County considers user fees for open lands

The Larimer County Open Lands Advisory Board and staff have scheduled two public meetings regarding proposed user fees on open lands program properties. Open spaces potentially affected include the Devil's Backbone, Eagle's Nest and Fossil Creek Reservoir.

The open lands program is funded through a quarter-cent sales tax that allocates 70 percent of revenues toward acquisitions. Up to 30 percent can go toward maintenance. Although Larimer County is putting the maximum aside, it may not be enough. Charging user fees would mean that visitors are directly paying for the services and facilities they use.

At this time there is no fee to use most open lands open to the public, such as Devil's Backbone. Users do pay fees at county parks, however. Should the open lands board recommend a fee, one option is to make one pass for both parks and open lands. Another option is to have two separate passes, with a lower fee for the open lands pass. The county commissioners make the final decision.

The public meetings will be held May 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Community Room at the Loveland Pulliam Building, 545 N. Cleveland Ave., and May 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive.

Comments may also be made at www.larimer.org/parks/openlands. For meeting directions or for information, call 679-4577.