The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area offers many community events. Find more information about the different types of events hosted in the heritage area community.
On Saturday, October 12 the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area hosted the Poudre Pour Art & Culture Fest, an annual event celebrating our river corridor’s vibrant history and culture. This event was held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Windsor History Museum (Boardwalk Park) in Windsor, CO.
On Thursday, June 20, the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area hosted Cache & Cocktails, an evening dedicated to art, culture, and community. The event was held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Windsong Estate Event Center in Severance, CO.
Capture the Cache photo contest winners and participants were recognized during a celebratory evening of signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvers, and camaraderie. Cache NHA emeritus inductees were also honored for their service to the heritage area. A gallery of images were on display in a silent auction, available for purchase. There were gift baskets correlated to our photo contest categories (History Along the River Corridor, Outdoor Community Culture, and In Motion) auctioned off too. Thank you to the local businesses who supported the silent auction: Visit Fort Collins, Poudre Pet & Feed, Silver Grill, Old Firehouse Books, and Blue Credit Union.
Plein air artists, Kim Stenson and Laura Young, from the Thompson Valley Art League took to the outdoor patio for their incredible watercolor painting demonstration. They were joined by photo contest participant, Nicholas Fischer. All three paintings were auctioned off at the end of the night.
“It was lovely to meet other creative, nature-minded folks,” said Young. “What a cool event.”
The annual Capture the Cache photo contest celebrates the natural beauty, culture, and heritage of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Winning images offer a snapshot of what makes the heritage area unique and important. View the full 2024 participant gallery here.
During the event, emeriti were recognized and honored for their services to heritage area. Emeriti are individuals who have served the Poudre Heritage Alliance, the nonprofit managing entity of the Cache NHA, and the heritage area with distinction, excellence, and outstanding service. The unveiling of the new perpetual plaque marks the legacy of the outstanding service of each emeritus member. Two of the individuals named on the plaque were in attendance: Dick Maxfield and Brian Werner.
“The plaque will be on permanent display in our office,” said Executive Director, Sabrina Stoker. “On behalf of the Poudre Heritage Alliance, we express our most sincere gratitude to your service and continued support.”
The evening’s honoree, Brian Werner, testified before Congress in 1995 in support of the S. 342 the Cache la Poudre River National Water Heritage Area. His testimony was a crucial step in securing designation for the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Werner was an original appointee to the Poudre Heritage Alliance Board from 2001 to 2016.
”"As a founding member of what became the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, I have a true soft spot for everything Cache NHA is about and am truly honored to be receiving the Emeritus Award. The Poudre River is such a wonderful natural resource and a real lifeline for the region. We should celebrate all this river is about."
Brian Werner
On Friday, May 17, the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area and three other individuals and organizations were recognized by the Town of Windsor’s Historic Preservation Commission for their contributions to historic preservation in Windsor. Historic landmark plaques, physical markers to commemorate historical and architectural significance, were presented for each of the four newly designated buildings in the area.
The historic landmark plaque for Eaton House, currently undergoing preservation work, was presented to the Cache NHA as the organization is partially funding the restoration project.
The Windsor Eaton House was constructed in 1903 by Benjamin Eaton as a dormitory for ditch riders on the Greeley #2 Ditch. Benjamin Eaton settled along the Poudre near Windsor in the 1860s, making him one of the earliest settlers in the area. Eaton dug some of the earliest irrigation ditches of the Poudre, including the B.H. Eaton Ditch in 1864, and was instrumental in shaping the Windsor community. An early irrigation pioneer, Eaton went on to work on many of the canals in Northern Colorado, including the High Line and Larimer and Weld Canals, and helped construct the Windsor Reservoir. In 1885 he became Colorado’s fourth Governor and is one of the sixteen individuals whose portraits line the dome on the Colorado Capital.
While Benjamin Eaton never lived at the “Eaton House,” he constructed it to house vital irrigation employees. The house has been vacant for most of the last twenty years, but the Town of Windsor has long held a vision for the Eaton House to become a hub for community education surrounding Windsor’s agriculture history and connection to water. In 2016, the first steps toward rehabilitation of the building were taken when a Historic Structure Assessment and Landscape Master Plan were completed with the help of the Cache NHA. In 2021, the Cache NHA again helped push the project forward by helping to fund the completion of full design and construction documents for the rehabilitation of the Eaton House into a nature and history center. The construction process will begin soon and when finished, the B.H. Eaton Nature Center will house a classroom, community gathering space, and a visitor center where community members can learn more about the history of Windsor and its open spaces, trails, and farmland.
