Thursday, September 7, 2023 Vol. 133 No. 4

REGROUP Rams football looks to

SEE PAGE 18

STORY BY DAMON COOK

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD

Lory Student Center, Suite 118 Fort Collins, CO 80523

JAKE SHERLOCK STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER

CHRISTA REED SENIOR MEDIA TRAINER

FORT COLLINS FOCUS

TOP STORIES TOP STORIES

NEWS: City council passes resolution, vows to prepare solutions for U+2

PAGE 4

L&C: Choice City butcher is a cut above the rest

PAGE 6

SCIENCE: Broaden your scientific horizons with unique classes PAGE 7

OPINION: Our self-worth, inner peace shouldn’t hinge on job title

PAGE 10

SPORTS: CSU golf approaches season with new 1st-years, transfers

PAGE 18

A&E: 3 live theatre spaces to visit in Fort Collins

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PHOTO: 1st football game

PAGES 14 & 15

FOCO EVENTS FOCO EVENTS

Ballet, Beer & Pop: The Andy Warhol Story at The Lincoln Center 7 p.m. Sept. 7-9

Stargazing and Dark Skies at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area

7:30 p.m. Sept. 9

9/11 Memorial Ground Breaking at PFA Station 3

9:30 a.m. Sept. 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Readers may submit letters to letters@collegian.com. Please follow the guidelines listed at collegian.com before submitting.

KIM BLUMHARDT ADVERTISING MANAGER

ASHER KORN KCSU ADVISER

This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU. Approximately 59% of Rocky Mountain Student Media Corp’s income is provided by the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for the purpose of fostering student careers post-college and greater campus awareness and engagement. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 4,000-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum and is printed on paper made of 30% post-consumer waste. It publishes every Thursday during the regular fall and spring semesters. The Collegian publishes online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.

CORRECTIONS

Everybody makes mistakes, including us. If you encounter something in the paper you believe to be an error, please contact us at: copy@collegian.com.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Allie Seibel | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com

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Christian Arndt | L&C Director life@collegian.com

Jenn Dawson | Science Director science@collegian.com

Dominique Lopez | Opinion Director letters@collegian.com

Damon Cook | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Emma Askren | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Alex Hasenkamp | A&E Director entertainment@collegian.com

Emmanuel Nwaneto, also known as E.M.E, performing in front of over 500 Colorado State University students at the Aggie Theatre Aug. 31. “Why dream it when you could wake up and do it?” Nwaneto said. “My music is like a breath of fresh air — gives you a vibe and makes you feel good about yourself or motivated.”

PHOTO BY JAIDEN STANFORD THE COLLEGIAN

Clark renovations set to begin in 2024

By Samy Gentle @samy_gentle_

Built in 1968, the Andrew G. Clark Building on Colorado State University’s campus is due for a revitalization. In part due to its age, Clark is a class location for 99% of students at CSU at least once in their academic journey, making it the most heavily used building on CSU’s main campus.

Seven of the eight colleges use Clark for classes, and “its maintenance has become a significant drain on university resources,” College of Liberal Arts Dean Benjamin Withers wrote in an email to CLA staff.

This well-worn building is finally getting the renovations and refurbishments it likely needs after over half a century of use and almost 10 years of students advocating for renovations and

updates to the building, wrote Beth Etter, director of communications with the CLA.

“Clark is a priority for the university, and with this revitalization, Clark will become a transformational building,” Withers said. “It will feature cutting-edge spaces and technology for student learning, including a Student Success Center and flexible spaces designed to encourage students and employees to gather and collaborate.”

The Clark project has been discussed since 2018 by Withers and others across campus. In 2019 leadership involved with the college worked with Facilities Management to plan and get cost estimates for the project.

Those plans were then submitted to the university president and Board of Governors, and the project was then approved, Etter wrote.

The first round of funding for the project, $38 million from the state of Colorado, was received in April 2022. This funding was used to do an analysis of space needs and get more accurate cost estimates, among other tasks.  Due to an exponential increase in building costs seen globally, these new estimates put the project at about a totally projected cost of $210 million instead of an original $136 million estimate.

The university then made the decision in August to keep the total project expense at $136 million and adjust the construction plans. These new budget constraints have led to the postponement of the Clark C revitalizations, according to a CSU SOURCE article.

“Approximately half the costs of the revitalization will be from state capital construction funds and half from the university bonding and other measures, including $11

million in private gifts,” Etter wrote. “The state of Colorado has authorized appropriations of $62 million dollars thus far (approved in spring 2022 and spring 2023). We expect another year or two of state appropriations.”

The construction efforts will now focus entirely on Clark A and Clark B, Etter wrote.

Clark A will go entirely offline January 2024, and renovations will begin. Updates will include a primary focus on accessibility in the interior as well as with new entrances to the building. Twelve restrooms within the building will be renovated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Regarding a rather iconic part of the exterior of the building, the Clark A “brise soleil” architecture (the wine rack circles on the outside of the building) will be removed with the renovation.

Clark B will receive an entirely different kind of upgrade. The current bridge structure that makes up the B wing will be demolished in 2024, and a brand-new fourstory building will take its place. New connections between all three buildings will also be constructed.

“The new addition of Clark B will help address long-standing space deficiencies, allowing for programs to be brought together, along with new general assignment classrooms and locations for CLA research centers,” Etter wrote.

“Clark is at the heart of our campus in many ways — its physical location and also its importance to our institutional academic priorities,” Withers said.

Reach Samy Gentle at news @collegian.com.

“Clark is at the heart of our campus in many ways — its physical location and also its importance to our institutional academic priorities.”

BENJAMIN WITHERS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS DEAN

The Andrew G. Clark Building’s B wing Oct. 15. Clark B consists of two hallways connecting the second and third floors of the A and C wings.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

Remembering Clark’s long history as change looms

By AJ Sanchez @csucollegian

Located along the Center Avenue Mall and spanning 252,000 square feet on nearly 4 acres, the Andrew G. Clark building looms, awaiting renovations that are just around the corner. As the home of the College of Liberal Arts for the last 55 years, Clark has had a key role in shaping certain programs and Colorado State University students in both the past and present.

Nearly everyone has had a class within the historic walls of Clark, and most would agree Clark’s main issues are the infrastructure, the peeling paint and the leaking ceilings; however, you have to wonder what was it like before it began crumbling over time.

Formerly known as the Social Science Building, Clark has been the center for the liberal arts since it was built in the late 1960s. At the time,

MARQUARDT

teaching professor. “Just glass boxes, concrete and steel. Some architects felt that it was a betrayal of the classical roots of architecture. So they tried to marry the two by creating this very minimalist version of classical architecture, which they called new formalism.”

it was an architectural masterpiece, which is a far cry from the current reputation it has on campus.

