The Fort Collins community and region continue to prosper. Millions of dollars were invested in private homes, commercial and industrial properties and public infrastructure in the last year and unemployment was low though under-employment remains an issue for area residents.
Despite this good news, there is growing competition for our community’s jobs and the question is “How do we keep things going our way?” Most of that answer lies with the great businesses and private sector innovators in Fort Collins. It’s more important than ever to have people on the City Council that understand and appreciate business and are willing to work on creating a strong and positive business climate.
All voters will be electing a new mayor, and voters in Districts 1, 3, and 5 will be electing representatives at the next regular election held on April 4, 2017. The City of Fort Collins has conducted its regular elections (held in April of odd-numbered years) by mail ballot since 1995. There are no polling places in a mail ballot election other than an on-site polling place in the City Clerk’s Office. Ballots will be mailed to the eligible electors no later than 15 days prior to the election and must be returned to the City Clerk by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Chamber Endorsements
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce has made it a priority to support the election of City Council Members who support business and job creation. For the April 4, 2017 City of Fort Collins Election, the Chamber is endorsing the following candidates for the City Council:
- Mayor, Wade Troxell (http://www.voteforwade.org/)
- District 1, Nate Budd (http://www.votenatebudd.com/)
- District 3, Ken Summers (https://www.kensummers.us/)
- District 5, No Endorsement
All of the announced candidates were asked to complete a Candidate’s Questionnaire and complete an interview the Election Committee. The Chamber Board of Directors, in their review of candidates, considered the responses to the Candidate’s Questionnaire and the candidate’s interviews as well as the following traits: Character/Integrity, Motivated, Balanced, Committed, Electable, Knowledge of Community Issues/Governance, Community Service & Experience and Leadership & Communication Skills.
Information Resources
Copies of the interviews conducted with all the candidates announced as of February 6, 2017, are available on the Chamber website at fortcollinschamber.com. As well, questionnaires completed by the candidates are available on the same site.