The High Line Canal has always been more than a trail. It is a connector, linking neighborhoods across 71 miles and bringing together generations who walk, run, stroll, volunteer, and learn along its banks. It carries forward more than a century of Colorado history while shaping a shared future for our region. Each day, the Canal reminds us that progress happens when communities move forward together.
That spirit of connection mattered more than ever this year. We advanced the long-anticipated ownership transition to ensure the Canal’s protection in perpetuity, embraced leadership transition with gratitude and renewed vision, and built on the strong momentum of our first ten years as an organization. Thanks to supporters like you, we did more than navigate change — we strengthened our foundation and positioned the Conservancy for its next decade of impact.
I invite you to watch the feature video from our annual event, Dine for the High Line. It brings our mission to life and shares the stories from the people’s communities that make this work possible.
After you experience the joy and meaning behind this work, we hope you will continue with us as we continue building a better trail—together. The future of the High Line Canal depends on all of us, and I am so grateful to be on this journey with you.
Walking the High Line Canal is great for both physical and mental health! It is a unique way to experience the City's diverse neighborhoods, all while fostering a deeper connection to the environment.
Leaders in building a community focused on connection, health and empowerment
At Summer Scamper there are so many different aged people from newborns to who knows! Everyone there is really encouraging to each other.
Dine for the High Line 2025, presented by Sterling Ranch and Dominion Water and Sanitation District, brought together 380 friends, sponsors and partners of the Canal to share conversation, laugh and connect through a shared purpose.
What a lovely evening celebrating community, nature and the trail we all treasure at Dine for the High Line. I’m grateful to be part of a community that shows up to protect and care for this incredible regional asset.
In 2025, the Conservancy partnered with over 50 corporate and community sponsors who made so much of our work together possible. We deeply value these partnerships, which are integral to advancing our mission along the Canal and a great way for employee groups to get out in nature together.
It is always a privilege to hear directly from our partners about their motivations for joining us in this important work. Notably, Sterling Ranch and Dominion Water & Sanitation District served as presenting sponsors for Dine for the High Line in 2025. To learn more about their inspiration for supporting our efforts, watch the video below.
Our partnership with the Conservancy is invaluable as we take on stewardship of 45 miles of the High Line Canal. This corridor is vital to our community, and together we’re committed to preserving it for generations.
After completing the Great Lengths Campaign in 2024 thanks to supporters like you, we got to work caring for the Canal. The most immediate part of this was investing in up front maintenance from, spending just over $1 million in 2025, a nearly $2 million overall. This included:
Additionally, the Conservancy has been hard at work bringing Great Lengths Projects to life through community input, project management and design. 2025 was a year of design and community engagement and we look forward to construction starting on several projects in 2026.
Take a look at how these projects are coming along:
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy, in partnership with Douglas County, advanced the design of enhancements to the small, informal trailhead at Waterton Road and the High Line Canal. Funding from the Great Lengths Campaign and Douglas County is secured and construction is anticipated to start in 2026.
Access, Connectivity & Safety Improvement
Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and the Conservancy are working in partnership to improve the High Line Canal trail between Parker Rd. and Havana St. In 2024, DPR completed the design and engineering for this section of the Canal and in 2025 construction will begin to upgrade the existing 8’ asphalt trail to a 12’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail.
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy, in partnership with Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space, launched a community-centered design process for Aurora in the in the central Aurora neighborhoods of Expo Park, Highline Villages, Highland Park East and Lyn Knoll.
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy is partnering closely with neighbors and Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces along the Colfax corridor to design access, activation and amenity improvements. The current designs include an overlook at Granby Ditch, an outdoor classroom by Laredo Elementary school, an overlook at the Canal’s juncture with Star K Ranch and two accessible access points to the Canal. These community-centered designs are anticipated to advance into construction in 2026.
Additionally, in 2025 the Conservancy worked with local artist, Adolfo, to incorporate an art installation near Hinkley High School that also features art elements from Laredo Elementary Students.
Activation Projects & Amenities
The first phase of the Triple Creek Trailhead was completed in 2019, establishing a connection between the High Line Canal Trail and Triple Creek trail system. With funding from the GOCO Centennial grant program, the Conservancy is partnering with the City of Aurora to complete the second phase of the 2016 master plan, implementing a bike skills course, a shade structure, soft-surface pathways, and interpretive signage at the trailhead. Public Art will also be installed through the City of Aurora Library and Cultural Services department. Construction is anticipated in 2026.