When the construction of the entirety of Clark wrapped up in the fall of 1968, the building was a central point on campus, much like it is today. It was designed by the architect James M. Hunter, a Boulderbased architect who practiced from

1936-73 and styled the building after new formalism, a type of modern architectural style that mixed traditional structures with more modern ideals.

“Beginning right before World War II, but especially after World War II, there is a spectacular growth in minimal modernism,” said Adam Thomas, history department associate

From the brise soleil — the infamous wine rack covered in chicken wire — to the columns that hold up Clark B, Clark is a perfect example of new formalism. Even still, Hunter had one more goal in mind, and that was for Clark to be a place of community and comradery.

“What was really important to Hunter was that his buildings portrayed a sense of community and culture,” said Sarah Payne, associate professor in the history department at CSU. “I think you can see that in the Clark Building, even though our definition today of community and culture is definitely different than what he envisioned in the 1960s.”

Clark continues to be a central hub for those majoring in the liberal arts, hosting a variety of classes and departments including language arts, history, political science and journalism. A study by the College of Liberal Arts shows 99% of students have a class within the building at some point. Clark was designed to be a workhorse for the campus — a place where ideas and connections are shared. It continues this purpose today despite its state of disrepair.

“One of the things James Hunter talked about whenever he designed the Clark building was this idea of the liberal arts in the center of enlightenment and that as you walk down the hall through these departments, you would hear all these various conversations going on,” Thomas said.

Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.

Reach AJ Sanchez at news @collegian.com.

City council resolves to prepare solutions for U+2

By Allie Seibel, Christian Arndt, Josh Harvey @csucollegian

By a 5-2 vote, Resolution 2023082 was passed Sept. 5, directing Fort Collins city staff to prepare solutions to solve the housing ordinance problems commonly seen with the U+2 occupancy law.

The controversial U+2 land use code is an ordinance that means either one family and one additional person or a resident and up to two unrelated people can live in the same household. This ordinance has caused much unrest in the Fort Collins community, with some stating it is in direct violation of federal housing laws and others claiming it is discriminatory and only defines family by blood.

According to the ordinance, “Family shall mean any number of persons who are all related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodial relationship and who live together as a single housekeeping unit and share common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities.”

For those who are not related and live together, this means that if a fivebedroom house is rented, only three people can live there. This has created a huge discrepancy between the number of people who can be housed with available living accommodations and whether they can afford rent.

While many Fort Collins residents showed their disdain and concerns

associated with U+2, there were a few people who showed support for keeping U+2 intact. The stance to preserve U+2 lies solely on preserving family communities and keeping a structured housing system in place.

Citizens who spoke against U+2 in public comment insisted the method of enforcing U+2 can lead to discrimination because it depends on a complaint-based system.

Nick DeSalvo, president of the Associated Students of Colorado State University, along with a majority of the student organization made an appearance to share their thoughts on U+2 and its future in Fort Collins.

“Our student organization — all near 100 of us — agreed on the same thing,” DeSalvo said. “And that’s the direction U+2 needs to go.”

On top of DeSalvo’s opinions, he also detailed a possible solution to the future of U+2.

“It’s an opportunity for this council to actually explore U+2 through a rigorous community engagement process that includes the opinions of and thoughts of everyone in this community,” DeSalvo said. “Because I’ll be the first one to concede that there are genuine issues with both sides that we really need to consider as far as ... preserving the sanctity of neighborhoods for families.”

In an interview with The Collegian following his public comment, DeSalvo said he believed placing U+2 as an issue on the ballot would be a mistake.

“(Enacting change tonight) would mean the council actually

listens to the community,” DeSalvo said. “It would be a step in the right direction for allowing everyone in the community to have affordable housing because we’re in the midst of a crisis. I think they’re aware of that, but to what extent and to who the most? We’re coming up to a time where more than 50% of the violations for U+2 are not students — they’re normal people. It’s a pivotal point for (the city) council to actually serve the citizens of the community.”

Resolution 2023-082 passing means the Fort Collins City Council has now directed city staff to prepare and present amendments to the Fort Collins Land Use Code that increase limits on occupancy in residential dwellings.

Also on the agenda was Resolution 2023-083, which refers to increasing the specific land code regulations to increase occupancy. It died due to lack of motion, meaning occupancy regulations will not be referred to the registered electors of the City of Fort Collins concerning amending the Fort Collins Land Use Code to increase occupancy allowed in residential dwellings.

The city council will be presented with solutions and steps for how to go about increasing limits on occupancy in residential residences in the future.

Although uncertainty surrounds the outcome of U+2 and its future in Fort Collins, it appeared the city council has heard outcry and is looking to move forward to find a solution.

The most vocal opposition to the resolution on the council was Kelly Ohlson, council member for District 5.

“I won’t be supporting the motion because it lays out what the outcome is,” Ohlson said after the motion was made. “I still haven’t seen what kind of relationships don’t just involve a way to get around the number of people in a dwelling. … If there are those, I’m committed to fixing those as well, but I’m afraid it’s perhaps a use to allow massive amounts of people in neighborhoods that are not zoned for that.”

Ohlson and Councilmember Susan Gutowsky were the two lone votes against the resolution.

“It is interesting that (Colorado State University) gets such a pass,” Ohlson said. “They do miserably in doing their fair share as it relates to housing and the increase in enrollment throughout the years.”

Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt and the rest of the members of the council approved the resolution following comment from Ohlson and Gutowsky. The city staff will get to work on proposing solutions to U+2, and it will be an internal decision, meaning the issue will not be placed on the November ballot.

“As an incurable optimist, I have completely full faith in the staff of the city and the council, and I think with the input we get from our residents, we can craft a policy that’s right for Fort Collins (and) that acknowledges the growth and fundamentally that there are people in our community who need places to live,” Arndt said. “It’s been estimated there are 15,000 bedrooms that are empty, and from the bottom of my heart, I cannot go forward without working on an ordinance that addresses that issue.”

Reach Allie Seibel, Christian Arndt and Josh Harvey at news@collegian.com.

The Andrew G. Clark Building’s A wing as seen from The Plaza Oct. 15, 2022. Clark is often subject to criticism due to its state of disrepair.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL

THE COLLEGIAN

OUTDOORS

How to prepare for your next backpacking adventure

By Adam Carlson @csucollegian

Living in Fort Collins comes with the added benefit of being thrown into a hotspot of outdoor recreation, and while the urge to engage in spontaneity can be fun, it is important to go into these activities with a plan. One of the best activities to participate in is backpacking, as it is a perfect introduction to outdoor recreation. Backpacking involves hiking to a site to camp at — it’s that simple. This article will outline how you can best plan and prepare for a trip to the backcountry.

Know your ability

Before you even pick a trail, take a look at yourself, and ask yourself a couple of questions: How far do I feel comfortable hiking on a given day? How will the weight of a backpack hinder my overall abilities? When answering these and any other questions you may have, it is always better to err on the side of caution. You may not know the answer to some of these questions, and that is OK.

