July 2025 Citizen Observer Corps Report Highlights

The full reports by Citizen Observers are available on Substack. Go here to learn more about this project. If you’d consider being a volunteer Observer, please message us. For more news about local governments, tune into Larimer County Snapshot News.

Click here to tell us how you’ve used the program or what would make it more useful.

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Wellington Boosts Boys and Girls Club

• At the Board of Trustees Meeting on July 9, 2025, the trustees approved a $5,000 grant for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County. Sage Homes Developer Daren Roberson said he would match the town’s funding. The board unanimously approved the $5,000 funding request. Then, at the trustee’s meeting on July 22, the board approved another $238 for the Boys and Girls Club. Roberson agreed then to match the town’s $5,000. The club will now receive a total of $10,238 to use for the Summer of Discovery program which allows high school students to explore workforce options.

Previous Years Audits for the Town Are Now Resolved

• Also at the meeting on July 22, 2025, Wellington Finance Director/Treasurer Nic Redavid reviewed the final auditor’s report from Dec. 31, 2023. The auditors said no adjustments were needed and all financial positions were presented fairly. The Colorado government accepted the final audit report. This closes a long effort by the community to meet legal standards for previous years’ financial reports.

Larimer County Will Continue to Serve as Law Enforcement for Wellington

• The board unanimously approved an agreement for Larimer County Sheriff’s Office to continue law to lead law enforcement in Wellington at the meeting on July 22, 2025.

Observer: Nanci Wendland

Fort Collins Air Quality Board Members Push Back on City’s Slow Progress for Cleaner Air

• At their meeting on July 21, 2025, Air Quality Board (AQB) members responded to a city staff member’s comments about proving bike lanes useful in reducing air pollution. Several board members agreed that Fort Collins Environmental Services Senior Manager Honore Depew should bring an issue to the board for them to solve and secure funding, instead of presenting what they characterized as a broad, often vague system of possible solutions to a wide range of issues. Depew replied that he is trying to set up a good foundation so that the Fort Collins City Council can approve projects.
• One member said she feels that progress is too slow in improving air quality in the city. She said the state has moved on, leaving Fort Collins behind. Another board member suggested monitoring vehicles idling at schools as a quick, smaller project. He said the city could be monitoring how long an average vehicle is idling while waiting to drop-off and pick up students. Then, using the results, determine how the city could manage this better to reduce pollution in school zones.
• The group agreed to prioritize, set deadlines, and start data monitoring.

Observer: Nanci Wendland

Windsor Town Board Updates Regulations for Its Central Business District

• Old rules governing 2nd Street to 10th street were repealed and new regulations were adopted. Changes will affect signage, design standards and new applications for land use.

Watch the Recording of the YIMBY Mayoral Candidate Forum to Learn Priorities of 6 Candidates.

• Six of seven candidates for mayor shared their priorities for housing, transportation, and other issues at the forum. Watch the entire forum at:

Ranked Choice Voting is Coming. Check Out the Resources to Understand What it Means for Your Ballot!

• For ranked choice voting information and explanations, visit https://www.fcgov.com/elections/ranked-voting

Listen to Our Podcasts!

Join Sonia Koetting, Colorado Observer Corps coordinator, and Jorie Kramer of Snapshot News, for a lively take on the Observer reports and other local government activities in the Snapshot News Podcasts. Tune to https://www.fcpublicmedia.org/lcsnapshotnews for all the latest episodes.