HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - COMPLETE AGENDA - 03/26/2024Fort Collins City Council
Work Session Agenda
6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Council Information Center (CIC), 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521
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A solicitud, la Ciudad de Fort Collins proporcionará servicios de acceso a idiomas para personas que
no dominan el idioma inglés, o ayudas y servicios auxiliares para personas con discapacidad, para
que puedan acceder a los servicios, programas y actividades de la Ciudad. Para asistencia, llame al
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City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 1
City Council
Work Session Agenda
March 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Jeni Arndt, Mayor
Emily Francis, District 6, Mayor Pro Tem
Susan Gutowsky, District 1
Julie Pignataro, District 2
Tricia Canonico, District 3
Melanie Potyondy, District 4
Kelly Ohlson, District 5
Council Information Center (CIC)
300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
Cablecast on FCTV
Channel 14 on Connexion
Channel 14 and 881 on Comcast
Carrie Daggett Kelly DiMartino Heather Walls
City Attorney City Manager Interim City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
6:00 PM
A) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
B) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Occupancy Ordinance Discussion.
The purpose of work session is to seek Council feedback on next steps regarding the Occupancy
Ordinance and the potential impacts/implementation of HB24-1007.
2. Regional Wasteshed Update: Intergovernmental Agreement and Immediate Next Steps.
The purpose of this item is to provide context for Councilmembers to discuss approaches to
regional collaboration supporting the Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Infrastructure and
Policy, including a request from Larimer County to suspend an Intergovernmental Agreement.
3. Urban Forest Strategic Plan Findings and Proposed Direction.
The purpose of this item is to share the findings from the urban forest strategic planning effort and
to seek feedback and support from Council.
C) ANNOUNCEMENTS
D) ADJOURNMENT
Upon request, the City of Fort Collins will provide language access services for individuals who have limited
English proficiency, or auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities, to access City services,
programs and activities. Contact 970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance.
Please provide advance notice. Requests for interpretation at a meeting should be made by noon the day
before.
A solicitud, la Ciudad de Fort Collins proporcionará servicios de acceso a idiomas para personas que no
dominan el idioma inglés, o ayudas y servicios auxiliares para personas con discapacidad, para que
puedan acceder a los servicios, programas y actividades de la Ciudad. Para asistencia, llame al
970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Marque 711 para Relay Colorado). Por favor proporcione aviso previo. Las
solicitudes de interpretación en una reunión deben realizarse antes del mediodía del día anterior.
Page 1
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 3
March 26, 2024
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Sylvia Tatman-Burruss, Senior Project & Policy Manager
Ginny Sawyer, Lead Project & Policy Manager
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Occupancy Ordinance Discussion.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of work session is to seek Council feedback on next steps regarding the Occupancy
Ordinance and the potential impacts/implementation of HB24-1007.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. What questions do Councilmembers have regarding the potential implementation of HB24-1007?
2. Are there any additional actions Councilmembers would like staff to pursue?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The City has had an adopted occupancy ordinance since 1963. The current version of the City’s occupancy
ordinance limits occupancy of residential dwellings to a family of any size plus one additional unrelated
occupant, or to no more than three unrelated occupants. Active enforcement began in 2005 when violation
of the Ordinance was classified as a civil infraction.
During recent Council discussions on occupancy Council requested staff to develop potential revisions to
the existing ordinance and bring forward options by June 2024.
Direction included:
● Bring options to modify current occupancy limits
● Focus on non-binary options (not maintain/not eliminate)
● Remove of family definition
● Maintain neighborhood quality
● Identify “outlier” scenarios
● Research other communities
Page 2
Item 1.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 3
HB24-1007 Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits
At the start of the 2024 legislative session, the Colorado House of Representatives introduced a Bill that
seeks to limit regulation of occupancy based “only on demonstrated health and safety standards, such as
International Building Code standards, fire code regulations, or Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment Wastewater and Water Quality standards.”
In addition, the bill states that, “A local government shall not limit the number of people who may live
together in a single dwelling based on familial relationship.” The Bill states an effective date of July 1, 2024.
Staff has shifted the focus of occupancy revisions to understanding this Bill and any actions that may be
required or desired by the City.
Currently, the City exempts all occupancy related language from the International Property Maintenance
Code (IPMC) since to date we have had our own local standards. Should HB24-1007 pass, the City may
want to amend our Building Code to include other parts of the IPMC.
Potential Options Considering HB24-1007 Language
Staff has considered several options based on the language of the proposed bill. Options that have been
considered include:
● Rely on existing Public Nuisance Ordinance
o Removes family definition.
● Consider or develop regulation based on square footage and/or occupancy loads defined in the
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
o Removes family definition.
o Provides mechanism for less intrusive enforcement.
o Potential impact to families in small homes.
● Combination of codes and square footage requirements
o Removes family definition.
o Provides mechanism for enforcement.
o Potential impact to families in smaller homes/larger families.
The staff team includes members from Building Services who would be responsible for enforcement in the
above options as well as Neighborhood and Parking Services as we anticipate potential nuisance and/or
parking concerns.
Engagement
Staff has engaged in small, informal meetings with neighbors, ASCSU, and landlords to gather any
thoughts, concerns and need for messaging if HB24-1007 were to pass. Within our limited conversations
with landlords, they do not believe there would be any major increases in occupancy in Fort Collins within
the coming year given that student leases for the start of the fall semester have already been signed.
Page 3
Item 1.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 3
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to track progress of HB24-1007. If it passes, the City can be prepared to utilized the
already scheduled June 4, 2024, regular meeting to make any code adjustments. If it does not pass, staff
will pick up previous work of local occupancy revisions and utilize the May 14, 2024, work session and the
June 4, 2024, regular meeting for revision consideration and hearing.
ATTACHMENTS
1. HB24-1007 Bill Language (as of March 14, 2024)
2. Presentation
Page 4
Item 1.
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the Second House
LLS NO. 24-0633.01 Caroline Martin x5902 HOUSE BILL 24-1007
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation, Housing & Local Government Local Government & Housing
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY LIMITS.101
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill prohibits local governments from enacting or enforcing
residential occupancy limits unless those limits are tied to a minimum
square footage per person requirement that is necessary to regulate safety,
health, and welfare.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
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HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Rutinel and Mabrey, Bacon, Boesenecker, deGruy Kennedy, English, Epps, Froelich,
Garcia, Hernandez, Jodeh, Kipp, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Marvin, Mauro, McCluskie,
McCormick, Ortiz, Parenti, Ricks, Sirota, Velasco, Vigil, Weissman, Willford
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Exum and Gonzales,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.Page 5
Item 1.
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 29-20-111 as1
follows:2
29-20-111. Local government residential occupancy limits -3
short title - legislative declaration - definition. (1) THE SHORT TITLE OF4
THIS SECTION IS THE "HOME (HARMONIZING OCCUPANCY MEASURES5
EQUITABLY) ACT."6
(2) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT7
OCCUPANCY LIMITS AND THE INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING ARE8
MATTERS OF MIXED STATEWIDE AND LOCAL CONCERN.9
10
(3) A LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHALL NOT LIMIT THE NUMBER OF11
PEOPLE WHO MAY LIVE TOGETHER IN A SINGLE DWELLING BASED ON12
FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RETAIN THE AUTHORITY13
TO IMPLEMENT RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY LIMITS BASED ONLY ON:14
(a) DEMONSTRATED HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, SUCH AS15
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE STANDARDS, FIRE CODE REGULATIONS, OR16
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT17
WASTEWATER AND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS; OR18
(b) LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION19
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM GUIDELINES.20
(4) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "LOCAL GOVERNMENT" MEANS A21
HOME RULE OR STATUTORY CITY, HOME RULE OR STATUTORY COUNTY,22
TOWN, TERRITORIAL CHARTER CITY, OR CITY AND COUNTY.23
SECTION 2. Effective date. This act takes effect July 1, 2024.24
SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,25
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate26
1007-2-Page 6
Item 1.
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for1
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state2
institutions.3
1007-3-Page 7
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
3-26-2024Ginny Sawyer and Sylvia Tatman-Burruss
Occupancy Discussion
City Council Work Session
Page 8
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
2
Questions for Council
1.What questions do Councilmembers have regarding the potential
implementation of HB24-1007?
2.Are there any implementation actions Councilmembers would like
staff to pursue?
Page 9
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes HerePrevious Discussions
3
2023: Council Direction to consider occupancy modifications
and bring options by July 2024
Staff focused on:
•Non-binary options (not maintain/not eliminate)
•Removal of family definition
•Maintain neighborhood quality
•Identify “outlier” scenarios
•Research other communities
January 2024: HB24-1007 introduced
Page 10
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
4
House Bill 24-1007 Residential Occupancy Limits
Bill language:
The bill prohibits local governments from enacting or enforcing residential occupancy limits
based on familial relationship while allowing local governments to implement residential
occupancy limits based on demonstrated health and safety standards such as international
building code standards, fire code regulations, or Colorado department of public health and
environment wastewater and water quality standards.
•Bill has passed the house with modifications that removed occupancy based on square footage and
with a July 1st compliance date.
•Currently in the Senate and expected to pass.
Page 11
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
5
Potential Options Considering Bill Language
Considerations:
•Bill language
•Enforcement mechanisms
•Cost
•Unintended consequences:
•Different housing types (mobile home,
efficiency or studio apartments)
•larger families at risk of being in violation
Options:
•Rely on Nuisance Ordinance alone
•Consider or develop regulation based
on square footage and/or occupancy
loads defined in the International
Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
•Combination of codes and square
footage
Page 12
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
6
Existing Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO)
•Updated in 2022
•Regulates two types of nuisances:
•Public Nuisance and Chronic Nuisance
A “nuisance activity”defined in the PNO includes 66 categories of various criminal and civil
violations happening on the property that individually, or in combination, result in either a public
nuisance or chronic nuisance property.
A “public nuisance”is more generally defined, while the definition of a “chronic nuisance property”
is tied to a certain number of nuisance activities occurring on a property within a set period.
Page 13
Item 1.
Headline Copy Goes Here
Page 14
Item 1.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 6
March 26, 2024
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Jacob Castillo, Sustainability Officer
Amy King, Environmental Services Director
Honore Depew, Climate Program Manager
Caroline Mitchell, Waste Reduction and Recycling Lead Specialist
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Regional Wasteshed Update: Intergovernmental Agreement and Immediate Next Steps.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide context for Councilmembers to discuss approaches to regional
collaboration supporting the Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Infrastructure and Policy, including
a request from Larimer County to suspend an Intergovernmental Agreement.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. What feedback do Councilmembers have about whether to bring forward a Resolution placing the 2019
Intergovernmental Agreement into abeyance?
2. What are the areas of primary importance to Councilmembers as staff engage in finding regional
solutions for missing infrastructure?
3. Do Councilmembers wish to hold a joint meeting with the Larimer County Board of Commissioners to
discuss Regional Wasteshed collaboration?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Connection with Adopted Goals and Council Priorities
Development of community-scale, regional diversion facilities, especially for construction and demolition
(C&D) materials and food scraps, is needed to advance future policy initiatives to align with the following
adopted plans and is essential to meeting the Council-adopted goal of zero waste by 2030:
Our Climate Future Big Moves 2 (Zero Waste Neighborhoods) and 10 (Zero Waste Economy)
City Plan Principle ENV 5: Create a Zero Waste System
2024-25 City Strategic Plan ENV 1 (presumed to be adopted March 19, 2024)
City Council 2024-25 Priority: Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and Infrastructure
Page 15
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 6
Background
For many years, the City has prioritized efforts to become a zero-waste community. With the pending
closure of the Larimer County Landfill in mid-2025, there are decision points in the near term that may
move our community along the path toward our goals. The recent adoption of Council Priorities further
emphasized the need for C&D diversion and recycling, and the diversion of food waste from landfills. City
staff have been working with the Regional Wasteshed Coalition to facilitate the development of the needed
infrastructure.
This Work Session item is intended to prompt a discussion between Councilmembers about the City’s
approach to Regional Wasteshed collaboration and the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Work
Sessions specific to the Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and Infrastructure are being
planned throughout 2024 to discuss options and opportunities for City Council action after additional
research has been conducted and further staff collaboration with Larimer County, per Council guidance.
Regional Wasteshed Coalition and Solid Waste Infrastructure Master Plan
The Regional Wasteshed Coalition (the Coalition) was formed nearly ten years ago to plan for the Larimer
County Landfill reaching capacity around 2025 and includes Fort Collins, Larimer County, Loveland, Estes
Park, and Wellington. The Coalition has been valuable for addressing and planning for future needs,
however, the Coalition’s recent ability to move toward agreed upon outcomes has been suboptimal
regional waste issues through the development of the Solid Waste Infrastructure Master Plan (SWIMP),
The Coalition has been unable to substantially advance policies, strategies and tactics that make headway
on the work outlined in the SWIMP. There are a variety of factors that have contributed to the slowdown
of progress, one being a lack of alignment on the approach to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that
commits signatories to specific expectations for infrastructure and policy.
