Recreation
Chimney Hollow Reservoir would be located just west of Carter Lake, a Colorado-Big Thompson Project reservoir southwest of Loveland. Larimer County would oversee reservoir recreation, including fishing and non-motorized boating, as well as land-based recreation.
Chimney Hollow, with its varied vegetation and wildlife habitat, has been a priority for Larimer County’s Open Lands Program since 1997. Larimer County and Northern Water's Municipal Subdistrict jointly purchased the property in 2004. The Subdistrict contributed $4 million for 1,600 acres for the Chimney Hollow Reservoir site. Larimer County contributed $3.8 million to protect an additional 1,840 acres as open space.
Blue Mountain Conservation Area The open space is part of Larimer County's Blue Mountain Conservation Area, which encompasses more than 9,000 acres. This area is a critical east-west corridor for migrating elk, black bear, bobcat and other wildlife. The open space will include about 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
For details on plans for recreation, visit Larimer County’s Chimney Hollow Open Space Web page.
Recreational activities on the proposed Chimney Hollow Reservoir would include fishing and non-motorized boating.