HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/16/2017 - Memorandum From Darin Atteberry Re: Citizen Survey Results - November 2015Citizen Survey
Report of Results
November 2015
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
Contents
Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................................................................................
1
Survey Background ...........................................................................................................................................................................
5
Survey Results ...................................................................................................................................................................................
7
Community and Neighborhood Livability ............................................................................................................................. 7
Safe Community ..........................................................................................................................................................................
11
Environmental Health ............................................................................................................................................................... 16
Transportation ............................................................................................................................................................................
19
Culture and Recreation ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Economic Health .......................................................................................................................................................................
23
High Performing Government ................................................................................................................................................ 26
Appendix A. Respondent Characteristics .................................................................................................................................38
Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies ................................................................................................................. 40
Appendix C. Verbatim Responses ............................................................................................................................................. 64
Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics .............................................................. 93
Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence .................................. 122
Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons .................................................................................................................................... 130
Appendix G. Comparisons of Average Ratings by Year ....................................................................................................... 148
Appendix H. Survey Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 153
Appendix I. Survey Materials ..................................................................................................................................................... 156
Prepared by
National Research Center, Inc.
2955 Valmont Rd., Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80301
303-444-7863 • www.n-r-c.com
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
Figures
Figure 1: Overall Quality of Life Compared by Year .................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 2: Quality of Life and Community Ratings Compared by Year ................................................................................. 8
Figure 3: Quality of Neighborhoods Compared by Year ..........................................................................................................9
Figure 4: Access to Everyday Needs, 2015 ...................................................................................................................................9
Figure 5: Knows Neighbors Compared by Year ....................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 6: Frequency of Communication with Neighbors Compared by Year ................................................................... 10
Figure 7: Overall Safety of Residents in City Compared by Year .......................................................................................... 11
Figure 8: Feelings of Personal Safety Compared by Year ....................................................................................................... 12
Figure 9: Quality of Community Safety Services Compared by Year .................................................................................. 14
Figure 10: Quality of Safety-Related Utility Services Compared by Year .......................................................................... 15
Figure 11: Overall Quality of the Environment Compared by Year ...................................................................................... 16
Figure 12: Quality of Aspects of the Environment Compared by Year ................................................................................ 16
Figure 13: Support for Disposal Restrictions ............................................................................................................................ 17
Figure 14: Quality of Sewer Services Compared by Year........................................................................................................ 18
Figure 15: Quality of Drinking Water Compared by Year ..................................................................................................... 18
Figure 16: Aspects of Transportation Compared by Year ...................................................................................................... 19
Figure 17: Community Aspects of Culture and Recreation Compared by Year ............................................................... 20
Figure 18: Quality of Parks, Recreational and Cultural Programs and Facilities Compared by Year ......................... 22
Figure 19: City as a Place to Work Compared by Year .......................................................................................................... 23
Figure 20: Community Aspects of Economic Health Compared by Year ......................................................................... 24
Figure 21: Economic Health and Support of Businesses Compared by Year .................................................................... 25
Figure 22: Economic Health of Businesses, 2015 ..................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 23: Overall Quality of City Services Compared by Year ........................................................................................... 26
Figure 24: Quality of Utility Billing and Utilities Overall Compared by Year ..................................................................27
Figure 25: City Government Performance Compared by Year ............................................................................................ 28
Figure 26: Contact with City Employees Compared by Year .............................................................................................. 29
Figure 27: Users’ Ratings of Employee Characteristics Compared by Year ..................................................................... 30
Figure 28: Non-Users’ Ratings of Employee Characteristics Compared by Year ........................................................... 30
Figure 29: Budget Priorities Compared by Year ...................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 30: Services Identified as Needing More Effort, 2015 ................................................................................................. 33
Figure 31: Services Identified as Needing Less Effort, 2015 .................................................................................................. 34
Figure 32: Residents Top Priorities for the City, 2015 ............................................................................................................35
Figure 33: City Information Aspects Compared by Year ...................................................................................................... 36
Figure 34: Sources of Information Compared by Year ............................................................................................................ 37
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
1
Executive Summary
Background
The Fort Collins Citizen Survey serves as a consumer report card for the City by providing residents the
opportunity to rate the quality of life in the city and their satisfaction with community amenities and local
government. Residents also provide feedback to the City government on what is working well and what is not,
and identify priorities for community planning and resource allocation. The Fort Collins Citizen Survey was first
conducted in 2001. This report outlines the results for the 2015 survey, which was the eighth iteration.
For the 2015 survey, 2,700 residents within city boundaries and 300 Colorado State University (CSU) dormitory
students were randomly selected to receive survey mailings in September 2015. Respondents were given the
option to complete the survey online in English or in Spanish, if desired. Of the 3,000 surveys mailed, about 86
were returned because the housing unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as
addressed. Of the 2,914 households and dormitory students that received a survey, 674 completed the survey (56
were completed online and all were completed in English), 29 of which were CSU dormitory students, providing
an overall response rate of 23%. It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a
“level of confidence” (or margin of error). The 95% confidence level is typically no greater than plus or minus four
percentage points around any given percent based on community-wide results (674 respondents).
Comparisons are made between 2015 responses and those from prior years, when available. The 2015 results also
were compared by demographic characteristics of respondents and geographic subarea of residence. In addition,
the City of Fort Collins elected to have results compared to those of other jurisdictions around the nation and to
Front Range jurisdictions. These comparisons are made possible through National Research Center’s (NRC’s)
national benchmark database, which contains resident perspectives gathered in community surveys from
approximately 500 jurisdictions.
Key Findings
Community and Neighborhood Livability
Residents continue to enjoy a high quality of life.
• Residents of Fort Collins continued to enjoy a high
quality of life, as nearly 9 out of 10 respondents rated
the overall quality of life as very good or good, which
was higher than the national and Front Range
benchmarks.
• Nearly all residents gave favorable marks to Fort
Collins as a place to live and about 9 in 10 indicated
that the City was a good place to raise children and to
attend college.
• Most ratings remained stable; however, while positive
ratings for community acceptance of all people decreased from 2013 to 2015, compared to other Front
Range communities, Fort Collins was ranked the best place for community accepting of all people.
• Close to 9 in 10 residents rated their neighborhoods as a very good or good place to live and over three-
quarters favorably rated their neighborhoods as a place to raise children. Both of these ratings were higher
than those seen in communities across the nation and the Front Range.
• In 2015, participants reported that they knew, on average, about nine of their close neighbors by name.
90% 88% 89% 92%
89%
2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or
"good"
Overall Quality of Life
Compared by Year
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
2
Affordable housing is considered an important area of focus by many residents.
• Evaluations of the availability of affordable quality housing decreased from 2013 to 2015, with 17% saying it
was very good or good in 2015. This rating also was lower than the national and Front Range benchmarks.
• Students (those who attended college full or part time) tended to give higher ratings to the availability of
affordable housing.
• When asked to identify services or amenities to which they would like the City to apply more effort, about
one-quarter of residents mentioned affordable housing/student housing in the future.
• About one-third of participants stated that they would like issues related to neighborhoods and housing be
one of the top three priorities for the City in the next five years.
Safe Community
Survey respondents feel safe in the community and appreciate safety services.
• As in previous years, Fort Collins residents gave high ratings to the overall safety of the City in 2015, with 9
in 10 giving very good or good ratings. This rating was higher than the U.S. and Front Range benchmarks.
• Participants living South of Harmony, men and residents living in detached housing units gave higher
ratings to the overall safety of residents than other participants.
• Nearly all residents felt always or usually safe in their neighborhoods, in Downtown Fort Collins and in the
City overall during the day and at least two-thirds felt safe in these areas at night.
• More than 8 in 10 residents gave high marks to fire response time, fire services overall and Natural Areas
Ranger services.
• At least 7 in 10 participants gave positive ratings to fire prevention/education, disaster response and
restoration of services, emergency preparedness, police response time and police services overall.
• When ratings were compared, Fort Collins’ emergency preparedness was ranked second in the nation and
first in the Front Range.
Environmental Health
Fort Collins residents are pleased with their environment and consider it a focus area for the City.
• Close to 9 in 10 participants rated the overall quality of the in environment Fort Collins’ as very good or
good in 2015, a rating that has remained stable since 2008.
• At least three-quarters of survey respondents awarded high marks to recycling programs and conservation
efforts and over 8 in 10 rated air quality and the community’s visual attractiveness favorably.
• The ratings for air quality decreased from 2013 to
2015, but the trend for recycling programs,
conservation efforts and community’s visual
attractiveness remained similar to previous years.
• Fort Collins was rated first in air quality and second
in community’s visual attractiveness when
compared to other Front Range communities.
• Nearly a quarter of participants identified recycling
and environmental sustainability services as
important areas for increased effort by the City.
• Three in 10 survey respondents reported that environmental issues should be a top priority for the City of
Fort Collins.
• When asked about their support for adding restrictions to the disposal of recyclables and yard waste, at
least two-thirds of respondents would support the City prohibiting the disposal of recyclables in
residential trash cans, while about 6 in 10 would at least somewhat support banning yard waste from being
sent to the landfill. Only about 2 in 10 indicated they would strongly oppose either measure.
83% 89% 89% 87%
92% 87%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or
"good"
Overall Quality of Environment
Compared by Year
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
3
Transportation
Respondents feel transportation and traffic are the biggest areas of improvement for the City.
• Ease of travel by bicycle was given positive ratings by nearly 8 in 10 respondents and 6 in 10 residents also
felt that Fort Collins was a good or very good walkable city.
• About 4 in 10 gave high marks to ease of travel by public transportation and street maintenance, while
close to one-third rated ease of driving positively.
• The level of traffic congestion was rated favorably by 13%; this rating was lower than the national and
Front Range benchmarks and lower when compared to 2013 evaluations.
• Ratings for Fort Collins as a walkable city, street maintenance, ease of driving and availability of parking
Downtown also decreased from 2013 to 2015; yet, ratings for ease of traveling by public transportation, Fort
Collins as a walkable city, ease of travel by bicycle and street maintenance were higher or much higher than
ratings given to other communities across the U.S.
• Participants who had lived in Fort Collins 11 years or longer, non-students and individuals aged 35-54 were
more likely to give lower ratings to the ease of travel by public transportation compared to other residents.
• Almost three-quarters of respondents felt that Fort Collins should expend more effort in the area of
transportation and traffic, and transportation was identified as the biggest issue facing the City –63% of
those who specified City priorities.
Culture and Recreation
Residents enjoy the cultural and recreational opportunities provided by the City of Fort Collins.
