Northern Colorado natural area expanding as part of 3,500-acre vision

An area for conservation and recreation is growing in northern Colorado, helping to realize a long-term goal of local land managers.

The 140-acre addition to Prairie Ridge Natural Area "represents the final piece in a 25-year effort creating a 3,500-acre separator between Loveland and Fort Collins," read a recent announcement from Great Outdoors Colorado.

That was in announcing a $1.1 million grant toward a multi-agency acquisition totaling about $6.7 million. A majority of the funding is from the city of Loveland, which manages Prairie Ridge Natural Area and has led the arrangement with the city of Fort Collins and Larimer County.

Debbie Eley, resource specialist for Loveland's parks department, remarked on the collaboration she's watched since the turn of this century. "It's been an effort for all of us for sure," she said.

Prairie Ridge's current 785 acres were acquired in 2000. Northwest of Loveland, the mosaic of farmland, foothills and shortgrass prairie would expand the uninterrupted viewshed between Fort Collins' Coyote Ridge Natural Area directly north and Larimer County-owned Devil's Backbone Open Space farther south.

Around Prairie Ridge, "development is definitely catching up," Eley said. "It was always on our radar to add a little bit more, whatever we could."

Enter the extra 140 acres.

The land has been owned and farmed by the Sauer family, who has long grown wheat around Prairie Ridge. A farming lease could extend to the natural area's addition, Eley said, adding the interest to eventually restore shortgrass prairie and wetlands.

"Another big one for this piece is there will be a connector trail that will enable some access for the community as it grows," Eley said.

A popular trail currently runs about 2 1/2 miles through Prairie Ridge Natural Area, connecting to Coyote Ridge Natural Area and a much larger regional network.

Planning for a trail through Prairie Ridge's new acreage could start next year, Eley said, with construction possibly in 2026.