Lone Pine Realty -- Red Feather Lakes, Colorado -- Local Area Information

Lone Pine Realty
Colorado Rocky Mountain Homes & Land

Local Area Information

Local Communities

Crystal Lakes

Red Feather Lakes

Glacier View Meadows

Nearby National Forests

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests

Crystal Lakes

Crystal Lakes is a private mountain subdivision located in Larimer County near Red Feather Lakes Village approximately 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins, one of Colorado’s fastest growing front-range communities. Established in 1969, Crystal Lakes contains approximately 1,600 lots distributed over more than 4,800 acres surrounded by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest s at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 9,500 feet. The alpine setting of Crystal Lakes blends beautiful meadows of wildflowers and native grasses, rugged mountainsides of pine, fir, aspen, and spectacular rock formations to create a perfect environment for both vacation and full-time living. Year around accessibility is provided over well-maintained, all-weather roads. More than 700 dwellings ranging from modest cabins to spacious mountain homes have been built to date. Many other property owners enjoy camping on their property under covenants which permit temporary shelters (trailers and RVs) for up to 5 months per year. Privacy and seclusion have been preserved by lot sizes generally ranging from 1/2 to 10 acres. Approximately 10% of the land area within Crystal Lakes has been set aside as open space for the common enjoyment of property owners, guests and the abundant wildlife inhabiting the area.

ACTIVITIES

Crystal Lake, Lower Lone Pine Lake, Little Lone Pine Lake, the North Fork Cache la Poudre River, Panhandle Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Beartrap Creek and several small ponds offer a variety of fishing experiences for expert and novice alike. Quality fishing is maintained through extensive stocking and stream management programs administered by volunteers and funded by the Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Association. Other activities enjoyed by Crystal Lakes property owners include hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and boating on Crystal Lake (gasoline motors are prohibited), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding. The area’s extensive network of more than 80 miles of private roads provides an ideal setting for mountain biking enthusiasts. Those in search of adventure will appreciate the many miles of trails and wide range of hunting opportunities available in the surrounding national forest.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Essential community services are provided by the Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Association and Crystal Lakes Water and Sewer Association. These non-profit corporations are governed by boards of directors elected by Crystal Lakes property owners. Although separately constituted, the Associations work together under a partnership arrangement through which they jointly employ a full time general manager, office staff and maintenance personnel to serve the needs of the community. The Association office is open daily May through September, but is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays October through April. The Association office can be reached by phone at 970-881-2250, fax at 970-881-2085, or e-mail at crystal-lakes@crystal-lakes.org. In addition to managing the extensive open space and common areas in Crystal Lakes, the Road and Recreation Association provides road maintenance, snow plowing, trash removal from a central location, fish stocking and coordination of other recreational activities for its members. Property owners are kept informed about important issues and upcoming events by an association-sponsored newsletter issued six times per year. The Association’s budget, which exceeds $750,000 per year, is generated by the assessment of annual dues on each improved or unimproved property. For the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008 the dues assessment is $403 per property. The Association’s board of directors meets monthly, and directors are elected by mail-in ballot sent to all members in March or April each year. The Road and Recreation Association holds its Annual Meeting for members on the second Saturday in June each year.

The Crystal Lakes Water and Sewer Association is responsible for administering the water rights augmentation plan for Crystal Lakes and the surrounding area, which enables property owners to obtain well permits. It also operates year around and seasonal water and sewer systems serving portions of Crystal Lakes and provides water and wastewater hauling services to members who have installed cisterns and sealed vaults. Dues assessments for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008 are $170 for unimproved lots and $270 for improved properties. Lots served by the community water and/or sewer systems located in portions of Filings 6 and 11 pay additional fees ranging from $60 to $240 per year. The fee for delivering water is $115 per 2000 gallons, while the charges for servicing sealed vaults and septic tanks are $140 and $200 respectively. The five-member Board of Directors meets monthly on the third Saturday of each month, and an annual members’ meeting is held in late May each year.

Fire protection is provided by the Crystal Lakes Fire Protection District, a well-equipped volunteer organization funded by property tax revenues in excess of $85,000 per year. The Fire District has succeeded in obtaining a Category 9 classification for the area, and fire insurance is available through most underwriters at competitive rates.

