On today’s stop on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, enjoy this informative short video – “Mountains Meet the Prairie” – where we learn about the four distinct ecosystems that make up the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area and the wildlife that thrives in the river corridor.
What wildlife have you spotted recently on or near the Poudre River?
Today, on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, take a tour of the craft brewing scene in Fort Collins, CO and learn how you can support your favorite brewers by purchasing the Colorado Strong Pale Ale!
Our local breweries are an integral part of the Northern Colorado culture and heritage. Many of these breweries rely on the Poudre River to brew their beer. A healthy river = a healthy brewing economy! And, lots of happy beer drinkers too. Please support craft brewers by sharing this video, drinking local, and purchasing Colorado Strong Pale Ale.
Colorado Strong Pale Ale is a benefit beer made with Colorado ingredients by Colorado breweries to support the local supply chain, small independent breweries, and raise funds for the Colorado Strong Fund to provide aid in response to the impacts of Covid-19 across Colorado.
The Colorado Brewers Guild and the Left Hand Brewing Foundation, have partnered with the Ball Corporation, On Tap Credit Union, StickerGiant, Root Shoot Malting, Colorado Hop Company, and Shirts On Tap. 20% of all sales of Colorado Strong Pale Ale will return to the Colorado Strong Fund and will be allocated directly to provide assistance to healthcare, hospitality, service industry, and gig economy workers across the state.
By purchasing a growler, crowler, or 6-pack of Colorado Strong Pale Ale from your local brewery you not only provide a charitable contribution, but help your favorite brewery to make payroll, keep the tasting room open, and most importantly, keep brewing delicious beers for years to come! Learn more at: http://coloradobeer.org/colorado-strong/
Today, on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, Northern Arapaho elders share their stories about the Cache la Poudre River and why this river valley is so important to their tribe’s heritage and culture.
“Water is sacred and we respect that. Without water there is no life.” – Crawford White, Northern Arapaho Elder
Indigenous peoples have been living in and migrating through the unique eco-tone of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area for more than 13,000 years.
On today’s #COVirtualHeritageJourney we have a short video about recreation along, and on, the Cache la Poudre River. This time of year, as runoff kicks into high gear and the river starts to rise, you will start to see a lot of rafters, kayakers and tubers out on the Poudre. It’s also a great time of year for biking, walking, and running on the Poudre Trail. And, of course, the birding in the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area is world class!
Please remember that rivers can move deceptively fast and exert great amounts of force. Colorado’s melting snowpacks increase river flows during this time of year. Exposure to cold water can quickly lead to hypothermia, which can be deadly. The Poudre River also contains hazards such as rocks and boulders, trees, large rapids and dams. To learn more about “Playing it Safe on the Poudre” visit https://poudreheritage.org/play-it-safe/ for river maps, safety tips, and more!
Today, on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, we visit the Great Western Sugar Beet Flume located within the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Local historian, Ron Sladek reviews the fascinating history of the Great Western Sugar’s 1926 suspension bridge that’s located along the Poudre Trail at Fort Collins’ Natural Area, Kingfisher Point. The flume is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Colorado once had more than 20 sugar beet factories, supporting tens of thousands of farmers, field hands, and factory workers from the early to mid-1900s. The Great Western Sugar Company (GWSC) operated the factory in Fort Collins, which was located on the site of the current City of Fort Collins Streets Department (625 Ninth Street).
In 1926, a GWSC engineer designed a suspension bridge that supported a metal flume to carry slurry of mostly lime, beet pulp, and water across the river for deposition on company land. The flume was operational until the mid-1950s when the plant closed.
The bridge is a rare example of suspension engineering in Colorado and the flume and bridge together are surviving examples of a historic industrial effluent disposal system, and were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Learn more at the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area website:
Today, as part of Colorado’s Virtual Heritage Journey, hosted by the 3 Colorado National Heritage Areas, we are exploring the basics of Western Water Law.
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area was designated as nationally significant in part for the areas role in influencing water development, water law, and water management in the West. In fact, the Poudre River valley has emerged as the leader in western water law management. But, most people do not understand the complexities of our water law and management systems. Stay informed with this short video from the Poudre Heritage Alliance!
Tune in next week for more Virtual Journeys with South Park National Heritage Area on Tuesday, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area on Wednesday and more from the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area on Thursday.
Today, on the first leg of the #COVirtualHeritageJourney through the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, we are joining Ranger Chip on an entertaining discovery of the Poudre River. Enjoy “River of Stories” and we will see you next week for more of our Colorado Virtual Heritage Journey!
Don’t forget to check out our friends at South Park National Heritage Area and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area for more virtual resources from our beautiful state’s two other National Heritage Areas.
During this unprecedented time in our Nation’s history, when over 250 million Americans, including the entire state of Colorado, are under stay-at-home and social distancing orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to offer you a way to continue to learn about and explore the State of Colorado’s National Heritage Areas from the safety and comfort of your home.
This week, working with our fellow Colorado Heritage Areas, we’re launching “Colorado’s Virtual Heritage Journey” on social media. Discover and experience Colorado’s culture, history, and recreational activities with high-quality, virtual resources provided by Colorado’s three National Heritage Areas – Cache la Poudre River, South Park, and Sangre de Cristo.
A National Heritage Area is a site where the historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to create a landscape of national importance. Its significance is like that of a national park, but these are largely lived-in landscapes. Of the 55 National Heritage Areas in the U.S., Colorado hosts three: Cache la Poudre River, South Park, and Sangre de Cristo. They boast the natural beauty, activities, and Western history Colorado is known for, while also representing Colorado’s many contributions to our nation’s diverse ancestry.
To join the virtual journey, follow #COVirtualHeritageJourney or look out for posts from the Colorado Heritage Areas on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Enjoy and stay well!