In this issue of City News, you’ll find out how to get vaccinated for COVID-19, how you can help protect our water supply and what community resources are available to those impacted by the pandemic. Thanks for reading.

- Darin Atteberry, City Manager

The Fort Collins City Manager has issued a Water Shortage Watch for Fort Collins Utilities water customers.

As we enter runoff and thunderstorm season, we’re likely to see sediment and ash from the Cameron Peak Fire flow into the Cache la Poudre River. Because of this, Fort Collins Utilities may experience temporary periods when Poudre River water supplies are unavailable. In these situations, we have the flexibility to rely mainly on water from Horsetooth Reservoir.

These source water limitations, in addition to irrigation demands during what is projected to be a hot and dry summer, have the potential to create a water shortage. Stay updated on the status of our water quality and supply at fcgov.com/water-status.

Together, We Can Make a Difference
By taking voluntary actions now to reduce water use, Fort Collins residents and businesses can actively help protect our water supplies and lower the chance of mandatory water restrictions if conditions worsen.

Three ways to save:

• Rely on spring moisture to water your lawn. Once it starts warming up, limit lawn watering to two days a week.
• Water lawns, landscapes, and gardens between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to reduce evaporation loss.
• Always use a shutoff nozzle on hoses, including when hand watering and washing cars at home.

For more ways to save, visit fcgov.com/water-restrictions.

The City is doing its part, too, by using irrigation best practices and limiting fleet vehicle washing, street sweeping and hydrant flushing.

Whether you're looking for mental health support, rent or immigration assistance, or help meeting basic needs, community resources are available to those impacted by the pandemic.

The City has created a community resources brochure detailing a variety of local resources; the brochure is also available in Spanish.

Additionally, United Way's 211 Call Center connects community members impacted by COVID-19 to resources for food, medical, mental health, unemployment, utilities/rent assistance and more.

Dial 211 or 970-407-7066 or 1-866-485-0211 now to connect with resources.

For many years, The Gardens on Spring Creek has partnered with local college horticulture programs to provide access to locally-grown native and regionally-appropriate annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables while funding important horticulture programming.

Based on the success of the 2020 online sale and ongoing limitations due to COVID-19, the Gardens on Spring Creek and partners at Colorado State University are excited to bring you the 2021 Spring Plant Sale in a virtual format once again. Plant orders placed through the online store will be fulfilled by Gardens staff, packaged for you, and can be picked up curbside at the Gardens.  

Tuesday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 5: Members-Only Shopping Days
As a perk of your Gardens membership, enjoy exclusive first access to the online plant sale! Do you want to become a member? Join now! 

Thursday, May 6: Online Plant Sale Opens to the Public  
Our online sale will open to the public on May 6 and extend through May 17 (or while supplies last).  

Wednesday, May 12 through Friday, May 21: Curbside Order Pick-Up Days
When you checkout online, you can select the time that works best for you to pick up your order.

The Summer Recreator just hit virtual newsstands and we’re eager for you to explore it! Play your way with Recreation this summer – participate in weekly summer camps with Camp FunQuest (page 33), shoot hoops on the court in adult basketball leagues (page 65), or teach the family pup new tricks (page 42) – there’s bound to be a new way to play for everyone.

Summer registration opens Thursday, May 13 at 7 a.m. Also making a splash this season, City Park Pool will open for visitors starting May 29.

Calling all bicyclists, pedestrians, drivers and transit users!

The City of Fort Collins and Larimer County kicked off the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS) to develop a list of key transportation improvement projects to seek funding for within Fort Collins and its Growth Management Area in unincorporated Larimer County. To help identify and prioritize the transportation projects, the City and County asks for community members and stakeholders to complete a brief public survey at ourcity.fcgov.com/tcpps.

Overall, the TCPPS will analyze safety and congestion data for intersections and arterial roadways such as Drake Road, Shields Street and Timberline Road – not local neighborhood streets. While previous planning efforts like the Transportation Master Plan will be used as touchpoints to include multimodal improvements, the intent is not to update those existing documents.

The City and County encourage public input throughout the course of the study, and the public survey is the first way to provide input. The public survey is two-part. Part one of the survey asks a series of questions about personal usage and perceived quality of transportation infrastructure for all modes of travel (automobiles, bicycles, walking, and transit). Part two of the survey asks respondents to identify locations of safety or congestion issues for each mode of travel. Respondents can upload pictures of the safety and congestion locations to provide more detail in their response.

We appreciate your input!

The presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed last year in north Fort Collins. Within the City of Fort Collins, there are approximately 70,000 ash trees which is one third of the City’s tree canopy. The City’s Forestry Division began EAB preparations soon after its detection in the United States in 2003. Staff conducted multiple inventories of the City’s ash tree population, began removing and replacing those in poor condition and shadow planted non-ash tree species as space allowed.

Beginning this year, the City will begin a three-year rotation of treatment for 2,100 strategically selected, public-owned ash trees. 

Community members should start developing their own EAB plan now —know if you have ash trees, evaluate tree health conditions and determine the costs of removal, replacement or treatment. Once EAB is detected in a community, it can never be eradicated.   

More information and resources are available at fcgov.com/eab.

Moving in or out? Start or stop your utility service as early as the next business day at fcgov.com/start-stop-utilities.

Protection Tips and Resources:

• Urban Flooding: know the risk.
• Purchase flood insurance: buy when it’s dry.
• Be Red Cross Ready: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
• Call 970-416-2632 for a free site visit or to discuss flood protection measures.
• Don’t enter, drive, walk or bike through floodwater.
• Sign up for LETA 911 to get emergency messages for home, work and school.
• Play it safe on the Poudre: know before your go.

Keep our streams clean and healthy. Blocked waterways can result in flooding. City Code prohibits dumping in any waterway, including channels, irrigation ditches and other drainage areas. Remember, only rain down the storm drain.

The Poudre River floodplain maps are changing. New, preliminary mapping shows changes in some areas. View the new maps at fcgov.com/riskmap.

Flood Awareness Week is May 22-29, which is a great time to make sure you’re flood ready. For more information or to report illegal dumping, visit fcgov.com/stormwater, call 970-416-2632 or V/TDD 711.

In honor of the Memorial Day holiday, all City offices will be closed on Monday, May 31.

Essential services such as fire, police and utilities will continue as usual, while Transfort service hours are yet to be determined.  

The Gardens on Spring Creek will remain open. The Senior Center and Edora Pool and Ice Center will maintain regular hours. The Foothills Activity Center will follow Foothills Mall hours, and those hours are yet to be determined. City Park Pool will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All other recreation facilities will be closed. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and all library branches will also be closed.

All City offices and facilities will resume regular hours on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. All holiday hours are subject to change and will be dependent on current COVID-19 restrictions and safety guidelines. Visit fcgov.com just before the holidays for the most up-to-date information.

Vaccine distribution is underway in Larimer County, and everyone 16 years and older is now eligible for a vaccine. Every person who gets the vaccine helps stop the virus from spreading. Find out how you can sign up for a vaccine, and continue to:

• Wear a mask or face covering when outside your home and near others.
• Stay physically distant when you’re around others (at least 6 feet apart).
• Wash your hands frequently!
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well or have been exposed.

Let’s continue to work together and take care of each other!

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