Create your group

Backpacking is always more fun and safe with friends. If you have any friends or acquaintances who backpack, reach out to them. More often than not, people are more than happy to join your trip and help through planning if they’re available. I typically aim for three to five people to go with me.

Pick a trail, and research it

You finally get to the point where you decide where you want to go. You can utilize resources like COTREX and AllTrails to look up trails that match your needs. Always consider distance, elevation gain and where you will camp at night.

Many national forests require permits to camp there. Make

sure you know what your permit entails if you get one. Colorado is also home to many bears, so most areas require bear canisters to hold your food. These prevent a bear from getting into your food and ruining your trip — or worse, putting you in danger.

Overnight, put your bear canister 100 feet away from tents. Try to camp near water, but make sure to follow local guidelines about where you can and cannot camp.

Create a gear list

While backpacking, having the right gear will make or break your trip. There are many basic items you will always need, including a sleep system, a backpack and a bear canister.

The Student Recreation Center here at Colorado State University provides a rental service through the Outdoor Gear Rental program, which allows rentals of up to six items per person that can help complete your trip. Also consider items such as water filters. There are many different ways to do it, and if you understand your device, you can always have clean water. It is also never a bad idea to carry bear spray.

Most importantly, with all your gear, make sure you know how to use it before you leave.

Plan your meals

Eating in the backcountry comes with many challenges, but it just takes a few quick Google searches to figure out how you can make some incredible meals.

The easy but expensive option is purchasing dehydrated meals. These will cost you anywhere from $10-$15. Luckily, there are many other ways to get all the nutrients you need for less money. It may seem obvious, but remember that you don’t have refrigeration in the backcountry, which means the ribeye must stay at home.

You can also make a lot of meals by just boiling water. This makes it so all you need is a pot and a stove. The only other thing to consider is packing at least one emergency meal that — hopefully — you won’t need to eat.

Check your work the day before and day of

So you’ve made your full plan and are ready to execute with your group. To stay safe, there are a few more things to do.

Check the weather. If it is raining and you are new to the activity, it might be best to postpone your trip.

Make sure you feel physically ready. If you don’t feel good, it is always OK to wait and go another day.

On the day of the trip, do a gear check. Make sure you have everything you need in your packs because once you’re out, the last thing you will want to do is come back early. If all that is set, get ready to take on the trail.

Backpacking is an exciting activity with some inherent risks. Make sure you tell someone where you are going, over what timespan and when to call for help if they do not hear from you. The most important thing to do is research, as this list is far from complete. Watch videos and ask questions, and if you don’t know where to go for help, you can ask the Outdoor Gear Rental desk questions about planning your trip.

Reach Adam Carlson at life @collegian.com.

COLORADO GROWN

Farmers market provides fresh, local eats to FoCo community

said they offer programs for those who can’t afford the market.

“We also offer a service where people that have EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cards can bring their cards in to me,” Griffith said. “I can change those into tokens, and they can shop at the market. And then the state of Colorado offers a matching $20 per day voucher program so that they also get an additional $20. It doesn’t cost them anything for the purchase of produce specifically.”

“I feel that I get higher quality produce here, and the prices are comparable,” Garcia said. “I would rather support a small business or a small farm than a Kroger or an Albertson or a Safeway.”

Of course, there is going to be somewhat of a price difference between a farmers market and a grocery store. However, this is overshadowed by the positive impacts shopping locally can make.

Jason Geib, a mushroom grower and farmer, said shopping locally has a ripple effect across the community.

incomes, and there (are) a lot of businesses that have disappeared since things have been combined into giant chain stores.”

This highlights how important it is to support local businesses and how key it is to keep money circulating throughout the community. Many of the vendors at farmers markets make most of their money that way.

By Jack Filweber @csucollegian

Fresh, local food can be hard to come by, especially with the sheer number of chain grocery stores popping up around the United States. The Fort Collins Farmers Market, hosted on Wednesdays

until Sept. 27 and Sundays until Nov. 12, is a great way to connect with local Colorado farmers.

The Fort Collins Farmers Market, located at the intersection of Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue in the Ace Hardware parking lot, is run by the Colorado Agricultural Marketing Cooperative. Don Griffith, the market coordinator,

This offer is a great healthy alternative for those who rely on EBT cards with SNAP benefits, but for those who don’t qualify for that assistance, the farmers market still provides surprisingly affordable prices.

One of the most common gripes about farmers markets is how expensive they can be.

Mary Garcia, a retired marketing executive and avid farmers market attendee, said that in her experience, that’s not the case.

“Well, I think that it gives a great source for people to know where their food comes from, and I think as a whole, it benefits the community because it keeps our money close to the community,” Geib said. “I, in turn, sell my mushrooms. I receive money from people locally, and then I turn around and I spend my money locally. Sure, from the consumer standpoint, it’s easier to go into one store and buy all of your stuff from one place. But as a whole, that takes away from families’

Micah Rich, a baker at the market, said that without farmers markets, Rich would have never had the opportunity to start their bakery. Geib echoed this opinion and said the price cuts he experiences in grocery stores and restaurants are so severe, they leave farmers markets as his main source of income.

Going to a farmers market is a rewarding experience, and the friendly atmosphere serves as a great alternative to heading to the grocery store. The food is fresher, attendees learn where their food is coming from and, most importantly, attendees support local farmers.

Reach Jack Fillweber at life @collegian.com.

Choice City butcher is a cut above the rest

By Sophia Masia @sophie_masia

In Old Town Fort Collins, Choice City Tap House & Craft Kitchen has carved out a distinctive niche in the local culinary scene by consistently going the extra mile for their customers.

Since its founding in 2004, Choice City has remained a familyowned and -operated establishment over the past 19 years, run by Russ Robinson, the current and original owner, along with his wife Anyssa Robinson.

Choice City’s journey began in 2003, when Russ Robinson moved to Colorado to be a “ski bum,” he said. Without money for food, he took up website design to trade with local restaurants for food.

“I ended up designing many local restaurant websites with direct contact with owners,” Russ Robinson said. “I made a strong bond in the restaurant community, and knew I wanted to start my own.”

Choice City was born from Russ Robinson’s passion for good food, and they made their first hire, Ben Romero, also known as “Butcher Ben,” who still works in the kitchen today, along with Anyssa Robinson’s daughter, the general manager, and her fiance, Mario Franco, who has

been the chef for over 10 years.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit this small business hard, and they are still far from recovery. This led to the team having to make some tough decisions, including discontinuing meat offerings from the butcher side.

Remarkably, Romero, at 88 years young, continues to work at the restaurant in the kitchen out of his love for the company.

Choice City takes pride in sourcing the finest ingredients from local ranchers and farmers, as well as collecting renowned beers on tap for their beer list.

This list has even landed them as No. 1 on RateBeer’s Best Restaurants for Beer list nine years in a row, Russ Robinson said.

While their commitment to topquality food and beer makes Choice City a Fort Collins staple, it’s the warm and welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.

