I am stoked to be pumped to announce that the PRT is now OPEN from Bellvue to Greeley (For real this time)!
Larimer County Natural Resources announced today that it had completed the final section between Timnath and Windsor, and the 45-mile trail is now open.
The completion marks a major milestone for Northern Colorado’s active transportation and recreation network. The trail now provides a continuous route connecting communities along the Cache la Poudre River corridor through Bellvue, Laporte, Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor, and Greeley.
Riders planning to check out the new connection should note that work is not completely finished. While the concrete trail connection is open, adjacent fence construction remains underway and temporary closures may still occur as crews finish the project. Users are encouraged to watch for posted signs and use caution in the area.
For riders looking to explore the full route, the trail is available in the COTREX app by searching “Poudre River Trail.”
The ribbon cutting and grand opening will take place on June 13th. More info here.
NOTE: My Strava route puts it at 40 miles. I have not had a chance to ride it to verify accuracy.
Larimer County Natural Resources Press Release
Media contact:
Meegan Flenniken, Division Manager
Land Conservation, Planning & Resources
Larimer County Natural Resources
mflenniken@larimer.org; (970) 619-4562
Date: May 22, 2026
Larimer County completes last connection of Poudre River Trail; Community celebration planned for June 13
LOVELAND – After five decades of planning and partnership, the gap is finally closed. The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR), in partnership with the Town of Timnath, has completed the remaining connection of the Poudre River Trail between south Timnath and north Windsor, bridging the final link in a 50-year vision. Trail users can now travel the entire 45-mile route from Bellvue to Greeley without ever leaving the trail.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, the public is invited to a community celebration on Saturday, June 13, starting with a ribbon-connecting ceremony at 9 a.m. at Timnath Community Park.
“A project of this scale requires incredible coordination and a shared commitment to our natural resources,” said Meegan Flenniken, Land Conservation, Planning & Resource Division Manager. “Finishing this trail segment is a testament to what we can achieve when regional partners align toward a common goal. This trail is a gift to the community—protecting the Poudre River while providing an unmatched way to experience the heart of northern Colorado.”
While the concrete trail connection is complete, adjacent fence construction is ongoing, so temporary trail closures may occur to accommodate this work. Trail users are encouraged to watch for signage and exercise caution while traveling through the area.
This segment of the Poudre River Trail included constructing an approximately 1-mile, 10-foot-wide concrete trail and a bridge over the Greeley No. 2 Canal. The $2.4 million project was constructed by Connell Resources and was funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) as well as grants from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
To navigate the Poudre River Trail, download the free COTREX app (trails.colorado.gov) and search for Poudre River Trail.
For more information regarding the upcoming Community Celebration, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
About Larimer County Department of Natural Resources
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources’ mission is to connect people, nature, and place. Since 1954, Larimer County has acquired and conserved a vast network of public and private lands. Today, thirteen public properties are available for recreational access and enjoyment, and over 64,000 acres of land within its boundaries have been conserved. For more information, visit larimer.gov/naturalresources.
About the Poudre River Trail Regional Initiative
The Poudre River Trail began in local segments across northern Colorado decades ago and is a beloved recreational amenity and vital community corridor. After 50 years in the making, this special regional trail now connects northern Colorado communities diagonally from Bellvue to Greeley, providing 45 miles of continuous, paved, multi-use trail that runs east and west of I-25 connecting communities and open spaces. Participating entities in the trail connections include the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, the City of Fort Collins, the Towns of Windsor and Timnath, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). These partners gradually expanded the trail to meet the grand vision of connecting northern Colorado communities along the Poudre River from Bellvue to Greeley.
With the generous support of a $2 million Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Connect Initiative grant, Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and the towns of Windsor and Timnath closed the remaining gaps throughout the end of 2024 to early 2026. GOCO’s past support helped to connect linkages from Windsor to Greeley in 2012. GOCO has cited the project as an important contribution to the state’s larger vision of the Colorado Front Range Trail that will connect communities from Wyoming to New Mexico.Additionally, Larimer County and the Town of Timnath were awarded grants for the final one-mile trail segment through the Non-Motorized Trails Program with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for $250,000 and, in part, through a Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) grant award from the North Front Range MPO for $399,417.
Now connected, the regional trail includes 45 miles of continuous non-motorized trail connecting Bellvue, Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor and Greeley. This includes a new bridge and pedestrian trail underpass along I-25. Extensive public input was sought over the past 50 years, and this project remains a priority for citizens of Larimer and Weld counties who consistently value trails and the effort to link our communities. The trail generally follows the Cache la Poudre River, providing an intact natural experience even as lands around the river are developed. Completion of the Poudre River Trail ensures that our community members have an easy, accessible connection to nature, no matter where they live.
About Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,900 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.
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