FoCo in 15 Minutes | Fire Restrictions Extended, CSU's $12M Gift, School Start Dates & Old Town Parking

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 housing, business, infrastructure, and local events shaping the region.

This week in Fort Collins & Northern Colorado:

🔥 Larimer County Extends Fire Restrictions — County commissioners voted unanimously to keep current fire restrictions in place through September 8 as drought conditions continue across Northern Colorado. Restrictions remain in effect for all unincorporated areas and include bans on open fires, fireworks, and other ignition sources.

🏥 CSU Receives $12 Million Gift for Nursing Program — Colorado State University received a $12 million donation to complete funding for its innovative 3+2 Dual Degree Nursing Program. The gift will support a new simulation-based teaching facility and help expand Northern Colorado's healthcare workforce.

🎒 Back-to-School Dates Announced — School districts across Northern Colorado have released their start dates, with Weld RE-4 beginning August 13, Poudre School District on August 19, Thompson School District on August 20, and CSU, UNC, and Aims Community College beginning classes on August 24.

🥤 MilkShake Factory Opens in Old Town — The popular dessert chain has begun its soft opening at 150 N. College Avenue in downtown Fort Collins, bringing handcrafted milkshakes, chocolates, and sundaes to one of Old Town's most visible storefronts.

🎠 New Family Attraction Coming to Estes Park — A custom-built Stanley Carousel is nearing completion next to the F.O. Stanley Chocolate Factory and is expected to open by Labor Day, adding another year-round attraction to Estes Park.

🛢️ Cleanup of Orphaned Oil & Gas Wells Moves Forward — Council unanimously approved the first step toward plugging and abandoning orphaned oil and gas wells in northeast Fort Collins using a $5.2 million state grant, helping remove long-standing environmental concerns.

🅿️ Old Town Paid Parking Debate Intensifies — Paid parking dominated public comment, with business owners and residents voicing strong opinions ahead of an upcoming City Council work session expected to shape the future of parking in downtown Fort Collins.

🏡 ADU Grant Program Advances — Council advanced funding for pre-approved ADU plans and fee waivers, continuing efforts to make accessory dwelling units more affordable and easier for homeowners to build.

🏗️ Prospect Ridge Development Approved — Planning & Zoning unanimously approved the Prospect Ridge development near I-25 and Prospect Road, paving the way for future residential growth, employment opportunities, and expanded parks on Fort Collins' east side.

📈 Property Tax Appeals Increase — Larimer County officials reported a significant increase in residential property tax appeals this year, though very few have resulted in valuation changes.

🎡 Larimer County Fair & PRCA Rodeo — July 31–August 4 | Loveland
🚁 250/150 Drone Show: "Stories in the Sky" — August 2 | Larimer County Fair
👨‍👩‍👧 Kids in the Park — July 31 | Twin Silo Park, Fort Collins
🎶 Sounds of Centerra: Be Kind Rewind — July 31 | Loveland
🍦 MilkShake Factory Soft Opening — Through July 31 | Old Town Fort Collins

📲 Thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Northern Colorado?
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Patrick Soukup
📞 970-893-3533📧 patrick@soukuprealestate.com🌐 soukuprealestate.com