Skip to main content

Upcoming Council Listening Sessions#

Fort Collins City Councilmember Melanie Potyondy will host an informal community listening session from 10 – 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 13 at the Council Information Center Conference Room at City Hall, 300 Laporte Ave. Building A Fort Collins, CO 80521. 

All residents are invited to attend and share ideas about the issues facing Fort Collins.


Mayor and Council

Jeni Arndt, Mayor

Jeni Arndt

Mayor

jarndt@fcgov.com

Susan Gutowsky, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 1

Susan Gutowsky

Councilmember District 1

sgutowsky@fcgov.com

Julie Pignataro, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 2

Julie Pignataro

Councilmember District 2

jpignataro@fcgov.com

Tricia Canonico, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 3

Tricia Canonico

Councilmember District 3

tcanonico@fcgov.com

Melanie Potyondy, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 4

Melanie Potyondy

Councilmember District 4

mpotyondy@fcgov.com

Kelly Ohlson, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 5

Kelly Ohlson

Councilmember District 5

kohlson@fcgov.com

Emily Francis, Councilmember<span class='hidden-xs'>,</span> District 6

Emily Francis

Councilmember District 6
(Mayor Pro Tem)

efrancis@fcgov.com

The Fort Collins City Council is comprised of six district Council members who are elected on a non-partisan basis for a term of four years, and a Mayor who is elected at-large for a two-year term. The Mayor Pro Tem is chosen from among the entire Council and serves a term of two years.

View Council Term Information

View Council District Map

Find Your Council District

2024-2026 City Council Priorities#

Every two years, following a Council election, the newly seated Council identifies priorities and confirms strategic direction. 

Not everyone in our community has access to healthy, stable housing, and we are currently not meeting our affordable housing production goal. Limited highly competitive funding, rapidly increasing costs, long development timelines, and historic under-production of housing units have led to severe housing availability and affordability issues in Fort Collins and many areas around the State of Colorado.

Q2 2024 Update

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • Work is underway to develop an expedited review process for affordable housing projects. First step will be utilizing grant funds to get a consultant on board.
  • The development of a regional Homelessness Response Plan is underway. This work is also grant funded.
  • Staff has initiated the development review process for the winter Seasonal Overflow Shelter at 117 N. Mason St. Anticipated opening day is Nov. 1.
  • As Citywide impact fees are being evaluated (and increased) a parallel effort is underway to identify fee relief opportunities. This effort includes staff from Social Sustainability, Finance and Utilities.
  • Staff is researching innovative ways to leverage potential housing funding within a Community Capital Tax renewal.
  • Community Capital Tax discussions at Oct. 3 Council Finance Committee and Nov. 12 Council Work Session.

Obstacles and barriers exist that impede access to services for our underserved community members. We need to work with our regional partners and invest in a robust and accessible safety net to create conditions where one is not needed. Existing oil and gas wells in and around Fort Collins cause harmful pollution and have negative environmental and human health impacts.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • Mobile Home Park focused work continues with 14 mobile home repair projects being completed. Projects totaled $85,210 with funding provided through the 2050 Tax, Innovate Fort Collins Challenge monies, and ARPA funding. Work included roof replacements, new air conditioners, electrical projects, furnace and stair/handrail replacement. Four projects were for seniors and two projects were for homeowners who primarily speak Spanish. Recipients have an income below 50% AMI. 
  • The most recent round of Neighborhood Mini-Grants awarded $14,000 to 17 neighborhoods. 42% went to Designated Opportunity Neighborhoods through CARE Housing and Neighbor to Neighbor.
  • The settlement with Prospect Energy will result in the ending of oil and gas operations in Fort Collins. Staff will be shifting focus from monitoring and partner enforcement efforts to remediation and reclamation efforts.
  • Appropriation of CDPHE grant funds in August 2024; Received 2050 Tax funds in May 2024 resulting in:
    • 28 in-home assessments (6 in Spanish, 22 in English)
    • 52 DIY assessments completed
    • 9 events focused on Healthy Homes and radon
  • By the numbers:
    • $1.1M distributed through 43 human service grant awards
    • 9 focus groups completed as part of the Human Services Priorities Platform effort
    • Monthly conversations with Community Spanish Language Group continue
    • 1,893 new/renewed Get FOCO applications
    • 842 Digital Equity participants
    • 200 individuals assisted through the Immigration Legal Fund
    • 57 clients represented through the Eviction Legal Fund
    • 4 Community Consultants onboarded for mobile home park work
    • 8 Equity Readiness Assessments completed (City Departments)
  • Equity Indicator Council work session Oct. 22