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
The 2019 IGA was developed and adopted by all members of the Coalition to create clear expectations for
conditions needed to spur the County’s construction of new diversion facilities concurrent with supportive
policy development.
Larimer County has requested each member jurisdiction formally suspend the agreement and does not
anticipate bringing the IGA back out of abeyance. Four out of five signatories in the Coalition have voted
to place it in abeyance, Fort Collins being the sole organization that has not.
The reasons other jurisdictions have shared for putting the IGA into abeyance are varied and nuanced
based on the needs of each individual community, but the overarching theme is that the agreement has
outdated language, assumptions, costs for facilities, market assumptions, and timeframes that no longer
reflect the current market within the Regional Wasteshed. This is especially true for the infrastructure cost
estimates, over which the County expressed concerns, stating that the cost of the infrastructure was
infeasible for the County to cover alone as stipulated in the IGA, given rapidly escalating costs and the
County’s perceived uncertainty in the market about volume of waste materials.
It is important to note that the IGA has meaningful content that commits to the tiered prioritization of
infrastructure projects. This prioritization aligns with the waste hierarchy that guides policy decisions and
the strategic approach to waste reduction and recycling in Fort Collins. Ensuring that these elements of
the agreement are not lost in the process of advancing the work of the Regional Wasteshed Coalition is
vitally important, as clarity of expectations provide the foundation for moving collaboratively toward a zero -
waste community. The County is currently progressing cautiously on the landfill and transfer station, which
is foundational infrastructure.
Page 16
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 6
The prioritization of projects in the IGA is of particular importance since Larimer County is currently
considering multiple partners and technological solutions, some of which may be aligned with the goals of
the City and other, like waste-to-energy projects, that are not necessarily aligned with the City’s preferred
approach and were assigned a low priority in in both the SWIMP and the IGA. Furthermore, without an
IGA in place, there is not a clear process to determine prioritization of potential infrastructure. See the
section below for details of the current state of Larimer County’s plan for infrastructure.
Fort Collins’ members of the Regional Wasteshed Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) have expressed
interest during past discussions in an approach that would develop a replacement IGA prior to suspending
the current IGA. Larimer County has proposed recrafting an agreement in the future that could take the
form of multiple IGAs with individual partners or possibly one regional IGA. At this juncture, the current IGA
is not being followed and the County has suspended meetings of the PAC until all partners place the IGA
into abeyance. The following table includes potential actions councilmembers may consider in relation to
the IGA.
Potential options for next steps for the IGA
Option Considerations
1) Place IGA into
abeyance
Ends commitment to tiered prioritization of infrastructure elements
Meets Larimer County request and aligns with partner actions
Unclear timeline, roles and process to create next IGA
o Unclear if next IGA would be shared regional IGA or if distinct IGAs
between Larimer County and each community would be developed
2) Place IGA into
abeyance with
conditions
Could place current IGA into abeyance for a certain amount of time and
have it come back into effect unless specific actions (e.g. creating a new
IGA) have been completed
Many of the same considerations as Option 1
3) Replace and repeal IGA Develop new IGA and repeal prior at the same time as adopting new
Would have clarity on next agreement prior to exiting existing
Unclear timeline or pathway
4) Terminate IGA Would likely have same impact as putting IGA into abeyance, as Larimer
County does not intend to bring the IGA out of abeyance
Requires notification and goes into effect 18 months after notice is given
o Could place IGA into abeyance for the 18 months until it is terminated
May be clearer than unending abeyance
5) No action Current IGA would remain in place but commitments unlikely to be met
Next steps unclear
Planned Infrastructure and Status
The SWIMP identifies and prioritizes infrastructure to be constructed with regional partner policy support.
In 2022, Larimer County issued a request for proposals (RFP) for potential diversion partners which yielded
additional potential infrastructure. Larimer County is in negotiations with four potential private partners,
some of which propose waste-to-energy or mixed waste processing, which are not categories of
infrastructure prioritized in the SWIMP. Details are included in the following table.
Page 17
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 4 of 6
Status of infrastructure identified in the SWIMP and Larimer County RFP
Infrastructure
element
Material
processed
Tier in
SWIMP
Status Notes
Infrastructure elements from SWIMP and in IGA
Landfill Waste 1 Under construction
Market risk of landfill not receiving
enough material if Fort Collins does not
adopt flow control.
Transfer
station
Waste 1 Planned
C&D
Recycling
Construction
& Demolition
material
1 Dependent on
receiving state
grant (notification
anticipated Q2
2024)
Addresses barrier of having to separate
all materials at C&D sites – could make
C&D materials “single stream”
recyclable
Yard
trimmings
composting
Yard
trimmings
1 Under
consideration
Could move forward via A1 Organics
proposal to Larimer County
Food scraps
composting
Food scraps 1 Unclear
Residential food scraps are often
collected mixed with yard waste and
composted
o No identified path for this material
Commercial food scraps are often
collected separately and compostedor
anaerobically digested
Anaerobic
digestion
Food scraps,
nutrient-rich
liquids
2 Under
consideration
Could move forward via Anaergia
proposal to Larimer County
Expand
recycle
center
Curbside
recyclables
2 Not being
considered
Requires more recyclables than facility
currently receives
Waste-to-
Energy
Mixed waste
or specific
materials
3 Under
consideration
EPA waste hierarchy supports this only
for materials that can’t be reused,
recycled or composted
Specific companies that submitted proposals to Larimer County RFP
Anaergia Mixed waste
or food
scraps
2 or 3 Under
consideration
Processing of food scraps consistent
with EPA waste hierarchy
Mixed waste processing can be more
expensive and can generate
materials that are hard to market
Biochar Wood
N/A Under
consideration
May process treated / painted wood
or clean wood
Uncertainty around potential air
quality impacts
A1 Organics Yard
trimmings
1 Under
consideration
Largest composter in Colorado,
currently owns and operates sites in
Eaton, Keenesburg
Plasma
Development
Unclear 3 Under
consideration
Waste to Energy company
Page 18
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 5 of 6
Flow Control – Context for Future Discussion
Flow control is a requirement that waste is directed for disposal to a specific facility. The location that
receives the material must be owned and operated by a public entity and there must be a public benefit to
sending the material to that facility.
Larimer County would like Fort Collins to consider instituting flow control for solid waste to ensure the
County has enough material to operate the new landfill and transfer station, and potentially support
development of future diversion facilities. The IGA states the partners will not adopt flow control for waste.
However, there have been significant market changes since the adoption of the IGA that change the
assumptions and further examination may be warranted on the impacts flow control would have on the
City, the County, and customers in the regional wasteshed.
Consistent with the commitments in the IGA, the City has already condit ionally required that mixed C&D
waste be deposited at the County processing facility if and when it is constructed. However, for waste, flow
control has not been adopted, meaning haulers can decide where to take it. If haulers opt to take more
waste to other landfills, the County is at risk of not having enough material to cover the costs of landfill
operations.
To address this risk, Larimer County is requesting Fort Collins consider adopting flow control to Larimer
County for the residential waste collected via the City’s single hauler contract. The adoption of flow control
has a pricing impact on customers.
Staff propose making this topic a central consideration at future Work Sessions as councilmembers
consider ways to advance the priority to accelerate zero waste infrastructure and policies. In the meantime,
staff from both organizations will continue to meet regularly to seek clarity and discuss viable options.
Grant-supported Research and Development
The City has recently been awarded a Technical Assistance Grant (TASP) by the State of Colorado to
identify specific options and implementable solutions for greater C&D diversion and recycling, and
community-scale food scraps composting. This staff work will begin in the spring of 2024 and should yield
clear actions that the City, on its own or in partnership with regional collaborators, can take to advance its
zero waste goals. The research conducted will be central to future Work Sessions on the Council Priority
to Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and Infrastructure. Concurrently, Larimer County is pursuing State grant
funds to construct a C&D processing facility that is aligned with the City’s diversion objectives. Ongoing
collaboration and cooperation with partners is critical to identifying the path forward on local and regional
waste solutions.
Data and Supporting Information
In 2021 – the most recent year for which data is available – the City of Fort Collins produced 350,000 tons
of waste; 52% of it, or 182,000 tons, was diverted from the landfill.
The Community Diversion Rate includes material from the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors
and is calculated based on weights. Per recent discussions regarding the use of weight-based
measurement rather than volume, Fort Collins uses weight-based measurements as they are the industry
standard and are the most accurate available approach to measuring waste. Fort Collins also tracks
diversion rates by sector (in 2021, they were: single-unit residential: 29%, commercial / multi-unit
residential: 32%, industrial: 66%). In order to capture the impacts of source reduction, Fort Collins also
tracks the pounds per capita of material landfilled. Conducting more regular and smaller scale waste sorts
is also a potential future source of additional data about materials disposal in the community.
More information can be found in the 2021 Waste Reduction and Recycling Annual Report (included as
an attachment).
Page 19
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 6 of 6
NEXT STEPS
Staff will bring forward a Resolution relating to the IGA, if desired, consistent with feedback.
If Councilmembers desire a joint Work Session with the Larimer County Commissioners, an off-cycle
meeting time will be set.
City staff will work with the TASP grant consultants to further identify and vet potential pathways to
food scrap and C&D materials infrastructure, including analysis and collaboration regarding flow control
informed by Councilmember feedback.
City staff will propose next steps for the Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and
Infrastructure at a work session on May 14.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Solid Waste Infrastructure Master Plan (SWIMP) Executive Summary
2. 2019 Regional Wasteshed Intergovernmental Agreement
3. 2021 Waste Reduction and Recycling Annual Report (most recent available)
4. Presentation
Page 20
Item 2.
Partnering for
Change
Larimer County
Solid Waste Infrastructure
Master Plan
Larimer County, Colorado
October 25, 2018
DRAFT – FOR
LARIMER COUNTY
ADOPTION
Page 21
Item 2.
This page intentionally left blank.
Page 22
Item 2.
