The sun sets on Kingfisher Point Natural Area Oct 14.
On the Fort Collins’ 2025 ballot, Ballot Issue 302 is a tax-extension measure to fund nature areas in Fort Collins. This tax extension funds the preservation and maintenance of the 52 natural areas sponsored by the city. These include public arboretums, walkways, bike trails and the maintenance of benches and trash cans in these areas.
Fort Collins has a long history of investing in natural areas within urban limits. The prominent trees around the city are a result of Front Range settlers planting trees in the late 1800s. These trees were planted and became an environmental investment for generations, hundreds of years later. Today, residents enjoy the shade, cooling effects and improved air quality from greenery that was planted more than a century ago.
Having regular contact with the outdoors has benefits for mental wellness. In the Adult Learning and Veterans Services Center at Colorado State University, peer mentor Anna Kohl leads students on a weekly nature walk.
“I definitely enjoy connecting with the outside, touching grass and being able to just breathe a little bit,” Kohl said while leading a group on a walk through the shade of the CSU arboretum trees. “I definitely think that everyone comes back with a big smile on their face usually, so I don’t think it’s a bad time.”
These walks are designed for destressing, walking and observing, more than just for education in an environment where there are no quizzes, lectures or scripts.
“I need to get you to get out because external to the classrooms, engaging outside of the classroom, is where we practice leadership, teamwork and service,” Kohl said.
These walks are held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, starting at the ALVS Center in the Lory Student Center. The walks last around 30 minutes and tour nearby nature areas, gardens and arboretums as they change throughout the seasons. They are open to all CSU students.
The 302 tax measure has been in place since 1992. The tax amount is one-fourth of a cent per sale. This sales tax accumulates for the conservation and maintenance of Fort Collins’ natural areas.
Melissa Fenton, an assistant professor in the department of human development and family sciences, conducts research within CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. Her research has focused on the positive effects of nature exposure in teens and young adults.
In one study published in the journal Environment and Behavior, Fenton observed that “spending time in nonthreatening nature can improve an individual’s capacity to recover from stress, which subsequently can improve mood and emotion regulation abilities.”
This is noted in the study to be aligned with stress recovery theory. Nature functions as a mechanism to reduce stress, a tool that is accessible to residents around Larimer County through the county’s natural areas.
“I think the keys are that urban natural areas are accessible to all people, regardless of ability and income,” Fenton said. “Ensuring that all our development includes considerations for protecting natural spaces and including climate-friendly landscaping and nature elements in any new developments are good practices for ensuring synergy between human urban development and natural environmental stewardship.”
The current tax model allocates 80% of funds for land conservation activities and 20% to maintenance. Ballot Measure 302 proposes to shift this ratio to 70% and 30%, respectively, beginning in 2061. If approved, this will mark the first extension passed since 2002.
Susan Clotfelter, an instructor in the department of journalism and media communication, teaches environmental communication at CSU. She noted effective ways to communicate environmental concerns on a local level.
“Rather than being governments, systems and rules telling people what to do, finding their personal interest to put ahead motivates people for personal reasons,” Clotfelter said. “These reasons change; not everyone has the same ones, but we need to listen for environmental attitudes as opposed to telling people what they ought to do.”
Reach Colin Hoffman at science@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.