“They’re good people,” returning customer Ethan Berliner said. “I’ve eaten here dozens of times over the years, and they’re always super friendly and chit-chat, which already makes them better than most of the restaurants in Old Town.”

Beyond their delicious menu options, Choice City’s motto has remained the same for the 19 years

they’ve been in business: “We go above and beyond what you expect.”

The staff prioritize every customer by offering quick service, being open to suggestions and going the extra mile to give guests exactly what they want.

The restaurant recently added dinner service 5-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and happy hour 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday for college students.

“Love Choice City!” customer Jasmine Chavez said while eating on the patio. “They have the best sandwiches, and they’re fairly priced too for college students. It’s so worth it, everyone is really nice and, yeah, they just have a nice vibe.”

Although they have discontinued their butcher shop, Choice City still goes the extra mile for their customers by offering to bring in a few raw

meat products upon request via email, showcasing their unwavering dedication to their patrons.

“I have been coming here for years,” said Corey Luvane, another satisfied customer. “The owner is a great guy, and they still have the best breakfast in town.”

Choice City Tap House & Craft Kitchen welcomes guests seven days

a week with varying hours that can be found on their website or social media channels.

Whether you’re looking for good food, good beers or great customer service, Choice City continues to be a cut above the rest in the Fort Collins community.

Reach Sophia Masia at entertainment@collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Fire models at CSU help determine prevention methods

By Ivy Secrest @ivysecrest

Wildfires are a prevalent threat to those in the Western United States. With the Cameron Peak Fire ravaging the Front Range and the Marshall Fire hitting suburban communities, Colorado has seen the impact firsthand.

Deciding how to protect communities, who is most at risk and what resources need to be protected are some of the best preventative measures a community can take.

Statistics from the National Interagency Fire Center showed that the burn rate of acres has almost doubled within the last 20 years when compared to 40 years earlier. Factors including drought, population growth, climate change and past practices of fire suppression have all contributed to this increase.

It’s not a simple process; it is emotional and requires models that guide the conversation with facts as well as taking into account

ACADEMICS

communities’ values, said Tony Cheng, director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute. There are several models that have been developed at Colorado State University to determine a myriad of concerns with fire.

CSU civil and environmental engineering professor Hussam Mahmoud and postdoctoral fellow Akshat Chulahwat have been developing a model to measure the vulnerability of communities to wildfire, according to a CSU SOURCE article.

This is the first model to predict how wildfires will move through a community. The model accesses points of interest and their likeliness to commute fire. The data could be looking at anything from cars to buildings and accessing the environment in which wildfires could progress.

“It’s obvious that once you ignite the house or tree, then it could ignite the one next to it, and this could ignite the one next to it and so on,” Mahmoud said. “So there’s that connectivity that

had to be presented.”

Through graph theory and extensive data, Mahmoud and his team have been able to develop a highly accurate model.

When applied to the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, the model exhibited 74% accuracy when predicting the buildings that would be burned and path of fire, Mahmoud said. When applied to the 2020 Glass Fire in Northern California, it showed 63.15% accuracy, according to the data published in Scientific Reports.

Mahmoud’s model may also make a difference in insurance policy. It has the potential to determine the risk of insuring a home, which has been a major factor in home insurance changes in high-risk states like California.

“Everything is connected,” Mahmoud said. “So with this model, we can protect communities, not just individual buildings.” Models can be used to protect communities in multiple ways. Cheng and his team use models

to help communities determine which resources to protect and how to protect them.

“What we’ve tried to do is work with local forest managers to make sure that model data is accurate,” Cheng said.  Cheng and the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute use data from the communities to determine how budgets can be spent to protect those resources. A major concern for most areas is water.

“We call them highly valued resources,” Cheng said. “One community may really value water. Water supplies are essential for

community systems. Once those get impacted by fires, then you have a damaged or destroyed system. We want to map where those resources are and how likely those areas are to be subjected to fire.”

Models like these put CSU and the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at the forefront of fire management. They have applications in development, insurance, conservation and protecting communities.

Reach Ivy Secrest at science @collegian.com.

Broaden your scientific horizons with unique classes

By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_

Colorado State University is a land-grant research institution, and with that comes a plethora of scientific colleges and programs for students to explore. Six of CSU’s eight colleges are scientifically focused: Agricultural Sciences, Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Warner College of Natural Resources, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Each of those colleges come with several unique majors and minors available for any student to pursue.

Landscape architecture

Part of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the major in landscape architecture is different from a major in horticulture. Landscape architecture focuses on shaping and preserving spaces.

“Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning and design of built and natural environments,” according to the major’s website. “Throughout the program, emphasis is on the relationship between design, nature and society: the impact of environments on the individual as well as the impact of users on the environment.”

Potential outcomes include jobs in construction, design, preservation, golf

course management and architecture, resort planning and private business.

Classes include standard STEM classes such as Principles of Plant Biology and Horticultural Science and progress to include classes such as Comprehensive Landscape Design, Landscape Irrigation and Water Conservation and a study abroad trip in Europe.

While landscape architecture is a major from Agricultural Sciences, students take an interdisciplinary approach with classes from the Warner College of Natural Resources as well.

Fermentation science and technology

Fermentation science and technology students not only participate in classes, but they also brew craft beers for the Ramskeller Pub & Grub in the Lory Student Center.

Part of the College of Health and Human Sciences, fermentation science and technology focuses on mass commercial production of fermentation and microorganisms.

“This major prepares students for employment in the fermented

food and beverage industries in such roles as product development, processing, quality assurance and control, sensory evaluation, packaging, distribution and plant management,” according to the major’s website.

General courses include chemistry, biology, nutrition and physics, before progressing to Food Chemistry, Brewing Science and Alcohol Beverage

Natural resource tourism

Part of Warner College of Natural Resources, natural resource tourism comes with two concentrations students can choose from: global tourism or natural resource tourism.

CSU is ranked No. 1 in the country for programs in natural resource tourism on collegefactual. com. “Graduates are familiar with skills useful in a business setting and the historic evolution of environmental conservation,” according to the major’s website.

“Additionally, graduates develop an appreciation for how their discipline contributes to environmental stewardship and sustainability.”

language as part of the major while also taking fundamental classes from the College of Business and the hospitality field. Specialized classes include Starting and Managing Tourism Enterprise and International Issues —Recreation and Tourism.

Students in the natural resource tourism concentration work closely with several resourcebased Colorado resorts and other private tourism enterprises to gain experience.

Gerontology

interdisciplinary minor Gerontology, the study of aging, is offered as an interdisciplinary minor through the department of human development and family studies. A standard 21-credit minor program, gerentology classes include Nutrition and Aging; Death, Dying and Grief; Disability across the Lifespan and Culture; and Population Health and Disease Prevention.

Control and Management.

