As two significant sections of Northern Colorado Trails are poised to open (Spihon Overpass and Poudre River Trail), another one is set to close, temporarily. The City of Fort Collins will close a full mile of the Fossil Creek Trail between Trilby Road and Carpenter Road beginning Tuesday, Nov. 18 to support the Fossil Creek and Stanton Creek Stream Rehabilitation Project. The closure will remain in place through March 31, 2026.
This section of trail first opened in 2012 and has become a key north south route for cyclists in southeast Fort Collins. Riders who rely on this connection should expect a long term detour and plan extra time into their commutes and training rides.
Trail users will be routed onto sidewalks and alternative paths along Trilby Road, Lemay Avenue and Carpenter Road. Signs will be posted to guide people through the detour.
What is happening to the bridges
Five bridges cross Fossil Creek and Stanton Creek within the project area. Three of them will be affected.
Two creek crossings closest to Carpenter Road will be removed. Both bridges will be taken out and stored at SouthRidge Greens for use in future city projects.
A third creek crossing north of Carpenter Road will be shifted to a new location. The trail will be rerouted and a new bridge will be installed in the adjusted alignment.
Project goals
The Fossil Creek and Stanton Creek Stream Rehabilitation Project is a joint effort between Fort Collins Utilities and the Natural Areas, Parks and Transportation departments. The goal is to create a healthier and more resilient stream system that can better handle seasonal flows and major storm events.
Key aims include:
• Creating a channel that can handle low winter flows, irrigation flows from April through September and the required one hundred year storm
• Restoring stream banks with appropriate vegetation
• Adding erosion control treatments to reduce future damage
The project also focuses on reducing impacts from agricultural flows through Fossil Creek and working with the existing conditions on Stanton Creek to build a more sustainable channel.
In addition to the stream work, the City of Fort Collins Engineering Department will replace the culvert under Trilby Road between Lemay Avenue and Timberline Road. That work will occur during the same period to reduce total disruption for trail users and drivers. The new culvert will improve stream flow and fish passage.
What cyclists need to know
The full mile of trail between Trilby and Carpenter will be inaccessible for the duration of the project. This is a long term closure, and there will be no through access during construction.
Cyclists heading north or south will need to use the detour routes along Trilby, Lemay and Carpenter. Expect higher traffic volumes and allow extra time. The city has not provided a reroute map yet, but signs will direct trail users once construction begins.
- More information is available at the City of Fort Collins project page.
- Google map of the area.
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