On April 12-13, a Civic Assembly consisting of 20 Fort Collins residents met for the first time to deliberate the future of the former Hughes stadium site.

Throughout this process, delegates hear from experts, community leaders and advocates to understand the history, context and various community perspectives, including previous public input received by the City. The experience involves consensus-building through facilitated discussions, small group activities and explorations of potential site uses to weigh trade-offs and long-term impacts.

Ultimately, the Civic Assembly aims to craft detailed recommendations that reflect the best path forward for the Hughes site. Results go to City leadership and will be considered by City Council in July/August

The first weekend included formal presentations and Q&A with several community groups:

• BIPOC Alliance
• Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
• Colorado State University - Warner College of Natural Resources
• First People’s Conservancy Center
• Fort Collins Running Club
• Overland Mountain Bike Association
• Planning Action to Transform Hughes Sustainably (PATHS)
• Preserve Fort Collins
• Rocky Mountain Raptor Program

The next and final assembly meetings will be held on May 3-4 at 222 Laporte Ave. in the Colorado River Community Room. Plenary sessions will be broadcast live 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 overflow viewing space at City Hall (300 Laporte Ave).

More information about the project is available online: fcgov.com/civicassembly

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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

The American Public Trust

The American Public Trust (APT) is a national nonprofit working to make democracy more responsive to the voices and wisdom of everyday people. We partner 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