Specific electives include classes such as Food — From Farm to Table, Packaging Technology and Sensory Evaluation of Fermented Products. Potential occupations for graduates include food technicians, fermentation scientists, careers in food safety and inspection and brewers.

Regardless of the concentration, students graduate prepared for careers in natural resource marketing, retail, travel coordination, concessions, conference and event planning, resort or camp management and sustainable energy.

Students in the global tourism concentration have to study a second

Students take courses from departments including psychology, health and exercise science, human development and family studies and biomedical sciences and is an ideal companion to majors like social work, psychology and human development and family studies. Reach Allie Seibel at science @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

COLLEGIAN COLUMNISTS

CSU is using incentives to get students to stay at games

By Dominique Lopez @caffeinateddee6

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Colorado State University football hosted their season opener last Saturday, and if any of you are also on the mailing list for CSU Athletics, then you probably also received numerous emails from them urging you go to the football game. However, while I was enjoying my time at home this past weekend, I decided to read the final email that came in and learn about the plans being made for the game — and I was in a bit of shock.

Over the past few years, CSU’s football team hasn’t done the greatest, and with that, they also

haven’t necessarily had the best crowd turnout by the end of the game. As an avid CSU football watcher who walked into most of the games last season at halftime, I was always surprised.

On the heels of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, or rather the Jay Norvell vs. Deion Sanders game, all eyes have been on CSU and the University of Colorado Boulder to see what the game might look like in two weeks. So it was not a surprise that the first game of the season was something most people kept their eyes on.

The final email about the game sent out Sept. 1 mentioned the game would be hosting a residence hall challenge along with a scholarship stipend giveaway given to students during the fourth quarter media breaks. But why is this something only being implemented into the promotional emails now?

Well, according to the football game promotions set to happen on the ticketing website, the mention of scholarship stipends and a residence hall competition weren’t even a part of the agenda. Evidently, CSU students are the ones being specifically targeted in order to go and stay at the game. However, how much are these incentives actually doing if the team doesn’t have a successful game?

I mean, you probably didn’t even know it was an offering until right now, right? It not only shows how rarely this promotion was discussed but how little people actually pay attention to the spam of athletic update emails they get, especially after they have gotten their ticket.

I would also like to point out the differences in the crowd from the first quarter to the last quarter

of the game, which are scarcely shown in the videos CSU football posts on their social media and what the Coloradoan posts in their photo gallery.

During the first quarter, the student crowd was packed to the brim with people; however, after the very upsetting first half, most students did not want to continue watching the game. As a result, many left to go to the bars or after-parties. But even if they knew about the scholarship stipends being offered during the fourth quarter, would they have stayed?

The simplest answer is probably not. But CSU is trying to encourage students to stay by offering promotions during the fourth quarter. This is what CSU Athletics wants: a higher attendance throughout the duration of the football games no matter how the team performs.

Promotions like the scholarship stipend are not being shared on any other sports highlights or even information shared in the mailing list. So why is football the only team getting these big promotions, especially when it didn’t seem to help?

The CSU football game may have resulted in a score that was not expected by CSU students or Ram fans, but it did introduce a new question as to why, despite the very hushed promotions that were only announced a few days before the game, these promotions came at the time they did — other than to incentivize students to stay for the duration of the game at a sport that the university pays a lot of money for.

Reach Dominique Lopez at letters @collegian.com.

“This is what CSU Athletics wants: a higher attendance throughout the duration of the football games no matter how the team performs.”

FALL SEMESTER SPECIAL!

Our self worth, inner peace shouldn’t hinge on job title

By Ivy Secrest @ivysecrest

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

College builds toward the pivotal moment of graduation: diplomas are received, caps are tossed — and then what? What follows the completion of education?

For many the answer is getting a job, likely something to do with what you studied, that will bring you a steady income, good benefits and a retirement plan. Even with those goals in mind, choosing a career is daunting, and there is one aspect that is often neglected: Where will you be happiest?

This question isn’t necessarily new. Books like “Make Your Job a Calling: How the Psychology of Vocation Can Change Your Life at Work” by Bryan J. Dik and Ryan D. Duffy and “Love + Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do and Do It for the Rest of

Your Life” by Marcus Buckingham have explored this idea in depth. Evidently, how we find joy during our nearly 50 years in the workforce is something many of us would like to know.

Buckingham argues that love is essential in the details of what we do so that we find a passion for our careers and lives. Say you love working with teams, talking to people and being creative; marketing could be for you, but so could art, communications, web design or even science, if you’re so inclined.

Of course, many of us college kids are pumped up with this idea of finding the perfect position in life, avoiding a desk job and something that, ideally, allows us to travel. I’m sure you’ve met students who are dead set on being a lawyer or a veterinarian, and no alternative can be entertained.

But what if we did entertain it? What if one day we all went into the career center and said, “This is what I like. Now help me find a place to do that forever.” And what if all jobs were entertained? What if you truly are meant to go into custodial

services or be a bartender, and what if we don’t use “flipping burgers for the rest of your life” as an insult but rather an opportunity?

The truth is that many of us will get desk jobs, and some of us will be flipping burgers for the rest of our lives. We should not be ashamed of that; in fact, we should be proud, and we should try to find joy in it.

Part of why we struggle to accept taking a nonprestigious position is because of the way people in these professions are treated. Most people do not want to become a janitor because they don’t garner the same level of respect as other workers — the position does not offer good benefits, and often, these people are heavily overworked.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed that. All of a sudden these jobs we couldn’t imagine ourselves in as college graduates became essential, and they had perks and benefits. Essential workers got vaccinated first and were able to continue working.

So if we have watched our world fall apart and know that society must value all working-class positions to

function, why don’t we allow jobs to reflect that? Why don’t we make it easier to find joy in what we do?  College graduates have a lower unemployment rate than workers without a bachelor’s degree, and COVID-19 widened that gap. Prior to the pandemic, 1.9% of college graduates above the age of 25 were unemployed, according to the Pew Research Center. That number shot up to 6.8% by June 2020. For noncollege graduates with a high school diploma, that number rose from 3.7% to 12.2% in the same timespan.

We ask people to find jobs they love, but it has become more common than not to find jobs that are simply satisfactory. However, there is joy to be found in stability, and it is OK to pursue that in tandem. Just because you graduate less likely to be unemployed doesn’t mean you are going to end up in the field you studied.

As of December 2021, 41.5% of college graduates ages 22 to 27 were underemployed, while only 33.8% of all college graduates were underemployed, according to an

analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Underemployment means being hired in a field that doesn’t require a degree.

Unemployment and underemployment rates increased during the pandemic but have since returned to somewhat normal rates. All of this may feel overwhelming or like a long-winded way of saying drop out now, but that’s not the point.

The point is that you don’t know. You don’t know if you’ll graduate with your dream job or graduate to manage a McDonald’s. So why put so much weight into that result? Why hinge your happiness on a job market that fluctuates and may not give you the title you want?

