Caring for Button Rock Preserve

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Consultation has concluded

Within this walk-in only preserve you will find Longmont and Ralph Price Reservoirs along the North Saint Vrain Creek. Longmont manages this natural watershed and reservoirs to preserve the resource and provide storage for the City's Water Utility.

PROJECT UPDATE: To read the Button Rock Preserve Management Plan, go to the News tab below.

Overview

Button Rock Preserve is located 7 miles west of the town of Lyons in the lower montane foothills of the St. Vrain Creek watershed. A section of the North St. Vrain Creek runs through the eastern third of the Preserve and elevations range from 6,000 feet to almost 7,500 feet. The City of Longmont purchased the Preserve primarily to protect and maintain the main municipal drinking water source for Longmont and Lyons. The area also functions as a nature preserve to protect the fragile watershed and allow limited passive recreational opportunities.

Today, the Preserve is 2,671 acres and public recreation activities include passive recreational activities such as fishing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife observation, and dog walking.

Visitation and Use of the Preserve

As visitation continues to increase, the need to balance resource protection with passive recreation has become critical. Visitation policies were developed starting in the 1960s and 1970s and were substantially updated in the 1990s. We are evaluating current regulations to determine if they still align with the Preserve’s present-day management needs. Through the Caring for Button Rock Preserve project, a management plan will be developed and adopted as a foundation for long-term sustainable, adaptive management of Preserve resources based on best available information.

Visitation Through the Years

In 2021, the Preserve received more than four times the number of annual visitors than it did in 2000.

  • 1988: 3,200 people
  • 2000: 13,000 people
  • 2012: 31,000 people
  • 2020: 71,000 people
  • 2021: 58,000 people

The Button Rock Management Plan

The Button Rock Preserve Management Plan provides specific management direction in the areas of:

  • water quality protection
  • natural and cultural resource protection
  • existing infrastructure and improvements
  • recreation
  • rules and regulations

PROJECT UPDATE: To read the Button Rock Preserve Management Plan, go to the News tab below.

Overview

Button Rock Preserve is located 7 miles west of the town of Lyons in the lower montane foothills of the St. Vrain Creek watershed. A section of the North St. Vrain Creek runs through the eastern third of the Preserve and elevations range from 6,000 feet to almost 7,500 feet. The City of Longmont purchased the Preserve primarily to protect and maintain the main municipal drinking water source for Longmont and Lyons. The area also functions as a nature preserve to protect the fragile watershed and allow limited passive recreational opportunities.

Today, the Preserve is 2,671 acres and public recreation activities include passive recreational activities such as fishing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife observation, and dog walking.

Visitation and Use of the Preserve

As visitation continues to increase, the need to balance resource protection with passive recreation has become critical. Visitation policies were developed starting in the 1960s and 1970s and were substantially updated in the 1990s. We are evaluating current regulations to determine if they still align with the Preserve’s present-day management needs. Through the Caring for Button Rock Preserve project, a management plan will be developed and adopted as a foundation for long-term sustainable, adaptive management of Preserve resources based on best available information.

Visitation Through the Years

In 2021, the Preserve received more than four times the number of annual visitors than it did in 2000.

  • 1988: 3,200 people
  • 2000: 13,000 people
  • 2012: 31,000 people
  • 2020: 71,000 people
  • 2021: 58,000 people

The Button Rock Management Plan

The Button Rock Preserve Management Plan provides specific management direction in the areas of:

  • water quality protection
  • natural and cultural resource protection
  • existing infrastructure and improvements
  • recreation
  • rules and regulations
Consultation has concluded

Have a specific question for the project team? Submit it here.

  • Share Why aren't people allowed to ride human-powered bicycles anywhere at Button Rock? on Facebook Share Why aren't people allowed to ride human-powered bicycles anywhere at Button Rock? on Twitter Share Why aren't people allowed to ride human-powered bicycles anywhere at Button Rock? on Linkedin Email Why aren't people allowed to ride human-powered bicycles anywhere at Button Rock? link

    Why aren't people allowed to ride human-powered bicycles anywhere at Button Rock?

    rmhackett asked over 5 years ago

    Hi there,

    Per Button Rock Preserve's rules and regulations, bikes are not allowed on the premises. Nearby areas that do allow bikes include Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch. 

