HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-10/28/2025-Work Session (3)Fort Collins Police Services
2221 South
Timberline Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80522
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Work Session Memorandum
Date: October 31, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
From: Kristy Volesky, Assistant Chief, Fort Collins Police Services
Subject: October 28, 2025, Work Session Summary: Transfort/FCPS partnership
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this memo is to document the summary of discussions during the October 28,
2025 Work Session. All Councilmembers were present. Councilmember Pignataro attended
remotely.
This memorandum is intended to provide clarity on the Transfort/Fort Collins Police Services
(FCPS) partnership arranged to reduce real and perceived issues of safety on the transit
system.
SUMMARY OF PARTNERSHIP
Over the last few years, Fort Collins Transfort bus drivers, riders, and Transit Service Officers
(TSO’s) have reported a significant increase in disorderly and criminal behaviors impacting
safety and the quality of transit service. In addition to real issues, there has also been a reported
feeling of unease, resulting in individuals perceiving an unsafe environment. In response, Fort
Collins Police Services and Transfort are partnering on a multi-pronged, data-driven approach
aimed at improving community safety, reducing criminal activity, and enhancing the rider
experience along the corridor.
The funding for this initiative from Transfort will upgrade two officer positions to corporal and
add an officer as a backfill. There will also be designated funds for equipment, training, targeted
overtime and related expenses. The plan leverages FCPS’s expertise and is designed to be
proactive, collaborative and sustainable, combining enforcement, environmental design,
outreach, technology, mentorship and training.
CURRENT SYSTEM
Transfort is authorized to have 1 Transit Service Officer (TSO) Supervisor and 5 Transit Service
Officers (TSO’s). They are currently only staffed with 1 supervisor and 1 TSO as they have had
trouble hiring and retaining officers. The last two TSO’s left to obtain sworn officer positions in
other agencies. A TSO is a limited commission officer who does not have the same level of
authority as a sworn officer. While they are of value and can provide necessary services to
Transfort, should there be a need to arrest or perform the duty of a sworn officer, they need to
call FCPS for an officer to assist. With 4 current TSO vacancies right now, Transfort is still
working to fill those positions and is temporarily bridging the staffing gap with contracted
security officers to supplement their team. In 2026, Transfort is authorized an additional four (4)
Docusign Envelope ID: 968EE242-DC32-4368-85B3-36EAB41CAC2E
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TSO’s and rather than try to hire those already difficult to fill and retain positions, they will direct
that funding to support this partnership.
FUNDING
Transfort will pay FCPS the following:
2025: $40,000
2026: $260,000
2027: $250,000
2028: $250,000
DELIVERABLES
FCPS will utilize a SARA model approach to this program:
Scan – identify the specific nature and scope of disorderly and criminal behaviors affecting
Transfort operations.
Analysis – complete an in-depth analysis of the contributing factors.
Response – multi-pronged response incorporating environmental design, behavioral
accountability, enhanced surveillance, personnel development and dedicated enforcement
action.
Assess – Metrics will be determined and gathered throughout the duration of the program. The
partnership will be evaluated, and the future of the program will be determined in 2028.
PUTTING THE PLAN IN ACTION – THE RESPONSE
The response from FCPS will include a joint effort from the Homeless Outreach and Proactive
Engagement (HOPE) team, the Mental Health Response Team (MHRT) and the District 1 team.
FCPS, in partnership with Transfort, will respond to the identified real and perceived issues of
safety by implementing:
Environmental Design and Signage:
o FCPS will complete a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
analysis of transit facilities and bus stops.
o Transfort will install clear, standardized signage prohibiting camping, smoking,
trespassing and outlining penalties for violations.
Accountability Measures
o Criminal violations will be addressed, citations given and a suspension policy put
in place with escalating consequences based on severity or repeated violations.
Technology
o Camera coverage will be added in hotspot locations to deter criminal activity.
o FCPS will have remote access to cameras for real-time monitoring and improved
situational assessment.
Personnel Training and Mentorship
o FCPS will deliver comprehensive training programs for frontline staff (including
TSO’s, Operators, Customer Services Representatives etc.) including:
Docusign Envelope ID: 968EE242-DC32-4368-85B3-36EAB41CAC2E
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Verbal Judo for de-escalation and communication.
Problem-Oriented and Community-Oriented Policing tactics to solve
issues collaboratively.
FCPS will provide ongoing mentorship to TSO’s to build their experience
and confidence to handle situations
FCPS will upgrade a HOPE officer position and an MHRT officer position
to the Corporal rank to provide leadership, oversight and mentorship.
The existing MHRT officer position will be backfilled to allow the Corporal
to have consistent engagement with Transfort on this project while not
impacting the MHRT program.
Prior to this agreement, HOPE added an additional officer position to the
team, increasing their strength to 4 officers and 1 sergeant. This occurred
when the HOPE and MHRT teams were designated to report to one
sergeant (Sgt. Annie Hill) allowing for the created sergeant vacancy to be
filled with an additional HOPE officer.
Directed overtime will be added to increase enforcement visibility along
bus routes, reinforcing positive behaviors. This targeted enforcement will
be dictated by a data heat map that provides insight into trends for days
of the week and time of day where incidents are occurring.
IMPACT ON FCPS TEAMS
Currently HOPE, MHRT, District 1 and patrol officers are routinely called to assist with criminal
activity as it relates to the Transfort system. A focused approach is expected to greatly impact
criminal behavior, resulting in a more positive ridership and work experience for individuals in
the transit system. Upgrading two officer positions and backfilling the officer position in MHRT,
and the recent addition of an officer to the HOPE team will not take away from their current
responsibilities. As it is, many of the individuals’ causing issues on Transfort are well known to
MHRT, HOPE and D1 officers and relationships have been established. Officers will continue to
work with unhoused individuals, some of whom experience mental health concerns as they work
collaboratively with Transfort TSO’s and drivers to address issues. The desired result is
increased Safety and Service to ALL along the transit system.
Docusign Envelope ID: 968EE242-DC32-4368-85B3-36EAB41CAC2E