Northern Front Range Region

Eldorado Canyon State Park/Bastille Crack

Known as a world-class destination for mountain climbing, Eldorado Canyon State Park is just a stone's throw away from the Denver metro area. One of the classic climbs is The Bastille Crack, a towering 350-foot cliff that challenges even the most experienced climbers.

Climb Eldorado in VR

In addition to funding some of the world’s most famous rock climbing, the Lottery has also provided funds to expand the park, build new segments of trails, and build the park’s visitor center.

Eldorado Canyon State Park is just one of the 42 state parks and hundreds of wildlife areas managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife that are funded by the Colorado Lottery. Overall, the Lottery has given more than $1.85 million to Eldorado.

NEXT PROJECT: Mehaffey Park

Mehaffey Park

Loveland’s Mehaffey Park, a project more than 15 years in the making, was certainly worth the wait. The expansive park was completed with help from $2 million in Lottery funds. The Mehaffey Park project broke ground just weeks before the devastating Big Thompson flood in 2013 and had to be put on hold while flood recovery and rebuilding efforts became a top priority. The now-completed park spans a whopping 64 acres. Amenities include walking trails, an award-winning skate park, tennis and pickleball courts, multipurpose sports fields, dog park, a massive playground structure, public art installations, and the city’s first arboretum.

NEXT PROJECT: Loveland Trails—Loveland, CO

Loveland Trails—Loveland, CO

Trails connect our community and provide an abundance of benefits including health and wellness, transportation, and recreational opportunities. The Recreation Trail System consists of 32.3 miles of paved trail encircling Loveland and connecting to other regional trails, including Long View Trail and the Colorado Front Range Trail.

The Recreation Trail Loop completely encircles the community, with the construction of the final 0.5-mile section in 2021. The city's scenic 21-mile Loop Trail runs along the Big Thompson River corridor, under and over city streets, along irrigation canals and the west shore of Boyd Lake State Park, through prairies and along wetland meadows. The trail connects parks, natural areas, neighborhoods, downtown, and many other destinations throughout the community.

The Loveland community considers the City’s Recreation Trail to be a vital community asset, allowing trail users a safe, paved, off-road passage around the city and neighboring communities. The Colorado Lottery helps fund Loveland’s beloved trail system through our beneficiary partners Great Outdoors Colorado and the Conservation Trust Fund.

NEXT PROJECT: Big Thompson Recreation Area

Big Thompson Recreation Area

$45,000 in Lottery proceeds funding through GOCO were used to complete a renovation of the Big Thompson River Recreational and Picnic Area in September 2022. This initiative project involved collaboration, with a grant from GOCO, a bouldering rock donation from Visit Estes Park, and design, demolition, and installation by the Town of Estes Park. Situated near Estes Park's free parking garage, this picturesque location offers stunning river views and easy access to nearby attractions. Its focal point, a locally crafted bouldering rock with safety features, attracts climbers of all levels, reflecting the community's dedication to inclusive outdoor activities. Amenities like ADA-accessible picnic shelters and tables cater to diverse visitors and sustainability measures, including water-saving irrigation systems and native plantings by the Parks Division, highlight environmental responsibility. This collaborative endeavor underscores community engagement, facilitated by lottery funding, enriching the region's recreational offerings for future generations.

NEXT PROJECT: Lory State Park Soldier Canyon Picnic Area

Lory State Park Soldier Canyon Picnic Area

The Soldier Canyon Group Picnic Area at Lory State Park is a popular spot for gatherings of all kinds. Thanks to funding from Lottery proceeds, the picnic area received upgrades to enhance the visitor experience. Featuring improved shade shelters and amenities like electric power, drinking water, designated food preparation areas, and a cozy fire pit, visitors can enjoy a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for their events, whether it's a wedding, family reunion, or a simple get-together amidst the park's natural beauty.

NEXT PROJECT: Poudre River Trail

Poudre River Trail

More than $5.6 million in Lottery proceeds have been significantly invested in Poudre River projects since 1997, focusing on conservation, recreation, and enhancement of the river corridor. These investments have included funding for land acquisitions, habitat restoration, improvement of recreational facilities along the Poudre River, and most recently - a $2,000,000 grant through GOCO in 2020. The project addressed the three remaining gaps in the 45-mile Poudre River Trail between Fort Collins and Greeley. This initiative, a partnership between Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and the Towns of Timnath and Windsor, resulted in the addition of 4.7 miles of new trail. The Poudre River Trail serves as a crucial segment of the Colorado Front Range Trail, offering a safe, off-street transportation corridor from Wyoming to New Mexico.

BACK TO: Eldorado Canyon State Park/Bastille Crack