Community Questions, Answered: How Is Phase II Being Funded?
We know you have questions, and we’re listening.
As we prepare to begin construction on Phase II of The Ranch Master Plan, one of the top things we’ve heard from community members is:
“How are public funds being applied and how are projects serving the greater community?"
We’re committed to transparency about how public funds are used and to making sure that the information is clear and not confusing. So, let’s break it down.
💡 How Are We Paying for Phase II?
We’re proud to share that The Ranch has officially received $110 + million in funding through Certificates of Participation (COPs) to support the majority of Phase II projects in The Ranch Master Plan.
If you’ve never heard of COPs before, think of them like a lease-to-own plan used by local governments.
Instead of paying for everything upfront, investors provide the funds now, and the County makes regular payments over time using an existing dedicated sales and use tax — the same one that voters approved in 2017. Once the lease term is complete, full ownership of the improvements transfers to Larimer County.
🛑 No new taxes.
✅ No impact on the County’s general fund.
This approach allows us to move forward with large-scale improvements without waiting years to save up the cash, while upholding responsible fiscal stewardship.
📊 A Balanced, Strategic Approach
To make the most of this funding, we're using a blended financing model:
- Tax-exempt COPs (75%) – Lower interest rates = less taxpayer burden. These are used for most Ranch projects.
-
Taxable COPs (25%) – Slightly higher interest rates, but offer full flexibility for naming rights, private partnerships, or vendor agreements — especially useful for revenue-generating spaces like Blue Arena.
This structure helps us protect public dollars while also setting The Ranch up for long-term sustainability.
🤝 How Phase II Will Serve the Community
Phase II isn’t just construction, it’s an investment in our region’s future. From recreation and entertainment to tourism and economic growth, these projects are designed to deliver lasting benefits for the people of Larimer County and beyond.
🎤 Event Lawn & Amphitheater
-
A 20-acre outdoor venue for large concerts, community festivals, movie nights, and other major gatherings
-
6,000-person capacity, including 2,000 permanent seats and 4,000-person lawn seating
-
Features a professional-grade stage, vendor pavilions, upgraded utilities, and a teaching kitchen to support culinary education and local food events
-
Brings new experiences and tourism to Northern Colorado while supporting local artists, chefs, and vendors
-
Creates a flexible, open-air space for celebration, connection, and economic activity
🏒 Youth Sports & Multi-Sport Complex
-
A major transformation of the current Pedersen Toyota Center into a multi-sport training facility
-
Includes three ice sheets, flexible flat-floor spaces for basketball, volleyball, and other court sports
-
Features locker rooms, training zones, and a family-friendly design to support youth teams, schools, and community programs
-
Drives regional traffic through tournaments and competitive events, generating spending in local hotels, restaurants, and stores
-
Provides accessible, year-round recreation for Northern Colorado youth and families
🏟️ Blue Arena Expansion & Renovation
-
Upgrades to seating, circulation, and guest amenities inside The Ranch’s largest arena
-
Adds premium suites, club seating, and enhanced concourses for a better experience
-
Expands the types of concerts, sporting events, and shows that can be hosted
-
Helps keep entertainment dollars local, while attracting new acts and fans to the region
🧭 Event Plaza Enhancements
-
Space transformation into a walkable, people-first plaza
-
Includes a community stage, new landscaping, shaded seating, vendor zones, and family-friendly gathering spaces
-
Makes event days more enjoyable and creates opportunities for everyday community use
-
Connects multiple venues into one seamless, flexible campus experience
🏨 Future Exposition Center & Full-Service Hotel
- Exposition Center with over 100,000 square feet of event space, paired with a 225-room full-service hotel.
This future addition would:
-
Attract multi-day conferences, trade shows, and national expos.
-
Bring new tourism dollars and professional audiences to the region.
-
Create jobs in hospitality, events, food service, logistics, and more.
-
Offer local businesses and entrepreneurs new opportunities to connect with out-of-town visitors.
-
Cement The Ranch as a regional destination for business, tourism, and community events.
🌱 72-Acre Expansion
- Adds 72 acres of adjacent land for future community use and smart growth
-
Helps The Ranch grow sustainably alongside Larimer County’s population and event needs
-
Ensures flexibility for future development based on evolving public priorities
Together, these projects will bring:
-
World-class spaces for families, athletes, artists, business leaders and more.
-
Economic vitality through job creation, tourism, and long-term revenue.
-
Community impact by expanding access to live events, recreation, and education.
-
A bold, community-driven vision for what Northern Colorado can become.
📣 Your Voice Matters
We're committed to transparency, not just by answering questions, but by improving how we share, listen, and engage.
Events like the upcoming 4-H Town Hall are just one example of how we're keeping this process community-focused — bringing people in, asking for feedback, and responding with real answers.
If you haven’t already, take our short community engagement survey. It helps us improve how we communicate updates and stay meaningfully connected to the people we’re building for. You!
🎯 And who knows? Your question might be featured in an upcoming post as we continue answering top community questions.
📋 Take the survey → https://forms.gle/NGbJ6xvGkdHAoHhp8