Do you know what is happening in the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area? Find event summaries, press releases, community partnerships and more news updates about the heritage area.
A significant portion of annual funding for Cache NHA comes from Congress. Federal funding is not guaranteed so each year we advocate for inclusion in congressional budget priorities. During a year of increased scrutiny over federal spending, we need your support to encourage Congress to continue funding National Heritage Areas.
Northern Colorado is home to the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (Cache NHA), one of 3 such designations across the state and 62 across the country. Since 2009, we have celebrated and preserved the natural beauty, history, and culture associated with the Cache la Poudre River flood plain, from Roosevelt National Forest to the confluence of the South Platte.
Through public-private partnerships, Cache NHA is able to promote historical and cultural opportunities, engage residents and visitors in the river corridor, and inspire learning, preservation, and stewardship of this incredible river we all know, love, and depend on. We are proud of the work we do and honored to have such strong collaborative support from a wide array of community partners and volunteers.
Increased scrutiny over how taxpayer dollars are spent is welcome. But scrutiny should mean identifying and fully funding the programs that are cost-effective. By any measure – billions in economic impact, millions of annual visitors, hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours – the 62 NHAs are a good return for the taxpayer.
Without this funding, many of our programs and projects will be in jeopardy. In the past decade Cache NHA has invested nearly a million dollars in community grants and passthrough funding and leveraged nearly $15 million dollars of public-private funding. An economic impact study completed by Tripp Umbach found that the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area generates an annual economic impact of $81.6 million, while supporting over 1,000 jobs and generating $6.9 million in tax revenue.
Like many of our partners in and along the Poudre River watershed, we need your help to show Congress how important the Cache NHA is to you as a local constituent and partner in this work. Collectively, the Alliance of National Heritage is requesting $33.5 M which keeps all 62 heritage areas funded and maintains level funding for our Colorado NHAs. We are requesting our partners and supporters write letters of support by March 13th or sign on to the Cache NHA’s letter. The button below opens a letter template you can customize and send to your Congressional delegation.
Use your organization’s letterhead if available, or a letter if you are a private citizen
Customize the benefit of the NHA and/or the impact of a potential loss of funding specific to your program or initiative. Things that may be important to you:
Funding you receive as a grant recipient – what projects have we funded or are you hoping to apply for funding soon
Events and community groups you participate in or partner with us to bring to the community
Educational programming like Learning in Our Watershed and Poudre Pub Talks
Promotion of tourism, local events, partner work and programming
The economic power of promoting and supporting local businesses through programming and promoting tourism
Resources developed: lesson plans, interpretive signage, brochures, and digital campaigns like Play it Safe
Historic preservation: oral histories, site planning documents, historic tours, historical content, and research
Share a copy of your letter with me or copy me on your email to the delegation.
Abbie Callahan | Senior Legislative Assistant, Rep. Joe Neguse abbie@mail.house.gov
The other 61 National Heritage Areas are working to make a strong and robust effort with participation from as many partners as possible. Thanks to your efforts in prior years, we have found that a letter campaign like this is successful in educating our legislators about our impact and far-reaching support from their constituents. Thank you for your past and continued support.
I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with you and look forward to working with you in the coming months.
With gratitude,
Sabrina Stoker, Executive Director
Poudre Heritage Alliance, Managing Entity of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area
This fall the Cache NHA hosted Kelli Lane, a current undergraduate student at Colorado State University in an internship funded by the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH).
Kelli’s work is part of a larger project funded by NEH to support our region’s historians, researchers, and interpreters in better understanding and telling historically under-told stories of the Cache NHA.
During her internship, Kelli has been combing through archives within the Cache NHA to understand what historic records have already been preserved on the stories of our regions Hispanic, Latino, and Mexican American families, individuals, and businesses.
This work will be compiled into a “Regional Guide on Hispanic & Latino Collections in the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area.” Once complete, the document will help researchers and interpreters understand what primary source material exists in our region’s archives and where to find it. It will also help archivists understand what gaps exist in collections to ensure the valuable stories of all the Poudre’s people are preserved. The research will also help inform future interpretive projects and partnerships through the Cache NHA as we work to amplify these historically under-told stories.
Q&A with Kelli Lane
Q: What is your favorite story you’ve uncovered? A: So far, my favorite stories have been about beet farmers forming their own baseball league. They would carve out a spot in the already harvested fields, nail down rubber for home plate, the bases, and the pitcher’s mound. Their families would then come watch them play on Sundays with food and music and they would make a day of it.
Q: What are you studying at CSU? And what are your plans after graduation? A: I am studying International Studies and History, both with a concentration in Latin America. I have no set plans after graduation, but I would love to do work with migrants in some fashion.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Colorado? A: My favorite thing about Colorado is that there is always something to do. I have lived here my whole life, and I haven’t even made a dent in all the things I could do in Colorado.
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.”
Capture the Cache Winners
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."
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.
[Severance, CO] – The countdown is on for Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area’s inaugural community event recognizing the artistic beauty and cultural importance of the Cache la Poudre River: Cache & Cocktails.
Art and the great outdoors come together June 20, 2024, for an evening of honor and recognition, including the culmination of the “Capture the Cache” photo contest and the organization’s Emeritus Award ceremony, recognizing individuals who have greatly impacted efforts to preserve the Cache NHA.
”The summer solstice offers the perfect setting to celebrate those who capture the essence of life on the Poudre River in a moment of time and those who’ve worked to protect and preserve it for future generations. We look forward to sharing an evening of art and culture with our community.
Sabrina StokerExecutive Director
Guests will enjoy food and signature cocktails and a silent auction featuring canvas prints of this year’s winning photographs, plus a plein-air painting demonstration in collaboration with Thompson Valley Art League. Proceeds support Cache NHA’s arts and culture-focused community events and mission to preserve the heritage of the Cache la Poudre River for generations to come.
When: Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Windsong Estate Event Center | 2901 Saddler Boulevard, Severance, CO 80524
In 2023, Cache NHA distributed $21,080 in grant funds to local initiatives and allocated an additional $68,197 for future historic preservation projects, including $35,000 in Weld County.
An economic impact study completed by Tripp Umbach in 2017 found that the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area generates an annual economic impact of $81.6 million while supporting over 1,000 jobs and generating $6.9 million in tax revenue.
In the past decade, Cache NHA invested over half a million in community grants and leveraged nearly $14 million of public-private funding.
About Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (managed by the Poudre Heritage Alliance, a regional non-profit) promotes a variety of historic and cultural opportunities, engages people in the river corridor, and inspires learning, preservation, and stewardship through collaborative partnerships and by providing funding to community-beneficial projects within the heritage area. The 45 miles of the Cache la Poudre River, designated by Congress in 2009 as a National Heritage Area, is one of three heritage areas in Colorado and one of 62 in the nation. The heritage area was nationally designated due to conflicts over water use, leading to Western water law, innovative irrigation techniques, and water measurement devices.
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.
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.
Did you know a book has never been written about the history of Mexican Americans in Greeley using their voices, stories, and perspectives? Now, a group is working to change that.
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area recently sat down with the Mexican American History Project Greeley (MAHPG) to learn more about their work to tell their stories and address this gap in Greeley’s recorded history.
”“Our organization’s goal is to provide a resource book that highlights the history and contributions Mexican Americans have made to Greeley’s success since there is a gap regarding this information in Greeley’s general history. This book will help to give a voice and perspective of Greeley Mexican Americans that is seldom heard and validate our history and contributions in a place we call home.”
Emma Pena-McCleaveProject Coordinator for MAHPG
The book will delve into personal stories of Mexican Americans from Northern Colorado and their long-standing history in Greeley. While Mexican Americans have a longer history in the region, the book will focus on stories from 1920 and later. The goal of this work is to provide young Mexican Americans a strong cultural self-identity while helping to educate the community at large on the contributions and impact Mexican Americans have made on Greeley’s culture, community, and major industries such as the farming, packing plants, construction, and more recently, oil and gas.