Instead of giving your career so much power over your life, focus instead on your inner satisfaction with your life, find joy in the mundane, get comfortable with doing nothing and love what you do because it allows you to live life outside of your job.

Reach Ivy Secrest at letters @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN PEÑA THE COLLEGIAN

Tabling on The Plaza: Opportunity or anxiety?

By Dominique Lopez @caffeinateddee6

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Well, it’s official: The school year is in full swing again. With that comes the large abundance of tables and people out in The Plaza trying to get you to join their club, fraternity or sorority or even just talk to you about politics.

But if any of you feel like I do, then you know that the walk from your class on campus through The Plaza to get a coffee or some food is the longest and most stressful stretch of campus you could ever walk. And that is all thanks to the people never wanting to stop talking to you.

Now, I understand it’s important to join clubs and participate in fun opportunities around campus, but isn’t there a better way to get our attention than bugging us on the way to class or lunch? I mean, the stress of having to go from one class to the next — plus having to walk through a big crowd of people on your way through The Plaza — is hard enough without being asked to stop five times.

Even then, the stress of people being in The Plaza for recruitment is just the half of it. You also have those who are preaching in The Plaza and gain a big crowd around them, either forcing you to make a big loop around the group or walk straight through and risk getting yelled at by the group surrounding the preachers.

I mean, yes, we are supposed to find our community of people here while we are @collegian.com.

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FOOTBALL FACEOFF

Running back Kobe Johnson (0) starts during Colorado State University’s loss to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Colorado State University’s defense did their best, but it wasn’t enough as the Rams fell short against the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2. CSU lost 50-24.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

The Colorado State University community is out in full force at Canvas Stadium to support the Rams as they lose to the Washington State University Cougars Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Despite the loss, the Colorado State University Rams showed some good work as they fell short to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept 2. CSU lost 50-24.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Quarterback Clay Millen (11) leads the Colorado State University Rams on offense during CSU’s loss to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

FOOTBALL FACEOFF

Colorado State University running back Kobe Johnson (0) runs the full field for a punt return and CSU’s first touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter against the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Colorado State University tight end Peter Montini (44) stops two players from blocking a CSU field goal early in the first quarter against the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2. CSU lost 50-24. RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

The student section keeps the hype going throughout the game as Colorado State University loses to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Running back Kobe Johnson (0) stars during Colorado State University’s loss to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2. CSU lost 50-24. PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

Colorado State University’s offensive line prepares for the coming play against the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

CSU men’s basketball to take on tough nonconference play

By Damon Cook @dwcook2001

While football season has barely just started, basketball is in the minds of Colorado State fans after the team’s nonconference schedule was released Sept. 15.

It will be a tough schedule, but tough opponents build character,and a couple of wins over some of the better teams on the schedule could benefit the team come March. The Rams missed the tournament last season after somewhat of a disappointing season. However, after adding some transfers, they will look to get back to the NCAA tournament.

The schedule is as follows:

Nov. 6 Louisiana Tech:

The Bulldogs went 15-18 last season, including getting rolled over by Wyoming 92-65. Their leading scorer Cobe Williams is no longer on the team. This is a game the Rams should be competitive in and one that could

jump-start their hope to get into the tournament.

Nov. 10 Wright State:

The Raiders went 18-15 last season. They made it into the second round of the Horizon League tournament before losing to Milwaukee. The Raiders’ leading scorer Trey Calvin will return this season. This is another matchup the Rams should look to be competitive in.

Nov. 14 Northern Colorado:

This will be the Rams’ first game on the road of their nonconference schedule. The Bears went 12-20 last season, including what may still be a stinging victory over the Rams. This year the Rams will get the chance to go into Greeley and enact their revenge. The Bears’ leading scorer Dalton Knecht isn’t on the team anymore. This will be a competitive game, especially on the road.

Nov. 17 Kansas City:

The Rams will return home to play the Roos, who went 11-21 last season. Kansas City lost both of their leading scorers, who combined for 34 points per game. This is a team the Rams should be able to take care of, especially with the game being played at home.

Nov. 22 Boston College:

The Rams will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to play in the Hall of Fame Classic. The Eagles will be the

toughest of the Rams’ opponents up to this point. They went 1617 last season, including beating Wyoming. The Eagles’ leading scorer Quinten Post will return to the team. On a neutral court, this will be a hard-fought game for the Rams.

Vegas Invitational. This could be a good match and one the Rams may be able to use to bounce back if they lose to CU.

Dec. 6 Denver:

Nov. 23

Creighton or Loyola Chicago:

The Rams’second game of the Hall of Fame Classic will come against one of two teams. The Ramblers didn’t fare as well as the Blue Jays last season. The Ramblers went 10-21 but have been a tournament favorite a couple of times in previous years. If the Rams play them, they will be in a competitive game. However, it may be a different story if they play Creighton. The Blue Jays made it all the way to the Elite 8 before losing to San Diego State. With Ryan Kalkbrenner returning for Creighton, it would be a major upset for the Rams to pull out the win.

Nov. 29 Colorado:

The Rocky Mountain Showdown will come to Moby Arena this year. The Rams played CU in Boulder, Colorado, last year and got blown out 9365. Both of the Buffs’ leading scorers are returning to the team. The Buffs also added five-star recruit Cody Williams, who is a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft. You never know what can happen on any given night, especially at home, but for now, the Rams will head into this game as underdogs.

Dec. 2 Washington:

The Huskies went 16-16 last season and will make for a fourth tough opponent for the Rams in a row. Two of their wins came against Colorado last season. The Huskies will return with their leading scorer, Keion Brooks Jr. The Rams will play Washington on a neutral court for the Legends of Basketball Las

The Rams will return home from Vegas to play the Pioneers. DU went 15-17 last season and will return with their leading scorer, Tommy Bruner. This will be a game the Rams should be able to take, especially with it being at home.

Dec. 9 St Mary’s:

This will be another tough matchup for the Rams but one they won last season in a narrow 62-60 victory.The Gaels went 27-8 on their way to a fifth seed in the NCAA tournament. They will also return with their leading scorer, Logan Johnson. The Rams would once again need a big upset to come out victorious against the Gaels.

Dec. 17 Adams State:

This will be the one and only Division II opponent on the Rams’ schedule during the 2023-24 season. The Grizzlies are coming off an abysmal 5-23 season last year. This is a game the Rams should win by double digits, especially with the Grizzlies losing their leading scorer last season.

Dec. 19 Loyola

Marymount University:

The Lions had a good season last year, going 19-12. However, one of their losses came in a 16-point defeat to the Rams. The Rams should take this game again this season, as the Lions lost their leading scorer Cam Shelton. Shelton averaged 21 points per game and is a big loss for the Lions.

If the Rams see improvements to the team from last year, they will be well poised to take on a tough nonconference schedule. The Rams have a real possibility to come into conference play with a 10-2 record if all goes well.

Reach Damon Cook at sports @collegian.com.

