• March is Women's History Month! Learn more about local historic places associated with the suffrage movement in Fort Collins.
• A Year of Conversations: In 2026, the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, and Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) and the City of Fort Collins invite the community to engage in learning, discourse, and the democratic process throughout the year with this event series.
  •  Self Evident: Women, Suffrage, and Fort Collins History – March 27, 2026, 2-4 p.m., starting in the main courtyard for the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews St.
    • Join staff from the Museum of Discovery and City Historic Preservation office to explore stories of Women’s History in Fort Collins, and women who influenced the city’s story in their lifetimes. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ll be touring through the neighborhood around Library Park to visit a few sites where important women lived and worked in the city. We’ll then venture inside the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library for a virtual tour of women’s history as told through the Museum of Discovery’s unique archives and collections. The event is free, but attendance will be capped at 30 people. Reserve your spot and find more info on the event page.
• 2026 Colorado State University College of Liberal Arts Democracy Summit - March 9-11 at the Lory Student Center
  • This three-day public forum brings together students, faculty, researchers, civic leaders, and community members to examine the past, present, and future of democracy. Anchored in the dual milestones of America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary, the Summit explores democratic institutions, civic participation, and public trust at a pivotal moment. All sessions, speakers, and events are free and open to the public. View the full list of events on the event webpage.

Are you the owner of a Fort Collins Landmark property?

Contact Historic Preservation Services (Preservation@FortCollins.gov; 970-224-6078) to learn more about financial support programs and for information on required design review of exterior alterations. Please remember that all exterior projects, including painting, require pre-approval and work that does not meet City code requirements is considered a violation and is subject to citation. We are here to help with project planning and look forward to hearing from you prior to the start of work!

Last Month's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Decisions

Date: Feb. 18, 2026

• Consent Agenda (APPROVED 8-0)
  • Minutes of Jan. 21, 2026
• Discussion Agenda: 
  • Staff Activity Report
  • 712 Dartmouth Trl. – Conceptual Landmark Design Review – ADU (MOVED TO FINAL REVIEW 7-1; APPROVED 7-1)
  • 3624 E. Mulberry St. – Special Development Review Noticing, Natural Areas (Feedback only)

Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI) is offering hands-on preservation trades workshops year-round, connecting participants with the practical skills and traditional craft knowledge needed to care for historic buildings. 

As Colorado's statewide nonprofit dedicated to building a future with historic places, CPI's training opportunities support the growth of a strong preservation workforce while helping property owners, tradespeople, and community members learn time-tested techniques for maintaining historic resources. These workshops provide accessible, real-world learning guided by experienced professionals and partner organizations.

Upcoming Preservation Trades Workshops

Cost: $45 (CPI Members), $55 (Non-CPI Members)

• Beyond Latex: Using Traditional Finishes to Maintain Wood - Register online
  • Date: March 7, 2026
  • Instructed by: Deep Roots Craftsmen
  • Location: Deep Roots Craftsmen Shop, 1409 E. Olive Ct., Unit H, Fort Collins, CO 80524
  • Description: Modern paints and coatings are not always the best match for historic wood. Traditional finishes like linseed oil paint and pine tar have protected exterior woodwork for centuries, offering breathable, durable alternatives that age gracefully over time. In this hands-on and classroom-based workshop, participants will explore the history and performance of these traditional materials, learn when and why they are still used today, and practice proper application techniques. The workshop will also cover project planning, color matching, maintenance cycles, lifecycle cost considerations, and common challenges in long-term wood protection through guided discussion and real-world examples.
• Wood Window Care and Tuning - Call CPI at 303-893-4260 for additional details and registration info
  • Date: April 18, 2026
  • Instructed by: Deep Roots Craftsmen
  • Location: Nix Farm Natural Areas Facility, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80524
  • Description: Historic wood windows are among the most sustainable building components ever made; they are highly repairable, long-lasting, and often superior to replacement options when properly maintained. But like any working system, they need regular care and occasional tuning to perform their best. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn practical skills to improve window function, comfort, and durability, including sash adjustment, weatherstripping, reglazing, and basic repair techniques. Whether you own an older home or work on historic buildings, this session will give you the confidence to extend the life of original windows and keep them working for decades to come.