The first section of the book will provide a collection of intensive research into historical documents from Greeley about the history and contributions of Mexican Americans in the community. The second half will hold thirty-nine stories from first-hand interviews with Greeley Mexican American residents. Gathered as part of the group’s oral history project, the stories showcase the residents’ perspectives of Greeley’s past, present, and future.
The group hopes to complete the book by April 30, 2025. Once published, MAHPG will distribute sets, English and Spanish, to Weld County schools, libraries, museums, and community centers, providing updated resources about local Mexican American history for school-age students and the community. The book will also be one of the few resources available in Spanish that provides an insight into the past and present of Greeley’s Mexican American community.
Dr. Dierdra Pilch, Weld District 6 Superintendent, was very receptive to the concept of the book stating, “It’s about time.”
While the Mexican American History Project Greeley has come a long way from inception, the group is still in the process of raising money for the publishing and distribution phase of the book.
FORT COLLINS, Colorado, April 9, 2024 — The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (Cache NHA) has been awarded a $24,000 grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) Public Impact Projects at Smaller Organizations Program for a two-year inclusive stories project to build interpretive capacity and conduct research to identify under told stories in historic collections and archives in the heritage area.
“We embrace the importance of culture to the people and places along the Cache la Poudre River and the inclusive nature of telling the stories of all people,” said Sabrina Stoker, executive director of the Cache NHA.
Part of this project provides funding for Cache NHA staff and partners to participate in a series of interpretation certificate programs with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). The program will result in the NHA having two certified interpretive trainers to sustainably train volunteers and staff across heritage area and its partners in heritage interpretation. The National Association for Interpretation is an international professional organization based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, dedicated to advancing the profession of interpretation.
“We are beyond excited to continue the necessary work to ensure that the stories we tell of our heritage area fully reflect the diversity of experiences of its people, past and present, in all their complexity,” said Heidi Fuhrman, project director and heritage interpreter on staff. “There is much work to be done, but this is an important step towards making sure all individuals in our heritage area see their stories reflected in how we choose to talk about our past.”
The research phase of the project will focus on collections from regional repositories that document the legacy, history, and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx families, individuals, and communities within the heritage area. While seeking to better understand the diverse stories of Hispanic and Latinx heritage found within regional archives, the research will also result in creation of a regional research guide to Hispanic/Latinx collections that will support ongoing research and interpretation beyond the project lifespan.
Dr. Jared Orsi, Professor at Colorado State University and Director of the CSU Public and Environmental History Center, and Katie Ross, Curator of Collections at the City of Greeley Museums, will provide research support, background knowledge, and serve as scholars and historians on this project.
The NEH Public Impact Project at Smaller Organizations Grants Program supports America’s small and mid-sized cultural organizations, especially those from underserved communities, in enhancing their interpretive strategies and strengthening their public humanities programming. Cache NHA was one of twenty-eight organizations across the nation to receive this funding.
###
ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA: The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, managed by the Poudre Heritage Alliance, a regional non-profit, works to promote a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, engage people in the river corridor and inspire learning, preservation, and stewardship through collaborative partnerships and providing funding to community benefiting projects within the heritage area.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR HUMANITIES: Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this web resource, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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 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!
As a whole, the Cache Pass is a wonderful resource for locals and tourists to experience and electric mix of breweries, museums, and restaurants in Northern Colorado. The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area provides a beautiful backdrop to connect with regional history, natural areas, and businesses.
Site #1: 1883 Water Works
Upon a visit to the 1883 Water Works, guests take a journey into the past and discover how the facility began delivering locals’ most precious resource to an eager town in 1883. With every conversation, volunteers with the Friends of the 1883 Water Works exude a passion for preserving, restoring, protecting, and interpreting the architectural and cultural heritage of the beautiful property. It was an exciting opportunity to experience the site during the Big Splash celebration which commemorated the 140th anniversary of when the historic facility first delivered water to Fort Collins.
The apple orchard at the 1883 Water Works.The front elevation of the 1883 Water Works.
Site #2: Strauss Cabin
Beautifully situated between the Cache la Poudre River and Rigden Reservoir, the Strauss Cabin illustrates the trials and tribulations of the innumerable “seekers and settlers” of the region. Visitors, myself included, try to imagine what the original structure entailed for early homesteader, George Robert Strauss, and the many iterations it has undertaken since the 1860s. At present, the ruins of the Cabin juxtapose the fullness of nearby foliage and water features while prompting passers-by to consider how Fort Collins and the Cache la Poudre River corridor have changed over time.
Strauss Cabin looking out towards Rigden Reservoir.Strauss Cabin ruins.
Site #3: Morning Fresh Dairy
Since 1894, an absolute must-see for any visitors of the beautiful Pleasant Valley is Morning Fresh Dairy, a fifth-generation dairy farm owned and operated by the Graves family. Locally sourcing all milk from cows in Bellvue, Morning Fresh features a myriad of delectable treats available for purchase at the Howling Cow Cafe coupled with the magnificent views of the rolling hills. During my afternoon at Morning Fresh, I enjoyed a cold glass of milk, soaked up the sunny skies, and explored the grounds of the Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse, conveniently located on the Farm’s property. For a truly well-rounded experience of the Cache la Poudre River Heritage Area, I would highly recommend Morning Fresh Dairy for a stop, sip, and the sights!
Howling Cow Cafe with salted caramel milk in Morning Fresh Dairy’s new reusable cups. Morning Fresh Dairy in the background.Morning Fresh Dairy with Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse in the background.
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area provides a beautiful backdrop to connect with regional history, natural areas, and businesses for a one-time payment of $10. All that I have been able to explore with the Cache Pass has amounted to huge rewards in knowledge of the river corridor, discounts on beverages and admission fees, as well as an appreciation for my local community. Truly, there is no better way to check-in at and check-out participating businesses to redeem various deals and discounts along the Cache la Poudre River!
A huge thank you to Linnea Wuorenmaa for the photos and write-up of this blog post!
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.
Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area was awarded $87,000 through the Open Outdoors for Kids grant, a program of the National Parks Foundation. The grant money will fund the Learning in Our Watershed program that helps youth understand and value the Cache la Poudre River and their water heritage while inspiring a next generation of river stewards.
Implementation of this funding will triple the size of the program and allow the Cache NHA to expand the program in response to teacher requests to add more pre-approved sites, include new field trip events, and adding programming that includes inclusive storytelling. Last year LIOW had just under 4,000 participants. This year there is expected to be over 10,000 student participants.
The LIOW program focuses on bringing students, primarily Title One 4th graders, in Northern Colorado and beyond into the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. The goal is to immerse students in their local heritage, cultures and landscapes through the adaptable three-touch model which includes pre-visit activities, onsite field trips and post-visit wrap-ups. There are in-person, hybrid and distance learning opportunities available through this program. For in-person, the teachers can elect to attend any of the following sites: Poudre Learning Center, CSU’s Environmental Learning Center, Centennial Village, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, or Colorado Youth Outdoors. Events include Expedition Colorado, the Children’s Water Festival, and the High Plain History Festival. For the hybrid audience, many of the in-person sites provide in-classroom activities or virtual tours. The distance learning option allows students to explore the interactive map of the river corridor or engage with virtual tours from various sites.
Comments from teachers and students surveyed last year showcase the positive impact of this program. 98% of teachers surveyed reported that the LIOW program helped to develop understanding of the Cache NHA as a resource for student activities and learning.
“The hands-on, active nature of the learning opportunities presented information in a way that reached all learners,” said Jan Nimlo, a 4th-Grade teacher. “This was a great day of learning for my students.”
“Amazing!” said one 4th grader after completing the field trip. “I want to do this again.”