Partnering for Change
October 25, 2018 | i
Contents
VOLUME I: NARRATIVE
Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... v
Background .............................................................................................................................. v
Goals of the Plan .................................................................................................................... vi
Phase 2 Study Stakeholder Engagement ............................................................................... vi
Infrastructure Options Considered .......................................................................................... vi
Process Controls and Risk Management ............................................................................... ix
Phase 2 Study Public Outreach .............................................................................................. ix
Phase 2 Study Recommendations ......................................................................................... ix
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose of the Master Plan .................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Importance of Planning ........................................................................................................... 1
1.2.1 The Need for Solid Waste Planning........................................................................... 1
1.2.2 North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Coalition .................................................... 1
1.2.3 Relationship to Other Documents .............................................................................. 5
1.3 Organization of this Plan ......................................................................................................... 5
1.3.1 Goals and Objectives for the Plan ............................................................................. 5
1.3.2 Structure of this Plan ................................................................................................. 6
2 Current System ................................................................................................................................. 9
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 9
2.2 Waste Disposal History ........................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Larimer County Solid Waste History ..................................................................................... 10
3 Regional Wasteshed Planning ........................................................................................................ 13
3.1 Phase 1 Study ....................................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Phase 2 Study ....................................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Phase 2 Study – Management Practices, Industry Trends, and Emerging Technology ...... 15
3.3.1 Solid Waste Management Practices and Industry Trends ....................................... 15
3.3.2 Emerging Technologies ........................................................................................... 20
3.4 Phase 2 Study – Projected Waste Generation and Composition ......................................... 24
3.5 Phase 2 Study - Analysis of Infrastructure Options .............................................................. 29
3.5.1 Sustainable Return on Investment........................................................................... 29
3.5.2 Geographic Location Considerations ...................................................................... 32
3.5.3 Summary of Infrastructure Options Considered ...................................................... 35
3.5.4 Summary of Tiered Infrastructure Options Considered ........................................... 35
3.6 Phase 2 Study – Blended Infrastructure Scenarios .............................................................. 37
3.7 Phase 2 Study – Process Controls ....................................................................................... 39
3.8 Phase 2 Study - Stakeholder Engagement .......................................................................... 41
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3.9 Phase 2 Study – Public Outreach ......................................................................................... 48
3.10 Phase 2 Study – Landfill Infrastructure Options – Public vs. Private ................................... 49
3.10.1 Public vs Private Landfill – Advantages and Disadvantages ................................... 49
3.10.2 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................... 51
3.10.3 Sustainable Return on Investment........................................................................... 52
3.10.4 Stakeholder Engagement ........................................................................................ 53
4 Moving Forward .............................................................................................................................. 55
4.1 Phase 2 Study Recommendations ....................................................................................... 55
4.1.1 Infrastructure Recommendations............................................................................. 55
4.1.2 Policy and Process Control Recommendations ...................................................... 56
4.1.3 Administration and Education .................................................................................. 59
4.2 Implementation Plan ............................................................................................................. 60
Tables
Table 1-1. PAC Members ............................................................................................................. 2
Table 1-2. TAC Members ............................................................................................................. 3
Table 1-3. Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................. 5
Table 3-1. Comparison of Solid Waste Management Trends ...................................................... 16
Table 3-2. Total Wasteshed Tons Managed ............................................................................... 24
Table 3-3. Annual Per Capita Waste Generation (In Tons per Person per Year) ........................ 26
Table 3-4. Infrastructure Options for Consideration .................................................................... 35
Table 3-5. Tiered Infrastructure Options ..................................................................................... 36
Table 3-6. Refined Infrastructure Costs Table ............................................................................ 38
Table 3-7. Blended Infrastructure Options .................................................................................. 38
Table 3-8. Publicly Owned/Operated Disposal Site Considerations ............................................ 50
Table 3-9. Alternative (Privately Owned/Operated) Disposal Site Considerations ...................... 50
Table 3-10. SROI Public vs. Private Landfill ............................................................................... 53
Table 4-1. Implementation Schedule .......................................................................................... 60
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Figures
Figure 1-1. North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Planning Area ............................................ 4
Figure 2-1. Early Waste Disposal ............................................................................................... 9
Figure 2-2. 2016 Wastes Delivered to Larimer County Landfill (weight, by percent) ................. 11
Figure 3-1. Wasteshed Zone Map ............................................................................................. 27
Figure 3-2. Sustainability Benefit Indicators .............................................................................. 31
Figure 3-3. Population Hotspots ................................................................................................ 33
Figure 3-4. Potential Site Layout Map ....................................................................................... 34
Figure 3-5. Public Landfill Risk Assessment Matrix ................................................................... 51
Figure 3-6. Private Landfill Risk Assessment Matrix .................................................................. 52
Attachments
VOLUME II: TECHNICAL MEMOS
Memo A: Task 3 – Emerging Technologies Technical Memorandum
Memo B: Task 3 – Solid Waste Management Practices Memo
Memo C: Task 5 – Solid Waste Volumes Memo (with attachments)
Memo D: Analysis of Infrastructure Options (with attachments)
Memo E: Potential Local Government Options and Policies (with attachments)
Memo F: Disposal Site Options – Advantages and Disadvantages (with attachments)
VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Appendix A: Colorado Integrated Solid Waste & Materials Management Plan
Appendix B: Final Report – Phase 1 Regional Wasteshed Planning Study
Appendix C: Stakeholder Presentations (1-7)
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
AD Anaerobic Digestion
BCR Benefit-Cost Ratio
C&D Construction and Demolition
CAA Clean Air Act
Coalition North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Coalition
COBRA Co-benefit Risk Analysis
eGRID Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
HHW Household Hazardous Waste
LF Landfill
MMRF Multi-Materials Recovery Facility
MRF Materials Recovery Facility
MSW Municipal Solid Waste
NHSM Non-Hazardous
PAC Policy Advisory Committee
Plan Solid Waste Infrastructure Master Plan
RDF Refuse Derived Fuel
SROI Sustainable Return on Investment
TAC Technical Advisory Committee
TBL Triple Bottom Line
TS Transfer Station
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled
Wasteshed North Front Range Regional Wasteshed
WTE Waste to Energy
WWTF Waste Water Treatment Facility
YW Yard Waste
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Executive Summary
Background
Responsible solid waste management has long been a shared goal of the
governing agencies within Larimer County. The Larimer County Landfill began
operations in the late 1960s. In 1972, the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland and
Larimer County collaborated when the jointly owned landfill was established to
ensure that environmental regulations and citizen needs could be met for waste
disposal in the Wasteshed. With the inevitable upcoming closure of the Larimer
County landfill (expected around 2025) and predictions of continued regional
population growth, these partners, plus the neighboring community of Estes Park,
worked together to evaluate waste management needs and develop guidance
plans to manage waste for the region into the future. The result of that effort is this
Master Plan.
The North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Coalition (Coalition) was formed in
2015 to address the future of solid waste management. The Coalition includes a
Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of elected officials from Fort Collins,
Loveland, Estes Park, and Larimer County, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
made up of staff members from the same entities and a Stakeholder Advisory
Group consisting of representatives from local businesses, community groups,
educational institutions, regional governance and all eight municipalities within
Larimer County. The charter of the Coalition is to responsibly address the current
solid waste management and resource recovery needs of the region, while
considering infrastructure and policy that will meet community needs in the future.
Although the current solid waste infrastructure in the Wasteshed is working well,
significant portions of the waste stream are recoverable and challenges are
foreseeable in the near future. These challenges include the closure of the Larimer
County Landfill (which is expected to reach capacity in 2025 and is the primary
asset of the current infrastructure system) the need to address population growth
and additional future waste, infrastructure capacity, sustainability, and other related
issues, while paying close attention to financial constraints and responsibilities.
In 2016, the Coalition initiated the first phase of the process. A Regional
Wasteshed Report was developed through public engagement that included four
public forums in September 2016 focused on the issues of resource recovery and
materials management. This report formed the basis for further evaluation of
infrastructure options developed to address current and future solid waste
demands within the Wasteshed.
The Coalition initiated the second phase of its multi-year Regional Wasteshed
Planning Study in 2017, and retained the firm of HDR Engineering, Inc., to further
identify a road map for the continued efficient, economical, and environmentally
responsible handling of waste generated within the Wasteshed. To further identify
and analyze options for developing the future regional waste infrastructure system,
this North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Coalition Solid Waste Infrastructure
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Master Plan (Plan) reviews and recommends potential infrastructure options based
on established goals and objectives, population and waste projections, resource
needs, capital and operational costs, and sustainable return on investment
analyses.
Goals of the Plan
Through active collaboration and feedback from stakeholders and community
members, the Coalition developed the following goals to assist in guiding the
Wasteshed to a sustainable and achievable future regional solid waste
infrastructure system. The shared goals are as follows:
Goal #1: Establish a comprehensive, regional solid waste materials management
system by 2025 that is implemented in an economically, environmentally, and
socially sustainable manner.
Goal #2: Create a comprehensive solid waste materials management plan and
implement programs and facilities that reflect the needs and desires of users.
Goal #3: Develop a set of waste diversion/reduction goals that are adopted and
implemented by all jurisdictions in the Wasteshed.
Goal #4: Develop a strong public education and outreach program that is
consistent throughout the Wasteshed.
Phase 2 Study Stakeholder Engagement
To ensure alignment with the needs and expectations of the local businesses and
communities, the Coalition actively developed and engaged a Stakeholder Advisory
Group comprised of 88 representatives from throughout the Wasteshed including:
regional governments/agencies, boards and commissions, educational institutions,
solid waste industry, business/industry, and various associations. The Stakeholder
Advisory Group was key in reviewing and providing consensus with the findings
and recommendations presented by the TAC throughout the study process.
A total of seven (7) stakeholder meetings were held throughout Phase 2; each
meeting covered specific topics discussed in the sections of this Plan and included
progress updates of the infrastructure evaluations. Prior to each meeting, an email
invitation was sent to the entire members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group to
inform them of the meeting date, time, location, and topic. A website was
established specific to the stakeholders that housed documents shared with the
stakeholders and provided a forum for submitting comments in the event they
missed a meeting.
Infrastructure Options Considered
Through a collaborative effort with the Coalition’s TAC, stakeholders, and
community partners, 11 potential solid waste infrastructure options were chosen to
further refine, identify, and analyze. The options selected for further evaluation
were:
• Status Quo
• Central Transfer Station
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• New County Landfill or Alternate Disposal Site
• Material Recovery Facility (Clean)
• Yard Waste Organic Processing Facility
• Construction and Demolition Debris Processing Facility
• Energy From Waste Facility – Direct Combustion
• Mixed Waste Processing (Dirty Material Recovery Facility [MRF])
• Static Aerated Composting including Food Waste
• Anaerobic Digestion
• Refuse Derived Fuel Processing
Upon completion of the individual infrastructure options evaluation, the Coalition’s
TAC carefully considered the impacts, costs, and benefits of a complete and
comprehensive solid waste infrastructure system. This proposed comprehensive
solid waste infrastructure system was presented to the Stakeholders and the PAC,
for their concurrence and eventual selection as the recommended option to
proceed forward as the future solid waste management infrastructure for the
Wasteshed. Table ES-1 outlines the tiered infrastructure options selected with the
Sustainable Return on Investment (SROI) ranking, a potential schedule for siting
approval, permitting and design, construction and year to be placed in service. The
TAC chose not to eliminate technologies from future consideration, in the event that
in the future they became more viable, so instead ranked them in a tiered approach
given the current status of each technology.
Table ES-1. Tiered Infrastructure Options
Tier Recommendations
Potential Schedule
Local Siting
Approval
Permitting/
Design
Construction
In Service
Tier 1
Central Transfer Station 2019 2020 2021 2022
New County Landfill 2019 2020 2022 2023
Yard Waste Open
Windrow Composting
2020 2021 2022 2022
Construction & Demolition
Waste Processing
2020 2021 2022 2022
Food Waste Composting –
Static Aerated Bin
2021 2021 2023 2024
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Table ES-1. Tiered Infrastructure Options
Tier Recommendations
Potential Schedule
Local Siting
Approval
Permitting/
Design
Construction
In Service
Tier 2
Clean Material Recovery
Facility /Upgrade
Assessed Annually Moving Forward
Anaerobic Digestion /Pre-
Processing - WWTP
Tier 3
Waste to Energy (Direct
Combustion)
Possible Future Consideration
Refuse Derived Fuel
Processing
Not Considered Viable
Mixed Waste Processing -
Dirty MRF
Not Currently Viable
Status Quo
Not Currently Viable
The New County Landfill infrastructure option was initially evaluated as a
publicly owned and operated facility. Subsequent to the initial evaluation, the
TAC considered further evaluating an alternative disposal site or privately
owned and operated facility for the landfill infrastructure option as a result of an
unsolicited private disposal option. Based on this further evaluation the
recommendation was made to move forward with the option of a publicly owned
and operated landfill.
As the New County Landfill infrastructure option moves forward, additional
investigation of the site owned by the County will need to be initiated to ensure
suitability for construction and operation of a landfill facility. If the property is not
suitable for a landfill, the TAC and the PAC will reconvene and re-evaluate disposal
options.
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Process Controls and Risk Management
The TAC considered potential regulations and policies to be adopted that would
support the business model of the infrastructure options chosen for the regional
solid waste management system. This included an assessment of associated risks,
advantages and disadvantages for each process control. During the TAC’s
evaluation of process controls options, consideration was given to the implications
for the public, commercial industry, private haulers, solid waste industry, and
elected officials. Each of the controls evaluated have been previously implemented
in some manner throughout the region or elsewhere in the country.
Key findings resulting from review of potential local process controls options and
policies included:
• Currently, there are limited controls, policies and regulations in place in the
Wasteshed to guarantee that waste is directed to infrastructure that supports the
goals and objectives that the Coalition has established to enhance waste reduction
and diversion.
• It is common practice for municipalities and local government to employ some
method of regulatory control, whether it be through ordinances, policies or
procedures to ensure waste is handled in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Due to the competitive nature of the waste industry in the region, more specifically
the low cost of burying waste, local governments can be subject to the risk of rising
costs if regulatory control is not established for waste reduction and diversion
purposes.
• Regulatory control protects the health, safety and the welfare of the community by
providing greater control and oversight of solid waste management activities and
protects natural resources by allowing the municipalities to designate disposal and
recycling sites that meet required environmental standards or assist with achieving
diversion goals.
Phase 2 Study Public Outreach
The Coalition held a series of four public meetings around Larimer County for
members of the public to learn more about the future of solid waste in the region
and to provide feedback on the draft regional master plan concepts for waste
recovery and disposal. The meetings were held in an open-house format,
displaying 11 informational boards throughout the room and included project
overview presentations. Comment forms were provided for attendees to submit
written feedback.
More than 100 participants attended the public meetings and provided valuable
feedback to the Coalition members.
Phase 2 Study Recommendations
Building on the vision, goals, and objectives established by the Coalition,
stakeholders, and community members, and their recommendations for
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infrastructure facilities, an implementation schedule was established that outlines
the 7-year plan for moving forward with the recommended actions. Table ES-2
outlines the recommendations and implementation schedule for the Coalition to put
in to action prior to the closure of the Larimer County Landfill.
Table ES-2. Implementation Schedule
Recommendation
Implementation
Responsibility
Implementation Year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Infrastructure
The Coalition and
stakeholders
recommend that the
Tier 1 Infrastructure
be approved, built and
in service prior to the
closure of the Larimer
County Landfill in
2025. Recommended
Tier 1 facilities are:
Larimer County
• Central Transfer
Station (Jan 2019–Jan
2023)
• New County Landfill1
(Jan 2019–Jan
2024)
• Yard Waste Open Windrow
Composting (Jan 2020–Jan 2023)
• Construction and Demolition
Waste Processing (Jan 2020–Jan
2023)
• Food Waste Composting – Static
Aerated Bin (Oct 2021–Feb 2025)
The Tier 2
Infrastructure will be
reviewed on an
annual basis by the
Coalition for possible
implementation at a
later date.