• About 9 in 10 residents rated the quality of recreational opportunities and public library services highly and
these ratings remained stable over time.
• Two-thirds of participants also gave high marks to the quality of arts and cultural opportunities; however,
this rating was lower than in 2013, but similar to ratings in 2012.
• All three community measures of culture and recreation were rated much higher by residents in Fort
Collins compared to jurisdictions across the nation and the Front Range.
• Nearly all residents gave exceptional ratings to recreational trails, natural areas and open space, parks, the
Fort Collins Senior Center and The Gardens on Spring Creek.
• Parks, recreational and cultural programs and facilities were rated much higher than the national average.
When comparisons could be made, Fort Collins residents’ also rated these areas higher than other Front
Range residents.
Economic Health
Respondents value the available job opportunities and many feel positively about the support Fort
Collins provides for businesses.
• As in previous years, Fort Collins was favorably
rated as a place to work, with 78% of residents
rating very good or good. This rating was much
higher than ratings in national and Front Range
comparison communities.
• Forty-two percent of respondents favorable
rated the availability of job opportunities, a
rating that increased since the last iteration of
the survey.
• Residents from the South of Harmony area gave
higher ratings to Fort Collins as a place to
work, , while residents who lived in the
58% 56%
65%
72%
67%
40% 42% 40%
58%
64% 67%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Economic Health Compared by Year
Support of businesses
Promotion of the economic health
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
4
Northwest/CSU area were the most appreciative of shopping opportunities.
• About two-thirds of respondents thought that the City did a very good or good job supporting businesses
and promoting the economic health of the City and two-thirds also gave high marks to the quality of
shopping opportunities.
• For the first time in 2015, residents were also asked to rate the City’s performance encouraging a variety of
businesses, retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses. About 6 in 10 evaluated these
aspects of economic health as very good or good.
• Overall, residents from the Northwest/CSU area, those who had lived in Fort Collins five years or less,
individuals living in dorm housing, students and younger participants were more likely to give higher
ratings to most aspects of economic health than other residents.
High-Performing Government
Survey respondents think highly of City
services.
• Ratings for the overall quality of services
provided by the City of Fort Collins were very
positive, with 84% of respondents giving
favorable ratings; a rating that has remained
stable over time. This rating was much higher the
national and Front Range benchmarks.
• Older respondents and long-term residents were
less likely to rate the overall quality of City
services as very good or good.
City government performance is rated positively by a majority of residents, but ratings for some
measures have decreased over time.
• Encouraging sustainability in the community was rated the most positively, with 7 in 10 respondents giving
very good or good ratings. .
• The overall direction of the City was rated positively by about two-thirds of participants, while close to 6
in 10 gave Fort Collins high marks for the efficient operation of programs and services.
• Ratings for the efficient operation of programs and services and managing and planning for growth
decreased from 2013 to 2015.
• The overall direction of the City was rated much higher than other communities in the U.S. and in the
Front Range.
• Almost 7 in 10 residents reported that the City does a very good or good job welcoming citizen involvement
and a majority also rated the City favorably for the job they do informing residents and listening to citizens.
• Ratings for city information aspects tended to be higher or much higher than ratings given by residents in
other communities, both nationally and in the Front Range.
• Of the 54% of respondents who reported contact with a City employee in the prior 12 months, about 8 in 10
felt that the employee was courteous, prompt, and knowledgeable. Sixty-nine percent of respondents felt
valued by the employee and close to 8 in 10 participants had a very good or good overall impression of the
employee.
Overall Quality of City Services Compared by Year
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
5
Survey Background
Survey Purpose
The City of Fort Collins contracted with National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) to conduct a community-wide
citizen survey. The 2015 Fort Collins Citizen Survey serves as a consumer report card for Fort Collins by
providing residents the opportunity to rate the quality of life in the city, as well as the community's amenities,
service delivery, and satisfaction with the local government. The survey also permits residents to provide
feedback to government on what is working well and what is not, and to communicate priorities for community
planning and resource allocation. This is the eighth iteration of the survey since 2001.
Methods
The 2015 survey was mailed to 2,700 randomly selected Fort Collins residents and 300 randomly selected
Colorado State University (CSU) students who resided in on-campus dormitories. Those selected to participate
in the survey received three mailings, one week apart, beginning in September 2015. The first mailing was a
prenotification postcard announcing the upcoming survey. The other two mailings contained a letter from the
Mayor, a questionnaire and a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope. Respondents were given the option to
complete the survey online in English or in Spanish. About 3% of the mailings were returned as undeliverable
because the housing unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the
2,914 households and students that received the survey, 674 respondents completed a survey (56 were completed
online), 29 of which were returned by students living in dormitories. No surveys were completed in Spanish. The
overall response rate was 23%.
Survey results were weighted so that the respondent gender, age, housing unit type (single or multiple family
dwelling), tenure (rent, own or living in group quarters) and location of residence were more closely represented
in the proportions reflective of the entire city. (For more information see Appendix H. Survey Methodology.)
How the Results Are Reported
For the most part, the “percent positive” and frequency distributions (the percent of respondents giving each
possible response to a particular question) are presented in the body of the report. The percent positive is the
combination of the top two most positive response options (i.e., “very good” and “good,” “always safe” and
“usually safe,” etc.).
On many of the questions in the survey, respondents could give an answer of “no opinion.” The proportion of
respondents giving this reply is shown in the full set of responses included in Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey
Frequencies and is discussed in the body of this report if it is 30% or greater. However, these responses have been
removed from the analyses presented in the body of the report, unless otherwise indicated. In other words, the
majority of the tables and graphs in the body of the report display the responses from those who had an opinion
about a specific item.
For some questions, respondents were permitted to select or write in multiple responses. When the total exceeds
100% in a table for a multiple response question, it is because some respondents are counted in multiple
categories. When a table for a question that only permitted a single response does not total to exactly 100%, it is
due to the common practice of percentages being rounded to the nearest whole number.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
6
Precision of Estimates
It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a “level of confidence” (or margin of
error). The 95 percent confidence level for this survey is generally no greater than plus or minus four percentage
points around any given percent reported for the entire sample (674 completed surveys). Where estimates are
given for subgroups, they are less precise. Generally the 95% confidence interval ranges from plus or minus five
percentage points for samples of about 400 to plus or minus 10 percentage points for samples as small as 100. For
smaller sample sizes (i.e., 50), the margin of error rises to 14%.
Comparing Survey Results Over Time
Because this survey was the eighth in a series of citizen surveys, the 2015 results are presented along with past
ratings when available. Differences between percentages reported in the body of the report between 2015 and
2013 can be considered “statistically significant” if they are six percentage points or more. Trend data for Fort
Collins represent important comparisons and should be examined for improvements or declines. Deviations from
stable trends over time represent opportunities for understanding how local policies, programs or public
information may have affected residents’ opinions.
Comparing Survey Results by Geographic and Demographic Subgroups
Select survey results were compared by demographic characteristics of survey respondents and geographic area
of residence and select findings are discussed throughout the body of the report (a full set of these results can be
found in Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select
Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Comparing Survey Results to Other Communities
NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in citizen surveys
from over 500 communities whose residents evaluated their services. Conducted with typically no fewer than
400 residents in each community, opinions are intended to represent over 30 million Americans.
National and Front Range benchmark comparisons have been included in the report when available. Benchmark
comparisons have been provided when similar questions on the Fort Collins survey are included in NRC’s
database and there are at least five communities in which the question was asked, though most questions are
compared to more than five other cities across the country or in the Front Range. Additional information on
NRC’s benchmarking database, including communities to which Fort Collins was compared nationally and in
the Front Range, can be found in Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons.
Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, the City of Fort Collins results were generally noted as
being “higher” than the benchmark, “lower” than the benchmark or “similar” to the benchmark. In instances
where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have been further demarcated
by the attribute of “much,” (for example, “much lower” or “much higher”). These labels come from a statistical
comparison of Fort Collins’ rating to the benchmark where a rating is considered “similar” if it is within the
margin of error (less than three points on the 100-point scale); “higher” or “lower” if the difference between Fort
Collins’ rating and the benchmark is greater than the margin of error (greater than three points but less than six
points); and “much higher” or “much lower” if the difference between Fort Collins’ rating and the benchmark is
more than twice the margin of error (six points or greater). Comparisons for a number of items on the survey are
not available in the benchmark database (e.g., some of the city services or aspects of government performance).
These items are excluded from the benchmark tables.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
7
Survey Results
The Fort Collins Citizen Survey is comprehensive, covering many topics related to life in the community. The
2015 report of results is organized around the City’s seven priorities highlighted in the 2015-2016 Budgeting For
Outcomes (BFO) document. These are:
• Community and Neighborhood Livability - Fort Collins provides a high quality built environment and
supports quality, diverse neighborhoods.
• Safe Community - Fort Collins provides a safe place to live, work, learn, and play.
• Environmental Health - Fort Collins promotes, protects, and enhances a healthy and sustainable
environment.
• Transportation - Fort Collins provides for safe and reliable multi-modal travel to, from, and throughout
the city.
• Culture and Recreation - Fort Collins provides diverse cultural and recreational amenities.
• Economic Health - Fort Collins has a healthy, sustainable economy reflecting community values.
• High Performing Government - Fort Collins exemplifies an efficient, innovative, transparent, effective,
and collaborative City government.
Community and Neighborhood Livability
Aspects of Quality of Life and Community
Residents’ perceptions of their quality of life and the quality of their neighborhood are central to gauging
community livability. Fort Collins residents gave exceptionally high marks to the overall quality of life in Fort
Collins, with nearly 9 in 10 awarding very good or good ratings in 2015. These ratings have remained stable over
time. Ratings of quality of life were compared to ratings given by residents of other communities across the
nation and those in the Front Range. Fort Collins’ ratings for overall quality of life was much higher than the
communities in each set of comparisons (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons for more detail about the
benchmark comparisons).
The 2015 survey results were compared by respondent geographic area of residence and demographic
characteristics (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of
Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence). There were a few differences demographic characteristics.
Residents who were 55 years or older, those who were Hispanic or some other race and those not working for
pay tended to give lower rating to the overall quality of life in Fort Collins. There were no differences by area of
residence.
Figure 1: Overall Quality of Life Compared by Year
90% 88% 89%
92% 89%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or
"good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
8
Regarding residents’ perspectives on the seven aspects of quality of life and community in Fort Collins, at least
two-thirds of respondents gave very good or good ratings to nearly all aspects. Nearly all residents gave favorable
marks to Fort Collins as a place to live and about 9 in 10 indicated that the City was a good place to raise children
and to attend college. At least 8 in 10 participants thought highly of the quality of Fort Collins public schools and
the community as a place to retire. About two-thirds of respondents gave positive ratings to the community’s
acceptance of all people and 17% of gave positive ratings to the availability of affordable quality housing.
