Phase I

Phase I: Community-Driven Foundations

Investments that strengthened our roots and set the stage for what comes next.

Phase I investments laid the groundwork for everything that comes next. This first phase delivered the foundational improvements needed to support youth, nonprofit, equine, agricultural, and community programming—while strengthening the long-term sustainability of The Ranch. Every decision was shaped by community priorities: accessibility, safety, youth development, cultural preservation, and honoring the agricultural legacy that defines this campus.

These upgrades expanded program capacity, modernized key facilities, and prepared the campus for the revenue-generating improvements coming in Phase II.

4-H at the Center of Phase I

Because 4-H, agriculture, and equine programming lie at the heart of The Ranch, many Phase I investments directly support these community priorities. The following infographic highlights how The Ranch invests in 4-H each year, why these programs matter, and how Phase I strengthened the ability to serve local youth, families, and agricultural partners.

Phase I Projects

Arena Circle & Roadway Improvements

Completed in 2023, this project realigned campus roads to improve safety, traffic flow, and event operations.

What changed:

Arena Circle relocated to the perimeter of the campus
Two new signalized entrances (Andalusian Drive & Fairgrounds Avenue)
Three new internal roads:
- Richard Rule Road (adjacent to Origin Arena)
- Show Ring Road (trailer access to The Ranch Event Equestrian Center)
- Clydesdale Parkway (southern access to Crossroads Blvd)

These improvements enhance circulation for high-attendance events such as the Colorado Eagles, Larimer County Fair & PRCA Rodeo, and large equine/livestock shows. The original internal Arena Circle now serves as a service road and will become a programmable event space in future Master Plan phases.

Origin Arena

The 41,000 sq. ft. Origin Arena, opened in April 2024, was named through a local partnership with Origin Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, a multi-generational Northern Colorado business rooted in family, tradesmanship, and community values.

The partnership supports 4-H programming by offsetting operational costs and ensuring the arena remains free for 4-H programming, reflecting both organizations’ shared commitment to agriculture, leadership, accessibility, and community impact.
Features:

125 ft × 200 ft indoor arena with bleacher seating
Smart classroom
A Wet Demonstration Classroom
Lobby, restrooms, and administrative space

2025 Community Impact & Utilization:

103+ events hosted
1,800+ users

Origin Arena continues to serve as a year-round home for livestock practices, showmanship clinics, youth programs, ag education days, and 4-H/FFA training.

The Ranch Equestrain Center (Warm-Up Arena)

To better serve equestrian competitors and professional rodeo events, the warm-up pavilion and guest areas were expanded and modernized.

Improvements include:

New 90 ft × 200 ft warm-up arena (doubling prior capacity)
Covered walkways between pavilions
Rebuilt West Pavilion storefront and entrances
ADA-accessible restrooms
New wash racks

2025 Utilization:

157 booked days
2,100+ users
43.01% building utilization

These upgrades improved user experience, increased capacity for larger class sizes, and supported major multi-venue equestrian events.

Outdoor Riding Arena

Located just north of Origin Arena, this new multi-purpose outdoor arena space was designed for maximum flexibility to support a wide range of equine and community programming.

The footprint allows the space to be configured as:

One large arena (180 ft × 400 ft)

Multiple smaller arenas, depending on event needs

This versatility enables The Ranch to host a variety of equine events, youth programming, and multi-venue competitions simultaneously.

Key features include:

Permanent metal perimeter fencing to enhance safety, livestock containment, and emergency evacuation capability
Dedicated space for bleachers/spectators, improving comfort and visibility for guests
Open-air design supporting riding clinics, barrel racing, roping, speed events, warm-up space, and other equine programming

The upgraded footprint increases event flexibility and supports expanded use during high-volume equine and livestock events across the campus.

RV Hookups

To support traveling competitors and multi-day events, The Ranch installed 95 RV sites with modern utilities.

Amenities include:

Full electrical service (50/30/20 amp)
Water and sewer at 40 sites
Central dump station

2025 Utilization:

500+ RV users

The RV Lot is heavily used during horse shows, livestock events, dog shows, youth tournaments, and the Larimer County Fair—strengthening The Ranch’s competitiveness for regional and national multi-day events.