Teachers can apply to the LIOW program to receive funding for field trips within the river corridor. The LIOW application is now open. Apply now on the Cache NHA website at Programs: Learning in Our Watershed. Please share with teachers to help promote this program statewide.
About Cache NHA
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, (managed by the Poudre Heritage Alliance a regional non-profit) works to PROMOTE a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, ENGAGE people in the river corridor and INSPIRE learning, preservation, and stewardship through collaborative partnerships and providing funding to community benefiting projects within the heritage area. The 45-miles of the Cache la Poudre River, designated by Congress in 2009 as a National Heritage Area, is only one of three heritage areas in Colorado and one of sixty-two in the nation. To find out more about the Cache NHA visit www.poudreheritage.org.
Stream Restoration Legislation Will Benefit Birds and People in Colorado
Our decisions about the health and functioning of our streams and rivers reflect our priorities and values and influence all areas of life for people, birds, and nature. This legislative session, SB23-270, Projects To Restore Natural Stream Systems, was passed by the Senate, then the House, and then signed into law on June 5, 2023, by Governor Polis. SB23-270 is a solid win for Colorado’s streams and a good first-step opportunity to steward our rivers back into health. The bill was led by the Department of Natural Resources staff and sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Cleave Simpson, along with Representatives Karen McCormick and Marc Catlin.
Through numerous meetings, outreach events, and late-night (or early morning?) committee hearings, SB23-270 moved through substantial changes from when it was first introduced. Audubon Rockies, Colorado Healthy Headwater Working Group, and Water for Colorado partners worked with agencies, lawmakers, water conservation districts, and other partners for the best possible outcome for healthy, functioning, and resilient river systems for people and birds—the natural water systems that we all depend upon.
Why the Need for Stream Restoration Legislation in 2023?
The need for stream restoration clarity around water rights administration is mainly three-fold.
First, existing Colorado water administration creates substantial regional variability, uncertainty, and even barriers to restoring the valuable natural processes of stream corridors. Legal clarity for stream restoration can reduce barriers for these important projects to get off the ground.
Second, the majority of our stream corridors have been degraded by more than two centuries of hydrologic modification, agricultural land use practices, roads and development, channelization, mining, and climate-driven disasters. The good news is that case studies of Colorado and other Western states’ stream restoration projects have proven successful in improving human and environmental health and reducing vulnerability to fire, flood, and drought. Thus, it was critical to provide clarity on how stream restoration could be done without needing to obtain a water right. The uncertainty around water rights was causing many projects to be put on hold.
Third, the timing of the currently available once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive funding from federal programs for stream and watershed restoration is critical so that we can have healthy streams and rivers for decades into the future.
The Evolution of the Bill
The bill moved through significant water community dialogue, education, and input throughout the arc of the legislative session. Significant amendments during the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hearing resulted in unanimous support and forward movement through the General Assembly for the final version that passed.
The original bill draft was based on the science of utilizing the “historic footprint”* for where stream restoration could take place without enforcement actions. The historical footprint is how stream restoration has operated in Colorado for more than 30 years. However, that was not a concept that many legislators and water stakeholders were familiar with, so the language evolved to things they were familiar with.
The final bill defines a set of minor stream restoration activities that are not subject to water rights administration. These include stabilizing the banks or substrate of a natural stream with bioengineered or natural materials, installing porous structures in ephemeral or intermittent streams to stop degradation from erosional gullies and headcuts, and installing structures in stream systems to help recover from and mitigate the tremendous impacts that occur to water supplies from wildfires and floods. The language in SB23-270 provides clarity for project proponents and the water rights community. It also provides protections for completed stream restoration projects and those that have secured permits before August 1, 2023.
While this bill is an important step forward in facilitating stream restoration activities that improve the health and resilience of our streams and landscapes, Audubon and our partners will continue to work with stakeholders and regulators to clarify a path forward for stream restoration projects that do not fit within the minor stream activity categories.
Senator Roberts remarked at the SB23-270 bill signing on June 5th, 2023, “This bill is taking away the red tape that has gotten in the way of some of these projects and costs barriers that have gotten in the way of these projects. We can do this type of work in so many parts of our state. That’s so important right now, as we know as we try to do everything we can to conserve and protect our water. This bill started off with a very contentious idea. We made some amendments that made it a little less contentious. We know we will continue to work on this issue as it goes forward. But we are making major progress here today.”
What’s Next?
In the coming months, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources will work closely with the Division of Water Resources to interpret the language signed into law. Following this, Audubon and the Healthy Headwaters Working group will facilitate outreach and training events on SB23-270 for stream restoration practitioners and interested organizations. And most importantly, we will continue to educate decision-makers on the evolving state of river restoration science and the benefits of healthy functioning floodplains and river corridors for birds and people.
Thank You!
Thank you for your interest and engagement during the 2023 Colorado legislative session on stream restoration! More than 300 people attended the live Audubon-Colorado Department of Natural Resources stream restoration webinars, part 1 and part 2. And 1,266 Audubon members sent supportive comments to legislators. Canyon Wrens, Yellow Warblers, and Belted Kingfishers depend on you to support our healthy rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for all of us. Audubon will continue working with agencies, lawmakers, and partners to prioritize water security for people, birds, and the healthy freshwater ecosystems we all depend upon.
*Historic footprint references the historic riverine footprint encompassing the stream channel, associated riparian zones, and floodplain.
The City of Greeley has been designated Tree City USA for over 40 years. The award, given by the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes communities across the nation for outstanding tree care based on four criteria. Communities must have an active forestry department or volunteer tree board, effective tree ordinances, host Arbor Day celebrations every year, and spend at least $1 per capita on community trees.
Greeley’s dedication to its trees stems from the Union Colony’s earliest days. Eager to establish trees in the new community, founder Nathan Meeker ordered a boxcar full of young trees from an Illinois nursery in June 1870. Despite his efforts to plant both shade and fruit trees, most did not survive the arid climate and died within the first two years. Greeley resident David Boyd later reflected, “It is worthy of remark that we at length learned how to grow evergreens, and many beautiful ones now adorn our lawns and sidewalks, and that Mr. Meeker kept planting until he, among the first, succeeded…The day may come when the hardier apple trees will also succeed.”
You can learn more about the City’s current tree planting efforts here.
Originally printed in the Greeley Tribune in 2016. Written by Holly Berg, Curator of Exhibits Updated 4/21/2023 by Katie Ross, Curator of Collections
City officials gather to celebrate planting trees around the Civic Center Complex, June 12, 1969. COGM~1969.67.0006
We decided to compile a list of things to do that will make you love Fort Collins and cut it off at 31 because the list would have easily been in the hundreds if we didn’t pump the brakes. This list is just a snippet of the offerings in Fort Collins, and we welcome you to please feel free to comment and add anything we have missed. We hope you enjoy the list, and we challenge you to check each of the 31 things we came up with off your list.
Horsetooth Reservoir is one of Colorado’s most beautiful outdoor paradises and it is located just minutes from Old Town Fort Collins. The reservoir is a beloved recreation spot for activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, water skiing, hiking, and camping. There are miles upon miles of trails surrounding the reservoir as well for mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. The east side of the reservoir also serves as one of the best spots in Colorado for bouldering.
The Cache la Poudre River (pronounced poo-der) is one of the most popular attractions in Fort Collins and it just happens to be Colorado’s only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic” River. Not to mention, Colorado Highway 14, which runs alongside the river, is a designated Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway as well. The Poudre is a haven for outdoor fanatics, offering activities like whitewater rafting (class III-IV rapids), hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and fishing. And, when winter rolls around, the Poudre is home to sports like snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Why does the river have such an interesting name do you ask? According to the story, the Poudre River was the place where French-Canadian trappers hid their gunpowder during a raging blizzard in the early 1800s. The name Cache la Poudre is a French phrase signifying “where the powder was hidden.”