Larimer County
City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Estes
Park
Ongoing
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Table ES-2. Implementation Schedule
Recommendation
Implementation
Responsibility
Implementation Year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Policy and Process Controls
Draft policy language
will be developed
through a
collaborative process
by the TAC for
process controls,
waste bans and
hauler licensing that
will yield specific
results associated
with waste diversion,
reductions and
recycling while
achieving consistency
amongst the Coalition
members. Once
drafted, the
policies/codes should
be vetted through
each of the Coalition’s
government entities
for comments.
Larimer County
City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Estes
Park
Q4
-
-
-
-
-
An Intergovernmental
Agreement for Solid
Waste handling will be
drafted by the
Coalition members
and adopted by each
of the Coalition’s
government entities.
Larimer County
City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Estes
Park
-
Q1
-
-
-
-
Administration and Education
The Coalition
members will work
cooperatively to
establish a public
education and
outreach program to
educate the citizens
and stakeholders on
upcoming changes to
the waste
management system
in the Wasteshed.
Larimer County
City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Estes
Park
Ongoing
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1The recommendation will require an initial site evaluation to determine if the County owned site is suitable for landfill
infrastructure.
Table ES-2. Implementation Schedule
Recommendation
Implementation
Responsibility
Implementation Year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Upon adoption of the
Intergovernmental
Agreements, an
Advisory Board should
be established which
consists of Coalition
members,
stakeholders and
members of the public
to advise on solid
waste management
issues.
Larimer County
City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Estes
Park
-
Q3
-
-
-
-
-
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Item 2.
2021 FORT COLLINS WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING REPORT 1
2021 FORT COLLINS WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING REPORT
Community Diversion Rate
A diversion rate compares the amount of material
that was recycled or composted with total waste
generated by the community. Fort Collins tracks
trends in the community by me asuring diversion
rates as well as per-capita volumes of trash
generated.
The overall community -wide diversion rate includes
residential, commercial, and industrial trash and
recyclable materials. The Fort Collins Community
Diversion Rate in 20 21 was 51.5 %.
COMMUNITY DIVERSION RATES SINCE 2010
CHANGE IN COMMUNITY DIVERSION RATE FROM
2020 – 2021
0.5 percentage points
CHANGE IN POUNDS OF LANDFILLED MATERIAL
PER CAPITA PER DAY FROM 2020 – 2021
From 5.42 to 5.38
Drivers for change in Community
Diversion Rate from 2020 – 20 21
• Community Recycling Ordinance increased
recycling from m ulti-unit housing and
businesses
• Fluctuations in the amount of industrial
materials recycled (concrete, asphalt, scrap
metal, soil)
• Landfilled roofing materials from the 2019
hailstorm tapered off
Details are included in the text on page two.
DIVERSION RATES BY SECTOR IN 2020
RESIDENTIAL 29%
COMMERCIAL / MULTI-UNIT 32%
INDUSTRIAL 66%
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL COMMUNITY WASTE AND
RECYCLING GENERATED BY SECTOR IN 2021
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
'10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21
Landfilled Recycled/Composted
Commercial &
Multi-family
17%
Residential 24%Industrial 58%
54% 58% 59%
68%
63% 58% 51% 57% 56% 53% 52% 52%
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Item 2.
2021 FORT COLLINS WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING REPORT 2
CHANGES IN 2021 COMMUNITY DIVERSION RATE
Community Recycling Ordinance
The Community Recycling Ordinance came into
effect in summer 2021 and required Fort Collins
waste haulers to provide a minimum level of
recycling collection to all multi-unit housing and
commercial properties. The 2021 diversion data
reflect this change. Recycling from these sectors
increased by 44%, meaning an additional 2,500 tons
of material was recycled compared with 2020.
This is particularly notable considering the amount
landfilled by the multi-unit and commercial sector
only increased by 5% in 2021.
Self-Hauled Landfill Waste
Residents continued to clean out their homes and
do home renovation projects in 2021, generating
3,000 more tons of waste that residents took to the
landfill themselves compared with 2 020.
Industrial Waste and Recycling
Industrial materials are heavy and so changes in
these materials impact the Community Diversion
Rate significantly. The following industrial material
changes are reflected in the 2021 Community
Diversion Rate:
• Municipal industrial waste (including wet soil,
rock, and other materials) fluctuates with the
types of projects completed each year.
Fewer waste -generating projects in 2021
meant there was 5,600 less tons of waste
landfilled from this source than in 2020.
• There was an overall increase of 6,700 tons
of construction and demolition waste
landfilled in 2021 com pared with 2020 as
some construction projects moved past the
initial COVID impacts and got back
underway .
• There were 10,000 tons less asphalt and
concrete recycled at the City’s Hoffman Mill
Crushing Facility in 2021.
• Over 2,500 tons of additional scrap metal
was recycled in 2021 compared with 2020.
Food Scraps Recycling
While not a driver for the diversion rate, it is notable
that the residential food scraps collected by two
small local food scraps-only haulers increased by
over 150% compared with 2020. They collected a
total of 260 tons of food scraps for composting.
Roofing Waste
In July 2019, over 10,000 Fort Collins homes were
impacted by a massive hailstorm, requiring many
roof replacements in 2020 and 2021. Ma ny roofs
were replaced in 2021, but far fewer than in 2020,
resulting in a 6,600 ton decrease in industrial waste
from the roofing sector. Fo rt Collins now requires
Class 4 impact -resistant shingles, which will
hopefully help prevent roofing waste due to
hailstorms in the future.
Residential Trash & Recycling Carts
Cart size Residents
subscribed
Change
from 2020
Intermittent /
pay-by-the bag 0.5%
0.5
percentage point
32 gal trash cart 38%
1
percentage point
64 gal trash cart
40%
2
percentage points
96 gal trash cart
21%
1
percentage point
18 gal
recycling tub 9%
4
percentage points
32, 64 or 96 gal
recycling cart 91%
4
percentage points
64 or 96 gal
yard trimmings
collection cart 17%
2
percentage points
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Item 2.
2021 FORT COLLINS WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING REPORT 3
2021 PROGRAM UPDATES
Plastic Pollution
In 2021, City Council adopted the Disposable Bag
Ordinance and referred it to voters who approved it
by 59%.
The Disposable Bag Ordinance will go into effect on
May 1, 2022. It will ban plastic carryout bags and
require a 10-cent fee on paper bags at large grocers.
Later in 202 1 the Colorado State Legislature
adopted a plastic pollution reduction bill that
imposes fees on paper and plastic bags at large
stores in 2023 , bans plastic bags at those stores in
2024, and bans the use of expanded foam food
packaging at restaurants in 2024.
The Waste Reduction and Recycling (WR&R) team
engaged with community members to understand
potential impacts of the Disposable Bag Ordinance
in the fall of 2021 for updates to incorporate prior to
the ordinance roll out.
At the end of 2021, s taff held meetings with all major
Fort Collins grocers in preparation for the
Disposable Bag Ordinance implementation and sent
out reusable cloth shopping bags to 1300 low-
income households.
Community Recycling Ordinance
The Community Recycling Ordinance brought
recycling services to all commercial and multi -unit
properties in Fort Collins in 2021. Recycling from
these sectors increased by 2,500 tons, an increase
of 44% compared with 2020.
The WR&R team worked with Fort Collins haulers,
businesses, and multi-unit property owners/
managers to ensure that not only was recycling
available but also successful.
Businesses and multi -unit complexes can apply for
a variance from recycling service for certain
circumstances. Over the summer of 2021, the
WR&R team received 194 variance requests and
conducted a site visit for each one. A total of 99 were
approved.
The City’s WR&R and Code Compliance teams
partnered up in fall of 2021 to c onduct a compliance
sweep to ensure businesses and multi -unit
complexes had recycling, which uncovered 125
locations out of compliance. The WR&R compliance
team member then worked with haulers to get those
properties into compliance.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Program (WRAP)
In 2021, City staff supported over 100 businesses
and multi-unit properties (apartment and condo
complexes) to understand new requirements and
start or improve recycling programs. To support the
implementation of the Community Recycling
Ordinance, WR&R staff created toolkits for
businesses and multi-unit properties and provided
other tools to improve their recycling programs
independently.
Our Climate Future
Our Climate Future (OCF) is an equity-centered
combined update to the City’s Climate Action P lan,
Energy Policy, and Road to Zero Waste Plan, which
was adopted in 2021.
OCF identified the following strategies for waste
reduction in the first two -year implementation cycle:
Strategy Status
Expand recycling education
campaign
Underway
Explore additional
community-needs donation
options
Seeking community
partner
Explore Universal
Composting Ordinance and
Related Composting
Infrastructure/Facilities
Partnering for
compost
infrastructure via
Regional
Wasteshed
collaboration
Identify barriers to accessing
recycling services
Underway
Implement universal recycling
ordinance
Implemented
Community
Recycling
Ordinance
Facilitate the sharing of
commonly needed items
through libraries
Led by Poudre
River Library
Distr ict; Tool share
through Eco-Thrift
Implement Disposable
Grocery Bag Policy
Adopted in 2021;
implementation in
2022
Support work on a digital
marketplace for industrial
waste
Working with
Recycle Colorado’s
ReCircle project
Continue to explore ways to
further reuse and recycle soil
from City projects
Underway, led by
Fort Collins Utilities ’
Water Field
Operations
department
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Item 2.
2021 FORT COLLINS WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING REPORT 4
Barriers to Recycling
The “Our Climate Future” waste, energy, and climate
plan highlighted that historically underrepresented
groups in Fort Collins experience barriers to
recycling. To better understand these barriers and
identify areas for action, City staff partnered with
community members on a “Barriers to Recycling”
project. The project uncovered challenges such as
language accessibility in signage, access to trucks
and trailers to haul bulky objects to the recycling
center, and representation in materials and on -site
at the recycling center. City staff will begin
implementing project recommendations in 2022.
Timberline Recycling Center (TRC)
The City of Fort Collins’ Timberline Recycling Center
celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2021. The
Everyday Recyclables yard receives over 400
recyclers per day and recycled over 3.3 million
pounds of recyclables. Over 11,000 recyclers
utilized the Hard-to-Recycle Materials yard and
delivered over 1 million pounds of material to be
recycled.
In 2020, a significant increase in online shop ping
resulted in residents generating much more
cardboard. This trend continued in 2021, as n early
800 tons of cardboard was recycled at the TRC in
2021, a 12% increase from 2020.
The TRC website is one of the most used City
websites, with an average of 3,000 visits per month.
Recycling Ambassadors Volunteer
Program
The Recycling Ambassador volunteer program
includes 31 volunteers who answer visitor
questions and support the Timberline Recycling
Center. Since the program was f ounded in 2017,
Recycling Ambassadors have volunteered over
3,600 hours and engaged with over 15,500
community members.
Definitions and Notes
Non-industrial diversion rate: includes waste
generated by single-family residential, multi-family
residential, and commercial sectors.
Industrial diversion rate : includes materials such as
waste generated by City government operations,
concrete and asphalt recycled at crushing facilities,
construction and demolition waste, brewery wastes,
and biosolids that are land-applied.
Community diversion rate : the combined total of
industrial and non-industrial wastes – provides an
overall view of waste generation and waste
diversion for the entire community.
Note about Alternative Daily Cover (ADC): Each
day, landfills are legally required to cover the day’s
contents with soil or another approved material.
Various materials can be used as ADC, including
wood, drywall or yard waste. Because many of
these materials have “highe r and better” uses, the
City does not include ADC as diversion in its
calculations, unlike some other entities, including
the State of California.
Notes about Appendix 1 (detailing Fort Collins’
waste and recycling ):
• Data are updated over time as new
information becomes available or new
methodologies emerge. Appendix 1 is
updated yearly, which may result in the data
in this appendix not matching the initial
report.
• Yellow-shaded boxes are included in the
Non-Industrial (MSW) totals
• Orange -shaded boxes are included in the
Industrial totals.
Report Prepared By
Molly Saylor, Caroline Mitchell and the rest of the
Waste Reduction and Recycling Team
Environmental Services Department
City of Fort Collins
970-221-6600
recycling@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/recycling
Page 60
Item 2.
