We are proud of all we accomplished in 2024 and, at the same time, are looking forward to this new year ahead! In 2025, CPRW and our partners have big plans across the watershed. We will complete important planning and monitoring efforts that help guide our work around the watershed. We will continue wildfire recovery projects in the Cameron Peak burn area, now 5 years behind us but still impacting water quality around the watershed. Our Forests Program will begin implementation of a 5-year, $9.7 million wildfire defense grant in the Red Feather Lakes area along with other wildfire mitigation work around the upper watershed. We’ll be expanding our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring program - wanna join us? Plus, we’ve got many events planned (new and old!) that support our work in the watershed and help educate the community about the importance of the Poudre River to our livelihoods.

Some of the things we are looking forward to in 2025 include:

Watershed Planning

Using collaborative, science-based watershed planning, we can help protect the physical, chemical, and biological components of our watershed and restore those that have already been degraded.

Complete phase 2 of the Upper Cache la Poudre River Wildfire Ready Action Plan
In collaboration with the City of Fort Collins, we will use the recently published River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF) to assess river health across the entire Cache la Poudre River Watershed. The RHAF evaluates the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the Poudre River providing an overall river ecosystem health rating.
Lower Poudre River Restoration Planning: We’ll be finalizing the design for fish passage at the Whitney-BH Eaton diversion structures and finishing river restoration designs for the Reach 16 project. When these two design projects are complete, we'll be ready to move forward with construction.

Cameron Peak Wildfire Recovery

Working with our recovery partners, including the US Forest Service and the City of Greeley, we will continue Cameron Peak Fire recovery work in the Upper Watershed. We currently have 3 new process-based restoration projects planned along Elkhorn Creek and Sheep Creek. The goal of these projects is to address post-fire water quality problems and maintain the health and function of the river ecosystem. This is achieved through the promotion of floodplain connectivity, nutrient uptake, and sediment deposition provided by process-based restoration methods. In addition, we will continue monitoring and adaptive management of projects completed since 2021.

Lower Elkhorn Creek in the Cameron Peak Burn Area (*Ayres Associates*)

Forest Management & Wildfire Mitigation

Working with partners in the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative (NCFC), our Forests Program has 3 collaborative forest management projects planned in strategic areas of the watershed. The overall goals of this work are to modify potential wildfire behavior to protect nearby communities, safeguard water resources and forest health, and to increase stewardship workforce capacity for the region. One of these projects will be carried out in collaboration with our post-fire program, removing woody material from an area requiring wildfire mitigation and using it to construct instream structures on the same property.

In addition, we will begin implementation of the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project, a 5-year, $9.7 million undertaking in partnership with the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management and local mountain communities.

Reforestation & Cone Collection

As part of our collaborative reforestation efforts in the Poudre Watershed, we have 3,800 trees ordered for spring 2025 planting, with plans to plant more in the fall! We also hope to continue cone collection efforts to boost local seed supplies, all in an effort to replant and restore forests burned in the High Park and Cameron Peak fires. Volunteers are needed for this work - stay tuned for upcoming tree planting and cone collection days.

Additionally, CPRW has been working with the US Forest Service, American Forests, and other partners to finalize a broader strategy for reforestation across the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest. Publication of this strategy is expected to occur in 2025 with work to commence shortly after.

Scouting for cones at Lory State Park requires cutting cones in half to see if the seed is healthy and ready for harvesting (*Cory Dick, 2024*).

Putting Community Scientists to Work

CPRW’s Community Science Program depends on volunteers to gather water quality data throughout the Upper Poudre River Watershed and to track potential changes following wildfires and prescribed burns in collaboration with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station. In 2025, we will continue to manage and grow our Community Science program to measure the impact of our river and forest projects on water quality in the Upper Watershed. Volunteers are needed for this work - stay tuned for updates on this program and how to get involved.

Poudre River Mural Project at Eastman Park

We’re excited for the installation of our second Poudre River mural, scheduled to be completed in spring of 2025. We’ve been fortunate to work with Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, a Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist based in Denver, who has designed a beautiful mural inspired by the Poudre River, local ecology, and her Native American heritage. Thank you to partners at the Town of Windsor for supporting this project, which will be located at the new Eastman Park in Windsor.

Poudre River Clean Ups

Help us keep the Poudre River clean for current and future generations! Our first clean up of the year is scheduled for April 12, 2025 with Odell Brewing. Stay tuned for more details.

3nd Annual Take Me to the River Fundraiser - June 26, 2025

Save the date and join us on June 26th at the Hillside Vineyard and Event Center for our 2nd Annual Take Me to the River fundraiser to support CPRW’s programs and projects throughout the Poudre Watershed. More details to come soon!

Poudre River Fest - August 9, 2025

CPRW is excited to co-host the Poudre RiverFest on August 9, 2025 at New Belgium Brewing Company in Old Town Fort Collins. The Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community.

Local businesses! Become a Partner for the Poudre in 2025

Healthy forests and watersheds are the foundation for our local economies. The health of the Poudre Watershed ensures we have clean, abundant water for drinking, playing and doing business. From brewing beer, to recreation, to thriving health and tech sectors, our communities here in Northern Colorado depend on the Poudre River for their livelihoods. Working together, we can realize our vision of a healthy and resilient Cache la Poudre Watershed.

As a Partner for the Poudre, your perspectives matter to the conversation and your monetary support and volunteer energy will provide CPRW staff and partners with the resources needed to complete important work within the upper and lower Poudre watersheds. Please contact Megan Maiolo-Heath, Communications, Outreach & Marketing Manager, at megan@poudrewatershed.org. We would love to discuss creative ways that CPRW and your business can partner to support the health of the river!

Volunteers from our annual Poudre River Cleanup, co-hosted with Partners for the Poudre at Odell Brewing Co., found some interesting items on the side of the river (*Eric Tokuyama, 2024*).

Get involved with CPRW, your local watershed group!

Throughout the year, we will have many opportunities for you to get involved in our work. The best way to stay informed is through our email newsletter and by following our Facebook and/or Instagram accounts. We hope you will join us as a volunteer, attend one of our events or become a donor - it takes the WHOLE community to care for and manage a watershed!

Looking Ahead: 2025 Plans & How to Get Involved with CPRW