1994-95 Lydia's Style Magazine by Style Media & Design, Inc.

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THE COMMUNITY Ptarmigan is Northern Colorado's most dlstincti\'e country club community. Ptarmigan, which consists of 300-acres Is divided Into six carefully designed neighborhoods and surrounds a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course. Ptarmigan home owners enjoy the panoramic view of the majestic Rocky Mountain Front Range.

THE SELECTIONS 7be Villas of Ptarmigan are patio homes that range from 1,400 to 3,000 sq. fl Designed with low maintenance and your actl\'e Ufe style In mind. The Villas of Ptarmigan offer you three distlnctl\'e floor plans starting In the mid $180's.

The much heralded Legends ofPtarmigan are a limited series of ranch style and two story homes that range from 1,900 to o\'er 2,200 sq. fl The Legends provide the ideal home for single-family and moW! up buyers. The Legends of Ptarmigan offer you three unique floor plans starting In the mid $220's. Ptarmigan's distinguished group of custom home builders are proud to bring you 7be Augusta Esta/81 of Ptarmigan. Homesltes consist of V4 acre executl\'e lots. Homesltes start In the mid $50's and Custom Homes start In the mid $26o's.

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ur Ft. Collins community has experienced another year of record growth and the trend is expected to continue through 1994. The real estate brokers we interviewed all echoed a common positive theme in our feature , Reco rd Breaking Housin g Sales by Ashley Gaddis. Unemployment figures are below national averages, tax revenues are up, retail sales are up, new construction is booming, and real estate resales are sold practically before the listing ink is dry. This healthy growth brings attention to the importance of careful planning to maintain our high quality of life in Ft Collins. Sensible growth within reasonable guidelines is what developers want and there seems to be differing views as to how to address these challenges. Read John Clarke's eye opening feature on development, Where Do We Go From Here ? In Banks, Big Bucks and Boom Times, Gary Kimsey explores and explains the mergers, buy-outs, and name changes in our banking community. A hot topic this last year has revol ved around Denver International Airport. Read Sandra Cowan's informative interview with Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and companion articles about our local airports. Quality of life in Ft. Collins embraces a variety of important aspects. Read about our bike trails, church community, cultural offerings, volunteer opportunities and status of our children's education. And, health care reform is on everyone' s mind these days. Read our overview of the current status of Clinton's health plan and local opinion about its pros and cons. Once again, we celebrate our dynamic community and the many citizens who contribute to our quality of life. Our issue, Fort Collins 1994-1995, A Community With Style, is our fifth annual business edition and our biggest. A sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to it, with special thanks to our readers and advertisers . Many thanks for your continued confidence. We hope you enjoy this issue, ~ keep it for reference or pass it on to a friend.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 12

HISTORY Oceans of Grass Sara Ann Milner settles in the Poudre Valley to become the first public school teacher in Larimer County. By Phil Walker

REAL ESTATE Record Breaking Housing Sales Local brokers speak out on residential real estate. By Ashley Ryan Gaddis

ON THE COVER The Ross family keep a very bu sy schedul e combining famil y , careers , a nd hobbi es . Bob is owner/pres ident of Traveleisure in Fort Collins, and in hi s spare time enjoys spending time with family and friend s, fl ying their balloo n, Jnd ep endan ce , traveling , a nd entertaining. Pam is the Executive Director of the Greeley/Weld Chamber of Commerce, and in her leisure hours stays very active with childre n ' s schedules, travelin g, physical fitnes s and family time. Shelb y, age 8 and in 2nd grad e enjo ys da nce , sw immin g and Brownies. Her brother, Jared, age 7, is in the 1st grade and particularly likes to play computer games and swim. A special thanks to the Ross famil y and their friend s for sharing their love of ballooning for our cover photo.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Where Do We Go From Here ?

Denver Mayor Wellington Webb answers questions about DIA, page42 Scenic Stearman owned by Dennis and Joy Whitesell, photo by Paul Nielsen.

Today ' s development challenges and decisions will affect the future of Fort Collins. By John Clarke

BUSINESS Banks, Big Bucks, and Boom Times Insight on the ever changing banking community. By Gary Kimsey

REGIONAL VIEW Denver Mayor Wellington Webb on Denver International Airport

The Stearman WWII trainer flies from the Fort Collins Downtown Airport, page 45

By Sandra Cowan

45 TRANSPORTATION Flying Out of Fort Collins

Photography by John Clarke.

Interest in aviation, and use of facilities is growing at both local airports. By Sandra Cowan

RECREATION Two-Wheeled Frenzy Fort Collins bike trails contribute to our high quality of life. By Steven Paul Olson

56 DINING Pizza! Service League brings holiday happiness to Foothills Gateway clients, page 86

An evening of delightful tastes. By Linda Roesener Delicious and nutritious gourmet pizza, page 56

The Fort Collins Chamber Orchestra performances enrich our community, page 72

Pizzas courtesy of Panhandlers Pizza and AI Fresco Restaurant

Fort Collins Style Magazine

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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62 HEALTH Health Care Reform Local professionals give their insight into the new health care proposal By Sandra Cowan

CULTURE Cultural Awakening Performing arts centers in Northern Colorado offer a wealth of cultural experiences. By Gaty Kimsey

78 Pamela McClanahan and Renee Gehrig, co-owners

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FAMILY The Churches of Fort Collins Our churches are alive, well, and thriving in Fort Collins By Libby James

Fort Collins bike trails contribute to Fort Collins quality of life, page 52

86 LIFESTYLE Volunteers Volunteer organizations and clubs contribute time and energy to our community. By Donna Lock

94 EDUCATION Our Legacy of Knowledge The ever changing face of education in Fort Collins. By John Clarke Health maintenance is an important part of health care reform, page 62

The Fort Collins church community is thriving, page 78

Educational choices are plentiful, page 94 10 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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ADVERTISING SALES Vicki Albertson 223-0555 Diane Dill 225-9661 Lydia Dody 226-4838 Cathie May 493-0634

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Clarke Lydia Dody Libby James Donna Lock Linda Roesener

Sandra Cowan Ashley Ryan Gaddis Gary Kimsey Steven Paul Olson Phil Walker

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ART DIRECTOR Kari Armstrong

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION The Production Compan y

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER John Forgach

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS John Clarke, Joe Coca, Lydia Dody, Paul Nielsen Fort Collins Style Magazine is an annual publ ication direct-mailed and delivered to homes and businesses in Colorado and southern Wyom ing. Lydia's Style Magazine In c. also publ ishes Lydia's Style Magazine seasonally. Subscriptions fi ve (5) issues for out-of-town readers are available for Sl2.00 (a savings of $5.70 o n newsstands.) Copies are also delivered to medical faci lities, clubs, banks, professional and city offices. Chambe r of Commerce and YIP We lcome Service. Publication schedule: Spring Issue - March

Business Annua l- May

Fall Issue- August Holiday Issue- November

Summer Issue -June For ad rates, subscripti on information. change of address or correspon· dence, contact: Lydia's S tyle Magaz ine, In c., P.O. Box 270625, Fon Coll ins. Colorado 80527. (303) 226·6400, FAX (303) 226·6427 Cl 1994 Lydia's Style Magazine. All rights reserved . Reproduction w ithout permission from Lydia's Style or its publisher is prohibited. Lydia's Style Magazin e is not responsible for unsolic ited material. All manuscripts, art· work, and photography must be accompan ied by a stamped seJf.addressed envelope. The views and opinions or any contributing writers are not nee· essarily those of Lydia's Style Magazine.

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By Phil Walker t was unusually warm for Spring. A robust sun shone brightly and made it humid, almost sultry, over Rockford, Illinois. The city bustled with people and carriages moving about their business. The solid buildings and spacious homes of this prosperous midwestern city stood in stark contrast to the tiny caravan of two wagons with the usual canvas cover of all "prairie schooners" that waited on a quiet street for departure into the vast, unknown wilderness that waited just a few miles to the west. Joseph Milner stood at the front of his little expedition with its two yokes of oxen hitched to each wagon. He was having a few last words with friends and business associates. "Joseph," said one, "I wish that I could have talked you out of this dangerous gamble. Doesn' t it occur to you that you are taking an awful chance by trying to move your entire family across nearly a thou sa nd miles of t times the party unch arted wilderness, was forced to alone , a nd w ith no pro spect s of success scoop water out of the even if you get all the of passing animals tracks way to Colorado territory?" with spoons to get Milner sho ok his enough for drinking their head. "My son, William, writes that the go ld noon tea. fields of Colorado offer great opportunities for wealth and prosperity. He says that men are taking a fortune in gold from the mines everyday." "Maybe," said hi s friend , "But you are betting everything you have, and the lives of your family on a dangerous speculation. " One of the others, who had been the family doctor for years, said, "And besides, Joseph, your daughter Sarah is to too weak to make this journey. She's not goin g to last a month out there in that wilderness." "She' ll make it," said Milner stubbornly. "One of my other sons says that the climate in the Colorado Territory is much better than here. He says that they have something called "Chinook Winds" that blow warm air across the mountains and melt the snow and dry .

the air." "Poppycock! " said the doctor. "Your daughter has been an invalid all her life. It's a thousand miles, Joseph! She'll grow sick and slow you down to a crawl." The object of this conversation, 19 year old Sarah, sat on the seat of the second wagon with her mother, Ann Milner. "I suppose the doctor is telling Papa that I'm not well enough to make the journey," she pouted. "You' ll make it, Sarah," comforted her mother. "We all will." Joseph Milner shook hands with his friends and they all wished him good fortune and God 's grace. He turned to the wagons and made one last check of his inventory. There were two wagons, piled high with all the provisions that the family would need, both on the trail and in the new lands in the west. Each wagon would be pulled by four sturdy oxen. There were also two cow s to provide fresh milk along the way and to help out for the heavy pulls or to be spares in case one or more of the oxen should die or become crippled. His family waited quietly on the wagons or standing next to them. Altogether Sarah the party numbered eight. There was Ann Milner Joseph and Ann Milner, four of their sons, Smith ( 1844 _1939 ), first public school teacher in Joseph Jr. , Matthew, James and Benjamin, Larimer County. a Mrs. Reeves, who was traveling west to Courtesy of Loveland Publi c Library. live with her sons who were working the gold mines near Central City, and there was Sarah. She sat bravely on the wagon and looked to the west with hopeful eyes. It was Wednesday, April 6th, 1864, when the Milner family pulled out of Rockford and headed west. For the first few days, the

12 Fort Collins Style Magazine

land about them seemed familiar and comforting. But with each the big freight wagons heading back to the east. Small parties, such as the Milner's, were being attacked along the trail and murdered. passing day, the countryside grew more sparsely settled and the The men talked about huge war parties of Indians gathering in roads became a single trail, and the trail meandered in an aimless western Nebraska. The days grew tense, the nights long. ribbon toward the setting sun. When Sarah's family reached an army fort in the middle of Joseph Milner had planned to make the trip in a leisurely fashion, Nebraska, they were held up until fifty wagons had arrived to make partly on account of Sarah, and partly to provide plenty of time for the rush to Colorado safer. Further orders were given by the army the oxen to graze. No extra feed had been brought along for the stock and the Milners expected them to eat their way across the for all wagons to halt at Julesburg until a hundred had been assemplains. Each day the family would stop anytime after mid-afternoon bled before going on to Denver and the Front Range. Now a long line of wagons, in picturesque fashion, wound across where a good campsite could be found. The Milner family was the plains. A hot, desert sun beat down on the rolling wagons. Sarah deeply religious and would not travel at all on Sundays. The family Milner sat inside her wagon as it bounced and jolted along. With so would look for a school house or the like on Saturday since relimany supplies piled in the wagon, she was just inches from the top gious services were almost certainly to be held in any school house of the canvas. She found this very trying and uncomfortable. in a thinly populated region of America at that time. These the famA young man, who had joined the wagon train at the army post, ily always attended. road up along her wagon on a little burro. "Howdy, maam," he said. Each day when the family stopped they would unload a large tent "You look real hot inside that wagon. Why don't you come on that would be erected for the four boys to sleep. The parents slept in one of the wagons and Sarah down and ride my burro. He slept in the other wagon with don't take too good to the full weight of a man , but he ' ll Mrs. Reeves. The family also would unload a cook stove .\1 carry you with no trouble. " and a large table and chairs :g After a slight nod from her '; father, Sarah hopped out of for the entire party. The immigrants moved ~ the wagon and changed places across Illinois. Grass and .3 with the man on his bun路o. For water were plentiful for the o a number of days thereafter, Sarah found a great freedom oxen and they grew fat and 8 on her burro and would range frisky. The party had not been on the road for two weeks far and wide of the wagons when, on a long down grade, for the illu sion of solitude. There was so much to see out the animals all became very unruly and unmanageable. on the wild prairie- new, Both wagons hurtled wildly beautiful, and interesting to a young girl who had been shelacross the open prairie and all tered as an invalid in the of the camp supplies were crowded valleys of the east. thrown out the back of the But soon they began to see lead wagon and were run over small bands of Indians at a by the second wagon. When distance and Joseph Milner the men finally got the teams ~ demanded that his daughter back under control and back ride close to the wagons. She to the place where everything Big Thompson School started as a small Sunday school in 1882. In was sorry to give up the pleahad been tossed out, the fami1884, it grew to be a larger school and in 1921, became a public sure of scampering about ly found that their table and school. Today, it still functions and has gro wn to include other away from the caravan. Then chairs had all been smashed to buildings. kindling and the medicine one day a band of several hundred Indians in war paint sudchest that had been so carefuldenly appeared around the wagons. Young Joe caught up with his ly prepared to take care of Sarah had been completely destroyed. sister as she road along on her burro. "There's no women or children However, Sarah had seemed to grow stronger with each passing day and had no need of any medicine, so the supplies were never in that bunch," he said with a frown. "That's not a good sign." When the train stopped for the noon meal, the Indians rode boldmissed. ly up to the wagons, dismounted and came into the camp. This was A severe drought prevailed throughout Iowa as the pioneers the first that Sarah had seen of an Indian so close. She stared with passed through the state. Water and grass for the oxen was scarce. wide and frightened but fascinated eyes as the Indians put their Nearly every farm had posted a sign saying, "No water for oxen." hands into the men's pockets in search of tobacco or pocket knives. At times the party was forced to scoop water out of the tracks of passing animals with spoons to get enough for drinking their noon They scooped bacon out of the frying pans to eat as soon as it was tea. On one occasion, a gust of wind blew dirt into Sarah's tea. cooked. Sarah looked at her father for a sign of what would happen next. "Starting trouble over such little things," he said to her, "is "Shall I never have a clean cup of tea again," she said in disgust as she threw it out!" foolish. God grant us the strength to endure this indignity with the best grace we can." Brother Joe laughed, "When we get to Colorado, the wind will After lunch, Sarah was riding her burro close to her parents blow our pancakes off the griddle and we shall have to chase them." "Joe Milner, " grumbled Sarah, "Just because you have been wagon when an old chief pulled up next to her. He rode so close that he crowded Sarah against the wagon. She stayed as close to her across this prairie before, doesn 't mean that you know everything!" "I know that it will get much more dangerous before it gets betfather as she could. Finally the chief came so close to her that he ter," answered young Joe. "Wait until you see your first Red reached across and twirled his dirty finger into one of her curls. Sarah's mother still arranged her hair for her each morning. Sarah Indian." Sarah cringed, "Oh Joe, will we really see Indians? Are they fierce? Shall I be ravaged?" "Not if we are careful... and lucky," gave a cry of alarm. Joseph Milner jumped from the wagon and replied Joe. "When we come to their hunting grounds on the plains helped his daughter up onto the wagon, then jumped back up onto of Nebraska, there will be troops from the army to protect us." the seat next to her. The Indians found this to be highly amusing and they all cackled like evil crows. Sarah had been ten路ified by the True to Joe's prediction, before the little band had reached cenincident and for years afterward would have dreams of the Indian's tral Nebraska ugly rumors began to be heard from the teamsters on

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hot breath on her neck and she would awaken with a shudder. The wagon train was now approaching Julesburg. Word had been passed down the line to keep moving as fast as possible so as to reach the encampment and relative safety by nightfall. After the noon meal, the Milner party took the lead in the wagon train and trudged on. During the afternoon, heavy , black clouds began to form and spread across the vast expanse of the horizon. The animals began to be restless and unmanageable. Suddenly the cows at the lead of the teams bolted on a long downslope and the oxen dashed after them. The second wagon bolted as well and began a headlong flight down the long hill , scattering the possession s of the family everywhere out the back of the wagons . By the

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time the family had brought the animal s under control and gathered up all their supplie s, the lumbering wagon train had passed them by and was now out of sight over the horizon. The family was alone in the heart of hostile country, and now it had started to rain. Grimly the Milner family tried to catch up with the other wagons as the lightning flashed and the rain came down in torrents, but by sundown they had not gained any ground and their animals were exhausted and refused to be driven another step. They had no choice but to pull up at the base of a slope and make camp for the night. The animals were closely herded to the wagons. A hot meal was prepared and that made everyone feel better. The storm had subsided to a drizzle and they all fell into a troubled sleep, worn out by the excitement and exertions of the day . The fo ll owing morning, Joseph Milner was anxious to get his family out of the open and into the protection of the larger group of wagons. Sarah was desperately afraid that the Indians would find them all alone out here and they would be killed. Soon the oxen were placed in their yokes and the wagons rolled briskly to the west. Within an hour they spotted the smoke from the big encampment at Julesburg and before noon the family jogged into the comfort of the large numbers of people who were already there. There was great excitement in the camp at Julesburg as Sarah and her family rode in. Scouts had been out since first light and now they returned to say that a small trading post just a few miles away had been raided during the night and that the lone

14 Fort Collins Style Magazine

trader, who had lived among the Indians for years had been killed and scalped. His store had been looted. "Does this mean that the Indians may attack us? " asked Sarah of one of the scouts. "Could be, Miss," said the scout. "Something sure has 'em stirred up." The Milner family took their assigned place in the big camp. All of the wagons were drawn into a huge circle. The oxen and cattle were placed in a close herd near the wagons to graze and an armed guard was set to watch them dming the night. A common tactic for the Indians was to rush in under the cover of darkness and stampede the stock. In case of any attack, the immigrants would drive the stock into the space between the wagons. The long night passed without any appearance of the Indians. With the rising sun, calmness was restored in the camp. A detail of soldiers arrived from the Julesburg station. Finding that the required number of 100 wagons had now arrived, they gave permission for the settlers, immigrants, and freight wagons to proceed toward Denver and the other destinations along the front range. Sarah strode along with the wagons in robust good health, all thoughts of being an invalid now just a memory left behind in the east. She looked across the wide plains and was moved by the impressive sight of

he looked across the wide plains and was moved by the impressive sight of all those wagons strung out single file in the bright Colorado sunshine.

all those wagons strung out single file in the bright Colorado sunshine. They were now at last within the borders of Colorado Territory and Sarah began to look forward to the end of their journey. Within just a few days of travel along the South Platte river, the great snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains began to grow on the horizon. "Look, Papa," she cried in her excitement, "I never thought I would see such a sight as this. I shall never forget this moment or that glorious skyline!" Now the leisurely pace that the family had taken all these months was abandoned. The great wagon train rolled on , spurred ahead relentlessly by the wagons of the freight companies who were anxious to deliver their loads in Denver and the mining camps and begin their return journey to the Missouri river. On the 4th of July, 1864, exactly 12 weeks from the day they had left Rockford,

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Illinois , Sarah Milner and her family arrived on the banks of the Cherry Creek. The long journey was over. The river was still running high and muddy from a flood that had occurred nearly a month before. Sarah heard talk in the wagon camp of a much bigger flood that had washed down a river called the Cache La Poudre during the same storm and had destroyed an entire army camp at a place further north, called La Porte. Men, women and families who had been strangers a few weeks before, now gathered together in the fading light of day around their campfires, as the last of the sunset burned the tops of the great mountains in frightful orange. Several men who had been here in the wilderness for many years stopped by the Milner camp for hot coffee and some of the fresh bread that had been baked just that afternoon. "Well," said one of them, "How do you like it here, so far?" Sarah looked up from her coffee while gazing across the horizon. "Its beautiful and strange . Like nothing I've ever seen before." "Before you've been out here very long, you'll have seen many strange things," he sai d. The others nodded their heads in agreement. "The first thing you need to cultivate is an open mind to any possibility, because anything is possible out here. You abandoned the word impossible back in Illinois when you left." None disputed this great truth. One by one, the old-timers and the newcomers alike drifted away to sleep. The aroma of the dying fire faded as the smoke drifted away into the trees. No one was left to breath the crisp, fresh air of the night except Sarah. She sat quietly and looked at the stars.

EPILOG • William, the oldest son, had died during the family's trek west. • After spending some time in the gold camps near Central City and in southern Colorado, the family fmally settled along the Big Thompson river near present day Loveland. • Milner Mountain, Milner Creek, and Milner Pas s, at the west end of Trail Ridge Road, are all named for members of this family. • Sarah Ann Milner, married Edward Smith. She and her husband homesteaded in the Poudre Valley. In 1868, she bec a me the first school teacher in Larimer County at the first public school. • Sarah Ann Milner died in 1939 at the age of95. Phil Walker is th e Fort Collins native whose stories of the early west can be heard six times a day on TRI-102.5, and the Eagle, Country 96.1 FM. He is heard daily from 6 to I 0 am on The Breakfast Club, on the Eagle.

16 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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REAL ESTATE

Record Breaking Housing Sales By Ashley Ryan Gaddis

he residential real estate business in northern Colorado isn't just good; it's great. Low national interest rates and a strong regional economy have combined to set off a frenzy in home sales. First-time home buyers are entering the market at a rapid pace, taking advantage of mortgage payments as low as, if not lower than, rent payments, and experienced home owners are buying their now-affordable dream homes. The demand for homes is high in northern Colorado, and this high demand has created a surge in new home construction. As re-sale homes move quickly through the market and become less and less available, local builders and developers meet the demand with their new subdivisions. New home construction is so popular right now, most builders cannot keep model homes open because buyers snatch them up before they are even built. This wave of new home construction has set off a reaction in northern Colorado communities that concerns many builders, developers and realtors. They say there is a perception, or a misperception, in Fort Collins and other communities that new construction and growth is "out of control," and is threatening our quality of life. However, they counter the area is growing at a healthy, natural rate, and that local governments are managing growth well. Jay Stoner, president of Stoner & Company Development in Fort Collins, praises the city's Land Development Guidance System and approach to land planning. He says the city keeps quality of life issues in mind when approving or rejecting new projects, but he adds the city knows it must keep growing to remain economically healthy and viable. Another perception, or mis-perception , is that the strong housing market is fueled by people moving to northern Colorado from other states, particularly California. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of the homes bought in Fort Collins are bought by people who already live in the city. These are the move-up buyers, cross-town buyers, and change-of-lifestyle buyers. Design trends that are in high demand today include homes with open spaces, lots of light, and an older, perhaps country, feel to them . Realtors say people are spending more time in their homes and are looking for homes, rather than neighborhoods or streets, that reflect their personalities. Large lots have been very popular in the past, but higher density growth is likely in the near future, particularly as city and county governments try to reduce traffic congestion and increase efficiency. Ray Spencer, owner of Classic Custom Builders and president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado, says environmentally-sensitive building products, as well as energy efficient designs , will also grow in popularity.

While brokers may disagree on some predictions, they all agree 1994 will be another busy and successful year in housing sales. Even with interest rates rising a bit, the strong local economy will keep the demand for homes high. They also agree that in such a fast-moving market, people looking to buy homes should work with real estate agents. Homes move through the listings so quickly that only agents can provide buyers with an up-to-date selection and advise them on when to make offers. So, with that in mind, let's introduce some local brokers. While the following profiles cannot include all brokers in northern Colorado, they do provide an introduction to the real estate industry and some insight into the 1994-1995 housing market.