    To stay engaged in the management plan process, please sign up for email updates on this main page. We appreciate you reaching out.

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  • Share What were the E.coli levels in Ralph Price reservoir prior to the city changing regulations at Button Rock allowing only one dog per visitor? on Facebook Share What were the E.coli levels in Ralph Price reservoir prior to the city changing regulations at Button Rock allowing only one dog per visitor? on Twitter Share What were the E.coli levels in Ralph Price reservoir prior to the city changing regulations at Button Rock allowing only one dog per visitor? on Linkedin Email What were the E.coli levels in Ralph Price reservoir prior to the city changing regulations at Button Rock allowing only one dog per visitor? link

    What were the E.coli levels in Ralph Price reservoir prior to the city changing regulations at Button Rock allowing only one dog per visitor?

    Ruby asked over 5 years ago

    Ruby,

    If the interim dog restrictions are having an effect on E. coli levels in Ralph Price Reservoir, our water quality testing is not sensitive enough to pick up on a change at this fine scale in a water body this large.

    To stay engaged in the management plan process, please sign up for email updates on this main page. We appreciate you reaching out.

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  • Share Can the Sleepy Lion Trail at Button Rock off-leash dog area be reinstated? I was so disappointed finding the leash only sign. For over 40 years I've enjoyed the peace of our back trails, and held respect for our beautiful Colorado. I have just one friendly dog. Would you please consider allowing off-leash at Sleepy Lion Trail for dogs? on Facebook Share Can the Sleepy Lion Trail at Button Rock off-leash dog area be reinstated? I was so disappointed finding the leash only sign. For over 40 years I've enjoyed the peace of our back trails, and held respect for our beautiful Colorado. I have just one friendly dog. Would you please consider allowing off-leash at Sleepy Lion Trail for dogs? on Twitter Share Can the Sleepy Lion Trail at Button Rock off-leash dog area be reinstated? I was so disappointed finding the leash only sign. For over 40 years I've enjoyed the peace of our back trails, and held respect for our beautiful Colorado. I have just one friendly dog. Would you please consider allowing off-leash at Sleepy Lion Trail for dogs? on Linkedin Email Can the Sleepy Lion Trail at Button Rock off-leash dog area be reinstated? I was so disappointed finding the leash only sign. For over 40 years I've enjoyed the peace of our back trails, and held respect for our beautiful Colorado. I have just one friendly dog. Would you please consider allowing off-leash at Sleepy Lion Trail for dogs? link

    Can the Sleepy Lion Trail at Button Rock off-leash dog area be reinstated? I was so disappointed finding the leash only sign. For over 40 years I've enjoyed the peace of our back trails, and held respect for our beautiful Colorado. I have just one friendly dog. Would you please consider allowing off-leash at Sleepy Lion Trail for dogs?

    Kathleen1 asked about 5 years ago

    Kathleen,

    City Council has passed an interim ‘dogs on leash, one dog per person’ rule while the Button Rock Management Plan is ongoing. No permanent decisions about dogs have been made or will be made until the management planning is complete at the end of 2020. 

    To stay engaged in the management plan process, please sign up for email updates on this main page. 

    We appreciate your understanding as we develop a plan that works for all!

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  • Share If I am some one who is a serious permit purchasing fisherman at the reservoir for the past five years when will myself and others know what changes lie in store for 2020? on Facebook Share If I am some one who is a serious permit purchasing fisherman at the reservoir for the past five years when will myself and others know what changes lie in store for 2020? on Twitter Share If I am some one who is a serious permit purchasing fisherman at the reservoir for the past five years when will myself and others know what changes lie in store for 2020? on Linkedin Email If I am some one who is a serious permit purchasing fisherman at the reservoir for the past five years when will myself and others know what changes lie in store for 2020? link

    If I am some one who is a serious permit purchasing fisherman at the reservoir for the past five years when will myself and others know what changes lie in store for 2020?

    mitchell301 asked about 5 years ago

    The plan process is ongoing in 2020 so any changes to permitting would not start until 2021 at the earliest. If there are changes to the permitting system for 2021 or beyond, City of Longmont will notify people through our website or residents can also check with CPW.

    Thank You,

    Danielle

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