Plans and Zones

The foothills are the rises and ridges at the base of the mountains — a special ecological zone with unique plants and wildlife. The geologic layer beneath the foothills were pushed up with the Rocky Mountains, splitting an ancient sea floor. When you visit natural areas in the foothills ecological zone, look for evidence of 267 native wildlife species and 396 native plant species. 

The Foothills natural areas — Coyote Ridge, Pineridge, Maxwell and Reservoir Ridge — contribute to an attractive and ecologically diverse landscape that serves as the backdrop of Fort Collins. The mountain mahogany shrubland, ponderosa pine forest and grassland mosaic provides excellent wildlife and rare plant habitat, scenic views and a treasured opportunity for the community to connect with nature. The steep terrain and natural features also provide valued recreation opportunities on the edge of Fort Collins.

Foothills Zone Management Plan (story map)

This area includes some of the last remaining healthy shortgrass prairie and foothills shrublands along Colorado's Front Range. It stretches from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, through the Laramie Foothills, and down to the plains just south of the Colorado-Wyoming border. 

Soapstone Prairie, at the north end of the zone, contains 22,497 acres. It is the largest natural area stewarded by the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department.   

The Mountains to Plains zone contains a large network of open spaces owned and managed by the City of Fort Collins and different partners like Larimer County, The Nature Conservancy and private landowners through conservation easements. Soapstone Prairie is key in maintaining habitat connectivity through this conservation corridor. These lands are also part of the ancestral homelands of many Native American tribes, including the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Crow, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone and Ute.

Mountains to Plains Zone Update(PDF, 5MB). This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. 

The Poudre River Zone encompasses 22 natural areas that encompass more than 2,000 acres adjacent to the Poudre River from Gateway Natural Area (seven miles up the Poudre Canyon) to Arapaho Bend Natural Area, where the river flows under I-25.  

Thanks to 50 years of community support, the river remains a healthy and iconic part of Fort Collins. Natural Areas, along with its partners, have invested in restoration projects and river health assessments to improve river health, such as the Environmental Learning Center Flow Restoration Project, the River Health Assessment Framework and the Poudre Flows Project. 

Most of the river areas were used for farming or gravel mining in the past. Today, you’ll still find a mix of public and private land, including City parks, roads and some ongoing gravel operations. The natural areas offer peaceful trails, wildlife watching and mountain views — all close to town. There are 40 miles of paved and soft-surface trails in this zone, shared by the City’s Natural Areas and Parks departments.

Poudre River Zone Update(PDF, 25MB). Poudre River Zone Update (Spanish)(PDF, 26MB). This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. 

The Urban Zone includes 10 natural areas providing nearby access to nature for many Fort Collins neighborhoods. These spaces give people and wildlife a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Spring Creek Trail connects several of these sites, including Tanglewood, Ross, Mallard’s Nest and The Coterie. 

Urban natural areas range in size from 4 to 72 acres, totaling more than 250 acres. They offer close-to-home nature experiences and also help reduce flooding through stormwater management. Many are co-managed with the City’s Stormwater Utility. 

Urban Zone Update(PDF, 7MB). Urban Zone Update (Spanish)(PDF, 11MB). This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.