Broomfield County


Author(s): Eric Zorawowicz
County Seat: Broomfield
County Size: 33.6 square miles
Low Elevation: 5,008 ft. - Across from LUNA reservoir
High Elevation : 5,840 ft. - Hwy 128 at Indiana
Best Birds : Brant, McCown's Longspur
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: Broomfield is the newest of Colorado's sixty-four counties and is situated just north of Denver. It is bordered by Jefferson, Adams, Weld and Boulder counties. Birding areas are few and consist of small reservoirs, residential feeders, and some farmland that is rapidly disappearing.

Birding Locations

  1. Broomfield Nature Area
    Description - This area consists of a small pond, called Alexx and Michael's Pond, filled by runoff water. On the north side is a small wooded area consisting mostly of Cottonwood trees. This area is best for birding during spring and fall migration when warblers and sparrows are passing through. It is nearly deserted during the winter and has only a few interesting breeding birds during the summer like Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Common Yellowthroats.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Lowland Riparian, Urban/Suburban
    Directions - From Denver, go north on I-25 and exit at 120th Ave. Go west on 120th to Federal and then go north. Federal swings to the east and becomes Zuni. Continue north on Zuni to 132nd Ave and turn west. Park on this street.
    Delorme - 40 A2
    Roads of Colorado - 57 D4

  2. Brunner Reservoir
    Description - This small reservoir has waterfowl most of the year and usually a large contingent of geese in winter. During spring migration many sparrows are seen in the bushes around the buildings adjacent to the reservoir. During the summer most species of swallow can be seen here. If the water level doesn't get too high, shorebirds can be seen here also.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Urban/Suburban
    Directions - From 120th Ave (Hwy 287) in Broomfield go north on Lamar St. which is one block east of Main St. Continue north on Lamar until it meets DesCombs and park at the Aquatic Center just to the east. Walk down the path between the Aquatic Center and the Senior Center.
    Delorme - 40 A2
    Roads of Colorado - 56 C4

  3. Tom Frost Reservoir
    Description - This small reservoir contains waterfowl most of the year. There are usually raptors in the area and birds in the large reedy marsh area.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Grassland/Prairie, Urban/Suburban
    Directions - From 120th Ave (Hwy 287) in Broomfield go north on Lowell St. Continue north until just past Midway. There is a parking lot on the west side of Lowell.
    Delorme - 40 A2
    Roads of Colorado - 56 C4

  4. Glasser Reservoir
    Description - This reservoir is not open to the public but can be viewed from the Holy Family High School parking lot. It is one of the last reservoirs in the area to freeze over in winter and so attracts a wide variety of waterfowl in early winter.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
    Directions - From Hwy 287 in Lafayette, go east on Dillon Rd. (144th Ave). Just past Sheridan on the north side is the entrance to the Holy Family High School parking lot. Park in the NE corner.
    Delorme - 40 A2
    Roads of Colorado - 56 C4

  5. Farmer's Pond on 104th St.
    Description - This small pond is across the parking lot at Stearns Lake. Although Stearns Lake is in Boulder County, the pond across 104th Street is in Broomfield County. There is a half mile stretch of Broomfield County that abuts 104th Street on the west side. This pond often gets waterfowl and shorebirds that fly back and forth from Stearn's Lake.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
    Directions - From Hwy 287 in Lafayette, turn west on Dillon Rd. (144th Ave) and then turn south on 104th Street. Continue south to the Stearn's Lake parking lot.
    Delorme - 40 A2
    Roads of Colorado - 56 C4

  6. Broomfield Farmland
    Description - The NE part of the county is mostly farmland or previously farmed land. This is the best area in the county for sparrows, larks, and raptors. A drive along 160th Ave between Huron and Tennyson used to be the best area but the bird habitat is disappearing now that the NE Parkway is open and new residential areas are being planned.
    Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
    Directions - From Denver, go north on I-25 and exit at Hwy 7 (exit 229). Go west to Huron and south to 160th Ave. Go west to Tennyson.
    Delorme - 40 A2-A3
    Roads of Colorado - 57 D3

  7. Plaster Reservoir
    Description - This is possibly the best waterfowl birding area in Broomfield. Many species of ducks are seen here year-round on a reservoir almost completely surrounded by reeds and marsh. There are rows of young cottonwoods and willows on the east side. The reservoir is a breeding area for Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, Song Sparrows, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Great-tailed Grackles.
    Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Lowland Riparian
    Directions - From Hwy 287 (120th Ave), go north on Lowell St. to 136th Ave and go east to Plaster Circle (3rd left turn). Go to the north end of the circle and park on the street near a bike path to the reservoir.
    Delorme - 40 A2-A3
    Roads of Colorado - 57 D4