Ashley Ryan Gaddis is a freelance writer living in Fort Collins. She is a regular contributor to Style. 18 Fort Col li ns Style Magazine

Associates, Inc.

Gene Vaughan is excited about his company's merger with Stoner & Company, one of Fort Collins ' oldest real estate firms. The merger gave the company its first downtown Fort Collins office. It also resulted in Re/Max First becoming the third largest real estate agency in Fort Collins, with a total of almost 60 agents. When Vaughan bought theRe/Max First franchise in 1987, it had 10 agents. The company's subsequent growth is a result of the growth in Fort Collins' real estate market and Vaughan's aggressive leadership. Vaughan says Re/Max First is a successful company because of the commitment its agents offer their clients. All Re/Max franchises operate under a unique commission plan. Agents pay Re/Max a monthly fee for their office space, equipment, referral services, and name recognition, but they keep 100 percent of their commissions. Vaughan says this ensures agents are personally invested in their business and customers. Vaughan explains his agents are "in business for themselves and not by themselves." In 1993, Re/Max First grossed $101 million in sales, its highest volume ever, and 1994 should be even better, says Vaughan, not only because his company has expanded, but because he predicts more inventory will be on the market. Ninety-five percent of Re/Max First's business is in residential sales, and 20 percent of those sales are in new home construction. Vaughan says his company's involvement in the new home market has increased dramatically in recent years, and he attributes that growth to particular agents who have developed relationships with builders. Now, with the Stoner merger, that percentage should increase even more because Re/Max First will represent all of Stoner & Company's new development projects.

Wheeler Realty Better Homes and Gardens

Gus Williams Coldwell Banker Everitt & Williams Real Estate

Bill Neal has been involved with land development and real estate in northern Colorado for over 20 years. President and owner of Wheeler Realty, Neal oversees all aspects of his company's business including 45 sales agents , development partnerships, and a mortgage company. Wheeler Realty maintains a strong presence in both the re-sale and the new home construction projects of MiraMont, Fairbrooke and Indian Hills. Neal himself is a developer, and Wheeler Realty represents the neighborhoods he and his partners develop. Neal is particularly excited about the unique benefits offered families purchasing new homes in the Miramont community. Included in the home purchase is a family membership to the Miramont Tennis and Fitness Center which includes four indoor and six outdoor tennis comts, a fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool. Neal describes Wheeler Realty's corporate philosophy as one of building relationships. He encourages his agents to develop working relationships with builders and developers and to develop close relationships with their clients. Neal believes the northern Colorado real estate market will continue to be strong in 1994, particularly new home construction. He predicts more than 1000 single-family building permits will be approved in Fort Collins alone. He says houses will continue to appreciate, but he thinks the current 15 percent appreciation rate will drop in a few years. Neal predicts the new home construction market will move more toward higherdensity development in the near future. Recent years have seen low-density growth, with large lots being the most popular, but increased density is starting to appeal to people, particularly as traffic congestion increases in the city.

Gus Williams sits in his company's new south Fort Collins office, his walls covered with real estate awards. He explains his company is one of the most successful Coldwell Banker offices in the country. Seven times it has been designated a member of the Chairman's Circle, an honor reserved for the most productive franchises . And in 1993, a record year for Williams and his agents, his office ranked fifth in productivity out of 1940 offices nationwide. President and partner of Coldwell Banker Everitt and Williams, Williams has been in the real estate business for 16 years, and in Fort Collins for 13 of those years. Coldwell Banker Everitt and Williams is a strong force in new home construction, working with 12 developers and 30 builders, and representing homes in 26 subdivisions. Its presence is particularly noticeable in south Fort Collins, with new communities such as Timber Creek and Wild Wood , and in the small northern Colorado communities of Windsor , Johnstown and Severance. With 78 agents , Coldwell Banker Everitt and Williams is one of the largest real estate companies in Fort Collins . Williams is hoping to attract even more agents, with a goal of 85 in Fort Collins and 10 in the company's Windsor office. Williams predicts 1994 will be another strong year in residential real estate sales because of the amount of new home construction going on. He also predicts 1994 will see condominium and townhouse projects in Fort Collins, which he hopes will add some affordable housing units to the city. Williams says his company is successful because of its diversity. It offers a range of real estate services and works with a varied clientele. He also says cooperation among all the real estate companies in Fort Collins keeps the market strong for everyone.

Hersh McGraw Ptarmigan Real Estate Co.

Chris McElroy The Prudential McElroy McCoy Realtors, Inc.

Ptarmigan is one of the most luxurious communities in northern Colorado. Ptarmigan is a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course surrounded by beautiful elegant homes. First conceived in 1978, Ptarmigan will eventually include 368 homes , a club house, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and , of course, the 18-hole golf course. Since 1988, the golf course has been open, and since 1991, homes sales have taken off. There are currently 20-30 homes built in the community, says Hersh McGraw, broker of the Ptarmigan real estate company, and there are 50 more homes under contract or construction. In 1993, lot sales tripled in Ptarmigan. McGraw predicts sales will continue to grow, and he expects the community to be sold out by 1997. Ptarmigan offers patio homes, with four designs to choose from, and 114-acre or 1/2-acre lots for singlefamily homes. Strict protective covenants exist to guarantee the quality and style of the community, and all home designs must be approved by Ptarmigan's design review committee. Only certain building materials are allowed in Ptarmigan, and minimum square footage requirements are strictly enforced. McGraw says Ptarmigan attracts not only golfers, but people who want to live in a country setting. He says many of his buyers already live in northern Colorado but are looking for a lifestyle change. His clients have ranged from retired people to young couples with small children. Another advantage to Ptarmigan is its close proximity to Loveland ,路Greeley, Windsor and Fort Collins. Of course, McGraw, a resident of Ptarmigan, sums up the community' s main attraction: "When the weather's nice, we play golf."

As president of the Colorado Association of Realtors, Chris McElroy is responsible to 17,000 realtors in Colorado, and is often on the road making policy changes, lobbying the legislature, and solving problems. However, he has worked in real estate in Fort Collins for 18 years, and his commitment to the community is evident in the water-color paintings of old Fort Collins homes that hang on his office walls. McElroy and John McCoy are co-owners of The Prudential McElroy McCoy. McCoy develops residential properties and McElroy sells homes. They started their company in 1989, and they purchased the Prudential franchise in 1992. McElroy says they selected Prudential because it is "one of the up and coming players" in real estate and because it has a large presence in California, a state whose residents are rapidly migrating to Colorado. The Prudential McElroy McCoy employees 25 agents. Ninety-five percent of the company's business is in residential real estate, with activity in both re-sales and new home construction. The agency is currently representing Wind Trail and Rain tree developed by McCoy. McElroy says his company benefits from not only its strong national presence, but its strong home town influence. He says his average agent has been in the real estate business in Fort Collins for eleven years. His strategy this past year has been to increase each agent's sales, while reducing the number of agents he manages. This has prevented his company' s gross sales from increasing greatly , but it has improved efficiency. McElroy is concerned about the effect rising interest rates will have on the market, but he believes rates will remain affordable. He also believes a future trend will be energy-related mortgages to encourage energy conservation.

Sue Gwynn calls herself the "Jazzy Lady of Real Estate." She says it's because she loves jazz music, and she's a highly energized and eclectic character. A writer and an artist, she's been a real estate agent in Fort Collins for over 20 years. Sixteen of those years she has owned The Gwynn Company, a small agency that specializes in the sale of old homes and unique prope11ies. This year Gwynn closed her office in Old Town and began working out of her home. With her fax machine, computer, modem and telephone lines, she runs a one-woman show. She says she loves how balanced and focused her life has become as a result of sizing down. In a good year, Gwynn sells 30 to 35 homes. She works with no more than five buyers at a time, which she says is an advantage to her clients. "Because [the buyers] are my total focus, I am intensely involved until I get the job done." Gwynn works with clients of all ages and financial situations, but she most enjoys working with first-time home buyers, because of their excitement and enthusiasm. She also says she can help them put together creative financing deals "that no one else can put together." "I don't take 'No ' for an answer," she explains. Gwynn believes buyers today are more particular than they used to be. She says people are spending more time in their homes, and want their homes to be sanctuaries. They also want modern-day amenities, such as in-home offices designed to accommodate telecommunications technology. Meeting new people is what Gwynn likes most about being a realtor. She has conducted over 2,000 transactions during her career, but the people never bore her and the work never ceases to excite her: "It's like reading a new book every day."

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• We are the #1 Coldwell Banker Office in Colorado! Our annual production tops all other Coldwell Banker Offices in the state! Our sales staff includes eighty full-time professionals who are committed to getting the job done right. • Coldwell Banker Everitt & Williams markets new homes in several of Fort Collins ' premiere neighborhoods. We work with over 30 excellent builders who can help you design and construct your dream home. • We now have three locations to serve you better! Our anchor office is located in mid-town, at 2900 South College. We have a branch office at Fort Collins' largest retail center, the Foothills Fashion Mall. This office is staffed by our real estate professionals during Mall hours. Our newest location is at 1100 Haxton Drive in southeast Fort Collins, in the heart of many of Fort Collins' premier new home subdivisions.

Jim Rhoades Realty World 路 Rhoades Jim Rhoades calls Realty World Rhoades a "modern day , 21st century, Mom and Pop real estate company." This means it combines the benefits of modern technology with the personal services and hard-working values it has offered for over 50 years. Founded in 1948 by Rhoades ' father, Realty World-Rhoades is the oldest active real estate firm in Fort Collins. The history of the company, Rhoades says, proves its honesty, integrity and commitment to the Fort Collins community. Today Realty World- Rhoades employs 28 agents, making it one of the largest real estate agencies in Fort Collins. In 1993, the company experienced a record year in sales, grossing $49 million in residential sales and closing on 512 homes , says Rhoades. Rhoades predicts 1994 will be another record-setting year in sales, but he thinks "it will be a little tougher because interest rates will be drifting up." Most of Realty World-Rhoades ' business is in residential re-sales, although it does represent a few new home construction projects. The company lists homes throughout Larimer County, except for Estes Park. Rhoades says the current housing market in Northern Colorado helps both buyers and sellers. He explains the high demand allows home owners to sell their homes at higher values , while the low interest rates give home buyers opportunities to purchase their first homes or move up to their dream homes. Rhoades and his wife, Judy, are co-owners and brokers of Realty World Rhoades. Neither of them list or sell homes anymore; rather, they devote all of their time to managing their agents' affairs . They offer a hands-on and unique training program to their agents, which includes going out with their agents on their first appointments.

Kinzli & Company, Inc. If a residential acreage is what you need, Lou Kinzli is the man to see. Broker and owner of Kinzli & Company, Kinzli has been selling acreages, farms, and ranches in northern Larimer County since 1980. He says he decided to specialize in rural sales to the north of Fort Collins because all other realtors in town were specializing in sales to the south. Kinzli sells land parcels ranging from one acre to 300 acres, but he says the most popular parcel is the 10-acre irrigated lot. Lots this size offer people "elbow room," while also allowing them to maintain 2 or 3 horses on the property. Many of Kinzli's clients are people already living in Fort Collins who want to escape the traffic and congestion as the city grows. Ten-acre parcels are becoming more and more scare, however, Kinzli says, particularly following a January 1993 countywide moratorium on minor residential subdivisions. Kinzli says his 1993 sales fell 20 percent behind his 1992 sales not because he didn ' t have interested buyers, but because he couldn't find properties to sell. In 1990, Kinzli started his current company after 10 years with Van Schaack of Fort Collins. He found it challenging to manage 15 agents when he was the broker at Van Schaack. Now, he is responsible for only himself and one other agent. He says he enjoys, "the piece of mind" he now has. Kinzli credits his wife, Linda, who works in his office, with helping him throughout his career. Kinzli predicts new home construction will be tremendously strong in 1994, even out in the country. He says many 10 to 35acre parcels that have already been purchased now need homes. He says factory built modulars are the most affordable homes to put on these lots, but he also observes luxury estate homes being built throughout the countryside.

Larry Kendall is proud to be president of The Group, the largest independent real estate firm in Fort Collins. One of 11 founders of the company, Kendall has been with The Group since its inception in 1976. The Group has a unique approach to its company and employees: everyone who works there is a part owner of the company. This means all 54 agents and half of the support staff are equal owners, which makes them equally invested in the success of the company. A dominant presence in the Fort Collins housing market, The Group reports it is involved in nearly 50 percent of all residential real estate transactions in the city. For the last two years, Kendall says, The Group has been the top firm in the country for productivity, which means the number of transactions per salesperson. Kendall says his agents average 43 home sales each year, compared with the national average of 10. In 1993, The Group sold 1566 homes, according to Kendall. And in 1994, Kendall predicts, "we'll go up again." The Group is active in both the new home construction and re-sale markets. New neighborhoods The Group is involved with include The English Ranch, Dakota Ridge and Paragon Point. Kendall says one of his company's advantages is its diversity. Another advantage is The Group ' s size, offers clients a greater network of agents and listings to choose from. Each year, The Group publishes a forecast for Fort Collins' upcoming housing market. For 1994, The Group predicts the number of home sales will decrease but the sales volume will set another records. It predicts 3000 homes will be sold in Fort Collins, with nearly one-third of them in new construction. The forecast also predicts "move up" buyers will remain the dominant force in the market, both selling their current homes and purchasing their "dream" homes.

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Jim Dech Coldwell Banker Plains Real Estate, Inc., Greeley Jim Dech is one of four owners of Coldwell Banker Plains in Greeley. A Coldwell Banker franchise since 1990, Dech' s company has grown from three agents to 21 in three years. And Dech has high expectations of these agents. He predicts all of his agents will sell over one million dollars worth of real estate next year, and he says one agent sold almost three million dollars worth this past year. In 1993, his company had a record year in sales, closing approximately 225 homes, and he thinks 1994 will be even better. An enthusiastic and friendly man, Dech is excited by all the real estate possibilities in Greeley. He says property values are lower in Greeley than in Loveland or Fort Collins, making it an attractive place to buy a home. He also says Greeley has an abundance of water, thanks to the wise planning of its founding fathers, which makes it attractive to new businesses. Coldwell Banker Plains works primarily in residential re-sales, but its involvement in new construction projects is growing. Dech says new construction is strong due to the shortage of homes available for sale and the low interest rates. Dech encourages all people to take advantage of the low rates. Dech's company sells homes throughout Weld County. He says some small towns, like Windsor and Ault, are growing in popularity because of their proximity to both Greeley and Fort Collins. He says homes in west Greeley are also popular because they offer views of the mountains and a country lifesty !e. Dech describes his company as a "customer-oriented business." He and his agents take their clients through all the steps of purchasing a home, from the first interview through the closing. His goal is to make his company a one-stop real estate experience within the next ten years, with an on-site loan officer, title company and attorney.

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care that new construction in Larimer County is worth $250 million a year in jobs and income to members of our community. Stopping new construction for a year would be economically comparable to shutting down Colorado State University for 9 months. It would cause the loss of thousands of jobs and would trigger a financial Armageddon in nmthern Colorado. This cyclical controversy over growth and development has ebbed and flowed with the tides of prosperity and bust over the last score or more years in Larimer County. The recent increase in construction, in response to our housing shortage and encouraged by low interest rates, has caused a flood of concern to wash over and engulf the northern Front Range once again. As a community, we've seen these battles before. In 1979, the voters in Fort Collins defeated the Moderate Growth Ordinance which would have limited the number of building permits that could be issued in the city during any year to allow only 750 additional dwelling units. In the years since 1979, the average number of dwelling units built has been 938, in spite of scholarly forecasts that postulated we would grow by 1400 dwelling units per year. 1993 saw approximately 1100 units added to the housing stock, but since 1979 there have been many years that we haven ' t

even reached the 750 units that would have been considered "moderate growth" by supporters of the defeated growth limitation proposal. The plain facts show that growth is a function of the economy. Good economic times bring more rapid growth, while bad economic times slow growth. It has happened before and it will happen again. Will our current growth rate a nd accompanying prosperity in the building business continue to the magic millennia!

new construction in Larimer County is worth $250 million a year in jobs and income to members of our community. milestone of the year 2000 or will a downturn in the economy turn our thoughts from growth to the concerns of how to deal with the problems of unemployment and the other afflictions of short dollar days? According to John Barnett, Director of Planning for Larimer County, we have some golden opportunities to decide

By John Clarke

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nstead of the city condemning land to widen Shields Street and have bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides, people can drive in just two lanes and use one of the existing lanes for busses and the other for bikes and walking. Then, park a couple of busses at one end and tell drivers they can either sit in the traffic jam or get on the bus." This quote represents the point of view of many land-use activists who want to stop Fort Collins residents from driving cars. Here is another activist comment: "People are scared- they're panicked. We need a moratorium (on new construction in Larimer County). We 're not communists just because we want to stop (construction) so we can plan for the future. If we don't stop, in two years it 'll be too late. We need to get control. " Those making such comments don't

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1972 aerial offuture site of Foothills Fashion Mall on South College. 1994 photo on the following page shows twenty-two years of growth.

Fort Collins Style Magazine

what this part of northern Colorado will look like in the future. He says, "I get some serious criticism. I'm accused of fiddling while Rome is burning. Well, it just isn't so." John goes on to tell about the plans he is working on to provide a corridor to separate Fort Collins from Loveland. According to the intergovernmental agreements that are currently in force , Fort Collins and Loveland will maintain a one mile buffer between their boundaries. He hopes that the land between the cities will contain open space, park land, low density housing (1 unit per 2.5 acres) and possibly some

recreational uses. There is currently a 38 member taskforce looking at the issue of the corridor. At the urging of the Fort Collins City Council , the county tried to adopt a Design Review Overlay Zone to prevent houses from being built in the foothills and impeding the scenic view for Fort Collins residents. A citizens' group formed to oppose the DROZ and was successful in stopping the adoption of the regulations by the county commissioners. Several hundred property owners banded together to form a strong coalition of rural and urban landowners

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who are championing individual property rights. Land use planning must draw a fine distinction between what is best for the community as a whole and what respects the rights of individual landowners. There is no doubt that the improper use of a parcel of ground can negatively impact not only those neighbors in close proximity, but also the citizenry at large. In order to balance these important interests, communities pass zoning laws, or buy land outright for public uses, or pay owners for restricted use of their property. Fort Collins planning and zoning laws are among some of the most progressive and creative in the United States. In the

Stopping new construction for a year would be economically comparable to shutting down Colorado State University for 9 months. It would cause the loss of thousands of jobs and would trigger a financial Armageddon in northern Colorado. early 1980s, the city adopted the Land Development Guidance System which directs the planning process for projects built in the city. The keystone of this system is a concept called Mixed Use Land Planning which encourages different uses such as residential, commercial and industrial to be built next to each other so long as the uses are properly mitigated and buffered so that their uses do not conflict. Buffering and mitigation can be accomplished by fencing , landscaping, berming, open space and natural features such as lakes, streams or ridges.

26 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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One of the best examples of mixed uses in the country is at the corner of Lemay and Drake. The four corners of that intersection include a church, a shopping center, a factory and an exclusive residential area. The properties on that corner include the First Christian Church, which is set back from the street and sunounded with ample open space for future development of church facilities, including parking . Scotch Pines Village Shopping Center is designed so that you can' t see the main parking lot and stores from the street and is buffered from the surrounding uses by

a berm and landscaping. The factory is the Woodward Governor Company , which maintains one of the most impeccable industrial sites in the world. Their buildings are set back from the street and screened by dense foliage and sunounded with immaculate landscaping. Parkwood is one of the most desirable residential areas in the country. In fact, when visitors come to our town to consider relocation , they love Parkwood where the lake buffers and mitigates the residential uses from the more intense commercial uses . The real benefits of mixed use land

Remember when moving was exciting and fun? Now that you are all grown up, moving is not as simple. At The Prudential McElroy McCoy REALTORS, Inc. we have experienced professional sales associates you can count on to keep your best interests at hea1t. Whether you are wanting to buy, sell or relocate, our professionals will offer you the Pmdential advantages of experience, local expe1tise and supp01t ... So call us today and let us introduce you to a professional whose only interest is you.

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planning comes when people don't have to drive long distances to work and shopping. According to recent surveys, the two biggest concerns that local residents have are traffic congestion and air pollution. The reduced driving of those living in a mixed use area helps immensely with these problems. Ideally, under this planning scenario, every square mile in the city will contain a mix of housing , employers, shopping, parks and churches. In a recent move that shocked local developers, the Fort Collins City Council made some drastic changes in their development fees. The fee to process a typical development was raised from $320 to $7,576. According to local developer Stan Everitt, "I see it (the increase) as a real philosophical shift in the elected leadership of the city. City fees have added thousands of dollars to the price of a house. My calculator won't even calculate the % (of fee increase)." In the past, the philosophy has been that good planning benefits the entire community, and to review plans for new development protects the property values and rights of all the citizens of Fort Collins. Now, the planning process is seen as primarily benefiting the developers and charges them (and indirectly, those who buy homes) with 80% of the costs. If you take that train of thought to grand central station, you must conclude that all of us who have moved here, and are not natives , have not paid our fair share of the development costs associated with our corning to paradise. What's next? Simple logic dictates that each of us needs to write a check! The new philosophy has its roots in the desire to make growth pay its own way. When you figure in all the taxes and fees that are generated by new construction, growth actually shows a profit for the city of $1.3 million dollars a year. Another change in planning philosophy has to do with the minimum density that will be allowed in the city. It is much more cost effective for the city to provide services to people if they live close together. Rene Clements, Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board Chair states, " The city needs to be promoting in-fill development. We have vacant parcels of land where services are available. It's less expensive and more efficient to serve those infill sites." There is also reduction in pollution when people need to travel less distance to work, shopping and school. In the past, the Land Development Guidance System has required that all new devel-

28 Fort Collins Style Magazine

opment achieve a minimum density of 3 dwelling units per acre. That is now being considered for revision upward to 5 dwelling units an acre and in the case of properties that are within two thousand feet of a transit stop, employment or shopping centers or other "major neighborhood destinations", the density must be 8 dwelling units per acre. Les Kaplan, former city planner and now a developer, takes issue with this new plan to increase density. He points out that there is demand in the market for single family homes that are built four or five to the acre and that the new regulations will make it very difficult, if not impossible to provide that product for consumers. The result will encourage people who want a single family home lifestyle to move outside the Fort Collins area and commute, thereby increasing traffic congestion and air pollution.

"City fees have added thousands of dollars to the price of a house. My calculator won't even calculate the % of fee increase." - Stan Everitt, Executive Vice-President, Everitt Companies Kaplan doesn ' t mince words when he states, "(This proposal) is a naive, poorlyanalyzed initiative which would not only worsen the problems it presumably sets out to solve but would, moreover, have profound negative impacts on the local and regional economies. Masquerading as the magic wand for managing growth, this action is effectively a communitywide rezoning, a new Comprehensive Plan for Fort Collins in and of itself, and will have substantial land use and economic ramifications throughout Northern Colorado." The idea of increasing minimum densities in the Fort will undoubtedly encounter further resistance from those who live close to proposed in-fill projects. This is the point where NIMBY comes into play; NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard. Many Fort Collins

residents become upset when they see a vacant piece of land proposed for development. They fear the increased congestion , traffic and other problems that come from having more and more people live in their parcel of paradise. Most high density proposals are opposed by the neighbors and it is safe to assume that the increased density that is proposed will not be a welcome addition to the city's existing neighborhoods. Urban sprawl became a buzz word back in the 70s. It is the process of cities growing larger and larger and sprawling onto the adjacent vacant land . Many

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times leapfrog development adds to urban sprawl by locating new residential, commercial or industrial areas in undeveloped parts of the county that are not contiguous with existing cities . Sometimes , urban sprawl can become regional sprawl when new development is forced to occur, through such regulations as were instituted in Boulder during the 1970s, in small towns that are far removed from employment and shopping centers. This requires residents, employees and customers to drive longer distances and contributes to air pollution and traffic congestion.

