Gary Buffington
When Gary Buffington became Director in 2001, the program was already taking root. Over the next decade-plus, he helped it grow in acres conserved, in facilities built, and in the public trust that carried HPOS to a 2014 renewal through 2043.
It's my sincere pleasure to reflect on the Larimer County Help Preserve Open Spaces (HPOS) 30th Anniversary. Voters throughout Larimer County decisively supported this citizen-initiated sales tax in 1995. I became Director of the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources in June 2001. By then, the Open Lands Program within the Department had already begun actively conserving open spaces and easements that protect wildlife habitat, scenic viewsheds, and community separators while connecting people to nature. As Director, I supported and collaborated with staff to recommend high-priority properties to our Open Lands Advisory Board and County Commissioners for purchase.
From my perspective, the Help Preserve Open Space sales tax accomplished two especially meaningful milestones: conserving over 50,000 acres of open space in Larimer County during my tenure and extending the sales tax to 2043 in 2014. Beyond these major accomplishments, we built incredible community partnerships—with municipalities like the City of Fort Collins, with Great Outdoors Colorado at the state level, and through countless lasting relationships that continue to serve us well today.
I have so many fond memories from my time with our Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. The most powerful was working with my dedicated and talented staff, our outstanding volunteers, our Friends program, and other County Departments. We're so fortunate to have such an amazing group of dedicated employees in Larimer County.
Shortly after I retired, I reserved a campsite at Hermit Park Open Space for my family, including some of our grandkids. We spent the weekend camping, hiking to Kruger Rock, and picnicking. The campground was full that weekend with visitors from all over Colorado and a few other states. We talked to some of them about their first-time experience at Hermit Park OS. They were so impressed with the open space's natural beauty and views of the Estes Valley. It was fulfilling to see this conserved public open space so appreciated by visitors who had contributed through the Help Preserve Open Space sales tax to make it a reality.
My message to future generations of citizens, visitors, and voters is this: open spaces in Larimer County have limitless value. They will forever remain in the public domain for generations to come. Continue to enjoy these conserved special places, but also stay ever mindful to protect the natural values that make them so special. Thank you to the men and women who work diligently to manage, conserve, protect, and establish open spaces through the Help Preserve Open Spaces sales tax initiative.