2021 Fort Collins Community Waste & Recycling Summary
Recyclables Organics Non-Industrial Totals
(MSW)Residential Commercial Overall
Lbs /
Capita /
Day
Residential Curbside Recycling Tons Residential / Commercial Organics Tons Total Landfill 64,064 41,237 105,300 3.35
Single-stream 9,221 Food Waste (Residential)261 Total Organics Composted 8,033 9,844 17,877 0.57
Curbside Total:9,221 Food Waste (Commercial)917 Total Recycling 11,102 11,052 22,154 0.70
Multifamily & Commercial Recycling Yard Waste (Residential)7,772 PAYT Source Reduction "tons"4,992 n/a 4,992 0.16
Commercial single-stream 6,225 Yard Waste (Commercial)8,927 Total Disposed 88,191 62,133 150,323 4.78
Multi-family single-stream 872 Total MSW Organics 17,877 Diversion Rate 23.0%33.6%27.5%
Paper Mix (ONP, OMX, etc)88 Industrial Organics Diversion Rate w/ Source Reduction 27.4%n/a 30.0%
Office paper 3 Spent brewery grain 489
Corrugated Cardboard 1,531 Wood waste (Commercial)22,172 Industrial Totals Tons Lbs/Cap/Da
y
Glass 2,040 Other organics (Industrial)7,306 Total Landfill 68,140 2.17
Commingled containers (aluminum, steel, glass, plastic)83 Biosolids 2,055 Total ADC 3,336 0.11
Multi-Family & Commercial Total:10,842 Total Industrial Organics 32,021 Total Organics Composted 32,021 1.02
Drop-off Centers TOTAL ORGANICS TONS 49,898 Total Recycling 108,000 3.43
Corrugated cardboard 931 Total Disposed 211,497 6.73
Paperboard, low-grade paper 0 Landfill Diversion Rate 66.2%
Mixed Paper 408 Tons of Solid Waste Landfilled Tons Diversion Rate, ADC as diversion 67.8%
Commingled containers 134 Residential 64,064
Glass 360 Multi-family 5,988 Combined Totals MSW Industrial Overall /Day
White Office Paper 23 Commercial 35,249 Total Landfill 105,300 68,140 173,440 5.52
Hard-to-recycle items from Timberline Recycling Center 26 Industrial 68,140 Total ADC n/a 3,336 3,336 0.11
Drop-off System Total:1,881
Alternative Daily Cover (soils used to meet
landfill cover needs)3,336 Total Organics Composted 17,877 32,021 49,898 1.59
Other Recyclables TOTAL LANDFILL TONS 176,776 Total Recycling 22,154 108,000 130,155 4.14
Electronics 121 PAYT Source Reduction 4,992 n/a 4,992 0.16
Plastic bags / shrink wrap 89 Recycling Participation Total Disposed 150,323 211,497 361,821 11.51
Textiles 0 Customer Type % of Customer
w Recycling Diversion Rate, no Source Reduction 27.5%66.2%50.5%
Total Other:210 Residential 97%Diversion Rate with PAYT Source Reduction 30.0%51.1%
TOTAL MSW RECYCLING TONS 22,154 Residential yard trimmings collection 16%
Diversion Rate with PAYT Source Reduction,
ADC as diversion 52.1%
Industrial Recyclables Multi-family 117%
Scrap metal (ferrous) -- iron, steel 25,376 Commercial 61%
Concrete 17,100 Industrial 12%
Asphalt 43,347 Total customers with recycling 92%
single stream recycling totals reduced by 13.7% to account for contamination (and
trash totals increased commensurately)
10/7/2022Page 61
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
Sustainability Officer
Jacob Castillo
Regional
Wasteshed Update:
Intergovernmental
Agreement and
Immediate Next
Steps
3/26/2024
Page 62
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
2
Direction Sought
1.What feedback do Councilmembers have about whether to bring forward a
Resolution placing the 2019 Intergovernmental Agreement into abeyance?
2.What are the areas of primary importance to Councilmembers as staff engage in
finding regional solutions for missing infrastructure?
3.Do Councilmembers wish to hold a joint meeting with the Larimer County Board
of Commissioners to discuss Regional Wasteshed collaboration?
Page 63
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
3
Strategic Alignment for Zero Waste by 2030
City Plan
Accelerate Zero
Waste Policies and
Infrastructure
Principle ENV 5:
Create a Zero Waste
system.
Environmental Health
ENV 1
City Strategic PlanCouncil Priority Our Climate Future
Big Move 2:
Zero Waste
Neighborhoods
Big Move 10:
Zero Waste Economy
Critical Path to
Achieving Climate
Goals (composting)
Page 64
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
4
Broad Context of Waste and Recycling
EPA Waste Management
Hierarchy adopted in Fort
Collins municipal code to
support decisions about how to
handle materials.
EPA does not consider waste-to-
energy (a.k.a. energy recovery)
as “diversion” –they are
considered a form of disposal as
the materials can no longer be
used again after the process.
Page 65
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
Goals
2025
•90% diversion
•2.8 lbs. / day / capita landfilled
2030: Zero Waste
5
Fort Collins Zero Waste Goals and Status
Current Diversion Status
Residential:29%
Commercial / Multi-Unit: 32%
Industrial:66%
Community-wide diversion: 52%
Pounds/capita/day landfilled: 5.38
Waste
(not
recyclable
or
compostable)
40%
Recyclable
20%
Yard
trimmings
& wood
21%
Food
scraps
19%
Contents of Material Landfilled by Fort
Collins Residents and Businesses
Page 66
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
6
Regional Wasteshed Coalition Background
Community
Engagement,
Infrastructure and
Policy Analysis
2015-
2018 2019 20252020+2018
Intergovernmental
Agreement Adopted
by Partners
Larimer County
Landfill Reaches
Capacity
Larimer County
Adopts Solid Waste
Master Plan (SWIMP)Implementation
City Councilmember and staff engagement.
Coalition Partners: Larimer County, Loveland, Estes Park, Wellington
Changes, including
Republic purchasing
Gallegos Sanitation
Page 67
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
7
Current Larimer County Facilities
Existing Facility Notes related to Regional Wasteshed
Landfill Will reach capacity in 2025
Recycling programs
•Scrap metal
•Yard trimmings
•Mattresses
Will remain in place
Recycling Center
(transfer station for everyday recyclables)
Will remain in place
(Could be expanded to full Material Recovery
Facility if receives enough material)
Recycling drop-off center Will remain in place
Household Hazardous Waste Will remain in place
Garbage Garage education center Will remain in place
Page 68
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
8
Planned Larimer County Infrastructure
Initially Planned (SWIMP / IGA)
Tier 1 (highest priority)
•New landfill (near Rawhide Power Plant)
•Transfer station
•Yard trimmings compost
•Food scrap compost
•Construction and Demolition (C&D) recycling
Tier 2 (next for consideration)
•Expanded recycling facility (for everyday recyclables)
•Anaerobic digestion (for food scraps)
Tier 3 (for possible consideration after Tier 1 and 2)
•Waste to Energy
Current Status
Under Construction
•New landfill (near Rawhide Power Plant)
Planned
•Transfer station
Under Consideration
•Construction and Demolition (C&D) recycling
•Yard trimmings compost
•Anaerobic digestion (food scraps or mixed waste)
•Waste to Energy
Page 69
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
9
2019 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
IGA Contents
•Includes all regional wasteshed partners
•Commits to tiered prioritization of infrastructure projects
•Addresses the chicken / egg problem of infrastructure
and materials to process
•For C&D recycling, yard trimmings, food scraps
•Creates ongoing staff (TAC) and elected official (PAC)
working groups to collaborate on implementation and
update the IGA / SWIMP as needed to adapt to changes
as they arise
Current Status
•Larimer County has requested partners put
IGA into abeyance (suspend)
•IGA not anticipated to come out of abeyance
•IGA commitments not being met
•All partner communities have put it into
abeyance (other than Fort Collins)
•Means IGA still in effect
•Timeline, roles to create next IGA not clear
•Next IGA could be between Larimer
County and each agency individually or
possibly regional
Page 70
Item 2.
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10
Potential IGA Actions to Consider
Option Considerations
1)Place IGA into
abeyance
Ends commitment to tiered prioritization of infrastructure elements
o Infrastructure decisions may take place without collaboratively-set criteria
for decision making
Meets Larimer County request and aligns with partner actions
2)Place IGA into
abeyance with
conditions
Could place current IGA into abeyance for a certain amount of time and have it
come back into effect unless specific actions (e.g.creating a new IGA)have
been completed
Same considerations as Option 1
3)Replace and repeal
IGA
Develop new IGA and repeal prior at the same time as adopting new
Would have clarity on next agreement prior to exiting existing
Unclear timeline or pathway to next IGA
4)Terminate IGA Would likely have same impact as putting IGA into abeyance,as Larimer County
does not intend to bring the IGA out of abeyance
Requires notification and goes into effect 18 months after notice is given
o Could place IGA into abeyance for the 18 months until it is terminated
May be clearer than unending abeyance
5)No action Current IGA would remain in place but commitments unlikely to be met
Next steps unclear
Page 71
Item 2.
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11
Flow Control –Context for Future Discussion
Flow Control: directing waste material to a specific facility
•Facility must be publicly owned and operated
•Must provide benefit to community
Request from Larimer County:
•Flow control waste from Fort Collins’ residential hauler contract to Larimer County
Staff Recommendation:
•Include analysis and collaboration regarding flow control as part of 2024 -25 staff work to
identify and vet potential pathways to food scrap and C&D materials infrastructure as
driven by Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and Infrastructure
Page 72
Item 2.
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12
Next Steps
•Staff will bring forward a Resolution relating to the IGA, if desired, consistent with
Council feedback.
•If Councilmembers desire a joint Work Session with the Larimer County Commissioners, an off-
cycle meeting time will be set.
•City staff will work to further identify and vet potential pathways to food scrap and C&D materials
infrastructure, including analysis and collaboration regarding flow control informed by
Councilmember feedback
•City received a grant for free consulting support for this work (TASP grant)
•City staff will propose next steps for the Council Priority to Accelerate Zero Waste Policies and
Infrastructure at the Council Work Session on May 14.
Page 73
Item 2.
Headline Copy Goes Here
13
Direction Sought
1.What feedback do Councilmembers have about whether to bring forward a
Resolution placing the 2019 Intergovernmental Agreement into abeyance?
2.What are the areas of primary importance to Councilmembers as staff engage in
finding regional solutions for missing infrastructure?
3.Do Councilmembers wish to hold a joint meeting with the Larimer County Board
of Commissioners to discuss Regional Wasteshed collaboration?
Page 74
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 3
March 26, 2024
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Kendra Boot, City Forester
Dean Klingner, Community Services Director
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Urban Forest Strategic Plan Findings and Proposed Direction.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to share the findings from the urban forest strategic planning effort and to seek
feedback and support from Council.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Do Councilmembers support the general direction of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan effort?
2. What feedback do Councilmembers have regarding the Urban Forest Strategic Plan?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Urban Forest Strategic Plan
Trees are an important part of the community infrastructure and provide many essential human health,
social, environmental, and economic benefits to those who live, work, and play in Fort Collins. Tree-related
policies have been strong in Fort Collins and that coupled with a supportive community created the urban
tree canopy that exists today. Existing policies have helped to preserve the character of Fort Collins and
have also helped increase canopy as the community grows, including adding an average of 1,500 to 2,000
new street trees annually through development. With the continued demands of development,
redevelopment, and other pressures on the canopy, the City recognized the need to create a Strategic
Plan to ensure the vibrancy of the urban forest long into the future, prioritizing social equity, extreme heat
mitigation, and the Forestry Division as a valuable resource to the community.
Purpose
The Urban Forest Strategic Plan (UFSP) will serve as a guiding document to:
Summarize the state of the urban forest
Create a 20-year vision for Fort Collins’ trees
Set goals
Recommend next steps
Page 75
Item 3.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 3
Timeline
The development of the UFSP began in the summer of 2023. Initial work included:
Analysis of existing policies
Analysis of industry standards, best practices, and policies from peer cities
Work in the fall and winter of 2023 and 2024 included focus groups and community engagement
With Council’s feedback, the Forestry Division is seeking final plan adoption end of summer 2024.
Summary of Initial Findings
Overall, canopy has grown in a positive direction over the last 10 years.
An estimated seventy-five percent (75%) of the urban canopy is on private property.
City Forestry provides a high level of service to the community.
Sixty percent (60%) of the public tree inventory are less than 8-inches in diameter and will require
additional resources to manage as trees continue to mature and thrive into the future.
A review of tree policies within both Municipal and Land Use Code was conducted.
An urban tree canopy (UTC) analysis was completed to intersect canopy disparities prioritizing the
following variables:
o Social variables (i.e., income, population density, BIPOC, renters),
o Health variables (i.e., asthma, heart disease, mental health), and
o Environmental variables (i.e., urban heat and stormwater).
Additional variables analyzed was canopy cover associated with bus stops and bike lanes.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are listed in more detail including supporting initiatives, in the “UFSP Draft
Recommendations” document. The proposed recommendations are as follows:
Recommendation 1 - Strategically invest in growing tree canopy where it will promote resilience and
quality of life in Fort Collins.