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However, some people like urban sprawl. There is an increasing demand for homes in the country where the residents can drive past cornfields, cow pastures and open space on their way to town. These home sites on large lots provide an opportunity to keep horses, cows or other animals and give a feeling of privacy to the homeowners. Even though this style of living costs government more money to serve, many of those who live in these environments will fight to maintain their freedom to choose. Another problem with living in the country is the increased reliance on the automobile. There are many people in power who want to take away your car and make you one of the hike, bike or bus set. One rationale behind the proposed change in minimum density is to force people to rely on mass transit or pedal power. Les Kaplan isn't sold on that plot either. He points out, "The existing land use pattern of Fort Collins has evolved over the last thirty years or so without mass transit ever being identified as one of the major community-wide objectives. For a band of new City Council members to superimpose their agenda for mass transit by attempting to retrofit a system into the existing land use pattern through artificially higher density on vacant ground is simply not responsible growth management." The philosophical changes continue as proposals are made to make the Urban Growth Area Boundary inflexible. Originally, the boundary was intended to expand around the city as growth occurred, allowing the planning process to stay out in front of development. The new policy says that Fort Collins needs to have a strictly defined boundary and that all growth needs to occur within that line at 5 units per acre or denser and the county will agree not to approve any projects denser than I unit per 2.5 acres. It will be impossible to build on 1/4 up to 2 1/2 acre lots , anywhere. Living on a large piece of land in Fort Collins will be impossible and country living will be the domain of the wealthy. Finally, there is a deep and poignant change in philosophy that says we need to have more government control over private land use in our community. Adherents to thi s credo believe that the market place is not the best determiner of what needs to be built and where it needs to be built. Stan Everitt is quick to point out that thi s will cause developers to leave vacant parcels of land within the city until the market for a particular type of product is realized. He maintains that

30 Fort Collins Style Magazine

~ Fortunately, our form of govif in-fill development is desired, ~ ernment allows people to make this policy will be counterpro~changes when they don't like ductive to that goal. ~what is happening at city hall, the The land-use activists would ~ court house, or the state house. have us believe that everything tf. Time judges the popularity of the is broken and we need to junk choices our elected leaders make our planning policies and start for us. And, the future gets more over again. Some say dump the exciting every day. Land Development Guidance There is never a good time System - it doesn't work. for trouble in paradise. In the In rebuttal, consider this chalnear future , intergovernmental lenge from Stan Everitt, "Show planning agreements between me a town of 100,000 people, anywhere, that is better than the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County need to be Fort Collins! The quality of our revisited; law enforcement and city isn't due to dumb luckthe courts are in need of addi our development policies have tional space and city/county made it that way." cooperation is a must to pro We started this little discusResidential growth has been significant in southeast Fort Collins. vide it; the foothills need prosion about our favorite town 1994 aerial shows neighborhoods surrounding Warren Lake. tecting; the corridor needs with few comments about our sides of the debate are passionate and defining ; recycling needs to increase housing shortage. It is good to remember because somebody needs to take out the sincere, even though they have differing that the cost of housing is directly related trash ; and, oh yes , if we want to keep opinions about what needs to be done. to supply and demand. We can be driving cars , somewhere we need to One thing is for certain, the concerns encouraged that the recent activity in pave paradise and put up a parking lot. about what happens in the Choice City building will eventually evolve into an come from people who deeply care increase in the housing supply and a about their little piece of paradise. John Clarke is a professional photogradecrease in housing costs. We 've seen pher in Fort Collins and has been active Another break in the storm clouds that cycle before and we will see it again. allows a glimpse of another encouraging in government and civic organizations If you get the idea that the controversy fact - the two sides talk to each other for many years. He is a candidate for surrounding the growth of Fort Collins county commissioner in 1994. and the dialogue continues. is a major issue, you are right. Both

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BUSINESS

ith 31 years in the profession behind him, Harry Abrams can offer a view of the thriving northern Colorado banking industry that says it all: "It's pretty darn exciting to live here and be a part of all thi s and see the growth that 's going on," says Abrams, senior vice president and branch manager of Union Colony Bank in northern Fort Collins. He 's not exaggerating. The banking industry in northern Colorado- in Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland-hasn't experienced such good times since the early 1970s when our region suddenly was discovered by the rest of America as the place to be. That was a time when Fort Collins was the fourth fastest growing city in the United States. Consider these testimonials about what's happening now to the local banking industry: "We're booming," says Rea Boyd , president of Colorado National Bank, Fort Collins. "All the banks in northern Colorado are doing well," emphasizes Don Churchwell, chairman of the board, CEO and president of three Bank One institutions in Loveland and Fort Collins. He adds, "If a bank isn't doing well now, it's having some real problems." More than most industries, banking is a sign of the times for a local economy. "Banking institutions are in many ways the mirrors of their community," points out John Drennen, former president of Affiliated Bank, Fort Collins, and cutTent president of First Choice Bank that is scheduled to open soon in Fort Collins. "If a community is doing we ll, a bank-unless it is incredibly poorly

managed-is going to do well also. Conversely, if a community is doing poorly, it's not likely the bank is doing well, either, especially if it 's trying to meet community needs. It doesn ' t take a magician to figure that out." And northern Colorado is doing well ... The furious pace of new construction proves that. Local investments are up . Businesses are starting or expanding. Consumer spending is on the rise. In other words, to spout that ol' cliche, optimism is springing eternal. Plus the area has other benefits that some regions don't-universi ties and solid national corporations that have offices and production facilities here. "There are so me stable employers around here," says Mark Driscoll , senior vice president of First Interstate, "and the growing economy gives people the capacity to use more banking services." "Now we're very high on northern Colorado," Koger Propst, president of First Bank of Northern Colorado, says about the local banking industry. "But that's easy to say because northern Colorado has some very big strengths." It 's hard to pinpoint precisely how well banks are doing. Annual profit margins vary, but, generally, it appears as if most are ranging at least in the double

digits. In less than five years, Union Colony Bank, for instance, grew from $5.6 million to more than $20 million in assets, almost a 400-percent growth. Within five years of opening its doors, First Interstate Bank of South Fort Collins had acquired $44 million in assets, as of March. In Greeley, a First Choice Bank opened in 1992 and has since acquired $48 million in total assets. "That's an unprecedented performance," Drennen says. "I don ' t know if you can put an accurate percentage on it (the culTent success of the banking industry)" says Churchwell. "But I'd say the whole industry is 10 times better off now than it was in the late 1980s." The banking industry's respectable performance has had another benefit: Banks are retaining their competitive edge by keeping tabs on each other, but the need to outdo each other for a market share isn't as great as it is in poor economic times. "There is so much growth now that banks don ' t have to worry about stealing business from each other," Driscoll says. "If banks just maintain their cutTent market shares, they will get growth." In determining success, some banks also measure in such other factors as

growth in the number of depositors . This, too, has been a bright area for banks. One bank near downtown Fort Collins-Norwest Bank of Fort Collins-saw a 14-percent growth in the last year in the number of households that bank there. During the same time, Norwest South, in the city's southern area, where construction of suburban homes is loaded with activity, experienced a 19-percent increase in households. "You can't do much better than that," observes Dan Gasper , president and CEO of Norwest Bank of Fort Collins and CEO of Norwest Bank South in Fort Collins. The current good times have some different twists than what banks experienced during the fruitful years of the early 1970s. State laws were revised in 1991 to allow the six-year phase in of branch banking, including out-of-state ownership. That was enough incentive to encourage large financial institutions, both in and out of Colorado, to come searching for expanding, lucrative markets where they could acquire or start banks. "We've seen a dramatic change in banking," says Larry Meier, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Bank, Fort Collins. "We (northern Colorado) used to be dominated by local Colorado holding companies that kept a unique presence here by owning separate charter banks. Now the vast majority of banks are owned by out-of-state, very large regional holding companies, or out-ofstate financial institutions that are looking for a regional presence." Rea Boyd comes right to the point: "Almost every bank has been affected." That is certainly true. There have been mergers , name changes , acquisitions, new bank openings ... about every change you can think of, as a matter of fact (except bankruptcy) ... and a scorecard is needed to keep track of changes. With that in mind, here's what has happened just in Fort Collins in the last few years: • In 1989, the First Bank System purchased Central Banks and Capital Federal Savings, one of which was located in Fort Collins. Last year the system purchased Western Banks and Colorado National Banks and renamed the banking institution Colorado National. Colorado National has two branch banks in Fort Collins. • In 1991 , United Banks of Colorado, which included a bank in Fort Collins, was purchased by Norwest of Minneapolis. Since then , Norwest now has two banks in Fort Collins.

• Home Federal Savings & Loan was purchased last year by KeyCorp. This year KeyCorp purchased Commercial Bancorporation of Colorado, which operated 11 Century Banks in Colorado. One of those was in Fort Collinsa Century Bank that previously had acquired Rocky Mountain Bank in downtown Fort Collins . In Fort Collins, KeyCorp has three Key Banks, one downtown, a second on Drake, and a third on Harmony Road. • A financial holding company, First National of Nebraska, purchased First Interstate of Fort Collins in 1993. First Interstate also has a branch bank at Boardwalk and South College Ave. • Union Colony Bank, a branch of Union Colony Bank of Greeley, acquired Northern Bank and Trust five years ago. • In May 1993, FirstBank, a subsidiary of FirstBank Holding Company, the largest banking organization in Colorado, opened two locations in Fort Collins. This spring the FirstBan of Northern Colorado will open tranche s in Greeley and Loveland. A second FirstBank will be opened by year's end in Loveland. • FNB Inc., a Greeley holding company comprised of stockholders mainly from Greeley and Fort Collins, acquired the exisiting Poudre Valley Bank in 1993 and opened Poudre Valley Bank. FMB Inc. also owns First National Bank of Greeley. • Bank One is a banking center of the 88-year-old Bank One in Loveland. The Regional Bank is located in downtown Loveland, Westlake on the west side of Loveland, and the Fort Collins Banking Center on South College, with a fourth bank to be open by year end at the corner of Harmony Road and Boardwalk, Fort Collins. • Regulatory applications are being completed to open a First Choice Bank in Fort Collins that will be associated with First Choice Bank of Greeley. • First Interstate Bank of South Fort Collins opened in 1987 as a franchisee of First Interstate Bancorp. First Interstate Bank of South Fort Collins was started by local businessmen Tom Byington and Bob Everitt and is owned by 82 stockholders, all from the Fort Collins vicinity. This fall the bank will change its name to First State Bank of Fort Collins, remaining the only bank in the city to be owned by all Fort Collins area residents.

Dave Armstrong, a banking executive in Fort Collins since 1969, says most local bankers haven't been surprised by the vigorous acquisition activities. In fact, he says, we can expect to see even more activity in the future. "The process is picking up rather than subsiding," says Armstrong, vice president of Key Bank. "The trend is being forced upon us by the economics of the industry, the economy of scale." For example, when two banking systems are merged , only one CEO is needed, and duplicated positions and services often can be combined. In addition, some functions-such as backroom loan processing approvals-can be performed in a regional center rather than in individual banks . All of this is designed to decrease costs. "The driving force is the bottom line, the profit, for stockholders," Armstrong adds. Even though many changes have occurred in bank ownerships in the last few years, most customers feel they aren't inconvenienced, says Colorado National Bank 's Rea Boyd. " Once they've gone through the name change with a bank, customers usually find they are still working with the same employees, and they often find out there are new products offered. Some changes are wonderful for customers." On the heels of the changes in state law that allows for mergers are new fed-

eral banking regulations that are expected to occur later this year. If passed by Congress, the regulations will open the way for interstate branch banking with few strings attached. This means, for instance, that a customer at a New York bank would be able to cash a check at one of the bank's branches in Colorado, and vice versa. Meanwhile, the new regulations are expected to make it attractive for huge financial institutions, such as Banks of America or Citicorp, to acquire smaller holding companies similar in size to the ones that have been merging with northern Colorado banks. "When that (new federal regulations) happens , you can expect a whole new wave of mergers and acquisitions to go on," predicts Tom Byington, president and CEO of First Interstate Bank of South Fort Collins. His is a prediction that other banking executives support. Of course, all of these local banking activities are interesting-and they are something that each bank pays close attention to in order to find out what competitors are doing-but what is the real bottom line? How does-or doesn' t-the consumer benefit from mergers and acquisitions that can create a bank owned by a large financial holding company that usually is located elsewhere besides northern Colorado? The answer varies, depending on the banker spoken to. Small bankers say institutions with out-of-community ownership sometimes provide less in the way of personalized service for local customers. Meanwhile, large bankers believe their institutions are better because they can offer a wider ranger of services-retirement planning, investment brokerages and international banking, for examples-that smaller banks may not be able to afford to offer. "Part of the service that a customer can get at a larger bank is technological sup-

port-cash management and electronic data interfacing, for instance-and that type of service requires a high investment in technology ," points out Norwest's Dan Gasper, "and it's often only the larger banks that are part of a financial sys tem that can afford the costly investment in technology." Poudre Valley Bank's Larry Meier offers a perspective with a different slant : "Generally speaking, I think it becomes more difficult for a customer, especially a small business client, to deal with very, very large institutions. The reason I love being with a smaller bank is because I have the ability to take care of small business customers. That's where a smaller bank can play a good role." Union Colony's Hany Abrams has this perspective: "Buyouts and consolidations can be good or bad. They can bring needed capital from other sources to northern Colorado. The tradeoff, though, might be that those larger institutions may lose their personalities. At that point, there is a true opportunity for small banks to fill the gap for people who like to have more personalized attention." Here is a look at banks mentioned in this story. Each was asked to provide information about services that it is particularly proud of or which make that bank stand out above others. Bank One "We have several advantages over other banks, " says Don Churchwell , board chair , CEO and president of the three Bank Ones in Northern Colorado . "We look at ourselves as a Fort Don Churchwell, Coli ins, Loveland , CEO and Presidem, three Bank One's in Berthoud, and Well- Northern Colorado ington financial organization becau se we have three offices to serve those areas, and plan to have a fourth by the end of the year." Bank One offers a full range of traditional banking services: checking, savings, certificates of deposit, and commercial lending. The bank also has a full-service trust department and offers the flexibility of Bane One Securities Divisions. The bank also offers multiple consumer lending programs, construction lending , land development, small business loan programs, and corporate cash management.

The bank has several programs in affordable housing lending that are tailored to the first-time home buyer. Bank One customers can conduct business at any of the system's 40 banks in Colorado. "What also sets us apart is our employees," Churchwell says. "I don't know of many banks in the state that have more longevity in its employee base. That means we have a continuity of management and good quality employees who remain with us . That speaks well for our organization." First Bank First Bank offers mo s t conventional customer services on a competitive basis, including 24-hour banking , but its biggest asset is the quality and helpfulness of its employKoger Propst, ees, says Koger President, Propst, president of First Bank of FirstBank of North- Northern Colorado ern Colorado, one of 22 subsidiary banks that are part of the $2-billion First Bank Holding Company. The banking system is more than 70 percent owned by officers and employees of local banks. "We've had the same leadership for 30 years," he says. "That provides a lot of stability and is a real strength for our customers. They know when they are dealing with First Bank they will be working with the same employees. We try to run each bank like a small community bank. " It may be a cliche to say this, but when you walk into a First Bank, you will likely be dealing with one of the owners since we are so highly employeeowned. There is a sense of commitment from our employees and low turnover. Employees stay with us ." First Choice Bank Greeley has a First Choice Bank that opened in 1992. Fort Collins also will have one as soon as application forms are approved by banking regulators. John Drennen , who will be president of the Fort Collins bank, believes the bank will thrive because it will be able to offer a sensitivity to customer and community needs

Century Bank is now Key BanK. And at Key Bank, we're not just business bankers. We're business builders. We have all the resources of a multibillion dollar financial organization behind us. Yet we work with you in a very personal, direct, results-oriented way. We take the time to really understand your business, and where you want to take it. We make our loan decisions right here, instead of making you wait for answers

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because they are owned by out-off-city ,,." holding companies. "Those banks are often constrained by , .their own procedures and policies, and <

t they aren't able to adapt or be flexible -' ·~. ,. enough to meet the needs of the individual," Drennen says. .._ ; "But with a locally owned and man- ·-:-: aged bank, loan decisions are made here. 1 . Policy determination is made here. Pric( ing is made here.

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Senior Vice President Mark Driscoll's pride in the bank and its broad array of offerings for customers is obvious. "We continue to come up with innovative programs," he Mark Driscoll, says. Senior Vice For example , he President, points to the bank's First In terstate checking product that of Fort Collins provides numerous services if a customer maintains $2,500 in the bank. The money can be in a checking or savings account, certificate of deposit, or in the form of a loan. The bank also has a new program, Equity Plus, through which a customer can set up an umbrella loan using the equity in a home. The loan can be accessed at any time for personal uses such as auto purchases, vacations, or home improvements. Essentially, this is like a line of credit-only the loan interest payments can be tax-deductible and made usin several repayment alternatives unde one note. First Interstate also offers a corporate cash management service. Such services at most banks are available only to large businesses, but, in this case, mediumsized and small businesses can use this service that will advise them on how to manage excess cash.

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When Tom Byington shared the idea to start a new bank in Fort Collins with businessman Bob Everitt, the observation

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was made to him that too many banks may already exist in the Choice City. He agreed. "I said Fort Collins doesn't need just another bank. All the banks are ' pretty much the same. But it's how we treat the customer that will make the difference." Byington, president and CEO of the 7year-old First Interstate Bank of South ' Fort Collins, has kept those thoughts in mind over the years. He believes his bank-the only one in the city that is totally owned by Fort Collins area residents-is in a position to offer quality personalized service and responsiveness to customer needs. The bank's local stockholders are good ambassadors, he says. "They keep their ears to the ground," he continues, "and they tell us what ~ we're doing good and bad. That's very impo1tant when you're in a customer-oriented business." In addition, two of the bank's officers are stockholders and seven employees ; remain from the original nine who began work when the bank opened in 1987. ~· "It's important for customers to know ' they are dealing with owners of the bank and employees who enjoy working here," Byington says. First Interstate South also knows its limitations. For example, it doesn't consider itself to be an agricultural lending institution, but it does provide full service in other areas: personal, commercial and real estate loans. The bank also has carved out a respectable market in the 1 land development and construction loan areas. "We take particular pride in small business lending," Byington adds. "Being locally owned and operated doesn't mean much unless you do something with it," he points out. "In our case, we're more responsive to our customer needs and we can provide the personalized service that is so important." J

Get to know us on

a 6rst-name basis. Rita Glaser, Vice President, Commercial Lending

Rita has 10 years oflending experience, specializing in construction, commercial, real estate and agricultural loans. She has an MBA in Finance/Accounting, is a member of the Foothills Rotary Club and an active participant in community events in Fort Collins.

Key Bank Vice President, Private Banking Manager of Key Bank, Dave Armstrong has worked in management positions in several local banks since 1969. But the job he is Dave Armstrong, undertaking with Vice President, Key Bank, which Private Banking recently acquired Manager, Key Bank Century Bank, where of Fort Collins he was president, may be the most challenging for him. His duties include making sure that lo-

Lynne Potter, Vice President, Commercial Lending

Lynne has been associated with Bank One for six years as an auditor, operations manager and commercial lender. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Colorado Society of CPAs, the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, Red Carpet Committee and Center for Business Assistance Committee.

Dave Marcy, Commercial Loan Officer

Dave has six years of banking experience, with an emphasis in commercial credit analysis. He has a degree in Economics from CSU and has completed the majority of coursework toward a second degree in Finance. Dave is active in the community, and has done volunteer work for both the United Way and Jaycees.

Call any of our business loan officers today at (303) 484-2822.

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cal customers get the best of both worlds: access to multiple services that a large bank can provide and yet the personalized touch of a small bank. Key Bank is a full-service institution that offers all types of lending, cash management products, international banking, trust, and brokerage servicesproduct lines that small banks typically don't have. The local Key Bank is able to issue loans locally without having to get approval, as some large banks do, from headquarters located elsewhere in the nation. "That translates into faster service for the customer," Armstrong says. "From the customer's perspective, the most important ingredient is the relationship that he or she has with the banker, the person you can call to get timely and professional advice and service. That hasn't changed at Key Bank."

Norwest Dan Gasper, CEO of two Norwest banks in Fort Collins, says Norwest's philosophy is "out-local the nationals" and "out-national the locals." By that, he means the Norwest bankseven though they are part of a national system-try to retain a local flavor. On the other hand, they attempt to provide service more traditionally offered by large banks connected with national systems. For instance, the banks encourage em' ployees to be active in local organizations. "That helps us get a good pulse on what's happening in the community," he .r says. "That's the best way to find out how to meet the needs of the market place." Norwest offers traditional serviceschecking and savings accounts, for example-that can be found in any bank, regardless of its size. However, Norwest also provides such services and products as cash management, international banking, venture capital, equipment leasing, asset-based lending, SBA lending, a full stock brokerage, and trust department that many smaller banking institutions can't afford to provide. In Colorado, the Norwest system also has started a $50-million product, the Women's Equity Fund, that supports businesses owned by women or minorities. Norwest also offers a Community Home Ownership Program that gives buyers access to affordable housing.

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Poudre Valley Bank Larry Meier, president and CEO, feel s his bank provides a good service to small business customers by providing personalized advice on Larry Meier, structuring loan s, President and CEO, cash man agement Poudre Valley Bank and other areas that small business owners may not have expertise in. "Those services are an added value which large financial institutions may not have the time or willingness to provide," he says. Poudre Valley offers a variety of traditional services and it also ha s a Relationship Bonus Program that gives ' additional yields on a certificate of deposit if a customer has other relationships with the bank. "But our main benefit is not a product per se," Meier says. "It 's our ability to "" deliver service with good common sense. We don ' t have all the various bells and whistles that large institution s may. ' What we try to do is serve customers as best as possi ble and hav e a focus on small business clients."

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to the last coat of paint- monitoring constructi on, disbursing funds, an d sharing our expertise throughout th e process. Ca ll Sue Wagner at (303) 490-625 1 for r-----, more information. Building relationships is our business.

