How much should Fort Collins, Larimer County leaders spend on open space preservation?
Coloradoan Conversations is the Coloradoan's opinion forum. Each Friday we'll pose two conversation-starting questions online at Coloradoan.com/opinion and moderate online discussion through the following Wednesday, recapping the best discussion points online the following Friday and in Sunday's printed edition.
This week's Coloradoan Conversation Starter:
Fort Collins and Larimer County officials announced the more than $6.7 million purchase of land next to Bobcat Ridge Natural Area earlier this month, along with their intention to preserve the 675-acre site as an extension of the natural area.
As population growth and housing development continue to pressure Northern Colorado's undeveloped and agricultural land, local governments have spent millions of dollars to preserve selected spaces. That brings us to this week's question: With the city and county both grappling with funding limitations for their priorities, how much should they prioritize spending on additional open space preservation? Also, which spaces are important to preserve?
For a list of natural areas already managed by the city and county, visit Fort Collins' and Larimer County's respective web pages.
Click on the "View Comments" box at the top or bottom of this story to join the conversation. Print readers can participate online or by sending their thoughts to opinion@coloradoan.com.
Catch up: Fort Collins, Larimer County buy land slated for housing development next to natural area
Previously: Colorado State University, Fort Collins to accelerate city purchase of Hughes Stadium land
More about Coloradoan Conversations
Coloradoan editor Eric Larsen can be reached at ericlarsen@coloradoan.com or 970-224-7745 (call or text). Support journalism in Fort Collins and subscribe today at offers.coloradoan.com/specialoffer.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How much should Fort Collins leaders spend on open space preservation?