Recommendation 2 - Create a tree planting plan.
Recommendation 3 - Complete the shift to proactive management of Fort Collin’s public trees.
Recommendation 4 - Strengthen city policies to protect trees.
Recommendation 5 - Collect data to track changes to tree canopy over time and to inform Forestry
activities.
Recommendation 6 - Sustainably grow the Forestry Division to keep pace with growth of the urban forest.
Recommendation 7 - Deepen engagement with the community about tree stewardship.
Recommendation 8 - Expand the network of Forestry Division partners.
Page 76
Item 3.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 3
Considerations
Prior to the urban forest strategic plan effort, Forestry presented at a Council work session on October 10,
2023, with a handful of tree-related Land Use policy updates. It is important to keep in mind that that UFSP
policy review makes recommendations based on what may be missing compared to other communities
and may not align with the competing values and land use goals of Fort Collins. This work continues as
Forestry aligns with the Planning Department and overall Land Use Code changes. Forestry staff will work
closely with the Land Use Code project team to better understand potential trade-offs to other goals, such
as the creation of affordable housing and small business preservation. This work is ongoing and more
information on possible Land Use Code changes will be brought to a Council work session for discussion
on June 11th.
NEXT STEPS
Listen to and work in Council feedback
Visit Boards and Commissions
Finalize the plan document
Seek Council adoption end of summer 2024
ATTACHMENTS
1. UFSP Draft Recommendations
2. UFSP Focus Group List
3. Presentation
Page 77
Item 3.
FORT COLLINS
Urban Forest Strategic Plan
DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS AND SELECT FINDINGS
March 26, 2024
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Introduction
The recommendations presented in the Urban Forest Strategic Plan distill lessons
into actionable strategies that can guide the Forestry Division over the next 20 years.
Data and information that were collected for the Plan spanned many types of
inquiry over a period of several months.
As you read through the following themes and strategies, reflect on these questions:
● Have we accurately captured the information and themes?
● Do the recommendations reflect the most important takeaways and
priorities?
● Which strategies and alternatives should be elevated?
● Which alternatives can be dismissed out of hand due to lack of feasibility?
● What additional alternatives are possible?
THEMES & OUTCOME AREAS
Three overarching themes were identified during development of the strategic plan
that summarize the Forestry Division’s vision for the urban forest over the next 20
years.
Urban Forestry Strategic Plan Themes
1. Build resilience & wellbeing of people and trees
2. Sustainably grow the Forestry program
3. Expand the community’s appreciation for trees
Additionally, the recommendations of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan reflect seven
Outcome Areas that are detailed in the Fort Collins City Plan (2019) and the 2022
Strategic Plan. Because of the many social, economic, and environmental benefits
that trees provide, the recommendations of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan relate to
all seven of these Outcome Areas. The most relevant Outcome Areas are listed for
each recommendation.
Outcome Areas
1. Neighborhood Livability &
Social Health (pending name
change)
2. Culture & Recreation
3. Economic Health
4. Environmental Health
5. Safe Community
6. Transportation & Mobility
7. High-Performing Government
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Recommendations
Eight urban forestry strategic recommendations are presented to guide Fort Collins’
forestry initiatives over the next 20 years.
Within each recommendation, the current state of Fort Collins’ urban forestry
program is summarized as it relates to the recommendation. Following each
recommendation are two levels of action steps that can support accomplishment of
each recommendation.
Foundational Initiatives represent those that may be simpler to implement,
or more urgent, or strategies that must be completed before some or all of
the Transformational Initiatives can be tackled.
Transformational Initiatives may be more complicated or difficult
alternatives to Foundational Initiatives, or they may represent standalone
strategies that are complex or on a long implementation horizon. At the same
time, Transformational Initiatives may provide more value to the forestry
program and the City’s larger civic goals and Outcome Areas.
RECOMMENDATION 1. STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN GROWING
TREE CANOPY WHERE IT WILL PROMOTE RESILIENCE AND
QUALITY OF LIFE IN FORT COLLINS
While tree canopy is growing in Fort Collins, it is not evenly distributed across the
city. Targeted investment in planting and maintenance where trees provide the
most value can help Forestry support multiple civic goals. This presents the
opportunity to adapt to climate change and the needs of the community in ways
that lead the region in preparedness.
Urban forestry activities that tie into other civic objectives—such as encouraging
cycling, walking, and public transit use—can demonstrate how urban forestry is
intertwined with quality of life in Fort Collins.
Themes: Resilience & Wellbeing, Sustainable Growth
Outcome Areas: Neighborhood Livability & Social Health, Culture & Recreation,
Transportation & Mobility
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Current State
Citywide tree canopy cover is 13.7% and has grown 753 acres (17.3%) in the
decade from 2011–2021.
Tree cover in the city + growth management area is 12.6% and has grown 936
acres (17.2%) in the past decade.
Tree canopy cover ranges widely across Fort Collins. Among 137 US Census
block groups (federal geographic areas that are smaller than a census tract),
tree cover ranges from <0.1% to 41%.
Foundational Initiatives
Prioritize planting and maintenance within areas of greatest tree canopy loss
that correspond to priority areas for health and social factors and combined
human/environmental wellbeing (see the Priority Planting Analysis).
Implement a parks planting plan to identify and strategically fill vacant
planting sites (e.g., Living Tribute Trees) as well as rebuild canopy within new
parks.
Transformational Initiatives
Prioritize planting and maintenance along bicycle routes and around bus
stops.
Coordinate with other city departments to integrate trees into a complete
streets framework, an urban planning design concept that aims to make
streets comfortable and safe for all users.
Plant along walking/cycling/public transportation corridors to build tree
connectivity to parks. Encourage citywide adoption of existing metrics such as
the 10-Minute Walk, an initiative that aims to place all city residents within a
10-minute walk of quality parks and nature.
Plant trees along other transportation corridors, such as Safe Routes to
Schools.
Utilize third-party metrics for social equity such as the Tree Equity Score from
American Forests to guide planting and maintenance investments and
communicate about equity with the public.
Develop and set canopy goals for different geographies. For example, set
goals that differ by land use type, factoring in variability in potential tree
canopy among differing land uses; alternatively, create separate goals by
district.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
RECOMMENDATION 2. CREATE A TREE PLANTING PLAN
A planting plan can guide tree planting efforts to reach desired levels of planting
and more equitably distribute tree canopy across the city. Planning over longer
periods of time allows for species selection, sourcing of trees, and spreads out the
maintenance needs of tree cohorts over time.
Themes: Resilience & Wellbeing, Sustainable Growth
Outcome Area: Environmental Health, Neighborhood Livability & Social Health
Current State
In the past 5 years, average annual public tree removals have outpaced public
tree plantings: 633 trees removed per year vs. 500 trees planted per year.
In 2021-2022, tree plantings surpassed removals (556 trees planted vs. 513 trees
removed). Two $50K grants in 2022 and 2023 helped achieve more trees
planted.
The Community Canopy Program (established in 2018) has provided 1,000
trees for $25/tree to residents within the Growth Management Area.
Foundational Initiatives
Scale annual tree planting efforts to replace public tree losses due to tree
removals and natural mortality.
Create a planting plan to fill vacant planting spaces over 10 years (2025-2026
BFO cycle).
Incorporate new species that are recommended for future climate conditions,
making considerations for drought tolerance, warmer and more extreme
temperatures, and pest/disease tolerance.
Work with water efficiency experts to create species guidance by irrigation
zones.
Grow the Community Canopy Program to supply more trees to residents for
planting on private property.
Transformational Initiatives
Shift species composition of the urban forest toward more drought-tolerant
species.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Build species-level biodiversity of the public tree inventory. Track the use of
cultivars and varieties.
Explore a citywide tree canopy goal that can inform planting and protection
objectives for private property.
Provide species guidance for tree giveaways and private planting.
RECOMMENDATION 3. COMPLETE THE SHIFT TO PROACTIVE
MANAGEMENT OF FORT COLLIN’S PUBLIC TREES
The Forestry Division strives for a 5-year pruning rotation to improve the health of
public trees and create safe public spaces in the community. Additional resources
will be needed to continue a 5-year pruning cycle, which reduces the costs of storm
and emergency response and helps maintain the health of public trees.
An urban forest management plan can provide operational direction for Forestry
and the city for the next 5–10 years. A management plan is more detailed than an
urban forest strategic plan; it utilizes data to prioritize tree activities and ensures that
trees are integrated into the city’s other overlapping plans and outcome areas.
Themes: Sustainable Growth
Outcome Areas: Economic Health, Safe Community
Current State
From 2018–2022, Forestry pruned 8,670 trees (18.2% of the public tree
inventory) per year, on average.
In 2022, Forestry pruned 10,877 trees (22.4% of the public tree inventory) with
the aid resource cost recovery and carry over from 2021 snow storm.
Foundational Initiatives
Implement a 5-year routine pruning cycle.
Plan to scale up pruning activities as additional trees are added to the
inventory.
Use the existing tree inventory to inform management decisions based on
species and size.
Create an urban forest management plan that details Forestry operations
over the next 5–10 years.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Incorporate the storm response plan, City Plan, Parks Master Plan, Our
Climate Future plan, and other city management plans.
Transformational Initiatives
Use enhanced inventory data to guide management based on risk rating,
recommended maintenance, and/or related metrics.
Project tree benefits under different management scenarios.
Integrate natural areas inventory data into natural areas management plans.
RECOMMENDATION 4. STRENGTHEN CITY POLICIES TO PROTECT
TREES
Tree protection in Fort Collins currently focuses on the stewardship of public trees,
with less policy development around private tree protection. Because a majority of
the city’s trees are found on private land, additional opportunities to protect trees on
private land—whether through policy or incentives—will help curb canopy losses in
parts of the city and help protect community tree benefits for all residents.
Themes: Resilience & Wellbeing, Appreciation for Trees
Outcome Areas: Neighborhood Livability & Social Health, Environmental Health
Current State
The existing city code has provisions for public tree planting, protection, and
care.
A draft land use code adds additional protections and planting requirements
for trees during development and additional exploration on trade-offs on
other goals, such as the creation of affordable housing and small business
preservation, is needed.
Supplemental documents—e.g. Tree Management Standards and BMPs—
strengthen city policies but are not referenced in city code.
Public sentiment about private tree protection lags behind support for trees
on public land; however, public opinion is divided, and a large portion of
public participants in the UFSP process indicate that they do not know
enough about issues such as heritage tree programs to state their opinion.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Foundational Initiatives
Reference existing supplemental policy documents for Forestry, including the
Tree Management Standards and BMPs document, in city code.
Adopt a citywide land use code that improves tree preservation and
protection while balancing other priorities and needs of the community.
Draft a heritage tree program that allows for the elective enrollment of trees
that have cultural, historic, or ecological value.
Create policy summaries or tip sheets that clarify the responsibility for tree
maintenance within alleyways.
Plan for education and outreach that will guide policy development about
tree protection for development scenarios on private land.
Encode existing good practices—best management practices, certified
arborist requirements, wood utilization program—in city ordinance.
Build upon the Emerald Ash Borer Management and Response Plan (2020)
to create a more generalized insect/disease control plan to address existing
and future threats. Reference the plan within city ordinance.
Transformational Initiatives
Draft a heritage tree policy that protects trees greater than a certain size on
private property. Require a permit for, or prohibit, pruning or removal of
heritage trees.
o For reference, 6% of public trees are >24 in DSH and 2% of public trees
are >36 in DSH.
o Connect policy to stormwater and water efficiency public benefits of
large trees.
o Exclude invasive species and those that are prohibited by existing
ordinance.
Clarify the legal responsibility for trees within vacant and boundary areas (land
without ownership) to encourage the protection and growth of tree canopy
within these spaces.
Plan for tree preservation and tree canopy expansion within areas in the
Growth Management Area that are to remain as future green space as
identified by the Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
Expand tree protection policies within the Land Use Code to apply to non-
development scenarios.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Develop additional policy for tree protection on private land—for example,
protecting trees during residential property development scenarios. Educate
and engage with the public about policy scenarios to gauge public support.
Require landfill diversion for wood waste from private land.
RECOMMENDATION 5. COLLECT DATA TO TRACK CHANGES TO
TREE CANOPY OVER TIME AND TO INFORM FORESTRY
ACTIVITIES
Accurate, up-to-date data can inform sound decision making. Planning for future
urban tree canopy assessments and tree inventory updates will provide information
that can help the Forestry Division evaluate progress and refine management
strategies.
Themes: Sustainable Growth
Outcome Area: High-Performing Government
Current State
An existing urban tree canopy assessment and public tree inventory provide
bottom-up and top-down information about tree canopy.
Tree inventory information utilizes trained volunteers to provide up-to-date
information about public trees.
