Table of Contents The Experts Agree
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Fort Collins Still Tops in 2009
Community Close-Ups
6
Old Town: The Heartbeat of Fort Collins
The Chocolate Café
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Al’s Newstand
Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
F ort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center
Christina Reese
director of photography
photography
cover photography
lead design cover design
kacey wolters Heidi Muller mountain whitewater descents Joe Goetting Kacey Wolters
web site creation & support JOSH CHANDLER director of media purchasing DIANA VAUGHN
George Prudhomme
We the People
marketing specialist
15 Mayor Doug Hutchinson
business development manager
Bonnie Ebers
Chamber Directory
Ray Kepler: “The Plant Man”
Carey Hewitt, Owner of The Cupboard
marketing consultant
customer service director
customer service representative
debbie moss Shawna Williams
Services, Inc. kathy Risley Jamie Trail
advertising
Come Out and Play
ad research
16 Regional Attractions
ad traffic
ad design
Mary kopshever Amy SchwartzkoPf Carol Smith JOSh Mueller
administrative support
On With the Show
administrative support
account support
20 “Ghost Signs” — A Glimpse into the Past
Merten Inc.
Disneyland’s Main Street Inspiration
OtterBox
Fort Collins Is Microbreweries Capital
RMI²
Rootles
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Tolmar, Inc.
N orth Fort Collins Business Association Develops North College Corridor
The DDA and Downtown Fort Collins
human resources assistant
mailroom technician
publishing systems specialist
Kathy Hagene carol Smith Terri Ahner Tricia Cannedy Teresa craig melinda bowlin
information technology christopher miller
executive leadership
chairman and founder
Craig Williams
chief financial officer
Rhonda Harsy
Around the Neighborhood 22 H ousing Market Stays Strong in Fort Collins
23 Community Profile Report Card: What’s Happening in Regional Schools
P oudre School District Specializes in Customized Learning
proofreader
director of outside sales
FiberLok
Laura Wilcoxen
Amanda White
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F ront Range Community College and Local Businesses Team Up to Create Clean Energy Technology Program
managing editor
MATT PRICE
business development
Uncommon Knowledge
director of business development
Biz Briefs: Business and Economic Development Notes and News
C olorado State University: New Leadership, New Opportunities
director of publication design
18 Fort Collins Arts and Culture
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12 P oudre Valley Health System Garners National Quality Award
CSU Superclusters R emoving the Boundaries to Shared Knowledge
production production manager
Columbine Health: A Community of Care
1 800-455-5600
To Your Health
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CommunityLink.com
23 Resources for Relocators
ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com. FOR INFORMATION Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, 225 S. Meldrum St., Fort Collins, CO 80521, telephone 970-482-3746, fax 970-482-3774, www.fortcollinschamber.com
© 2010 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
24 Index of Advertisers
www.fortcollinschamber.com
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The Experts Agree Fort Collins Still Tops in 2009 By jay nehrkorn
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ort Collins has been no stranger to “Top 10” and “Best 100” lists over the last few years, and that trend continued in 2009. Named as the second-best place for businesses and careers by Forbes and chosen best in its class as a place for young professionals to live and work by the company Next Generation Consulting, Fort Collins continues to maintain momentum. ProFiTaBle, advaNciNg careerS
Looming large as factors in the city’s high marks for careers are its positive income growth and low cost of living. Citing a median household income of more than $65,000 and income growth of 5.6 percent, Forbes ranked Fort Collins ninth overall in the “Income Growth” category. Forbes also ranked the Fort Collins-Loveland Metropolitan Statistical Area ninth out of 380 MSAs on its list of “America’s Best Cheap Cities,” which factored a number of cost of living data together with housing costs and quality of life factors. “Earning” and “Cost of Lifestyle” are two of the seven indices that Next Generation Consulting uses to choose its “Next Cities” list of hotspots for young professionals. NGC scored Fort Collins above average in all seven indices, and the community topped the 2009 “Next Cities” list in the “Mighty Micro” population category. Additionally, July 2009 data from the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment showed the Fort Collins-Loveland MSA unemployment rate well below state and national averages. kNowledge iS Power — aNd good BuSiNeSS
The educational system in Fort Collins, particularly the presence of Colorado State University, is a major attraction for knowledge-based businesses. Medical and science industries require a well-educated workforce, and with more than 40 percent college attainment, Fort Collins delivers. In its 2009 list of the 10 metros with the best quality of life, Bizjournals cited Fort Collins’ strong concentration of bachelor’s and advanced degrees as a major strength. Fort Collins chose bioscience, clean energy and software as primary target industry clusters and is enhancing the growth of these sectors in the region. The city’s Economic Health Office joined forces with CSU and the Fort Collins Economic Development Corporation in 1998 to form a virtual business incubator, an award-winning business resource that accelerates the success of high-tech entrepreneurs.
