Congress designated the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area “to provide for the interpretation… of the unique and significant contributions to our national heritage of cultural and historic lands, waterways and structures within the Heritage Area.” The Cache la Poudre River Heritage Area is one of 37 National Heritage Areas (as of 2006) and was the first to be established west of the Mississippi. The Heritage Area extends for 45 miles and includes the lands within the 100-year flood plain of the Cache la Poudre River. It begins in Larimer County at the eastern edge of the Roosevelt National Forest and ends east of Greeley, ¼ miles west of the confluence with the South Platte.

The legislation provides for the appointment of a Commission to oversee the management of the Heritage Area. The authority of the Commission is limited to interpretation, education, and preservation programs since the law expressly forbids the Commission from owning or regulating water and/or property rights.

The Commission designees have formed a nonprofit organization, the Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA), to guide programs and activities. It is composed of representatives from local governments, organizations and the general public. Please see the Poudre Heritage Alliance page for more information.