Larimer buys land to expand Ranch events complex

LOVELAND — Larimer County has finalized the purchase of more than 70 acres of land directly north of The Ranch Events Complex, providing space for future expansion of the county-owned facility east of Loveland.

“This expansion is a game-changer for The Ranch and the community we serve,” Conor McGrath, managing director of The Ranch, said in a prepared statement about the purchase, which closed Dec. 17. “With this additional land, we can better guide the future of the spaces adjacent to our campus, explore exciting possibilities, and enhance our capacity to host diverse events. It’s an exciting moment for all of us, and we look forward to partnering with the community to shape what comes next.”

The purchase is part of the complex’s drive toward becoming self-sustainable by 2030, with the goal of sunsetting the sales and use tax that helps fund it by 2039, and a news release said The Ranch will actively involve the public in planning how the expanded campus will be used. Initial planning discussions will begin this month, following the annual all-staff meeting.

“We’re eager to hear from our team and the public,” McGrath said. “Together, we’ll shape the future of The Ranch and continue building a resource that serves Larimer County for generations to come.”

The complex is soliciting public feedback through The Ranch Survey online.

In December, McGrath showed Larimer County commissioners five proposed amendments to the 2010 Ranch master plan that would add a more than 100,000-square-foot convention center and a 150- to 300-room hotel, expand the Great Lawn, add an elevated premium lounge at 21-year-old Blue Arena, add wayfinding and monument signs, create an outdoor event plaza, and transform Pedersen Toyota Center — formerly the FNBO Exhibition Hall — into a three-rink practice facility dedicated to youth hockey.

on Facebook on LinkedIn