November 4, 2025, is shaping up to be one of the most important local elections in recent memory. Voters in Fort Collins and Loveland will decide mayoral and city council races, along with several countywide and statewide ballot measures.
But this election also marks a historic first for Fort Collins: the introduction of ranked-choice voting (RCV) for mayor and city council races. Whether you’re a longtime voter or heading to the polls for the first time, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Ranked-Choice Voting?
Ranked-choice voting is a method where you rank candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one.
- If a candidate gets more than 50% of first-choice votes, they win outright.
- If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Votes for that candidate are then transferred to each voter’s next choice.
- This process continues until one candidate has majority support.
Think of it as instant runoffs built into a single ballot. Instead of holding multiple elections, voters express all their preferences at once.
Why Did Fort Collins Switch?
In 2022, Fort Collins voters approved a ballot measure to adopt RCV by a margin of 58.15%.
Supporters argued that RCV:
- Reduces “spoiler” candidates and vote splitting.
- Encourages more diverse candidates to run.
- Guarantees that the winner has majority support.
- Saves time and money by eliminating the need for separate runoff elections.
This November will be the first time Fort Collins residents use the new system.
How Will the Ballot Look?
On your ballot, you’ll see candidates listed in rows with columns for 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on. You’ll fill in one oval per column, ranking as many or as few candidates as you want.
For example, the Fort Collins mayor’s race allows voters to rank up to seven candidates:
- Tricia Canonico
- Adam Eggleston
- Emily Francis
- Adam Hirschhorn
- Shirley Peel
- Jeffrey Shumway
- Scotty V. VanTatenhove
City council races in Districts 1, 3, and 5 also use ranked-choice voting.
What’s on the Ballot This November?
Here’s a breakdown of key local and regional races and issues:
🗳️ Fort Collins
- Mayor (2-year term) – Seven candidates
- Councilmember, District 1 (4-year term) – Chris Conway, Susan Gutowsky, Daisy Montgomery
- Councilmember, District 3 (4-year term) – Josh Fudge, Lance Smith, Steve Yurash
- Councilmember, District 5 (4-year term) – Amy Hoeven, Zoelle Lane
🗳️ Loveland
- Mayor (2-year term) – Patrick McFall, Troy Daniels
- City Council seats in Wards 1–4 with multiple candidates in each
🗳️ Countywide Ballot Issues
- Ballot Issue 1A – A 0.15% Larimer County transportation sales tax to fund safer roads, intersections, and mobility improvements.
- Ballot Issue 1B – A 0.25% Larimer County sales tax to expand access to preschool and childcare, improve teacher pay, and lower costs for families.
🗳️ Statewide Propositions
- Proposition LL – Allows the state to keep revenue from the 2022 tax deduction limits to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program without raising taxes.
- Proposition MM – Increases state income taxes on individuals making over $300,000 to expand healthy meals for students, SNAP food assistance, and school nutrition programs.
Why This Matters
Local elections often have the most direct impact on daily life—from roads and schools to housing and childcare. And this year, Fort Collins voters have the added responsibility of navigating a new voting system.
RCV ensures that your vote continues to matter, even if your top choice doesn’t win. It rewards broader consensus, encourages civility in campaigns, and makes the election more reflective of community preferences.
How to Get Ready
- Study the candidates and issues. Resources are available at fcgov.com/elections and the Larimer County Clerk’s office.
- Practice ranked-choice voting. Try a sample ballot online at rcv123.org .
- Vote early. Larimer County offers drop boxes, in-person voting centers, and mail-in options.
This November, Fort Collins and Loveland voters won’t just be deciding leaders and policies—they’ll also be making history with ranked-choice voting. By understanding how it works and what’s on the ballot, you’ll be ready to cast a vote that truly counts.