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Regionalism

Northern Colorado is among the most spectacular locales for starting a business, raising a family, and developing personal relationships that sustain us in myriad ways.  We are truly fortunate in being able to share in the prosperity that emanates from such an inspirational setting.  Should there be any wonder why others are attracted to our region, just as so many have before us?  Rather than cloaking our treasure in protectionism, we have been entrusted with the obligation to assure future ...

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Early Childhood Council of Larimer County’s work on Public Funding for Early Childhood

By: Christina Taylor, CEO, Early Childhood Council of Larimer County

Larimer County families spend between 20-50% of their annual household income on childcare costs, between $7,000-$20,000 a year for one child! This impacts our economy in a big way. Lack of childcare access costs Larimer County nearly $100M in lost earnings, productivity and revenue annually. Childcare is essential to ensuring we have thriving, productive future generations, yet inadequate public investment coupled with a di...

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Colorado Legislature – Bills Introduced as of 4/25/23

Centerra South is under assault, while the Governor licks his wounds

SB23-273           Agriculture Lands in Urban Renewal Areas

In current form, this bill would prohibit the inclusion of agricultural land within an urban renewal authority (URA) district that has not been approved prior to the effective date of the bill, unless the land is located within an existing URA that was approved prior to June 1, 2010.  Under existing law, agricultural land can be included within a URA i...

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Water Adequacy Determination

New policy needs more analysis

Due to increased demand from a growing population and heightened uncertainty of consistent water supply, evaluating whether our current standards and assumptions remain relevant is not only a wise policy, but Colorado state statute also now requires such analysis.  As dictated under statute (C.R.S. Section 29-20-301), the City of Fort Collins is currently developing amendments to our land use code that will define the adequacy of water supply for all future dev...

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Sustainable Funding Gap (May 2023)

What is sustainable about spending money you don’t have?  A Finance 101 primer.

At its April 25 work session, the Fort Collins City Council considered, once again, how to label our problem of adopting plans we haven’t the revenue to pay for.  Now referred to as “Sustainable Funding”, the conversation is beginning to narrow in on potential funding mechanisms and a timeline for when to ask citizens for more money.  As a refresher, various plans, priorities and funding restrictions th...

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Local Minimum Wage Set for May 16 (2023) Vote by Fort Collins City Council

We need your voice!

Your Fort Collins City Council is still on the path of adopting a local minimum wage that will be required of all employers in Fort Collins - not just local city government.

Your locally elected officials are scheduled to adopt a wage on Tuesday, May 16. The wage would then go into effect on January 1, 2024. Council seems to have narrowed their focus to two options - one that raises the wage to $18.50 by 2026 and one that raises the wage to $16.65 by 2026.

We have ...

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Street Maintenance – Issue of the Week

https://fortcollinschamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2023_04-28-Issue-of-the-Week-Streets-Maintenance-WEB-PAGE.pdf

 

Source: Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce 
April 28, 2023 ...

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1041 Powers: Letter to Fort Collins City Council (April 2023)

To: Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis, and Council Members Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Peel and Ohlson;
Madams Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Members of Council:

The Fort Collins Chamber has continued to monitor and participate in discussions regarding the City’s intent to create more process for project development by creating a local adaptation of state 1041 regulations.

The Chamber remains gravely concerned by the ongoing effort to institute the far-reaching regulatory powers encompass...

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