Norwest Bank Ft. Collins 401 South College Avenue (303) 490-6251

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41 1994-'95

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If you're like most people, building a home or mak ing home improvements isn't so mething you do every day. Fortuna tel y, Norwest bankers do. Not on ly do we provide construction loans at competitive rates, we' ll be yo ur advocate all the way from ground-break ing

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-.~:!..~~-~: r~_~.:·,-~1: ,'\-_\~·-,~~::.../·: ~(l;: ~\:~~~-·1. )r:~~~~~/~ ~(>;~:~~-J.;' r.t,\ ... ,.-Union Colorado Colony National Bank Harry Abrams, Colorado National Bank h as gone senior vice president through mergers in and manager of the the last few years, Union Colony branch but Rea Boyd, presibank on North dent of a bran c h College A venue in Fort Collins, believes bank in Fort Collins, Hany Abrams, the bank fills two believes cu stomers Rea Boyd, President, Colorado National Senior Vice niches: serving agriare pleased because Bank, Fort Collins President culture and small they have ac cess to '; and Manager, business, areas im- Union Colony Bank, more services. Fort Collins " Our customers have lo ve d the portant in the local changes," she says. economy. The bank also fills another niche: It Colorado National has 24-hour cusprovides service to the north area of Fort tomer phone service and 280 automated teller machines throughout Colorado. Collins, where other banks don't have : ' The banking system has 64 branches in branches. the state ; a customer can access his or Union Colony offers a wide range of services and products, but Abrams be- :' ' her account through any branch. lieves the institution's real success has .' ' The branch banks in Fort Collins have come from its personalized service. the longest open hours of any banks in "Our growth has been due mainly to the city. They are open from 7:30a.m. to customer referrals," Abrams says. "That ~-, 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from makes us feel like we are definitely ful9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. filling the need s of our customers The banking sys tem also has develthrough good service." oped new products. Here are examples: a low-interest un sec ured line of credit; credit cards; and home equity loan s Gary Kimsey is a Fo rt Collins freelance .._ writer who likes the smell of money. through which customers can get 100 percent of the equity in their homes. "'

42 Fort Collins Style Magazine

The mayor explains the background of Hill community required the airport move of closure. Contractual obligations of both why a new airport was needed. Original to a new site. The Federal Aviation the federal government and the airlines Administration (FAA) experienced serious Denverites thought that Stapleton was too require that it eventually be sold, with the far from the downtown area. In more national enroute delays during inclement proceeds being credited against the debt of recent years, requests were made to expand weather as a direct result of Stapleton ' s DIA. A master plan is being formulated for the airport. One reason was that Stapleton's inadequate facilities. Airport planners were a new beginning at Stapleton, which proproximity to the Park Hill community was concerned that future terminal developvides an outline for future growth over a considered a safety hazard to the residents. ment would be extremely expensive due to twenty-year period. The goal for the develAfter a small Piper aircraft landed on 26th limited availability of undeveloped real opment is to strike a balance among the Avenue near the airport, the endangerment estate , and airport planners saw serious competing forces of the ecology, the qualappeared to be more severe. The commuaccess problems developing over the next ity of life, a high return on investment, and nity filed a lawsuit against the city. The twenty years due to limitations of roadan improved tax base for Denver. Since city had made previous attempts to expand development of a master plan requires time ways leading to Stapleton. onto the Rocky Mountain arsenal for study , review by the commuarea, but the environmental clean-up nity, and approval by the body DIA was des1gned to accommodate upward would have cost billions of dollars. politic, a plan of interim leasing is Denver spent time in court with lawof 50 million passengers and over 700.000 underway. Approximately fifty suits fighting the need to expand. buildings are being marketed by take-offs and landings. Ult1matel~ with a total The need was imminent. The Denver brokers with the underbuildout. over 110 million passengers annuall~ mayor says that Stapleton's runways standing that leases will not exceed were built too close together. Traffic five years in duration. A primary (approximate!~ twice that of Chicago, the was often backed up due to objective for the plan is to create a world's busiest airport) and 100,250.000 inclement weather. Federico Pena, thriving employment center at then mayor of Denver, and the city take-offs and landings will be accommodated Stapleton where the terminal area council led the fight to build a new may be used as the primary activity airport. Webb, then city auditor, was supThe decision to build the new airport center through such reuse options as a portive. He said the entire airport has been was made ultimately by the people of museum, research park and an educational designed for one concern " to provide a Denver. Federico Pena placed the question and training center. facility that will not be a bottleneck to the before the people and a significant majority Considerable sums were invested in the transportation industry nationally and interinterim development of Stapleton even indicated their support for the project. nationally," and to reduce the time a pasThe groundbreaking took place in 1989 though the facility would have to relocate senger must spend in the airport. and the opening of DIA in the summer of in five years. The airlines conditioned their Director of Aviation, Jim DeLong gives 1994. However, a "punch list" of items are approval of a new airport subject to the city several reasons why a new airport was scheduled to be completed by contractors approving their expansion at Stapleton . needed. Airlines were experiencing airfield well into the end of 1994. They did this because they were losing mildelays which cost over $ 100,000,000 annuWhen the new airport opened, Stapleton lions of dollars annually due to the lack of ally. A court directed stipulation agreement International Airport had to close and all terminal space. They concluded that these between the City of Denver and the Park improvements could be amortized within aircraft operations had to cease at the time

Illustration of light, open, and ve1y large interior of DIA.

43 1994-'95

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VICINITY PLAN

NORTH

the five years, and the airlines agreed to pay for these improvements. The location of DIA was determined by a detailed analysis of many alternative sites that was conducted by the City of Denver. The northeast Denver site was selected after reviewing the technical and political aspects of each alternative. The primary access to DIA will move from Interstate 70 onto a twelve-mile limited access freeway, Pena Boulevard, constructed as part of DIA. Secondary access is possible from a series of roadways to the east and west of Pena Boulevard. The State, Denver, and surrounding communities are currently investing in roadway improvements intercepting Pena Blvd. In addition, the State is working toward construction of the next phase of the Denver outer-loop (E-470) which, when complete, will intersect Pena Blvd. Financing of the airport was primarily through the sale of Airport Revenue Bonds and with the use of retained earnings from Stapleton International Airport. "No city taxpayer dollars were used," Mayor Webb affirms. He explains that the airport is in an enterprise fund which is segregated from the general fund dollars. The airlines entered into contractual agreements with the city to retire the debt and pay for the operating and maintenance costs associated with the new facility. "The users have the responsibility of paying the cost and of having some say about what they want in the airport. We should work with them to make their areas more profitable and to have a great product so that more people come into Denver." Grants from the federal Department of Transportation totaling

$501 million, plus money from concession fees wiii help pay for the new airport. The DIA project budget estimate was approximately $3.1 billion. The airport was designed for future growth. It was constructed to accommodate upward of 50 million passengers and over 700,000 take-offs and landings. Ultimately with a total buildout, over 110 million passengers annually (approximately twice that of Chicago, the world's busiest airport) and 100,250,000 take-offs and landings will be

accommodated. More than 34 million passengers are expected in the first 12 months of the opening. Hundreds of systems and amenities for passenger convenience, comfort and efficiency have been incorporated into the design of the new facility to serve the traveler. The key improvement centers around the reduction in delays the passenger will experience. Improved runways, taxiways, and internal access will translate into less time spent at the airport. DIA will affect and prosper the local economy. While no one area of the state will benefit uniquely, this improved transportation system will, in time, attract new industry and commerce to the state. Houston, Atlanta, Orlando, and Dallas-Fort Worth provide proof of this phenomena. Historically, where viable transportation facilities were constructed - seaport, rail, or air - commerce flourished. "It is clear that cities which have built new airports and made them a transportation hub, have grown with additional businesses. It has a domino effect on their cities and their region," says Webb. "If the state's economy grows, the regional economy grows, and everyone benefits." The effect on northern communities of Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland will be positive. "It provides a more timely access point for those communities to market their products nationally and internationally," says Webb. With more flights coming into Denver, businesses will be able to have a more speedy access to other northern Colorado cities. "The airport will serve United and other airlines with more flights coming into Denver and nearby markets. From a business opportunity, the more

NORTH

44 Fort Collins Style Magazine

places that connect with air travel, the closer shuttles 6,000 passengers per hour in each 1991, his goal was "to be a good mayor, to the cities are tied together." direction between the terminal and the condo a good job, to represent 487 ,000 people courses. Air traffic is directed from the 327in the city, to balance expectations and needs The revolutionary state-of-the-art ailfield foot control tower, the tallest ever built for of community interests, to provide efficient comprises 53 square miles, twice the size of Manhattan Island, New York. The six runthe FAA. police, fire, health services, park and infraMayor Webb is proud of the teamwork structure system that will be the envy of the ways, ramps and taxiways of sutface area in the first design phase are equivalent - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - nation. I place great emphasis on to a single lane of highway from Th DIA II f building an economy that provides e primor~ access to wi move rom jobs , recreational outlets , and to Denver to Chicago. Approximately 90 full-service gates are open with Interstate 70 onto a twelve-mile limited access work with schools, to provide develultimate expansion to 260 gates , freewo~. Peno Boulevard. constructed OS port opment with human infrastructure of which involves adding two more people and children." concourses and lengthening the of DIA. Secondor~ access is possible from The mayor has served the public 0 series of roodwo~s to the east and west as Colorado House Representative, existing three. In addition to the five 12,000-foot runways that allow for of Peno Boulevard. regional director of the U.S. Dept of atTivals and departures in four direcHealth, Education and Welfare, tions, a sixth 16,000-foot runway is executive director of the Colorado and collective achievements of the Denver Department of Regulatory Agencies, and scheduled to begin construction in 1994. as Denver City Auditor. Mayor Webb and An underground rail system provides transInternational Airport. He is glad to be able to First Lady Wilma Webb have four grown portation , (Automated Guideway Transit share in the vision and to serve the city of System, AGTS , computer operated trains) Denver. Since the inception of his term in children.

FLYING OUT OF FORT COLLINS

e nee a convement, econom1ca , d air gateway . . I and safe for the community and the corporate setting," says Fred Anderton , general manager of Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport. "Time is money. " People want an efficient way of transportation to get from northern Colorado to their destination. Travel by air is an alternate means of transportation that accommodates and meets the needs of passengers in an expedient way. With the opening of Denver International Airport (DIA), the aviation resources to fly out of Fort Collins are soaring to great heights. Size. Traffic. "The growth in size of enplanements and operations has been phenomenal," says Anderton. The increase in the activity at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport and the Fort Collins

Downtown Airport has been on a steady upswing. Fort Collins-Loveland Airport has experienced a 40 percent growth in enplanements over the last three years , compared to the national growth of three percent. In 1993 , Fort Collins-Loveland Airport had 46,000 enplanements, with a 60,000 passenger projection for 1994, and an anticipated 100,000 within the first 12 months of the DIA opening. Operations (take-offs or landings) have increased to 90,000 a year from 70,000 in 1991. The Fort Collins Downtown Airport has seen increased activity in aviation fuel sales by 25 percent from a year ago to the present. "Overall, since 1992, we have had a 35 percent increase in the number of transient and base cu stomers," says Sharone Mekelburg, airport manager. Its overall volume has increased in aircraft fuel sales

Commuters serve Fort Collins-Lo veland Municipal Airport. 45

1994-'95

and the hangar rentals. "Jet helicopter fuel sales have doubled." Much of the increase in activity at the Downtown Airport, even before DIA opened, was due to the market demand of the customer of the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park area. Mekelburg attributes the airport' s increases to more interest in general aviation, more and better quality services offered, its convenient 1-112 mile location from the downtown Fort Collins ' business community, and the three-mile distance from Colorado State University. She says that the University, corporations, and businesses have increased their usage of the aviation facilities. Services Available. The Fort Collins Downtown Airport, located near the northeast industrial park, is mainly a general

Miss America, a restored vintage P-51 WWJJ fighter, based at the Fort Collins Downtown Airport, flying at the September Reno Air Race.

The Fort Collins Downtown Airport has been the site of the well attended Balloon Festival since 1991.

aviation, privately-owned airport for public Director of Planning of Mesa/United go to Red Feather, students going to the Express in New Mexico. university, and parents visiting their kids at use. With a runway length of 4700 feet and a field elevation of 4930 feet, it accommoschool," says Mekelburg . The airport has To provide for the increased traffic, the dates the Lear jet, Citations, and smaller hosted the 2 day annual Balloon Festival infrastructure of the municipal's airport has twin engines. Over 100 single and multievent since 1991 , which attracts over 50 grown in size. On its 1100 acres is the 8500foot main runway with a precision instruballoons and up to 30,000 spectators. engine aircraft are based on the property, Economic Importance. The economic ment landing system that gives pilots one of which are privately owned by individuals the best methods to land especially in importance of the airports is best summaand businesses. Charter services are availinclement weather. The second 2000-foot rized by Ann Azari, mayor of Fort Collins. able to fly from Fort Collins to anywhere "You cannot underestimate the ability of a runway is equipped for smaller aircraft to in the United States. "The airport is not land or take off. The 62 hangars, mostly priseries of communities of being able to have geared for commercial flights. Our niche is for the smaller general use aircraft," says vately owned, which include the newly all of the tools necessary to be able to have added 20 T -hangars and 12 stand-alone box their citizens be successful in the marketMekelburg. place" ... i.e. partly in terms of "having hangars, house single or twin engine aircraft. The airport is also used for sports aviaaccess to other parts of the world. tion and aviation training . "Many The economic importance is the adults who are learning how to fly ability to provide for that-to transuse the field to practice. They may Fort Collins-Loveland Airport has experienced port freight and passengers." not feel as confident with their flya "10 percent growth in enplanements over The airports have provided an ing skills as the pilots who have the last three ~ears, compared to the national 3000 hours and do not mind flying economic job base with United Express, rental cars, security, and into a heavy traffic area or competgrowth of three percent fixed base operation. They have ing with a larger aircraft. People fly in with their animals and take brought in resources to the Fort Collins/Loveland area in terms of financial them to the veterinary hospital at As part of the municipal's general aviagain for parking and gas revenue. Anderton tion, several companies offer services such Colorado State University. The air ambuas, manufacturing and maintaining aircraft says this area can prosper economically by lance brings in medical patients to be seen engines; training in glider, skydiving and providing mass commuter transportation at Poudre Valley Hospital. Well-known professional golfers fly in to play golf at and keeping individual cars off the highflights; towing and banner towing; fueling Fox Acres." way at a rate of 400 a day times $8 in parkand renting aircraft. Commercial services ing fees which is $3200. Using a multiplier are available in commuter flights with Scope. Range of Operations. The Fort United Express operations, rental cars, and of seven, a potential of $22,400 can be put Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport was shuttle services. "We even have balloon lift back into the prosperity of our northern primarily a general aviation airport until it expanded its services to also include a offs occasionally," says Anderton. Colorado economy. Managemen t. The Fort CollinsThe Downtown Airport "can accommocommercial operation. Continental Express Loveland Municipal Airport was built in date almost any aircraft in the light twin inaugurated scheduled service in the 1960s as a joint venture to be managed November 1990 and United Express began category, and offers all ranges of services by the two cities' airport authority. In service in July 1992, each operating with on the field . We have services available through private contractors. " says 1990, the authority was dissolved and the four flights a day. In 1993 , the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the Mekelburg. Services are provided in the cities resumed the joint management under the office of the city manager. Anderton, as airport certification to serve scheduled air aviantic shop , engine overhaul ; training carriers with aircraft having a seating airport manager, reports to both cities. and instruction in flight schools; and charAzari served on the airport authority board ter service to any destination in the councapacity of more then 30 passengers . try . "We are proud of our warbird restoraand watched the airport struggle for years, Continental had increased its flights to tion companies, Vintage Aircraft, and QG but never gave up the dream to have a valid seven a day, but shut down operations on infrastructure investment that would serve aviation. People take the old WWII fightMay 1, 1994 due to a function of yield and profitability . United has increased its ers-the Messerschmidts , the T -34s, Pthe public through access to air transporta5ls- remodel and refurbish them . Many tion. "That dream became a reality in 1990 flights to eight a day with the Beechcraft when Continental said it was interested in 1900 pressurized turbo prop, less than two folks fly tail draggers-the old planes. The us and offered passenger service. That airyears in age, according to Gus Carbonell, field is active, including folks flying in to

Fort Collins Style Magazine

port sat there, however, for years as a diamond in the rough." Funding. Funding for the Fort CollinsLoveland Airport comes from revenues received from both cities and from the federal government. The $400,000 of entitlement funds that the primary commercial airport receives from the FAA's airport improvement program must be appropriated for capacity enhancing projects to benefit the passengers with general aviation. "Our goal is to be financially self sufficient by the end of 1994 ," says Anderton. Ray Emerson, mayor of Loveland , says "my future vision of the airport is to grow to be self sufficient to Loveland." He also says that Fort CollinsLoveland Airport has an advantage over a privately owned one because the two cities can provide a better airport and better service than either city could provide privately or individually. Azari hopes that the funding will be more of an enterprise and that the airport can finance any future expansion out of its own income. "That is ideal because we have the ability to meet customer demands and needs with top quality service." Ownership. The Fort Collins Downtown Airport is privately owned by the Community Airpark Association, Inc., a group of stockholders who purchased the airport in 1966 with several principals. As a publicly-owned corporation, it pays taxes to the county and yet receives no funding from Larimer County or the City of Fort Collins. Revenues are derived from aviation fuel sales to based aircraft, transient aircraft; hangar/tiedown, and facility use fees. Azari says "we have a good viable airport in our own town with opportunities for people to fly their own plane, to have a place to store them, and to fly out of Fort Collins." She sees it as an important pmt of the city. Future Growth. In anticipation of future growth of the municipal airport , Anderton has provided a 20-year capital improvement plan which centers around projects that facilitate passenger service for safety and comfort without lengthening the runway. "Growth would take place within the boundaries of the 1100 acre-property lines." The plan was developed with airline pilot and citizen participation. Azari is supportive of the growth of the airport. "You don't plan infrastructure for today. You plan it for tomorrow. You build a skeleton for the community to be strong." Emerson feels that growth would be helpful for corporations to use aircraft to fly people and freight in a more efficient manner. Anderton expects to see some jet service in the next 20 years mainly because of the size of the market. He says the airport' s primary role is that of a "feeder" airport to DIA. Scheduled airlines "feed" flights into Denver where passengers can then board a connecting flight to another city. "We provide a convenient , economical , clean

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method to access DIA and are a gateway to provide an economically positive and effiactivity in enplanements and operations with Denver for corporate customers." Future cient way to accommodate mass transthe DIA opening. Gus Carbonell says United goals are to provide an ever-increasing portation. Anderton says taking individual Express, owned by Mesa Airlines, has had a level of opportunity for the local busicars off highways is a hidden benefit that 30 to 35 percent growth rate over 1992 in nesses and to provide an enjoyable airport helps the environment and provides for both enplanements and operations for all safety. Corporations conduct business in a cities out of Denver. He sees a five to 10 for the general aviation pilots." Anderton anticipates the possibility of a restaurant at more efficient and timely manner by sendpercent growth rate in depattures and availthe airport in the spring of 1994 and ing representatives to destinations through able seats over 1993 , which will occur expects terminal expansion by 1995. air travel. between the third and fomth quatter of 1994. DIA Impact. Another benefit to the Both Azari and Emerson see the DIA The Downtown Airpmt has made proviopening as having positive impacts to the sions for future growth through several capnorthern Colorado area is the opening of ita! improvements . The PAPI, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- northern Colorado communities of Precision Approach Path Indicator, increased traffic and demand in "Over 100 single and multi-engine a ircraft local airports. " I see the Fort allows aircraft to use a more sophisticated approac h as a navigational are based at the Fort Collins Downtown Airport, Collins-Loveland Airport growing h h I d b d d I d for the benefit of the citizens of the aid. The airport's improvements include the addition of new runway W ic are private~ owne ~ in ivi ua S an two cities," says Emerson. Azari lights, segmented circle, tetrahedron, businesses. The airport is not geared for says, "DIA will bring world trade commercial flights Our niche is for the and services right to our area. We and addition of a sod strip for tail draggers, and the runway will be can leave on a concourse and land smaller general use aircraft" on the same one with United. crack sealed ands slurry this summer for additional aviation safety for pas- Sharone Mekelburg. Airport Manager Celebrate where we live. Our comsengers and pilots. munities are metropolitan anchors Impact on Bringing Companies of excellence- in agriculture, eduand Employment to this Area. Anderton the Denver International Airport. The cation, and quality of life." says that airports impact communities and importance will be in the financial gain to Air transport allows for world-wide delivboth airports. Commuter traffic will ery of passengers and freight starting from corporations by helping them prosper economically through increased revenue and increase. More aviation fuels will be Fort Collins and Loveland. The ability to employment. Historically , population needed. Anderton expects his market to deal in a global economy via a nearby air hub opens community challenges. Gateways growth centered where cargo and people shift and expand to Estes Park, Longmont, and Greeley. "We wi ll have gone from of air offer avenues of oppmtunity. had access to transportation ports such as rivers, then rai lroads , then roadways. zero to 100,000 enplanements in four yeru路s Cu1;rently, communities and residential and the numbers will plateau there." Sandra Cowan has her own writing conareas are burgeoning near airports. Aircraft United Express anticipates increased sulting business.

48 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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RECREATION Marty Sieczko, co-owner, Rock 'N Road Cyclery truly enjoys living his vocation on Fort Collins bike trails.

By Steven Paul Olson n Colorado, the one piece of recreational equipment that hardly ever seems to be put away is the bicycle. Halloween to March is usually the season most two-wheelers are put away in favor of a pair of skis, but many cyclists aren't driven off the roads and trails until the snow is a couple of inches deep. "I think Colorado is the hotbed of cycling right now," said Mike Kirlan, manager of Lee's Cyclery. "Some claim it started in California, but many claim Colorado is where mountain biking began. The weather is conducive to cycling, we have a young population and the average Coloradan is much more outdoorsy than the average person." Kirlan estimates there are between 35,000-40,000 riders in Fort Collins when Colorado State University is in session. If you take out the college students, Kirlan suspects 30 percent of Fort Collins residents have bicycles and ride them regularly. And the place a lot of them ride is the Bicycle Trails System, 20.75 miles total. The trails range from rugged unpaved strips carved into the foothills above the city, to well-maintained mini-roads of concrete that wind through the center of town. "That distance isn't unusual in Colorado," says Craig Foreman, a civil engineer for Fort Collins' park planning and development. "In midwestem towns it might be unusual, but it's common here." "We've got a very good trail system here," said Kirlan. "It's maintained very well and the signage is good ... You know how I know it's popular? Because when it snows here the bike trail is the first thing that gets cleared. I think that helps the cycling business because people know they can use the trails." Funding for the bike trail system first began in 1973 as part of a sevenyear capital improvements program to acquire open space. Money from the state lottery accelerated construction of the system and the purchase of open space, according to Foreman. "It's like building half a road," said Foreman. "You have to have the land, trailhead parking and proper drainage." . Fort Collins' bike trail system consists of three arteries: Foothills Trail, Spring Creek Trail and the Poudre River Trail. Foothills Trail The Foothills Trail is for mountain bikes, hikers, joggers, horsemen and cross-country skiers. Taking the standard 10-speed on this trail is a mistake. It's a fairly strenuous, scenic, 5.8 mile trail that begins at Dixon Reservoir near Pineridge Open Space. From there, the trail winds north, hugging the foothills that overlook the Choice City and running parallel to Horsetooth Reservoir. The trail cuts 52 Fort Collins Style Magazine

through Campeau Open Space at the north end of Horsetooth Reservoir and ends at Michaud Lane. Restrooms are available at the Sunrise Group Use area about two miles south of Campeau, but no drinking water is available there. "Foothills is the most scenic of all the trails," said Foreman. "It has some good views of the city and Horsetooth - it goes near the 'A' above the stadium -but it has some tough stretches. We plan to redo some of the switchbacks, get more active in erosion control and leveling steep spots in rock. That's about four to five years in the future." Spring Creek Trail Not that it's ugly or anything, but the prime use for Spring Creek Trail is transportation.

as the Seven Lakes Rest Area near the Poudre River. Foreman says the city plans to extend the trail another three miles west to Pineridge and the Dixon Reservoir. It will pass through Cottonwood Glen, a future neighborhood park due to be built in the Quail Hollow subdivision. Poudre River Trail On weekends, thi s wide trail along the Poudre River can be fairly busy but if you get the chance to travel along it on a weekday, you won't find a lot of people. The 8.35 mile trail follows the Poudre River from North Taft Hill Road to the Environmental Learning Center on East Drake Road. It's a restful, mostly flat ride that mimics the flow of the river. There is a tight turn or two as the trail passes under

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"I mostly use it for getting around," said Rick Woy, co-owner of Rock 'N Road Cyclery. He has a great deal of company. While Foreman says exact figures of how many people use the trail system are unavailable, the city did do a rough survey in 1991 that showed a new cyclist moves on the trail every one to two minutes. Spring Creek is a paved trail that runs along its namesake for 5.85 miles from West Drake Road to East Prospect Road and the Poudre River Trail near Riverbend Ponds Open Space. Since it winds through the middle of town and under South College Avenue, it's a natural transportation route for anyone on a bicycle who wants to travel west-east across town. "It goes right through town and feeds CSU," said Foreman. Spring Creek is also popular with families because it connects three city parks: Rolland Moore, Spring Creek and Edora. Drinking water and parking is available at all the parks as well

bridges. The trail crosses the river twice. Poudre River Trail goes through Lee Martinez Park, Old Fort Collins Heritage Park and Buckingham Park, where restrooms and drinking water are both available. The trail also nudges the edges of the Gustav Swanson Nature Area and the 25-acre Prospect Ponds Open Space on Sharp Point Drive northwest of the Environmental Learning Center. The cyclist has a good opportunity to observe wildlife and native plants at both these areas and get in a little fishing too . Poudre River Trail links up with the Spring Creek Trail near the Seven Lakes Rest Area. Travel on trails is easy, despite the usage, however proper etiquette is important to know. "The inexperienced riders are usually the worse," said Woy. "I think most of them don 't know what to do. For example, mountain bikers, especially the younger ones, don't know or care that 53

1994-'95

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hikers have the right of way on trails. They'll slam on their brakes, throw dirt on them and claim they have just as much right to the trail. That's not right." "In general, things are pretty good," said Kirlan. "There are some minor incidents between runners and cyclists, but all you have to do is let them know you're corning. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a speed limit on some of the trails, though." Foreman says there are also plans to expand the trail system by building the 8.3 mile Fossil Creek Trail. The new trail will begin in the Southwest Community Park site in the southwest section of town, then swing in a wide semicircle

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near the Southridge Golf Course and Fossil Creek Reservoir before ending up near the Environmental Learning Center on East Drake Road and connecting the Poudre River Trail. "That'll take ten years to build," said Foreman, "if we get lucky." What Foreman eventually hopes to do is build a network of trails connecting Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley with a web of well-built concrete cycling trails. "Of course we're talking 15 years here to get the backing and the land acquisition," said Foreman. "But we have people riding from Greeley to use our park system. On bicycles." The interest seems to be there. According to Foreman, a 1988 survey taken by the city showed 60 to 70 percent of people used the trails system and wanted to see it expanded. "I think there's a quality of life aspect to living in Colorado," said Foreman, "being able to walk a few feet off the trails and bang, you're in nature." Steven Paul Olson is a free-lance writer living in Loveland and dutifully working on his first novel. He doesn 't care how he dies as long as it is not selfish and ashamed.