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fort collins area chamber of commerce
A regional incubator expansion known as the Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative was created in 2007 (see page 8). Fort Collins also has infrastructure that supports its targeted industries well. Claire Thomas, a publicity and marketing specialist for the city, said that one of Fort Collins’ best assets for businesses is the reliable and affordable utilities system. “We have highly-reliable utilities here, with 99 percent of service lines running underground,” Thomas said. “This is a big benefit for IT and technology companies because there are very few power and communications interruptions due to storms.” ouTSide The oFFice
Cultural attractions, dining and shopping are part of a mix that earned Fort Collins one of the best ratings from Next Generation Consulting in its “After Hours” category, while the city’s active lifestyle and overall good health also won it a high ranking in NGC’s “Vitality” index. The quality of life factors in Fort Collins also resulted in the city earning spots on the 2009 Forbes “10 Great Places for Entrepreneurs to Retire” list and on Business Week’s “Best Places to Raise Your Kids 2009” list. ForT colliNS By The NuMBerS
Population 2000: 118,652 2008 est.: 136,509 (+15%) Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Major Employers Colorado State University Hewlett Packard Poudre R-1 School District Poudre Valley Health System City of Fort Collins Larimer County
Water Pik Technologies LSI Logic Anheuser-Busch Woodward Advanced Energy
Measuring Up: 2009 Fort Collins Success Summary #1 Best Place to Live and Work for Young Professionals (population 100,000–200,000; Next Generation Consulting) #1 Best Place in Colorado to Raise Your Kids (BusinessWeek) #2: Best Places for Business and Careers (Forbes) #3: Smart City for Sustainability (Natural Resources Defense Council) #5: Best Small Cities to Attend College (American Institute of Economic Research) #7: Best Midsize Metros in the Nation (bizjournals.com) Top 3 Best Places for an Adventurer to Start a Family (National Geographic Adventure) Top 10 Great Places for Entrepreneurs to Retire (Forbes) Top 20 Places to Thrive (Best Boomer Towns) Top 25 Best Small Cities for Job Growth (among 173; New Geography)
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CSU Superclusters Removing the Boundaries to Shared Knowledge
By Catherine Trumbo
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t the forefront of research in clean energy, cancer and infectious diseases, Colorado State University needed a way to get that research into the hands of those who can make best use of it. Enter the Superclusters. “We know we have areas of strength, like infectious disease, cancer “What they have done historically, and what we’re trying to do and clean energy, and we know that individual faculty who we recmore of now, is really make sure that this resource is maximally utiognize as strong actually live in different departments, different collized to advance veterinary medicine — but also to advance human leges,” said Dr. Terry Opgenorth, chief operating officer of the Cancer medicine,” Opgenorth said. “One of the biggest challenges in human Research Supercluster/NeoTREX. “How do we bring them together cancer is therapeutic discovery — the lack of good animal models.” and put some contacts around an area that crosses over departmental Evidence suggests that pet animals are a better test model for boundaries? The Supercluster concept crosses over.” human cancer research than mice, Opgenorth said. According to the university Web site, a Supercluster is a “multi“A lot of the clinical trial work we do is actually for companies who disciplinary alliance that integrates experts from many fields with the are developing human drugs … if it works in a dog model, maybe it goal of improving quality of life — by will work [for humans], or least I’ll learn taking research innovations to the global something that can be applied to the “What they have done hismarketplace more efficiently and at an human clinical trial,” he said. torically, and what we’re accelerated pace.” MicroRx
trying to do more of now, is really make sure that this resource is maximally utilized to advance veterinary medicine — but also to advance human medicine.”
The Infectious Disease Supercluster/ MicroRx was created first. Dr. Joe Guiles, COO of MicroRx, said researchers are working on several areas to address global health issues such as tuberculosis, leprosy, dengue fever and encephalitis, as well as food safety pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria. Research already under way includes that of University Distinguished Professor Dr. Barry Beaty. Beaty and his laboratory “are collaborating with the Gates Foundation to integrate complex disease outbreak factors in real time to provide valuable information for public health officials and governments to curb the spread of dengue fever during an outbreak,” Guiles said. NeoTREX
The core of NeoTREX, the Cancer Supercluster, is the Animal Cancer Center. A world-renowned, state-of-the-art complex, the center has a Varian Trilogy Radiation Therapy Machine for targeted radiation therapy, a Pet CT and more, and it participates in numerous clinical trials.
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
Cenergy
CSU is known as the Green University in Northern Colorado. Faculty has researched alternative energy solutions since the 1960s. At the Clean Energy Supercluster/Cenergy, researchers are trying to create sustainable clean energy innovations. Tim Reeser, COO of Cenergy, said the Supercluster will also lead to a number of new jobs in Colorado. “We believe CSU and Northern Colorado are already one of the top clean energy ecosystems in the world, and with the Supercluster focus, we are working towards building the critical mass to be at the top.” Researchers are developing lithium ion battery technology, water and food contaminant sensor technology, biofuels and new solar technologies. Cenergy’s startup company is focusing on new transformational battery technology that is 100 to 1,000 times better than current technology at one-third of the price.
www.fortcollinschamber.com
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Community Close-Ups performing and visual arts schools and organizations. A wealth of architectural riches spans the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fort Collins has been named a Preserve America City for its efforts to retain its historic heritage. Visit at www.downtownfortcollins.com to discover more about Old Town and plan your visit.
Old Town: The Heartbeat of Fort Collins By laura wilcoxen
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ounded in 1868, the historic Old Town district boasts a streetscape that so epitomized the warmth and feel of small-town America that it inspired Walt Disney himself (see page 20). But Old Town offers far more than nostalgia. According to Fort Collins’ Downtown Business Association, events in Old Town attract more than half a million people to visit, shop and dine. The calendar is packed with events, including gallery walks, farmers markets, film festivals, concerts and CSU rallies. Annual favorites like Oktoberfest, First Night Fort Collins, Great Plates, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Brewfest and NewWestFest bring not only entertainment, but also millions of dollars to the local economy each year. Old Town Fort Collins is a center of commerce, with an assortment of shops, restaurants, services and attractions. From clothing, cosmetics and jewelry to books, music, specialty foods and gifts, the variety here is unbeatable, and it’s matched by the service of independent owners. Dining selections include family fare, pizza, soup and sandwiches, pubs and grills, steaks, Italian fine cuisine and gourmet desserts and coffee. Fort Collins also boasts a unique beermaking culture with Old Town as the center of the city’s brewing industry. In addition to a range of galleries, Old Town is home to Bas Bleu and Nonesuch theater companies, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Museum of Contemporary Art and other
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
The Chocolate Café 102 W. Olive Street 970-482-2725 • www.chocolatecafeftcollins.com By Catherine Trumbo
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hocolate lovers just might find a sweet little piece of heaven at Mike Delduca’s Chocolate Café. The café offers gourmet chocolate desserts, as well as apple crème brulee and key lime pie made with Key West limes. Customers enjoy homemade soup, quiches, paninis and salads during lunch. Readers of the Fort Collins Coloradoan voted the café’s desserts the best in the city. In addition, the café also offers coffee, wine, specialized martinis and espresso. The full menu can be viewed on the café’s Web site.
Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch 2939 N. County Road 31D, Loveland 970-667-3915 • www.sylvandale.com
Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center 200 Mathews Street 970-221-6738 • www.fcmdsc.org
By Catherine Trumbo
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Al’s Newstand 177 N. College Avenue 970-482-9853 By Catherine Trumbo
part of Fort Collins since 1947, Al’s Newstand brings back memories of old-time Americana. Manager Pam Orzell attributes the periodical store’s success to its nostalgic combination of a magazine and tobacco store. “Customers tell me they came in here with their grandpa, and he got a cigar and they got penny candies,” she said. “It’s those memories that keep bringing you back in.” The store offers between 1,500 and 2,000 magazines in addition to a small stock of books and tobacco products.
ince 1946, families have come to the Front Range to experience a dude ranch vacation and other activities at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. Open year-round, the ranch offers visitors horseback riding, overnight pack trips, fishing, hiking, tennis, volleyball, swimming and more. In addition to the dude ranch vacation, the ranch hosts meetings, weddings, overnight conferences and retreats, and holiday events.