3. SIP AND SAVOR AT MORE THAN JUST ONE CRAFT BREWERY
This is what Fort Collins is known for. This is why Fort Collins is referred to as the Craft Beer Capital of Colorado. Did you know Fort Collins is home to more than 21 craft breweries? Headlined by New Belgium Brewing and Odell Brewing Co, the Fort Collins craft beer scene truly is something at which to marvel.
4. EXPLORE THE CARGO CONTAINERS AT THE EXCHANGE
The Exchange, located at 200 North College Avenue in Old Town, features food and craft beverages served from shipping container cars. Churn, an endeavor from Little Man Ice Cream, anchors the open-air central quarter. Other great establishments housed at the Exchange include Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project; the Burger Lab, which serves up unique burger combos; local spirits from CopperMuse Distillery; Chick’nCone, which features fried chicken stuffed waffle cones; Vatos Tacos and Tequila, which serves up tasty street tacos; La Piadina, serving Italian flatbread sandwiches; and indoor mini golf at Old Town Putt.
The Gardens on Spring Creek recently underwent an extensive renovation and remodel. Kids and adults alike will fall in love with the new Conservatory Butterfly House, a 1,500 square foot glass enclosure that’s the first and only permanent facility of its kind in Northern Colorado. It features up to 400 free-flying North American butterflies. Additionally, the Gardens on Spring Creek hosts outdoor concert series, classes and seasonal events like Pumpkins on Parade and Garden of Lights.
6. SEE WASHINGTON’S
Visitors and locals alike are buzzing about Washington’s, one of the newest music venue in town anchoring an ever-growing music scene. This Old Town Fort Collins landmark was purchased by the Bohemian Foundation and renovated with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and plays host to acts big and small.
The Colorado State University Annual Flower Trial Garden truly is a utopia and is one of the most beautiful areas in Fort Collins. The garden is open daily from May through September (sometimes October if the weather holds out) and is free to the public.
Franklin Avery is the man to thank for the wide streets in Fort Collins due to him surveying the town in 1873. Avery later founded First National Bank and was a leading force in creating water projects that were responsible for the agricultural scene in northern Colorado. In 1879, Avery built his family home on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Meldrum Street where it remains to this day. Tours and special events are held at this historic landmark. You especially don’t want to miss their 4th of July Celebration!
9. VISIT THE MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
Fort Collins is the cultural hub of northern Colorado. The city is full of so many great museums and art galleries that it’s hard to choose just one to visit. Here is a list of all the great places to take in some cultural experiences.
This trolley is the only original restored city streetcar operating in the western U.S. today. Car 21 was restored to its original 1919 condition by the volunteer-run Municipal Railway Society and Car 25 was recently unveiled after being restored to its 1951 condition. The trolley makes a 3-mile round trip ride from City Park to Old Town on weekends and holidays in the summer.
City Park is a very large park located near downtown Fort Collins and home to Sheldon Lake as well as City Park Pool (open Memorial Day-Labor Day). This fantastic park offers beautiful surroundings and Sheldon Lake for fishing, riding a paddle boat, and sometimes ice skating in the winter. Take a self-guided tree tour at the park, which boasts 223 tree varieties.
12. HIKE GREYROCK AND TAKE IN THE VIEW
Simply put, Greyrock is unbelievable. This fantastic hike in Cache la Poudre River Canyon is less than 20 minutes from Old Town Fort Collins. This moderate skill level hike has two trail options: the Meadows trail (approximately 7.4 miles roundtrip) and the Greyrock Summit trail (approximately 5.5 miles), which both offer stunning views. The elevation gain on this hike is nearly 2,000 feet with the summit sitting at 7,480 feet. This hike is definitely a bit of a challenge that comes with a little bouldering toward the end. But the payoff is worth it as it offers outstanding 360-degree views of Poudre River Canyon.
13. HIKE ARTHUR’S ROCK AND CHECK OUT THE CITY’S SKYLINE
Set with the stunning natural background of Lory State Park, Arthur’s Rock offers some of the most magnificent views of Horsetooth Reservoir and the city of Fort Collins. Arthur’s Rock is a very short drive from Fort Collins and is also a relatively short intermediate hike. This approximately two-mile trail bends through open meadows and brilliant mountain views on the way to the summit of Arthur’s Rock, which ascends to an elevation of 6,780 feet. There is also a fantastic natural stairway leading you to the top of the rock, which provides a perfect setting for a picnic if you pack a lunch.
The Farm offers hands-on farm experiences for children and families. It is a wonderful family-friendly attraction unique to Fort Collins offering children the chance to learn about farm life.
Home to 100-plus-year-old Elm trees, this truly is a must-see on the Campus of Colorado State University.
16. EXPLORE OLD TOWN
Old Town Fort Collins is designated both a national and local historic district with 28 historical buildings. You will come to notice an uncanny resemblance to Disneyland’s Main Street USA when walking the streets of Old Town. We are proud to say that Main Street USA was modeled after Fort Collins! Old Town is full of local boutiques, cafes, antique shops, retail stores, and candy and confectionery shops. There are also tons of restaurants serving a smorgasbord of food of every taste. Pro tip: be sure to travel by alley when you’re in the downtown area to take in local art, beautiful flowers and inviting lighting.
One of the most beloved forms of public art in Fort Collins is the Pianos About Town. More than 100 pianos have been painted and placed into rotation at sites throughout Fort Collins. Feel free to seek them out and give them a play. It’s not uncommon to pass by and see amateur (and pro) piano players making beautiful music across the city.
Fort Collins boasts a burgeoning food truck scene. Select Tuesday nights in the summer, food trucks gather in City Park to serve up tasty treats at the Food Truck Rally. Food trucks also frequent many local breweries.
Did you know Fort Collins is home to the Holiday Twin Drive-In, one of six drive-in movie lots left in Colorado and only one of 348 left in the entire country? Double features grace the screen from May-September.
Jessup Farm artisan village plays host to businesses focused on handcrafted and locally-sourced products, housed in rebuilt and remodeled chicken coops, a loafing shed, a saddle shop, and an old barn and farmhouse: The Jessup Farm was one of the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area’s best preserved and most intact farm complexes. It received landmark preservation designation from the city, state, and federal governments. The farm is located south of the intersection of Prospect and Timberline on the east side of the road.
21. JAM OUT AT AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
Fort Collins loves its music scene and for good reason. Outdoor concert series typically kick off in May and last all the way through October but don’t worry. Festivals, events and other outdoor programs typically include live music so you’ll catch some tunes outside nearly year round in Fort Collins.
This alley is home to a beautiful painting created by local artist Terry McNerney. This mural is in a “hidden” alley off Mountain Ave. and Walnut St. next door to the Food Co-op. It features famous people throughout history.
23. GO ON A TOUR
Experience Fort Collins via a private or self-guided tour. Front Range Ride Guides specializes in guided mountain bike tours and private skills clinics. Beer & Bike Tours offers day tours where you can cruise between breweries by bicycle. If an art tour sounds more appealing, you can take a self-guided art tour of the Transformer Cabinet Murals and Pedestrian Sidewalk Pavers. Known for their ghost tours, Fort Collins Tours offers haunted pub tours as well as walking history tours. And if food is your things, check out Old Town Food Tours to give you a true taste of Fort Collins
There are also a lot of self-guided tour brochures available at the Downtown Fort Collins Visitors Center on Mountain Avenue.
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is an astonishing wide-open landscape spanning nearly 19,000 acres. It is home to miles-upon miles of trails, extensive and diverse archaeological human history and rare plant and animal life. Soapstone truly is a place to behold.
There are also two types of wildlife that have been reintroduced to their natural habitats – the American Bison and the Black-Footed Ferret.
The most popular site at Soapstone is the Lindenmeier archeological site, which is a National Historic Landmark. Excavations at the site show there was human habitation in North America dating back as far as 10,000 years ago. Birders also flock (pun intended) to this area to spot rare birds.