Fort Collins Style Magazine

RK Changing Your Perspective on Life n the time you'd take for a coffee break or an oil change, you could regain your active lifestyle -free of glasses or contacts.

About 15 minutes is all it takes to perform Radial Keratotomy (RK) - a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the eye and restores functional uncorrected vision for many nearsighted patients and some with astigmatism. "Refractive surgery or RK gives you back your freedom and ability to enjoy activities unhampered," says Dr. Matthew Robinson, an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and refractive surgery at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado. The First Step - Careful Evaluation To determine if you're a good candidate for RK, Dr. Robinson performs a free eye exam/RK evaluation. The exam takes about an hour and includes creating a computerized "cornea map" to ensure best results. During the exam, Dr. Robinson carefully explains the procedure and the results you can expect. The best candidates have low or moderate nearsightedness and little or no astigmatism - but many patients with astigmatism have had successful RK procedures. The Surgery - Swift and Precise Patients arrive at the Fort Collins Surgery Center about 30 minutes before the procedure. The Center is specially staffed/equipped

for eye surgeries. There, you'll receive a mild sedative pill and numbing eye drops - the only anesthesia needed for RK.

"Refractive surgery or RK gives you back your freedom and ability to enjoy activities unhampered." Then, using a microscope and your personal cornea map, Dr. Robinson uses a diamond blade to make a series of precise incisions in a spoke-like pattern on the cornea -flattening it and correcting your nearsightedness/astigmatism. You can usually go home- without an eye patch- within a few minutes after the surgery. Dr. Robinson will check your progress the next day, and most patients are back to work in a day or two.

Dr. Matthew Robinson

Although experienced with the Excimer laser, Dr. Robinson does not currently use it for refractive surgery. Once this laser technology is FDA-approved, he will incorporate it into his practice. Total costs for RK, any necessary enhancement procedures, and follow-up care for one year are approximately $1,200 an eye. For more information about RK or to make an appointment for a free RK evaluation, call the Eye Center of Northern Colorado at 303 484-5322.

Dr. Matthew Robinson is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and refractive surgery. He completed a year of comprehensive training in this area at the Louisiana State University Eye Center and has been in surgical practice at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado since 1992.

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CENTER OF NORTHERN COLORADO, P.C.

1017 Robertson Street Fort Collins, CO 80524

303/484-5322 New patients welcome 55

1994-'95

ou may feel a little irritation in the RK eye during the first 12 hours after surgery. The first week after surgery, your vision is typically good, with increasing clarity and stability by the end of the second week. About 95 percent of patients have very successful results, and most no longer need corrective lenses.

DINING

By Linda Roesener izza - the God-sent dinner of the busy working mother; the toddler and the teenager's favorite messy, gobble-up food; and the "soul food" of the baby boomer. Let's face it; we all love pizza. And the beauty of the whole thing is that it is good for us! Over the years as we became aware of the negative health aspects of many foods and changed bad eating habits, the thought that pizza was a "junk food" simply was ignored because there was no way those same health-conscious adults were giving up pizza. Then, low and behold, when we really started analyzing and changing to the food pyramid for daily food requirements, pizza fit in as a healthy food. That's not to say that eating a whole pie by yourself is good for you, but moderate eating even with all your favorite toppings is certainly within acceptable and healthful boundaries. Pizza is Italian in origin, but what we eat here in northern Colorado is truly an Americanized pie. The first pizza originated in the 16th century in Naples, Italy

after tomatoes were brought to Italy from South America, and while its base is a flat bread similar to other flat breads around the world, the food we know springs from the "poor man's diet" in Naples. The greatest hunger for pizza arose after World War II when returning soldiers refused to give up the delicious dish they had discovered in Naples. Here in our community we have such a selection that it would be impossible to tell about every available pizza location-there are over 35 "pizzerias" in Fort Collins alone, and that doesn't include grocery stores that make fresh pizza or newly opened pizzerias or restaurants serving pizza as one of many other items on their menus. What we have been able to do, is to get an overview of some of the best pizza here in the Choice City. The Style crew and their families gathered for an evening pizza party to enjoy selections from 13 of our local eateries. Our criteria for selection was made to include: the basic pepperoni pizza (kid' s choice,) the supreme type pizza (lots of toppings,) thin and thick crust (crispy crust and deep pan style,) gourmet pizza (the Wolfgang Puck approach,) vegetarian, meat and unique toppings. In other words, we tried just about every kind of pizza you might ever want. We have a great mixture of pizza choices and hope you ' ll visit the restaurants of our hosts. One of Fort Collins newest locations for pizza is AI Fresco restaurant located in the Holiday Inn on Highway 14 at I-25. Here you will find a wood burning pizza oven within viewing sight of patrons. Many experts feel that the wood burning oven is the secret to a perfect pie because of the intense heat and the

subtle smokiness which it imparts to the pizza. AI Fresco ' s specializes in handtossed, 14-15 inchgourmet pizzas. They have two pizzas with traditional toppings and five gourmet pizzas which start with olive oil and herbs rather than a tomato sauce. They are then topped with such items as fresh basil, sun dried tomatoes and mixed cheeses, grilled chicken and basil pesto, wild mushrooms, grilled onions or any of nine other toppings. It ' s fun to watch the baker here as he tosses the dough, deftly tops your pizza and slides it into the hot oven. These pizzas are best eaten right here in the restaurant, but leftovers are excellent taken home for lunch. The restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. They also serve a wide selection of other Italian specialties including anti pasta, salads, excellent pasta dishes, Italian entrees, calzones and panino. We had the pleasure of sampling a sun dried tomato, herb and cheese pizza, the Margarita , that was outstanding. Our tasters commented that " the sun dried tomatoes and herbs blended for a delicious flavor enhanced by the smoky taste from the wood baking." If you are looking for a different twist on pizza, try AI Fresco. Beau Jo's, another newcomer to Fort Collins, opened December 1, 1993 and is the fifth restaurant owned by founder, Chip Dair. Colorado Style Pizza was born in Idaho Springs 21 years ago. Here in Fort Collins Beau Jo's is located in the historic Stone Lion building at 100 North College and continues the Beau Jo's tradition of the "Napkin Gallery," a display of art designs, writings, and other creativity done on Beau Jo's napkins. Troy Critchfield, the general manager, adds that they specialize in preparation of the "hearty mountain pizza," baked on a thick, honey sweetened crust topped with a heavy covering of your favorite ingredients. Here you select from four different types of crust and five different sauces; you choose the thickness that fits your taste then finish with your choice of 29 different toppings

56 Fort Col lins Style Magazine

and seven different cheeses. Pizzas are measured in both inches across as well as poundage. Let's face it, these are big pies. A special touch recommended here is to finish your meal by adding honey to the outside edge crust and enjoying that as your dessert. There are lots of choices here. Some of the most popular include the Cajun (spicy sausage, pepperoni, onions, jalapenos with provolone and cheddar,) Skier Mike (Canadian bacon, green peppers, chicken, and mozzarella,) and the most popular, Jose Gold (chicken, green peppers, onions, taco chips, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.) We tried a Sausage Combo-sausage, pepperoni, green pepper, onions and mushrooms. These are hearty pies, very filling and delicious. Our tasters rated the crust "super with a flavorful sauce and lots of topping." A favorite of our men folk. The restaurant is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They offer an inexpensive lunch buffet that is popular with downtown workers and shoppers. Evening is a fun time to take your whole family . Cable's End restaurant has been serving pizza to northern Colorado for 20 years. Owner Keith Johnson has two locationsone in Greeley and one in Fort Collins. The Fort Collins location opened in 1985. Fresh made-to-order pizza is the specialty of the house along with homemade pasta dishes. The recipes used are ones developed by the Italian family who originally owned the restaurant. Each day dough and sauces are made fresh and toppings are prepared, adds Phil Catalfano, local manager. They offer three choices of crusts and find the two specialty pizzas are their most popular. The Carnival is a meat pizza topped with sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms and onions. The Alia Carciofi is a vegetarian delight topped with artichoke hearts , fresh tomatoes , black olives and romano cheese. We enjoyed the Carnival, and it was a hit with all our tasters. It is a great thin crust topped with lots of meats and fresh vegetables .. The dining room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and carry-out and delivery is available until 11:00 p.m. Cable's End is a great place for a family get -together. Long-time Fort Collins residents are well familiar with Canino's Italian Restaurant. Clyde and Karen Canino opened their restaurant January 14, 1976 in a wonderful older home at 613 South College. This unique and comfortable location lends a family feel to this popular restaurant. It appeals to a wide variety of

diners including families, and students and employees of nearby Colorado State. Canino's offers superb pizza and do provide delivery. However, Clyde adds, "Our pizza is extra good if you can have it right in the restaurant. We have several listed types of pizza, but if you want to 'customize' your pie, we'll do our best to accommodate since we have so many fresh toppings available for our other dishes." Their most popular pizzas are the Italiano, Sicilian style thick crust pizza with mild green chile strips, sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms; and Canino's Supremo, Clyde's father's 1957 recipe of homemade sausage, pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, onions, green peppers and black olives. As tastes are changing they have requests for such items as pesto, artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, fresh spinach and more . Canino's is unique in that it is a one of a kind-"We're not a franchise," says Clyde who oversees the food preparations daily. Our tasters tried the Supremo and found it excellent. "Lots of enticing spices in the sauce and a great combination of toppings." The restaurant is also known for Italian specialties from Shrimp Scampi Marinara to Spinach Lasagna. They are open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. If you have young children then you have to try Chuck E Cheese pizza. This is truly the place "where a kid can be a kid," and so can Mom and Dad-be a kid that is. The location at Prospect and College Avenue is a Show Biz Pizza Time company owned facility that caters to our younger generation with fun, music, games and, of course, pizza. The restaurant generally does 40 to 60 parties a week, and on the weekend, it is a really "hopping" place. It is open from 11 :00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Chuck E Cheese actually has a very good pizza which is meant to be enjoyed at the restaurant. Lloyd Stone, the Fort Collins general manager, says the kid's favorite is pepperoni with the Chuck E Cheese sauce which is a bit sweeter and not as spicy as most sauces. The company always is changing and adapting to make sure they offer what their customers want most. They also have a Super Combo with 57

1994-'95

pepperoni, sausage, beef, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and black olives; a vegetarian pizza, and combination pizzas. Additional items on the menu are sandwiches, a nice salad bar, and some kid pleasing desserts. Our youngest tasters had positive comments about our pepperoni pizza from Chuck E Cheese. They said it had "yummy cheese and crust, and it is a cool pizza!" It's a fun place to spend some time being a kid w i t h your kids, and you'll find the pizza pretty darn good, too. Dave Cozzola Stray Keally are the owners of Cozzola's Pizza which opened in 1987 at 241 Linden near Old Town. They specialize in offering a substantial pizza with the finest of toppings. The two owners have the goal of providing a quality product with excellent taste at a fair price. Stray says their crust is truly their own-herb or whole wheat crusts topped with either their basil or garlic sauces. They don't skimp on sauces or topping when they put together a pizza, and whatever you select, it will be unique and delicious. We tried a Spinach Ricotta pizza with garlic sauce on the herb crust. "It was rich and covered with lots of cheese and an outstanding sauce-a great combination of flavors." Two special notes about Cozzola's: They have a great option for a quick take home delight. Get two of their large crusts, either flavor, and select your favorite sauce flavor for only $6.25 then take it home and add your own toppings and cheese. Plus, they will be opening a south location for pickup and delivery in 1994. They are closed on Mondays, but are open Sunday 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and provide delivery within Fort Collins. If you haven't tried a pizza from Cozzola's you are missing out on some wholesome pizza. Give them a try, soon. Godfather's Pizza, located at 4010 S. College and 934 S. Lemay are part of a franchise group which also owns stores in Iowa. The pizzas made here come from the recipes of the original Godfather's which was started in Nebraska 20 years ago. The restaurant is family oriented offering party rooms, party clubs and catering to lots of

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team sports parties. South location manager, Dick Dahl, feels Godfather's has been strong for so long because they use quality ingredients and are generous with their portions. Dough is made fresh daily and fres h vegetables are cut for use each day. They use the Godfather's signature sauce for most of their pies except the Taco Pizza, one of their specialties. On this they blend two salsas for just the right flavor. Godfather's is great for delivery, pick-up or for eating-in. They are open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m . to 11:00 p.m . and have a popular, complete buffet Sunday through Friday and on Tuesday evenings. We tried two pizzas from Godfather'sthe Combo with beef, sausage, onion, black olive mushroom, and pepperoni toppings on a thick crust and the Taco Pizza, "like a taco on a pizza shell," with beef, onion, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella and taco chips. These were both excellent, but our tasters particularly enjoyed the creativity of the taco pizza. Three of our younger tasters, who had never tried any pizza like this, agreed that this was their favorite pizza of the evening stating, "it was delicious and a really awesome blend of toppings." If you haven't heard of Pizza! Pizza! you must be living under a rock. Little Caesar's is the originator of the twopizza-deal. Tony and Mary Fonte, owners of the local franchise, believe that eating pizza should be fun . They opened their first store in Loveland 11 years ago and the first Fort Collins lo cation ten years ago . Pepperoni and cheese is their most popular pizza. The Fontes recently completed surveys to ascertain the communities' favorite pizzas. Because they adjust to the needs of their service area, they are proud to offer specialty pizzas-eight different choices brought back as regular items by customer demand at an exceptiona l value. They include Italian (pepperoni , Italian sausage, bacon, onion, green pepper, and green olive,) Hawaiian (Canadian bacon, bacon, pineapple, and black olive,) Crazy Eights (pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage , beef, mushroom, onion, green pepper, and bacon ,) Cheeser Deluxe (three toppings and two layers of blended cheeses ,) and four other specialty pizzas. They also have a luncheon special-Super Slice, 114 of a large pizza topped with lots of cheese, for only $1.49. The Fontes serve northern Colorado with two outlets in Fort Collins, in Greeley, two in Longmont and one in Loveland. Our Style group tried the new Italian specialty pizza, and the Super Slice with

58 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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Greeley , two in Longmont and one in Loveland. Our Style group tried the new Italian specialty pizza, and the Super Slice with cheese. Both were crowd pleasers. Our tasters enjoyed the combination on the Italian and our cheese lovers were impressed with the new Super Slice. Little Caesars is a perennial favorite, and they are priced very competitively. These are pickup stores open from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. If you like deep dish pizza, you must try Old Chicago, located at 147 S. College since the spring of 1982. They offer the traditional deep dish with lots of toppings popular in the midwest. The restaurant is owned by Concept Restaurants of Boulder and serve a wide clientele. During the day, downtown business people frequent the restaurant; in the evening, families find it a comfortable location. The manager, Brooks Robertson, says the most popular pizza choices are the

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Chicago Seven, with mozzarella, pepperoni , sausage, mushrooms, black olives, green peppers and Bermuda onions; the Taos, grilled chicken, green onions, diced tomatoes, roasted green chiles, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and a spicy black bean sauce; and the King of Hearts , artichoke cream cheese, lightly roasted garlic, artichoke hearts, Bermuda onion, roma tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese. The restaurant is alsq known for its stuffed pizzas, the pasta bar, sandwiches and calzones, and its extensive beer list-Old Chicago offers over 100 beers, 25 of them on draught. The restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. It is one of the few places downtown where you can go for a late night dinner or snack.

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Our crew enjoyed the Chicago Seven, piled high with toppings. Our tasters found the sausage to be excellent and the mixture of toppings to be first rate. Once again, this hearty pie particularly pleased our male tasters. The ladies enjoyed this pizza saying that because of the size and quantity of toppings, one piece was filling . While Old Chicago does not deliver, they do offer take-out on most of the menu . It is an excellent choice when your family is really hungry for the deep dish pizza of Chicago. Panhandler's Pizza has had a long life in Fort Collins. This restaurant has been located at 1220 West Elizabeth since September of 1975 and has been owned by John and Beth Olso n since 1980. Panhandler's specializes in "serving a unique pan-style pizza, served by-the-pie or bythe-slice." Everything is made fresh daily right at the restaurant including a pastrylike dough which takes a little longer to bake but is well worth the wait. The most popular pizza is the Deluxe Combo with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms , green peppers , and onions. The raised pizza crust, in a deep dish pan, offers lots of space for substantial toppings. Their sweet, rich homemade sauce distinguishes them from other restaurants. The Olsons are always learning what their customers want. To that end, they introduced their "alternative pizza sauces " which include Chicago style sauce, ricotta sauce and pesto sauce. They also offer a California artichoke pizza with layers of mozzarella, parmesan , artichoke hearts, and fresh diced tomatoes and onions. This casual restaurant offers diners of all types a comfortable place to eat quality pizza. Lot s of families come to Panhandler's because they offer a relaxed location with a fireplace in the win-

ter and quiet video games for the kids. Panhandler's provides free delivery, accepts all major credit cards in the restaurant and on delivery and are open Sunday to Thursday from 11 :00 a.m. to 11 :00 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Our tasters enjoyed the California Artichoke, a Deluxe Combo on honey wheat crust and a Spinach Pesto pizza. Both were smashing crowd-pleasers-our tasters are going back to have more at the restaurant. Panhandler's is definitely a place for newcomers to Fort Collins to try for the first time and a place that old timers need to try again. Some super pizza awaits. Another long time establishment in Fort Collins is Pizza Hut, which opened in the late 70s on South College. Winter Enterprises, the franchise owner, now has three in-store locations and two delivery facilities. The eat-in restaurants are on South College at Drake , South College at Harmony and on LeMay in the Riverside Shopping Center. This national company offers consistently good pizza and local area supervisor, Rip Washington, attributes their popularity to focusing on quality at all times and providing toppings that are consistently favorites of diners. Each dine-in location has six specialty pizzas, three chunky style pizzas, two pastas, and two sandwich choices. A buffet is available at lunch Monday through Friday, lunch and dinner Sunday and dinner on Wednesdays. The dine-in locations also cater to kids with the Tuesday Kid's Night and birthday and team parties . Pizza delivery is available throughout northern Colorado. We tried the Meat Lover's pizza-a hearty combination of pepperoni , beef, pork, Italian sausage, ham and bacon. Our taster's rated this an all-time favorite with great tasting sausage, excellent sauce and crust. Pizza is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Families, college students, seniors, and party planners get quality when they choose Pizza Hut. Locally the restaurants are particularly proud to be community members actively putting money back into the local economy. Pulcinella Pizzeria, located at Horsetooth and College around the corner from Albertson 's opened in June of 1991. Here owners Doug Blardo and Tony Race put together a gourmet pizza "with a Naples heritage you will love." The pizzas are more than just good food ; Tony and Doug take time to make each pizza a work of art-the crust is excellent

and the toppings are fresh, bright, colorful combinations of vegetables, cheeses, and meats. They offer the unique and delicious in pizza. You can dine-in the restaurant or take-out and can also get pizza by the slice. They have rich, flavorful calzones, stromboli, homemade lasagna, espresso coffee and much, much more . Favorite pizza choices are the White Pizza, fresh roma tomatoes diced and marinated then put over parmesan and mozzarella cheeses; the Double Crusted Spinach pizza, spinach, black olives, romano, and mozzarella cheeses; and a mas-

35 "pizzerias" in Fort Collins alone!

terful Pepperoni with mixed cheeses. Our tasters had the opportunity to sample two of the delectable gourmet pizzas-a Vegetarian pizza with several kinds of peppers, onions , tomatoes , romano, mozzarella cheese and spices, and the White Pizza a simple but fabulous pizza on a thin crust. Both of these pizzas have a unique mixture of flavors never overpowered by too much of any one topping. It truly was great to look at "very, very colorful presentation" and delicious to devour, " an absolute favorite. Wonderful tomato and cheese flavor." The freshness , unique recipes, and careful preparation was very evident. Pulcinella Pizzeria is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3:00 to 9:00p.m. on Sunday. If you are tired of the same old piz za, Pulcinella is a place you need to try. Doug says "We make pizzas with skill and quality ingredients to be enjoyed by people who truly appreciate fine food." Your trip to Pulcinella Pizzeria offers delicious rewards. Our final culinary trip was to another one of Fort Collins oldest pizza restaurants, Valentino's, located at 820 City Park Avenue just west of Campus West. The original restaurant was and is located in

60 Fort Collins Style Magazine

Lincoln, Nebraska. But we in Fort Collins are glad they brought the restaurant to our fair city. Local managers are Brock and Rachael Smith who moved to Fort Collins in 1993 and really enjoy our community. The restaurant is very customer oriented and goes out of its way to offer special incentives (besides good food) to draw in families, seniors, students, and business people. They have senior days, special pricing for kid ' s meals and are proud to offer tours for all ages of the "behind the scenes food preparation." The menu is extensive - with just about any kind of pizza you might want, but the real forte here is the "Grand Buffet," which is truly one of the best values for exceptional quality. Every day for both lunch and dinner you can partake of an extensive salad bar, homemade pasta dishes (usually three of them,) all the delicious pizza you could want, and don't forget dessert pizza, spirazzi glazed bread twists , brownies , and often a fruit cobbler. The crust, made fresh daily, is the base for many of the delicacies you find on the buffet, but most importantly it is the base for a super pizza. The most popular kinds are the Valentino's Special which is four meats and mushrooms, the Barbecue pizza, a cheeseburger pie, the taco pizza, a light flavorful southwest taste, and pepperoni. The Smith's are pleased to offer the community a nonsmoking environment in which to truly enjoy a meal. Our group tried a Valentino ' s Special with hamburger, sausage, ham, mushrooms and pepperoni. There is no skimping on the toppings and cheese at Valentino ' s. Our tasters found "the crust outstanding and loved the cheesy flavor." Valentino's is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m . Sunday though Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Consider stocking your freezer with their half-baked pizza-pre-prepared and ready to finish baking. If you haven ' t been to Valentino' s for a long time, come back. If you are new to northern Colorado come try it. You ' ll find excellent food and a staff who is really glad you came. We all had a great time trying pizza here in Fort Collins. Our tasters discovered many new "to be tried again" favorite s. You, our readers, are in for some delicious pizza when you try the establishments of our wonderful hosts. Have a party when you pizza-its a great way to spend some fun time with family and friends . Linda Roesener is a free-lance writer living in Fort Collins and a partn e r in Advertising Development Specialists, Inc. and Nightwing Publishing. She lov es enjoying pizza with family and friends.

