Fall has officially arrived in Fort Collins! In this issue of City News, you'll get the scoop on our favorite fall festivities, new programs and upcoming events, and how to participate in our local election — which is just around the corner.

Thanks for reading!

- Kelly DiMartino, City Manager

At this non-spooky Halloween event, treat your little ghosties to a stroll through The Farm to collect candy, a hayride with the family and all-around gourd time! 

• 5-7 p.m. | Oct. 24
• 5-7 p.m. | Oct. 25
• 1-3 p.m., 5-7 p.m. | Oct. 26
• Ages 10 years & under
• $9 admission

The 200 block of Linden Street (just northeast of Old Town Square, from Walnut to Jefferson) will transform into a pedestrian-only paradise for First Friday 5-9 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 3, with live music, outdoor games, parklets and a skateboard expo.

Save the date for the annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Old Town Square: On Nov. 7, trees throughout Downtown will be lit with thousands of LED bulbs, kicking off the holiday season!

Lights will turn on at 6:30 p.m. and will stay lit through February.

The City's annual Community Survey responses are in, and the results are encouraging! Residents rated their overall quality of life highly, showing improvements across several areas compared to recent years. Positive trends were seen in services, programs and community safety, while housing affordability remains a top priority for the future. These results highlight the City's ongoing efforts to meet community needs and enhance the everyday lives of Fort Collins residents.

About 40% of what Fort Collins sends to the landfill is organic waste — food scraps and yard trimmings. Food scrap collection and composting services can keep that out of our landfill. A new 1-year pilot partnership between the City of Fort Colins and Compost Queen is looking to make composting more affordable and accessible with discounted rates for homes and businesses.

Spots are limited. Don't let your chance at a discount go to waste!

On Nov. 4, Fort Collins voters will elect a mayor and three City Councilmembers and will vote on 10 City ballot questions. 

In Colorado, voters can register through Election Day. But why wait? Registering or updating your registration early means you can receive your ballot in the mail with plenty of time to cast your vote — especially helpful since most City Council races this year will use ranked voting. Check your registration at GoVoteColorado.gov.

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Join City staff for a free event with information and activities aimed education on health impacts, radon detection and mitigation strategies:

• 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Oct. 4
• Old Town Library (201 Peterson St.)

Join the City for the 2025 Urban Design Awards, recognizing excellence in projects that shape, beautify and enhance our built environment. The free event takes place 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at the Drake Center. This year's event is sponsored by Elevations Credit Union.

Step into a glowing wonderland at The Gardens on Spring Creek as Pumpkins on Parade lights up the night with glowing gourds and festive fall magic October 23-26. Stroll whimsical garden pathways as you snap pics with spectacular displays and enjoy festive games and nightly live performances. Whether you're in for the pumpkins, costumes or memories, this fall tradition is one you won't want to miss! Admission for kids four and under is free.

The City will host drop-in events Downtown to present potential downtown parking updates, answer questions and collect feedback:

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 16 | Old Town Square + Fort Collins Welcome Center (coffee, tea provided)
• 4-7 p.m., Oct. 24 | Old Town Square
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 25 | Old Town Square + Fort Collins Welcome Center (coffee, tea provided)

Guests can stop in anytime during those hours to view data presentations and share their thoughts.

Here’s what to expect on roads and trails in Fort Collins this month:

• Shields will continue to experience traffic impacts between Drake and Horsetooth during third-party utility construction.
• Trilby remains fully closed at College while the City rebuilds that intersection.
• Mountain Vista will be fully closed between Timberline and Giddings beginning in mid-October so the City can replace a culvert beneath the roadway.
• The Power Trail remains open until Oct. 27, when the trail will close again between Keenland and Trilby to allow for the completion of the Siphon Overpass.

Thanks for your patience as we work to make your travels safer and smoother!

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