Larimer Co. to help expand area

Larimer County will provide $1 million to the city of Fort Collins to help it purchase land adjacent to Bobcat Ridge Natural Area in exchange for a conservative easement on both the new property and Bobcat Ridge itself.

The contribution was formalized by an intergovernmental agreement approved by the Larimer County commissioners at their weekly administrative matters meeting on Tuesday.

Eagle Canyon Ranch LLC and Soaring Eagle Ranch LLC are located directly north of Bobcat Ridge’s 2,605 acres, and the purchase of the two sites will add an additional 675 acres of preserved open space to the area.

“This project will cumulatively protect 3,280 acres with a perpetual conservation easement held by Larimer County,” said Justin Core of the Larimer County Engineering Department.

Funding for the county’s contribution comes from an existing sales and use tax levied to fund open space preservation efforts. The county will also pay for the due diligence involved in the conservation easement, approximately $5,000.

The total cost of the acquisition, to be made in two phases over the next two years by the city of Fort Collins, is $6.725 million.

The acquisition fills an important gap as a wildlife movement corridor, according to Meegan Flenniken, Larimer County’s land acquisition, planning and resources division manager. It includes a portion of the Buckhorn Creek, an important area to the preservation of the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, a conservation effort in which the county has been heavily involved.

The area has also seen concentrations of black bear, elk, moose and other wildlife.

The purchase is expected to expand public access to natural areas, according to Alynn Karnes, land conservation specialist with Fort Collins Natural Areas, likely by creating trails.

“I feel like the world is our oyster for potential recreation on this property,” Karnes said.

Bobcat Ridge Natural Area was hit hard by the Cameron Peak Fire approximately a year and a half ago, and approximately 80% of the natural area was damaged or destroyed. Repairs were made, and the natural area reopened to visitors last September.