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HEALTH CARE

EALTH CARE REFORM By Sandra Cowan

The health care reform issue is under heated debate in Congress. Local professionals and business leaders express their opinions about a few basic components of Clinton's Health Care Proposed Plan and how it will affect each of us. ..-

ealth-care reform could be dangero s to one' s health if one does not take responsibility to Thecome educated , aware, anti knowledgeable of the dosage of risks involved. Health care affects every American in the United States. Eac!\ person is very particular about the ki d of health care he receives. Public and private sectors in many communities are transmitting messages of concern over the much-heated, health-care reform. Throughout communities in the nation, people are addressing issues of the health proposals such as quality health care, increased costs, more governmental intervention , mandates, regulations, less individual control, policy dictates of a national health board and state-run health alliances, and the greatest concern ... loss of freedom of choice. Even though President Clinton presented h is propo sal for health-care reform to the joint session of Congress in September 1993, revisions are being presented to the legislature on a daily basis. Many people do not expect to have any concrete resolutions to the plan for months to come. In addition to the Clinton plan, other major health care proposals have been presented. Among the plans that will receive consideration by Congress are those supported by Congressmen Stark and McDermott, Senate and House Republican alterna-

tives , and the Conservative Democratic Forum. To predict which plan will be the healthiest for people to swallow is pure speculation. The elements of the various plans are in a state of flux with minor surgical procedures and alterations being performed daily. The Clinton Health Security Act is based on managed competition with many features that are under fire and debate in Congress. Some of the basic key elements of the proposed plan to be phased in by certain dates include: 1. Universal coverage and access. All citizens and legal U.S . residents are guaranteed a benefit package. 2. Employer Mandates. Employers are mandated to pay 80 percent of premiums up to 7 .9 percent of payroll. Employees pay 20 percent. 3. Administration. A National Health Board revises benefits, which are set by statute, sets global budget, and approves operations of healtH lliances. 4. Health Alliances. (HAs) Mandatory purchasing organizati ns are set up in every state that indivi uals and small businesses must join. T e alliances collect premiums from emplo,yers and individuals, contract with accountao e health plans to provide health care and coverage for members at a negotiated price. They enforce premium caps, and distribute subsidies. Each alliance contracts for the provision of three plan : a. An i demnity comprehensive maj<Dr medical for people to choose a physician; b. A preferred provider organization (PPO); c. A health maintenance organization (HMO) where a primary care physician (PCP) is a gatekeeper for an individual' s health. Employers with 5000 employees or more could set up their own corporate alliance. 5. Financing. Employers pay 80 per-

cent up to 7.9 percent of payroll. Small, low-wage companies pay up to 3.5 percent. Cigarette tax is $.75 per pack. New taxes raise $106 billion. Medicare/Medicaid cuts generate $235 billion from 1995 to 2000. Estimated net cost is $60 to $80 billion per year. Capitation is encouraged: a fixed dollar amount per person is paid each month to the organization. 6. Cost containment. The National Health Board sets global budgets. Alliances set and administer health insurance premium caps in line with the consumer price index growth. Many people and businesses do not know how the plan will impact them because of the daily revisions that are happening in Washington. Most agree that some changes are neeqed but that health care is not in a crisis ituation. Integrated systems. Dr. Karna Kruckenberg Schofer, Chief Executive Officer of Poudre Valley Hospital (PVH) , says that the hospital will be challenged to become more effi 路ent, reduce costs and increase accommodation to the patient. "We want to increase our efficiency and cost effectiveness by having an integrated system with the medical community and other providers to form a delivery system at the local level." Another effect is "to help improve the community ' s health." Research shows 95 percent of the health care dollar treats the "outcome" of the health-care issues. A major paradigm shift in the health-care industry reflects the changed time .. . from a concentration of the sickness process ... to the prevention of disease ... to the maintenance of wellness and a healthy lifestyle. "We have gone from a time when we were paid by procedure to a time when we have to manage care

62 Fort Collins Style Magazine

them. The public should have the right to efficiently so that we have fewer sick through managed care, which shifts more patients," says Kruckenberg Schofer. "It see the doctor of their choice. It is unforbusiness to the primary care physicians (PCP), the day keepers. This shift to the will take a commitment by everyone, by tunate that government has become involved because private enterprise generalists may affect the specialists in all health-care providers, to promote wellness, to support health rather than could not solve the. problem of increased the marketplace competition. maintain sickness." This involves a Gatekeepers. The effects on the specosts. He would like to see some assesscialists at the Orthopaedic Center of the change in everyone's thinking. ment and gradual changes before a onetime overhaul reform is made. With the Market control. Specialists in the Rockies will vary. Scott Thomas, potential increase in the number of Executive Director, says that freedom of medical profession with an entrepreneurial spirit may struggle for market control. James Anderson, D.P.M., a doctor specializing in podiatric medicine, says that "We have gone from a time when we were paid by the plan addresses issues from a "genprocedure to a time when we have to manage care eral" doctor's perspective, such as a family physician or an internist. He feels that efficiently so that we have fewer sick patients. It will people may have less control over which take a commitment by everyone, by all health-care doctors they see. "It will slow down the providers, to promote wellness, to support health advancement of podiatrists and specialists." Research may be cut. Now, the rather than maintain sickness." United States is number one in research. - Dr. Karna Kruckenberg Schofer, CEO Poudre Valley Hospital Doctors will have to see more patients in a shorter period of time. They will have to develop a larger volume of people to offset less financial reimbursement. "I do patients, there may be cause for potential choice may be limited due to the burnout by the doctor. With more govalliances. The gatekeeper concept, where not understand the logic of giving conernment regulation and the big brother trol over to the government (to run a prithe primary care physician monitors the vate business). We are moving from concept of pre authorization, the doctor controls and referrals to the specialists, loses the ability of many years of educaindividualized to socialized medicine," will decrease the number of patients seen by specialists. The dollars will drive the says Anderson. tion to work for him. The ability of the Freedom of choice. Fred Fuller, M.A., specialist can be impaired and he can health-care system. People who can provide good care and pay the prices will do L.M.F.T., a specialist in marriage and lose his entrepreneurial spirit. Capitation. It is difficult to tell what well with the plan. The smaller offices family counseling, sees Clinton's prothe effects will be says Don Selvage, posed plan as having a great effect on the will be forced to align with a larger orgaPractice Administrator, of the Fort medical and mental health professions. nization to maintain He questions the necessit of the comCollins Women's Clinic. The clinic protheir practices. plete overhaul of the medical system vides primary care for women and speThe plan compared to providing narr0w legislacialist work in surgical areas. "We are in w i 11 tion aimed specifically at particular probthe process of defining ' who will do what' for everyone." The practice conlems such as universal coverage, preexisting conditions, and portabili . "The sists mainly of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN), who may be the only plan takes the medical system o t of the private sector and puts it into the public physicians from whom a woman receives health care. In essence , they are the sector. It forms a national medical board, woman's primary care physicians. large coalitions that are state run, and it allows the medical board to decide and Universal coverage will increase volcollect taxes by fiat from businessp s ~ ume and costs to run the business order to pay for the system. It fo ces efficiently. "Capitation is the main each of us to join a state-run alliance syspoint of the Clinton plan," says tern that may in time take away a-.)ot of___,;Selvage . "We will have so our freedom of choice." Eventual[y, Âˇ! â&#x20AC;˘ many dollars to do so many surgeries; whether it is 10 would be more difficult to be in private practice. The government system will or 100 surgeries, we will be paid a certain regulate the entire health industry including what fees are charged and how referamount." Patients may not have a choice to rals are obtained. "We will eventually become assembly line health-care decide who their providers." doctor will be . Government regulation. Bob Their choices Folbrecht, D.C. ,doctor of chiropractic, will be dictated says that chiropractic may be included in by the insurthe plan with a gatekeeper provision ance company' s policies and defiwhere someone such as a medical doctor or a person knowledgeable in all chironitions. Insurers will practic areas could refer a patient to be able to cut costs 63 1994-'95

Charles Collopy, M.D.

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take away the entrepreneurial spirit from medicine. More government intervention will regulate the industry and detract from free enterprise. A physician paid by capitation of a flat dollar amount is at risk. The incentive will be to hang on to that patient and not refer him to a specialist. The reverse can happen where a capitated specialist can become the primary care physician. Patients might not have a choice in choosing a physician. HMOs. As a family physician, Don Wells, M.D., managing partner of Associates in Family Medicine, says he expects ro see little change in the daily practicey;i is group practice has had a larg~ per tage of patients in HMOs fo 路. ' of years. "We are very th managed care and cap.edetermined amount of money for e cafe of a population is paid by on offti~HMOs. People sign up with the plan arid:the doctors provide the necessary care''f'qrthe patient. The amount is determined between the provider and the HMO. Ethink it is a good system. You take care;ofpatients regardless of their need." He says) a recent study shows that HMOs are ex'pe./ riencing lower rates of increas'e thnn other plans and are proving to be more cost effective. ''I'm in favor of managed care, but not for everything in Clinton's plan. Managed competition, a base package, and employer mandates are good ideas," says Wells. Mergers. The effects on HSI Health Plans, Inc., are not known yet because of the proposed legislation, says Karen Morgan, Vice President of Marketing and Member Services. The plan as presented will not pass. Some alternative

Poudre Valley Hospital's community commitment is more efficiency, reduced costs, and increased accommodations to its patients.

plans in Congress, like the single-payer system, are complete opposites. An insurance reform to eliminate pre-existing conditions will probably pass but will happen at the state before the national level. "Health-care reform is happening in the marketplace now without the plan," says Morgan. Mergers are taking place at the insurer and provider

64 Fort Collins Style Magazine

Physicians certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Kelvin Kesler , MD

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impacts islation addresses this. Taxpayer pays. From a small business viewpoint, Cindee Arduino, Human Resource Administrator of The Hach Company, does not see the Clinton proposal affecting the business. "The employees will not benefit any more or any less from the proposed plan. The company has a self-funded medical program where medical benefits are already in place that meet or exceed anything the government would legislate. The company currently pays 80 percent and the employee pays 20 percent. "We are a good employer," says Arduino. There may be more paperwork. There probably

the system. The largest beneficiary will will be no effects from more government be the HMOs, the managed care indusbureaucracy. The taxpayer, as the corporation and as the individual, will foot the try. Among some companies that will bill, as is currently happening. She benefit are: United Health Care , Coventry Corp, and FHP International hopes that as good citizens, corporately Foundation Health; National Medical and as individuals, they would be willing to support the extension of the benefits to Enterprises in the providers and hospital area; Mediplex, Care Mark, and Phy Cor the people in need so everyone can in the physicians' market; Healthsouth in receive the health care they need. rehab; Cerner Corp in health care inforBureaucracy. Bob McCluskey, President and Manager of Poudre Valley mation systems; Health and Creamery, says with the bureaucracy that Rehabilitation Trust, which pays a diviwill be set up, the plan will not be a benefit to anyone. He feels the start-up costs could "These are truly exciting times be better spent to motivate the medicine-change is not for market in a competitive setting. Increased costs will ulticommg, it is here!" mately be paid by the con- Dr. Jim McGinnis, Chief of Staff, sumer or the taxpayer. The Poudre Valley Hospital dollars would be better spent for financial incentives to lower costs of health-care providers, which would have a larger dend of eight plus percent in real estate; and Community Health Systems in the impact on U .S. citizens than on the hospital sector. He reserves the right to bureaucracy. change his forecasts due to the volatility Investments. From a research perspective, Clayton Hartman , First Vice of the market. The effect of the plan on his business is "a-wait-and-see situaPresident and Branch Manager of Smith, tion," says Hartman. It is too early to tell, Barney, Shearson, tells which companies but more government intervention will will benefit from the proposed plan. He affect everyone. sees more insurance dollars going into

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Who would foot the bill? Most everyone agrees that ultimately the taxpayer or the consumer will pay for increased costs by paying higher prices on related services and products. Individuals will be burdened with another tax . "The Clinton plan actually provides the ability for the National Health Board to impose a tax by fiat upon employers," says Fuller. "This type of system leads to increased redistribution of wealth, which is the core concept to socialism. We might call it the next piece of legislation that makes us The People's Republic of the United States." Will the consumer get good medical care? The majority of people say that quality will be maintained. Time will tell whether the physicians will be able to handle the increased volume of people, including the 37 million uninsured, and still give excellence to their practice. "A good doctor is a good doctor," says Selvage. Physicians were trained to do quality work and quality will always be there. Medical care may not be as available as it is now . Controversy remains whether quality will be sacrificed for quantity. Thomas says, "The quality of care will be challenged by the system." Who would benefit from the proposed plan? The 37 million uninsured people and the working people who cannot afford insurance will benefit. Some say that many of these 37 million are illegal aliens. Many question mandating the majority to pay for the few who do not pay, many of whom choose a lifestyle preventing them from being able to pay. How would they benefit? Everyone would have access to a guaranteed benefit package by a mandated system. Pros of the Plan. Everyone would have a benefit package for health care. Cons of the Plan. Presently, more negatives exist than positives. Opponents feel that eventually quality and excellence of health care would be sacrificed for quantity due to the volume of people that physicians would have to see . Increased government regulation, and intervention, would cause merger mania. The lowest denominator of care that a

Medicine can't improve societies care and compassion for one another, make people have jobs or be happy or not worry. Medicine can ' t make people figure out how to problem solve, control their temper, do the 'right' thing, listen in school or to their wife or husband. Yet everyday we tend to relegate one of these issues to the status of an 'illness ' and demand a medical solution for it. 2. How do we get people to accept responsibility for their health? How do we get people to stop smoking and drinking themselves into health expenditures? How do we get people to stop destroying themselves with drugs of all sorts? How do we get people from shooting one another? We will cure disease," McGinnis fears, "long The Fort Collins Youth before we can even accept Clinic promotes the these as problems that truly rob maintenance of wellness us blind!" through regular well 3. "How do we set priorities child physicals. for health care allotment? How do we decide, like Governor Judy McLaughlin, Nurse Coordinator/Office Nurse Lamm has suggested, that we assists Dr. Don Beard have an obligation to our socipeiform a routine ety to stop being treated and to physical exam. not use up valuable and scarce resources for futile care? When you decide how you decide these issues , who decides? Perhaps economics will make us address poor person could afford in our society these issues. These are truly exciting would become the standard for everyone. times for medicine-change is not comA shift to generalists threaten entrepreing, it is here," says McGinnis. neurial incentives. Huge bureaucracies U.S. gives the freedom to choose. would be formed to administer health at The United States has the best medical the state and federal level decreasing the system, the finest research, and excelcontrol of local businesses. Health care lence of quality in the choice to perform becomes rationed. Price controls cause in a democratic system. The system shortages. Employer mandates cause functions best when an individual takes higher costs, resulting in less hiring of the responsibility and freedom to make employees. Medicare will experience choices. A responsible person decides severe cuts. how he contributes to the rising costs in Societal Issues. Dr. Jim McGinnis, his choice of lifestyle, habits, eating, and Chief of Staff of Poudre Valley Hospital fitness. A responsible person may ask: (PVH) believes that several issues are What am I doing to promote health, or either poorly addressed, or not addressed to promote disease? The attitude that this at all, in the proposed "health plans. " is someone else ' s problem must give "All agree that medicine is expensive, way to each of us doing our part to more perhaps way too expensive. Few people cost-effectively gain access to the health recognize that you don ' t get something care system. Does my lifestyle need for nothing! As a society, we must reform? It is a personal responsibility. It decide on some rather alarming issuesis a choice. issues. that will make prohibition look like a moral cakewalk! These include: Sandra Cowan has her own writing 1. How do we stop making social and consulting business. economic ills, medical diagnoses? 68 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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CULTURE

Canyon Concert Ballet will peiform its sellout Nutcracker Ballet, November 25th and 26th at 7 p.m., and November 26th and 27th at 2 p.m. , under the artistic direction of Randy Wray.

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t/Z By Gary Kimsey

istory shows the success of a community can well be identified by its enthusiasm for cultural entertainment. It takes time and, more importantly , community wealth to make the giant leap from the rigors of everyday life to cultural entertainment. Early settlers in northern Colorado spent their time and money plowing, irrigating and building. Little was left over for culture. That was true with our local forefathers (and foremothers , of course) well into the first half of the 20th century. In fact, we were still enmeshed in our farmer and cowboy era when man first walked on the moon . Back then , our

main types of entertainment-rodeos and country western dances-reflected our predominate professions and our lack of leisure and wealth to seek beyond our backyard for cultural entertainment. We were awash in bucking bulls and broncos, lassos and snakeskin cowboy boots, with a snort of chew on the side. There were times, of course, when local universities imported a world-class pianist or dance troupe, but, overall, we seldom experienced more than a dash of Broadway, a touch of Beethoven and the soft flutter of a ballet slipper. But two decades ago the hammer hit the nail , you might say, and the boom began: New industries settled here, people came, housing construction went

wild, and our standard of living went up both financially and culturally. Now we ' ve reached the point where cultural programs-and even the facilities where they are held-have become so popular they can hardly keep pace with customer demand. The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins is the most obvious example. It opened in 1978 with a 1, 180-seat capacity in the performance hall and 220 seats in the mini-theater. Now, however, the events staged at the center have become so popular that even a second center at equal the capacity may not even be large enough at times to accommodate the demand. In recent years, the center has looked at options to meet growing needs. One

72 Fort Collins Style Magazine

proposal is to expand the existing facilities, while another has been team up with Colorado State University to build another performing arts center in Fort Collins. "There's been a lot of talk, but so far no definite action," says Dave Siever, the center's director. "We're going to have to do something, though, in the next few years." Part of his concern is definitely the fact that customer demand is outpacing seating capacity. But another twist exists. The cost to bring quality entertainment to Fort Collins is on the rapid rise. That leaves open two options: either charge patrons more for tickets or expand facilities to bring in more customers to cover the extra cost for performers. The latter, Siever believes , is more preferable because it would allow ticket prices to remain affordable. "But if we don' t somehow expand, ticket prices will have to go up, and it will be more difficult for people to afford them," he says. The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra and the Union Colony Civic Center face the same challenge-only in their case it is their programs, not facilities, that need expansion. The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, which conducts most performances at the Lincoln Center, is dramatically enhancing its schedule in the 1994-95 season, beginning June 1.

Other reasons for the scheduling shift also exist, she says. For instance, customer research shows some people dislike Sunday evening as a performance time because they would rather be preparing for work or school the next day . In addition, some people prefer daytime performances rather than having to venture out at night. "What we' ve tried to do is listen to what our customers want, " Charkey emphasizes. "By making a change in our schedule we open the opportunity for new audiences to hear the symphony orchestra." Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Fort Collins The Union Colony Symphony Orchestra, Will Schwartz, will lead the orchestra Civic Center also is in its 46th season. enhancing its schedule for the coming year-in this case, by larity among the public blossomed constarting a new program, "Art a la Carte," siderably after it started playing in the through which season-ticket holders can Union Colony Civic Center when the fapick and choose from a list of about 14 cility was built several years ago. events. Anyone who purchases advance "Our reception has been good since then," says director Howard Skinner, tickets for four or more events will be dean of the University of Northern Colconsidered a season-ticket holder and orado College of Performing and Visual will receive a discount. "We hope to Arts. "We've built up a good, solid constituency." develop new audiences," explains Jil If you're part of that constituency, you Rosentrater, Greemost likely have season tickets. If you ley 's cultural affairs don't for the Greeley orchestra and the director. "The series other cultural centers in Greeley and Fort will offer a wide Collins, well... range of eventsHere's a bit of useful advice: Buy your from family and chiltickets early. Your best bet is to purchase dren 's entertainment season tickets so you won't have to worry about seating for individual performances. to contemporary The following are performances for entertainment to the coming year at the Lincoln Center country western- so and Union Colony Civic Center, as well people can pick what as schedules for the symphony orchestras they want for their Fort Collins Lincoln Center. in Fort Collins and Greeley. lifestyles." In the past, the symphony orchestra Of course, there are exceptions to evLincoln Center erything-particularly for what was said held its six classical performances on Sunday , but in the coming year the (For more information or to purchase a bit earlier about our Western ways and the lack of cultural entertainment. There schedule has been revised so all six pertickets, call 221-6730.) formances will be held Saturday The center's Showstopper Series will has been one northern Colorado cultural evenings. In addition, three of the perforpresent: organization in existence longer than mances will be repeated in Sunday matimost people alive today can remember. â&#x20AC;˘ Evita, Oct. 19-21. This is the story of nees. All of this will make for better That's the 80-piece Greeley PhilharArgentina's charismatic Eva Peron, who seating for patrons, a valuable asset. monic Orchestra, founded in 1911, makrose from poverty to become one of the "We believe the primary reason more ing it one of the oldest ongoing orworld's richest, most powerful women. people don ' t purchase season tickets is chestras in the Rocky Mountain West. The show features Latin rhythms and because they can't get the seats they fiery dances, with a musical score and The orchestra struggled along for want," says the orchestra's general manlyrics by the team of Andrew Lloyd decades just on sheer determination and ager Carolyn Charkey. its members' love of music. Its popuWebber and Tim Rice, who have 73

1994-'95

collaborated on such Broadway performances as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ, Superstar. • Guys and Dolls, Nov. 7-9. Based on a Damon Runyon short story, this show is about street-wise gamblers, Hot Box cuties and noble soul-savers in Times Square in the early 1950s. • Art Garfunkel, Dec. 5-7. Best known for playing in the Simon & Garfunkel duo in the 1960s and 1970s, Garfunkel is now recording his eighth solo album. • The Secret Garden, Feb. 2-4. This Broadway musical tells the story of a young girl sent to live with her uncle on the English moors in 1906. • Loretta Swit will star in a onewoman production of Shirley Valentine, March 7-9. Swit, who played Major Margaret Houlihan on the M* A*S*H television series, portrays a woman whose hopes and self-confidence are shattered by school, marriage and life. But then she rediscovers life during a visit to the Greek islands.