By Angeline Grenz
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elebrate local history and be inspired by the wonders of science at the Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center. Special exhibits incorporate the themes of science, culture, music, energy, sustainable design, natural areas, transportation, wildlife and wild lands, water and health. Most popular among visitors, said Executive Director Annette Geiselman, are Saturday programs, including Starlab Planetarium shows, Meet the Animals, Take Apart Day and Science Surprise. The museum holds more than 40,000 artifacts, collected during the past 68 years. The local history archive provides a wealth of information about Fort Collins and the surrounding region, including biographical files on local personalities. The Museum Store carries a variety of science experiments, history books, old-fashioned candy and recreations of historic toys and games.
www.fortcollinschamber.com
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Biz Briefs Business and Economic Development Notes and News
ability to introduce a new protective case at the same time a product is released on the market. New employees are in demand at OtterBox as the workload grows exponentially. New engineers are hired to invent case designs and, in turn, warehouse and supply chains’ needs have increased.
RMI² 200 W. Mountain Ave. 970-221-1301 • www.rmi2.org By juliette FarDulis
T FiberLok 811 Stockton Ave. 970-221-1200 • www.fiberlok.com By Catherine trumBo
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or 30 years, FiberLok has been in the business of heat transfer graphics. “We print with pre-dyed nylon fibers and high-voltage electricity,” owner Brown Abrams said of the company’s Lextra High Performance Flock Heat Transfers. “It’s used on everything from major league baseball uniforms to UPS drivers uniforms. We also make the mouse pads that look like oriental carpets.” Abrams says the company has more than 100 patents and has expanded to seven industries.
Merten Inc. 55 S. 32nd St., Boulder 720-304-0011 • www.merteninc.com By Catherine trumBo
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ounded in 2006 by Donna Merten, Merten Inc. specializes in highperformance design and construction and develops energy-efficient homes.
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Based in Boulder and primarily working along the Front Range, Merten Inc. built the first straw bale house in the city and won the 2008 Green Design Award from the City of Fort Collins Urban Design Awards. With oil being a finite resource and global warming increasingly in the headlines, green design and building won’t end soon, said Brad Duckham, marketing director and Merten’s husband. “It’s not a fad. It’s just the way things are going to be.”
he Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative (RMI²) was launched by the City of Fort Collins as the Fort Collins Virtual Technology Incubator in 1998. Back then, 100 business plans were read each year, but only three were accepted. Today, RMI² works to enable and speed up the success of innovation-based startup companies in Northern Colorado, ultimately leading to the creation of primary jobs. The organization outgrew its facilities and is opening a new location at College Avenue and Vine Street. The 31,000-square-foot building will accommodate 17 additional startups. Currently RMI² has nine clients in three buildings. Clients enjoy discounted rent and access to attorneys and other services and are allowed to stay three years.
Rootles 970-484-9034 • www.rootles.com By Catherine trumBo
OtterBox 1 Old Town Square 970-372-6223 • www.otterbox.com By juliette FarDulis
o
tterBox, founded in 1996 by Curt Richardson, innovates and produces waterproof (like an otter’s fur) protective solutions for leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors. OtterBox makes a suitable protective case for products and manufacturers that include Blackberry, Palm, iPod, HP and many others. OtterBox attributes its stardom to several factors, including the
fort collins area chamber of commerce
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ith a passion developed out of a family tradition from his youth, John Poor travels the nation designing scavenger hunts through his company, Rootles — Quests for the Curious. The company does hunts for a wide variety of clients, including weddings, birthdays and corporate events. “We have an ability to really customize our hunts and our activities to exactly what people are looking for,” Poor said. Rootles can design hunts for as few as two people up to a few hundred. Sample hunts are available on the Rootles Web site.
North Fort Collins Business Association Develops North College Corridor
The DDA and Downtown Fort Collins www.downtownfortcollins.org
www.nfcba.org By miCkie ortiz An employee displays a product from Tolmar, Inc.
Tolmar, Inc. 101 Centre Dr. 970-212-4500 • www.tolmar.com By juliette FarDulis
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olmar Inc., a Fort Collins-based pharmaceutical company created in December 2006, has skyrocketed in the dermatology and dental prescription fields. In 2004, Tolmar bought Atrix Laboratories’ products, manufacturing plant and processing equipment. It is now a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company engaging in product development, clinical trial expertise, distribution, FDA approval and beyond. Tolmar primarily produces topical generic prescription products for skin diseases. The company branched out in summer 2009 to merge its private stock with the public stock of Zila, a dental products company. Tolmar is responsible for sales and marketing of its dental products. In addition to its wide spectrum of services and products, Tolmar Inc. CEO Mike Duncan attributes Tolmar’s success to a widespread push in the health care industry toward prescribing generics.
By miCkie ortiz
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hen Ron Lauztenheiser opened the Grease Monkey and Big O Tire stores on North College Avenue, the daily jaunts to and from work were eye opening. The corridor was woefully behind in terms of development, with no curbs, gutters or sidewalks. What Lauztenheiser calls “the journey to turn the entire north side around” began when he and three other businessmen formed the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA). Lautzenheiser, Dean Hoag, Don Butler and Neil McCaffrey attended many meetings and educated themselves on how to improve their surroundings. Others have joined forces with the NFCBA to overcome major obstacles. To date, the $10 million Dry Creek Flood Control Project has been completed, and the North College Urban Renewal Plan will soon begin incremental infrastructure improvements. Up to $60 million in private and commercial developments are ready to break ground in spring 2010, providing 300 to 400 new jobs and a badly needed facelift to the area. Lauztenheiser said the north quadrant of Fort Collins provides great potential for growth. Zoned for industrial, commercial and residential use, the possibilities are endless.
