Montane Zone Update

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Two people paused during their hike along a winding dirt trail through a grassy, hilly landscape dotted with pine trees and rocks under a partly cloudy spring sky at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins.Bobcat Ridge Natural AreaNatural Areas is listening! Please provide your feedback on how the Montane Zone will be managed for the next seven years.


The Montane Zone consists of two natural areas west of Fort Collins: Bobcat Ridge and Crossline Canyons natural areas. They provide important habitats for many wildlife and plant species in need of conservation. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area also provides 20 miles of trail with stunning views of hogback ridges and Horsetooth Mountain. An additional 675 acres was recently added to Bobcat Ridge and Natural Areas is assessing the feasibility of trails on this expanded portion. Additionally, a multi-use pilot on the DR Trail has closed and the trail is now officially open as a multi-use trail. Over 900 statistically valid visitor survey forms were collected before and during the multiuse trial that informed the decision, with overall positive feedback about the change.

Crossline Canyons Natural Area currently has no feasible public access. The area is managed for research and relatively undisturbed habitat, abundant wildlife, and sensitive plant species. Please respect property closures.

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Map of the Montane Zone Natural Areas in and near Fort Collins, Colorado. Two City of Fort Collins Natural Areas in the montane zone are shown in dark blue. Crossline Canyons Natural Area, which is not yet open to the public, is located west of Horsetooth Reservoir and north of Buckhorn Road. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area is farther south, near the southwestern edge of the map, west of County Road 27 and south of Buckhorn Road. Other areas on the map include green-shaded City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and tan-shaded open spaces like Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. The map includes roads and nearby city streets for reference.Map of the Montane Zone Natural Areas



Bright yellow and purple wildflowers bloom among green plants and scattered rocks in the foreground, with a misty mountain range and charred tree stumps visible in the distance at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area during spring.Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Spring BloomsMontane Zone Ecology


The Montane Zone natural areas protect nearly 5,000 acres of valuable habitat. Ecological surveys on Bobcat Ridge and Crossline Canyons reveal 26 wildlife species of conservation priority, 39 rare plants, and four rare plant communities that need protection. Recent butterfly surveys at Crossline Canyons showed that there are at least 30 butterfly species that inhabit the area, including four different swallowtail species.

The natural areas in the Montane Zone are also prone to fire, flooding, and droughts, making for a dynamic landscape. Restoring resilient habitats in this zone is important, with restoration of native grasslands underway in the valley at Bobcat Ridge. In addition, cheatgrass treatments over the years have reduced fire potential and improved habitat.



Natural Areas is Listening: What has been shared previously

Engagement efforts in Fort Collins and across Larimer County help to inform management of Natural Areas, including those in the Montane Zone. On-site visitor surveys were conducted at Bobcat Ridge in 2022 and 2024. Survey results show overall high visitor satisfaction with the experience and amenities provided at Bobcat Ridge. Reports of crowding from all visitor groups remained relatively flat over the last several years. The 2023 Larimer County Our Lands Our Future Survey reaffirmed that residents equally value conservation and nature-based recreation. This survey also showed that residents value continued conservation of land for open spaces and trails, along with resilience to natural disasters and climate change impact.

Natural Areas continues to engage with diverse members of the community. In previous conversations, people mentioned wanting equitable access for different ages and abilities, a focus on trail etiquette, natural areas that are welcoming for all, and more information on wildlife safety. The feedback that has been shared to date will influence the management plan, and everyone is invited to share input now until June 30.

Two people paused during their hike along a winding dirt trail through a grassy, hilly landscape dotted with pine trees and rocks under a partly cloudy spring sky at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins.Bobcat Ridge Natural AreaNatural Areas is listening! Please provide your feedback on how the Montane Zone will be managed for the next seven years.


The Montane Zone consists of two natural areas west of Fort Collins: Bobcat Ridge and Crossline Canyons natural areas. They provide important habitats for many wildlife and plant species in need of conservation. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area also provides 20 miles of trail with stunning views of hogback ridges and Horsetooth Mountain. An additional 675 acres was recently added to Bobcat Ridge and Natural Areas is assessing the feasibility of trails on this expanded portion. Additionally, a multi-use pilot on the DR Trail has closed and the trail is now officially open as a multi-use trail. Over 900 statistically valid visitor survey forms were collected before and during the multiuse trial that informed the decision, with overall positive feedback about the change.