Rams football looks to regroup, refine during early bye week

that head coach Jay Norvell said he can’t recall ever having so early in the season in the span of his coaching career.

“I definitely think it’s something different but a blessing at this time, as we were able to just come together as a team in these two weeks,” tight end Dallin Holker said. “And like Jack (Howell) was saying, get ready for the rival game.”

A blessing is also the term Norvell also used to describe the bye week.

A lot went wrong for the Rams, and Norvell said that he shoulders the blame for the rough start to the season.

“I want to take responsibility for what happened this weekend,” Norvell said. “We had some real issues a year ago where we made a lot of negative things happen, and we really wanted to go into this season not beating ourselves, and I probably got to take the brunt of that responsibility.”

seemed to haunt the secondary. While the Rams defense showed poise and grit in the red zone, it was too easy for the Cougars to drive the field up to the point.

“I’m definitely proud of the defense for stepping up,” defensive back Jack Howell said. “I know that I let up a big slant that got down to the (red zone) and then chased him down (and) tackled him. And then we stood up for downs and got them off the field, but it’s a lack of execution really.”

There was a lot of anticipation for this game from fans and the team alike. Having two weeks to sit and reflect can be challenging. Despite that, Norvell said he isn’t discouraged.

“I feel better about the group of guys that we have and what we can accomplish, and so we’re going to use this bye week to get better,” Norvell said.

Norvell said that this week gives them a chance to look at a few things and to adjust in practice what might have gone wrong in their week one loss.

“That’s the beauty of having a bye week,” Norvell said. “Bye week is always an opportunity to go back and refine our football and to also look at a couple of schemes that we think can help us against our next opponent.”

The team didn’t take the loss lightly and are looking to attack the bye week and do whatever it takes to improve their football and give them the best chance in their games.

CU looked like one of the most electric offenses in their win over Texas Christian. Going into a hostile environment will make it a tall task for the Rams to come out victorious.

By Damon Cook @dwcook2001

Disappointment was a theme in the locker room after Colorado

State football lost to Washington State Saturday. The mood rolled over to Monday as the Rams looked to their bye week.

It’s an uncharacteristic twoweek bye for the Rams, something

Despite what the team felt after the game, they’re keeping their heads up and looking for ways they can improve themselves during this week of work.

One of the areas of concern for the Rams moving forward are the big plays through the air that have

One thing the Rams will do over the next couple of weeks to prepare for their game against Colorado is adjust practice times.

Though normally in the mornings, practices will now take place at night. Norvell said this will allow the players to adjust to the later game against the Buffaloes.

Despite the mountain left to climb, the players are ready to work hard and give it their all.

“Watching the film, there’s some good and some bad — we’re close, we’re right there,” Holker said. “We’ll be good. We’ll regroup this week and keep going over film and definitely learn from it.”

Reach Damon Cook at sports @collegian.com.

CSU golf approaches season with new 1st-years, transfers

By Emma Askren @emma_askren

With the Colorado State men’s and women’s golf season about to begin, the Rams will finally get to see how their new additions will perform in the 2023-24 season.

The men’s golf team had surprisingly little action over the offseason, with no new transfers added to the roster. However, the Rams added three new firstyears: Jake Rodgers, Sebastian Nilsson and Derek Lekkerkerk. These new additions will hopefully bring CSU to another NCAA championship appearance.

Rodgers hails from Mulino, Oregon, and attended Canby High School. During his time at Canby, he won the Future Champions Golf Western States Junior Players Championship and the 2022 FCG Pacific Northwest Championship. Rodgers was the top-ranked recruit out of Oregon in 2022 and the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Junior Amateur Champion.

First-year recruit Nilsson is one of two Swedish players and three total international players on the men’s team. The 6-foot first-year from

Sundsvall, Sweden, was ranked No. 324 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the time of his signing. Nilsson also won several international tournaments and will be a stellar addition to the Rams.

Lekkerkerk is an incoming firstyear from Twin Falls, Idaho. During his time at Twin Falls High School, he helped his team to the 2021 state championship, becoming the 2021 individual state champion.

Lekkerkerk earned multiple allconference titles and was named Team MVP.

For the women’s side, there was also very little transfer action over the summer. Despite this, the Rams added one new transfer as well as one incoming first-year to the roster.

CSU’s new additions are transfer Katie Stinchcomb and incoming first-year Kara Kaneshiro.

Stinchcomb transferred from the University of Memphis as a junior. During her time at Memphis, she competed in all 20 events over the two seasons she was there. For those two seasons, Stinchcomb had one top-10 finish and five top-20 finishes.

Stinchcomb is from Cave Creek, Arizona, and played golf for Pinnacle High School. At Pinnacle,

she helped her school to the national championship in 2020 at Pinehurst and at that same tournament was the individual runner-up.

Kaneshiro is the Rams’ incoming first-year, hailing from Honolulu. Kaneshiro attended Kalani High School, where she played golf for all four years. At Kalani, she was the 2022 and 2023 Oahu Interscholastic Association individual champion as well as a first-team member.

Kaneshiro was also the Hawaii State Women’s Amateur Champion in 2021 and 2022 and the Team MVP in 2022 and 2023. With the two new players for the women’s team, hopes are high for the Rams going into the new season.

Overall, the Rams have made several good additions to their team for the upcoming season. With several incoming first-years and transfers, CSU aims to continue their growing success in the 202324 season.

The men’s team begins their season at the Ram Masters Invitational Sept. 6-7, and the women’s team starts their season a little later at the Badger Invitational held by Wisconsin Sept. 17-19.

Reach Emma Askren at sports @collegian.com.

Despite the loss, the Colorado State University Rams showed some good work as they fell short to the Washington State University Cougars at Canvas Stadium Sept. 2. CSU lost 50-24.

PHOTO BY RIVER KINNAIRD THE COLLEGIAN

PERFORMING ARTS

3 live theater spaces to visit in Fort Collins

By Katherine Borsting @katbor2025

Fort Collins is full of creativity in many forms, and performing arts is no exception. FoCo is home to a variety of theaters that showcase plays and musicals. Here are three places you can see live shows around the city.

1. Bas Bleu Theatre

Located at 401 Pine St., Bas Bleu Theatre has a wide range of live performances, from comedy acts to plays, and allows audiences to be thoroughly entertained by the art they show.

Bas Bleu Theatre is a nonprofit organization whose mission, according to its website, is to inspire and foster audiences and artists with its outstanding theater and “intimate salon setting.”

With their season running from early September all the way to April, Bas Bleu Theatre alternates shows throughout the season. The 2023-24 season

will have six shows, most of which will run for about a three-week period. The season will start with “Native Gardens” by Karen Zacarias, opening Sept. 8. In this contemporary comedy, a group of neighbors’ small argument regarding a fence soon boils over into discussions of race, taste, class and privilege.