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owntown Fort Collins’ vibrancy is due to ongoing redevelopment efforts that began in 1981 when the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was formed. This 11-member board is composed of businesses and landowners, a member of the City Council, a liaison from Larimer County, and retailers, all of whom have an interest in keeping downtown vital. Funded primarily by Tax Increment Financing (TIF), the DDA has instituted several projects that enhance the downtown experience. Old Town Square, two public parking facilities, more than 50 building façade improvements and Beet Street (DDA’s cultural programming arm) are just a few of the developments to date. An ongoing plan is the “Enhanced Alley Project.” Trimble Court, one of the first recipients of an alley makeover, is so well integrated into Old Town that residents and visitors don’t realize they’re in an alley. Other enhanced alleyways have been completed, and 10 more blocks of renovation are under way. Additionally, several major redevelopment projects are in the planning stages, including a downtown hotel and a yearround indoor community market.
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream Fort Collins’ Premier Sweet Shop, Since 1996 114 S. College Avenue • Downtown Fort Collins
970-221-9444 Open 7 days a week until 9 PM or later for your after-dinner treats!
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Report Card What’s Happening in Regional Schools
Colorado State University: New Leadership, New Opportunities www.colostate.edu
Front Range Community College and Local Businesses Team Up to Create Clean Energy Technology Program 4616 S. Shields St. 970-226-2500 • www.frontrange.edu By Mickie Ortiz
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ront Range Community College recently heralded the inaugural semester of the Clean Energy Technology Program. The course was met with enthusiasm — so much that, while initially slated for 24 students, the program now has twice that many enrolled, with 40 students on the waiting list for next year. Community business partners who need skilled employees within the clean energy sector requested the program to fill the niche. Twenty local companies comprise an advisory board, which teamed up with FRCC to develop the curriculum. These companies provide ongoing
By Mickie Ortiz
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r. Tony Frank knows firsthand the transforming role of higher education. Raised on a farm in northern Illinois, he learned the value of hard work and pinching pennies from his parents. Proud of his background, he is also grateful that he and his brothers were able to “step up the quality of their lives to participate in higher education.” A faculty member at Colorado State University since 1993, Frank served in various capacities, including as senior provost, vice president and interim president prior to his appointment as Fort Collins campus president on June 24, 2009. Frank comes into his position enjoying high marks and accomplishments in several areas:
CSU enjoys a reputation for excellence as a research facility, particularly in the areas of sustainability and clean energy, agriculture, infectious disease, cancer research and atmospheric science. The colleges of Business and Veterinary Medicine rank nationally as first and second in their field, respectively. CSU created a model of embedding business teams into areas where they are “top shelf,” enabling commercial products to go from discovery to market in short order. The Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine Center (VDMC) recently moved into a new facility, and construction cranes are visible across campus as new academic, parking and athletic facilities are erected. Paid for by purchasing bonds, student fees and private funds, construction is “on time and under budget” in all cases.
Although there’s “a lot to feel good about” in terms of where CSU stands, Frank feels compelled to move the university forward. Progress will have its challenges, including funding cuts necessitated by state budget constraints. Faced with what he calls “thorny challenges,” Frank said he takes time to “walk on campus and observe the thousands of students investing their time, talents, family assets and a chunk of their lives in pursuit of an education. It helps me to refocus on the transforming power of higher education and recall how it impacted my life.”
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
collaboration by supplying speakers, tours of local work facilities and internships that help students gain work experience and, in some cases, secure future employment. The Clean Energy Cluster, an economic development organization aimed at growing clean energy jobs in northern Colorado, concluded that Fort Collins has the components needed for a strong cluster. According to a study by the Governor’s Energy Office, the clean energy industry is projected to provide more than 600,000 jobs in the next 20 years in Colorado.
Poudre School District Specializes in Customized Learning 2407 LaPorte Ave. 970-482-7420 • www.psd.k12.co.us By Mickie Ortiz
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oudre School District administrators recognize that “one size does not fit all” when it comes to children’s education. The district offers many customized programs to meet the varying needs of students.
Magnet Schools
Colorado is an open enrollment state, allowing parents to choose their child’s school, contingent on availability. Magnet schools within PSD include:
• Tavelli Elementary focuses on academics, wellness and character. • Laurel Elementary emphasizes arts and technology. • Olander Elementary was recently designated as the only Colorado school to focus on Project-Based Learning, where students work in teams to problem solve and learn through integrated skills. • Irish Elementary offers a dual-language program. • Beattie Elementary’s Lighthouse program provides gifted education alternatives. • Putnam Elementary School of Science integrates science and technology into many academic areas. Pathways
Ellen Laubhan, PSD’s director of communication, cited Pathways, an academic curriculum map, as a “great new tool” to help high school students achieve their maximum potential before graduation. Students take a Skills and Interest Inventory at the end of eighth grade, which points them in an individualized academic direction. Pathways plots out a general course of study designed to help them
meet academic goals. Coupled with recent grade level changes, Pathways ensures ninth through 12th grade students are more college and workforce ready. Other Programs
• AP Courses for College Credit: High school students can take college-level classes for college credit through a collaborative relationship with CSU or FRCC. • Online Academy: For sixth through 12th grade students, the program will expand to grades K–12 in 2010. This highly interactive 24/7 educational option is offered through a national service provider and satisfies all PSD curriculum standards. • Core Knowledge: Bethke, Moore, O’Dea and Zach elementary schools teach the Core Knowledge curriculum, which presents a sequential academic learning program so students can build knowledge from year to year. • International Baccalaureate (IB): Preliminary IB programs at several PSD elementary and middle schools lead to Poudre High School’s IB Diploma Program. Holders of the IB Diploma begin their college careers with a minimum of 24 general education credits at all state public universities. Business Week recently named Fort Collins as the most desirable place to raise a child, citing the high-achieving, safe schools. A satisfaction survey indicates that more than 90 percent of parents are satisfied or very satisfied with PSD. Families are encouraged to explore the various programs and are welcome to visit the schools by appointment. www.fortcollinschamber.com
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To Your Health Poudre Valley Health System Garners National Quality Award 1024 S. Lemay Ave. 970-495-7000• www.pvhs.org By Debra Melani
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orn in 1925 as Larimer County Hospital, Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) now includes two major hospitals — Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins (241 beds) and the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland (136 beds) — as well as a wide network of clinics and care facilities. The system, which serves northern Colorado, southern Wyoming and western Nebraska, garnered a top honor in 2008 when it was presented with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. “It’s the highest quality award bestowed upon companies by the president of the United States,” said Pam Brock, vice president of marketing and strategic planning for PVHS. The road to this recognition began a decade ago when PVHS first adopted the Baldrige methodology, aimed at reducing costs while improving quality and bolstering employee and client satisfaction. “First and foremost was our patient satisfaction,” said Priscilla Nuwash, director of process improvement. “We looked into
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delighting our customers instead of just satisfying their needs.” All patients are asked to rate areas of care and service on a scale from one (worst) to five (best). PVHS strived to achieve fives 80 percent of the time. “Currently, we’re at 81 percent top-box overall,” said Nuwash. “When you delight patients, you exceed expectations.” Poudre Valley Health System’s patient loyalty ranks in the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The chief reason behind that loyalty? Happy employees, Brock said. “We realized that in order to satisfy our patients as well as our physicians, we had to have a staff that felt really good about where they worked. We asked, ‘What makes you want to jump out of bed and come to work every day?’” In 1999, when PVHS began using the Baldrige methodology, the employee turnover rate was almost 25 percent. By the end of 2008, the employee turnover rate dropped to 8 percent, which puts PVHS at the top nationally for employee retention. PVHS also ranks in the nation’s top 10 percent for physician loyalty. By satisfying workers, PVHS positioned itself to attract high-quality staff. In 2008, Modern Healthcare magazine named PVHS one of “America’s 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.”
