August 23rd, 2025, by Rebecca Powell | Fort Collins Coloradoan
Key Points:
- Fort Collins City Council passed a resolution favoring a multi-use plan for the former Hughes Stadium site, including a natural area, environmental education center, and park.
- A citizen-initiated ballot measure proposes making the entire site a natural area, conflicting with the council’s multi-use plan.
- Council will likely refer the multi-use plan to the ballot, giving voters two options.
Writing this story about the latest step in determining the future of the former Hughes Stadium site feels a little bit like answering the question: “Are we there yet?”
The answer is no. But it’s a good time to explain exactly what’s ahead.
On Aug. 19, Fort Collins City Council took another step in the process by passing a resolution supporting the multi-use plan for the former Hughes Stadium site, as recommended by a civic assembly.
But what does that mean for the citizen-initiated November ballot issue asking voters to make the entire site a natural area?
And does it mean council won’t refer its own question to the voters as well?
The resolution, passed by a 6-1 vote, shows council’s intent to move forward with the recommendations of the civic assembly (Council member Susan Gutowsky voted no).
So what exactly does this resolution say? It declares that council supports implementing the civic assembly’s recommendations in the site plan, summarizing them in this way:
- The city “will endeavor to engage in ongoing consultations” with Native American tribes and the Indigenous community throughout the development of the site.
- A natural area will not exceed 60 acres (on the 165-acre site).
- Environmental education areas on the site, including for wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation, will not exceed 30 acres, with structures not to exceed 20 acres.
- The remaining area will be developed and managed as a park, with a connective trail system, a disc golf course, a sledding hill, a bike park not to exceed 35 acres, community gathering spaces that can be reserved, and support facilities like restrooms, shade structures, trash bins and parking.
- The city will cultivate predominantly native and xeric vegetation, and the site will feature a naturalistic architectural palette.
- The site will be developed and managed in alignment with its Public Open Lands zoning.
- Development and redevelopment will happen over time as planning, design and funding allow.
- The site will go through the city’s development review process to ensure compliance with standards.
- Natural Areas policies will govern the natural area, and parks laws and policies will govern the park area.
But with a pertinent city election ahead, voters will ultimately decide what happens.
Here are the many ways it could play out:
Fort Collins and the Hughes land saga: A Choose Your Own Adventure story
A ballot question asking voters to make the entire site a natural area is officially on the November ballot.
At the same time, a majority of council has supported the civic assembly recommendation to make the site a multi-use property with a natural area, an environmental education center and a city park that includes a bike park and gathering areas.
If the 100% natural area question were to pass, that would override City Council’s resolution directing what happens on the site and the city would be obligated to make it a natural area only.
That’s simple enough. But there’s still one more moving part.
Several council members have expressed support for sending the civic assembly recommendations to the ballot so voters can have two options to choose between: a 100% natural area or a multi-use site.
To be clear, these two ballot questions would be in conflict with each other, and if both make it to the ballot, voters would be able to choose which path they want the city to take by voting “yes” on one and “no” on the other one.
Ballot and voting scenarios and what would happen in each case
If both measures are on the ballot, whichever one passes will take effect.
But there’s a possibility that both could fail or both could pass. So what happens then?
If both fail, council’s support for the civic assembly’s recommendations would take precedent, allowing multi-use of the site.
If both pass, the question with the most “yes” votes would take effect.
Commenters on Indigenous consultation: ‘Do it the right way’
Public comment at the Aug. 19 meeting revealed perspectives, concerns and desires from some within the Indigenous community.
Dannielle North-King, of the Chemehuevi and Lakota, said she has been made hopeful by the formal recommendations of the civic assembly to consult with Indigenous groups in each step of development of the entire property.
She said the civic assembly “repeatedly expressed a desire to create spaces and offer opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and wisdom from the Native American community.”
“I assure you that can’t be taught in a few hours allowed on a day use permit. It cannot be conveyed on placards. A way of existence, a value system, must be immersive and accessible,” North-King said. “This requires no less than unfettered access to a safe space for Native Americans to begin the work of rebuilding the connection.”
Andre Dunn, who identified himself as Ikce Wicasa, meaning “a common person” in Lakota, expressed doubts about the city’s commitment to consultation.
“The decisions recently outlined by the city in regard to Hughes do not represent the values and recommendations put forth through the civic assembly process, and it seems clear that the city has no interest in conducting meaningful consultation among local or historically displaced indigenous communities,” Dunn said.
He said a land-back initiative wouldn’t be necessary if Native people’s rights to freely practice traditional and spiritual practices were respected.
“This means planting and harvesting traditional foods and medicines, asking only the Earth mother for her gifts of life,” Dunn said. “This means building and maintaining a traditional sweat lodge, holding four days ceremonies and traditional rites of passage for the youth.”
He said tribal consultation must be done in effective and meaningful ways.
“I ask that the city take their time in doing this consultation process and do it the right way,” Dunn said.
Carin Avila, who is executive director of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, also cited her Jicarilla Apache heritage as she advocated for a multi-use plan for the site, including for wildlife rehabilitation.
She noted that an issues committee had been formed, and it’s called Hughes for Everyone.
The committee registration form was submitted by Tammy VerCauteren, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Bird Conservancy, which has been advocating for space at the site, alongside the Raptor Program.
Read the full article here.