Foundational Initiatives
Repeat an urban tree canopy assessment in 5 years using 2026 data (2027–
2028 BFO cycle) to measure canopy change.
o Measure five-class land cover: tree canopy, vegetation, impervious
surface, bare soil, open water.
o Evaluate urban tree canopy within street rights-of-way.
Map existing public trees under threat from pests and/or drought using
inventory data; look for trends that may inform tree activities.
Complete a sample inventory of natural areas.
Transformational Initiatives
Repeat an urban tree canopy assessment in 2 years to capture early canopy
changes due to emerald ash borer. Advance mapping options:
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
o Canopy health and broadleaf/evergreen distribution
o Tree canopy cover and change within additional geographies—e.g.,
riparian and ditch areas, alleyways, land uses, private/public land—to
guide and measure the effects of policy changes
Update the public tree inventory on a 5-year cycle.
Utilize certified arborists to capture tree inventory data about risk and
recommended maintenance, to inform proactive maintenance.
RECOMMENDATION 6. SUSTAINABLY GROW THE FORESTRY
DIVISION TO KEEP PACE WITH GROWTH OF THE URBAN
FOREST
The Forestry Division currently provides an excellent level of service to the city of Fort
Collins. Additional metrics about tree activities will be helpful for internal planning,
budgeting, and reporting to both city council and the community.
The public tree inventory reflects the city’s sustained commitment to planting. With
60 percent of the public tree inventory consisting of young trees, and new trees
being planted every year, it will be necessary to plan for growth of the Forestry
program. Additional capacity and a sustainable funding stream will be needed to
keep pace with growth of the public tree inventory.
Themes: Sustainable Growth
Outcome Areas: Economic Health, High-Performing Government
Current State
Access FC allows for and tracks resident requests.
The Fort Collins 2022 Strategic Plan and Budgeting for Outcomes process
require relation of tree activities to Outcome Areas.
Forestry is providing a great level of service compared with U.S. cities but is
approaching the threshold of tree activities that they are able to perform
annually with existing resources.
Foundational Initiatives
Internally track public requests that are submitted via phone and email.
Regularly report on budget expenditures by tree activity.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Create work plans to make efficient use of personnel and budget.
Acquire additional staff for tree planting/preparation and pruning.
Add capacity for grant writing and reporting.
Pursue grants and other limited funding opportunities.
Contribute to local initiatives to expand the green workforce.
Transformational Initiatives
Use resource management software to track public requests.
Create an urban forestry planner position.
Annually or biannually report to the public on tree activities.
Link tree activities to health, social, and environmental data, and to civic data
(transit ridership, cycling/pedestrian stats, city Outcome Areas) as available.
Implement a staff rotation schedule. Regularly rotate Forestry staff to different
teams to provide rest from physical labor and build knowledge across the
team.
Increase the budget for tree maintenance over time as young trees grow.
Create new sources of sustained funding, such as a Tree Fund, and align with
City Give.
RECOMMENDATION 7. DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE
COMMUNITY ABOUT TREE STEWARDSHIP
There is a great amount of support for trees and urban forestry in Fort Collins from
the public, officials, and the surrounding region. This public support can help
facilitate conversations about difficult decisions and expand engagement to new
community sectors.
Themes: Appreciation for Trees
Outcome Areas: Neighborhood Livability & Social Health, Environmental Health
Current State
The public shows a high level of support for public trees and the Forestry
Division.
Forestry has established wood waste and tree ambassador programs.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Public opinion varies on the topic of private property tree protections.
Foundational Initiatives
Continue to support the wood waste program and grow the network of urban
woodworkers and wood utilization partners.
Engage the public in policy updates that protect trees on private property.
Continue and grow the urban forest ambassador program.
Provide educational resources to assist property owners with private tree
planting, maintenance, and preservation.
Transformational Initiatives
Engage in cross-sector coalition-building around trees:
o Integrate forestry activities with implementation of the Active Modes
Plan. Engage with Active Modes stakeholders including the cycling
community.
o Expand engagement and volunteer opportunities into communities
with health and social vulnerabilities.
o Align wood utilization efforts with larger Zero Waste initiatives.
o Engage with parks advocates; see Nature in the City and 15-Minute
Walk campaigns.
o Engage with the business sector to promote trees for economic
development, e.g., Holiday Lights.
o Enlist community organizations to engage with their networks on
topics including tree benefits, tree responsibilities, policy development,
and volunteer opportunities.
Create resources on wood utilization best management practices for the
general public.
Provide financial resources to assist property owners with private tree
planting, maintenance, and preservation.
Expand volunteer opportunities to assist with activities such as young tree
pruning, watering assistance during drought, or community education.
Create tip sheets that explain city ordinances and policies in plain language.
Create a municipal Urban Forestry Commission with resident appointments.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
RECOMMENDATION 8. EXPAND THE NETWORK OF FORESTRY
DIVISION PARTNERS
Technical partnerships within urban forestry are abundant across the Front Range—
see for example the Colorado Tree Coalition, the Front Range Urban Forestry
Council, and the Emerging Pests in Colorado (EPIC) Committee. Increasing Fort
Collins’ presence and role within these collectives can promote greater knowledge
sharing and adaptability for the city while building staff technical skills. Involvement
can also promote adoption of the latest guidance and standards.
Themes: Sustainable Growth, Appreciation for Trees
Outcome Areas: Safe Community, High-Performing Government
Current State
Existing resources for climate- and pest-resilient species selection are
established for the Front Range and are in the process of being updated.
Forestry Division has collaborative relationships with numerous internal and
external partners.
Foundational Initiatives
Continue regional work with nursery growers to secure the quantity and types
of climate- and pest-adapted trees that will be needed to meet planting goals.
Share urban forestry resources and knowledge with neighboring
communities.
Expand staff involvement in regional urban forestry networks; provide
additional opportunities for staff that contribute to career development.
Transformational Initiatives
Encourage large corporate and institutional campuses to develop tree plans.
Continue engagement with partners about management of public trees.
Contribute expertise about trees and urban forestry in regional planning
efforts that relate to climate resilience, complete & green streets, human
health, wood utilization, etc.
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Page 90
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Fort Collins’ Trees
TREE CANOPY COVER AND CANOPY CHANGE BY U.S. CENSUS BLOCK GROUP
Tree cover ranges from <0.1% to 41% among U.S. Census block groups, federally defined geographic areas that
typically contain between 600–3,000 residents. From 2011–2021, 69% of block groups experienced tree canopy growth
(maximum growth: +378% tree cover), while 30% of block groups lost tree canopy (maximum loss: -53% tree cover).
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Page 91
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Canopy Cover at Bus Stops and within Bike Lanes
Average tree cover is 18.3% at 22 bus stations and 423 bus stops across Fort Collins. Among 263 bus stops that did not
have a built-in shelter, average tree cover is 21.2%, a loss of 2.3% tree cover since 2011.
Over 267 miles of bike lanes across Fort Collins, average tree canopy cover is 9.5%, approximately the same as it was in
2011 (+0.1%).
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Page 92
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
PUBLIC TREE INVENTORY
57,991 Public Trees
Two-thirds of public trees are street trees.
Overall, public trees skew young - sixty percent of public
trees are less than 8 inches in trunk diameter. The majority of
public trees are healthy, with 89% of trees receiving a canopy
condition rating of fair to good.
Relative age classes of public trees based on trunk diameter. Canopy condition of public trees.
Public trees by location.
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Page 93
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
PRIORITY PLANTING ANALYSIS
The priority planting analysis ranked 15,418 acres of possible tree planting area on a five-point scale from Very Low
to Very High based on environmental, human health, and social factors. The analysis identified 2,251 acres of High
or Very High priority area for tree planting.
Priority Planting Factors
Priority planting factors were chosen based on factors that are
mitigated by, or disproportionately benefit from, the presence
of tree canopy, and are additionally topics of concern in Fort
Collins.
Environmental: urban heat, stormwater
Human health: asthma, heart disease, and mental health
Social: income, population density, BIPOC residents,
renters
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Page 94
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Forestry Division
PUBLIC TREE ACTIVITIES BY YEAR
Beginning in 2021, public tree planting exceeded tree removals. In this year, the
Forestry Division also began treating ash trees for emerald ash borer.
In 2022, the Forestry Division pruned more than 20% of its tree inventory, laying the
groundwork for a 5-year pruning cycle. Industry standards recommend a regular
pruning cycle of 5–10 years. Only approximately one-half of U.S. cities proactively
prune their trees on a regular cycle of any duration.
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Nu
m
b
e
r
o
f
P
u
b
l
i
c
T
r
e
e
s
Pruned
Removed
Planted
EAB Treated
Forestry Division tree activities by year.
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Page 95
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
STAFFING
The Forestry Division currently employs 17 full-time staff, 5 hourly staff, and receives
part-time assistance from one office assistant. One additional full-time staff is
housed within the Zoning Department.
Additional capacity needs have been identified for development plan review as well
as for operations including pruning, removal, planting, stump grinding, potholing,
infrastructure conflicts, and contract management.
Forestry Division staffing, 2024
Staff Title Number of
Staff
Number of
Vacancies
City Forester 1 0
Assistant City Forester 1 0
Sr Specialist, Forestry 3 0
Forestry Zoning Inspector (Zoning Dept.) 1 0
Sr Supervisor, Forestry 1 0
Crew Chief, Forestry 3 0
Technician II, Forestry 6 0
Technician I, Forestry 2 0
Hourly Staff 5 0
Office Assistant .25 0
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Page 96
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Public Engagement & Outreach
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Community Survey
971 survey respondents
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Too many trees The right amount
of trees
Too few trees
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
Across Fort Collins there are...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Strongly
agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
Trees are an important part of Fort Collins.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Parks Streets Schools Businesses Trails Private
property
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
Where is it most important to plant trees?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Av
e
r
a
g
e
r
a
n
k
Rank tree benefits in order of most to least importance.
0 100 200 300
Volunteering
Solar
Cycling
Sidewalks
Streets/Medians
Gardens/Fruit trees
Xeriscape/Water
Equity
Preservation
City Funding/Staffing
EAB
Benefits/Value
Climate Change
Heat/Shade
Maintenance
Tree Planting
City Identity
Private Land Policy
Development
Resident Resources
More Trees
Species
Healthy Urban Forest
Number of Responses
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
T
h
e
m
e
What is your hope for the future of the
urban forest in Fort Collins?
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Well cared
for
Somewhat
cared for
Poorly cared
for
Neglected No opinion
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
Public trees seem...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Required tree removal
permits for trees above a
certain size
Required replacement
or payment in the
amount of the trees'
appraised value
Increased education
about tree protection
standards during
construction on private
property
I don't support stronger
policies on private
property trees
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
I support...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
In support of a
Heritage Tree
Program
Not in support of
a Heritage Tree
Program
I don't know
enough to decide
Re
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
I am...
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Page 99
Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Public Meetings
Responses to questions in public meetings were similar to those provided by the
public survey.
Other themes:
● Cost is a difficulty many residents face when planting new trees. Tree care and
removal costs are a burden to homeowners.
● The community may prefer “carrot” over “stick” approaches to trees on private
property, for example, financial resources, mitigation credits, and outreach
and education as opposed to stricter ordinances. However, some residents
directly support policy mechanisms for enforcement. Many residents
indicated they needed more information to make an informed decision.
● Many comments expressed concern over water usage, e.g., which tree species
are planted and where.
● Several participants spoke in support of more native trees as well as edible
fruit and nut trees.
● The public wants guidelines about preventing trees from blocking solar
panels.
Partner Focus Groups
Discussion topics and emergent themes:
● Leverage and expand partnerships with internal and external
collaborators.
● Increase public education and outreach.
● Investigate funding sources that can help private landowners maintain
trees.
o Prioritize support for low-income property owners and those within
high-priority neighborhoods.
● Integrate the UFSP and trees into future City plans.
● Increase code enforcement.
o Promote tree protection and mitigation for development projects.
● Increase communication to the public about City Forestry activities.
● Share Forestry resources with surrounding communities.
● Engage with legal experts to clarify any legal uncertainty regarding
stewardship of no-man’s-land and alleyways.
● Strengthen planting and maintenance along transportation corridors.
● Work with local and regional nursery growers to promote local nursery
stock, species diversity, and availability of key species.
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
Ordinance Review
TOPIC
ADDRESSED
X = Yes
(X) = Partial
CHAPTER &
SECTION* COMMENTS
Credentials
Requires certified arborist for paid private tree work
Requires Certified Arborist for public tree work (X) MC 27-17
This is included in the Tree
Management Standards and
BMPs document. MC 27-17
allows for the City Manager to
implement written rules. A
recommended improvement
is to mention this document
within city code.