Most of these aspects were stable over time; however, ratings for community acceptance decreased from 2013 to
2015 (75% very good or good in 2013 compared to 68% in 2015), as did the availability of affordable quality
housing, which dropped from 31% very good or good in 2013 to 17% in 2015, but was similar to ratings reported in
2006 (see Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies for a full set of responses to each question).
When compared to other communities, nearly all of the aspects were rated much higher than ratings in the
national and Front Range comparisons, with the exception of the availability of affordable quality housing, which
was much lower than the benchmarks. As in 2013, Fort Collins was ranked the best place for community
acceptable of all people among the 20 Front Range communities that asked a similar question (see Appendix F.
Benchmark Comparisons).
Ratings of quality of life and community differed by respondents’ area of residence and demographic
characteristics. For example, residents who had lived in detached housing units tended to give higher ratings of
Fort Collins as a place to live overall, public schools and the City as a place to raise children. Students (those who
attended college full or part time) gave higher ratings of affordable quality housing and the community as a place
to attend college, but lower ratings to Fort Collins as a place to raise children. Those who were not working for
pay tended to give lower reviews to many of these aspects of quality of life and community compared to those
who were working for pay. Respondents from the Northeast area awarded lower rating to Fort Collins as a place
to raise children, while residents from the area south of Harmony gave the highest marks for this measure. For a
full set of comparisons, see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence.
Figure 2: Quality of Life and Community Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on
each of the items listed below. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Overall, as a place to live 93% 97% 96% 92% 94% 84% 89% 89%
As a place to raise children 90% 92% 91% 88% 89% 85% 91% 90%
As a place to attend college 89% 88% 88% 90% 89% 87% 91% 94%
Quality of public schools 84% 82% 82% 78% 78% 79% NA NA
As a place to retire 81% 79% 78% 80% 80% 75% 72% 76%
Community acceptance of all people 68% 75% 69% 63% 67% 53% 61% 59%
Availability of affordable quality housing 17% 31% 33% 42% 31% 14% 21% 17%
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
Note: in the 2010 survey, “Community acceptance of all people” was worded as “Community openness and acceptance of all people.”
Quality of Neighborhoods
Survey respondents were also asked to rate the quality of their neighborhoods. In 2015, 86% of residents rated
their neighborhoods as a very good or good place to live and three-quarters of participants gave high marks to
their neighborhoods as a place to raise children, ratings that remained stable from 2013 to 2015. Both of these
aspects were rated higher than those in communities across the nation and the Front Range.
Residents were also asked to rate the access within their neighborhoods to every day needs, such as grocery
shopping, services and amenities in 2015. Nearly 8 in 10 rated their access to these essentials as very good or good.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
9
Comparisons by respondent characteristics showed differences in neighborhood. Residents who lived south of
Harmony tended to give higher ratings to their neighborhoods as places to live and to raise children than
participants who lived in other parts of the City, while respondents from the East Central area gave higher marks
to access within their neighborhoods to everyday needs than did other individuals. Residents who had lived in
Fort Collins for more than 20 years, those who lived in a dorm, students and respondents ages 18-34 tended to
give lower ratings to their neighborhoods as a place to raise children than their fellow residents (see Appendix D.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent
Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 3: Quality of Neighborhoods Compared by Year
Figure 4: Access to Everyday Needs, 2015
83% 81%
77%
81%
86% 86%
79%
69% 67%
73% 73% 76%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Your neighborhood as a place to live
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children
79%
Access within your
neighborhood to
everyday needs (i.e.,
grocery shopping,
services, and
amenities)
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
10
Interaction with Neighbors
The degree to which residents interact with and know their neighbors can be used to measure the cohesiveness
of a community. In 2015, participants reported that they knew, on average, about nine of their close neighbors by
name. About one-third of respondents indicated they knew one to five of their neighbors who live on their street
or in their apartment complex, while one-quarter stated that they knew 6-10 or more than 10 neighbors by name.
Only about 1 in 10 did not know any of their close neighbors’ names. Additionally, over 9 in 10 residents reported
that they talked to their neighbors at least once a year or more and 70% indicated they talk to their neighbors at
least once a week (see Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies for a full set of responses to each question).
The proportion of residents that knew and interacted with their neighbors in 2015 was similar to the proportions
reported in 2013.
Figure 5: Knows Neighbors Compared by Year
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006
Thinking about your neighbors who live on
your street or in your apartment complex,
how many of them do you know by name?
None 14% 10% 11% 11% 9% 4%
1-5 35% 37% 39% 39% 40% 26%
6-10 25% 25% 20% 24% 24% 28%
More than 10 25% 29% 30% 25% 27% 42%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Average number of neighbors known by name 8.6 9.4 9.5 8.5 8.8 12.9
In how many households do you know
someone by name?
None 12% 10% 11% 11% 9% 4%
1-5 47% 55% 56% 56% 57% 45%
6-10 27% 25% 21% 23% 24% 33%
More than 10 14% 11% 12% 10% 10% 18%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Average number of households where know neighbor by name 6.2 6.0 5.6 5.1 5.6 7.6
Figure 6: Frequency of Communication with Neighbors Compared by Year
97% 95%
93% 93% 92% 93%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent reporting talking to their
neighbors once a year or more
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
11
Safe Community
In order to participate in and contribute to their community, residents must have a sense of personal safety in
their environment, as well as confidence in the quality of government services provided to keep the community
safe.
Personal Safety
In general, residents felt safe in Fort Collins, with about 9 in 10 reporting the overall safety of residents as very
good or good, similar to 2013 ratings. Nearly all residents felt always or usually safe in their neighborhoods, in
Downtown Fort Collins and in the City overall during the day and at least two-thirds felt safe in these areas at
night. Over 9 in 10 felt safe in recreation facilities, while at least 8 in 10 felt at least usually safe in natural
areas/open space, parks and trails. All aspects of personal safety remained stable since the last iteration in the
survey in 2013.
Ratings for the overall safety of residents in Fort Collins were much higher than the national and Front Range
benchmarks. Comparisons of residents’ perception of safety in their neighborhoods during the day and night also
were much higher than communities elsewhere, while feelings of safety in the City’s downtown area during the
day were similar to the benchmarks. Compared to the national and Front Range benchmarks, residents of Fort
Collins reported feeling safe in the downtown area at night at much lower levels (see Appendix F. Benchmark
Comparisons).
Feelings of personal safety ratings varied significantly by respondent characteristics, including geographic area.
Participants living men and residents living in detached housing units gave higher ratings to the overall safety of
residents than did their counterparts. Respondents who lived in the Northwest/CSU region tended to feel safer
at natural areas/open space, parks and trails than other residents. Residents who had lived in Fort Collins less
than five years, women and older residents felt less safe in most areas of Fort Collins during the day or night
compared to other respondents. Those who were White and not Hispanic tended to feel safer in their
neighborhoods during the day and at night than did those who were Hispanic or some other race. For additional
comparisons, see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of
Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence.
Figure 7: Overall Safety of Residents in City Compared by Year
86%
81%
75%
87% 87% 91% 91%
88%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
12
Figure 8: Feelings of Personal Safety Compared by Year
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the following
areas. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006
Your neighborhood during the day 97% 98% 98% 97% 97% 98%
Your neighborhood at night 85% 88% 86% 83% 83% 87%
Fort Collins overall during the day 96% 98% 97% NA NA NA
Fort Collins overall at night 73% 77% 78% NA NA NA
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 95% 99% 98% 95% 95% 96%
Downtown Fort Collins at night 67% 71% 68% 65% 66% 61%
Recreation facilities 93% 95% 91% 94% 94% 91%
Natural areas/open space 87% 88% 85% 88% 87% NA
Parks 83% 87% 88% 88% 87% 86%
Trails 83% 82% 83% 80% 79% 76%
Percent reporting “always safe” or “usually safe.”
Note: In the 2012 and 2013 surveys, the phrase “in Fort Collins” was removed from each item and inserted into the question stem wording.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
13
Safety Services
When evaluating the 17 safety and code enforcement services (shown in Figure 9 on the following page), residents
gave high marks to fire response time, fire services overall (87% very good or good for each) and Natural Areas
Ranger services (83%). Additionally, at least three-quarters of participants gave positive ratings to fire
prevention/education, disaster response and restoration of services and emergency preparedness. About 7 in 10
gave very good or good ratings to police response time, police services overall and business property maintenance.
About half or less respondents gave favorable assessments to traffic and noise enforcement.
Compared to 2013, ratings in 2015 for disaster response and restoration of services, police services overall,
business property maintenance, police patrol, traffic enforcement and noise enforcement decreased. Ratings for
all other safety services remained stable over time.
When comparisons could be made, safety and code enforcement services tended to be higher or much higher than
communities across the nation and in the Front Range, including emergency preparedness, fire
prevention/education, fire services, crime prevention, police services, code enforcement and animal control.
Ratings for Fort Collins’ emergency preparedness were ranked second in the nation (out of 240 communities)
and first in the Front Range (out of 17 communities). Traffic enforcement was rated similarly to other
communities (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
At least 30% of respondents had no opinion when rating emergency preparedness, disaster response, fire
prevention, fire and police response times and fire services overall (see Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies
for full frequencies).
A few differences were noted by respondent characteristics and area of residence. Those who lived South of
Harmony were more likely to highly rate the safety services of emergency preparedness, disaster response,
residential property maintenance and noise enforcement services than other residents. Those living in the
Northwest/CSU area gave higher marks to code enforcement and animal control than their counterparts.
Residents who identified as Hispanic or some other race tended to give lower ratings to fire prevention and
education, animal control and noise enforcement compared to those who were White and not Hispanic.