fort collins Area chamber of commerce
Also in 2008, PVHS received the Peak Performance Award, Colorado’s highest award for performance excellence. Brock pointed to PVHS’s low rates of infection, mortality, re-admission, inpatient accidents and medication errors. “We have not had a medication error in 18 months,” said Brock, adding that PVHS routinely maintains two or fewer errors a year. “Very few institutions can do that.” Meanwhile, PVHS has also managed to keep costs down. In 2008, the average PVHS charge was $2,300 lower than its main competitor and $9,200 lower than the Denver metro rate. Brock and Nuwash agree that PVHS can — and is — making a difference in the state of the health care system nationwide. Baldrige followers are dedicated to spreading the benefits, and PVHS employees routinely speak at conferences and field calls from colleagues at other hospitals.
Poudre Valley Health System’s patient loyalty ranks in the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide. Brock noted, “It’s just like our CEO has said more than once — what if the answer to the health care crisis isn’t in Washington? What if it’s in Fort Collins? I think that’s a visionary statement.”
Columbine Health: A Community of Care 947 Worthington Circle 970-482-0198 • www.columbinehealth.com By Debra Melani
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tained-glass windows adorned with purple-and-white columbines greet guests as they arrive. Inside, a staffed front desk looks out on a bright lobby with wingback chairs, a banistered staircase and a vaulted, skylighted ceiling. A Ritz-Carlton perhaps? Not quite. It’s The Winslow, an independent living facility of Columbine Health Systems. The CHS campus spans 26 acres in Fort Collins and 14 acres in Loveland, offering residents everything from non-medical home
assistance to live-in, fully-staffed nursing and rehabilitation facilities. CHS has its own pharmacy, health club, café and bakery, and medical equipment and supplies center. “We take care of 1,150 people every day,” said Yvonne Myers, health systems coordinator. “I think the best thing is the interaction,” said Virginia Febinger, 85, a resident of The Winslow, one of three CHS independent living facilities in Fort Collins. “There are always things going on.” Chef-prepared breakfasts and dinners and Sunday champagne brunches are part of the appeal of the elegant independent living facilities, where active residents looking for the security of a staffed community gather for everything from bingo to sports outings and birthdays to more unusual celebrations. “Yesterday was National Dog Day,” said Febinger, whose hallway in The Winslow is designated “Dog Alley.” She and her neighbors congregated with their pooches as staff honored their four-
legged residents with speeches and doggietreat bags. Recognizing their residents’ interests, individuality and well-being ranks high on the to-do list at CHS’s independent living facilities. Keeping residents healthy and vital is also a top priority. A Telehealth Monitoring Program to track residents’ vital health signs was recently added. Through an interactive computer system residents can tap into on a regular basis, doctors and medical staff can monitor the seniors’ health.
“Studies have found these telehealth systems can reduce health care costs as much as 33 percent,” Myers said. CHS is one of just a few senior care companies in the country with an electronic health records system. It recently added full-time LPN care at one of its assisted living facilities, as well as a diabetic program for residents. While the quality care and state-of-theart facilities are not lost on residents, it’s the closeness and small-town feel that stand out for many. Sitting on her back patio watching her boxer play with the neighbor’s dog, Febinger reflected on what she liked most about Columbine. “It’s more than interesting outings, social meal times, comfortable apartments,” she said. “It becomes your family. We are a family.”
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We the People Ray Kepler: “The Plant Man” 970-493-8855 By jay nehrkorn
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Mayor Doug Hutchinson By linda l. osmundson
Fort Collins native, Mayor Doug Hutchinson was re-elected to a third term in April 2009. A graduate of Colorado State University, he came to the office with a proven record of service — in the Air Force and through public service to the Fort Collins community. “I believe the mayor must be able to see and communicate a positive future that balances the three critical elements of economy, community and environment for our city,” Hutchinson said. He demonstrates his leadership by balancing green energy and jobs through partnerships, listening to citizens and having a steady focus on what’s best for the entire community, spending time and energy to build connections and make things happen. Fort Collins has garnered more than 30 awards and national recognitions during his tenure (visit www.fcgov.com/fcfacts for a complete list). “I think it is great that we can live in the house where Cathy grew up,” Hutchinson said of his family’s Old Town Fort Collins home. Their three children and seven grandchildren also reside in or close to the city.
orn and raised in Indiana, Ray Kepler was introduced to Fort Collins via friends who attended CSU. Despite their insistence that it was a great place to live and full of opportunity, Kepler remained skeptical. “They literally kidnapped me and brought me out here,” he recalled. “This was in 1982, and the day I got here there was a blizzard. There was about two feet of snow everywhere and I said, ‘You people are sick.’” But once the storm passed, both the sky and his perception of the city brightened. A day or two was all it took for him to recognize what his friends saw and decide to make Fort Collins his new hometown. “As a former rock ’n’ roll drummer I had seen the whole country, and I knew it instantly,” he said. “What a magic town!” Kepler began his “plant man” career as a grower at the Stapleton Greenhouse. When
Carey Hewitt, Owner of The Cupboard The Cupboard 152 S. College Avenue 970-493-8585 • www.thecupboard.net By catherine trumbo
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arey Hewitt and his kitchen specialty store, The Cupboard, have been a staple in Old Town for nearly 40 years.