Protective covenants providing for architectural control, establishing minimum dwelling sizes ranging from 600-900 square feet (footprint area) and limiting certain activities are in place to protect and enhance property values. Travel trailers and R.V.s may be placed on lots for up to five months in any calendar year. Association covenants as well as other governing documents, rules and regulations and financial statements can be found on the Association website at www.crystal-lakes.org.

Electricity is supplied by Poudre Valley R.E.A., which has extended service throughout most of the subdivision. Costs to connect to existing lines vary depending on distance, terrain and other factors, and specific costs estimates are available from Poudre Valley R.E.A. at (970) 226-1234. Telephone service, including high speed DSL, has been extended into many parts of Crystal Lakes. Information concerning availability of service and installation costs can be obtained from Century Tel at 1-800-261-7649. Wi-Fi service is available at the community center (Basecamp) as well as other locations in nearby Red Feather Lakes Village.

The Larimer County (970-498-7700) regulates the construction of dwellings and other structures in Crystal Lakes. With assistance from the Crystal Lakes Water and Sewer Association, the Larimer County Department of Environmental Health (970-498-6700) regulates the construction of sanitation facilities.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Crystal Lakes property owners enjoy the use of hundreds of acres of open space located throughout the subdivision. Hiking and skiing trails have been developed in many areas. Access to streams and lakes is guaranteed by virtue of their location in greenbelt areas or the designation of fishing easements on subdivision plats. Community restrooms are conveniently located at several places within Crystal Lakes. Property owners may also take advantage of boat and trailer storage facilities maintained by the Associations. Picnic areas, community wells and trailer dump stations are also provided for the convenience of property owners.

The centerpiece of Crystal Lakes is a 6,900 square foot community center known as Basecamp or the Wapiti Center. Purchased by the Road and Recreation Association through a one-time special assessment in 1989, the center houses the Associations’ office area, meeting rooms, restrooms with shower facilities, restaurant, general store and laundry. The laundry is open daily from May to November, and the restaurant and store are open on weekends throughout much of the year. Overlooking the North Fork Cache la Poudre River, Basecamp and the Wapiti Center provide a pleasant setting for group meetings, family reunions, weddings and business retreats for members and their guests.

Special Note: Crystal Lakes is a private community. Access is restricted to property owners and guests with proper identification. Please contact our office to make arrangements to tour the area or view properties.

Copyright 1993 by Steven N. Koeckeritz, Lone Pine Realty, P.O. Box 173, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545
(Information contained herein is subject to change. Revised 11/01/08)

Red Feather Lakes

Red Feather Lakes is located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains 45 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado and approximately 30 miles south of the Wyoming state line. The area is surrounded by the Roosevelt National Forest with easy access to the forest for hiking, horseback riding, hunting and other activities.

The Village of Red Feather Lakes was first settled in the 1870's by the John Hardin family. Current residents strive to maintain the atmosphere of the original settlement. The old homestead still stands. Red Feather Lakes is now home to many year round residents and is a favorite vacation spot for visitors from around the country who enjoy trout fishing in the mountain streams and stocked lakes, strolling through the Village streets in search of antiques and unusual gifts, and photographing the spectacular scenery of the area. The community of Red Feather Lakes has several restaurants, grocery stores, small shops, and an art gallery as well as an elementary school, medical clinic and post office.

Red Feather Lakes can be reached by driving north from Fort Collins on Highway 287 to mile marker 367, the intersection of Highway 287 and County Road 74-E, also known as Red Feather Lakes Road. Turning west (left) onto Red Feather Lakes Road takes you to the Red Feather Lakes area. At mile marker 24 on Red Feather Lakes Road, turn right onto Prairie Divide Road and proceed less than a mile to Main Street in Red Feather Lakes Village.

Red Feather Lakes and its surrounding area are home to a variety of wildlife including moose, deer, elk, bear, mountain lions, bobcats, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, marmots, foxes and many species of birds including bald and golden eagles. Gorgeous displays of flowers, ground cover, pines and the spectacular Colorado aspen flourish on the mountains and in the meadows. Rock outcroppings define many areas of the countryside.