Respondents aged 18-34 tended to give higher ratings to most safety services than other residents. Individuals
who had lived in the community longer than 20 years and those living in detached housing were more likely to
rate safety services lower compared to respondents who had lived in Fort Collins for less time and lived in
attached or dormitory housing (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix
E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
14
Figure 9: Quality of Community Safety Services Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of each of the following
in Fort Collins. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Fire response time 87% 89% 84% NA NA NA NA NA
Fire services overall 87% 89% 85% 96% 94% NA 90% 96%
Natural Areas Ranger services 83% 81% 83% NA NA NA NA NA
Fire prevention/education 78% 74% 72% NA NA NA NA NA
Disaster response and restoration of services 77% 84% NA NA NA NA NA NA
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the
community for natural disasters or other emergency
situations) 76% 80% 75% NA NA NA NA NA
Police response time 72% 74% 70% 68% 68% NA 74% 81%
Police services overall 70% 76% 73% 68% 70% NA NA NA
Business property maintenance 68% 74% 70% 68% 72% NA NA NA
Crime prevention 66% 70% 66% 77% 72% NA NA NA
Residential property maintenance 65% 67% 63% 61% 65% NA NA NA
Police visibility 64% 69% 70% 67% 67% NA NA NA
Police patrol 63% 72% 71% 70% 70% NA NA NA
Animal control 59% 64% 65% 61% 66% NA NA NA
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 54% 57% 59% 54% 55% NA NA NA
Traffic enforcement 52% 63% 64% 63% 62% NA 49% 56%
Noise enforcement 49% 57% 59% NA NA NA NA NA
Percent “very good” or “good.”
Note: This question was not asked in 2006. In the 2010 survey, “Fire services overall” was described as “Fire services.” “Disaster response and
restoration of services” was a new item in 2013.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
15
Fort Collins residents were also asked about their opinions regarding safety-related utility services. As in
previous years, close to 9 in 10 residents gave very good or good ratings to electric services and about three-
quarters of respondents felt positively about the quality of the storm drainage services provided by the City.
Ratings for electric and storm drainage were much higher than ratings from communities across the U.S. and
storm drainage was rated much higher than in other Front Range benchmark communities (ranked number 1 out
of 20 communities). Ratings for electric services were not available for comparison to the Front Range (see
Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
When results were compared among subgroups of residents, those who lived South of Harmony tended to give
higher ratings to storm drainage than participants from other areas of the City. Shorter-term (five years or less)
residents and those who were Hispanic or some other race gave lower ratings to the quality of electric services
than other residents (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 10: Quality of Safety-Related Utility Services Compared by Year
78%
89%
77%
89%
76%
89%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Storm drainage
Electric services
Percent "very good" or "good"
2015
2013
2012
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
16
Environmental Health
Environmental health includes a variety of factors that support residents’ physical health and ensure the
protection and sustainability of the community’s natural resources. Close to 9 in 10 participants rated Fort
Collins’ overall quality environment as very good or good in 2015, a rating that has remained stable since 2008.
The other four aspects of environmental health were rated positively by a majority of residents, including
community’s visual attractiveness (89% very good or good), air quality (82%), recycling programs (78%) and
conservation efforts (78%).
The ratings for air quality decreased from 2013 to 2015, but the trend for recycling programs, conservation efforts
and community’s visual attractiveness remained similar to previous years.
All aspects of environmental health were rated much higher in Fort Collins than the national and Front Range
benchmarks. Fort Collins was rated first in air quality (out of 16 communities) and second in community’s visual
attractiveness (out of 17 communities) compared to other jurisdictions across the Front Range (see Appendix F.
Benchmark Comparisons).
When ratings of environmental health in Fort Collins were compared by respondent characteristics, those who
were older (over the age of 54) and those who lived in Fort Collins for more than 20 years tended to give lower
ratings to most aspects of environmental health than other residents. Younger participants (18-34) and students
gave higher ratings to air quality and the overall quality of the environment of the city. No differences were noted
by area of residence (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 11: Overall Quality of the Environment Compared by Year
Figure 12: Quality of Aspects of the Environment Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of the environment in
Fort Collins on each of the items listed below. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Community's visual attractiveness 89% 91% 87% 86% 91% 83% 79% 73%
Air quality 82% 90% 84% 85% 84% 72% 63% 57%
Recycling programs 78% 83% 81% 78% 79% 69% 64% 71%
Conservation efforts 78% 82% 78% 81% 75% NA NA NA
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
83%
89% 89% 87%
92%
87%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
17
Fort Collins residents were also asked to indicate what level of support they would have for the City adding
restrictions to the disposal of recyclables and yard waste. At least two-thirds of respondents would support the
City prohibiting the disposal of recyclables in residential trash cans, while about 6 in 10 would at least somewhat
support banning yard waste from being sent to the landfill. Only about 2 in 10 indicated they would strongly
oppose either measure.
When compared by respondent demographic characteristics, the level of support for these disposal restrictions
decreased with length of residency and age. Those living in attached units or dormitories, those who were
students and those living in the Northwest/CSU and West Central areas were more likely to support these
initiatives (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select
Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 13: Support for Disposal Restrictions
30%
40%
30%
28%
18%
13%
22%
19%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Prohibiting yard waste
from being sent to the
landfill
Prohibiting the
disposal of
bottles/cans/paper (i.e.,
"curbside recyclables”)
in residential trash …
Percent "very good" or "good"
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
18
In addition to rating aspects of the environment, respondents also were asked to evaluate City services related to
the environment. Close to 9 in 10 gave high marks to the quality of sewer services provided by the City, as well as
the quality of drinking water. Ratings for these items in 2015 were similar to ratings given in 2013.
Compared to the benchmarks, ratings for drinking water and sewer services were rated much higher than
national and Front Range comparison communities.
Comparisons by respondent demographics indicated that respondents who had lived in the community 11 years
of longer, those who lived in detached housing units, men and those working for pay gave higher ratings to the
quality of drinking water than other participants (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent
Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 14: Quality of Sewer Services Compared by Year
Figure 15: Quality of Drinking Water Compared by Year
Note: In the 2010 survey, “Drinking water” was “Drinking water quality” and was included in the Quality of Environment question set. In 2012, it
was moved to be grouped with questions about other utilities.
90% 87%
88%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
88%
91%
88%
92%
93%
93%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Drinking water
Percent "very good" or "good"
2015
2013
2012
2010
2008
2006
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
19
Transportation
Residents of Fort Collins were asked to rate aspects related to transportation, traffic and infrastructure. Overall,
these tended to be some of the lower-rated service areas asked about on the survey. Ease of travel by bicycle was
given positive ratings by nearly 8 in 10 respondents, a rating that was similar in 2013. A majority of residents
(60%) also felt that Fort Collins was a good or very good walkable city, a rating that decreased since the last
iteration of the survey. Other aspects of transportation were not rated as favorably. About 4 in 10 gave high marks
to ease of travel by public transportation and street maintenance. Close to one-third rated ease of driving
positively and about one-quarter thought that the availability of parking Downtown was good or very good. Only
13% rated the level of traffic congestion favorably. Resident ratings for most of these aspects declined from 2013
to 2015; however, positivity toward ease of public transportation continued its upward trend since 2006. Please
note that differences in ratings for the level of traffic congestion from 2013 to 2015 could be due, in part, to
changes in question wording.
Comparisons to other communities across the U.S. were mixed for aspects of transportation. In Fort Collins,
ratings for ease of traveling by public transportation, Fort Collins as a walkable city, ease of travel by bicycle and
street maintenance were higher or much higher than the national benchmark, while ease of driving, availability of
parking Downtown and traffic congestion were much lower. This trend was also maintained when comparing
Fort Collins to other Front Range communities; however, Fort Collins was rated similarly as a walkable city
compared to the Front Range benchmark (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Ratings for transportation varied significantly by respondent characteristics, including geographic area. In
general, respondents who lived in the Northwest/CSU area gave higher marks to ease of travel by public
transportation and Fort Collins as a walkable city, than those living in other parts of the city. Those who lived in
the area south of Harmony were more likely to give higher ratings to ease of driving. Participants who had lived
in Fort Collins 11 years or longer, non-students and individuals aged 35-54 were more likely to give lower ratings
to the ease of travel by public transportation compared to other residents. Residents who worked full or part
time for pay tended to give lower ratings to Fort Collins as a walkable city, compared to those not employed for
pay, but higher ratings to the ease of bicycle travel. For more differences, see Appendix D. Comparison of Select
Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of
Residence.
Figure 16: Aspects of Transportation Compared by Year
Please rate the following areas of
transportation in Fort Collins. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Ease of traveling by bicycle 79% 83% 85% 80% 82% 64% NA NA
As a walkable city 60% 67% 67% 59% 63% 47% NA NA
Ease of traveling by public transportation 45% 41% 40% 31% 35% 17% NA NA
Street maintenance 44% 50% 46% 32% 47% NA 44% 52%
Ease of driving 36% 52% 58% 51% 43% 32% NA NA
Availability of parking Downtown 26% 34% 30% 36% 34% NA NA NA
Level of traffic congestion 13% 20% 26% 25% 18% NA 9% 10%
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
Note: Prior to 2015, “Level of traffic congestion” was “traffic congestion.” In the 2012 survey, the phrase “in Fort Collins” was removed from each
item and inserted into the question stem wording.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
20
Culture and Recreation
Culture and recreation provide opportunities for residents to participate in their community and enhance quality
of life. Close to 9 in 10 residents rated the quality of recreational opportunities and public library services highly
and both remained stable from 2013 to 2015. About two-thirds also gave high marks to the quality of arts and
cultural opportunities; however, this rating was lower than in 2013, but similar to ratings in 2012.
All three community measures of culture and recreation were rated much higher by residents in Fort Collins
compared to jurisdictions across the nation and the Front Range. The quality of recreational opportunities was
ranked first among 22 Front Range communities and second across the nation (out of 258 communities), while
public libraries were ranked second among the 22 Front Range comparisons.
Ratings of culture and recreation differed by respondents’ area of residence and demographic characteristics.
Residents aged 18-34 were the most appreciative of the quality of recreational opportunities provided by the
City. Respondents who were Hispanic or some other race tended to give lower evaluations to the quality of arts
and cultural opportunities than those who were White and not Hispanic. Differences based on geographic area of
residence were not significant (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix
E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 17: Community Aspects of Culture and Recreation Compared by Year
Note: In the 2010 survey, “Quality of arts and cultural opportunities” was described as “Availability and diversity of arts and cultural activities,” and
“Quality of recreational opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of recreational opportunities.”
85% 85% 86% 88% 88%
89%
84%
80%
74%
80% 80%
84% 85%
87%
60% 63%
62% 63%
72% 65%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Quality of recreational opportunities
Quality of public library services
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
21
Participants also were asked to rate 19 aspects related to the quality of parks, recreational and cultural programs
and facilities. Nearly all residents gave exceptional ratings to recreational trails, natural areas and open space,
parks, the Fort Collins Senior Center and The Gardens on Spring Creek, with at least 9 in 10 rating these items as
very good or good. Moreover, at least three-quarters of respondents gave high ratings for the Fort Collins
Museum of Discovery, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, Northside Aztlan Community Center, Lincoln Center
programs, cemeteries, golf courses, athletic fields, Art in Public Places program, Edora Pool Ice Center and the
Pottery studio, as well as senior, youth/teen and adult recreation programs. The lowest rated facility was the
Mulberry Pool, which was still rated very good or good by 7 in 10 respondents. In general, ratings for parks,
recreational and cultural programs and facilities were similar in 2015 compared to 2013; yet, ratings for athletic
fields dipped slightly in 2015 (see Figure 18 on the following page).