25. HOP ON A HORSE
Visit Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, a dude ranch in Red Feather Lakes, for an authentic horseback riding experience. Around an hour’s drive from Fort Collins, this guest ranch offers day horseback riding adventures with experienced wranglers.
26. RUN THROUGH THE SPLASH PAD IN OLD TOWN SQUARE
This splash pad is located centrally in Old Town Square in historic downtown Fort Collins. Come join the dozens of children and collection of dogs that frequent this area in the summer when they are looking to cool off for free.
The Armstrong Hotel has been in the Fort Collins community for 100 years. In 2019 the hotel updated its guestrooms, public spaces and its beloved Ace Gillett’s underground speakeasy cocktail and music lounge. They’ve also added an Ace Cafe that offers outdoor seating. It’s the quintessential boutique experience in downtown Fort Collins.
28. GO PLAY AT TWIN SILO PARK
located in southeast Fort Collins, is a 54-acre park featuring a fantastic playground that reminds visitors of the area’s farming history. Along with a zipline and unique play structures, the playground has two towering 50-foot silos with the tallest slide in Fort Collins traveling between them.
The legendary Mishawaka Amphitheatre has stood on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River for over 100 years. The “Mish”, as the locals call it serves as an incredible music venue, restaurant, and bar. It is located in the beautiful Cache la Poudre Canyon just 10 miles northwest of Fort Collins. There truly aren’t many venues that are as unique as The Mishawaka.
At Colorado Shoe School, you can design and create your very own custom shoes. Repurposing leather destined for the landfill, and using recycled sole options ranging from bike tires to rubber flooring or rescued conveyer belts, attendees are invited to build something completely unique and custom during a one-day (sneaker), three-day (wet lasted shoes), or five-day (shoe or boot) workshop.
31. MARVEL AT THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN OF THE ELIZABETH HOTEL
The 164-room Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town (111 Chestnut Street) pays tribute to FoCo’s deep-rooted music scene. A musical theme permeates this modern luxury hotel with record players in the guest rooms, inspired artwork, a piano and jazz music at the rooftop Sunset Lounge, and rock ‘n roll at The Magic Rat live music venue. Don’t miss this hip hotel’s three over-the-top themed suites: Beer & Bike; Music: and The Green and Gold Room. The Emporium: An American Brasserie, located inside the hotel, offers everything from gourmet sammies and grilled pizzas to charcuterie platters and signature dishes made using locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.
In December 2022, Renee Tonnies joined the team at Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Alliance (Cache NHA) as the Office Manager. With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, she has held various roles working and volunteering for non-profit organizations in Northern Colorado over the past decade. Formally she served as the treasurer of the Northern Colorado Homeschool Association and as a Committee Member & Advancement Coordinator for her kids BSA of America Scout Troop. With her most recent employer, CASA of Larimer County, Renee held a variety of roles with responsibility for reconciling financials between accounting software and a donor CRM, managing confidential and time sensitive materials, as well as managing data for reporting purposes among other things. She’s looking forward to bringing her skills and expertise to Cache la Poudre River NHA and working in a highly collaborative team environment.
Renee has lived in northern Colorado for 22 years with her husband and two kids. She enjoys hiking and paddleboarding as well as visiting the many local breweries.
Welcome Darien Ellis
After working for the Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area, as a Conservation Legacy contractor, Darien has joined our team full-time as a Projects and Education Specialist. Darien has been a professional backcountry guide and, more recently, an environmental educator. Still, he fell in love with the Poudre River while working as a whitewater guide in Fort Collins. He is excited to continue providing people from all walks of life opportunities to experience, love, and protect our planet.
He has degrees in geography and international studies from Colorado State University.
When Darien is out of the office, he spends his time exploring new and exciting ways to experience wild places.
Congratulations Beth Bullard
Beth was promoted to Assistant Director in December of last year. She’s excited to utilize her leadership skills to support the staff and guide the team as they refine and elevate programming, enhance community partnerships, and steward historic preservation. Her role as a resident photographer, capturing the seasonal beauty throughout the Heritage area, will remain intact.
PHA had an awesome time partnering w/ the Coalition for Poudre River Watershed & NoCoVelo 365 last month for Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day! We loved seeing all your smiling faces out on the trail at the Whitewater Park. Thank you all for participating and coming by to see us!
*NoCoVelo365 as the owner of the copyrighted images. They may not be edited in any way for any reason with exception of applying color correction. Additionally, they may not be duplicated, copied, or reproduced without my explicit permission in writing. *
The winner of the PHA gift basket raffle:
Marva Hewett
All of the raffle prize winners, sponsors, and prizes they won are now listed online via NoCoVelo365.com
Looking for more biking adventures to explore the landmarks and history along the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area?
PHA Staff and volunteers got together at the Bellvue Lab for a clean- up day! We have been working hard on the restoration of Ralph Parshall’s Irrigation Lab in Bellevue. This project is currently in progress, and we hope to have more to share with you all soon!
Poudre Heritage Alliance is excited to support the following projects and activities that celebrate the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area through our community grants program:
For release in 2023, Colorado Humanities and Denver-based HaveyPro Cinema are producing a 90-minute documentary film, The Five States of Colorado. Designed for a wide range of audiences from elementary school-age to adults, the film will address the history and issues within five regions, or “states,” of Colorado to inform, educate, and serve as a basis for community and classroom discussion. Footage will include Learning in Our Watershed programming of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Post-production, it will be made available as a free, streaming video or download to every public school and academic library in Colorado.
This project includes the design, fabrication, and installation of a new interpretive sign at the recently constructed trailhead at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley, Colorado. This wayfinding node incorporates shade for visitor comfort. The sign includes information on the history of Island Grove Park and the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area in English and Spanish. The sign also incorporates historic images, illustrations of local plants and wildlife as well as a regional map of the Poudre Trail.
Wolverine Farm Publick House is hosting a 6-month celebration of the Cache la Poudre River. This project invites the community to explore the Poudre River through the lens of creative interpretations from a dozen local artists outside and around the Publick House. Throughout the summer the Year of the River celebration will include pub talks, storytelling events, readings, performances and more.
If it’s an adventure you’re looking for this summer, then check out the 2022 Poudre River Trail-athlon. From June 1-August 1, pick up a free Trail-athlon Adventure Kit available at area libraries. In the kit, you will find ten adventure activities to choose from including a trail journal, take-and-make project, a scavenger hunt, biking, hiking, crafting, and more. The more activities you complete, the more points you earn toward prizes. It’s fun for the whole family!
This program aims to increase life jacket wear during water-based activities by educating the public about the importance of using a life jacket and how to properly wear and use a life jacket. The Drennon’s Dreams Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations will provide the public with free use of life jackets on a first-come, first-served basis, while recreating at Horsetooth Reservoir in alignment with Poudre Heritage Alliance’s Play it Safe program.
If you have questions about these projects, grants, or the Poudre Heritage Alliance, contact bbullard@poudreheritage.org.
Explore the history of Fort Collins and the surrounding region with Traces of the Past History Tours. We offer guided tours and formal programs that are fun and educational for all ages. Choose from two tour options of Fort Collins and special tours of sites around the CO/WY/NE region. Our Saturday evening talks give you an opportunity to learn about interesting historical topics in great detail. To add to the enjoyment, our tour guide and program presenter is dressed in historic period clothing and displays original and reproduction period objects to enhance the experience. We look forward to seeing you!
Scenic sightseeing and history tours to the Northern Colorado Mountains leaving from Fort Collins. The driver will guide you along the way with points of interest and interesting facts. Each tour is filled with beautiful scenery and your guide gives the history of the settlers and pioneers of the areas we visit. There are multiple stops to allow for photographs along the way.
