An inside look into Horsetooth Reservoir
As someone who isn’t from Fort Collins, when I moved here people always told me about this iconic place called Horsetooth Reservoir. When I finally had the chance to visit, my breath was taken away by the natural beauty. I knew I had to come up again and get more information on this place.
Horsetooth Reservoir is located in the city of Fort Collins. It is a staple to the city with thousands of visitors every year, Horsetooth brings locals and tourists to see the natural beauty it offers.
Mark Caughlan is a district manager for Horsetooth Reservoir and he also manages the park ranger program and has been working in Larimer Country Natural Resources department for 24 years. He knows all about Horsetooth, more specifically, Horsetooth Reservoir.
Caughlan discusses the diverse recreation and importance of Horsetooth Reservoir to the local Fort Collins residents and visitors from all over the state.
I had the opportunity to do a phone interview with Caughlan to have a better perspective of Horsetooth Mountain Park and Horsetooth Reservoir.
Emily Pisqui: What is your job position in the department?
Mark Caughlan: So, I am the Horsetooth district manager, which means I manage Horsetooth reservoir, I manage the rangers, data attendance, maintenance in that area. I manage day to day operations. So Larimer County department of natural resources has a lease with the bureau recreation, so we lease not Horsetooth mountain park but Horsetooth reservoir, due to the U.S. reclamation property, we are the managing partner for recreation.
EP: What made you decide to work for this particular department?
MC: I got a job, I’ve been here 24 years thereabouts, I got a job out of college. I always wanted to be a park ranger or a game warden, and I was lucky enough to get to work with this agency.
EP: What do you think Horsetooth Reservoir means to the city or community of Fort Collins?
MC: That’s a big question isn’t it? Because it probably means something different to you than it does to the guys who fish, to the guys who boat, the guys who hike, the guys who rock climb right? I guess it’s a multi-use recreation area.
EP: Can you tell me about a special memory that you have working at Horsetooth?
MC: I think for me it’s just working with the diverse user groups that we have. Whether it’s the campers, the boaters, the fishermen, the paddle sports, the climbing community, the mountain biking community, it’s just working with all those different groups.
EP: With so many great outdoor areas in Fort Collins, what makes Horsetooth specifically stand out?
MC: I think there is a couple reasons it stands out, I think the first is its location and proximity to Fort Collins. You know it’s right in Fort Collins. It’s the third busiest reservoir in Colorado, but yet when you go up there you get on a boat you go on the coves, or to Horsetooth mountain open space, you don’t get the sense that there is a city of a hundred eighty thousand people right below you. If you go there on a busy Saturday or Sunday, you’re going to experience how busy the reservoir is.
EP: What are some ways Horsetooth can maintain its natural state?
MC: So, that’s down to our master plan process. So, I think there is a balance there for public land managers like myself, that Horsetooth reservoir, you need to let these recreation areas be what they want to be. Horsetooth reservoir is very close to a major populated area, we’re going to have high views, that’s why is there because everybody gets an opportunity to experience that. If you go to the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, there is an inscription above the arch, there is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt that says, “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” and that’s what we’re here for. As much as we want to maybe keep some control of the visitation and limit numbers, it is what it is, it is a high use recreation area. If you want the wilderness experience there is a lot of places in the state, half of Colorado is public land, and as public land owners we should all go out and enjoy those. There is such diverse recreation and that’s one of the values of it, it’s close to town so everybody can experience that right, “for the benefit and enjoyment for the people”.
EP: Is there any dangers or anything that might lead people to not visit Horsetooth?
MC: Oh no, gosh no. The basics we worry about day to day the most is cliff diving, is probably what we worry about the most. Cliff diving is illegal because people get seriously injured or killed. So, that’s why we don’t allow cliff diving. And during the summer months, like anywhere in the front range, rattlesnakes do exist. And we do get a couple snake bites a year up by our park areas. So, we want people to be aware of rattlesnakes, not afraid of them but just cautious. Besides that, water safety; what I worry about is for safely is people wearing life jackets on the reservoir and boating safely.
EP: What would you personally recommend people to do in Horsetooth during their time up there if they aren’t from Fort Collins?
MC: What the majority people do is go visit Horsetooth Mountain Park or go hike Horsetooth rock. It’s the most popular hiking spot in this area certainly. Go the marina and rent a boat and go out in the reservoir and enjoy the reservoir. And maybe camp in one of our cabins.
EP: Can you mention some activities that people can do in Horsetooth during the winter?
MC: Since we are pretty low, we don’t get large snow accumulation so the hiking at Horsetooth Mountain Park and around the reservoir is good, the mountain biking is good. All year rock-climbing is fantastic. It’s a little cold but campgrounds are almost empty, so you can have it to yourself so that’s a great experience.
EP: Anything else you would like to share about Horsetooth or about your job?
MC: You know I’m pretty fortunate to work in a what I consider one of the best fields. Being a park ranger, you get exposed to a diversity of experiences and opportunities. It’s a great profession to be in, the park ranger profession is a great one to be in. I’m the vice president of the Park Law Enforcement Association it’s a national organization, so I get to talk to folks, professionals all around the country, they all love their jobs they care about the resources they care about people. Our job is to provide recreation to the public and protect our resources. In my opinion there is no better job out there.
For more information on Horsetooth Resevoir visit here and to contact Mark Caughlan or other Larimer County Natural Resources managers click here.