Making Moving Easier: Women and Transportation Equity in Fort Collins

If you’ve ever ridden your bicycle in the bike lanes on the 700 block of West Olive Street, did you know you’re riding through a piece of Fort Collins women’s history and bicycling history? The street definitely looks different today, with no street markings between Loomis and Grant Avenues, but in 1970, thanks to the hard work of local women, the City tested out its first bike lanes right there. Fort Collins women have had an outsized influence on making sure Fort Collins’ transportation system works for all users, not just folks in cars.

Betty Sears & Ruth Orr

Betty Sears is sometimes considered the “mother” of Fort Collins bike lanes on city streets. After living in Davis, California, and seeing bike lanes already on streets, Betty returned to Fort Collins with a mission. In early 1970, Betty and her friend, Ruth Orr, wrote letters to the editor of the Coloradoan supporting what are now called “road diets” to create bike lanes. They started a petition, knocking on doors until they got 1,700 signatures to submit to the City in favor of starting a bike lane system. Supporters hoped to improve safety, reduce air pollution, and reduce traffic by providing safe alternatives to driving. Despite opposition from City administrators and engineers, City Council directed to start the experiment, which began with a few test bike lanes. Adding to the off-street bike trails along the Poudre River and Spring Creek, the on-street bike lanes proved popular. Ruth and Betty’s foundational work led to today’s extensive biking network, with Fort Collins being one of only three cities in the country retaining a Platinum certification with the League of American Bicyclists. 

Mabel Preble

Mabel Preble became the City’s first woman mayor in 1972 after being elected to City Council and selected by her peers shortly thereafter as the Mayor. Under the City's Designing Tomorrow Today initiative, Preble oversaw projects like the new downtown library and the Lincoln Community Centre. After previously serving as chair of the City’s Commission for Senior Citizens and recommending better transportation for the elderly, Mayor Preble oversaw the establishment of Transfort and its accessibility partner Care-a-van. Her work and advocacy helped return public transit to Fort Collins after a twenty-year hiatus, which is now a critical part of helping Fort Collins residents get around without a car.

Check out these places that are part of the story:

• Oak Street Plaza - First Transfort hub for all bus routes starting in 1974

• Ruth Orr Residence, 1970-1971, 825 W. Olive St.

• Mable Preble Residence, 1970-1975, 717 Dartmouth Tr.

Thinking about these examples, what issue in Fort Collins are you passionate about? How might you influence a positive community outcome?

(Photos: Left - Betty Sears showing the 1,700-person petition to begin a Fort Collins bike lane program, 1970, Fort Collins Coloradoan; Right - Mabel Preble, City Council, c. 1970s, FCMoD)

Next Work Session: March 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in person at City Hall (300 Laporte Ave., Council Chambers). Public may attend, but no public participation occurs at work sessions.

Next Regular Meeting: CANCELED due to anticipated lack of quorum

Work Session Agenda:

• Staff vs. HPC Review Level for ADU Projects
• Window/Door Rehab Applications - Landmark Design Review Policy Discussion
• Landscape Rehab Applications - Landmark Design Review Policy Discussion
• HPC Work Plan - Progress and Priorities

Surveys in Progress:
We are currently researching the following properties to determine if they are eligible to be Fort Collins Landmarks in association with a current development review application. Determinations of eligibility are based on the best available information today and are valid for five years. Members of the public with information regarding the history of these properties should contact Historic Preservation Services as soon as possible at Preservation@FortCollins.gov.