The Greeley History Museum provides 34,000 square feet to explore and learn about the history of Greeley and notable community members such as Nathan Meeker, Rattlesnake Kate, Dr. Ella Mead, and P.T. Barnum, as well as bison hunters, cowboys, stoop laborers and prisoners of war from World War II. They maintain the permanent display “Utopia: Adaptation on the Great American Desert,” which teaches about the earliest human inhabitants of the Union Colony, the contributions of water buffaloes, mavericks, and mentors. The museum schedules traveling and temporary exhibits which feature artifacts from the museum’s archives.
This living history museum, situated on eight acres, features over 30 original homes and structures, lush gardens and paved walking paths providing a look at local life from the 1870s through early 1930s. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through the early history of our region in these buildings and period landscaped grounds. Throughout the summer, families can take part in interactive experiences from one-room school to military demonstrations on horseback. During a visit to Centennial Village, you will learn about how our early pioneers lived on the high-plains region of Colorado, especially focused on our agricultural heritage.
Windsor Art & Heritage Center
Stop by the Art and Heritage Center in Windor to celebrate History Preservation Month!
Washington, D.C.— Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Chair of the U.S. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on legislation that expands protections to National Parks, including his bill to preserve the Cache La Poudre, Sangre de Cristo and South Park National Heritage Areas in Colorado. Neguse introduced the Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act last month – to ensure Colorado’s three heritage areas continue to receive National Park Service (NPS) funding through 2036.
“The heritage areas in our state, including the Cache La Poudre Heritage Area in my district offer a wide array of outdoor activities for visitors from across the country. From hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, fishing and birdwatching to soaking in the rich history of our state at museums and historical places these areas offer so much to the spirit of our state,” said Congressman Neguse. “As we recognize the needs and challenges to the long-term management of public lands across our country, we must continue to work to ensure our parks tell the whole American story.”
“Colorado has the honor of having three designated National Heritage Areas: Cache la Poudre, Sangre de Cristo, and South Park. Each of these landscapes is historically and culturally significant and has strong grassroots, regional support. At the Cache la Poudre National Heritage Area, our programs include opportunities for student learning, river safety initiatives, storytelling, visitor wayfinding, historic preservation, oral history documentation, and a variety of family friendly events and activities along the river and its trail system.” said Sabrina Stoker, Executive Director of the Poudre Heritage Alliance. “H.R. 7218 [Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act] will provide the Colorado National Heritage Areas with crucial funding stability and the opportunity to continue telling the stories that celebrate the culture and heritage of the great State of Colorado.”
The hearing also covered the National Discovery Trails Act, the Historic Preservation Enhancement Act, the African-American Burial Grounds Preservation Act, the Gateway Solidarity Act, and the Ukrainian Independence Park Act.
Witnesses included: Joy Beasley, Associate Director of the Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science National Park Service, Eric Seaborg, President of the American Discovery Trail Society, Reno Keoni Franklin, Chairman of the Kashia Pomo Tribe, Nick Loris, Vice President of Public Policy of C3 Solutions, Angela M. Thorpe, Director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, Michael Sawkiw, Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and Sabrina Stoker, Executive Director of the Poudre Heritage Alliance
Congressman Neguse and Congressman Lamborn unveiled the bipartisan, bicameral Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act on March 25, 2022. The bill is carried in the Senate by Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper.
Colorado’s three National Heritage Areas were first authorized in 2009 following years of grassroots organizing from stakeholders in their respective regions. NHAs leverage federal NPS funds for historic and cultural preservation projects with the support of counties, tourism, and historic preservation organizations. Colorado’s three National Heritage Areas have all completed notable projects since they were authorized in 2009. At the South Park NHA, NPS funds have helped to restore the endangered Paris Mill near Alma. Within the Sangre de Cristo NHA, funds have helped to share the story of the first desegregation case in the nation, Mestas v. Shone. At the Cache la Poudre NHA, they leveraged NPS funds to develop a water education curriculum at the Poudre River that can be accessed across the West.
The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) and the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA) has awarded several local projects with funds from the 2021 large grants cycle. The newest projects include “The Hand That Feeds” Sculpture Monument, a Poudre Basin Information Website, Watering the West. Other projects that will be continued from last year’s grant cycle but were put on hold due to COVD-19 will continue work this year. This includes the Eaton House and the Jacoby Halfway House Site. The total of awards being distributed is more than $35,000 out of PHA’s budget, which largely comes from federal funding sources. See below for descriptions of the newest projects:
Watering the West
Watering the West enlightens audiences about water issues in the American West: past,present, and future: where the water comes from, where it goes and how it gets there; theunique nature of western water law and its origins, and how growing populations and a changing climate willimpact a diverse group of water users that rely on the rivers that deliverthe mountain snow that makes the American West habitable. Through personal stories from cityplanners, farmers and ranchers, recreators and ecologists, brewers and water resourcemanagers with the Poudre River as our backdrop, we explore transmountain and localdiversions; storage projects and farms; water court and water auctions, water measurement anddelivery, a backcountry river journey; and the listening sessions, council meetings and forumswhere opinions divide neighbors, towns, and industry leaders. The films introduce us to thepeople and programs that aim for listening, connection, and cooperation, to those who seek to replace divisiveness with collaboration as the American West moves into a future of increasinglyscarce water supplies. From past to present and with an animation of the 1874 dispute betweenUnion Colony and Fort Collins farmers that nearly turned violent to the 1986 re- enactment of awater broker purchasing a farm with water rights to secure water for the City of Thornton to ananimated song which teaches the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, WATERING the WEST educates, entertains and presents a case for cooperation around one of the most pressing issues of our time.
“The Hand That Feeds” Sculptural Monument
A Sculptural Monument designed to preserve and honor the rich family history and significant contributions of the Mexican and Hispanic people who worked the beet fields of northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins Sugar Beet Park on a city-designed plaza, an interpretive storyboard and educational programs will enable visitors and students to understand their impact on our community. Mujeres de Colores is fundraising to underwrite the project with support from community partners and committed individuals with a goal to complete the monument by October 2021 with unveiling during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Poudre Basic Information Website
The Poudre Basin Information website project is a cross-jurisdictional information website for the Poudre Basin, focusing on topics that have a nexus with water issues. The funds from this large grant will focus on integrating data and information related to Poudre Heritage Alliance themes, including historical data about water infrastructure and use, connections to water law and administration, issues related to water demand and supply, and providing data and information to reduce conflict and increase cooperation. An initial implementation of the website can be found at http://poudre.openwaterfoundation.org/. This website is an open source community resource that can be used by organizations, decision makers, and the public to better understand water issues in the basin. Many organizations provide useful datasets and informational content. However, it can be difficult to find and use information.The Poudre Basin Information website serves as a regional resource to support education and decision making. The website provides information about entities in the basin, including municipalities and water providers, ditch companies, environmental organizations, education organizations, and many other datasets. The information is organized spatially and temporally to provide context for basin entities, current conditions, historical data, seasonal outlook, and future planning, involving over 70 maps and associated data visualizations when fully implemented.
If you have a project that needs funding, we still have small grants available on a rolling basis. Check out our grants page for more information. If you have questions about these projects, grants, or the Poudre Heritage Alliance, contact communications@poudreheritage.org.
Give a warm welcome to our newest intern Brit! They’ll be working with us through UNC to assess and improve existing trails in the Heritage Area. As for a little bit about them, Brit got their Associate’s as a Veterinary Technician and earned their certification in 2018. They recently decided to go back to school UNC to pursue a degree in Biology and later discovered a passion for, and decided to minor in, Geographic Information Science.
Brit has a passion of learning and sharing education related to Biology, GIS, animals, and the LGBTQA+ community. They live in Loveland with their husband, their dog, two cats, two snakes, and axolotl. In their spare time they enjoy archery, hiking, and rollerblading.