2. The Lincoln Center

If you’re looking for a more traditional form of live theater, The Lincoln Center is the place to find it. Established in 1978 as a performing arts center, the Lincoln Center was originally a middle school called Lincoln Junior High back in the ‘30s.

Ticketing and Brand Development Manager Victoria Erickson experienced how the Lincoln Center has given Fort Collins residents a way to experience highproduction theater right in the city’s center.

“The quality of our shows definitely speaks for themselves,” Erickson said.

“We are able to give a show you would pay high for in a city such as Denver.”

The Lincoln Center can be found at 417 W. Magnolia St. They have a large performance variety on their website, and the shows range from plays to live ballets. Performances last from around early September to the middle of July.

3. Fossil Ridge Theatre

High school theater is a great way to see a well-produced show for a lower price, and Fossil Ridge Theatre is the place to do it. With a dedicated staff and a crew of talented performers, Fossil Ridge puts on both fall and spring shows, allowing students within the community to show off their work.

John Garner, the technical theater director at Fossil Ridge, believes high school theater not only benefits the students he works with but also the surrounding community.

“It has a different feel to it than professional theater and

fills a need for the students along with providing a service to the community,” Garner said. “Live performance art educates our students and gives them a path to career work.”

The 2023 fall play “Mockingbird,” adapted by Julie Jensen from the book by Kathryn Erskine, tells the story of Caitlin, an 11-year-old girl on the autism spectrum, after a tragic mass shooting.

Overall, local live shows, no matter what genre, can be an entertaining experience for many. It creates an opportunity to spend time observing the talent within the community as well as supporting local theater organizations.

Reach Katherine Borsting at entertainment @collegian.com.

The Lincoln Center is a multi-venue performing and visual arts center in Fort Collins Aug. 30.

PHOTO BY ARIA PAUL THE COLLEGIAN

Hozier’s ‘Unreal Unearth’ takes concept albums to new levels

By Hailee Stegall @csucollegian

There are many things that come to mind when thinking of Andrew Hozier-Byrne, the Irish folk musician known best by the general public for his 2013 song “Take Me to Church,” a metaphorical comparison between his lover and religion that consumed pop radio.

For the more folk- and bluesinclined, Hozier’s first two studio albums have produced sleepier hits such as “Would That I” and “Work Song,” both of which are finding fame on social media, the latter almost a decade down the line.

The new album he’s been teasing since December 2022 was announced this past March and released in August, and fans were

ecstatic. Following the viral release of his first single from the album, “Eat Your Young,” he explained in a Rolling Stone UK article that the album was a concept album based on Dante’s “Inferno,” the first of three poems in the epic poem “The Divine Comedy.”

“Unreal Unearth,” a concept album based on Dante’s “Inferno,” was ripe with potential — both to break the music scene as well as raise discussion regarding the heavy-handed Biblical metaphors. The die-hard Hozier fans in company with curious casual listeners waited for Aug. 18 with bated breath.

But the fretting was for naught — Hozier has done it again.

In some of his most heartwrenching work

yet, Hozier has gifted listeners with a concept album that loosely follows the nine tiers of the famous “Inferno” but is structured with tales of excess, sorrow, heartbreak and love to the point of destruction from his own time above ground.

One thread woven throughout the album that fans have attached themselves to is the singer’s use of Gaelic. This use of language was banned several times in Scotland and has become something of an obscurity due to violence against the Irish by the English.

Hozier’s use of Gaelic in “De Selby (Part 1)” and “Butchered Tongue,” is intense and purposeful — Hozier’s tone in these songs fluctuates between mourning and vengeance, mocking and rage. It deeply stakes the musician’s claim in his homeland while still exploring the intersections of romance and darkness.

Aside from this, the album contains heart-wrenching songs that evoke a self-destructive love story in every single layer of the inferno. “I, Carrion (Icarian),” Hozier explained in a recent interview with Apple

Music host Zane Lowe, was once a song written for a partner about the meaninglessness of death and loss when the one you love is with you; however, it can now be understood as a weaponized ignorance, missing every warning sign in a relationship because one is so blinded by love.

Other songs on the album follow this similar narrative, but there’s a flip side: a torn-open exposure of when relationships become more painful than they’re worth when the anxiety and distrust pit lovers against one another, but they’re convinced it would hurt more to let go than to stay.

Overall, there’s something in this beautifully constructed album that everyone can cling to, whether it be a past relationship with the one that got away or a connection to a childhood memory — Hozier’s “Unreal Unearth” is vulnerable and allows the listener to reflect and process new emotions with each listen. Reach Hailee Stegall at entertainment@collegian.com.

Weather Weather r h th W We t ath r er e e a at e

meditating on your chakras to regain inner peace.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Abby Flores

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (09/07/23)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

You despise boredom, and as a result, you tend to seek fun and company when you can. While socializing is important, you may have missed a couple deadlines last week. Fortunately, it is not too late to refocus and prioritize the things you need to get done. You’ve got this!

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

Your love for plants, home and animals is precious because you understand how to take care of your environment. People are inspired by your ways of living because you know how to be comfortable. Keep being yourself, as you truly deserve happiness and relaxation.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

Your vibrant aura attracts a lot of positive energy and people to you, but having such a radiant presence can also make you a target for negative influences. If this happens, consider

If you recently went through heartbreak, the best thing you can do is put your phone down and take care of your needs. If you are tired, get some good rest. If you feel lonely, call up a friend. You simply need time to heal and be happy again.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

Your love for aesthetic movies and books has given you the eye for fashion you have now. You are playing around with looking how you want this week and trying new styles. You should continue to have fun with this because it brings you joy.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

Life has been a little chaotic these days, but it’s nothing you can’t handle, Virgo. Going with the flow is something you are currently learning more about. It is OK to let loose sometimes because you will always have your developed routine to fall back on.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

Life is too short to worry, Libra. I understand you do a lot of thinking, but something you can do to overcome freezing up is attending a community event or another fun activity every week. Meeting high-energy people and building relationships are going to add a lot of zest to your life.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)  You are typically a private person, which means you don’t like when people get all up in your business. You should keep

it this way because your energy is sacred, and you deserve to have a say in what you want to share versus what you don’t.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) Last week was a lot of work and learning. You are probably exhausted with how much was going on, but this week is all about reaching toward your spontaneous side. It is time to let go of the mundane and enjoy the outdoors so you can feel inspired again.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Your earthy nature makes you seem introverted, but you open up when you’re around good company. You are going to have some social events to attend this week, so you should embrace the chance to have some fun before going back to heavy work.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) Since the full moon Aug. 30, you have been uncovering more about your past and engaging in deep reflection on family matters. All of this is significant, and you will soon come to understand why you are having multiple revelations on these subjects. Your energy remains vibrant and focused.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20) You are starting to get more in tune with your spiritual side, and that is wonderful because you are giving advice to others on how to find themselves. Your research on topics such as astrology or essential oil making has been making you feel enlightened.