Market factors, limited tools and programs, ownership patterns and rising development costs hinder us from accelerating our goal for everyone to have daily goods, services and transit within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  •  The continued work on the Land Use Code is scoped and underway. Immediate next steps include selection of a consultant team and developing community engagement strategy.
  • Plan, Permit, and Inspection process improvements are underway. To date these have included website updates and implementation of standard and consistent business hours. Negotiations for acquiring and implementing an improved digital system for licensing, permitting, and code enforcement continue.
  • The Place-Based Assessment scope has been completed and will focus on the context, opportunities and challenges of specific neighborhood centers throughout the city.
  • In an effort to do more neighborhood-scale engagement such as Shift Your Ride neighborhood with University Park and more engagement with groups such as las Chicas en Bicicletas, resources have been shifted and from two Open Streets events to one.
  • Nov. 12 Council Work Session on LUC community engagement and prioritization

  • ]Place Based Assessment memo update Q4 2024

Good jobs and opportunities for economic mobility are missing for many in our community, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented populations. Processes related to doing business in the City of Fort Collins can be unclear, unnecessarily complex, and unfriendly to business customers.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • The Economic Health Office (EHO) was awarded a $25,000 marketing grant as part of the Colorado Chips Community Support Program (CCCSP) offered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) with the purpose of supporting the growth of the semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystem in Colorado. This will be done through a Marketing Attraction Plan, advertising in Site Selection magazine, and other targeted work.
  • EHO has made it through the accreditation process of earning Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) which ensures that EHO meets the universal quality standard for economic development organizations. A follow-up report will give insight on how to better communicate goals and related actions to the community along with the final accreditation decision.
  • Work continues on a partnership with the Institute for Justice to conduct a barriers to business study in Fort Collins. 
  • N/A

 

 

Fort Collins is currently missing the nearby infrastructure needed to meet its commitments to becoming a Zero Waste and Carbon Neutral community. Policies and programs for diverting material away from landfills are dependent upon viable, community-scale facilities for recycling, composting, and other waste diversion actions.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints

Staff continue to work on three specific fronts to accelerate zero waste infrastructure and policies: 

  • Support the launch and community rollout of the single hauler contract with Republic, which includes:  
    • Weekly check-in meetings with Republic’s implementation leadership team. 
    • Weekly updates to the City Manager’s office regarding progress.
    • Community engagement and customer support during the transition period.
  • Collaborate with the County on development of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Items under consideration for the MOU are:
    • Interim commitments to work together as a new Intergovernmental Agreement is developed, which includes considerations for flow control.
    • Development of cost and pricing frameworks to give parties necessary information for decision making on policies and infrastructure investments.
    • Identifying financially feasible diversion strategies that assist Fort Collins in achieving its waste reduction goals.
  • Launch the technical assistance grant through the C3 Program (formerly called the Front Range Waste Diversion [FRWD] Enterprise). The focus of the grant is to help identify pathways to greater construction and demolition materials diversion and the feasibility of diverting food scraps. Estimated completion date is June of 2025. Periodic updates to Council will be scheduled at appropriate intervals. 
  • Update memo sent Aug. 14, 2024
  • Future memo updates planned

Building energy use accounts for over 2/3 of the community emissions inventory; vehicle transportation emissions account for 25%; small engines (such as lawn and garden equipment) contribute to both local Greenhouse Gas emissions and air pollution; and the North Front Range is in a severe non-attainment zone for air quality under the Clean Air Act. Without significantly reducing emissions from these sectors, it will be impossible to improve air quality and meet Council-adopted climate goals.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints

Staff continue to refine existing initiatives and accelerate new efforts for this Council Priority: 

