Highlights
Preserving our landscapes and heritage
An unwavering dedication to preserving and enhancing the ecological integrity, cultural heritage, and restoration of the lands under our care is a cornerstone to the realization of the vision of Healthy Landscapes, Healthy People. The following endeavors in 2023 demonstrate responsible land stewardship and a snapshot of our work to ensure conservation of natural resources.
One vital project in 2023 was removing an earthen dam at Red Mountain Open Space that was trapping sediment, and changing flow patterns. The aim was to restore the creek connectivity, boost habitat, and improve water quality. Following removal of the dam, the disturbed area was seeded with native vegetation and willow stakes were planted.
A significant update to the Larimer County Land Use Code in 2023 included a new zoning designation, "NR-Natural Resources" to protect high conservation value lands. All county-owned open spaces were rezoned into the NR designation this year to safeguard their ecological and scenic values.
Historic structures on Larimer County open spaces are important cultural remnants. Since 2018 in partnership with HistoriCorps, the county restored six structures, including re-siding and repainting the 1915 horse barn at Red Mountain Open Space in 2023.
Connecting People, Nature, and Place
At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to fostering meaningful connections between people, nature, and place.
A significant achievement demonstrating this commitment was the improvements to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space’s main trailhead area, which included adding a second restroom and enhanced accessibility features. Additionally, the community’s desire for improved trail system connectivity at the open space was met with trail staff extending the Nomad Trail to create an easy valley loop and constructing the Stout Connector Trail to provide moderate-level, mid-elevation access.
Embracing technology has become pivotal in enhancing visitor experiences and satisfaction. We recognize the power technology can have to revolutionize the way we interact with our visitors. Some examples in 2023 included utilization of roadside message boards, SMS text notifications for parking capacity levels, and integrating a web engagement platform to expand outreach for community feedback.
For the first time, a ‘Rate Your Day’ campaign to gather visitor feedback was implemented. The effort received an average visitor satisfaction rating of ‘satisfied to very satisfied’ or 4.5 out of 5 stars. 94% of respondents felt welcome and safe during their visit, with the majority being Colorado residents.
To ensure visitors have access to accurate information when visiting our properties, updating trailhead kiosks was also a top priority in 2023. Ramsay-Shockey and Devil’s Backbone open spaces, as well as Flatiron and Pinewood reservoirs kiosks were renovated with new structures, weather-resistant panels, updated maps, and bilingual information.
Laying the foundation with COMPASS
Great progress on COMPASS, the Department of Natural Resources' strategic plan, was completed in its inaugural year. Rooted in a fresh mission, vision, and values, COMPASS laid the groundwork in 2023 for aligning our efforts with six leading priorities, each accompanied by targeted goals and actions.
We have seen the tangible impact of our efforts take shape. From the successful initiation of the Rate Your Day visitor feedback project to the launch of an internal staff mentorship program, to the advancement of a statistically valid survey, "Our Lands, Our Future," we made important strides towards reaching the goals outlined in COMPASS.
More is on its way. In 2024, several foundational projects are planned to make continued progress, including a new automated permitting system process, a new financial sustainability strategy to inform decision-making, and the continuation of adaptive management planning and public engagement to better meet the growing needs of our community.
