Building on previous public engagement and input, the City of Fort Collins is hosting its first Civic Assembly meeting to deliberate on the future use of the former Hughes Stadium site.

The Civic Assembly comprises 20 Fort Collins residents, selected through a democratic lottery to reflect the city's diverse population. Functioning like a “civic jury,” the delegates engage with experts and community members to develop recommendations for the Hughes site. Their deliberations will focus on the question:

Informed by the diverse needs of our community, what use of the Hughes site will contribute most effectively to Fort Collins' long-term vitality and meet the requirements outlined in the 2021 ballot measure?

The Civic Assembly will gather over two weekends, with the first session on April 12-13 and second session on May 3-4. Both meetings will be held at 222 Laporte Ave. in the Colorado River Community Room (first floor).

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. each day. Plenary sessions will open and close each day's agenda.

“After months of preparation, I’m thrilled to see the Civic Assembly come to life!” said Mayor Jeni Arndt. “I can’t wait to see the thoughtful discussions, fresh ideas and collaborative spirit that will emerge from this innovative process."

The Civic Assembly’s work will include reviewing and discussing feedback gathered from the community since the inception of the project, as well as hearing about proposals and ideas surfaced during Community Guides conversations and other inputs. The process is thoughtfully designed to help break through polarizing issues. The Civic Assembly’s recommendations will be heard by City Council in late May 2025 for Council consideration by August 2025.

Although direct participation in deliberations at the meetings is limited to Civic Assembly delegates, residents are encouraged to attend and observe the process in action. The first session agenda includes a plenary session with introductions by the City and project partners, followed by community group presentations.

Sessions will be broadcast live online on the City’s YouTube channel at fcgov.com/assemblylivestream. There will also be limited public gallery space for press and community members to observe the proceedings, with additional overflow viewing space at City Hall, located at 300 Laporte Ave.

Further project details and updates are available online at www.fcgov.com/civicassembly

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This is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the City of Fort Collins, Healthy Democracy, the Center for Public Deliberation, Local Policy Lab and American Public Trust, with additional support by the Center for Public Deliberation (CPD) at Colorado State.

Project partners:

Healthy Democracy

Healthy Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to elevate the voices of everyday people, bring new faces to public decision making, and design a more collaborative democracy together. A leading innovator in the field of deliberative democracy, Healthy Democracy designs and coordinates lottery selected processes that radically expand who participates in democracy and sets a new standard for collaborative politics.

healthydemocracy.org

Center for Public Deliberation

The Center for Public Deliberation (CPD) at Colorado State University is a nonprofit organization that advances public deliberation, helping communities and decision-makers engage in constructive, informed dialogue about complex issues. CPD provides resources, tools, and facilitation support to promote thoughtful discussions that lead to effective, community-driven solutions. By fostering inclusive, deliberative conversations, the Center enhances the quality of public decision-making across Colorado.

www.cpd.colostate.edu

American Public Trust

American Public Trust (APT) is a national nonprofit working to make democracy more responsive to the voices and wisdom of everyday people. APT partners with local and state governments to bring communities together to solve tough problems, find common ground, and create lasting benefits for everyone. Beyond individual projects, we help governments build these community-led approaches into their systems, making decision-making more inclusive, effective, and trusted for the long run.

americanpublictrust.org

Local Policy Lab

The Local Policy Lab is a nonprofit organization that supports local governments in their work to engage residents, strengthen democracy and improve civic engagement. By applying rigorous research and practical strategies, LPL helps local leaders tackle complex issues, improve public services, and enhance community well-being. With a focus on collaboration, transparency, and evidence-based approaches, the Local Policy Lab aims to build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities.

localpolicylab.org