Fall is in the air – which means we have two exciting opportunities: November 7 Elections and CSU Homecoming and Family Weekend. While these two items don’t necessarily match in the way that pumpkin spice does with your latest outfit. They do signal Fall in Fort Collins.
Your Chamber staff, volunteers and board (almost 100 people in total) have been spending time and energy reviewing local and state ballot issues to help you, as business voters. We’ve turned on our 2023 Elections Page here: https://fortcollinschamber.com/business-advocacy/elections/. You will see that we’ve posted information about the Chamber’s recommended positions on state and local issues as well as resources to help you dive deeper on the issues and a business perspective.
We will launch the local candidate page by the end of the week. All of the announced candidates were asked to complete a Candidate’s Questionnaire and complete a taped interview with the Election Committee. We will release the questionnaires and videos for your individual review. We will also be posting a score card.
Rather than endorse specific candidates, the Chamber wanted to acknowledge that issues are the heart of our work. And there are important issues that we’ve been advocated for over the last two years–minimum wage, land use code, water storage, housing attainability, transportation to name just a few. We will use the interviews, questionnaires, voting records, public testimony and candidate websites to identify how these candidates line up with Chamber priorities. Keep an eye on the Election Page as ballots will be mailed beginning on Monday, October 16!
Now on to CSU Homecoming this weekend. We join CSU in inviting you to join in celebrating Homecoming and Family weekend. Homecoming and Family Weekend is Oct. 12-14, and CSU is inviting alumni, families, Ram fans and the entire community to campus to celebrate all things CSU.
The Festival on the Oval will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13. Last year the public event attracted more than 8,000 people.
This year, the Festival on the Oval will feature live music by the band Funky Business, photo opportunities with four-legged CAM the Ram, a large beverage garden, food trucks, inflatables, activities and a wide variety of interactive booths, including one dedicated to a fan gear and clothing swap.
There will be about 85 booths this year, and 12 beverage partners offering alcoholic and nonalcoholic products in the beverage garden. In addition, 10 food trucks will be on hand. Admission to the festival is free.
After Festival on the Oval, the CSU Marching Band and Spirit Squad will lead the crowd to Friday Night Lights, which features the pep rally, bonfire, fireworks and lighting of the A, west of the Lory Student Center.
You can learn more about the various experiences and opportunities to celebrate CSU, including Game Day information here: https://source.colostate.edu/homecoming-and-family-weekend-features-array-of-events-oct-12-14/.
Finally, Homecoming and Family weekend provides the community with the opportunity to celebrate alumni that have left an incredible imprint on not only CSU, but our community. One of the couples being recognized this week is Neyla and Mark Driscoll. Stalwart leaders in the community, Neyla and Mark have both given much to the Fort Collins Area Chamber with Mark being a former Board Chair, consistent Fundraising Partner and long time advocate for all things Chamber. We salute Neyla and Mark and look forward to cheering them on while the CSU Alumni Association honors them with the Jim and Nadine Henry Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as letting them ring the Old Main Bell on Saturday!
Happy Fall!