Fort Collins Natural Areas announced today that as part of a partnership with Larimer County Open Space, they’ll be expanding Bobcat Ridge by 675 acres. The expansion will bring the total acreage of Bobcat Ridge to 3,280. This purchase eliminates the possibility of 11, 35-acre homesites and a 28-lot subdivision. In all likelihood, it will be a few years before the public has access to the land although input is currently being requested. Link below.
Via City of Fort Collins Natural Areas:
Good news 
In partnership with Larimer County Government, the 675-acre Buckhorn Addition will expand Bobcat Ridge Natural Area! The acquisition will take place in two parts; 414 acres were acquired in April and 261 acres are planned to be purchased in early 2023. Conserving this area eliminates 11, 35-acre homesites and a 28-lot subdivision, which were ready for development and would have negatively impacted the scenic values and wildlife corridors at Bobcat Ridge. Future public access will be planned and opportunities for public engagement will be available after the real estate deals are finalized.
Via the Fort Collins Natural Areas Bobcat Ridge Website:
Thanks to a partnership with Larimer County Natural Resources, a portion of the purchase price was funded in exchange for a conservation easement on the entirety of Bobcat Ridge, which after both additional land acquisitions will total 3,280-acres.
The acquisition is in a high-priority area for both the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. It eliminates 11, 35-acre homesites and a 28-lot subdivision, which were ready for development and would have negatively impacted the scenic values and wildlife corridors at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. The Larimer County conservation easement is a pilot case in a new effort to encumber City-owned natural areas with conservation easements to perpetually protect conservation values.
The Buckhorn Addition to Bobcat Ridge provides excellent wildlife habitat and includes ponderosa pine forests, mountain mahogany shrublands, riparian areas along Buckhorn Creek, and rock outcroppings. The network of conserved lands around Bobcat Ridge are important for wildlife including elk, black bear, turkey, the federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, and more.
Read more: fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/bobcat
Provide feedback here: fcgov.com/naturalareas/feedback.