”The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area has been involved with preservation efforts at this property since 2013, and more specifically at the Eaton House since 2015, so it has been really fulfilling to see these projects come to fruition. This partnership with the Town of Windsor has been incredibly meaningful to our organization, and we sincerely appreciate this recognition.”
Dan BiwerChair of the Cache NHA Board of Directors
The other historic sites that received historic landmark plaques were the Cheese Factory and Creamery, the Windsor Railroad Depot, and the Halfway Homestead.
The Historic Preservation Commission hosted this open house in celebration of Historic Preservation Month. There were about 55 community members in attendance, who heard stories about the four highlighted historic properties, virtually toured the historic Halfway Homestead Park program (via drone footage), and walked the remaining three properties for a brief historical discussion at each location.
Windsor’s Historic Preservation Commission is composed of seven members and works with property owners to protect the historic environment through a designation program. There are 12 locally designated historic properties in Windsor, according to the town’s website.
Photograph: A word whose Greek roots mean “written in light.” A photograph captures a moment in time, a memory, even a feeling. These moments create a visual story of the people, places, or objects in the photo.
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area’s annual photo contest provides a platform for individuals to tell the story of our heritage area through the visual representation of photography. The Capture the Cache photo contest celebrates the natural beauty, culture, and heritage of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. The contest is an opportunity for amateur or professional photographers to express their creativity while exploring the heritage area.
”Eternal glory! That’s what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament.
Professor DumbledoreThe Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter Series
Unfortunately, there will be no eternal glory, but you will obtain bragging rights as a winner of the Capture the Cache photo contest! There will be a chance to win cash and non-cash prizes too. Competitors must be 16 years of age and older to enter.
The contest ends on May 10, 2024, so get your cameras snapping!
The heritage area extends for 45 miles and includes the lands within the 100-year flood plain of the Cache la Poudre River. It begins in Larimer County at the eastern edge of the Roosevelt National Forest and ends east of Greeley, a quarter mile west of the confluence with the South Platte. Photos must be taken within the confines of the heritage area. Full list of rules and regulations.
Outdoor Community Culture photos are meant to capture the community of the Cache la Poudre River and surrounding river corridor. This could include anything from dogs, music festival, brewery patio life, photos of the scenery along the many hiking and biking trails, and/or attendance of community events. These photos are meant to capture the essence of what it is like to live in the heritage area. This is YOUR community, so show us the community through your eyes!
The Poudre River is as rich in history as it is in natural wonders. History Along the River Corridor hopes to showcase the plethora of historical sites and stories along the corridor.
These could include spots such as 1979 Avery House, 1883 Water Works, B.H. Eaton Ditch, Bingham Hill Cemetery, Cache la Poudre Marker, City of Natural Area and Trails Division at Signature Bluffs, Council Tree, Great Western Sugar Beet Flume and Bridge, Greeley Ditch #3, Greeley History Museum, Kaplan-Hoover Bison Bone Bed, Lake Canal Museum of Art Fort Collins, Pleasant Valley School House, Strauss Cabin, Von Trotha-Firestien Farm at Bracewell, Windsor History Museum and more. This is a list to get you started.
The river corridor is always in constant motion, whether it’s water flowing, a cyclist biking along the trail, or a train crossing the bridge over the river. These photos are meant to capture the movement of the river and the surrounding river corridor. This could include but is not limited to people cycling, hiking, or rafting, and/or running water, and moving trains.
Terry Walsh
3rd place Recreation & Lifestyle
What did you enjoy most about the contest?
When I heard about the contest, I thought it would be fun to enter and hopefully get my photos seen by others. But honestly, the most enjoyable part of entering was going back through my photos and choosing which ones to submit. That gave me the chance to relive some great memories and enjoy the Poudre all over again.
Why did you decide to enter the contest?
I was hoping to get recognition for some of my photos if they won, but just as important was the idea of sharing my photos with others. The river has so much to offer that it is good to see the organization getting more people to see what the river and surrounding area has to offer.
John Bartholow
2nd place River Reflections
What did you enjoy most about the contest?
Of course, I enjoyed “winning”. But frankly, I think our whole community “wins” when we — as a community — appreciate the Cache la Poudre River’s many assets. For too many years, the Poudre was essentially a dumping ground. Downtowns turned their backs on the river. All we could think about was pulling as much water out as the law would allow. Finally, those old ethics are changing. More and more people recognize the value of an ecologically resilient river for recreation, flood control, and other non-extractive uses. We have a lot more to do in terms of protection and restoration, but at least we are making progress. So, I do what I can to show the river’s beauty and how the community values water *In the River*, not just out of it.
Why did you decide to enter the contest?