• Chamber Society, Jan. 26. • Beethoven Trio, March 10. • Toronto Dance, April 29. The Lila B. Morgan Artist Series, named after a late arts enthusiast who was wife of a former president of Colorado State University, offers a delightful mixture of serious and compelling entertainment. The Lewitzky dancers, for instance, are trailblazers in modern dance. In comparison , the four women of the Lafayette String Quartet lean toward serious classical music: Mozart, Barber and Beethoven. Film Series: • New England, Oct. 11. • Tahiti and Fiji, Nov. 3. • Trails of the West, Nov. 29. • European Cities, Feb. 9. • Ireland, Feb. 28. • Ontario and Quebec, March 20. The evening shows of the Film Series are almost always sold out, but usually there is individual seating available for the matinees that are held for each film.

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• Forev er Plaid, March 30-April 1. This off-Broadway musical comedy is the story of four singers (The Four Plaids) who formed a group in 1964 and then were killed in an auto accident on the way to their first performance. They mystically return to life and perform some of the best songs of their era. • Chet Atkins , April 19-21. Atkins, one of the world's best guitarists, has more than 75 albums to his credit in his five decades in the music industry. The Lincoln Center's Lila B. Morgan Artist Series: • Lafayette String Quartet, Sept. 22. • Bella Lewitzky Dance Company , Oct. 28, contemporary dance. • Winter Solstice, Dec. 15.

Children 's Series: • Fred Garbo the Inflatable Man, Jan. 19-20. • Alice in Wonderland, March 2-3. • Dinosaur Mountain, March 23-24. • New York Roller Express, May 4-5. This series is "entertainment for kids." Well, don't believe it. Remember that ol' saying: for the kid in each of us? That's what this series is all about. It does offer superb entertainment for youngsters, but adults will find a lot of fun, too. Don ' t miss the Roller Express, especially. This is a group of roller-skaters who give a heck of a performance. Specials: • Up With People, Oct. 14-15. • Red Badge of Courage, Jan. 31. • Forever Plaid, April 4.

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C H E S T R A Presenting Year-long Programming

Red Badge of Courage will be performed for ninth graders in local schools. Th e pl ay will be bro ught fro m the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through funding rai sed by the Lincoln Center Support League and the Lincoln Center's annual birthday ball.

Union Colony Civic Center (For more information and ticket purchases, call 356-5000.) Since it's sometimes less expensive to contract with a group for multiple bookings in an area, the Union Colony Civic

Classics Series concerts: Some of the world's greatest solo artists, as well as some of the brightest rising stars join the symphony orchestra each year for a season of exciting concerts presented at the Lincoln Center. Season tickets are sold by mail or at the Lincoln Center Box Office prior to the first concert in the fall. Individual concert tickets are available 30 days in advance of each performance at the ~ Box Office, or by calling (303) 221-6730. ~ d.~ Sinfonietta conce~:ts: The "Little Symphony" concerts are offered in a more intimate setting than the theater seating of the Classics Series, presenting the smaller chamber orchestra and top solo artists playing magnificent music in a relaxed atmosphere. Tickets are available through the Box office.

.(rJ

Summer Family Concerts: Each summer the symphony joins community organizations and corporate sponsors to present great pops programming. Watch for announcements of the traditional outdoorfamilypicnic concerts, free noon time concerts in Oak Street Plaza, a summer music festival, and special events that include the symphony, chamber orchestra, individual artists from the orchestra, and special guest artists.

School programs: All fourth and sixth graders in the Fort Colins area are treated to a ~oncert in the Lincoln Centereach March: They hear the same guest artist and part of the music presented in the Classics Series Concert the day before.

Special Events: Each January you are invited to put on your blue jeans and join the orchestra in Lincoln Center for the Beethoven in Blue Jeans Concert, an evening of light, popular classical music, followed by a party which includes country western dancing. The Women's Guild of the Symphony presents The Nutcracker Ballet, an antique show and Nutcracker Walk Christmas Home tour as fund raising events each year. The symphony often presents special concerts and activities which help support the annual budget as well. Information on each season's events is available through the Symphony office at (303) 482-4823 .

Annual Giving and Volunteerism: Your financial gifts and your volunteer efforts, as well as your attendance at events and concerts is what makes the Fort Colllins Symphony Orchestra such a vital part of the quality of life in Fort collins. It is and private contributions that are the backbone of the organization.

Without You, the Fort Collins Symphony Would Not Be Complete!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA plays October 19-21 , 1994.

Center and the Linc oln Center some- . times have similar bookings. Check the description of a show above if a listing below has an * by it. "Art a Ia Carte," a buffet of performing arts options, is a new series format offered thisseason. Choose fo ur shows from the list below and you will be a seaso n ticke tholder and a discoun t will apply to your ticket purchases. The Art a La Carte series: • Wynton Marsalis, trumpet jazz, Oct. 29. • Bella Lewitzky Dance, Oct. 27. * • Poncho Sanch ez, salsa and Latin jazz, Nov. 11. • Maria and Luis from Sesame Street. Nov. 18. • Second City Theater Company, comedy, Jan. 27. • Animal Fables fro m Aesop, Feb. 18. • Harlem Spiritual Ensemble, Feb. 22. • Shirley Valentine,* March 10. • Forever Plaid,* March 29. • New York Roller Express,* May 7. The Stage Soectaculars series: • Evita, * Oct. 22. • Art Garfunkel,* Dec. 2. • Roy Clark, Jan. 19.

76 Fort Collins Style Magazine

Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra (Call the Union Colony Center for more information and tickets , 356-5000.) The orchestra will perform the six regular concerts listed below. In addition, the orchestra will give a Poinsettia Pops concert Dec. 3, a mix of contemporary and traditional holiday music. A Festival of Trees Silent Auction Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra also is held to benefit the Greeley Phil(For tickets, call the Lincoln Center Box harmonic Guild and the city of Greeley. Office, 221-6730; for more program Carmen, the love-gone-amiss story of information, call482-4823 .) a Gypsy girl and such colmiul characters The season begins with a series of as bullfighters and smugglers, will be Tuesday noon concerts June 7 to July 16 presented April 20 and April 22 by the in Oak Street Plaza. On June 25, the University of Northern Colorado Opera orchestra will present a picnic concert Theater and the orchestra. for the general public at Hewlett• Concert 1: Sept. 20. Music from RusPackard. On July 23, there wil be a consian composers Tschaikovsky, Glinka and cert for the public at Anheuser-Busch. Rachmaninoff will be played, with special Picnic concert tickets are $4 in advance; pianist Larry Graham, a piano faculty $5 at the gate. member at the University of Colorado. In July, the orchestra will have a music • Concert 2: Oct. 11. Featured: Benny festival July 10, 13 and 17. Two will be Kim, violinist, winner of several prestichamber music, while one will feature a gious awards, including Young Concert world-class quartet. Artists International Auditions in 1983. The regular Classic Series Concert Examples of music to be played: Overture to the Drum-Major's Daughter schedule is listed below. (Offenbach); Violin • Oct. 1-2. FeaturConcerto No. 3 (Sainting duo pianist Ralph Markham and KenSaens); and Overture to the Happy Slaves neth Broadway. (Atriga). • Nov. 5. Guest • Concert 3: Nov. artists will be two 12, featuring pieces locals: Wendal Diebel, piano, and by Rossini, Copley , Barbara Thiem, cello. Beethoven, Mozart, Verdi, and Gershwin. • Feb. 11. The Soprano Diane Boldorchestra will feature eo-Taylor, assistant great love themes and professor of voice at duets, with the husband-wife duo of UNC, will accompany Erich and Melissa the orchestra. Farce of Washington • Concert 4: Jan. 21, "a greatest hits, as soloists Lewitzky Dance Company performs American-style" per• March 4-5: The on October 28, 1994. orchestra will feature formance, with music by Bernstein, Barber, Copland, Rodgers, Jim Walker, flutist who will perform and Gershwin. Featured: pianist Franboth classical and jazz numbers. • April 8: Soloists will be three finalcisco Aybar, a music faculty member at the University of Denver. ists in the Symphony's 1995 Young • Concert 5: March 14, with music by Artists Competition. • May 6-7: Christopher Taylor, 1993 Ravel, Francaix and Schumann, featurBronze Medalist of the Van Cliburn ing oboist Richard Killmer, professor of competition, will be the featured soloist. oboe at the Eastman School of Music. The orchestra will perform Holt' s mas• Concert 6: May 2 , Requiem by sive "The Planets." Brahms. Guest soloists and the UNC The orchestra also will perform in the Choir will join the orchestra. annual Nutcracker on Thanksgiving weekend , presented by the Women's Gary Kimsey can remember searching Symphony Guild. in vain for good cultural entertainment In addition, the orchestra will present: in the 1960s. Those were the days when • Jan. 13, Beethoven in Blue Jeans III, I am Curious Yellow was banned in Fort Collins. Alcohol was outlawed througha casual concert of classical hits. • An all new winter sinfonietta chamout the town. Rodeo was king and ballet was sissy stuff ber orchestra series. • Second City Theater Company, comedy, Jan. 27. • Secret Garden,':' Feb. 1. • Animal fables from Aesop, Feb. 18. • Harlem Spiritual Ensemble, Feb. 22. • Shirley Valentine,* March 10. • Forever Plaid,* March 29. • New York Roller Express,* May 7.

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RELIGION

HURCHES of Fort CoCCins By Libby James

The Vineyard Christian Fellowship

First Assembly of God Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS)

Foothills Unitarian Church

here was a time when Fort Collins was known as the only town in Colorado where there were traffic jams on Sundays. As a vibrant and fast-growing Front Range city with a population approaching 100,000, in many ways Fort Collins continues to reflect its rich religious heritage. In 1867, three years after the founding of Fort Collins, the First Methodist Episcopal church was founded . Six years later a church was built. In the next few years, Presbyterian, Catholic , Episcopal, Christian Science, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Unitarian , Christian, and Congregational churches were founded. The German Evangelical Congregational church served the Germans from Russia who settled in Fort Collins. An African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1908. With growth comes diversity, and the 100-plus places of worship in Fort Collins today are evidence of a wide range of cultural backgrounds , beliefs, and worship styles. Colorado State University and the presence of students from all over the world adds to options for worship. The general vitality of the churches in Fort Collins reflects the importance of the spiritual dimension in the lives of Fort Collins residents. Reverend Bob Geller, who served for many years as chaplain for the United Campus Ministry, an interdenominational church serving primarily college students, has had an opportunity to observe the Fort Collins "church scene" over a long time period. A little over half the population attends church once a month, according to Geller. This is eight to ten percent above the national average. Compared to a typical town in the eastern part of the country , church attendance in Fort Collins is high, but it is not as high as in a typical midwestern town. Geller has watched churches as they

make philosophical shifts from left to right, right to left, and toward the center. He observes some large churches "settling in" as their rate of growth slows, and others continuing to experience growth . Most growth is occurring in fundamentalist churches, but Geller says there are individual parishes with liberal leanings that are also experiencing rapid growth. Every place of worship has the common goal or mission of serving the spiritual needs of its parishioners. Beyond that, there is great diversity of thought, doctrine, outlook on life, attitude toward evangelism, and ways of worship. The Fort Collins Areas Chamber of Commerce has available Christian Living, a directory of churches and Christian schools in Loveland and Fort Collins. For a more complete listing of places of worship, refer to the telephone directory. A magazine article cannot begin to discuss the full range of church offerings in the community, and that is not our intention here. By talking with a randomly selected group of ministers, the hope was to provide some basic information, and in addition get some sense of the challenges that are facing Fort Collins churches, and how they are dealing with these challenges. As ministers responded to questions, some common themes began to emerge. Many churches are acutely aware of a need for community among their parishioners. They are responding by promoting the formation of small groups that often meet in people' s homes on week nights. A number of churches are responding to the issues that confront young people by organizing classes, activities, and groups that provide learning , commitment and new perspectives. Churches are busy places. Those who took the time to respond to questions are appreciated. The Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1201 Riverside Avenue, 484-5999. Senior Pastor, Rick Olmstead, associate pastors, Richard Powell and Dave Hollen. Services:

78 Fort Collins Style Magazine

Sundays, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Second and fourth Sunday evenings at 6 p .m. Prayer meeting third Sunday at 6 p.m. Membership, 1500. According to associate pastor Richard Powell, the heart of the Vineyard is the small groups that meet weekly or biweekly, either in homes or at the church. Groups are conducted by lay leaders, and consist of 10 to 15 people. There are 70 small groups organized through the Vineyard. Some are known as "Kinship" groups and emphasize fellowship, while others meet to discuss different topics. The Vineyard was established by Rick Olmstead and seven founding members, 11 years ago, and has experienced phenomenal growth. The church is non-denominational, evangelical, and was originally established to target the "baby boomer" population. As time passes, the average age of members is increasing, but a major influx of teenagers is swelling growth. Six new rooms to accommodate these young people are in the planning stages. The Vineyard has an admittedly different worship style that has special appeal for a certain segment of the population. They incorporate a worship band with drums and guitars into services and place a heavy emphasis on music and singing. "We're not for everyone, and we don't feel that we compete with other churches," Powell says. The following formal statements describe the Vineyard. Mission statement: To know Jesus Christ, to become like him, and to make him known. Vision: To impact our generation through a relational and relevant and fun church of several thousand Christians who are trained and released to advance the Kingdom of God. Strategy: To serve our way into the hearts of people and establish a Christian presence through the avenues of celebrations, ministry , teams, small groups and special events. Powell sees the church as evolving from an inward-looking attitude reflected in the small groups, toward an outward, evangelical focus . The Vineyard is sponsoring a major event this spring, Radical Pursuit '94, which will include a series of community service projects. Powell says they expect nothing in return for the services performed for the community, but are interested in letting people know about their church. The philosophy of the Vineyard is to maintain a large church in order to provide a wide range of resources, and to emphasize small groups where people develop close relationships with each other. Powell says the church could eventually consist of as many as 300 small groups. Small groups exist in several areas sur-

rounding Fort Collins, and new churches are starting in Loveland and Cheyenne. First Assembly of God Church , 1800 South Lemay, at the corners of Stuart and Lemay, 482-4387. Dary Northrop, Senior Pastor; Frank Estep, Associate Pastor; Jon Cook, Business Administrator and Children's Pastor; Steve Harris, Minister of Music; Rob Cowles, Youth Pastor; Bob Gregg, Pastoral Therapist. Sunday service times are 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. During morning services Children's Church for K through sixth grade, and pre-school and nursery are available. TLC small groups meet first Sunday of the month and one week night during the third week of the month. Adult classes meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Youth programs for teens, Royal Rangers and Missionettes for boys and girls, Chi Alpha for college students, and 30 Something Singles activities are available. The average Sunday morning attendance is 1200, which has grown from 150 seven years ago. First Assembly of God is purchasing 35 acres on Timberline Road and hopes to build larger facilities to accommodate its tremendous growth and enable more reaching out to the community in additional ministries for youth, singles and adults. "We feel that one of the main reasons for our growth is our friendliness and warmth as well as Christianity presented in a very practical way for people of the 90' s," says Leahrose Gowing , secretary to Senior Pastor, Dary Northrop. She says, "People need friendship, love, peace and acceptance ... they are looking for something to structure their lives, their families and to give them direction for life - we believe we offer that, in a loving, caring atmosphere. It is exciting to see this being accomplished!" The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) has six Fort Collins congregations, known in the church as wards. The wards are housed in three buildings at 600 East Swallow Road, 2266201 , 1400 Lynnwood Drive, 484-2557, and 1320 Harmony Road, 226-1710. The Fort Collins stake has a total of 3,000 members. Sunday services are at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m., depending upon the ward. Stake President John Clarke explains that when he came to Fort Collins 24 years ago, the stake had just split to create two wards, Clarke says the growth of Fort Collins has had a large impact on the growth of the church, but that they are experiencing additional growth as well. LDS now numbers 10 million world-wide, compared with three million 25 years ago, making them one of the fastest growing denominations. Clarke describes the most significant challenge facing the church today as instilling an understanding of "who they are" in 79

1994-'95

the young people of the church, and keeping them from destructive behavior. The church places strong emphasis on the family. As an LDS parent, Clarke describes his responsibility as an LDS parent as threefold: 1. Let his children know that as children of God they are special and loved, and that God wants them to be happy and to return to him. 2. Develop in his children a relationship with Jesus Christ, the concept of atonement and the need to follow the commandments of the old testament. 3. Teach his children to work. In the church work is considered an eternal principle that brings good results . The church's commitment to youth includes a seminary for high school youth that meets every school day from 6:15 to 7 a.m. for religious training. Clarke continues to be impressed with the dedication of young people to the program. The church is a strong supporter of Boy Scouts and has a parallel organization for young women that address family and career issues. These groups meet in the evening during the week. Sunday services are a series of meetings which include a sacrament or worship service attend by the whole family , Sunday School, Women's Relief Society meetings,

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Westminster Presbyterian Church

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and Priesthood meetings for men. Clarke anticipates the addition of one or two wards in Fort Collins within the year, and eventually co nstructio n of a new building. Foothills Unitarian Church , 1815 Yorktown Avenue , 493-5906, minister Rev. Marc Salkin, religious education director, Kate Erslev. Services 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Church school and nursery at the same hours. Membership: 400. The church sponsors social action forums on contemporary issues, meet and eat lunches and church services, and periodic orientation sessions to introduce new members of the church. There are also dinners in members: homes, men 's and women's groups, and adult enrichment classes conducted by church members. The church accommodates a wide range of religious backgrounds and convictions. It's stated purpose "shall be to maintain a free pulpit, bound by no dogma, restticted by no creed, with the people free to differ as their minds and consciences may dictate." In the past several years the church has experienced dramatic growth, and is currently working on a building expansion to meet the needs of the growing congregation. Salkin, who is in his third year as minister, sees Fort Collins as a place that values and supports its religious institutions. He senses a positive attitude toward religion and spirituality, and more desire for anchoring and seeking for meaning in life that is more than temporary and of the moment. Church members seek a spiritual dimension to their lives, a sense of community and caring, and a source of help in tough times. Salkin says that Fort Collins has a much wider range of options than did the Boston area where he came from . There are many more Protestant churches with active and vibrant congregations in Fort Collins. "People in Fort Collins seem to attend church not as a duty, but as a means for self-fulfillment," he says. He sees the future of the churches in Fort Collins as positive and healthy, and he anticipates even more diversity in options as the town continues to grow. First Christian Church, 2700 South Lemay Avenue, 223-5770. Senior Pastor, Charlie Patchen, Associate Pastor, Dan Nygaard. Services: Sundays, 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Bible study : Thursdays, 7 p.m. Membership, 1500. First Christian Church is a non-denominational , evangelical c hu rc h that was founded in Fort Collins in 1892. According to Pastor Charlie Patchen the philosophy of the church is to be a healing place, where Christ loves and heals individuals spiritually, emotionally and physically.

"After people have been healed we want to send them back into the community and world to be a blessing and to minister, " said Patchen. The mission of First Christian is helping individuals grow and to learn the "grace and knowledge of our Lord." said Patchen. Growth groups are provided that offer support and fellowship. There are three different types of groups, depending on the needs of the individual. Small Groups consist of three to twelve adults committed to meeting together on a regular basis for Bible study , prayer and fellowship . Home Groups consist of six or more people who meet regularly in different homes for worship, prayer and outreach. Adult Fellowship groups provide indepth Bible studies. The size of fellowship groups varies from 20 to 50 or more. In the 1970s First Christian had experienced tremendous growth. Membership in the church went from 200 to 1200 in ten years. "The congregation at First Christian is very diverse," said Patchen. "There are different races, ages, education levels and political backgrounds." Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1909 West Elizabeth, 482-7214 . The Reverend Mac McDonald, pastor. Terry Taylor, program outreach director, Anne Muterspaugh, music director , Cindy Sockler, secretary . Sunday services, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., church school 9:40 a.m., all ages . Westminster Wednesdays, midweek encouragement, 6:45 p.m. preceded by dinner at 5:30 p.m. Marriage enrichment and elementary fellowship, 6 p.m. Membership: 234. The mission statement of the church reads: "To call people to Jesus Christ and

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Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship

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to help them live and grow as his disciples through the ministry and fellowship of the church. "Every way imaginable," McDonald says when asked how his church has changed in the last few years. He describes a revitalized ministry resulting in such changes as a second Sunday morning service designed to meet the differing needs of church members. "We've had our music wars," he says. "They have been resolved by offering contemporary praise music at one service, and more traditional music (including organ) at another. Revitalization has come through a conscious changing of attitudes and behaviors that have made the church willing to reach out without judgment to people. "We've also had to realize that people's lifestyles are such that they can no longer volunteer for long periods of time. We have supplemented with additional staff and pieced together short term volunteer tasks," McDonald says. "You need to keep in touch with what's happening by carrying a Bible in one hand and Time and Newsweek in the other," he says. McDonald says that people come to church seeking meaning and purpose in their lives, community, belonging, and family. Even so, it is extremely hard for a newcomer to walk in the door. And, they are not likely to stay unless the church is relevant and can help them to lead their lives. The change that has occurred at Westminster has required risk, according to McDonald. "It was risk or die," he says, describing a decline in membership that occurred some years ago. Now increasing membership is making it possible to provide more choices. He even goes so far as to say that the church finds itself in a "post-

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Christian era" where, spirituality, not Christianity in the old sense, is increasingly important. If you ask him about a challenge facing his church , he says that for his church members , a major challenge is something as simple as working it out so the whole family can eat dinner together. Further, he sees the challenge of the church as finding a clear direction, and training and involving the laity in that direction. Helping the laity to become "Biblically literate" is part of the challenge facing the church. McDonald sees more need for retreats as the pressures of jobs and family leave little time for reflection. Immanuel Baptist Church, 1725 West Mulberry St., 482-4310 . Brother Bob Lewis, pastor. 9 a.m. worship, 10:30 a.m. Bible study, 7 p.m., evening service. 7 p.m. Wednesday nights, prayer and praise. 125 members. Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, this church directs much of its energy to supporting missionary work, in the community and the world . They are evangelical and conservative. A mobile society has reduced their membership somewhat in recent years. Their stated purpose is to love and serve by worship, by

words, and by actions. A Women ' s Missionary Society meets on the first Thursdays of the month. First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover St, 482-2436. Senior Pastor, Robert Hamilton, Co-Pastor, Monte Baker, Associate Pastor, Carol Fox. Services: Sundays, 8 a.m. in the little chapel, 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary . Bible studies : Wednesdays 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Membership: 2323. Founded 127 years ago First United Methodist is one of the oldest churches in Fort Collins. Since the 1980s the church has had a steady growth in membership. The Parish Coordinator, Beatrice Marvel said, "We have seen a big influx of young families and we have geared activities to meet their needs." The Mothers of Young Children Group meets every Monday morning providing support and fellowship for mothers of preschool age children . The St. Barnabas Group meets weekly for men who get together for prayer and fellowship. A popular activity at the church is "Sunday Night Live". Families meet at the church once a month for fellowship, dinner and a program. The Church is also actively involved in the community. The Church in Society Group is currently helping the World Food Bank and involved with local environmental issues . According to Senior Pastor Robert Hamilton the churches philosophy is that "we are on a journey with God." "We want to be known as a friendly church," said Marvel. "and to be able to meet the needs of the people in the community." The Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship shares a facility with the Apostolic Church at 400 Whedbee St., 224-4106. Services: Sunday School 9 a.m. , worship 10 a.m. There are mid-week activities also. 30 members . Interim pastor Jeff Borg says the congregation size changes, but a general trend has been toward growth in the last few years. A pacifist denomination , the Mennonites have traditionally advocated non-violence and have refused to fight. The challenge of the local fellowship is to encourage those interested in peace and justice in the world today, and find ways to make a contribution to those ends. The church sponsors a self-help sale each November featuring craft items from Third World countries. Mennonites have a rural heritage and a strong sense of community. They believe in adult baptism, at an age when a member can make up his/her own mind and make an active commitment to the church. Compared with the church he served in rural Iowa, Borg describes Fort Collins as a place of diversity where people have had

more experiences and appear more cosmopolitan. The Mennonites and members of the Apostolic Church with whom they share their facility recently came together for a potluck dinner. Borg says the experience was mutually beneficial. The Mennonite Church has a simple but profound goal for he future: "to make Fort Collins and the world a better place." Congregation Har Shalom, 725 West Drake, 223-5191. Rabbi Jack Gabriel. Congregation president, Neil Sherrod. Services 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Once a month traditional service, 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Special services on Jewish holidays. Religious school Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. Jewish Experience for Families (JEFF), monthly for parents and children. 164 members. Congregation Har Shalom was formed in 1974 when a group of Jewish families with young children came together to meet the religious needs of their children. Their first priority was a building to house classes. Once it was completed in 1982, they sought a rabbi. Since that time the congregation has grown rapidly . Congregation president Neil Sherrod says that keeping up with growth is a major challenge. Already their space is too small. The synagogue operates in the spirit of Jewish renewal with much emphasis on discussion and singing and a de-emphasis on the traditional. The synagogue exists to serve the spiritual and educational needs of the Jewish community in Fort Collins, and in that role is a strong supporter of the family. Judaism is family oriented and much of the religious celebration occurs in the home. Sherrod has positive feelings about the position of the synagogue in the spiritual life of Fort Collins. He sees the town as progressive and has not experienced anti-semitism here. Last year the congregation joined with the Abyssinian church to put on a concert. It was so successful that a repeat is planned. Plymouth Congregation Church, 916 West Prospect St, 482-9212. Reverend Fred Edmonds, minister, Jennifer Knutsen, associate minister. Services, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Sundays. Summers: 9:30 only. Christian education, 9:45-10:45. Adult education classes: book study and forum with the community. 650 members. In Rev. Edmonds words , "Plymouth church welcomes all people-whatever their race, sexual orientation, or faith into which they were born. We are an open church that seeks to unite people in personal faith and social responsibility ." Plymouth Congregational Church evolved from an early Fort Collins church established by the Germans from Russia who settled in this area. With time, many of the ways of the old church have disappeared, and the flavor of the church has

