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Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area: A Glimpse into Colorado's Past

Explore a rare pre-settlement prairie landscape in Fort Collins, teeming with wildlife and offering scenic views.

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Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area in Fort Collins offers a rare window into the pre-settlement shortgrass prairie landscape of Colorado. This 240-acre preserve showcases the region's original ecosystem, providing habitat for diverse plants and animals.

A brief summary to Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area

  • Monday 5 am-11 pm
  • Tuesday 5 am-11 pm
  • Wednesday 5 am-11 pm
  • Thursday 5 am-11 pm
  • Friday 5 am-11 pm
  • Saturday 5 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 5 am-11 pm

Local tips

  • Visit the raptor observatory near the Shields Street entrance for prime hawk and eagle watching, especially in winter.
  • Bring binoculars for enhanced wildlife viewing, as the prairie is home to diverse bird and animal species.
  • Stay on marked trails to protect the delicate prairie ecosystem and avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Be aware of rattlesnakes and other potentially hazardous wildlife; keep a safe distance.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the intersection of Harmony Road and Shields Street in Fort Collins, walk south on Shields Street for approximately 1 mile. The Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area will be on your left (east side of the road). There is a parking lot available at the Shields Street entrance. No entrance or parking fees are charged.

  • Driving

    From Harmony Road, head south on Shields Street. Two parking areas provide access: one located south of Harmony on Shields Street (5381 South Shields Street), and another off Fromme Prairie Way (from Harmony, take Seneca south to Fromme Prairie Way, 1999 Fromme Prairie Way). Parking is free at both locations.

  • Public Transport

    Transfort Route 19 stops at the intersection of Harmony Road and Shields Street. From there, walk south on Shields Street approximately 1 mile to reach the Natural Area. A single fare is $1.25 [https://www.ridetransfort.com/fares].

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Discover more about Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area

Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area protects a rare example of Fort Collins' pre-settlement shortgrass prairie landscape. This 240-acre preserve offers visitors a chance to experience the landscape as it once was, before agricultural and urban development transformed the region. The prairie supports a diverse array of plant and animal life. Keep an eye out for horned lizards, ground-nesting songbirds, butterflies, rabbits, coyotes, and even rattlesnakes. The area is also a haven for raptors, with a raptor observatory near the Shields Street entrance providing excellent views of hawks and eagles, especially during the winter months. Prairie dog colonies thrive here, providing a valuable food source for these birds of prey. The area also has a rich history. The Franz family, German immigrants, homesteaded here in the 1880s, building a log cabin and farming the land. The Smith family later purchased the property in 1936, using the cabin for visitors until 1987. Cathy Fromme Prairie also plays a role in maintaining a separation between Fort Collins and Loveland. Cathy Fromme was a local advocate for citizen involvement and environmental protection, and served on the Fort Collins City Council in the early 1990s.

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