Stapleton retired, he made Ray promise to keep the greenhouse’s eight accounts. Since then, Ray Kepler’s Plant Care has grown, and he now has more than 100 accounts. At 60 years mature (he never uses the word “old”), Ray shows no signs of slowing down. He plays softball on three teams and does volunteer service through the Kiwanis Club. Don’t look for retirement any time soon. He loves the social aspect and the long-term relationships he has with his customers too much to think of quitting. “I have the best job in the world,” he said. “I get paid to piddle every day.”
The store, founded in 1972, offers supplies for the amateur and experienced chef in 20 categories, including linen, dinnerware, cookbooks, cookware, coffee and food. Hewitt likes his job because of the customers, employees and trying to make Old Town “a better place.” “We just try to be the best we can be in each one of those categories,” Hewitt said.
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Come Out and Play Regional Attractions By Angeline grenz
Horsetooth Reservoir 970-679-4570 www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/Horsetooth.htm
Horsetooth Reservoir is 6.5 miles of fun on the water. Located above Fort Collins at 5,430 feet, the reservoir is surrounded by 2,000 acres of open land and is the No. 1 recreation spot in Larimer County, with more than 500,000 people visiting each year. The reservoir is named for the distinctive horsetooth-shaped outcropping of rocks nearby. The reservoir is available for boating, fishing, rowing, biking, hiking, rock climbing and bouldering. There is also a swim beach and group use area for picnics. The park features a full-service marina, 15 boat-in sites, campsites and seven waterfront camper cabins available for year-round use. Additional improvements include a new swim area, shower houses and more campsites. Entrance permits are required. Annual entrance permits are available for purchase.
If you’re visiting without your bike, stop by one of Fort Collins’ two Bicycle Library locations. The library is a free service that offers cruiser bikes for checkout from one hour up to seven days. Along with a bicycle, the library can provide riders with a variety of self-guided bicycle tours.
Biking in Fort Collins 19 Old Town Square 970-419-1050 www.fcgov.com/bicycling • www.fcbikelibrary.org
Fort Collins is taking “bicycle friendly” to a new level. Last year, Fort Collins received Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists. The designation signifies Fort Collins’ dedication to the biking culture. “Basically, we are one of the top 10 U.S. cities for bicycling,” said Dave Kemp, bicycle coordinator for the City of Fort Collins. Try biking any of Fort Collins’ more than 280 miles of bike lanes and more than 30 miles of bike trails, which follow scenic routes along Poudre River and Spring Creek. Trails are accessible year-round, with flat terrain and wide, comfortable lanes. The Fort Collins Web site offers a bike map to guide visitors.
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
Spring Canyon Community Park 970-221-6618 • www.fcgov.com/parkplanning
Nestled in the foothills of southwest Fort Collins, 100-acre Spring Canyon Community Park is home to the first universally accessible playground in Colorado, a popular dog park and a mountain bike practice course. Inspiration Playground offers special surfacing, a metal slide for children with cochlear implants, Braille on playground features and special panels for many types of disabilities to allow all children to play with abandon. Spring Canyon also features a two-acre dog park with a lake, designed in conjunction with Colorado State University to provide a rehabilitation area for dogs with injuries. The mountain biking course enables mountain bikers to practice technical moves, including riding over trees and rocks. Spring Canyon also offers picnic shelters, trails, ball fields, and basketball and tennis
courts and is linked to Fort Collins’ hard surface trail system. Soapstone Prairie Natural Area 970-416-2815 • www.fcgov.com/naturalareas
Wide open spaces, rich cultural history and pristine native environments characterize Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, north of Fort Collins. The park offers 28 miles of open space with breathtaking vistas, miles of trails for outdoor lovers and an exploration of northern Colorado’s past. “The cultural history is a prime feature at Soapstone,” said Zoe Whyman, natural areas community relations manager for the city. Soapstone is the location of the famous Lindenmeier archeological site, a National Historic Landmark. Excavated by the Smithsonian and the Colorado Museum of Natural History in the 1930s, the site has definitively dated human habitation in North America to at least 10,000 years ago through an Ice Age bison vertebrae with a Folsom point embedded in it. Folsom refers to the early Paleoindian hunter-gatherers of North America.
Visitors can hike the quarter-mile paved trail that ends in the Lindenmeier Overlook. Along the trail are informative kiosks and replicas of artifacts found at the site. Fort Collins’ Art in Public Places partnership has made enlarged versions of items found at the site to illustrate what makes the area so singular. The trail is also wheelchair accessible. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are also permitted. The Cheyenne Rim trail has a vista with an 800-foot elevation drop with a view of the rock layers. Guided hikes and rides include nature walks, wildflower hikes and stargazing hikes. Soapstone is open from March 1 to November 30. Dogs are not allowed in the park. Visitors must stay on the trail and leave any artifacts behind. Additionally, Whyman has a reminder for visitors. “Be prepared for the remoteness of the site and bring enough water and other essentials.”
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Fort Collins Symphony Association 970-482-4823 • www.fcsymphony.org
On With the Show Fort Collins Arts and Culture By linda l. osmundson
Celebrating 60 years in 2010, the Fort Collins Symphony began through the efforts of a young violinist, Willfred Schwartz, an assistant professor of music at what was then Colorado A & M College. His first rehearsal attracted 17 volunteer musicians; the number doubled by the second rehearsal. Maestro Schwartz fought for the symphony in the decades that followed, retiring in 1999. Arriving in 2003 with outstanding credentials, Wes Kenney was jointly hired by the Symphony Association and Colorado State’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department as the new director. Kenney also serves as music director of Fort Collins Opera. Under Kenney, symphony concerts have increased to nine a season. He also continues an educational outreach that allows fourth and sixth graders from Poudre School District and private schools to attend a daytime special concert.
