In 2025, the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) staff, partners, and community members came together to plan, implement, and monitor projects throughout the Cache la Poudre River Watershed. From wildfire mitigation and post-fire restoration in the forested Upper Watershed to river restoration design on the plains of the Lower Watershed in Greeley, this work reflects a shared commitment to caring for the river that connects us all.

These efforts are only possible through strong partnerships, science-based planning, coordinated fundraising, and the dedication of volunteers, landowners, and supporters across the watershed. Thank you to everyone who contributed time, resources, and passion in 2025 - your collective efforts are making a lasting difference for the Poudre Watershed and the communities that depend on it.

Program highlights from the past year:

Forests Program

68 acres of collaborative forest restoration & wildfire mitigation completed
3,000 hours of Larimer County Conservation Corps work
Larimer County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and CPRW started implementation of the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project in the communities of Crystal Lakes, Glacier View, Poudre Canyon, and Cherokee Meadows, funded by a $9.7M Community Wildfire Defense Grant from the USDA.
- 24 total acres treated in the project area to reduce wildfire risk and improve community safety
- 1.5 miles of roadway treated and 6,100 cubic yards of slash removed
- Worked with Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC) and Larimer OEM to create the Forestry Strike Team, a 5-person fire mitigation crew capable of working over the winter and spring months (mid-November–early May).
- Hired two new staff to help coordinate and implement forestry operations within the RFL Area Wildfire Defense Project - Megan Kocina and Charlie Spurr - welcome to the team!
Active member of the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative (NCFC) with multiple staff serving in Fireshed leadership roles

Wildfire Recovery

19 acres treated in the Cameron Peak burn area

113 point mitigation structures installed in tributary streams impacted by wildfire - 6,000 linear river feet impacted
350 tons of sediment captured across Lower Black Hollow, Ratville, Upper Black Hollow, Norman Fry, Lazy D and Unnamed Tributary 2
3 post-fire stream restoration projects completed: Lower Elkhorn Creek, Richarz at Lower Elkhorn and Sheep Creek at Sleeping Elephant
Beavers built a new lodge at the South Fork site - welcome back friends!
6,350 ponderosa pine seedlings planted on 72 acres of private lands and 14.5 bushels of cone collected - approximately 140,000 seeds!
1,500 willows collected and planted at Cameron Peak post-fire river restoration projects

Rivers Program

Continued river restoration designing for Reach 13 and Reach 16 on the Lower Poudre River to improve floodplain connection and aquatic habitat, create fish passage, an upgrade water infrastructure

Finalized 80% hydraulic design on Whitney-BH Eaton fish passage project

Science & Monitoring

Completed River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF) field work throughout the entire Poudre Watershed in partnership with the City of Fort Collins - 211 river miles assessed

5 Community Scientist volunteers donated more than 156 hours for water quality monitoring at 19 sampling sites across the Upper Poudre Watershed
Studies from across post fire sites showed increases in fish abundance (South Fork), improved groundwater retention adjacent to restoration sites (Little Beaver and Lower Elkhorn), and increased channel floodplain connection. More to come on this research in 2026!

Community Outreach & Education

28 Partners for the Poudre contributed nearly $93,000 to CPRW programs, projects and events - thank you to these amazing business leaders in our community!
8,326 citizens engaged at 59 education and outreach events

Served on the planning committee and co-hosted the annual Poudre RiverFest at New Belgium Brewing – approx. 2,500 attendees!
311 volunteers donated 1,293 hours of time
Hosted or co-hosted 7 watershed and forestry tours