Phase II
Phase II: Expanding The Ranch. Strengthening Our Future.
As Larimer County continues to grow, so does the need for modern spaces that serve more people, more often. Phase II expands The Ranch with new venues, improved infrastructure, and revenue-generating facilities designed to sustain community access for decades to come.
In 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved more than $110 million in Certificates of Participation (COPs), officially launching Phase II. This funding enables Larimer County to begin construction on priority projects while advancing the design of future improvements.
In October 2025, The Ranch celebrated the official groundbreaking of the Event Lawn, the first Phase II project to move into construction. With this milestone, Phase II is now fully underway.
Planning for Our Future
Several Ranch facilities already operate near or above full capacity. With the 0.15% voter-approved tax scheduled to sunset in 2039, Phase II ensures:
- Expanded event capacity
- New regional entertainment and sports offerings
- Financial sustainability
- Stronger tourism and economic development
- Continued support for youth, agriculture, and community programs
Phase II is the next step in preparing The Ranch for Northern Colorado’s future.
What's Included in Phase II?
Phase II includes two categories of work:
- Under Construction Now (Phase IIa)
- These projects have full funding, approvals, and active construction activity.
- In Schematic Design (Phase IIa & Phase IIb)
- These projects are undergoing technical planning, engineering studies, and architectural development before construction begins.
Below is the updated status for every Phase II project.
✅ UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW
Event Lawn Construction, October 2025
Event Lawn — Construction Began in October 2025
The first Phase II project to break ground, the Event Lawn will become a flexible 21-acre outdoor destination designed for:
- Festivals and community events
- Concerts and cultural programming
- Daily public use
- The new home of the Larimer County Fair
- The future location of the Outdoor Amphitheater
This highly versatile space will strengthen The Ranch’s ability to host year-round programming while providing a more cohesive, walkable environment for large fair operations and major outdoor events.
Key Components:
- 21-acre turf and landscape system
- Shaded pavilions and gathering spaces
- Pedestrian pathways
- Expanded utilities (power, water, fiber, drainage)
- Integrated sound and lighting infrastructure
- Vendor electrical tie-ins
- ADA access routes and emergency access points
- Improved connections to the Event Plaza and Blue Arena
Status: Construction began in October 2025 and is actively underway.
Understanding Schematic Design: Where Ideas Take Shape
As other Phase II projects advance, many are currently in schematic design, the early stage where ideas begin turning into buildable concepts. This is one of the most important phases of the entire Master Plan, because it determines how each facility will function, how it will feel to visitors, and how responsibly it will use public resources.
During this stage, architects, engineers, planners, and County staff study:
- Site grades and land contours
- Building placement and orientation
- Sightlines, acoustics, and lighting
- Pedestrian flow and accessibility
- Safety and operational needs
- Infrastructure and utility connections
- Cost efficiency and long-term sustainability
A Note About Early Designs
Early layouts, renderings, and conceptual visuals are preliminary and subject to change. Refinement is expected and essential as each project moves through design development, permitting, and final construction preparation.
Every design adjustment helps prevent costly issues later and ensures each project fully aligns with community needs and long-term County priorities.
The following Phase II projects are actively in schematic design.
PROJECTS IN SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Outdoor Amphitheater (6,000 Capacity)
As one of the most anticipated additions to The Ranch, the Outdoor Amphitheater will bring major concerts, festivals, and cultural programming to Northern Colorado.
Planned Components:
- Permanent stage house & back-of-house facilities
- Fixed seating and general admission lawn
- VIP viewing zones
- Terraced landscape seating
- Concessions & merchandise kiosks
- Restrooms & accessible seating
- Rigging, lighting & production infrastructure
- Integrated pathways connecting to the Event Lawn
- Perimeter fencing and guest access control
Event Plaza Enhancements (130,000 sq. ft.)
The Event Plaza expansion reimagines the heart of the campus, creating a welcoming, flexible entry point for fairs, concerts, festivals, and community gatherings.
Planned Components:
- Outdoor community stage
- Shaded pavilion structures
- Family play and gathering spaces
- Vendor and market zones
- New landscaping and hardscaping
- ADA pathways and improved fire access
- Event load-in/load-out infrastructure
Youth Hockey & Sports Facility
With demand for ice time and youth sports at historic highs, this multi-sport complex will provide new ice sheets and year-round recreational access for local families.
Planned Components:
- Ice sheets
- Multi-sport flooring conversion (volleyball, basketball, etc.)
- Team locker rooms and athlete support areas
- Spectator viewing mezzanines
- Family amenities and concessions
- Tournament operations and office space
- Storage and back-of-house improvements
- Modern mechanical systems for ice production
Event Center Expansion & Modernization
To maintain its status as Northern Colorado’s premier event venue, Blue Arena will receive targeted upgrades that modernize guest experience and improve operational efficiency.
Planned Components:
- New premium entry plaza
- Expanded premium seating
- Open-air lounge & outdoor terrace
- Concession & restroom modernization
- Circulation improvements
- All remaining lighting was upgraded to LED
- Enhanced back-of-house & production spaces
- Updated finishes and improved accessibility
Campus Infrastructure, Wayfinding & Monument Signage
A modern campus requires clear, intuitive navigation; this project enhances guest experience across all 315 acres of The Ranch.
Planned Components:
- New monument signs at key campus entry points
- Digital and static wayfinding signage
- ADA accessibility improvements
- Lighting upgrades along pedestrian corridors
- Refined parking and traffic flow
- Campus-wide branding integration
- Roadway and intersection enhancements
Exposition Center
Designed to attract multi-day conferences, large trade shows, and regional tourism, the Exposition Center and full-service hotel represent one of the most significant economic development opportunities in Phase II.
Planned Components:
Exposition Center (100,000+ sq. ft.)
- Flexible exhibit and banquet halls
- Breakout and meeting rooms
- Large restrooms
- Storage & event operations rooms
- Loading docks & freight entry
- Pre-function lobby and circulation areas
Projects not yet in design
72-Acre Expansion: Master Planning Stage
The 72-acre expansion provides long-term flexibility to support future generations, with early planning focused on what types of recreation, events, and community amenities best serve Larimer County.
Long-Term Conceptual Components:
- Future multi-sports facilities
- Multi-purpose community buildings
- Expansion opportunities for events and programming
- Parking and circulation improvements
- Campus-enhancing open space
This work ensures the County has room to grow thoughtfully and strategically.
Full-Service Hotel: Financial Planning Stage
Full-Service Hotel (225 Rooms)
- Meeting and banquet spaces
- On-site restaurant & amenities
- Guest drop-off and arrival court
- Support spaces for multi-day events
The hotel is not funded by Certificates of Participation (COPs).
This component of the project would be delivered through a public–private partnership model and is currently in active discussion with potential outside investment partners.
Final programming, size, and amenities will depend on the selected private development partner and market conditions.
Keeping Our Promise: Sunset the Sales & Use Tax by 2039
Phase II is built on a commitment to financial responsibility. With voter approval, the 0.15% sales and use tax will sunset in 2039, and Phase II is designed to prepare The Ranch for that transition. Larimer County is investing in revenue-generating venues and modernized infrastructure today so that, in the future, The Ranch can operate independently through earned revenue rather than long-term tax support.
These Phase II improvements strengthen financial sustainability, protect community access, and ensure The Ranch remains a vibrant public asset well into the next generation.