About The Master Plan

Rooted in Tradition. Built for What’s Next. 

The Ranch Master Plan is shaping the next generation of Northern Colorado’s gathering place, honoring what the community already loves while creating new opportunities to gather, celebrate, compete, and connect for years to come.

A Flexible Framework for Long-Term Growth

The Ranch Master Plan provides a long-term framework for growth while allowing specific project details to be refined as planning continues. As design, engineering, feasibility, and operational review move forward, details such as scope, timing, location, cost, and phasing may be adjusted to help ensure projects remain practical, sustainable, and aligned with the long-term vision for The Ranch. 

A Plan Built with the Community, and Built for the Future

More than 12,000 residents, and counting, have helped shape the vision for The Ranch through surveys, town halls, stakeholder workshops, outreach, and community events. This input guides key themes reflected throughout the Master Plan, including: 

• Accessible, community-focused indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Modernized venues for concerts, sports, and festivals.
• Stronger youth development and 4-H programming.
• Safer and more intuitive campus navigation.
• Improved event and tournament capacity.
• Responsible financial planning and long-term sustainability.

The Master Plan translates these priorities into a phased investment strategy designed to strengthen The Ranch’s role as a year-round multi-event and entertainment destination while preparing the campus for continued regional growth.

The History Behind the Master Plan 

Understanding the 2017 Voter Approval 

Voters approved the use of revenue from the 0.15% Larimer County sales and use tax to support improvement categories outlined in the ballot question and further guided by The Ranch Master Plan. The plan serves as a long-term framework for how The Ranch can continue to grow, improve, and meet the community's needs over time. 

In practice, that means supporting The Ranch as a larger public complex for events, 4-H, youth, community, entertainment, sports, agriculture, and fairgrounds-related uses. The ballot also allows those funds to be used to build, improve, operate, and maintain The Ranch under the Master Plan, which can continue to evolve over time through public process, planning, and ongoing evaluation. 

As planning continues, the community will have ongoing opportunities to stay involved and provide input through public outreach and the community survey. At the same time, Ranch staff and project partners will continue working with industry experts to evaluate feasibility, operational needs, costs, and long-term sustainability. 

Read more about the vote here:
What did voters approve when they extended the sales and use tax in 2017? | April 2026

Two Phases Working Toward One Shared Goal

The Master Plan is currently organized into two major phases, each focused on distinct campus needs while working together to support The Ranch’s long-term future.  These phases help guide campus growth while allowing flexibility as planning continues. As The Ranch and Northern Colorado continue to grow, future phases and additional opportunities may also be identified over time. 

Phase I: Community-Focused Foundation

Phase I established the foundational improvements needed to support future growth at The Ranch, shaped directly by community priorities. These investments improved accessibility, strengthened youth, ag, and 4-H programming, modernized infrastructure, and enhanced the campus’s ability to host year-round events and activities.

Phase II: Long-Term Growth and Regional Competitiveness

Phase II focuses on expanding and modernizing The Ranch through new spaces and improvements that support larger events, enhance guest experiences, strengthen tourism, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of The Ranch. 

These projects are expected to advance over the next several years. As planning continues, timelines, scopes, and phasing may be refined based on design, feasibility, cost, and operational needs. This helps ensure each project is practical, sustainable, and aligned with The Ranch’s long-term vision.

Together, Phase I and Phase II reflect a balanced approach to The Ranch’s future: protecting the community spaces and traditions people value today while creating new opportunities that support long-term growth, regional competitiveness, and financial sustainability. 

County Leadership: Turning Community Vision Into Action

While community voice shapes the Master Plan, its implementation relies on the leadership and stewardship of the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners, who are responsible for:

• Formally adopting and approving the Master Plan
• Approving funding mechanisms such as Certificates of Participation (COPs)
• Ensuring project alignment with Countywide goals and commitments made to voters
• Supporting public engagement and transparent communication
• Overseeing financial stewardship and long-term accountability

Their leadership ensures the Master Plan remains grounded in public value, aligned with community priorities, and built for long-term sustainability.

Thank you to the Larimer County Board of Commissioners for your continued leadership and support in advancing The Ranch Master Plan.