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Dear friends, neighbors and colleagues - 

As the Cameron Peak Fire continues to burn, I am grateful to the City staff and many partner agencies who are working to fight the fire and protect lives and critical resources in the region. The smoke has impacted our air quality over the past several days, and can exacerbate respiratory concerns, including COVID-19 symptoms. Information about the fire, as well as steps you can take to protect your health, are included below.

Take care,

Darin Atteberry, City Manager

Environment

Cameron Peak Fire
The Cameron Peak Fire continues to burn on the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake. The Rocky Mountain Incident Management team is in command of this fire; the latest incident information, including current maps, is available online.

Fort Collins Utilities is carefully monitoring the fire and any potential impacts it may have on Fort Collins’ water supply infrastructure. Fort Collins Utilities must comply with water quality standards for treated drinking water per the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and state regulations, even in the event of a wildfire, and processes are in place to treat the water supply and adjust water sources when necessary.

The proximity of the Cameron Peak Fire, along with others currently burning in the state, is also affecting air quality in Fort Collins. Symptoms of smoke exposure include watering and irritated eyes, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. While smoke can impact anyone, sensitive populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with asthma and other respiratory concerns are especially at risk. Community members with COVID-19 can be especially sensitive to smoke and may experience worse symptoms during smoke events. 

What can you do to stay safe? 

  • Limit your physical activity and time outdoors.
  • Limit activities that increase air pollution such as recreational backyard fires.
  • Close windows & doors in your home.
  • If you have central A/C, you can run it in “fan only” mode to recirculate air. If you don’t have AC, use ceiling or room fans to circulate inside air. You can also run your furnace in “fan only” mode. Be sure to check your air filter and replace if needed. 
  • If you do not have AC, you can also designate one room in your home to be a clean air room. Learn more. 
  • If you or someone in your household has a medical condition requiring the use of AC or other equipment, you may qualify for Utilities’ Medical Assistance Program. 
  • Before heading out, check our local air quality monitoring stations for current conditions.
  • Check the smoke outlook by visiting the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment webpage.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts with NoCoAlerts or call/text 970-962-2173.
Learn More to Stay Prepared

Business
Black Business Month
August is Black Business Month and we want to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses in Fort Collins.

Saja Butler opened Urban Monk Studios in Fort Collins 12 years ago. She instructs a variety of music lessons, including guitar, banjo, ukulele, and vocals. To read her full interview, please visit www.forfortcollins.com/stories/.

Q: How would you like Fort Collins to celebrate Black Business Month? 

As Fort Collins is now recognizing the need to celebrate and recognize its communities of color, it's important to simply continue to do just that. Promote all the Black businesses in town on every City platform digitally and physically. Perhaps even a Black Business Expo featuring artists, small businesses, musicians, etc. 

Q: Why do you think it’s important for our community to celebrate Black Business Month? 

It's important for Fort Collins to recognize that there are Black businesses in town because of the town demographic. In a mostly white town, minority businesses aren't recognized or even known. It's important in 2020 and beyond to show that we are represented, contribute to the local economy, and are a thriving part of our community. Fort Collins is needing this showcase of diversity. It's supposedly an "open-minded" town, so let's promote what makes it so.

Put on your Best Face For Fort Collins
Thank you to all our local businesses, artists, creatives, frontline workers, and everyone else doing their part to keep our community safe! Put your best face on #ForFortCollins! 
Watch the New Video

Community

Fun with the Fall Recreator
The Fall Recreator is here! Print editions won't be mailed this time around, but flip through the virtual pages to see what in-person and online program opportunities are available, and get ready to register!

With smaller class sizes, modified offerings, and updated safety protocols, we hope you’ll find something inside to keep you active, inspire your creativity, or help you try something new.

Want to flip through a hard copy? Ask to view the Recreator magazine at the front desk of any open Recreation facility. These copies are for use at the facility only. What's next?
  • Mark your calendars: Recreators, registration for fall programs opens at 7 a.m. on August 20. Online or phone registration is preferred, view all registration options.
  • Senior Center Members may register early on August 18. To learn more about becoming a Senior Center Member and to sign up call 970.221.6644.

The State of Colorado's Online Survey for Families 
The State of Colorado wants to hear from families of children ages 0-12 to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 crises.

The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood partnered with Early Milestones Colorado, other state agencies, and community partners to develop a brief, online survey to assess:

  • Whether you used the Colorado Emergency Child Care Program during stay-at-home orders
  • What child care and early education options you want and need now
  • Where you have received support for your family's basic needs
  • How you are getting information about child care options
  • How the pandemic has impacted your family and child/children

If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child age 12 or younger, the State wants to hear from you! The survey will close on August 30. Participants will be eligible to win a $100 gift card.

Click here to complete the 15-minute survey in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Karen, Nepali or Burmese.
Learn More

County Health

Larimer County Public Health's Risk Dashboard helps community members understand risk and COVID-19 data relevant to our county. The dashboard highlights the early warning indicators to monitor the health of our hospital systems and COVID-19 case data. Some indicators are updated daily, while hospital data will be updated three times a week.

Wearing a face covering is something we all can – and should – continue to do to protect each other. Wearing a face covering, even when you feel healthy, reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Face coverings, physical distancing, handwashing, and frequent cleaning all help slow the spread of the virus and must continue in order to allow Larimer County to move forward with reopening.
Larimer County COVID-19 Risk Dashboard

Emergency Preparedness & Security
City Hall West, 300 Laporte Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80521