In this issue of City News, you’ll find out how to participate in Election Day, how to enjoy the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony and how to get double rebates on water-efficient home upgrades!

- Kelly DiMartino, City Manager

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Check your registration, track your ballot, find voting locations, and learn more at the Larimer County Clerk’s Office.

Fort Collins voters will also see three proposed City Charter amendments on their ballot this year.

Join the City of Fort Collins and Downtown Development Authority at the annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony! The ceremony will take place on Friday, November 4 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Old Town Square. Community members will enjoy live music and an address from the Mayor. At 6:30 p.m. everyone will be invited to join in a countdown, ending in the lights being illuminated throughout Downtown.

This November marks 30 years since the first ballot measure was passed to establish dedicated sales tax funding for the conservation of natural areas. Celebrate 30 years of Natural Areas land conservation, stewardship and more with a special event on Wednesday, November 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center. 

Fallen leaves are great for improving soil health, water retention and creating habitats for wildlife. You can:

• Subscribe to curbside yard trimmings collection or drop them off for composting.
• Offer your leaves on Nextdoor, Facebook or ShareWaste.
• Compost them at home.
• Use a lawnmower to mulch them into your grass.
• Insulate garden beds with them during winter.

Remember: Don't rake/blow leaves into the street where they can clog storm drains. Leaf burning is not permitted within city limits.

All are invited to celebrate this magnificent milestone during an all-day, all-ages birthday celebration on Saturday, November 12. Enjoy free admission to the museum for a day filled with live music, face painting, special programs, animals experiences, cake and more! The first 300 visitors will receive goodie bags to commemorate FCMoD’s 10th anniversary. Visit fcmod.org for event details and to learn about other 10th Anniversary celebrations throughout the next year!

Favorite local Northern Colorado artisans will be back at the Fort Collins Senior Center for the annual Holiday Artisan Market. Shoppers are invited to visit with more than 50 artisans on both Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The application deadline for the final round of Small Business Recovery Grants has been extended to November 15! These grants are specifically designed to help local small businesses rebound and recover from impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While outdoor fires may be a cold-weather staple, they can have unintended impacts on air quality. Make sure to follow these rules for outdoor burning: 

• Burn only clean, dry wood.
• Extinguish fires by 10:00 p.m. 
• Place fire pits at least 15 feet from property lines. 
• Keep wood piles under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. 
• Sign up for air quality alerts and don’t burn on Air Pollution Advisory days. 

Here’s how to dispose of your unwanted and out-of-date political signs:

• Corrugated plastic signs cannot be recycled. Trash them.
• Plastic sleeve-style signs can be recycled as plastic film at the Timberline Recycling Center (TRC).
• Cardboard or paperboard signs can go in your recycling cart or be dropped off at the TRC.
• Metal sign wickets can be recycled as scrap metal at the TRC Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for a $5 entry fee.

The City of Fort Collins will again offer free parking in City parking structures on Saturdays and holidays this year to help support downtown businesses.

Free Saturday parking begins Saturday, Nov. 26, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31.

Parking in structures is always free on Sundays and City holidays. City holidays include Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), Black Friday (Nov. 25), Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

If you’re thinking about updating your bathroom, now is the time. Save water and money by replacing your water-guzzling toilet with one that uses less.

Fort Collins Utilities and Efficiency Works are offering double rebates to customers who buy qualifying models that use 1.1 gallons per flush or less. Commercial customers can also qualify with efficient toilets and urinals.

Don't wait! Double rebates are only in effect through Dec. 31 and rebate quantities are limited.

City Streets crews are busy preparing for the upcoming winter season, so remember: Drive safely when City crews are out plowing and treating City streets. Drivers should always maintain a safe distance from plows, as it is difficult for plow operators to see close vehicles and plows can make sudden moves. Never pass plows on a two-lane road. On a multi-lane road, plows should be passed on the left. Keep yourselves and our crews safe this winter!

In honor of Veterans Day, Veterans are invited to play golf for free at all City of Fort Collins Golf Courses from Friday, November 11 - Sunday, November 13 with a paying guest. This special discount is available at City Park Nine, Collindale and Southridge Golf Courses.

In honor of Veterans Day, all City offices will be closed Friday, Nov. 11.

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, all City offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25.

Visit fcgov.com later this month for full facilities hours and closures.

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? 

Share feedback on major projects at OurCity. See what's happening in Fort Collins with the City Event Calendar.

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