Since the Natural Areas Program (now a Department) was established in 1992, funding has come from the following ballot measures:
1992 - City 1/4 Cent Sales Tax for Natural Areas. The initial funding for the Natural Areas Program began with 52.88% voter approval of this community initiated 5-year 1/4-cent sales tax . This sales tax was collected from 1993 through 1997.
1995 - Larimer County Help Preserve Open Space (HPOS) Sales Tax. A community-initiative approved by 65% of voters in 1995, this 8-year sales tax provided funding for the City’s Natural Areas Program from 1996 through 2003.
1997 - Building Community Choices – City ¼ Cent Sales Tax with a portion going for Natural Areas. 68.96 % of Fort Collins voters approved this 7-year sales tax in 1997; this sales tax was collected from 1998 through 2005. This tax also funded the following capital projects: Community Horticulture Center (Gardens on Spring Creek); Fossil Creek Community Park; Community Park Improvements; and Regional Trails.
1999 - Larimer County Help Preserve Open Space (HPOS) Sales Tax. Sixty percent of the voters approved this community initiative for a 15-year extension of this sales tax. This sales tax provided funding for the City’s Natural Areas Program from 2004 through 2018.
2002 - Open Space Yes! – City ¼ Cent Sales Tax for Natural Area. 65.26% of Fort Collins voters approved this community- initiated 25-year sales tax extension. This sales tax will be collected from 2006 through 2030.
2014 – Larimer County Help Preserve Open Space (HPOS) Sales Tax extension. 81% of Larimer County voters approved this county commissioner-referred sales tax extension. The sales tax will be collected for 25 years from 2018 to 2043.
2025- Extension of 1/4 Cent Natural Areas Sales and Use Tax without expiration was approved by voters. The measure makes several modifications to 2002 Open Space Yes! related to land conservation, operations and maintenance activities to ensure long-term operations and maintenance needs are met.