In this issue of City News, you’ll find out how to visit top Fort Collins attractions for less, join the City's cohort of incredible volunteers and plan your summer around some of our favorite City events!

- Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager

Join City staff, partner agencies and community members for “Advancing Equity for All – A Community Conversations Series” Thursday, April 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr. 

In this first of a series of community conversations, topics will include criminal justice and public safety, housing and economic health. Spanish interpretation will be provided and a light dinner will be available. Registration is encouraged so that staff can plan accordingly.

Our Parks and Recreation Departments care just as much about the product they deliver as the diverse workforce who delivers it – and they want you to join their team! Learn about open positions in Parks & Recreation at the annual Hiring Fair on Saturday, April 9 at Foothills Activity Center.

Come prepared to apply, with a few copies of your resume in hand, and meet the hiring managers in person. Ready to apply now? There’s no need to wait for the Hiring Fair! Check out the available Parks Opportunities and Recreation Opportunities online and apply today. Questions? Contact recreation@fcgov.com for more information.

You're invited to share your feedback about Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, 21 natural areas along the Poudre River and Kestrel Fields Natural Area. Community perspectives are crucial to helping the City manage natural areas effectively, and we want to hear from you regardless of whether you visit natural areas and no matter what your feelings are about them.

Need more information? Natural Areas will also be hosting several in-person events for you to learn more about each site.

Kids in the Park is back! Join the fun on April 24 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Twin Silo Park, as kids of all ages are invited to get outside and play. At this City of Fort Collins annual event, community members learn about exciting recreation activities, play in the park, dance to live music, enjoy snacks from local food trucks, and of course, fly kites.

Beginning May 1, large grocery stores in Fort Collins will no longer provide plastic bags to carry out groceries. There will be a 10-cent charge / fee for each paper bag, except for customers who are participants in local, state and federal assistance programs.

Remember to stash your bags in your car, bike trailer, purse or backpack so you have them when you need them! Most households need between five and ten reusable bags. Remind friends and family about this change and help reduce plastic use in the community. For more information, visit https://ourcity.fcgov.com/plastics. 

With one card your child can access pools, cultural facilities and recreation amenities throughout Fort Collins from Memorial Day through Labor Day for an affordable, flat rate.

Purchase Your Pass for $100, starting April 4. Limited quantities available!

Youth PlayPasses will be available for purchase starting April 4 at the following Recreation facilities:

• Northside Aztlan Community Center
• Foothills Activity Center
• Edora Pool Ice Center
• Mulberry Pool
• The Farm at Lee Martinez

Benefits of the Youth PlayPass include admission to Recreation facilities and pools, The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and City driving ranges for youth ages 16 and younger. A reduced-fee option is available for $30 per pass, for those who qualify.

Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps with heating costs for income-qualified households. It’s warming up outside, but there’s still time to save. Apply by April 30.

New this year: LEAP participants will be automatically enrolled in Utilities’ Income-Qualified Assistance Program (IQAP), a year-round 23% reduction on select utility rates. LEAP participants may also qualify for new one-time assistance opportunities offered by the program this season.

The City of Fort Collins celebrates the Power of the Volunteer this April during National Volunteer Month. Our volunteer workforce gave of their time and talents during the past two years to keep programs running, counter isolation and care for those in our community. In 2021 alone, volunteers donated more than 70,000 hours of service, providing approximately $2.12 million in economic impact. In addition, they inspire those around them as they connect to their purpose. They are part of what makes our community an exceptional place to live.

If you want to give back to your community and fulfill a personal sense of purpose, consider donating your time to a City of Fort Collins volunteer program. We currently have needs in the following areas:

Spring Artisan Market | April 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center
Kids in the Park | Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Twin Silos Park
New Volunteer Orientation | Thursday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. at Gardens on Spring Creek

Saturday, May 14–Sunday, May 15  |  9 a.m.–5 p.m.

This year’s sale will have timed, ticketed admission to manage capacity. All adults are required to have a Plant Sale ticket to enter. Tickets are free. Reserve a ticket for the shopping time slot of your choice starting May 2 for Members and May 4 for the general public. Note that these are tickets for specific shopping times during the sale on May 14–15 and that certain shopping times may sell out.

To ensure early access to ticketing, the Gardens on Spring Creek strongly recommends that you purchase or renew your Gardens Membership no later than 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12.

Important: In addition to your ticket, please bring your own empty boxes, wagons, etc. for carrying your purchase and transporting plants to your vehicle.

During the sale, normal daily Gardens admissions tickets, membership cards and other passes will not be valid for entry into The Gardens or the Plant Sale, as the site is expected to be at full capacity throughout the sale.

The Earth Day Challenge is a fun, virtual competition to see who can lose the most CO2. Every pound of CO2 you reduce equals one point. Earn points to win prizes such as one year of free curbside composting or $200 in grocery store gift cards. Every household that earns 5,000 points will be entered into the drawing for this Grand Prize and will have a shot at other prize categories as well. Learn more about prizes and how the challenge will work this year at fcgov.com/earthdaychallenge

A great way to get started earning points for the 2022 Earth Day Challenge is to sign up for a free home efficiency assessment through Larimer County. You may even be eligible for a free water-efficient toilet!

Feel free to email Jacob Genuise at jgenuise@fcgov.com with any questions!

Things are heating up, but the Summer Recreator has plenty of programs to keep you cool. Check out Cub Hockey (pg 51) or City Park Pool swim lessons (pg 20).

Browse all activities on the virtual pages of the Recreator at fcgov.com/recreator, or pick up a copy at any recreation facility.  

Mark your calendars! Registration for summer programs begins April 14 at 7 a.m. Registration will be available online, over the phone and at all facilities.  

For more information on registration, programs, events and all things recreation related, visit fcgov.com/recreation. Also, remember to follow us on social media @ParksAndRecFC!  

Youth Golf Scholarships are available to junior golfers (ages 17 and under) for the amount of $150 per applicant. Monies can be used for greens fees & passes, lessons & clinics, rental clubs & equipment, as well as range use.

Scholarship applications are available online now, and at all City of Fort Collins pro shops.

Any youth golfer is encouraged to apply as there are no income requirements and all applications will be considered. Applications are being accepted now, with the first round of scholarships to be awarded in mid-April.

We look forward to supporting the growth of youth golf in Fort Collins!

Fort Collins Utilities will begin flushing the water distribution system in early April from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, for approximately four weeks (weather permitting).

Crews will crews will start on Grandview Avenue and move eastward to Peterson Street. Approximate northern boundary is Laporte Avenue and approximate southern boundary is Laurel Street. All of downtown Fort Collins will be included in the flushing.

Flushing may cause your water to become cloudy or discolored for a short time. This water is not harmful, though it may stain laundry. It’s also safe to use on plants and landscape.

If you experience cloudy or discolored water:

• wait until the nearby flushing is complete
• remove faucet aerators or filters
• run the COLD water for 5-10 minutes (usually the water clears within a few minutes)

As a City News subscriber you receive monthly updates on what's happening in Fort Collins, but did you know there are other ways to stay connected day-to-day with City projects, programs and services? 

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