Glacier View Meadows

Glacier View Meadows is a private mountain subdivision located 35 miles northwest of Fort Collins and approximately 95 miles northwest of Denver. Named for its commanding views of the snowfields in the 13,500-foot Mummy Range to the south and for its lush, rolling meadows, Glacier View Meadows is graced by dramatic rock outcroppings and mature stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and aspen. Developed in the early 1970's, the community today contains 967 home sites on approximately 3,000 acres at elevations ranging from 6,900 to 7,800 feet. A quiet mountain living experience is provided by lot sizes generally ranging from 1 to 10 acres. 558 homes have been built to date, the majority of which are primary residences for retirees or commuters to nearby Fort Collins. Many other Glacier View Meadows owners enjoy vacation homes or camp on their property.

The subdivision is governed by two property owner's associations managed by 5-member boards of directors that meet monthly. Directors are elected at a joint annual meeting held in late June. The Association office is located at 1417 Green Mountain Drive near Gate 8 on County Road 74E and is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The Association phone number is 970-493-6812, and the Association website is www.glacierviewmeadows.com.

The Glacier View Meadows Road and Recreation Association plows and grades roads, maintains hiking trails and picnic areas, stocks the subdivision's 3 fishing ponds and oversees a variety of other recreational activities. Its annual budget of approximately $400,000 per year is supported primarily by annual dues assessments in the amount of $300 per property for both improved and unimproved properties. The Road and Recreation Association’s fiscal year runs from July 1-June 30.

The Glacier View Meadows Water and Sewer Association administers the subdivision's water rights augmentation plan, operates community water and wastewater systems serving approximately 200 properties and provides water hauling services (fee based) for properties served by cisterns. Membership in the Water and Sewer Association entitles Glacier View property owners to obtain well permits for properties not served by community systems. All Association members are assessed $72.00 per year for unimproved lots or $144.00 per year for improved properties. Members served by one of the community water or sewer systems are assessed additional availability or use fees depending upon the type of service available to their properties. Additional information regarding costs associated with the community water and sewer systems can be found on the Association website at www.glacierviewmeadows.com. The Water and Sewer Association’s budget is approximately $325,000 per fiscal year, which runs from October 1-September 30.

Protective covenants providing for architectural control, establishing minimum dwelling sizes ranging from 800-1200 square feet (footprint area) and limiting certain activities are in place to protect and enhance property values. Travel trailers and RVs may be placed on lots for up to six months in any calendar year. Horses are allowed on designated lots. Association covenants as well as other governing documents, rules and regulations and financial statements can be found on the Association website at www.glacierviewmeadows.com.

Most lots have ready access to telephone and electricity, which are provided by Poudre Valley R.E.A. (970-226-1234) and U.S. West (970-679-7000) respectively. Trash dumpsters and a recycling facility are centrally located near the Association office.

Glacier View Meadows enjoys a very pleasant climate with average summer daytime temperatures in the mid-seventies or low-eighties. Brief periods of subzero temperatures occur each winter, but the average winter daytime temperature is approximately 30 degrees. Annual snowfall and rainfall averages are 72" and 18" respectively. Heaviest snows generally occur in March and April.

Wildlife is abundant. Deer browse in yards and sleep under decks. Elk are frequently seen in Glacier View's southernmost valleys. Mountain lions, black bears, bobcats and coyotes are occasionally seen but remain elusive. Within the subdivision are four hiking trails and three fishing ponds stocked regularly with trout during the summer. The surrounding Roosevelt National Forest and, a few miles to the south, the rugged Cache la Poudre Wilderness, offer unlimited horseback riding, hiking, camping and hunting. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing can be enjoyed within a few minutes of the development. Numerous platted greenbelts scattered throughout the subdivision ensure that Glacier View Meadows will remain pristine for the enjoyment of future generations.

Glacier View Meadows offers a variety of recreational and community activities, including monthly pot luck dinners, children's parties, special breakfasts and a bimonthly newsletter. The town of Red Feather Lakes approximately 14 miles west offers a library, several restaurants, 3 general stores, an arts and crafts gallery and one of Colorado's finest private 18 hole golf courses (Fox Acres).

Glacier View elementary students attend either the Livermore School approximately 10 miles east or the Red Feather Lakes School approximately 14 miles west. Junior high and high school students attend La Porte and Fort Collins schools respectively. Buses pick up and return students on well-maintained County Road 74E, also known as the Red Feather Lakes Road.

Fire protection is provided by the Glacier View Fire Protection District, a tax-supported volunteer organization with a fire station located near the Association office at 1414 Green Mountain Drive. Emergency medical evacuation by helicopter to nearby hospitals in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley is available. Law enforcement is provided by the Larimer County Sheriff's Department.