  • Electrification of Buildings:
    • The Building Performance Standard (BPS) project to adopt and enhance regulatory policies for existing building energy use is on track and focusing on developing resources in coordination with community building owners.
    • The team is on course with the work toward adopting and supporting the 2030 Zero Carbon Construction Code for building codes. Staff has accepted DOE grant funding, are working to execute sub-recipient agreements, and the data exchange has been completed.
    • Utilities will continue to evaluate infrastructure (physical and software) and optimize economic levers (Incentives and rates) needed to support community electrification.
  • Electrification of Transportation/Fleet Vehicles:
    • The process to update the previous Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap (EVRR) is on track.
    • Operation Services, Utilities and Finance departments have partnered to implement phase 1 of the awarded SMART Grant and has submitted the phase 2 proposal seeking $11M for fleet vehicle and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
  • Conversion of Small Engine Equipment:
    • Staff is focused on compliance with CDPHE Air Pollution and Control Division (APCD) Regulation 29 (restricting summer use of certain gas-powered landscaping equipment, beginning 2025).
    • Environmental Regulatory Affairs (ERA) is leading compliance planning efforts.
    • Staff are leveraging funding from the 2050 Tax to convert utility task vehicles (UTVs) to electric (2024 Mini-BFO), and all orders are complete.
    • Parks and NAD have completed working inventories of City-owned "small engine" equipment.
  • Staff to provide Council an Our Climate Future update memo in Q4 2024 
  • Building Performance Standards Council work session late 2024

Resilient water resources and healthy watersheds depend on complex systems and a diverse network of relationships and regional partners. The water utility of the future must incorporate a One Water approach to deliver equitable solutions to meet the future challenges of water scarcity, quality and affordability.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • Staff provided a Halligan project status update at the July 9 Council Work Session. Current work includes modeling to support 401 Water Quality Certification application, construction cost refinement, and engineering design. City staff are evaluating the project's eligibility for federal and state loan programs as well as grant opportunities.
  • Council also provided direction on Water Supply Requirements (WSR), Allotments & Excess Water Use Surcharges provided direction at the July 9 Work Session, which included proceeding with revised hybrid methodology for calculating WSR and the schedule for issuing allotments to commercial accounts established prior to 1984. 
  • Water Efficiency Plan Update (WEP) update is anticipated to be complete in Q1 2025. Most of the engagement efforts are complete. Recent milestones include completion of new service area-wide and municipal water conservation goals and ongoing development of a water demand model, which will help evaluate climate impacts and water conservation strategies on water demand.
  • Wildfire Ready Watersheds Action Plan (WRWAP): The City has been awarded state grant funds to complete a collaborative WRWAP for critical water supply infrastructure in the Upper Poudre Basin in partnership with Water Supply and Storage Company and City of Greeley. This plan will identify post-wildfire hazards and mitigation strategies to protect these assets, which include the City’s Joe Wright Reservoir.
  • Water Supply Requirement ordinance scheduled for Oct. 15 regular meeting
  • Water Efficiency Plan update scheduled for Nov. 12 Work Session

Multiple departments and funding sources are necessary to implement the Active Modes Plan and Vision Zero Plan, with an emphasis on Safe Routes to School.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • There is significant support and opportunity to advance this Priority through The Strategic Trails Plan and the upcoming 10-Year Transportation Capital Improvement Plan (TCIP). Both efforts are foundational in guiding policy and millions of dollars in investment. 
  • Staff completed the 23/24 school year safety assessments and identified several improvements such as crosswalks, signage, pavement markings, education and enforcement. We are now working with PSD to determine the schools for the 24/25 school year. 
  • By the numbers:
    • 23 lane miles of buffered/improved bike lanes
    • 4 lane miles of protected bike lanes
    • 6 improved intersections for bike and ped safety
    • 8+ schools served by safer routes
  • Draft TCIP at Council work session in Q4 2024

In accordance with the voter-approved ballot measure, the City acquired the 164-acre Hughes site in summer 2023. After conducting initial general public outreach and identifying conflicting interests and desires, Council will engage in an inclusive process to develop a site plan for future use.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • Council has supported partnering with American Public Trust, Healthy Democracy and others to host a Civic Assembly process for the development of a site use plan for the Hughes property. Staff will be working with these partners to develop a project plan and timeline. Work includes ensuring any and all interested residents will be able and prepared to participate.
  • Staff will provide updates through memos.

