Entrances, roads and parking lots at Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake are expected to receive much-needed improvements in the coming years thanks to a $8.6 million federal grant.

The Larimer County commissioners on Tuesday approved grant agreements with the Federal Lands Access Program, or FLAP, on behalf of the county’s Natural Resources Department.

The funding will be used to make infrastructure improvements to the busy reservoirs, said Jennifer Almstead of the Natural Resources Department. Construction projects will relieve congestion and improve safety.

The reservoirs and their infrastructure are aging, Almstead said.

“These improvements will make a significant impact so that these reservoirs, as popular as they are, can keep up with visitor demand now into the future,” she said.

Visitors beware: Spike strip coming back to Rotary Park day use area at Horsetooth Reservoir

Projects planned at Horsetooth Reservoir include re-engineering