What We Do

The mission of FLCPOL is to care for and promote awareness of Larimer County parks and open spaces through financial support and educational outreach, and to serve as active partners and volunteers with the Natural Resources Department, through a commitment to protect and preserve public lands for current and future generations.

Environmental Education Program:

As time permits, FLCPOL educates people in Larimer County about the outdoors by offering educational lectures featuring knowledgeable guest speakers and sharing key stewardship messages at trailheads and boat ramps.

Special Initiatives Program:

Each year, FLCPOL provides financial support for one-time special projects as requested by DNR staff through the Special Initiative Program. FLCPOL reviews and approves additional funds for environmental or educational projects that is not otherwise covered in the department’s operational budget.

In 2024, funds were disbursed for a wetland enhancement project at Red Mountain Open Space, new shade trees at South Shore Campground at Carter Lake, new trail signs at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for improved wayfinding, an extra pair of binoculars and other equipment to help expand the raptor monitoring program, and video production support for the public engagement team to create a series of short videos about stewardship tips, volunteer orientation and training, and a geology field trip.

Grant Support Program:

Every year, a portion of funds from FLCPOL are used as matching grant dollars as part of applications seeking additional land purchases and improvements to existing Larimer County parks and open spaces. Examples include a grant reimbursement for Canyon Edge Open Space, trail maintenance at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Sky View Campground at Carter Lake Reservoir, land acquisitions west of Red Mountain Open Space that preserves the migration corridors for elk, deer, and pronghorn, and future trail construction of the Poudre River Regional Trail that will connect 45 miles of trails from Bellvue to Greeley. Other funded projects LCPOL supported were campground enhancements at Horsetooth and Pinewood Reservoirs and additional trails at Devil’s Backbone and Hermit Park open spaces.