How do you imagine a sustainable future for Fort Collins? What challenges might we face in getting there?
These are important questions we asked people in the community to help create Our Climate Future (OCF). OCF is a plan to guide Fort Collins, Colorado toward a more sustainable future while focusing on the needs of its people. It highlights the importance of putting people first when dealing with climate change.
Our Climate Future focuses on achieving three main goals by 2030:
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 2005 levels.
- 100% renewable electricity from both the grid and local sources.
- Reach zero waste, meaning nothing goes to landfills.
So, how is our community planning to reach these goals? That's where the Big Moves and Next Moves come in.
Big Moves#
Big Moves are the main areas where our community has suggested we should focus to achieve the three 2030 goals. We call these Big Moves transformational outcomes.
- For example, Big Move #4 is "Convenient Transportation Choices" which connects with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases.
Next Moves#
Next Moves are the specific actions we need to take to reach each Big Move. There are several Next Moves for each Big Move.
- For instance, one of the Next Moves for Big Move #4 (Convenient Transportation Choices) is "Expanding local and regional public transit coverage and frequency."
Dive Deeper#
Want to learn more? Below are a couple of options to get more information:
Request a Program#
The City's Utilities public engagement team offers educational programs about OCF.
OCF Plan Documents#
Information Supporting Big Moves & Next Moves#
The Fort Collins community has worked hard to develop a flourishing local food system. Using Our Climate Future Big Move 8 as the driving framework, the City of Fort Collins is exploring its role in supporting the food system.
2024 Food Systems Exploration#
Summary#
The City’s Our Climate Future (OCF) framework is made up of 13 “Big Moves” that strategize how to address local climate change challenges. Big Move 8 is entitled “Local, Healthy, Affordable Food” and was largely shaped by community input. The City has not had a definitive role within the greater food system, and food-related goals are disparately included in various City plans. In 2024, the Environmental Services Department partnered with an AmeriCorps Fellow to conduct foundational research to determine how the City organization could better support the community in achieving a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Research included engagement with community organizations, businesses and City departments, across a spectrum of focus and expertise within the food system. Findings and recommendations stayed within city boundaries, and focused on opportunities regarding producers, consumers and food waste. Environmental, social and economic considerations were incorporated, and a focus on elevating equity-based solutions was maintained throughout.
Themes
- There is a desire for local food production to be sustainable and help feed the community.
- There is a strong effort to build community through access to food, community gardens, and community supported agriculture.
- Food production and consumption are interwoven with environmental systems and are impacted by climate change.
Findings
- The City has a limited role in the food system.
- There are disparate connections to food throughout various City plans, yet no definitive, centralized system of implementation or strategy.
- Local nonprofits, organizations, and businesses are mainly focused on food access, food independence, sustainable agriculture, producer-consumer connections and food waste.
- Most organizations face challenges such as limited funding, resources and capacity.
- There is opportunity for the City to support community-led work, and remove barriers for organizations and businesses, to ensure the current initiatives can continue to succeed and eventually scale.
Recommendations#
As part of the food systems exploration, the report identified three overarching recommendations for the City of Fort Collins to consider. The following recommendations were developed based on conversations with community members and City employees, as well as reviewing other local government examples.
- Increase City-allocated land and resources to expand community gardens
- Support the Fort Collins Food System by better defining the City’s role, improving department alignment, and removing barriers for businesses
- Support external partnerships with community organizations and foster regionalism
For a more detailed set of recommendations, please reference the full report.
2024 Food Systems Exploration#
If you would like to see a full version of the 2024 Food Systems Exploration Report please reach out to Katy McLaren (kmclaren@fcgov.com).