Parks, recreational and cultural programs and facilities were rated much higher than the national average. When
comparisons could be made to the Front Range, Fort Collins residents’ also rated these areas higher; natural areas
and open space, recreational trails and parks were all ranked first (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Between 33% and 67% of respondents indicated “no opinion” when evaluating the following cultural and
recreational programs and facilities: cemeteries, golf courses, Northside Aztlan Community Center, Fort Collins
Senior Center, Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), Mulberry Pool, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, Gardens on Spring
Creek, pottery studio, the Arts in Public Places program, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and recreation
programs for youth, adults and seniors.
Residents who lived in the Northeast area awarded the highest ratings to the Art in Public Places program in
comparison to residents living in other areas of the city, while respondents who lived south of Harmony tended
to give higher ratings to golf courses, athletic fields and youth/teen recreation programs compared to their
counterparts. When differences were significant, younger residents (18-34) were more likely to rate parks,
recreational and cultural programs and facilities higher, including natural areas and open space, recreational
trails, parks, the Edora Pool Ice Center, the Art in Public Places program, Lincoln Center programs and the
Museum and Discovery Science Center than their counterparts. Residents working full or part time for pay and
those who were White and not Hispanic tended to give higher ratings to the Museum and Discovery Science
Center than did those who were not working or were Hispanic or some other race (see Appendix D. Comparison of
Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of
Residence).
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
22
Figure 18: Quality of Parks, Recreational and Cultural Programs and Facilities Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of each of the programs
or facilities listed below. 2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Recreational trails 96% 96% 93% 94% 95% 90% 89% 91%
Natural areas and open space 95% 95% 94% 93% 94% 88% 83% 84%
Parks 94% 96% 93% 92% 93% 87% 91% 95%
Fort Collins Senior Center 90% 87% 85% 85% 88% 88% NA NA
The Gardens on Spring Creek 90% 91% 89% 87% 91% 80% NA NA
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 88% 87% 78% 67% 67% 67% 67% 73%
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 87% 87% 84% 83% 86% 86% NA NA
Northside Aztlan Community Center 86% 82% 86% 82% 83% 60% NA NA
Lincoln Center programs 84% 85% 82% 77% 79% 78% 80% 86%
Cemeteries 83% 86% 79% 77% 79% 73% 72% 72%
Golf courses 83% 85% 80% 80% 85% 82% 85% 85%
Athletic fields 83% 89% 86% 84% 88% 79% 85% 85%
Art in Public Places program 82% 82% 79% 73% 75% 60% NA NA
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 81% 85% 83% 82% 84% 84% NA NA
Pottery studio 80% 83% 78% 78% 75% 73% NA NA
Senior recreation programs 77% 82% 80% 79% 82% 81% 76% 84%
Youth/teen recreation programs 76% 79% 78% 72% 70% 62% 65% 56%
Adult recreation programs 75% 79% 75% 74% 73% 73% 69% 77%
Mulberry Pool 71% 72% 76% 73% 71% 73% NA NA
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
Note: Prior to 2013, the “Fort Collins Museum of Discovery” was “Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center.”
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
23
Economic Health
The health of the local economy provides the backbone of a thriving community. As in previous years, Fort
Collins was rated favorably as a place to work, with 78% of residents rating very good or good. About 8 in 10 gave
positive ratings to the quality of dining opportunities and at least 7 in 10 felt that the availability of quality
healthcare and entertainment opportunities good or very good. Two-thirds also gave high marks to the quality of
shopping opportunities. These ratings were similar to ratings provided in 2013. However, about 4 in 10
respondents favorable rated the availability of job opportunities, a rating that has increased since the last
iteration of the survey and the highest rating for the question since it was first asked in 2006.
All aspects of economic health were rated much higher in Fort Collins than elsewhere across the nation and the
Front Range (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Comparisons of results by respondent subgroups showed that residents living South of Harmony gave higher
ratings to Fort Collins as a place to work, while residents living in the Northwest/CSU area were the most
appreciative of shopping opportunities. Hispanic respondents or those who were some other race and those not
working for pay were more likely to give lower evaluations to the city as a place to work than were their
counterparts. Participants who were older, those who had resided in the community for over 20 years and
individuals who lived in detached housing units tended to award higher marks to the availability of quality
healthcare compared to their counterparts. Respondents living in dorms gave higher ratings to job opportunities
(see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions
by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 19: City as a Place to Work Compared by Year
Note: This question was not asked in 2006.
75%
58%
71% 70%
77% 78% 78%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
24
Figure 20: Community Aspects of Economic Health Compared by Year
Note: In the 2010 survey, “Quality of shopping opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of shopping,” “Quality of dining
opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of dining,” “Quality of entertainment opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity
of entertainment” and “Availability of job opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of job opportunities.”
27%
58%
65%
83%
29%
59%
59%
70%
82%
27%
60%
58%
73%
80%
31%
65%
64%
74%
84%
35%
67%
68%
75%
82%
42%
67%
72%
77%
83%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Availability of job
opportunities
Quality of shopping
opportunities
Quality of
entertainment
opportunities
Availability of quality
healthcare
Quality of dining
opportunities
Percent "very good" or "good"
2015
2013
2012
2010
2008
2006
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
25
When asked about the economic health of Fort Collins, a majority of residents gave high ratings to all areas.
About two-thirds of respondents thought that the City did a very good or good job supporting businesses and
promoting the economic health of the City (Figure 20). Ratings provided in 2015 were similar to those in 2013.
For the first time, residents also were asked to rate the City’s performance encouraging a variety of businesses,
retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses. About 6 in 10 evaluated these aspects of economic
health as very good or good.
A number of differences were noted by respondent characteristics and area of residence for measures of economic
health. Overall, residents from the Northwest/CSU area, those who had lived in Fort Collins five years or less,
individuals living in dorm housing, students, younger participants and those who were White and not Hispanic
were more likely to give higher ratings to most aspects of economic health than other residents (see Appendix D.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent
Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 21: Economic Health and Support of Businesses Compared by Year
Note: Prior to 2015, “Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins” was worded “Economic health strategies.” In the 2010 survey “Support of
businesses” was worded as “Overall support of businesses in Fort Collins” and “Economic health strategies” was worded as “Overall economic health
of Fort Collins.”
Figure 22: Economic Health of Businesses, 2015
58% 56%
65%
72%
67%
40% 42% 40%
58%
64% 67%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Support of businesses
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins
58%
60%
63%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Retaining existing
businesses
Attracting new
businesses
Encouraging a variety
of businesses
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
26
High Performing Government
The survey included several questions aimed at measuring government performance, interactions with City
employees, planning and providing public information. Resident input on their perceptions of government
performance can be a valuable tool for identifying possible communication gaps and levels of civic engagement.
Overall Quality of City Services
Ratings for the overall quality of services provided by the City of Fort Collins were positive, with 84% of
respondents giving very good or good ratings; a rating that has remained stable since 2012 but an increase over
2008 and 2010.
Fort Collins’ residents gave much higher ratings to overall quality of City services compared to the national and
Front Range benchmark communities (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Comparisons by subgroups revealed that older residents, long-term residents and those who were Hispanic or
some other race were less likely to rate the overall quality of City services as very good or good (see Appendix D.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent
Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 23: Overall Quality of City Services Compared by Year
77% 78%
85% 87%
84%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
27
Utilities
The quality of utilities overall was rated as very good or good by 82% of residents. Three-quarters also felt
positively about utility billing. Both of these rating were similar to ratings assigned in 2013.
Utility overall and utility billing were given much higher ratings by Fort Collins residents than those in other
communities in the Front Range and across the nation. Furthermore, Fort Collins ranked first in the Front Range
and third in the nation in these categories (out of 7 and 8 communities, respectively; see Appendix F. Benchmark
Comparisons).
Respondents who were White and not Hispanic tended to give higher reviews to utilities overall and utility
billing than did those who were Hispanic or some other race. There were no differences noted by geographic area
of residence (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of
Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 24: Quality of Utility Billing and Utilities Overall Compared by Year
76%
83%
74%
81%
77%
82%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Utility billing
Utilities overall
Percent "very good" or "good"
2015
2013
2012
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
28
City Government Performance
Respondents rated four separate aspects of City government performance. The highest rated aspect was
encouraging sustainability in the community with almost 7 in 10 respondents giving very good or good ratings,
similar to 2013. The overall direction of the City was rated positively by about two-thirds of participants (similar
to 2013), while close to 6 in 10 gave Fort Collins high marks for the efficient operation of programs and services.
Half of respondents thought the government was doing a good or very good job managing and planning for
growth. Evaluations of efficient operation and managing and planning for growth were rated lower in 2015
compared to 2013.
The overall direction of the City was rated much higher than other communities in the U.S. and in the Front
Range, while government performance regarding managing and planning for growth was rated much higher the
national benchmark (this item was not available for comparison against Front Range communities; see Appendix F.
Benchmark Comparisons).
City government performance ratings were significantly different among subgroups. Northwest/CSU residents
gave higher ratings to managing and planning for growth and the overall direction of the City compared to
residents who lived in other parts of Fort Collins. Those who were had lived in the community a short time (five
years or less), residents living in a dorm, students and younger residents were more likely to rate the overall
direction of the City as very good or good. Respondents aged 18-34 and those who had lived in Fort Collins less
than 11 years tended to award higher marks to the efficient operation of programs and services and encouraging
sustainability in the community than their counterparts (see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent
Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 25: City Government Performance Compared by Year
23% 21%
20%
36%
48%
54% 56%
50%
29%
51%
53%
59% 65%
58%
69%
73%
69%
54%
61%
67%
70%
65%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Managing and planning for growth
Efficient operation of programs and services
Encouraging sustainability in the community
Overall direction of the City
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
29
City Employees
In 2015, a little over half of residents reported having contact with a City employee in the past 12 months, a level
of contact that was similar to 2012 and 2013. This was higher than the level of contact reported with employees in
other communities across the nation and in the Front Range. Of the survey respondents who had contact with an
employee, about 8 in 10 or more reported that the employee was courteous, prompt and knowledgeable. Sixty-
nine percent of survey respondents felt valued by the employee and 8 in 10 participants had a very good or good
overall impression of the employee (see Figure 27 on the following page).