Crossline Canyons Natural Area currently has no feasible public access. The area is managed for research and relatively undisturbed habitat, abundant wildlife, and sensitive plant species. Please respect property closures.

Leave Feedback Here (English)

Leave Feedback Here (Spanish)


Map of the Montane Zone Natural Areas in and near Fort Collins, Colorado. Two City of Fort Collins Natural Areas in the montane zone are shown in dark blue. Crossline Canyons Natural Area, which is not yet open to the public, is located west of Horsetooth Reservoir and north of Buckhorn Road. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area is farther south, near the southwestern edge of the map, west of County Road 27 and south of Buckhorn Road. Other areas on the map include green-shaded City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and tan-shaded open spaces like Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. The map includes roads and nearby city streets for reference.Map of the Montane Zone Natural Areas



Bright yellow and purple wildflowers bloom among green plants and scattered rocks in the foreground, with a misty mountain range and charred tree stumps visible in the distance at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area during spring.Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Spring BloomsMontane Zone Ecology


The Montane Zone natural areas protect nearly 5,000 acres of valuable habitat. Ecological surveys on Bobcat Ridge and Crossline Canyons reveal 26 wildlife species of conservation priority, 39 rare plants, and four rare plant communities that need protection. Recent butterfly surveys at Crossline Canyons showed that there are at least 30 butterfly species that inhabit the area, including four different swallowtail species.

The natural areas in the Montane Zone are also prone to fire, flooding, and droughts, making for a dynamic landscape. Restoring resilient habitats in this zone is important, with restoration of native grasslands underway in the valley at Bobcat Ridge. In addition, cheatgrass treatments over the years have reduced fire potential and improved habitat.



Natural Areas is Listening: What has been shared previously

Engagement efforts in Fort Collins and across Larimer County help to inform management of Natural Areas, including those in the Montane Zone. On-site visitor surveys were conducted at Bobcat Ridge in 2022 and 2024. Survey results show overall high visitor satisfaction with the experience and amenities provided at Bobcat Ridge. Reports of crowding from all visitor groups remained relatively flat over the last several years. The 2023 Larimer County Our Lands Our Future Survey reaffirmed that residents equally value conservation and nature-based recreation. This survey also showed that residents value continued conservation of land for open spaces and trails, along with resilience to natural disasters and climate change impact.

Natural Areas continues to engage with diverse members of the community. In previous conversations, people mentioned wanting equitable access for different ages and abilities, a focus on trail etiquette, natural areas that are welcoming for all, and more information on wildlife safety. The feedback that has been shared to date will influence the management plan, and everyone is invited to share input now until June 30.

  • Montane Zone Survey (English - April 2025)

    Natural Areas is listening!  

    Share your feedback here about how our Montane Zones (Bobcat Ridge and Crossline Canyons Natural Areas) will be managed for the next seven years. 

    Please note this survey will close on June 30, 2025.

    Take Survey
    Share Montane Zone Survey (English - April 2025) on Facebook Share Montane Zone Survey (English - April 2025) on Twitter Share Montane Zone Survey (English - April 2025) on Linkedin Email Montane Zone Survey (English - April 2025) link

  • Encuesta de la Zona Montañosa (Español - abril 2025) 

    
¡Áreas Naturales te escucha!

Comparte aquí tus comentarios sobre cómo se gestionarán nuestras Zonas Montañosas (Áreas Naturales Bobcat Ridge y Crossline Canyons) durante los próximos siete años.

Ten en cuenta que esta encuesta finalizará el 30 de junio de 2025.
    Take Survey
    Share Encuesta de la Zona Montañosa (Español - abril 2025) on Facebook Share Encuesta de la Zona Montañosa (Español - abril 2025) on Twitter Share Encuesta de la Zona Montañosa (Español - abril 2025) on Linkedin Email Encuesta de la Zona Montañosa (Español - abril 2025) link
Page last updated: 09 May 2025, 09:00 AM