FoCo in 15 Minutes | Data Center Moratoriums, $1.5B Broadcom Expansion, Housing Changes & CSU News

Welcome to Living in Fort Collins — The Podcast, your weekly insider look at what's happening across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, from growth and development to local government, business, real estate, and things to do.

🏗️ Northern Colorado Communities Push Back on Data Centers — Loveland and Berthoud have approved 12-month pauses on new large-scale data centers, while Fort Collins is considering a six-month moratorium. Meanwhile, Weld County residents are collecting signatures to challenge the approved Global AI project near Windsor. Water consumption, electricity demand, and infrastructure costs are driving the regional debate.

💰 Bohemian Foundation Donates $5 Million to CSU — The Fort Collins-based foundation is investing $3.8 million into CSU's Powerhouse Energy Campus to support energy research, grid resilience, wildfire research, and AI computing capabilities. Another $1.2 million will endow two university prizes.

🐾 CSU Launches New Veterinary Professional Associate Program — Colorado State University's first-of-its-kind program aims to address veterinarian shortages by training mid-level veterinary professionals. The inaugural class has 14 students, but questions remain about licensing requirements and the scope of practice as state regulators finalize the rules.

🏈 Fort Collins High School Football Makes History — The Lambkins improved to 7-0 after defeating Fairview 44-36, becoming Colorado Class 5A's only remaining unbeaten team. Junior quarterback Jace Garcia accounted for five touchdowns, and Fort Collins now prepares for the Harmony Cup rivalry game against Fossil Ridge on October 16.

🛑 Fort Collins Moves Toward a Data Center Moratorium — Council voted 5-1 to stop accepting applications for qualifying data centers while staff prepares a proposed six-month moratorium for October 20. The discussion centers on electricity demand, water resources, and whether large-scale data centers fit the city's long-term development goals.

🏭 Broadcom's $1.5 Billion Expansion Approved — Council unanimously approved a performance-based incentive package supporting Broadcom's planned $1.5 billion investment in its Fort Collins manufacturing campus through 2036. The expansion includes at least 100 new permanent jobs, with the city offering up to $8.9 million in verified sales and use tax rebates.

🏠 Major Changes to Housing Approvals Become Final — Council passed Ordinance 118 by a 5-1 vote, allowing most residential developments to move through a staff-level approval process without a public hearing. Supporters believe this could reduce delays and encourage additional housing construction, while opponents raised concerns about immediate affordability needs.

🏘️ Strauss Lakes Development Moves Forward — Council advanced the annexation and zoning of approximately 147.5 acres near Ziegler and Horsetooth roads. The proposed development includes single-family homes, townhomes, multifamily housing, commercial space, and an affordable housing component. A second vote is scheduled for October 20.

🚴 Open Streets 2026 + Ollie's Bike Parade — October 18 | Laurel Street, Fort Collins

🎃 The Farm: Pumpkin Sale & Pony Rides — October 17–18 | Lee Martinez Park, Fort Collins

🍂 Spooky's Pumpkin Patch — Daily Through October 31 | Harmony Road, Fort Collins

🎸 Kansas in Concert — October 16 | Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley

📲 Thinking about buying, selling, investing, or relocating to Northern Colorado?

My team and I help clients make confident, well-informed real estate decisions with boots-on-the-ground insight across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.

Patrick Soukup
📞 970-893-3533
📧 info@livingfortcollins.com
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