The Colorado Dispute Resolution Act (CDRA) states that all mediation communications are considered “confidential” with only a few exceptions (see CRS 13-22-301 et seq).  CDRA also says that no party, mediator, or our staff shall voluntarily disclose any mediation communications or be required to disclose such communications through discovery or other compulsory process.

This means:

• All information you share with either our staff, or the volunteer mediators is confidential.
• Any new information you learn during the mediation session is confidential.
• If you reach a written agreement, the agreement itself is NOT confidential.
• The only exception to the confidentiality rule is that our staff and its volunteer mediators will notify the appropriate authorities if any mediation communication reveals the intent to commit a felony, inflict bodily harm on self or others, or threaten the safety of a child under 18 years of age.

Community mediation is available to anyone who lives in Fort Collins or the Fort Collins growth management area. It is also available for disputes involving properties within the City even if the owners live outside the City. 

Community mediation is a free service. One exception: people referred by Fort Collins Municipal Court who receive a ticket, pay a $50 fee all and pay the fee by credit card at (970)224-6046 Monday – Thursday before 2 p.m. There is small surcharge.  

The earlier the better; and better late than never.

It’s best to request mediation services as early in the dispute as possible.  A good way to decide when: If there is an ongoing dispute, first try talking to the other person/s to see if you can resolve the issue yourselves. If this does not work, or even makes it worse, then it may be time to ask for support.

In the early stages of a conflict, it is often easier for people to talk things through and find a way forward together.

It is never too late to try and work things out with another person. Good things can happen when people listen to each other, increase their understanding of each other and the situation.

When you  just need support thinking through a conflict situation, we can help!

Through confidential, one-on-one conversations, we support residents with thinking through choices and considering their needs in a conflict. This may include connecting with community resources, planning how to approach talking with the other person, and deciding whether or not a mediation feels like the right next step. 

If the other person doesn’t want to mediate, we can help! 

When you request a mediation, an invitation is sent to the party with whom you are in conflict. Mediation is voluntary. If the other party declines mediation, our staff will provide other services to you such as conflict coaching, problem-solving and resource referrals. 

If you can’t meet in person, we can help! 

For people unable to meet in person, we do offer a virtual mediation option using Zoom. If a person does not have technology to participate, we can set them up with a computer at our office. 

Mediators are trained to guide and protect the mediation process, which includes enforcing ground rules. Anyone in the mediation can ask for a break or stop the mediation if they do not feel safe enough to continue. Please talk with your mediators about safety concerns so you can plan together how to make the mediation as safe as possible.

Below are the ground rules for our Community Mediations:

• Turn off all electronic devices.  Mediation needs your full attention to be successful!
• Participate in good faith, be honest, and keep an open mind.
• Each participant will have the opportunity to speak openly, one at a time, without interruption or disrespect.
• Mediation is not a debate.  Listen respectfully with the intent to understand, even if you disagree with what the other person is saying.
• Do not engage in name-calling, profanity, put downs, threats, personal attacks, and/or physical aggression.  Also, no weapons are allowed in the session.
• While others are speaking, write down your thoughts or questions to avoid interrupting.  Keep your facial expressions, body language, & tone of voice positive and respectful.
• After the initial sharing of past events that have brought you to mediation, shift your focus to the future and to creating a solution will benefit everyone involved.
• As you discuss ways to resolve the issue(s) that brought you to mediation, do not attempt to alter someone’s personality or views.
• Honor the confidentiality of any and all information shared during the session, within legal limits.
• Whenever it feels necessary, any participant or co-mediator can call for a caucus (break).
• Note that the mediators will actively enforce these ground rules as needed.
• (NOTE: Participants are asked if they have any concerns or anything they would like to add.)

Agreements are reached in about 85% of mediation. Agreements are legally binding and would be accepted by a judge. However, it is up to the participant to legally pursue having the agreement upheld.

Sending this in is not necessary. Mediators and our staff may look at documentation, but do not evaluate it as evidence or provide opinion. The main person who might look at documentation is the other party in the dispute. Ask your mediators how to share your documents in a mediation. 

Our mediators are either City staff or City volunteers. Mediators work in teams of two. All mediators are required to have a 40-hour mediation training certificate. They also receive extensive mentoring and coaching through their involvement with our program. Many mediators have experience in the private sector as well. Their work with the City program is voluntary.

It started in the USA with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Community Mediation is the living practice of Section 10 of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that says: in any community that has a disruption, disagreement, or disturbance everyone in that community who experienced that disruption, disagreement, or disturbance - those involved in it and those impacted by it - are the best people to address it.

The goal of Community Mediation, in its origins, was to support people in resolving conflicts themselves rather than engaging in the legal system where they could be harmed rather than helped. The premise was that resolving conflicts themselves would keep people in relationship with each other and support a healthier community.

This continues to be the foundation of the Fort Collins Community Mediation Program.

In Fort Collins, the Community Mediation Program began with a grant funded volunteer and a small team of community volunteers in 1997. Most early mediations were animal-related conflicts referred by Municipal Court.

In 2000, the City funded the pilot Community Mediation program, hired a coordinator and added landlord/tenant mediation as a service. The volunteer team grew in size and experience.

In 2013 - 15, the Community Mediation Program merged with the City’s Restorative Justice Program, moved the offices in together and cross-trained staff and volunteers.

In 2023, the Community Mediation and Restorative Justice Programs re-branded and became Conflict Transformation Works. This new organizational structure provides a broader framework of services to address the harm of conflict and crime in our community. Services have been expanded to include new processes for working with more complex conflicts and processes combining elements of mediation and Restorative Justice to best meet the needs arising in our growing community.

Conflict Transformation Works now has four employees and 65+ volunteers.