Beet Street
Bas Bleu Theatre
970-419-8240 • www.beetstreet.org
970-498-8949 • www.basbleu.org
Beet Street, a non-profit entity under the umbrella of the Downtown Development Authority, partners with approximately 80 local government, business and arts groups, including the city of Fort Collins and Colorado State University. “Beet Street is designed to communicate current cultural offerings, especially downtown,” said Executive Director Ryan Keiffer. “We also develop and enhance programming with existing art and cultural groups. A goal is to promote Fort Collins as a nationally recognized arts/cultural center and destination.” Beet Street sponsors the Science Café program, which brings local and international scientists to lead discussions on issues in contemporary science. Interested community members meet the second Wednesday of the month, and admittance is free.
Each year, Bas Bleu Theatre offers five innovative plays that transport audiences from laughter to tears. The plays, performed in an intimate “salon” atmosphere in a historic building on Pine Street, each run about six weeks. In addition, Bas Bleu presents “Radio Theatre with Close-ups.” Matt Strauch, general manager, said for these popular presentations, the actors dress in black, use no props except their faces and read from a script. Bas Bleu also sponsors an educational outreach program in collaboration with CSU and local junior and senior high schools. In a multi-day teen writing workshop, students write plays and other creative endeavors, then stage their works for family and friends. Bas Bleu draws local and statewide actors, from novices to those highly educated in the arts.
Canyon Concert Ballet
OpenStage Theatre and Company
970-472-4156 • ccballet.org
970-484-5237 • www.openstage.com
The nonprofit Canyon Concert Ballet presents two professional productions yearly at Fort Collins’ Lincoln Center. The company’s Dance Center offers professional training, artistic performances and recreational dance. Two Fort Collins locations house studios where students of all abilities, ranging in age from 3 through adult, participate in normal classes (for anyone), conservatory programs (for more serious students) and recreational dance. Students may audition for the Youth Ensemble and Company, which performs at the Ensemble Showcase, nursing and senior facilities, First Night Fort Collins, NewWestFest and the Annual Spring Showcase.
After 36 years, OpenStage is one of the longest-practicing theatrical groups in Colorado. The season runs from September through May and includes up to six plays on the smaller Lincoln Center stage. In 1999, the company added a program called openstage etc. Locations for these edgy, expansive and daring presentations vary. Denise Burson Freestone, producing artistic director, co-founded the theater in 1973 with her husband, Bruce. The company’s current producing director, Bruce has been an advocate of performing arts in Colorado for more than 40 years.
Your store for quality, affordable baby furniture that grows with your child. Many unique & eco-friendly items such as cloth diaper systems and old fashioned pedal cars. 2601 S. Lemay #18 • Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-377-3900 • Fax: 970-377-3909 E-mail: babyandmefortcollins@yahoo.com
www.babyandmespecialty.com
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
www.fortcollinschamber.com
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Uncommon Knowledge “Ghost Signs” — A Glimpse into the Past
Disneyland’s Main Street Inspiration
By Mickie Ortiz
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and-painted advertisements adorn many historical buildings in Old Town. As the paintings fade into the cracks and crevices they become “ghost signs” that can only be seen in specific lighting conditions. Restoration and demolition of adjacent buildings often bring these ghost signs to life, unveiling an artistic remnant of Americana. Although hand-painted advertisements appeared in Fort Collins as early as 1867, they were primitive at first. It wasn’t until the late 1880s that signage became more artistic and sophisticated. After 1900, downtown expanded, and so did the number of painted walls, still visible throughout historic Old Town. “Wall dogs,” as the skilled artists who painted them were known, received little compensation for their expertise, but their masterpieces live on. Historical information derived from Apparitions of the Past, The Ghost Signs of Fort Collins, by Adam Thomas, Architectural Historian.
By Catherine Trumbo
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ort Collins residents who visit Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A., might see some familiar buildings on that quintessential street. In the 1950s, Harper Goff, who grew up in Fort Collins, helped Walt Disney design some of the buildings, using his hometown for inspiration. The firehouse on Walnut Street, the old courthouse — which has since been torn down — and several others were used as models. “They were the template for what the typical Main Street, U.S.A., was supposed to look like,” said Karen McWilliams, the historic preservation planner for the city.
Fort Collins Is Microbreweries Capital By angeline grenz
recent Gallup poll showed beer as the drink of choice in the United States, and no one knows that better than Fort Collins. Colorado ranks fifth for most breweries per capita in the United States, and Fort Collins has the most microbreweries per capita in Colorado. Two long-standing Fort Collins microbreweries have made a name on a national level for fine small batch and handcrafted beers.
story — Odell Brewing Company. Bottling beers since 1996, Odell continues to create award-winning, hand-crafted seasonal beers for an eager audience. “Fort Collins is unique. The lifestyle, atmosphere, mountains and good water make it a great place to make beer,” said Eric Smith, Odell’s director of sales and marketing. In 2010, Odell will expand operations with additional cellar space and a larger tap room. It will continue its five-barrel pilot system, which creates special beers available only in the Odell tap room and at select local restaurants. New Belgium Brewing Company
Odell Brewing Company 800 E. Lincoln Ave. 970-498-9070 • www.odellbrewing.com
Doug Odell’s passion for brewing began in his kitchen in Oregon. Before he knew it, he couldn’t keep up with the demand for his brews. Odell relocated to Fort Collins and turned his passion into a success
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
500 Linden St. 970-221-0524 • www.newbelgium.com
Homebrewer Jeff Lebesch, inspired during his bike tour through Europe, came home to make quality, Belgian-style beers in Fort Collins. He and his wife sold their first brews to neighbors, then commercially in 1991. Today, New Belgium ships beers coast
to coast. Celebrated at beer festivals nationwide, New Belgium has made a name for itself with great beers and sustainable practices. “Fort Collins’ proliferation of excellent brewers is due in part to the high-quality water,” said Bryan Simpson, public relations director for New Belgium. “But beyond that, the culture supports it. We have a sophisticated set of beer drinkers here.” In 2010, New Belgium will expand collaborative brewing efforts with other microbrewers, allowing the company to brew small batches for local distribution at others’ facilities as well as to work with these breweries to create new beers.