Building on the first question, I enjoy photography and the Poudre has been one focus for years and years. I enjoy sharing my work for almost any non-profit that has a use for it — again, hoping to appeal to the ‘better angels’ of restoration and protection. The river itself has no voice; we must be that voice that welcomes a cadre of supporters.
Dave Cho
1st place History & Culture
What did you enjoy most about the contest?
I most enjoyed getting to know the river much more than I had previously known. Looking for and finding interesting spots and features forced me to get more familiar with the areas in and around the river and the surrounding areas. I found a new appreciation for beauty and recreational opportunities as well as the people and organizations that work on conservation efforts.
Why did you decide to enter the contest?
I’m a photographer hobbyist and some friends encouraged me to enter the contest. I thought it would be fun and challenging and a great excuse to go out and photograph. The different categories within the contest provided a nice incentive to see the river in different ways and forced me to expand my vision on what is possible around the river.
Greg Boiarsky
2nd place History & Culture
What did you enjoy most about the contest?
I got a chance to look at the Poudre River in a different light. It made me walk (and bike!) along the trail just looking for historic sites and photographing different aspects of the trail than I had photographed before.
Why did you decide to enter the contest?
Honestly, it was fun to try my hand at winning a contest with my photos. I like sharing my photographic perspective with friends and the wider community. You can’t swing a cat without hitting a fabulous photographer in Fort Collins, so it was an honor being chosen.
On Friday, March 1 the Poudre River Forum, “The Cost of Water,” wrapped up at Aims Community College Welcome Center in Greeley. There was over 220 people in attendance.
“I found the varying views most impactful,” said one attendee. “It was obvious that not everyone in the room could agree on everything, but the common goal was the Cache la Poudre River’s best interests, and I loved that.”
The morning was dedicated to laying out the costs of water while the afternoon provided insights into the current solutions being explored and implemented in Northern Colorado.
The morning panel: Laying Out the Costs
Panelists: Adam Jokerst, Westwater Research; Dr. Chris Goemans, Colorado State University; Donnie Dustin, City of Fort Collins; Calar Chaussee, Town of Wellington Mayor; Moderator: Zach Thode, Roberts Ranch
The afternoon panel: Working toward Solutions
Panelists: Dena Egenhoff, City of Greeley; Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center; Christ Matkins, Ally Utility Consulting; Kate Ryan, Colorado Water Trust
The presentation slides are available here.
The videos are available on the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area’s YouTube channel.
“It was my first time attending, and I will absolutely be back. Great information the entire day and I really walked away with so much more knowledge than walking in.”
Attendee
The 2024 Poudre Pioneer Award was presented to Randy Gustafson during a lunchtime speech from Katie Donahue, Director of Natural Areas with City of Fort Collins, and Kellen Dowdy, Water Resource Planning and Watershed Program Manager with City of Greeley.
The day wrapped up with hearty laughter and engaging conversation between Alex Hager, KUNC reporter, and keynote speaker, Robert Sakata.
“Without the farmer, you would be hungry, naked and sober,” said Sakata with a laugh as he pointed to his shirt with the saying.
A casual reception capped the day allowing attendees to connect over beverages crafted from Poudre River water.
Thank you to our local, state and US legislators in attendance for caring about water issues in Colorado and being a part of the solution.
Thank you to Horse & Dragon Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company for providing refreshments. Our sincere gratitude to attendees, volunteers and sponsors who made the event possible, including the City of Greeley, Northern Water and Fort Collins Utilites. A huge thank you to the Aims Community College event staff.
We hope you join us for forum next year on March 7, 2024!
The 6th Annual Poudre Pour is a wrap! It was a beautiful fall day celebrating the history, culture, and stewardship of the Cache la Poudre River corridor.
Sally Boccella, Northern Colorado Regional Director with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper attended and read this statement on behalf of the Senator:
The lands we choose to protect send a message about what we value, and what we want to remember. Victories like this are always a team effort, and I want to thank Cache la Poudre Heritage Area Board and Executive Director, Sabrina Stoker, for bringing this to fruition, the Town of Windsor for hosting this reception, and Senator Bennet and Congressman Neguse for teaming up so we can all continue to recognize the natural resources and rich history along the Chache la Poudre.
Boccella accepted a framed art piece on behalf of the Senator in celebration of passing the S. 1942, The National Heritage Area Act that redesignated the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area for another 15 years.
Congratulations to Climb Hard Cider for winning Northern Engineering’s People’s Choice Award for the second year in a row. And a shout out to the runners up, Salt Road Brewing and Zwei Brewing.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, legislators and volunteers that helped make this event possible! We couldn’t have done it without you!! We are excited for new and different opportunities next year.
Photo Credit: Perry Ralph – More Photos
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