The Poudre Learning Center is a cooperative effort by a wide variety of organizations and interested residents. The Eaton, Greeley-Evans, Johnstown-Milliken and Windsor School Districts, the Poudre River Trail Education Board, the University of Northern Colorado, Weld County, the City of Greeley, the Town of Windsor, the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, The Centennial, Greeley, Redeye and Windsor Rotary Clubs and George & Bret Hall of Hall-Irwin Corporation have all taken a special interest in developing the Poudre Learning Center.
 
 
              

A trip up the valley from Greeley reveals numerous channels incised by the Poudre River into the surrounding high plains topography. For many years the Poudre meandered back and forth across this featureless prairie. But, settlers of the Union Colony would soon change that. The farmers from the east realized they could increase farmable acres if they could just straighten the river. One such channelized section was the Poudre Learning Center site west of 83rd Avenue. According to area farmers, teams of horses and plows trenched this area. This operation leads to many years of successful farming at the site.

In 1986, Hall-Irwin Corporation purchased the Poudre Learning Center Site. Gravel mining operations began the same year. Gravel was extracted for roadways, concrete foundations, trails and roadbeds in the region. The resulting gravel pit will be used as a water storage reservoir by Central Colorado Water Conservancy District.

Hall-Irwin Corporation has demonstrated a workable approach for private industry and landowners to help the educational community. They understand the important role that real, discovery experiences play in a student's understanding of ecological resources. With this proven commitment to education, Hall-Irwin Corporation decided to move to the next level by donating 65 acres of this prime Poudre River riparian land to the local educational community.

Read about the PLC Master Plan and Hazelton Community History.