Larimer County School Resource Officer Participates in Student Bike Ride on Poudre River Trail
Larimer County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officer Baggett recently accompanied Cache La Poudre Elementary students on a bicycle ride along the Poudre River Trail as part of community engagement activities that extend beyond traditional school hours.
The September bike ride demonstrates how School Resource Officers in Larimer County fulfill their mandate to build positive relationships with students through youth programs and community involvement activities, according to the intergovernmental agreement between Poudre School District, Larimer County, and the Sheriff's Office.
Cache La Poudre Elementary, located in Laporte, sits near the western segment of the Poudre River Trail system, which runs through Lions Open Space and Springer Natural Area. The Poudre River Trail spans over 35 miles through Larimer and Weld counties, connecting communities from Greeley to Fort Collins since its origins in 1978 with the Laporte segment.
School Resource Officers in Poudre School District schools outside Fort Collins city limits are authorized to participate in student activities outside regular hours when approved by school principals and SRO supervisors. These community engagement activities fall within the official scope of SRO duties, which include developing youth programs, fostering positive law enforcement relationships, and promoting student wellbeing through proactive community involvement.
The trail system serves as a designated corridor for biking, walking, environmental education, and family recreation. Regional school districts regularly utilize the Poudre River Trail for science field trips, nature walks, and community engagement activities under established safety protocols and supervision standards.
SRO participation in off-campus recreational activities requires prior coordination between school administrators and law enforcement command, with adherence to district student conduct policies and emergency management procedures. The activities are covered under liability policies outlined in the intergovernmental agreement governing the SRO program.
Two full-time School Resource Officers serve Poudre School District schools outside Fort Collins, with program costs shared between the county and school district. The SRO program tracks community engagement through interaction data collected by the District Security Manager to analyze trends in student relationships and safety outcomes.
The Poudre River Trail's western segments near Cache La Poudre Elementary are maintained by Larimer County Natural Resources in partnership with local conservation groups and volunteers, providing safe public access for educational and recreational programs.