Ratings of Fort Collins’ employees tended to be much higher in comparison to national and Front Range averages
(see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Residents who had not contacted the City in the previous year were asked to provide their impression of City
employees’ courtesy, promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests and making citizens or
customers feel valued. At least three-quarters thought City employees were courteous and prompt in responding
to inquiries and requests. About 7 in 10 indicated that employees did a very good or good job making citizens feel
valued (see Figure 28).
Respondents who lived in the south of Harmony region tended to give higher ratings to all employee evaluation
measures. Male residents who reported having contact with a City employee were more likely to give higher
ratings to the courteousness of the employee, but females were more likely to say their overall impression was
very good or good. Residents who had lived in Fort Collins six to 10 years tended to give higher marks to the
promptness and knowledge of City employees than those living in the city for a shorter duration. For more
differences, see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of
Select Questions by Respondent Geographic Area of Residence.
Figure 26: Contact with City Employees Compared by Year
Note: In the 2010 survey, “Have you had contact with any City employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or online within the last 12 months?” was
worded as “Have you had phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months?”
58% 58% 55%
46% 46%
55% 54% 54%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent reporting "yes"
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
30
Figure 27: Users’ Ratings of Employee Characteristics Compared by Year
Thinking about your most recent contact,
please rate City employee(s) on each of the
items below.
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Courtesy 86% 88% 86% 83% 83% 86% 83% 89%
Knowledge 83% 80% 80% 80% 77% 77% 77% 82%
Promptness 79% 81% 81% 72% 75% 75% 72% 78%
Overall impression 79% 80% 79% 78% 77% NA NA NA
Making you feel valued 69% 69% 68% 74% 75% 74% 74% 76%
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
Note: This question was asked only of those who reported having contact with a City employee in the last 12 months. In the 2010 survey, “Making
you feel valued” was worded as “Making you feel valued as a citizen/customer.”
Figure 28: Non-Users’ Ratings of Employee Characteristics Compared by Year
Although you may not have had any recent
personal contact with City employees, we
would like to know your impression of how
City employees treat Fort Collins residents.
Please rate City employees on each of the
items below.
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Courtesy 80% 79% 81% 84% 73% 73% 71% 71%
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service
requests 76% 73% 76% 67% 61% 60% 64% 58%
Making citizens or customers feel valued 71% 68% 71% 61% 64% 62% 60% 55%
Percent reporting “very good” or “good.”
Note: This question was asked only of those who reported having contact with a City employee in the last 12 months. In the 2010 survey, “Making
you feel valued” was worded as “Making you feel valued as a citizen/customer.”
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
31
Fiscal Management and Planning
Participants also were asked to evaluate City budget priorities, a question that has been included in the citizen
survey since 2006. The question asks residents to indicate how the City should address the seven Budgeting For
Outcomes (BFO) priorities on a scale of more effort, same effort or less effort.
In 2015, a majority of survey respondents felt that the City should apply the same amount of effort to each of the
seven BFO measures, although residents were more adamant about the same level of effort towards safety, culture
parks and recreation and general government (see Figure 29 on the following page). About 6 in 10 felt that Fort
Collins should expend more effort in the area of transportation and about 4 in 10 felt more effort should be put
towards the environment and neighborhoods. Overall, less than 1 in 10 respondents felt that less effort should be
put toward any of the seven BFO priorities.
Generally, residents’ priorities stayed the same from 2013 to 2015. However, a higher proportion of respondents in
2015 than in 2013 wanted to see more effort put towards the environment, neighborhoods and transportation,
while a smaller proportion wanted to see the same amount of effort in each of these three areas in 2015 compared
to 2013.
Comparisons of results by respondent subgroups showed that Northeast residents were more in favor of
increasing efforts for the environment and general government compared to those in other areas. Participants
who had lived in the community more than 20 years tended to prefer to see an increase in effort in the areas of
economy and general government, but were less in favor of expanding effort for culture, parks and recreation.
Increased efforts in transportation, environment and neighborhoods were less likely to be important to those
living in dorm housing and younger participants. Students were in favor for prioritizing safety and culture, parks
and recreation, but not as likely to favor expanding efforts into the area of economy. For additional comparisons,
see Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by
Respondent Geographic Area of Residence.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
32
Figure 29: Budget Priorities Compared by Year
Please select the option that best describes how you think
the City should address each of the following aspects of the
community.
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006
Economy: Includes economic planning and
development activities
More effort 35% 36% 44% 56% 61% 65%
Same effort 61% 61% 53% 41% 38% 31%
Less effort 5% 4% 2% 3% 1% 4%
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water
resources, good air quality, land conservation, smart
growth, and an attractive community
More effort 39% 32% 37% 36% 39% 39%
Same effort 56% 65% 59% 56% 56% 54%
Less effort 4% 3% 4% 8% 5% 6%
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor
relationships, ensuring attractive neighborhoods,
historic preservation and an adequate supply of quality
housing for all socio-economic groups
More effort 43% 33% 34% 30% 31% 28%
Same effort 52% 63% 62% 62% 63% 64%
Less effort 6% 4% 4% 8% 6% 8%
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical
response, and building inspection
More effort 22% 17% 19% 19% 25% 23%
Same effort 76% 81% 76% 77% 72% 75%
Less effort 2% 3% 6% 5% 3% 2%
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating
and improving recreational facilities, Lincoln Center,
and the Fort Collins Museum; providing recreational
and cultural programs; maintaining parks, trails and
cemeteries; and improving natural areas
More effort 21% 19% 22% 28% 28% 31%
Same effort 76% 77% 74% 67% 65% 62%
Less effort 3% 4% 4% 6% 6% 7%
Transportation: Includes transportation planning
and development, maintaining roads and traffic
operations, Transfort operations, and transportation
demand management
More effort 61% 54% 53% 58% 59% 62%
Same effort 35% 43% 45% 39% 39% 35%
Less effort 4% 3% 2% 4% 2% 3%
General Government: Includes internal support
functions, City management, Council, boards and
commissions, technology, communicating with
residents and building maintenance and repair
More effort 19% 19% 19% 23% 22% 24%
Same effort 74% 76% 74% 69% 75% 65%
Less effort 7% 5% 7% 8% 3% 11%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
33
Fort Collins residents who indicated that the City should apply more or less effort to one of the seven BFO
priorities were asked to write in their own words which services and amenities they would like to see increased
or reduced (Figure 30and Figure 31). A total of 396 respondents identified budget priorities that could use more
effort put forth by the City. Over one-third of participants stated that traffic and road maintenance (such as
traffic congestion, road construction and increasing access to bike lanes and paths) could be increased, while the
same proportion identified transportation issues (including expanding the bus system and finding solutions to
disruptive train routes and schedules) to be worth more effort. Recycling and environmental sustainability
services, in addition to affordable housing/student housing, also were identified as important areas for effort by
over 2 in 10 of residents (see Appendix C. Verbatim Responses for a full list of written responses).
Figure 30: Services Identified as Needing More Effort, 2015
Percentages shown represent the proportion of respondents who answered each question (396 identified services to be increased). See Appendix B.
Complete Set of Survey Frequencies for a full set of response frequencies, including those who did not provide a response. The total may exceed
100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
6%
1%
3%
4%
7%
8%
9%
11%
12%
16%
22%
23%
36%
36%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Other
Services for low-income/homeless
Water
Community facilities/events/entertainment
Government overall (listening to residents and
communication/organization)
Business and retail development
Parks and recreation (trails, open space,
programs, facilities)
Neighborhoods/beautification
Police and safety
Economic/jobs and population growth
Affordable housing/student housing
Recycling and environmental sustainability
Transportation
Traffic and road maintenance
Percent of respondents who provided an answer
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
34
In 2015, 79 survey participants provided a response to indicate which services or amenities they would like the
City to put less effort into in the future. About one-quarter identified neighborhood and community services
(such as providing housing for all socio-economic groups), transportation (including the public bus system and
the MAX) and government organization and functions (for instance, regulating properties and businesses).
Almost 2 in 10 also would like to see less effort put toward recycling and environmental sustainability services.
Only 1 in 10 indicated that economic growth and police and safety services needed less effort from City of Fort
Collins (see Appendix C. Verbatim Responses for a complete list of written responses).
Figure 31: Services Identified as Needing Less Effort, 2015
Percentages shown represent the proportion of respondents who answered each question (79 respondents identified services to be reduced). See
Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies for a full set of response frequencies, including those who did not provide a response. The total
may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
3%
9%
12%
19%
24%
24%
26%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Parks, recreation and open space
Police
Economic growth
Recycling and environmental
sustainability efforts
Government organization and
functions overall
Transportation
Neighborhood and community
services
Percent of respondents who provided an answer
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
35
Respondents also were asked to identify the top three priorities for the City in the next five years. As mirrored in
the previous survey findings, the biggest priority identified by residents related to transportation and traffic with
63% of the 496 respondents who provided a written answer citing this issue. About 3 in 10 or more mentioned
the economy, neighborhoods/housing and the environment. Less than 1 in 5 reported that culture, parks and
recreation and safety/police should be a top priority. One-quarter of respondents wrote in some “other” priority;
responses to “other” and all written comments can be found in Appendix C. Verbatim Responses.
Figure 32: Residents Top Priorities for the City, 2015
Percentages shown represent only the 496 respondents who responded to the question. See Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies
for a full set of response frequencies. The total may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
25%
5%
13%
17%
30%
34%
39%
63%
0% 25% 50% 75%
Other
General Government
Safety/ Police
Culture, Parks & Recreation
Environment
Neighborhoods/ Housing
Economy/ Business
Transportation/Traffic
Percent of respondents who provided an answer
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
36
Public Information
Survey respondents were asked questions pertaining to how well the City performs at providing City
information. Almost 7 in 10 residents reported that the City does a very good or good job welcoming citizen
involvement, a rating that has continued its upward trend since 2010. A majority of resident also rated the City
favorably for the job they do informing residents (60% very good or good) and listening to citizens (50%);
however, ratings for informing residents decreased in 2015 (from 69% in 2013). For the first time in 2015,
respondents also were asked to rate the City on their performance providing opportunities to participate in
government activities and providing emergency information. Close to two-thirds of citizen gave high marks to
Fort Collins’ government for providing emergency information and over half gave good or very good ratings for
opportunities to participate in government activities.
Ratings for city information areas tended to be higher or much higher than ratings given by residents in other
communities, both nationally and in the Front Range (see Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons).