For immediate release; for more information, contact:
Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director
Poudre Heritage Alliance
(970)-222-5795
National Heritage Area Program Bill Passes in House of Representatives, Supports Program Longevity
Washington, DC – Colorado, USA (March 6) – The passage of the National Heritage Areas Act of 2021, H.R. 1316, as part of H.R. 803, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, on February 26, 2021, standardizes the criteria in which future National Heritage Areas (NHAs) will be designated under and defines structures that will allow more consistent federal support. This will affect all 55 National Heritage Areas, including the three existing onesin Colorado. NHAs are places designated by Congress for their cultural, natural, historic resources that combined tell a nationally significant story about our nation’s diverse heritage.
The three Colorado Heritage Areas, Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (designated in 1996), South Park National Heritage Area (designated in 2009), and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (designated 2009), are currently authorized to only receive appropriated funding for three more years until the year 2024. While not considered National Park Units, NHAs receive technical and financial assistance from the National Park Service who administers the program. Among championing historic preservation, educational programming, and heritage tourism, NHAs generate economic value for their communities, on average $5.50 per $1 of federal funds spent. An Economic Impact Study completed in 2017 by the Poudre Heritage Alliance (the managing entity of the Cache la Poudre River NHA) showed an annual $81.6 million impact on their region and $6.9 million generated in tax revenues.
The National Heritage Areas Act of 2020, H.R. 1049, would have initially passed in the House of Representatives on December 4th, 2020, but stalled in the Senate. H.R. 1049 would have allowed NHAs to receive an additional ten years of federal funding and had more than 220 cosponsors. The National Heritage Area Act of 2021 has bipartisan support, being sponsored by Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-WV), and is currently being reviewed in the Senate.
ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today. CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at: https://poudreheritage.org/
Poudre Heritage Alliance and Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Announce Large Grant Cycle for 2021
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS APRIL 15TH
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 – The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is now accepting proposals for the 2021 large grant cycle. Every year, the PHA makes a portion of its federal funding available to its regional partners as grants. These grants support projects, programs, and events that benefit local communities and reflect the mission of the Poudre Heritage Alliance to PROMOTE, ENGAGE, and INSPIRE.
Those interested in a large grant for their project will need to read the guidelines and submit an application that can be found online: https://poudreheritage.org/grant-information/
A list of previous grant recipients is also available online if you are curious about the kinds of projects that have received funding in the past. The minimum amount awarded for large grants is $3,001. PHA also offers small grants, in amounts up to $3,000, on a rolling basis. The deadline for large grant proposals is April 15 and the grant recipients will be notified on June 11.
ABOUT THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today. CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at https://poudreheritage.org/
Looking to make an impact in our local historic watershed? A Heritage Culturalist Volunteer for the Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) does just that. Volunteers are trained on our significant local resources, western water law, and interpretive sites in the area – then help support the PHA in celebrating and preserving the heritage of the Poudre River. Volunteers can participate in sponsored events, work on historic documentation projects, be involved in PHAs programming, lead workshops and guided bike tours of the area, and so much more! Join us at our annual volunteer rendezvous for more information on volunteering with PHA and a virtual tour of the Windsor History Museum!
Our annual rendezvous is a FREE and FUN event the Poudre Heritage Alliance hosts each year to say THANK YOU to our volunteers! This is also an opportunity to further your own knowledge of local history, water heritage, and the rivers enduring legacy. This year, our rendezvous will be a private virtual tour of the Windsor History Museum. This year we are opening up the event to anyone who is interested in what it means to become a Heritage Culturalist Volunteer as well!
We hope you will join us from 1pm-2pm on February 7th!
We are excited to welcome Molly Wade as our new Communications and Graphic Design Intern! Molly comes to our organization through the Conservation Legacy Stewards Program and will be assisting with our social media and various communications outlets.
She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Arts and Technology in 2018 and a minor in Art History. She has a long history of working with nonprofits, along with a deep love for good design and the outdoors. Outside of work, she’s usually baking gluten-free treats or dog-watching at her local dog park.
Poudre Heritage Alliance Receives New Capacity Building Grant from National Park Foundation
GRANT EXPANDS IMPACT FOR THREE COLORADO HERITAGE AREAS
FORT COLLINS – (January 15th, 2021) The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is one of 36 park partner organizations to receive a Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity-building grant from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. This grant will enable PHA with fellow partners Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and South Park National Heritage Area to: deliver economic benefits to sites within the National Heritage Areas, strengthen local and regional partnerships, and promote an expanded range of heritage tourism offerings in Colorado. The full list of grantees can be found on the National Park Foundation’s blog.
“We are so grateful to receive this capacity-building grant from the National Park Foundation to build on the base of our Colorado Heritage Journey project, especially as our destination partners work towards tourism recovery post-COVID-19,” said Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director at the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. “Heritage tourism helps to protect the resources that define our communities distinct character and promote a sense of place, we hope our efforts today will support the future stewardship of these significant resources tomorrow.”
The Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity building grant program helps address nonprofit park partner needs that have come to the forefront amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Park partners identified resiliency and ability to weather times of uncertainty as priority needs. These grants will enable park partners across the country to expand their impact through new technology, website redesigns, creative visitor engagement, strategic plan development, fundraising campaigns, professional development, and more.
“The National Park Foundation is committed to increasing national park philanthropy across the board, and being responsive to current needs,” said LaTresse Snead, chief program officer for the National Park Foundation. “The capacity-building grants help advance park partners’ goals to preserve natural and cultural resources, increase access to public lands for all people, and develop innovative programming.”
Strong Parks, Strong Communities is a collective effort to grow national park philanthropy, which consists of approximately 450 local philanthropic organizations across the country. Working together on this initiative, the National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and Friends Alliance enhance local philanthropic organizations, bringing park philanthropy to an elevated level.
The Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity building grant program is made possible by the National Park Foundation Board of Directors.
ABOUT THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today. CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at https://poudreheritage.org/
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
For immediate release; for more information, contact:
Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director
Poudre Heritage Alliance
(970)-222-5795
Historic National Heritage Area Program Bill Passed in the House Supports Future of Colorados Heritage
Washington, DC – Colorado, USA (December 17th)– The December 4th passage in the House of Representatives of the National Heritage Area Act of 2020, H.R. 1049, establishes a National Heritage Area System and reauthorizes funding for the nation’s 55 National Heritage Areas (NHAs), three of which are in Colorado, until the fiscal year 2034. National Heritage Areas are places designated by Congress for their cultural, natural, historic resources that combined tell a nationally significant story about our nation’s diverse heritage. The bill is currently under review in the Senate.
The three Colorado Heritage Areas, Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (designated in1996), South Park National Heritage Area (designated in 2009), and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (designated 2009), are currently authorized to only receive appropriated funding for three more years until the year 2024. While not considered National Park Units, NHAs receive technical and financial assistance from the National Park Service who administers the program. Among championing historic preservation, educational programming, and heritage tourism, NHAs generate economic value for their communities, on average $5.50 per $1 of federal funds spent. An Economic Impact Study completed in 2017 by the Poudre Heritage Alliance (the managing entity of the Cache la Poudre River NHA) showed an annual $81.6 million impact on their region and $6.9 million generated in tax revenues.
This bill would allow for 10 additional years of federal funding for the Colorado NHAs before the Department of the Interior evaluates the accomplishments of the areas, and submits to specified congressional committees for a recommendation on future federal funding. Based upon the evaluation, the Department of the Interior will prepare a report with recommendations for the National Park Service’s continued role, if any, with respect to the area. The bill had bipartisan support and over 220 co-sponsors including Colorado Representatives: Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Diana DeGette, and Rep, Scott Tipton.
On December 7th, 2020, nearly two years after its first introduction to the House in February 2019, the bill was introduced in the Senate. After two readings, it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for review. This committee will meet in the new year, on January 29th, 2021.
ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today. CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at: https://poudreheritage.org/
There are two weeks left until Colorado Gives Day! This state-wide day of giving on Dec. 8th unites all Coloradans in a common goal to strengthen the state’s nonprofits by giving to their favorite charities online.
Help the Poudre Heritage Alliance reach our goal of raising $2,000 in 24 hours to support programs that PROMOTE historical opportunities, ENGAGE people with the Poudre River & INSPIRE stewardship!
Colorado Gives Day features a $1 Million Incentive Fund, created by Community First Foundation and FirstBank. It is one of the largest gives-day incentive funds in the country.
Every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day is boosted by the fund, which increases the value of every dollar. For example, if a nonprofit organization receives 10 percent of the total donations made on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit receives 10 percent of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.
The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is excited to welcome Linden Pearsall as our new Project Coordinator. A local to Massachusetts, Linden graduated in 2020 with a degree in Hospitality Tourism Management, a minor in Sustainable Community Development, and a certificate in Sustainable Tourism. She completed two exchange semesters at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and Mahidol University International College in Thailand. She went on to work in international education as a study abroad advisor for students – finding them a program based on their academic, personal, and professional goals. In this position, Linden went on to develop and write the Accessibility Abroad Handbook, a best practices guide for sending students with disabilities abroad. Linden joins the PHA after volunteering in Argentina and completing an internship for the National Park Service (NPS). Linden finds joy in diving headfirst into a project, and can typically be found working in her garden or visiting a unique museum.
Linden has already made a big impact at the organization, helping to create our newest program, the Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors (SOLO) Field Trip program, during her NPS internship. We look forward to having Linden on our team, working to improve our efforts to PROMOTE a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, ENGAGE people in their river corridor and INSPIRE learning, preservation, and stewardship.
To contact Linden please email programs@poudreheritage.org.
As we look back retrospectively at 2019, we realize what a wonderful and fun year it was for the Poudre Heritage Alliance and the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area.
This annual report celebrates so many significant accomplishments – educational programming, fun events, leadership within the Heritage Area, volunteer power, critical funds raised, and more! Then, as we moved into 2020, everything changed for so many of us in ways completely unforeseen.
This leads us to further appreciate the uniqueness of that 2019 journey to promote, engage and inspire people with the Heritage Area.
With this report, celebrate with us the achievements of 2019 that demonstrated the Poudre Heritage Alliance commitment to bringing our river legacy to life!
The PHA’s new “Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors” (SOLO) field trips provide students with the opportunity for a self-guided learning adventure within the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Local educators have developed active, engaging curriculum routes in Greeley and Fort Collins, providing students with a safe, educational experience by biking or walking routes on the Poudre Trail while answering place-based learning questions related to the Poudre River. Plus, the route curriculums align with Colorado academic standards. Current routes include:
We believe that the Cache la Poudre River is an engaging and inspirational learning environment. Together, we can continue to build our next generation of river stewards, even during a pandemic!
Calling all educators! Interested in learning more about SOLO field trips for your classes? Follow the link below or email Linden at programs@poudreheritage.org.
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! Join us today, and every day, in honoring the Native American tribes that occupied the lower Cache la Poudre valley in northern Colorado for thousands of years before Euroamerican settlers arrived in the area. These tribes included the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Ute, and Arapaho tribes. At the National Heritage Area, we seek to preserve and share the many different cultures that make the Cache la Poudre River valley so unique. Part of this work involves preserving historic knowledge, oral traditions, and language and honoring the ancestral connections these groups have to the land.
The “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project is one such opportunity to preserve and share Native American history. In particular, an opportunity for Northern Arapaho women, like Florita Soldier Wolf featured in this video, to tell about their personal experiences with voting, both past and present. The project is funded by a “Women in Parks Innovation and Impact” grant from the National Park Foundation.
“I think it was a good thing that we voted ‘cuz we were counted too in our voting. So, that’s what I know about voting.” – Florita Soldier Wolf, Northern Arapaho
The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is hosting a virtual Poudre Pour Happy Hour – an educational celebration of the Cache la Poudre River – on Friday, September 25, 2020 from 4:00-6:00PM. The event will feature live stream music from Blues musician Grace Kuch, “Meet the Brewer” breakout rooms hosted by Horse & Dragon, Purpose Brewing, Timnath Beerwerks and Odell Brewing Co., infused appetizers to-go from Z Catering, a silent auction supporting PHA programs, guest speakers, giveaways, and more! Event information and FREE tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-poudre-pour-happy-hour-tickets-117676819535
Water from the Poudre River has nourished our region for centuries. Today, the Poudre and other rivers in the West are under exceptional stress due to growing populations, drought, and other demands on our water supplies. The Poudre Heritage Alliance raises awareness about water issues and connects people to their water heritage through a variety of year-round programs and events such as the Poudre Pour.
“We care deeply about the Poudre River. I grew up playing in and on it, and only in adulthood came to realize how much we and downstream neighbors rely on its abundance and health,” Said Carol Cochran, owner of Horse & Dragon Brewing Company. “For our product, delicious craft beer, a healthy watershed is vital. For all of us in our community, this beautiful river is at the root of what drew us here and is the thread that connects us all.”
All proceeds from the virtual happy hour event will benefit the Poudre Heritage Alliance, the 501(c)3 managing nonprofit of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. The Poudre Heritage Alliance works to PROMOTE a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, ENGAGE people in their river corridor and INSPIRE learning, preservation, and stewardship. To view the silent auction and place your bids visit: https://www.32auctions.com/poudrehappyhour2020
The PHA’s 3rd Annual Poudre Pour was scheduled for March 28, 2020 but, due to COVID-19, had to be cancelled. The PHA staff and board hope to continue the momentum around the in-person Poudre Pour event with this virtual happy hour, bringing together community members from around Northern Colorado to celebrate our shared Poudre River heritage. The next in-person Poudre Pour is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Boardwalk Park in Windsor, CO.
Photo: The Cumbres & Toltec zooms along the tracks in the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in southern Colorado, one of 55 National Heritage Areas in the United States.
From the National Park Service – National Heritage Area’s blog:
National Heritage Areas are a grassroots, community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Through public-private partnerships, NHA entities support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects.
Leveraged $84.5 million in cash and in-kind support to carry out heritage projects and programs, greatly increasing the impact of the $19.3 million in federal Heritage Partnership Program funding received.
Engaged 2,674 formal partners and 5,286 informal partners in heritage area activities.
Benefited from 36,289 volunteers contributing over 475,511 hours for heritage area projects – a $12.3 million-dollar value.
Preserving our Heritage. Across the country, National Heritage Areas and their partners are reviving historic downtowns, preserving battlefields and industrial sites, and sharing our nation’s history through the arts. In 2019:
214 historic sites and 13,840 acres of cultural landscapes preserved and maintained, including battlefields. •
104 community development projects were carried-out, including streetscape improvement and art projects. •
55 collections projects undertaken, including the conservation of artifacts and creation of oral histories.
Recreation and Conservation. Through recreational projects such as land and water trails, National Heritage Areas are improving connectivity and accessibility, creating more vibrant and healthy communities. In 2019:
154 recreation projects undertaken.
567 miles of trails maintained and 95 new miles of trails developed.
Conservation activities led by National Heritage Area entities and their partners improve air and water quality and support healthy ecosystems. In 2019:
12,858 acres of land restored and maintained via invasive species removal, replanting and toxic site clean-ups.
54 conservation grants awarded totaling $601,078.
Educating Current and Future Leaders. Through programs such as Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area’s National History Academy. National Heritage Areas and their partners are providing meaningful and inspirational connections to our nation’s heritage and exploring the qualities and skills of leadership. In 2019:
Capacity-building assistance provided to 1,162 organizations.
302 educational programs were offered.
2,700 grants to support educational programs were awarded totaling $2.1 million.
To learn more about National Heritage Areas please visit: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/heritageareas/index.htm
The 