Requires licensing of private tree care firms X MC 27-34–40
Defines official authority for public tree management X MC 27-17
Public Tree Management and Protection
Establishes/Authorizes City Forester to regulate public trees X MC 27-17
Establishes/Authorizes City position (e.g. Mayor, City Administrator, DPW
Director) to regulate public trees X MC 27-17
Established a community Tree Board or Commission
Defines public trees
Requires annual community tree work plans
Identifies formula for determining monetary tree value (X) LUC 3.2.1 I-7 Applies only to development
Establishes responsibility for public tree maintenance (e.g. City, adjacent
property owner) X MC 24-42, 27-
17, 27-57
Responsibility for public trees
is implied but not directly
stated
Requires regular public tree maintenance X MC 27-57
Requires particular types of maintenance (e.g., pruning) X MC 27-58 DR
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
TOPIC
ADDRESSED
X = Yes
(X) = Partial
CHAPTER &
SECTION* COMMENTS
Requires adherence to ANSI A300 standards and best management
practices (X) MC 27-17 In Tree Management
Standards and BMPs
Establishes permit system for work on public trees X MC 27-33
Requires payment of fees for the removal of public trees
Establishes provisions for penalties for non-compliance X MC 27-59–62
Restricts tree removal on public property Permit required; see next line
Permit or approval required for tree removal, pruning or excavating near
public trees X MC 27-31–32
Requires protection of public trees during construction, repairs or utility
work X LUC 3.2.1 G
Prohibits damage to public trees (e.g. attaching ropes, signs, wires,
chemicals, storing materials, excavation etc.) X MC 27-19
Establishes provisions for trimming for overhead utility line clearance
Restricts burning of solid wood waste
Establishes a wood utilization program
Establishes an insect/disease control strategy Recommended Improvement
Prohibits tree topping (X) MC 27-17 In Tree Management
Standards and BMPs
Regulates abatement of hazardous or nuisance trees on private property (X) MC 27-18(c)
Regulates removal of dead or diseased trees X MC 27-58
Tree Fund
Tree Planting
Regulates tree species which may or may not be planted on private
property (approved tree list) X
MC 27-18
LUC 3.2.1 D-4,
I-2, I-8
Requires tree planting around and within parking lots X LUC 3.2.1 D,
E-4–5
Requires replacement of removed publicly owned trees X LUC 3.2.1 D-2-d Applies only to development
Permits public tree planting - beyond the right-of-way X LUC 3.2.1 D-2-b DR
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
TOPIC
ADDRESSED
X = Yes
(X) = Partial
CHAPTER &
SECTION* COMMENTS
Requires tree plantings around new developments (see also trees in
parking lots) X LUC 3.2.1 D,
D-1-c
Regulates tree species which may or may not be planted on public
property (approved tree list) X
MC 27-18
LUC 3.2.1 D-1-c,
I-8
Private Tree Protection and Preservation
Restricts tree removal on private property
Permit or approval required for tree removal on private property
Requires preservation of trees during development on private property X LUC 3.2.1 F
Prohibits damage to preserved/protected trees Recommended Improvement
Prohibits damage or removal of trees on another person's property
Inventory of trees on site required X LUC 3.2.1 F
Identification of forests/woodlands required
Specific species and/or size tree regulated (e.g. heritage/significant trees) (X) LUC 3.2.1 F Applies only to development
Location of Critical Root Zone/Dripline required X LUC 3.2.1 G-7
Minimum canopy cover requirement set
Identification of riparian buffers, natural areas, preservation zones X LUC 3.2.1 A, M
Tree protection/preservation plan required X LUC 3.2.1 C
Identification of prohibited activities in dripline/critical root zone X LUC 3.2.1 G-3
Tree protection fencing required X LUC 3.2.1 G-3
Location/type of other tree protection measures (e.g. root pruning,
aeration, vertical mulching, trunk protection, soil protection, irrigation,) on
development plans (e.g. site plans, construction plans, etc.)
X LUC 3.2.1 G, G-
7, J-2
Provide credits/incentives for tree preservation Recommended Improvement
Landscape plan with proposed landscaping and mitigation trees to be
planted (X) LUC 3.2.1 C
Requires Grading plan to include protected/preserved trees
Utility plan with trees to include protected/preserved trees X LUC 3.2.1 K DR
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Item 3.
Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan Council Work Session, March 26, 2024
Draft Recommendations & Select Findings
TOPIC
ADDRESSED
X = Yes
(X) = Partial
CHAPTER &
SECTION* COMMENTS
Tree planting requirements for removal of regulated trees X LUC 3.2.1 F, F-1
Fee in Lieu of planting mitigation trees X LUC 3.2.1 F
Tree mitigation survival requirements X LUC 3.2.1 I-4–6
Fine for removal of regulated trees Recommended Improvement
Penalties established for damage and removal of preserved/saved trees Recommended Improvement
Bonding to ensure required trees are planted X LUC 3.2.1 I-4
Bonding utilized to discourage tree removals
Other Ordinances of Note
Defining 'City Forester' X MC 27-16
Alley ROW maintenance X MC 27-31
Right of entry X MC 27-56
Tree spacing X LUC 3.2.1 D-1-c
Visual clearance X LUC 3.2.1 L
Requirement of ROW planting X LUC 3.2.1 D-2-a,
D-2-c
ROW tree spacing from infrastructure X LUC 3.2.1 D-2-a,
D-2-c, K
Minimum species diversity for development plans X LUC 3.2.1 D-3
Minimum sizes for trees planted X LUC 3.2.1 D-4–5
Buffering requirements X LUC 3.2.1 E-1
Water conservation requirements X LUC 3.2.1 E-3
Required maintenance for development landscape X LUC 3.2.1 I-5
* CO: Fort Collins, Colorado Municipal Code (February 5, 2024); LUC: City of Fort Collins Land Use Code (December 21, 2023)
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Item 3.
City of Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan
Focus Group Meetings - November 2023
In October and November, 2023, the City of Fort Collins held a series of stakeholder focus group
meetings with city departments/divisions and external partners to inform the development of
Fort Collins' Urban Forest Strategic Plan.
MEETING PARTICIPANTS
City of Fort Collins Departments &
Divisions
Cemeteries
Connexion
FC Moves
Forestry
FC Police Department
Gardens on Spring Creek
Golf Division
Light & Power
Natural Areas
Nature in the City
Neighborhood Services
Parks Division
Planning & Environmental Planning
Park Planning & Development
Police Services
Recreation
Streets
Transfort
Utilities
Water Conservation
Zoning
Community Stakeholders
Arthur Irrigation Company
Bartlett Tree Experts
Bath Landscape Design & Irrigation Co.
BHA Design
Blue River Forestry & Tree Care
Broadcom Inc.
Colorado State University
CSU Extension
Davey Tree
Downtown Development Authority
Downtown General Improvement District
Fort Collins Tree Care Inc.
City of Greeley
Hartford Homes
HF2M Inc.
Housing Catalyst
Larimer and Weld Irrigation Company
Larimer County, Natural Resources
Lumen
Norris Design
Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal Company
Poudre Fire Authority
Poudre River Public Library District
Poudre School District
Ripley Design Inc.
SavATree
South Side Ditch Company
Wisdom Tree Care
Zak George Landscaping
Page 105
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes Here
Project Developer
Davey Resource Group
Dana Karcher
City Forester
Forestry Division
Kendra Boot
URBAN FOREST
Strategic Plan
03-26-2024
Page 106
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes Here
2
Feedback Sought from Council
•Do Councilmembers support the general direction of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan effort?
•What feedback do Councilmembers have regarding the Urban Forest Strategic Plan?
Page 107
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HereStrategic Planning & Adaptive Management
3
WHY PLAN?
The Urban Forest Strategic Plan (UFSP) will serve
as a guiding document to:
•Summarize the state of the urban forest
•Create a 20-year vision for trees in Fort
Collins
•Set goals
•Recommend next steps
What do we
have?
What do we
want?
How do we
get there?
How are
we doing?
Page 108
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes Here
WHAT DO WE HAVE?
4
Page 109
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HereTree Canopy Cover
5
CANOPY PERCENT BY BLOCK GROUP
●Citywide: 13.7%
●City + GMA: 12.6%
Page 110
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HerePublic Tree Inventory
6
PUBLIC TREES BY SIZE/AGE
Young
(0-8")
Established
(9-17")
Maturing
(18-24")
Mature
(>24")
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Percent of Public Trees
60%
59,144 PUBLIC TREES
Page 111
Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HereCOMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Public Sentiment about Trees
7
●Trees are an integral part of Fort Collins
●People love trees on public property
●The City’s Forestry Division is viewed favorably
●Residents want resources for planting & tree care
on private property
●Concerns about development & trees
3 PUBLIC MEETINGS
●October 2023 & March 2024
●North & South Fort Collins
●160 participants
●8 different community events
1 COMMUNITY SURVEY
●September–December 2023
●965 respondents
●657 write-in comments
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Headline Copy Goes HereWhat do we have?
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SUMMARY
●Forestry Division provides a high level of service.
●The public tree inventory trends young.
●Forestry Division will need to plan for sustainable growth
to keep pace with the urban forest.
●Mixed public opinion about regulation of trees on private
property.
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WHAT DO WE WANT?
9
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What do we want?
Vision
Fort Collins will be home to a healthy and equitably distributed urban forest woven throughout the
built environment creating safer and cooler neighborhoods with increased climate resilience.
Trees in Fort Collins are recognized as a vital part of city infrastructure that provide health, social,
environmental and economic benefits for all present and future people who live, work, and visit Fort
Collins.
Future Challenges
•Equitable distribution of canopy
•Insect and Disease
•A changing climate
•Sixty percent (60%) “young” public urban forest
•Development/Redevelopment
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HOW DO WE GET THERE?
11
Page 116
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Headline Copy Goes HereRecommended Strategies
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1.Strategically invest in growing tree canopy where it will
promote resilience and quality of life in Fort Collins.
2.Create a tree planting plan.
3.Complete the shift to proactive management of Fort
Collins’ public trees.
4.Strengthen City policies to protect trees.
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Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HereRecommended Strategies
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5.Collect data to track changes to tree canopy over time
and to inform Forestry activities.
6.Sustainably grow the Forestry Division to keep pace with
growth of the urban forest.
7.Deepen engagement with the community about tree
stewardship.
8.Expand the network of Forestry Division partners.
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Headline Copy Goes HereConnection with Tree Policy Updates
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Tree preservation and protection
•Appraised value of trees is utilized across the country
to protect urban tree canopy
•Other incentives have been used to encourage tree
protection and preservation
•Trade-offs exist and more engagement and analysis
will be needed
Next steps for policy
•April 2 -Council Meeting
⎻Foundational Land Use Code Updates
•June 11 -Council Work Session
⎻Phase II Discussion
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UFSP Project Timeline
202
1
202
2
202
22023
SUMMER
Project Launch
2024
FALL
Focus Group & Community
Engagement
Operations Review
WINTER
Develop and Present Draft
Recommendations
Community Engagement
SPRING
City Council Engagement
Budgeting
SUMMER
Develop and
Finalize Plan
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Feedback Sought from Council
•Do Councilmembers support the general direction of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan effort?
•What feedback do Councilmembers have regarding the Urban Forest Strategic Plan?
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Thank you!
17
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Following slides are in Council’s “UFSP Draft Recommendations and Select Findings” document
Additional slides
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Item 3.
Headline Copy Goes HereTree Canopy Change 2011-2021
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TREE CANOPY CHANGE 2011–2021
●City Limits: +753 acres (+17.3%)
●City + GMA: +936 acres (+17.2%)
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Headline Copy Goes HereTree Canopy at Bus Stops
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TREE CANOPY AT BUS STOPS
●423 bus stops
●Canopy cover (no shelters): 21.2%
●Canopy change: -2.3%
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Headline Copy Goes HereTree Canopy in Bike Lanes
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TREE CANOPY IN BIKE LANES
●267 miles
●Canopy cover: 9.5%
●Canopy change: +0.1%
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Headline Copy Goes HerePriority Planting Area
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15,418 POTENTIAL NEW
CANOPY ACRES
●Classified from Very Low to Very
High priority
Social, Health and Environmental
●2,251 acres of High or Very High
priority
●Can help City plant trees for
outcomes
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Headline Copy Goes HerePublic Tree Inventory
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59,144 PUBLIC TREES
●Two-thirds are street trees
Street Trees
38,362
Park Trees
9,749
City Facility
Golf Course
Stormwater Detention
Areas
Cemetery
Median
Other
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Headline Copy Goes HerePublic Tree Diversity
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11%11%
8%
5%4%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
green ash honeylocust bur oak common hackberry littleleaf linden
Pe
r
c
e
n
t
o
f
P
u
b
l
i
c
T
r
e
e
P
o
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
Fort Collins
10% Rule
TOP 5 PUBLIC TREE SPECIES
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Forestry Division Activities
PUBLIC TREE ACTIVITIES BY YEAR
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Nu
m
b
e
r
o
f
P
u
b
l
i
c
T
r
e
e
s
Pruned
Removed
Planted
EAB Treated
22.5% of public
trees pruned
Planting
exceeded
removals
EAB treatments
began
EAB treatments
began
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