Residents living in the Northwest/CSU area, those who have lived in Fort Collins for six to 10 years, those who
were White and not Hispanic and those who were under the age of 55 awarded higher ratings for welcoming
citizen involvement than did other respondents. Students and residents who had lived in the community less
than 11 years were more likely to give high marks to listening to citizens than were their counterparts (see
Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by
Respondent Geographic Area of Residence).
Figure 33: City Information Aspects Compared by Year
Note: In 2015, “Informing citizens,” “Welcoming citizen involvement” and “Listening to citizens” were separated into the City Information question
set and included two new items: “Providing opportunities to participate in government activities” and “Providing emergency information.” In the 2010
survey, “Informing citizens” was worded as “The job the City does at informing citizens” and was included in the City Government question set.
26%
56% 54%
64%
67%
69%
37%
41%
44%
50%
53%
50%
59%
52% 50%
59% 59%
66%
69%
60%
54%
63%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
Percent "very good" or "good"
Welcoming citizen involvement
Listening to citizens
Informing citizens
Providing opportunities to participate in government activities
Providing emergency information
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
37
As in past years, Fort Collins respondents indicated the extent to which they used various information sources
about City issues, services and programs, if at all. As in previous years, in 2015 the highest percentage of residents
relied on word of mouth, with 87% describing this method as a major or minor source of information. About 8 in
10 said they relied on the City’s website and 7 in 10 indicated they use the newspaper or the “Recreator” as a
source. About 9 in 10 reported that the online video of cable channel 14 or the Fort Collins Idea Lab was not a
source of information. Fewer residents relied on newspapers, radio, television news or the local cable channel 14,
either on TV or online, as a major or minor source of information about the City in 2015 than in 2013.
Overall, long-term residents were more likely to use the cable channel 14, City News, newsletters, radio and
television news for sources of information, while those who had lived in the area between six and 10 years were
more likely to use the City website, Recreator and word of mouth to gain information about the City. Students,
younger respondents, those who were Hispanic or some other race and those from the Northwest/CSU area were
less likely to use most of these sources of information compared to other residents A full index of comparisons is
in Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics and Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by
Respondent Geographic Area of Residence.
Figure 34: Sources of Information Compared by Year
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or
other members of your household use each of
the following sources for information regarding
City issues, services and programs.
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Word of mouth 87% 88% 87% 85% 88% 82% 87% 54%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 79% 80% 74% 71% 72% 50% 54% 12%
Newspaper (print or online) 72% 80% 80% 81% 87% 89% NA 76%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 70% 70% 64% 62% 60% 70% 60% 40%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 65% 67% 63% 61% 71% 76% 76% 56%
Radio 63% 69% 60% 64% 66% 61% NA 27%
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 62% 64% 56% 57% 64% 67% 64% 17%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) 60% 55% 44% NA NA NA NA NA
Television news 57% 69% 60% 65% 69% 58% 63% NA
City booth at local events 41% NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 22% 30% 30% 36% 41% 35% 28% 26%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins,
Digital Publications, Recreator) 20% 17% 15% NA NA NA NA NA
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com 12% 17% 15% 12% 14% NA NA NA
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 9% 10% NA NA NA NA NA NA
Percent of respondents who had ever used this as a source.
Please note that in the 2010 survey, “Newspaper (print or online)” was worded as “Newspaper.” “City booth at local events” was first asked in
2015.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
38
Appendix A. Respondent Characteristics
Characteristics of the survey respondents are displayed in the following tables.
Table 1: Length of Residency
About how many years have you lived in Fort Collins? Percent of respondents
5 years or less 40%
6-10 years 16%
11-15 years 9%
16-20 years 7%
More than 20 years 29%
Total 100%
Table 2: Respondent Student Status
Are you a full-time or part-time student at a college or university in Fort
Collins?
Percent of
respondents
Yes 18%
No 82%
Total 100%
Table 3: Respondent College or University Attended
Which college or university do you attend? Percent of respondents
Colorado State University 84%
Front Range Community College 12%
Another local college or university 5%
Total 100%
Table 4: Employment Status
What is your employment status? Percent of respondents
Working full time for pay 61%
Working part time for pay 13%
Unemployed, looking for paid work 5%
Unemployed, not looking for paid work 4%
Fully retired 17%
Total 100%
Table 5: Work in Fort Collins
Do you work inside the boundaries of Fort Collins? Percent of respondents
Yes, outside the home 53%
Yes, from home 9%
No 39%
Total 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
39
Table 6: Respondent Age
Which of the age groups below best describes you? Percent of respondents
18-34 years 43%
35-54 years 31%
55 years or older 26%
Total 100%
Table 7: Respondent Gender
Your gender Percent of respondents
Male 49%
Female 51%
Total 100%
Table 8: Respondent Ethnicity
Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? Percent of respondents
Not Hispanic 95%
Hispanic 5%
Total 100%
Table 9: Respondent Race/ethnicity
What is your race? Percent of respondents
White alone, not Hispanic 84%
Hispanic and/or other race 16%
Total 100%
Table 10: Respondent Housing Status
Which best describes the building you live in? Percent of respondents
Own detached unit 46%
Own attached unit 6%
Rent detached unit 12%
Rent attached unit 31%
Live in dorm 5%
Total 100%
Table 11: Geographic Area of Residence
Percent of respondents
Northeast 12%
East Central 24%
Southeast 16%
Northwest/CSU 21%
West Central 22%
Southwest 5%
Total 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
40
Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies
Responses Excluding “Don’t know” or “No opinion”
The following pages contain a complete set of responses to each question on the survey, excluding the “don’t know” or “no opinion” responses.
Table 12: Question 1
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on each of the items listed below. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Overall, as a place to live 64% 29% 6% 1% 0% 100%
Overall safety of residents 38% 50% 10% 1% 0% 100%
Quality of shopping opportunities 28% 39% 27% 4% 1% 100%
Quality of dining opportunities 48% 35% 14% 2% 1% 100%
Quality of entertainment opportunities 27% 45% 23% 4% 1% 100%
Availability of job opportunities 7% 35% 40% 14% 4% 100%
Availability of affordable quality housing 3% 14% 32% 32% 19% 100%
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 22% 43% 32% 2% 0% 100%
Quality of recreational opportunities 53% 37% 9% 1% 1% 100%
Availability of quality healthcare 37% 40% 20% 3% 1% 100%
Quality of public schools 45% 39% 13% 2% 1% 100%
Quality of public library services 46% 41% 13% 0% 0% 100%
As a place to raise children 59% 31% 10% 1% 0% 100%
As a place to retire 46% 35% 12% 5% 3% 100%
As a place to attend college 53% 36% 10% 1% 1% 100%
As a place to work 33% 45% 18% 2% 2% 100%
Community acceptance of all people 26% 42% 27% 3% 2% 100%
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 52% 37% 9% 1% 0% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
41
Table 13: Question 2
Please rate the quality of your neighborhood on each of the items listed below. Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad Total
Your neighborhood as a place to live 48% 38% 12% 1% 1% 100%
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 41% 34% 17% 6% 2% 100%
Access within your neighborhood to everyday needs (i.e., grocery shopping, services, and
amenities) 42% 37% 16% 4% 0% 100%
Table 14: Question 3A and 3B
None 1-5 6-
10
More than
10 Total
Thinking about your neighbors who live on your street or in your apartment complex, how many of them do you
know by name? 14% 35% 25% 25% 100%
In how many households do you know someone by name? 12% 47% 27% 14% 100%
Table 15: Question 4
How often do you talk to any of your neighbors? Percent of respondents
At least once per day 22%
At least once per week 48%
At least once per month 19%
At least once per year 4%
Less than once per year 2%
Never 4%
Total 100%
Table 16: Question 5
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the
following areas in Fort Collins.
Always
safe
Usually
safe
Sometimes safe,
sometimes unsafe
Usually
unsafe
Always
unsafe Total
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 63% 32% 4% 1% 1% 100%
Downtown Fort Collins at night 12% 56% 26% 5% 2% 100%
Your neighborhood during the day 74% 23% 2% 0% 0% 100%
Your neighborhood at night 42% 43% 13% 2% 1% 100%
Parks 33% 50% 15% 1% 0% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
42
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the
following areas in Fort Collins.
