Larimer County adopts amended Ranch Master Plan; tables Hansen appeal to March hearing

Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shai McNally, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, said the board voted Jan. 26, 2026 to adopt the amended Ranch Master Plan, formalizing the county’s framework for Phase 2 planning at the Ranch Events Complex.

Portia Cook, strategic communications lead for the Ranch Master Plan, told the board the amended plan replaces the 2017 master plan and the 2019 strategic implementation plan, aligns with the voter-approved 0.15% sales tax and incorporates newly acquired land (72 acres). “We are here today to request and recommend the adoption of the amended master plan,” Cook said, noting Phase 1 (2019–2024) delivered infrastructure and facilities including Arena Circle and roadway improvements, Origin Arena, a 95-site RV lot with electrical and full hookups, and other foundational projects.

The plan sets a multi-phase roadmap for modernization and expansion, Cook said, listing Phase 2 concepts such as event plaza and lawn enhancements, an outdoor amphitheater, a youth hockey and sports facility, a 4‑H sanctioned outdoor archery range, Blue Arena modernization and an exposition center paired with a full‑service hotel. Cook said the hotel is intended as a public‑private partnership and would not be built with taxpayer funds. “The hotel would be a public private partnership and we are currently in discussions, that would not be with taxpayer funding,” Cook said in response to a commissioner question.

Cook summarized the outreach that shaped the plan: since April 2025 staff held 10 stakeholder meetings, conducted six site visits, delivered six public presentations, attended more than 10 community events, distributed nine translated monthly newsletters, and gathered more than 1,200 responses to the “Imagine the Future” survey. She told the board newsletters, FAQs and deeper materials are hosted on the Ranch Master Plan website (cited during the hearing as rancheventscomplex.com; the speaker briefly misstated the address before correcting it).

Commissioners praised the outreach and the plan’s attention to community programs, including the 4‑H community. Commissioner Kristen Stevens said the document clearly frames financing options and thanked staff for incorporating feedback; she also noted the plan discusses certificates of participation (COPs) as one financing tool and that tax receipts would be available to service debt. Commissioner John Cafales moved adoption of the plan as presented on Jan. 26, 2026; the motion was approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: - Hansen appeal — file 25‑GNRL0580: motion to continue to the March 9, 2026 3 p.m. land use hearing (moved by Commissioner Kristen Stevens); board approved the continuance. - Consent agenda: items including Schenkar short‑term rental (file 25‑ZONE3778), Menard Conservation Development (file 23‑LAND4385), 904 North 287 LLC appeal (file 25‑GNRL0576) and Leech MRD amended plat (file 25‑LAND4511) were approved as presented (moved by Commissioner Kristen Stevens). - Ranch Master Plan adoption: motion to adopt the amended Ranch Master Plan as presented on Jan. 26, 2026 (moved by Commissioner John Cafales); approved by voice vote.

There were no public comments at this hearing. Staff said Phase 2 will continue through design and refinement, with milestones and future approvals moving through standard county processes. Chair McNally adjourned the meeting at approximately 3:37 p.m.

The board’s adoption formalizes the amended plan as the county’s guiding framework for future development at the Ranch while staff and community partners continue engagement ahead of Phase 2 implementation.