What We Do

The mission of FLCPOL: to care for and promote awareness of Larimer County parks and open spaces financially and educationally, and as active partners and volunteers with the Natural Resources Department, through a commitment to protect and preserve public lands for future generations.

Environmental Education Program:

The FLCPOL shares information about the outdoors such as hosting educational lectures featuring guest speakers, providing a low-cost publication of a local plant and flower guide, and educating visitors about key stewardship messages at trailheads and boat ramps.

Special Initiatives Program:

FLCPOL reviews and approves additional funds for Larimer County’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through the special initiatives program. DNR staff submit requests for financial support for one-time special project requests that are not fully covered in their budget.

In 2023, funds were provided for a new heavy-duty scope and stand for the Volunteer Raptor Monitoring Program; the restoration of heavily damaged 0.2 acres now secured with wildlife-friendly fencing and improvements to access points guiding visitors to picnic areas; and printing of new 55-page small spiral-bound guides to aid Volunteer Naturalists as they lead outreach programs.  Guides include stewardship messaging and key sections on wildlife and geology. In past years funds have been directed for educational tools, visitor study publications, trail improvements and so much more. 

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 the Sky View Campground at Carter Lake Reservoir, land acquisitions west of Red Mountain Open Space that preserves the migration corridors for elk, deer, and pronghorns, and future trail construction of the Poudre River Regional Trail that by 2023 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.