, volunteers, for another successful season!

A boat cruises across Horsetooth Reservoir. Fall is a fabulous time for fishing and boating at Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake. Photo by Jim Disney.

Boat Ramp Hours to Change After Oct. 1

Starting Oct. 1, hours of operation for boat ramps at Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake will be reduced and ramps will start closing for the season.

View the updated boat ramp schedule »

A hiker shows off her open spaces passport with its new rubbing at the Devil's Backbone Open Space "easy" post. Photo by Susan Shier.

Hit the Trail with Larimer County's Open Spaces Passport

Fall is officially here, which means cooler weather as you hike the trails on Larimer County’s amazing, scenic open spaces. The next time you visit an open space, pick up our new open spaces passport and start your adventure!

Two posts have been placed on 8 open spaces in easy (short hike) and hard (long hike) locations. Each post has a plaque affixed to it with a unique image. Place your passport over the plaque and make a rubbing of the image to "stamp" your passport. Collect rubbings to win cool prizes!

Learn more about The Larimer County Passport to Your Open Spaces »

Service projects allow citizens to be a part of conservation in Larimer County. Photo of a trail-building project at Hermit Park Open Space in August by Pam Mayhew.

Volunteers Needed for Trail Building, Fence Removal

Trail Building, Oct. 15-16, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hermit Park Open Space
Assist Larimer County's trails crew with constructing a new trail at Hermit Park. Register for one or both days. Lunch provided. Free camping!

Fence Removal, Oct. 21, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Eagle's Nest Open Space
Remove wood-and-wire fence, stack materials and prep materials for removal by loading them onto a trailer. Lunch provided.

Buckthorn Removal, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lions Open Space
Cut, stack and remove limbs from invasive buckthorn trees. Lunch provided.

Sign up or get info: Pam Mayhew, 970-619-4552, pmayhew@larimer.org

The fence and buckthorn removal projects are part of United Way of Larimer County's Make a Difference Day.

About 40 people joined Commissioner Tom Donnelly on an open spaces passport hike in June. Another passport hike with the commissioner is slated for Oct. 14. Photo by Susan Shier.

Upcoming Guided Hikes and Programs

Geology Underfoot at the Devil's Backbone - Sept. 30 (Fri.), 10 a.m., Devil's Backbone Open Space (waiting list only)

Fall Transitions at Red Mountain Open Space - Oct. 1 (Sat.), 10 a.m., Red Mountain Open Space

Tiny Trekkers - Oct. 4 (Tues.), 10 a.m., Devil's Backbone Open Space

Passport to Your Open Spaces Hike with Commissioner Donnelly - Oct. 14 (Fri.), 9 a.m., Ramsay-Shockey Open Space

Geology Hike at Red Mountain Open Space - Oct. 22 (Sat.), 10 a.m., Red Mountain Open Space

Stargazing with Northern Colorado Astronomical Society - Oct. 29 (Sat.), 7 p.m., Devil's Backbone Open Space

Registration is required for all programs.

Information and registration: www.larimer.org/NRregistration/, or Dan Marotti at (970) 619-4565 or dmarotti@larimer.org.