Our evolving community and ever-changing media/communications landscape requires an innovative approach to reduce barriers and ensure everyone has access to timely, relevant and accurate information and opportunities to connect with their local government and community in meaningful ways.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • The digital accessibility team worked with consultants, Nelnet, to assist with developing a Digital Accessibility Plan and helped ensure all required elements for the extended compliance period were in place by July 1, 2024.
  • The development of the new digital experience platform (website, legislative management, etc.) kicked off in early 2024. Discovery was completed, including analysis of the current website and a feedback questionnaire to staff and community to inform the design and development of the new website. Design and information architecture are underway.
  • Customer Experience (CX) work continued with the BlastX consulting team to analyze the various metrics the City uses to measure customer satisfaction and help build a more consistent approach and framework to measurement using department and Citywide dashboards. Additionally, eight common customer journeys including small business onboarding, outdoor permitting and contesting a parking citation were mapped to explore the community's experience and identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
  • Q2 is the season of FUN around the City with numerous community events and engagement opportunities like Kids in the Park, 4th of July celebration, Lagoon Concert Series, Bike to Work or Wherever Day and so much more. Check out the fun on the City's Flickr page
  • Council listening sessions at various community events

Although small parts of the Charter get reviewed and updated on a regular basis, due to changes in state laws and election procedures, there is a need to modernize and update the City Charter, which has not been done in a comprehensive way in over 25 years.

Q2 2024 Updates

Current Status Council Touchpoints
  • The City Attorney has retained Geoff Wilson of the firm Wilson Williams Fellman Dittman to provide special expertise and assistance with the review of the Charter and preparation of proposed updates and modernizing amendments. There have been several coordination meetings to discuss and initiate the work, and to plan the process. The work will consist of a full review of the City Charter for inconsistencies internal to the Charter and with modern practices, for outdated language and unclear and cumbersome provisions.
  • Dec. 10 Council Work Session

Strategic Plan#

The 2024 City of Fort Collins Strategic Plan reflects the input of engaged community members, businesses, partner organizations, the Mayor and City Councilmembers, and City staff.

Community Dashboard#

The City of Fort Collins Community Dashboard offers a quarterly snapshot of the community's progress in attaining key outcomes. This Dashboard reinforces the City of Fort Collins' steadfast commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

Council Compensation#

In the November 2022 election, Fort Collins voters passed a Charter amendment to base Council compensation on the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Fort Collins/Loveland area for a single-person household, adjusted annually. Per the ballot language, the amounts are:

  • Mayor: 75% of AMI
  • Mayor Pro Tem: 60% of AMI
  • Councilmembers: 50% of AMI

As of July 1, 2024, Councilmembers receive the following annual compensation:

  • Mayor: $62,400
  • Mayor Pro Tem: $49,920
  • Councilmembers: $41,600

Email Transparency

Access the Council Email Archive

Enter your email address below to receive the username/password with login instructions:

  

About Email Transparency#

Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) all emails to and from City Council are subject to public disclosure, with limited exceptions. To promote transparency, emails will be visible in an online archive, unless the sender puts #PRIVATE in the subject line of the email. However, the City of Fort Collins can't guarantee that email to or from Council marked "#PRIVATE" will remain private. Generally, the online archive will be updated twice a week.

Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy#

The Mayor and City Council are committed to providing an environment that exemplifies the highest standards of ethical behavior, treats others with dignity and respect and is known for its honesty, inclusivity and transparency. Adopted in 2023, the Fort Collins Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment Policy (“Policy”) embodies the City Council’s commitment to prevent and address discrimination; harassment, including sexual harassment; and retaliation. Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace are against the law and will not be tolerated. 

Through adoption, implementation, and enforcement of this Policy and through continuing education and training provided by or through the Human Resources Department (“HR”), the Fort Collins City Council seeks to prevent, address, and correct behavior that violates this Policy.

Read the policy

Lea la politica

Council Expenses#

Council expense data is available to the public in the City’s open data portal.

View Expenses