A Civic Assembly, A Divided Issue, A Shared Mandate
Inside the Fort Collins Civic Assembly’s presentation to City Council—and a glimpse of democracy renewed
Yesterday was a big day for democracy in Fort Collins.
Four delegates from the Fort Collins Civic Assembly stood before the Mayor and City Council to present the Assembly’s recommendations—on one of the city’s most polarizing, long-standing issues: the future of 164 acres of city owned land that used to serve as the Hughes Stadium site.
Fellow delegates filled the audience in quiet support, bearing witness to the moment.
Some Councilmembers looked visibly surprised—especially those who had been skeptical of the process from the start.
Not Just Policy—But Civic Leadership
What they saw wasn’t just a list of proposals.
It may have been the most heartfelt, grounded, and constructive public dialogue they’ve experienced in those chambers.
They saw 20 residents—once strangers—diverse in age, background, and perspective—come together.
They spoke with clarity. They spoke with care. And they spoke with a shared sense of responsibility for Fort Collins.
What Councilmembers Said
“I believe what you’ve presented is capturing the zeitgeist of what many people in this city want.”
— Councilmember Melanie Potyondy“If you walked into that [Assembly] room, you would say — that’s Fort Collins.”
— Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis“I was a skeptic, but I think it was a pretty good process.”
— Councilmember Kelly Ohlson“I feel like we have 20 democracy ambassadors out there now.”
— Councilmember Tricia Canonico
What Delegates Shared:
“There was never an argument—just calm, healthy discussion, genuine curiosity, and learning.”
— Colin, Assembly Delegate
“We were truly honored and grateful… we learned so much about each other and the city itself.”
— Lucy, Assembly Delegate
“There were people I didn’t agree with… but we talked, asked questions, and got past the tribalism.”
— Peter, Assembly Delegate
This wasn’t a performance. It wasn’t politics as usual.
It was public judgment—formed together through dialogue, learning, and listening across difference.
The Council now has a powerful public mandate to act—and a living example of what democratic renewal can look like in practice. And 20 residents have a taste of what civic agency feels like.
📺 Watch the Council presentation here →
(I recommend jumping to 04:10 to hear from delegates directly.)
If you’re working on democratic reform, civic engagement, or simply care about how communities solve hard problems together—I think there’s something here worth watching.
Thanks to all the project partners, Healthy Democracy, the Center for Public Deliberation, Local Policy Lab, and the City of Fort Collins.
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Rahmin