April 8th, 2025 by Ian Harper | Hoodline
The City of Fort Collins is setting the stage for community involvement with its inaugural Civic Assembly, aimed at determining the best use for the long-contested Hughes Stadium site.
This assembly, a collective of 20 residents chosen by a democratic lottery to mirror the city’s demographics, is embarking on a unique experiment.
It will attempt to slice through the usual civic friction and carve out a consensus on how to utilize the site that suits the broad spectrum of local expectations and needs.
According to the city’s release, the group will convene for two pivotal weekends, with the first round of discussions kicking off on April 12-13. They’ll circle back for a second go on May 3-4 at the Colorado River Community Room.
This civic jury’s aim is no small task: distilling the collective will into a coherent recommendation for the site’s future, one that aligns with the criteria set by a 2021 ballot measure.
Fort Collins’ Mayor Jeni Arndt, as reported by the City of Fort Collins, expressed excitement over the assembly’s potential: “I can’t wait to see the thoughtful discussions, fresh ideas and collaborative spirit that will emerge from this innovative process.” Evidence of this process will be publicly viewable in both live sessions and online broadcasts.
The gatherings won’t be behind closed doors; they’re open for residents to observe in a limited capacity, ensuring the assembly’s transparency and potentially setting a new bar for public engagement. The detailed schedule includes an opening plenary, where the city and partners will set the tone, followed by voices from various community groups. The commitment to palpable transparency is also shown through live streams on the City’s YouTube channel, in addition to the gallery seating at the venue, with extra viewing space allocated at City Hall.
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