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Around the Neighborhood
Housing Market Stays Strong in Fort Collins By angeline grenz
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hile many areas of the country are still finding their way, the real estate market in Fort Collins is making a rebound. “The housing market in northern Colorado is improving ahead of much of the country,” said Realtor® Chuck McNeal of The Group, Inc. “We’re more affordable, so we start at a better spot then the rest of the country,” said Ralph Waldo, also a Realtor® for The Group. “Fort Collins didn’t have the spike in home prices we saw in other areas, so we haven’t had the bubble burst.” Fort Collins is also largely buffered from the nation’s real estate woes because of its diversity. “We have microbrew beer, the university, high-tech jobs and clean energy,” said Waldo. Demand for homes remains steady in the Old Town and southeast Fort Collins neighborhoods, and the number of foreclosures is well below other markets, said McNeal. New trends in real estate include “walking scores,” where homes are rated based on how closely they are located to restaurants, shopping and other amenities. Homes with the highest score are generally located within four blocks of these.
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fort collins Area chamber of commerce
Resources for relocators
Community Profile
T
urning through the pages of this publication it’s easy to see why Money Magazine routinely places Fort Collins on its list of “Best Places to Live.” Fort Collins offers great schools, diverse cultural attractions, fantastic outdoor recreation, a vibrant nightlife, a growing economy and much, much more in a setting of incredible beauty, nestled alongside the Cache La Poudre River at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. But what makes Fort Collins even more attractive is the people who live here. Friendly, well-educated and hard-working, the people of Fort Collins are the kind who will hold the door open for you. So please come on in and enjoy the quality lifestyle that Fort Collins has to offer.
People** Population (136,665)
Percent.................................................. Total Male.................................68,717.......... 50.3 Female..............................67,948.......... 49.7 Under 5 years.....................7,901............ 5.8 5–9 years...........................7,976............ 5.8 10–14 years.......................7,155............ 5.2 15–19 years.....................12,327............ 9.0 20–24 years.....................20,512.......... 15.0 25–34 years.....................25,454.......... 18.6 35–44 years.....................17,037.......... 12.5 45–54 years.....................17,145.......... 12.5 55–59 years.......................6,188............ 4.5 60–64 years.......................4,403............ 3.2 65–74 years.......................5,203............ 3.8 75–84 years.......................3,655............ 2.7 85+ years...........................1,709............ 1.3
Education
Climate* Elevation 5,003 feet
Average Temperatures Summer (June–August) High....................................................83.3°F Low....................................................54.7°F Warmest month...................................... July Winter (December–February) High....................................................44.0°F Low......................................................17.3F Coolest month................................... January
Precipitation
Annual average.........................15.84 inches Wettest month.........................................May Driest month................................... February
Fort Collins experiences an average of 106 clear days per year with approximately 300 days of sunshine.
Level Completed.............Percent of Population Less than high school diploma................ 5.9 High school graduate............................. 17.1 Some college, no degree....................... 21.0 Associate degree..................................... 6.2 Bachelor’s degree.................................. 29.8 Graduate or professional degree............ 20.1
Income (By Household)
Income......................Percent of Population Less than $15,000................................. 14.3 $15,000–$24,999.................................. 11.3 $25,000–$34,999.................................. 12.2 $35,000–$49,999.................................. 12.4 $50,000–$74,999.................................. 15.6 $75,000–$99,999.................................. 12.1 $100,000–$149,999.............................. 14.1 $150,000–$199,999................................ 3.8 $200,000 or more................................... 4.3
Sources *weather.com **U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey for Fort Collins
Below is a list of need-to-know numbers to help answer the many questions you may have about living in lovely Fort Collins.
All phone numbers are area code 970 unless otherwise specified.
Emergency.................................................... 911 AmeriGas (propane)............................484-8140 City of Fort Collins...............................221-6500 Affordable Housing Program.......221-6342 Building Services.........................221-6760 Recycling......................................221-6600 Transfort Bus Service...................221-6620 Utilities..........................................212-2900 C olorado Department of Revenue (drivers licenses)...............................494-9804 C omcast (internet and cable)...................800-266-2278 F ort Collins Housing Authority..............................416-2910 F ort Collins Police Department.............................221-6540 Poudre River Public Library Dist.........221-6740 Fort Collins-Loveland Airport...............962-2850 Front Range Internet Inc. ...................212-0700 G allegos Sanitation Inc. (trash removal and recycling)...........484-5556 H ageman Earth Cycle (composting).....................................221-7173 L arimer County Motor Vehicle Department...........................498-7878 Larimer Humane Society....................226-3647 Platte River Power Authority...............226-4000 P oudre Fire Authority (non-emergency)...............................221-6570 Poudre School District.........................482-7420 P oudre Valley Rural Electric (Residents outside city limits)...........226-1234 Q west (phone, Internet and cable).......800-475-7526 R am Waste Systems Inc. (trash removal and recycling)...........226-3396 Thompson School District...................613-5000 United States Post Office 301 S. Howes St..............................472-4022 W aste Management (trash removal and recycling)..........482-6319 Xcel Energy (natural gas)............800-895-4999
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Index of Advertisers
ADVERTISER.................................. PAGE# All Things Automotive............................................................21 Allergy & Asthma Center of the Rockies................................21 Baby & Me Specialty..............................................................18 Bank of Choice.......................................................................14 Best Western University Inn.....................................................9 Brother Mel’s Southern Style B.B.Q......................................22
Please support the advertisers who helped make this publication possible.
Centers for Gastroenterology.................................................13 Colorado Equipment .............................................................17 Columbine Health Systems – Caring Solutions, LLC..............7 Firestone Complete Auto Care...............................................18 Front Range Vision Care..........................................................6 Hilton Fort Collins.....................................................................5 Homewood Suites by Hilton .................................................17 Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream.............................................9 L&L Acoustical Inc.................................................................22 Markley Motors Inc. – Saturn of Fort Collins.........................11 New Colony Apartments / Save*Mor Self Storage / Somerset Apartment Homes................................................3 Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital / Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital.........................14 Open Stage Theatre & Company...........................................17 Padgett Business Services....................................................21 Poudre Valley Health System....................... Inside Front Cover Stewart & Associates.............................................................21 Stone Creek Apartments........................................................18 Stor-N-Lock Self Storage.......................................................22 United Western Bank...............................................................6 Waterpik....................................................... Inside Back Cover Wick & Trautwein......................................................................6
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