North Fork Poudre | Mitigation Conservation Easement

Unique Places to Save is proud to announce the permanent protection of the North Fork Poudre Conservation Easement in Larimer County, Colorado. Marking UP2S’s first conservation easement in Colorado, the project permanently protects approximately 29.80 acres and over one mile (5,400 linear feet) of the North Fork Cache la Poudre River corridor near Livermore.

The easement safeguards the site of the North Fork Poudre Mitigation Bank, which is designed to restore stream, wetland, riparian, and floodplain functions affected by historical agricultural and water-management practices. Restoration efforts focus on reconnecting the river with its historic floodplain, reactivating relic swales, enhancing native wetland and riparian vegetation, and improving in-stream aquatic habitat. These ecological enhancements slow high flows, reduce channel erosion, retain sediment, and improve water quality downstream within the Cache la Poudre River watershed.

In addition to aquatic resources, the protected corridor provides critical habitat for diverse terrestrial wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and several species of raptors such as golden eagles. The property strengthens an established network of conserved private and public lands across the Laramie Foothills region.

Unique Places to Save holds the permanent conservation easement and serves as the long-term manager, partnering with landowner Doug Tiefel and mitigation partner Naturion. Through perpetual legal protection, adaptive management, and continuous stewardship, UP2S ensures the long-term ecological integrity and functions of the North Fork Poudre River corridor.