Larimer County natural resources staff lay out yearlong work plans; Chimney Hollow boat ramp to be built before reservoir fills

Dalen Figgs, director of Larimer County's Department of Natural Resources, told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 10 that the department's annual work plans for the Openlands Advisory Board, Parks Advisory Board and Land Stewardship Board will guide grant work, land acquisitions, restoration projects and park improvements over the coming year.

The plans center on grant-dependent capital work and land‑acquisition strategy, Figgs said, and include early design and on‑the‑ground trail work at Chimney Hollow Reservoir ahead of larger construction in 2026. "It is an open space. So really the planning process has been under the purview of the open lands," Figgs said, adding that for Chimney Hollow "we have to do this year, namely, putting a boat ramp in before the reservoir gets water in it." He said longer lead work such as parking lots, trailheads, restrooms and boat docks is scheduled to begin in 2026 and will rely on grant writing to cover costs.

Why it matters: Chimney Hollow and other reservoir…