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy is partnering closely with Green Valley Ranch neighbors and Denver Parks and Recreation to design activation and amenity improvements. The current designs include an outdoor classroom with a shade structure, irrigated tree planting, two bike skills courses and a series of fitness stations. These community-centered designs will be completed in 2026.
Mile 2
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy, in partnership with Douglas County, advanced the design of enhancements to the small, informal trailhead at Waterton Road and the High Line Canal. Funding from the Great Lengths Campaign and Douglas County is secured and construction is anticipated to start in 2026.
Mile 48-50.5
Access, Connectivity & Safety Improvement
Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and the Conservancy are working in partnership to improve the High Line Canal trail between Parker Rd. and Havana St. In 2024, DPR completed the design and engineering for this section of the Canal and in 2025 construction will begin to upgrade the existing 8’ asphalt trail to a 12’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail.
Mile 51-53.5
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy, in partnership with Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space, launched a community-centered design process for Aurora in the in the central Aurora neighborhoods of Expo Park, Highline Villages, Highland Park East and Lyn Knoll.
Mile 57-62.5
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy is partnering closely with neighbors and Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces along the Colfax corridor to design access, activation and amenity improvements. The current designs include an overlook at Granby Ditch, an outdoor classroom by Laredo Elementary school, an overlook at the Canal’s juncture with Star K Ranch and two accessible access points to the Canal. These community-centered designs are anticipated to advance into construction in 2026.
Additionally, in 2025 the Conservancy worked with local artist, Adolfo, to incorporate an art installation near Hinkley High School that also features art elements from Laredo Elementary Students.
Mile 61.5
Activation Projects & Amenities
The first phase of the Triple Creek Trailhead was completed in 2019, establishing a connection between the High Line Canal Trail and Triple Creek trail system. With funding from the GOCO Centennial grant program, the Conservancy is partnering with the City of Aurora to complete the second phase of the 2016 master plan, implementing a bike skills course, a shade structure, soft-surface pathways, and interpretive signage at the trailhead. Public Art will also be installed through the City of Aurora Library and Cultural Services department. Construction is anticipated in 2026.
Mile 65-68
Activation Projects & Amenities
The Conservancy is partnering closely with Green Valley Ranch neighbors and Denver Parks and Recreation to design activation and amenity improvements. The current designs include an outdoor classroom with a shade structure, irrigated tree planting, two bike skills courses and a series of fitness stations. These community-centered designs will be completed in 2026.
To see more projects along the High Line Canal, take a look at our Spring 2026 Progress Report. (link to progress report when ready)
The Canal Collaborative is a formal collaboration between 15 regional partners to preserve and enhance the Canal. The Conservancy serves as the backbone organization providing facilitation, communications and coordination of the partners to enhance collaboration and advance implementation of The Plan for the High Line Canal.
TO BE UPDATED
The fundraising portion of the Great Lengths Campaign was successfully completed in 2024, and projects will continue to be carried out over the next 3 years. $2.6m in cash was added to the Stewardship Fund, which had a balance of $8.2 million at year-end. The Conservancy also saw revenue growth in individual giving by 27% and significant support from jurisdictional partners for natural resource management planning. The revenue chart excludes investment income of $650,095 (both realized and unrealized gains) of which 69% is restricted or designated to the Stewardship Fund. Expenses were $4.6m with 54% allocated to Great Lengths Campaign projects and upfront stewardship expenses.
The Conservancy received a clean audit report from an independent accounting firm, Brock and Company, CPAs P.C.
Revenue – $7,255,065
Expenses – $4,595,149
Cash & Cash Equivalents
Investments
Pledges Receivable
Other Assets
$5,976,702
$7,225,010
$3,948,781
$93,040
Total Assets
$17,243,533
Liabilities
Net Assets With Donor Restrictions
Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions
$458,095
$15,742,119
$1,043,319
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$17,243,533
Thank you for making this work possible!
Donors with a ↟ supported Great Lengths for the High Line
Thank you, Founding Partners! These visionary, philanthropic leaders, families, neighbors, and friends symbolically adopted one of the Canal’s 71 miles to help the Conservancy raise $1.78 million of catalytic funds. The High Line Canal Conservancy Board of Directors, development committee, and staff recognize the Founding Partners for their leadership and commitment.
$20,000+
$10,000 – 19,999
$5,000 – 9,999
$2,500 – 4,999
$1,000 – 2,499
$500 – 999
$250 – 499
$125 – 249
$35 – 124
Thank you to our donors!
*elected official