A community guide for a sustainable Fort Collins future by putting people first.#
Our Climate Future (OCF) is the community guide to reduce pollution and waste and adapt to our changing climate in Fort Collins, with a focus on people's day-to-day needs. Created with high levels of community input, OCF was adopted by City Council in 2021 as an initiative to protect our environment & community for the present AND next generations.
Our Climate Future focuses on achieving three main goals by 2030:
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 2005 levels.
- 100% renewable electricity from both the grid and local sources.
- Reach zero waste, meaning nothing goes to landfill.
So, how is our community planning to reach these goals? That's where the Big Moves and Next Moves come in.
So, why climate action in the first place? How is our community planning to reach these goals and how can I get involved (hint: they're called Big Moves and Next Moves)? Click above on the other tabs above to learn more!
Climate Action is Crucial#
Photo of the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in CO recorded history, taken from Bobcat Ridge Natural Area in 2020.
If we don’t stop pollution, the places we live, work, and play could be at risk. Fort Collins already is feeling the effects of rising temperatures, including extreme heat, wildfires, poor air quality, and flooding. It’s crucial we continue acting to protect the people in our community and secure a better future for the next generation.
Climate change threatens doesn't just threaten our natural environment but also our economy, living costs, and health. For example, increased natural disasters can impact infrastructure that our economy relies on and increase living expenses, such as insurance costs.
Since climate impacts our community’s well-being, the City of Fort Collins is committed to addressing climate change with a focus on people first through Our Climate Future.
It takes all of us!#
There are things you can do right now that have a significant positive impact on people today and on the next generation!
Learn more below about ways to have an impact at home, at work, and through community partnership.
At Home#
Conserve water and energy, improve your air quality, and learn more about recycling.
At Work#
Get free coaching and technical assistance, learn more about green building and construction code.
Community Partnership Programs#
Join a committee, apply for a grant, or partner with us in another way.
Request an Educational Program#
Our colleagues in Fort Collins Utilities offer educational programs about OCF!
Big Moves and Next Moves#
Two important parts of OCF are called Big Moves and Next Moves. Let's take a closer look at what they mean!
Big Moves#
Big Moves are the transformational outcomes (or main areas) where our community has suggested we should focus to achieve the three 2030 goals, and work in these areas can be City-led and community-led. These are a great starting place to think about how you can make an impact!
- For example, Big Move #8 is "Local, Affordable and Healthy Food" which connects with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases. Consider ways you can eat more locally to support this Big Move!
Next Moves#
Next Moves are the specific actions to help us reach each Big Move. There are several Next Moves for each Big Move.
- For instance, one of the Next Moves for Big Move #8 (Local, Affordable and Healthy Food) is to "Increases access to affordable community supported agriculture subscriptions (CSAs)."
Food Systems Work at the City#
The Fort Collins community has worked hard to develop a flourishing local food system. Using Our Climate Future Big Move 8 as the driving framework, the City of Fort Collins is exploring its role in supporting the food system. In 2024, the City partnered with an AmeriCorps Fellow to conduct a food systems exploration.
City Resources for Food Systems#
| Topic Area | Supporting Departments & Resources |
| Do you run a food-related business and need support? |
Economic Health Office
NoCoBiz Connect
|
| Do you have a question about how your food business or small farm meets land use code requirements, code compliance or zoning? |
Land Use Code Neighborhood Services - Code Compliance
Zoning Services
Urban Agriculture Development Review & Licensing
|
| Would you like to learn how to grow food or sign up for a City community garden plot? |
The Gardens on Spring Creek |
| Do you have questions about how the City is supporting food security initiatives in the community? |
Social Sustainability Department |
| Do you have a question about the urban farms located on our City Natural Areas? |
Two of our Natural Areas have urban farms that are managed by our community partner Poudre Valley Community Farms
Contact Poudre Valley Community Farms for questions |
| Are you looking for food assistance? |
Food Assistance Programs Direct Assistance Programs |
2024 Food Systems Exploration#
Summary
The City’s Our Climate Future (OCF) framework is made up of 13 “Big Moves” that strategize how to address local climate change challenges. Big Move 8 is entitled “Local, Healthy, Affordable Food” and was largely shaped by community input. The City has not had a definitive role within the greater food system, and food-related goals are disparately included in various City plans. In 2024, the Environmental Services Department partnered with an AmeriCorps Fellow to conduct foundational research to determine how the City organization could better support the community in achieving a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Research included engagement with community organizations, businesses and City departments, across a spectrum of focus and expertise within the food system. Findings and recommendations stayed within city boundaries, and focused on opportunities regarding producers, consumers and food waste. Environmental, social and economic considerations were incorporated, and a focus on elevating equity-based solutions was maintained throughout.
Themes
- There is a desire for local food production to be sustainable and help feed the community.
- There is a strong effort to build community through access to food, community gardens and community supported agriculture.
- Food production and consumption are interwoven with environmental systems and are impacted by climate change.
Findings
- The City has a limited role in the food system.
- There are disparate connections to food throughout various City plans, yet no definitive, centralized system of implementation or strategy.
- Local nonprofits, organizations and businesses are mainly focused on food access, food independence, sustainable agriculture, producer-consumer connections and food waste.
- Most organizations face challenges such as limited funding, resources and capacity.
- There is opportunity for the City to support community-led work, and remove barriers for organizations and businesses, to ensure the current initiatives can continue to succeed and eventually scale.
Recommendations
As part of the food systems exploration, the report identified three overarching recommendations for the City of Fort Collins to consider. The following recommendations were developed based on conversations with community members and City employees, as well as reviewing other local government examples.
- Increase City-allocated land and resources to expand community gardens
- Support the Fort Collins Food System by better defining the City’s role, improving department alignment and removing barriers for businesses
- Support external partnerships with community organizations and foster regionalism
For a more detailed set of recommendations, please reference the full report.
If you would like to see a full version of the 2024 Food Systems Exploration Report please reach out to Katy McLaren (kmclaren@fcgov.com).
Further Exploration of OCF
To learn more, check out the OCF Plan Documents. For questions, please reach out to OurClimateFuture@fcgov.com.