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changed. According to Edmonds, a major challenge of the church today is to reach non-attendees with a freeing message. The church has grown along with Fort Collins, making physical needs a challenge in addition to making it easy for new people to feel a part of the church. Important to members, is the development of a loving relationship with God and each other, and the need to feel part of a community that is making a difference in the world. St. Luke's Episcopal Church , 2000 Stover St., 493-7512, Rev. David Douglas, rector, Rev . Gus Cholas , assistant rector. Services 8 a.m. , 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. , Church school9:15 a.m. 500 members. Services are geared to the differing needs of members. Eucharist at 8 a.m. has no music and uses the traditional Prayer Book. The 9:15 service is held in the chapel and has contemporary music, with guitars. The 10:30 service has music and a choir. 500 members. There is an active women's group that raises funds for the church and operates a thrift shop. St. Lukes' is known for the quality of its music. The church has a Casavant pipe organ , an active choir and a Baroque group. An increasing number of young families joining St. Luke's is directing the church's energies toward children and young people. Emphasis is on encouraging a sense of family within the church and

providing opportunities for fellowship through small group interaction. Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 1900 South Taft Hill Road, 4843583. Pastor Paul Jorden, Ministry Coordinator, Pat Engelker. Services: 9 a.m. Sunday School, 10:15 worship. Young boys and girls groups and adult education classes meet on Wednesdays. Members: 90 family units, 240 attend on Sunday mornings. Pastor Jorden says that there have been significant changes in his congregation as Fort Collins has grown. He sees among them a higher educational level and more professional people. He has also noticed that there are very few people who have family connections in town. Lacking extended family close-by, more and more people seek fellowship in the church. He doesn ' t see his church as in competition with the adjacent mountains and recreation areas on Sunday mornings, rather he sees the mountain environment as a window into the reality of God. "Having those mountains close by just makes us more creative and flexible in our worship," he says. One of the most important challenges Jorden sees facing the church is to change "consumers into servants. We live in such a consumer-oriented society, and it is our nature to be consumer-oriented, that this is a difficult challenge," he says. "We need to realize that there is more to life than sue-

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cess at jobs and accumulating things." Pastor Jorden believes that people have an intuitive thirst for more than consumerism can offer, and it is the task of the church to provide it. As he looks to the future, he envisions an increasingly diverse congregation and the need to focus on " the center of the gospel and what Christ wants us to be." St. Joseph's Catholic Church , 300 West Mountain Avenue, 482-4148. Reverend Philip Meredith, pastor, Rev. Michael Delaney, S.J., parochial vicar, Sister Joan Cain, director of religious education. Sunday masses: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. Weekday masses 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. , Saturdays 8 a.m. St. Joseph's is the oldest and largest of three Catholic churches and a chapel in Fort Collins. It's mission statement describes it as a "Catholic Community united in Christ in Word and Sacrament so all people may know and experience God's love. The church has a contemporary music group that sings one Sunday a month at 12:15 p.m. mass , operates a parish gift shop, and houses Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownie troops. The church is well known for its Christmas Tree Lane bazaar in November, put on by the women of the church. The church also operates a Mary's Closet, a clothing bank which distributes to anyone in need. The Mission at 460 Linden Center Drive provides meals and overnight accommodations for those in need. St. Joseph's School (K-6) is supported by the parish and a tuition charge and is open to everyone. The above is no more than a tiny, and not wholly representative smattering of the church choices available in Fort Collins. There is a heavy representation of mainstream Protestant denominations-five Presbyterian, three Episcopal, 16 Baptist, 12 Lutheran, and four Methodist churches to choose from . In addition there is a Korean church, a Muslim organization, the Rocky Mountain Dharma Center, and other Protestant churches ranging from Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, Foursquare and Full Gospel churches, Church of Christ, Charismatic churches, Church of the Brethren, Bible Churches, Nazarene, Religious Science, Quaker, and Unity churches. There is no shortage of ways in which to fulfill one's spiritual needs in Fort Collins. And each, in its own way, is working hard to meet the changing needs of a place that is growing, and congregations whose needs are changing. Libby James is a local free-lance writer and frequent contributor to Style magazines and also works with teen parents.

84 Fort Collins Style Magazine

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Support League, states, "I enjoy my participation in the League. I am so pleased to be able to give something back to a community that has given so much to me. Volunteering has enriched my life in many ways. Fort Collins is a community that welcomes volunteers and utilizes them so well. I think that residents feel good about where they live and want to share that with the community." The mission statement of the American Cancer Society in Larimer County is dedicated to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for all the people of Colorado regardless of socio-economic status, race or ethnic origin. Gary Rogers, executive director of the local Cancer Society, explains, "We focus on three main goals to achieve our mission. They are public education, service to patients and families , and funding research. We have 1,500 volunteers who help in a variety of ways. They can volunteer weekly, monthly or on one time projects."

AMERICAN WCANCER fSOCIETYÂŽ The Cancer Society benefits from several fund raising events. The Longs Peak Celebrity Golf Tournament held in July has been very successful and involved many community residents. Actor Chad Everitt has been the honorary chairperson for this event for several years . Another project is the Christmas Village at Lee Martinez Farm. The public can tour nine miniature houses in November and December. A memorial golf tournament is scheduled annually in June at Ptarmigan Golf Club to honor a deceased cancer victim. The American Cancer Society is governed by a volunteer board of directors . Shelley Rich ards of Loveland serves as president of the board . " I have been involved with the Cancer Society for many years. It is important to me because I can make a difference. There is some cancer in my husband' s family and this is something I can do for them," she explains. The Junior League of Fort Collins is an international organization dedicated to promoting voluntarism and improving the quality of life in the community. Deanna Atchison, president of the Junior League, says "We are not only a nonprofit service organization but also a

tram1ng organization. We offer our members many professional training and leadership opportunities. The League keeps you in touch with the community and business leaders. I have been a member for 10 years and I have always received much more from my volunteer efforts than I have given." The Junior League is comprised of 170 women who are involved in a variety of service programs and projects. The current focus of the organization is on providing access to quality experiences for children from birth to age 5 to prepare them for academic and social success. The Children' s Clinic Outreach Program involves members in marketing, management and media relations for the clinic. The organization was instrumental in helping the Children's Clinic become established. The League has collaborated with the Poudre R -1 school district to implement an occupational aptitude testing program for high school juniors. Volunteers are given training and work closely with school counselors. Two new programs sponsored by the Junior League are the Early Childhood Center Collaboration and the Community Health Van . The organization will assist the Early Childhood Center at Barton School in its expansion and work with a mobi le van to provide health care. The League will be providing volunteers and funding for these projects. In the past six years, the Junior League of Fort Collins has returned $127,000 to the community in project involvement and training. Two major fund raisers are held each year, Terrace and Garden Tour and Fashion Show/Brunch and Lunch/Holiday Boutique . The Garden Tour is held in June of each year and features the gardens of several community residents. The fashion show is held in November and raised over $16,000 during the 1993 event. Supporting Foothills-Gateway in a service capacity is the sole purpose of the Fort Collins Service League. The League began in 1974 with a small group of supporters and has grown to 100 members. Foothills-Gateway is a diagnostic and tr aining center for the mentally and physically challenged in northern Colorado . "We interact with FoothillsGateway on a personal level. The League has given many hours to the facility as well as providing financial support," states Patty Seaser, president of the organization. "It is very fulfilling work and the members receive a lot of personal satisfaction. We are committed to providing on-going support." 87

1994-'95

The annual Kitchen Kaper home tour is the major fund raiser for the Fort Collins Service League. The event was started in 1980 and is held each April. The public can buy a ticket to tour several homes in Fort Collins and purchase gourmet kitchen items. All League members are involved in some aspect of the home tour. Last year's tour raised $25,000 for the organization. Fundraising efforts have resulted in more than $250,000 being donated to Foothills-Gateway in the last several years. The money has been used to purchase educational and playground equipment and vans. The Service League donated $20,000 to help FoothillsGateway purchase a .house this year. The home provides a supportive living situation for three men with developmental disabilities. Members donated furniture, household items and curtains for the house. Debbie Lapp, director of residential services at the center, says "The Service League has been invaluable support to us. They have looked at the facility and its needs. The organization has evolved as we have with all the changes in our field. The house purchase has been a very positive experience for these men. The self esteem of these men has grown as well as their sense of responsibility due to having a house of their own and the freedom to choose who to live with, where to go and the opportunity to take care of a home. This would not have been possible without the Fort Collins Service League." Gary, a resident of the house, is planning the guest list for a May open house to which Service League members will be invited. A second resident, Ron, says, "I like it here. It feels like a family. "

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Crossroads." At the completion of their training, individuals are asked to commit to volunteering 96 hours. There are 125 volunteers currently at Crossroads. The only fund raiser designated for Crossroads is the Crossroads quilt raffle. A quilt is designed and stitched by community volunteers and raffled to ticket holders. The event is held in July at the Lincoln Center and all proceeds are given to Crossroads. George Romney, former governor of Michigan, once said that voluntarism is one of the best tools at our disposal to solve many of today' s most pressing problems. Former president George Bush called on Americans to do their part and become a "thousand points of light" and residents of Fort Collins have responded to these appeals. Countless hours have been donated by community members and there is a strong desire to maintain these efforts. This commitment has and will continue to improve the quality of life for all in the community.

Donna Lock is a free-lance writer in Fort Collins who has volunteered her time to several of these organizations. There are many organizations in the area that utilize volunteers in fund raising efforts and service projects .. Here is a list of some of the groups in Northern Colorado.

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93 1994-'95

EDUCATION

OuR LEGACY oF By John Clarke

t may seem hard to believe, but there was a time when one person could learn all the stored knowledge of the western world. That day has long since passed as the universe of human knowledge has become as vast as the limitless expanses of outer space. I often think of my grandmother as a young woman in Gillette, Wyoming around the turn of the century. In her early twenties, she was the superintendent of schools for all of Campbell County where the system consisted of several small country schools. She rode from place to place on horseback to supervise the teachers and help out as needed. The humble institutions of learning that she shepherded were tiny in comparison with those we have now. Life was simple. Education in America today is not so simple. It has become a combination of politics, psychology, social experimentation , baby-sitting, environmental indoctrination and, in some cases, hand-tohand combat. Our public schools are reeling under pressure from parents who want more say in how and what their kids are taught, teachers who want more money and respect for the daily challenges they face in the classroom, school boards who deal with ever-shrinking budgets , and kids who have not been taught at home to behave. The educational system in the United States is undergoing some major

••••••••••••••••• changes and, hopefully, if we make the right decisions, we can change things for the better. Fort Collins is seeing some of the same problems that schools are experiencing in larger cities, but on a smaller scale. We have gangs in our schools, but so far they have not become as violent or as aggressive as gangs in other places. Our teachers have been vocal in asking for more money and in fighting alternative schools, but so far we haven't seen the system crippling strikes that have paralyzed other districts. Parents are objecting to the concepts of Outcome Based Education, Values Clarification

and other social engineering endeavors of the school systems, but so far haven't been upset enough to pass ballot propo sa ls to provide vouchers which would allow the public financing of private schools. Public education is expensive. According to Ken Forest, bu si ness manager for the Poudre R-1 School District, the system spends $4723 per student each year. That amount reflects $4162 in operational costs, plus $561 for interest on outstanding debt. The cost per high school student is $5028, with junior high kids costing $4785 each, and the spending per elementary school pupil coming in at $4016. In comparing these costs with the tuitions charged at private schools, at first glance it is hard to justify the high cost of public education. Consider the tuition rates for several area private schools when compared with the PR -1 expenditure of $4016 per elementary sc hool student: Oakwood Academy, $2760; Rivendell School, $3045; Heritage Christian, $1802. Ken Forest explains some of the discrepancy, "We don't get to control the quality of the raw material, but we do our best with all our kids." It costs more to educate certain types of students. It is true that the private schools can be very selective when it comes to admitting students - they all have waiting lists. Further examination of the challenges facing PR-1 show that they spend $306

94 Fort Collins Style Magazine

per student to finance the extra cost of the 2185 special needs students in the district. Another $29 per student goes to finance the mountain schools and $51 goes to cover the cost of running the school busses. Factoring in these costs makes the comparison fairer , but still puts the price tag for public education substantially higher than one of the most expensive private for-profit schools in town. In comparison with the non-profits Heritage Christian School and Rivendell School, the gap widens. One reason that Heritage Christian can operate for less money is a result of their pay scale for teachers. Marsha Krygier of Heritage points out, "Our teachers are paid one half as much as the teachers in PR-1. They work for less because they consider it a part of their ministry." It seems there's nothing like a little religious zeal to get the cost of education under control. My experience with PR-1 teachers is that they are a very dedicated group , but half price is probably too much to ask. One additional point that Ken Forest makes is that the school system makes

Barton continuously for the past 20 years. We loved Barton School. Why did it close? One reason is because it was a "two track" school, meaning there were two classes of each grade. The experts at PR-1 decided that it was more efficient and conducive to education to operate "three track" schools, so Barton was closed. The highly historic Fort Collins High School will close at the end of the 199495 school year and the students will

• ••••••••••••• Public education is expensive. The cost per high school student is $5028, with junior high kids costing $4785 each, and the spending per elementary school pupil coming in at $4016. - Ken Forest, Business Manager, Poudre R-1 School District

••••••••••••••

Douglas Crauder concentrates on his art project at Rivendell School.

its buildings available to the community during non-school times. This results in increased maintenance costs for the school district. In an effort to reduce costs, our public schools are becoming larger and larger. My wife and I have five children and everyone of them attended Barton Elementary School. In fact, when our youngest son finished the 6th grade, one or more of the Clarke kids had attended

attend the new Fort Collins High School being built at Horsetooth and Timberline Roads. Why close the old school? It was too small and could not handle the 1800 students that PR-1 decided would be the optimum size for a high school. It seems ironic to me that the public schools are getting bigger when the private schools want to stay small. Rivendell School has decided to cap enrollment at 180 students. A few years ago, Rivendell had grown to 300 students and the board of directors made the decision to cut back to 180 because they felt they could offer a better quality education to their students if they had a smaller school population. Rivendell's Director, Kate Duncan, explains the reason for her school' s popularity. "Parents are attracted to individualized education and a nurturing learning environment for their children that stresses academic challenges and problem solving." She also cites parental involvement as a big part of the educational process at Rivendell. The parents are involved in the business end of the school as well as helping teachers, planning special events and raising funds. The school leases space from the 95

1994-'95

Shared reading time is being enjoyed by Lena Weyer, 7, and Richelle Safe, 6, in Cyndi Dieker's class at Harris Lab School.

Trinity Lutheran Church and uses the adjacent Spring Park as a playground. Students help to maintain the park by picking up trash and have even planted a tree. One concern about small private schools involves their ability to provide "enrichment" programs. Students at Rivendell are involved in physical education, music, art, foreign languages and numerous field trips - the waiting list of potential students tells the story. As parents begin to demand new, innovative, specialized types of public schools, PR-1 has recently opened three alternative schools. The Harris B iLingual School and the Harris Lab School are located in the same building at 501 East Elizabeth while the Washington Core Knowledge School is at 223 South Shields. According to Washington School parent Ruth Ann Everett, "When we first proposed the idea for the school , the board of education was reluctant to approve it, but we finally got it open." She goes on to praise the progress they have made in helping children learn by teaching a curriculum that stresses a student's acquisition of basic knowledge. She continues, "The goal of our school is to achieve literacy by providing a background of knowledge - learning basic facts in context." The success stories of the Washington Core Knowledge School are exemplified by the young girl who came to the school after spending time in more traditional schools where she was constantly taken out of the class for special help. This little one was miserable - she thought

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something was wrong with her and was struggling. As she began to learn phonics , which she had not been taught before, she began to read and with the ability to read came a whole new outlook on life. Her teacher at Washington was surprised to learn that she needed special help at her previous school. The problem is that the student enrollment at Washington has been limited to 125 and there is a waiting list of 300 students who want to enroll. Recent legislation in Colorado has paved the way for more schools like Washington as Charter Schools will be opened throughout the state. In addition to the kids who want to go to Washington School , every private school in Fort Collins has a waiting list. Phyllis Smith of Oakwood Academy explains, "Private education is in great demand. I think parents want additional

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Call 229-9191 Director Kate Duncan helps Rivendell students, Emily Wilson and Dieter Schuldt.

options to public education." At Oakwood, students can learn at their own speeds, however educational requirements are stringent and parental involvement is mandatory. Parents are expected to help as teachers aides, special projects specialists, paper graders, reading proctors and even maintenance workers. Some Fort Collins families are opting to educate their children at home. State law requires that the 320 home schoolers report to PR-1 and be tested every other year by taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills that is given to all district students. In order to continue instruction at home, the kids must score in the 13th percentile of all those students taking the test. With that low of a performance requirement, it's no wonder everybody always passes. When asked how parents feel about PR-1 gauging their progress , home school supervisor Ron Ayres says, "Some people have real strong beliefs that they shouldn't have to work with us, but most people cooperate when we explain the law. The vast majority of parents are doing a good job." Karl and Mary Black of Fort Collins have been schooling their kids at home for years. They currently have a 5th and 96 Fort Collins Style Magazine

2nd grader along with a kindergarten age child. When asked why they decided to teach their children at home , Mary explains, "We wanted to let them have the freedom to study what they wanted when they were interested in it." She is convinced that they ' ll learn things quicker and remember better if they have the interest to study the subject. Mary, who taught in the public schools before she had a family , is a certified teacher in special education and music. Learning has structure in the Black home. Time is set aside each and every day for spelling, reading and math. The children also write in their personal journals. One thing that Mary enjoys most about teaching her children is the process of watching them learn, "I love to see their eyes light up when they finally understand something. I wouldn't want to miss those wonderful moments for anything. " Critics of home schooling often point to the lack of social interaction available to children in the home . Mary Black points out that social tests have been given to children and home schooled kids have scored far above average. Some home taught children have opportunities to socialize when several fami lies "co-op" and get together for field trips , science experiments and holiday parties; they even participate in sports and other activities at the public schools. Mary sums it up this way, "People I've met who home school want to be able to raise and teach their children instead of giving them over to the public school system." What has happened to our educational system to bring us to this point? It seems clear that parents are looking for alternate forms of education and that desire will not soon subside. On the other hand, teachers and school administrators are struggling with another set of problems, namely , many classrooms suffer from the negative effects of unruly students, and teachers are spending more and more time dealing with behavioral problems than teaching students. Superintendent Don Unger, of the Poudre R-1 School District points to a recent report entitled "A Nation at Risk" which shows our young people in America are not learning the things they need to learn to become productive citizens. He is quick to point out that the problem lies within society as a whole and not within the schools. The break down of the family is placing children in our educational system who are not able to understand the difference between right and wrong . The parents are not

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1994-'95

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involved in their child's learning and have abdicated their responsibilities to the schools. Teachers are being asked to do much more than teach these kids. The void that is being caused by the parents is being filled by teachers, counselors and other adults. This is a formula which could brew disaster. Everyone suffers for the sins of a few and fireworks erupt. The straight shooters don ' t want teachers involved in teaching values to their children. Conversely, teachers who care deeply about young people and see kids without value systems find it comes naturally to try and help. Some parents also accuse

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the teachers of being intellectual snobs and unresponsive to the wishes of mothers and fathers who want to be involved in their child's education. Ed Gint y, principal of Lesher Junior High, tries to sort things out, "I don't think that learning and education values are celebrated the way they should be." He laments the fact athletics get more attention than academics and is a strong believer in parental involvement in the educational process and Melissa Merritt instructs 8th graders, Courtney McCurdy, works hard to involve them Jeremy Davis, and Morgen Reed in English at Lesher. at Heritage Christian School. There are many parents and other institutions in society who the community to be more involved in the operations of the schools. "I urge people deeply care about the well being of our to become involved," she challenges. youngsters. Corporations like HewlettPackard and Water Pik give their One of the new ideas that keeps surfacing is the interest some people have in employees 1 hour a week off, with pay, receiving a voucher from the state to use to spend in helping our schools. System in paying for their child's education in wide, over 7000 people volunteer their any school, public or private. Those in time to help Poudre R-1. favor say that it would afford them the Even with all the criticism it receives, most parents feel that PR-1 is a good opportunity to put their children in a school that reflects the values and princischool system, me included. I've been a ples they want taught, or a school that satisfied customer for 23 years. I know for a fact that there are some extremely addresses their child's special needs and dedicated, talented and hard working interests. Also, competition among schools would make them stronger, an people in our school system. There are idea that even Don Unger agrees with, "I several teachers who have had a prohave no problem with competition. It found positive influence on my children would help the schools get better." Those opposed say that vouchers spell the end for the public schools. They feel that the public schools would be the dumping ground for the students with problem s and the more advantaged students would all be in private schools. Those in favor believe vouchers would place the coveted private school education within the reach of Group singing with Sue Widhalm is a fun time everyone. for students at Rivendell. The waiting lists at private and alternative schools make one thing and I will remain ever grateful for that, abundantly clear - people are anxious to however, there have been a few clinkers have additional choices in education and along the way as well. they are willing to pay and/or wait for .5chool board member Julia Senesac those choices to become reality. has visited three quarters of the schools in the system since her election last fall. John Clarke is a professional photograph''I've seen something good going on in er in Fort Collins and has been active in every one of them," she reports. "We government and civic organizations for have a lot of positive things going out many years. He is a candidate for county there." commissioner in 1994. Julia is excited about the process of site-based management which will allow 98

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