Environmental Planning

The Land Use Code requires Natural Habitat Buffer Zones (NHBZs) around natural habitats and features, such as wetlands, streams, irrigation ditches, nesting birds and wildlife, and other sensitive features. These buffers provide both ecosystem and community benefits:

• Directing development away from sensitive resources,
• Minimizing impacts and disturbance through the use of buffer zones,
• Enhancing existing conditions, or
• Restoring or replacing the resource value lost to the community when a development proposal will result in the disturbance of natural habitats or features.

The list of buffer zone requirements for natural habitat and features can be found in Land Use Code Section 5.6.1.

Natural Habitats and Features Map

The City has created an online mapping tool that shows the known natural habitats and features within the City to help determine if further analysis is needed for protection and enhancement of a natural feature during proposed development. NHBZs are also included in the map to show where protections are already in place.

StoryMap

Explore the interactive StoryMap to learn how NHBZs help advance the City’s overall environmental resilience and preserve its natural heritage for future generations.

An Environmental Constraint Survey (ECS) is a site assessment done by a qualified contractor. It must be completed before submitting a development review application if the site is within 500 feet of a natural habitat or feature. The ECS evaluates the condition of regulated natural habitats and features. The City uses the results to determine where buffer zones are needed to protect these areas.

Restoration sites and sites with a Natural Habitat Buffer Zone should use adaptive management. This means monitoring the site and adjusting practices over time. If a strategy isn’t working, it's revised or replaced to keep environmental protection effective.

An adaptive management plan should include soil preparation, seeding details, weed management(PDF, 344KB), performance standards, monitoring, and reporting schedules. 

Reference Areas

Environmental Planning uses native vegetation reference areas to set success criteria for revegetation projects in Natural Habitat Buffer Zones and 1041 easements. Reference areas represent the target vegetation, have similar management, and share similar climate conditions.

Current reference areas include:

• Mixed-grass communities: Upland areas dominated by native warm and cool season grasses
• Mesic-grass communities: Areas dominated by native warm and cool season grasses and forbs adapted to moist soil conditions

Monitoring

City staff sample two to three reference areas per habitat type each year using the line-point intercept method. They calculate the percent of desirable vegetation, which sets the success criteria for revegetation at City development sites. Instructions are available in Line-Point Intercept Cover Monitoring Guide(PDF, 699KB).

Natural Habitat Buffer Zone Reference Area Sites

Environmental Planning uses nature-based design and solutions to protect, manage and restore local ecosystems. These actions help address challenges like climate change, disasters and pollution, while supporting community wellbeing and local biodiversity.

Prairie dogs are considered a keystone species in Fort Collins because of their role in supporting grassland ecosystems. Development projects that may impact prairie dog colonies must follow the City’s Prairie Dog Management Policy, which outlines:

• when relocation is required,
• how impacts are assessed and
• what mitigation or restoration steps are needed.

Prairie Dog Management Flowchart(PDF, 497KB)

Burrowing owls are a state-threatened species that live in prairie dog towns in Fort Collins. They usually arrive in late March or early April, start nesting a few weeks later and remain active through August. Adults and young may stay until migrating in late summer or early fall.

State and federal laws protect burrowing owls and their nests. Because owls may hide in prairie dog or badger burrows, a survey by a qualified professional is required before any prairie dog removal or construction.

If development occurs between March 15 to October 31, a Burrowing Owl Survey must be included in the site’s Environmental Constraint Survey (ECS). Refer to CPW’s Survey Protocol(PDF, 164KB).

Both the City and CPW utilize recommended buffer zones and seasonal construction restrictions to protect nesting, wintering and resident birds of prey.

The City’s buffer zones can be found in the Land Use Code, Section 5.6.1(E)(2)(d).

Refer to CPW’s Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors (2020)(PDF, 656KB).

Environmental Planning works with developers to make sure landscaping and restoration standards are met and social and environmental benefits are maximized for each project. The following links provide useful resources:

• Colorado Guide to Native and Water Wise Grass(PDF, 991KB)
• Fort Collins Suggested Native Seed Mix(PDF, 2MB)
• Fort Collins Recommended Plant List
• Landscape Design Standards for Stormwater Facilities(PDF, 2MB)
• Turf Conversion Guidance(PDF, 411KB)