Bobcat Ridge Management Plan - City of Fort Collins, CO

a. Vehicle Access
There are two vehicle entrances into Bobcat Ridge. The north entrance address is 8281 West
County Road 32C. The south entrance can be accessed by driving west onto CR 29 from CR 27. CR
29 runs through Eden Valley Ranch and ends at the canal road and gate.
Bobcat Ridge is able to accommodate air and vehicle evacuations should medical emergencies
arise. Responding agencies may include LCSO, LCES, Loveland Fire, PFA, Thompson Valley
EMS and Natural Areas Rangers. Medical supplies and equipment will be cached in a storage
area located near the entrance or parking lot. The storage area will be available to Natural Areas
employees and emergency crews.
The power line service road that provides accesses to Mahoney Park will serve as the primary
vehicular access road leading to the westernmost ridgeline. The emergency accesses will be marked
appropriately to guide emergency response crews.
b. Wildfire
Wildfire operations falls under the jurisdiction of the Loveland Rural Fire District (LRFD).
All wildfires at Bobcat Ridge will be suppressed. A memorandum of understanding is being
developed with Loveland Rural Fire District which states that they shall provide initial attack and
response. Natural Areas Fire Crew and Poudre Fire Authority may provide assistance as requested
and directed by LRFD. Future fire management at Bobcat Ridge is being addressed as part of the
comprehensive restoration plan (prescribed fire).
c. Air Support (Flight for Life and Helitack)
Bobcat Ridge will have emergency accesses from the air that will be suited for air operations
related to medical evacuations (Flight for Life) and wildland fire operations (Helitack). All valley
portions of Bobcat Ridge are currently accessible by air transport and two landing zones will be
located close to the top of the westernmost ridge in the areas near Mahoney Park and in the upper
reaches of what is currently referred to as the Ginny Trail.
Landing zone (helibase) pads will require periodic maintenance to clear debris, downed trees and
anything material, natural or unnatural that could become airborne and hit the helicopter’s rotors.
Natural Areas Ranger staff will be responsible to ensure this condition is maintained. No ground
disturbance will be necessary as native ground cover seals loose dirt and prevents formation of dust
clouds during take off and landing. The helibase will require 100 feet diameter clearance for the
rotors. Existing areas currently meet these specifications.
79 Visitor Use