• 3805 E. Vine Dr. - 1900 agricultural property - Development review for Natural Areas Department, long-range planning

Recent Survey Results: 

• 1805 S. College Ave. - 1965 restaurant - Development review, major alterations proposed; Not Landmark Eligible - Issued Feb. 12, 2026
• 3624 E. Mulberry St. - 1900 agricultural property - Development review for Natural Areas Department, long-range planning; Landmark Eligible - Issued Feb. 5, 2026
• 1030 E Vine Dr/701 Lindenmeier Rd. – c. 1900 house and c. 1920 duplex – Development review, infill construction proposed – Landmark Eligible (c. 1900 house only) – Issued Jan. 29
• 120 E. Stuart St. – c. 1950, moved to site 1989, duplex – Additional permitted use for non-primary short-term rental; Not Landmark Eligible - Issued Dec. 23
• 124 E. Stuart St. – c. 1939 single-unit dwelling – Project planning, no changes currently proposed; Not Landmark Eligible - Issued Dec. 23

The City of Fort Collins requires public notification prior to the demolition of single-unit residences over 50 years of age, and we also provide notice on standalone demolition applications for commercial properties. These notifications occur to inform the community of a potential change coming to their neighborhood and because certain groups can nominate a property for Landmark designation against the wishes of a property owner under Municipal Code Sec. 14-31 (the HPC by motion, a City Councilmember by written request, or three residents together by petition). Public noticing is considered complete the day after the HPC meeting for which it is noticed. Written public comments can be submitted to Preservation@FortCollins.gov up to 48 hours prior to the HPC meeting for inclusion with the meeting packet. These notifications appear on the commission's discussion agenda, and an opportunity for spoken public comment will also be provided at the meeting. Visit the recently updated Single-Unit Dwelling Demolition Notification webpage for more detailed information on this process.

Active Demolition Notices:

• None

Recently Completed Demolition Notices:

• Standalone Demolition Notification (demo of commercial property with no development currently proposed) - 1513 N. College Ave. (K-Bar-D/Budget Host Motel), built 1946-1973, multiple buildings (1 public comment supporting proposed demolition at Nov. 19, 2025 HPC meeting; approval recommended by HPC to the decision-maker, the Chief Building Official, due to the extent of methamphetamine contamination)
• 1617 Person Ct., built c. 1947 (no public comment at Aug. 20, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• 408 N. Loomis Ave., built c. 1906 (no public comment at May 21, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• 121 N. Whitcomb St., built c. 1895 (no public comment at May 21, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• 712 Scenic Dr., built 1975 (no public comment at April 16, 2025 HPC meeting; no action taken by HPC)

Fort Collins has had, and still has, many women's social organization that fostered community building and promoted civic engagement among women. One such organization had its home at 503 Remington St., shown in the above photo.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1882, brings together women with college degrees to advocate for women’s rights, improve their communities, and create professional development opportunities. Fort Collins’ chapter was established in 1933 after more than eight years of petitioning for membership. In 1940, local AAUW members purchased a home at 503 Remington St. to help address the lack of housing for female college students. The Cooperative House allowed fifteen women to live near campus at a reduced cost; residents were expected to contribute to the cooking and housekeeping duties in addition to keeping their grades up. This was the first of this type of scholarship aid offered to college women by AAUW in the nation.

Through the 1940s, most branches of the AAUW restricted local membership based on race; it is unknown if such racial restrictions existed in the Fort Collins branch of the AAUW or its Cooperative House. These discriminatory practices ended in 1949 when the national AAUW organization overwhelmingly voted that any woman with an approved degree could become a member at both the national and local branch levels. 

As described in the above Coloradoan article, the Cooperative House at 503 Remington St. was sold in 1971, and proceeds from the sale were invested to provide funding for future scholarships. As a condition of the sale, AAUW would be given possession of the ironwork on the roof and three walnut mantles if the building were to be demolished. The Co-op House, also known as the William C. Stover House, was designated as a local Landmark in 1996, protecting it from demolition, preserving its historic character, and recognizing its significance to Fort Collins.

(Image: "AAUW Co-op House Sold," Fort Collins Coloradoan, June 6, 1971.)