Always
safe
Usually
safe
Sometimes safe,
sometimes unsafe
Usually
unsafe
Always
unsafe Total
Natural areas/open space 33% 54% 12% 1% 1% 100%
Recreation facilities 45% 48% 7% 0% 0% 100%
Trails 32% 51% 16% 1% 0% 100%
Fort Collins overall during the day 52% 44% 4% 0% 0% 100%
Fort Collins overall at night 16% 56% 25% 2% 0% 100%
Table 17: Question 6
Please rate the quality of each of the following in Fort Collins. Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad Total
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other
emergency situations) 30% 46% 22% 1% 1% 100%
Disaster response and restoration of services 29% 48% 21% 2% 0% 100%
Fire prevention/education 30% 48% 20% 2% 0% 100%
Fire response time 44% 43% 12% 1% 0% 100%
Fire services overall 41% 46% 13% 0% 0% 100%
Crime prevention 17% 49% 29% 3% 2% 100%
Police patrol 21% 42% 31% 4% 2% 100%
Traffic enforcement 14% 38% 35% 8% 5% 100%
Police visibility 23% 41% 30% 4% 2% 100%
Police response time 25% 47% 24% 3% 2% 100%
Police services overall 23% 48% 24% 4% 2% 100%
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 15% 39% 34% 8% 4% 100%
Noise enforcement 14% 35% 38% 9% 4% 100%
Animal control 17% 42% 30% 8% 4% 100%
Business property maintenance 19% 49% 29% 3% 0% 100%
Residential property maintenance 19% 46% 32% 3% 1% 100%
Natural Areas Ranger services 34% 49% 16% 1% 0% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
43
Table 18: Question 7
Please rate quality of each of the following in Fort Collins. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Drinking water 67% 26% 6% 1% 0% 100%
Electric services 53% 35% 10% 1% 0% 100%
Sewer services 51% 37% 11% 1% 0% 100%
Storm drainage 40% 36% 19% 4% 1% 100%
Utility billing 42% 35% 19% 3% 1% 100%
Utilities overall 44% 38% 15% 1% 1% 100%
Table 19: Question 8
Please rate the following areas of transportation in Fort Collins. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Ease of driving 8% 28% 33% 22% 9% 100%
Ease of traveling by public transportation 9% 36% 33% 18% 4% 100%
As a walkable city 19% 41% 30% 9% 2% 100%
Ease of traveling by bicycle 37% 43% 15% 4% 1% 100%
Availability of parking Downtown 6% 20% 38% 24% 12% 100%
Level of traffic congestion 1% 12% 31% 32% 24% 100%
Street maintenance 12% 33% 36% 12% 8% 100%
Table 20: Question 9
Please rate the City’s performance in each of the following areas. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Managing and planning for growth 13% 38% 27% 15% 7% 100%
Efficient operation of programs and services 12% 46% 36% 3% 2% 100%
Encouraging sustainability in the community 25% 45% 25% 3% 2% 100%
Overall direction of the City 18% 47% 25% 7% 3% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
44
Table 21: Question 10
Please rate the City's performance in each of the following areas. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Support of businesses 22% 46% 25% 5% 3% 100%
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 19% 48% 25% 4% 3% 100%
Encouraging a variety of businesses 21% 42% 29% 6% 2% 100%
Retaining existing businesses 17% 40% 33% 7% 3% 100%
Attracting new businesses 18% 41% 30% 7% 3% 100%
Table 22: Question 11
Please rate the quality of each of the programs or facilities listed below. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Natural areas and open space 59% 36% 5% 0% 0% 100%
Recreational trails 59% 37% 4% 0% 0% 100%
Parks 56% 38% 6% 0% 0% 100%
Cemeteries 36% 47% 17% 1% 0% 100%
Golf courses 36% 47% 17% 1% 0% 100%
Athletic fields 35% 48% 15% 1% 1% 100%
Northside Aztlan Community Center 39% 47% 13% 1% 0% 100%
Fort Collins Senior Center 46% 44% 10% 0% 0% 100%
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 33% 47% 18% 1% 0% 100%
Mulberry Pool 27% 44% 27% 1% 1% 100%
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 37% 50% 13% 0% 0% 100%
The Gardens on Spring Creek 51% 40% 9% 0% 0% 100%
Pottery studio 40% 41% 17% 1% 1% 100%
Art in Public Places program 37% 45% 16% 2% 0% 100%
Lincoln Center programs 38% 46% 15% 1% 0% 100%
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 50% 38% 10% 2% 0% 100%
Adult recreation programs 31% 45% 20% 3% 1% 100%
Senior recreation programs 37% 40% 21% 2% 0% 100%
Youth/teen recreation programs 29% 47% 20% 4% 1% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
45
Table 23: Question 12
Please rate the quality of the environment in Fort Collins on each of the items listed
below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad Total
Community's visual attractiveness 45% 44% 9% 2% 0% 100%
Air quality 36% 47% 15% 2% 1% 100%
Recycling programs 34% 44% 18% 3% 1% 100%
Conservation efforts 32% 46% 18% 3% 1% 100%
Overall quality of environment 38% 49% 12% 1% 0% 100%
Table 24: Question 13
To what extent would you support or oppose the City taking each
of the following actions?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose Total
Prohibiting yard waste from being sent to the landfill 30% 30% 18% 22% 100%
Prohibiting the disposal of bottles/cans/paper (i.e., "curbside recyclables”) in
residential trash containers 40% 28% 13% 19% 100%
Table 25: Question 14
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Fort Collins? Percent of respondents
Very good 33%
Good 51%
Average 15%
Bad 1%
Very bad 1%
Total 100%
Table 26: Question 15
Have you had contact with any City employee(s) by phone, in-person, via email or online within the last 12 months? Percent of respondents
Yes 54%
No 46%
Total 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
46
Table 27: Question 16A
Thinking about your most recent contact, please rate City employee(s) on each of the
items below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad Total
Courtesy 54% 32% 12% 2% 1% 100%
Promptness 50% 29% 16% 4% 1% 100%
Knowledge 49% 34% 12% 3% 2% 100%
Making you feel valued 43% 26% 21% 8% 3% 100%
Overall impression 44% 35% 15% 4% 2% 100%
*Asked only of those who reported having contact with a City employee in the 12 months prior to the survey.
Table 28: Question 16B
Although you may not have had any recent personal contact with City employees, we would
like to know your impression of how City employees treat Fort Collins residents. Please rate
City employees on each of the items below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad Total
Courtesy 21% 59% 18% 2% 1% 100%
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests 23% 53% 21% 3% 1% 100%
Making citizens or customers feel valued 18% 53% 26% 2% 1% 100%
*Asked only of those who reported NOT having contact with a City employee in the 12 months prior to the survey.
Table 29: Question 17
Please select the option that best describes how you think the City should address each of the following
aspects of the community.
More
effort
Same
effort
Less
effort Total
Economy: Includes economic planning and development activities 35% 61% 5% 100%
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water resources, good air quality, land conservation, smart growth, and
an attractive community 39% 56% 4% 100%
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor relationships, ensuring attractive neighborhoods, historic
preservation, and an adequate supply of quality housing for all socio-economic groups 43% 52% 6% 100%
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical response, and building inspection 22% 76% 2% 100%
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating and improving recreational facilities, Lincoln Center, and the Museum
of Discovery; providing recreational and cultural programs; maintaining parks, trails and cemeteries; and improving
natural areas 21% 76% 3% 100%
Transportation: Includes transportation planning and development, maintaining roads and traffic operations, Transfort
operations, and transportation demand management 61% 35% 4% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
47
Please select the option that best describes how you think the City should address each of the following
aspects of the community.
More
effort
Same
effort
Less
effort Total
General Government: Includes internal support functions, City management, Council, boards and commissions,
technology, communicating with residents and building maintenance and repair 19% 74% 7% 100%
Table 30: Question 18
If you answered 'more effort' for any of the items in question 17, what specific services and amenities
would you like to see increased?
Percent of respondents making a
comment
Affordable housing/student housing 22%
Transportation 36%
Parks and recreation (trails, open space, programs, facilities) 9%
Business and retail development 8%
Economic/jobs and population growth 16%
Traffic and road maintenance 36%
Water 3%
Neighborhoods/beautification 11%
Police and safety 12%
Government overall (listening to residents and communication/organization) 7%
Recycling and environmental sustainability 23%
Community facilities/events/entertainment 4%
Services for low-income/homeless 1%
Other 6%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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48
Table 31: Question 19
If you answered 'less effort' for any of the items in question 17, what specific services and amenities would you like to
see reduced?
Percent of
respondents
Transportation 24%
Parks, recreation and open space 3%
Neighborhood and community services 26%
Police 9%
Government organization and functions overall 24%
Recycling and environmental sustainability efforts 19%
Economic growth 12%
Table 32: Question 20
Thinking about the future of Fort Collins, what do you think should be the top three priorities for the
City within the next five years?
Percent of respondents making a
comment
Economy/ Business 39%
Environment 30%
Neighborhoods/ Housing 34%
Safety/ Police 13%
Culture, Parks & Recreation 17%
Transportation/ Traffic 63%
General Government 5%
Other 25%
*The column labeled "Percent of respondents" includes all respondents to the survey. The column labeled "Percent of respondents making a comment" includes only those who responded to
question
19.The total may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
Table 33: Question 21
Please rate the City's performance in each of the following areas. Very good Good Average Bad Very bad Total
Welcoming citizen involvement 22% 47% 27% 4% 1% 100%
Listening to citizens 14% 36% 36% 9% 5% 100%
Informing citizens 18% 41% 31% 7% 2% 100%
Providing opportunities to participate in government activities 15% 40% 35% 9% 2% 100%
Providing emergency information 21% 42% 33% 3% 1% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
49
Table 34: Question 22
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or other members of your household use each
of the following sources of information regarding City issues, services and programs. Always Frequently Sometimes Never Total
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 1% 2% 19% 78% 100%
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com/cable14 0% 2% 9% 88% 100%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 7% 19% 54% 21% 100%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 12% 21% 33% 35% 100%
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 7% 15% 40% 38% 100%
Tracks and Trails (the guide to natural areas activities) 8% 25% 35% 32% 100%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 11% 27% 32% 30% 100%
Word of mouth 14% 39% 34% 13% 100%
Newspaper (print or online) 16% 25% 31% 28% 100%
Radio 8% 21% 34% 37% 100%
Television news 11% 16% 30% 43% 100%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.) 10% 20% 29% 40% 100%
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 1% 1% 7% 91% 100%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins, Digital Publications, Recreator) 1% 3% 15% 80% 100%
City booth at local events 2% 5% 34% 59% 100%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
50
Responses Including “Don’t know” or “No opinion”
The following pages contain a complete set of responses to each question on the survey, including the “don’t know” and “no opinion” responses. The
percent of respondents giving a particular response is shown (%) followed by the number of respondents (N).
Table 35: Question 1
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on each of the
items listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad Very bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Overall, as a place to live 64% 425 29% 195 6% 38 1% 7 0% 3 0% 0 100% 669
Overall safety of residents 38% 254 50% 335 10% 69 1% 8 0% 1 0% 1 100% 668
Quality of shopping opportunities 27% 183 38% 252 27% 177 4% 27 1% 9 3% 18 100% 666
Quality of dining opportunities 48% 319 35% 232 14% 94 2% 16 1% 4 1% 5 100% 669
Quality of entertainment opportunities 26% 174 44% 293 22% 148 4% 28 1% 9 2% 16 100% 668
Availability of job opportunities 6% 42 31% 205 35% 233 12% 81 4% 24 12% 80 100% 665
Availability of affordable quality housing 3% 19 13% 89 29% 196 29% 195 18% 119 7% 47 100% 664
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 21% 142 41% 274 30% 204 2% 15 0% 1 5% 31 100% 668
Quality of recreational opportunities 52% 345 36% 241 9% 61 1% 3 1% 6 2% 11 100% 667
Availability of quality healthcare 34% 227 37% 247 18% 123 2% 16 1% 5 8% 50 100% 668
Quality of public schools 33% 219 29% 192 10% 64 1% 8 1% 3 27% 178 100% 665
Quality of public library services 40% 265 35% 235 11% 74 0% 3 0% 0 13% 89 100% 666
As a place to raise children 50% 331 26% 171 8% 53 0% 3 0% 0 16% 107 100% 665
As a place to retire 38% 255 29% 192 10% 65 4% 26 2% 14 18% 118 100% 669
As a place to attend college 48% 320 33% 221 9% 60 0% 3 1% 4 9% 60 100% 668
As a place to work 30% 203 42% 282 17% 113 2% 15 1% 10 6% 43 100% 666
Community acceptance of all people 25% 168 40% 267 26% 174 3% 18 2% 13 4% 27 100% 668
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 51% 343 37% 249 9% 63 1% 9 0% 2 0% 3 100% 668
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
51
Table 36: Question 2
Please rate the quality of your neighborhood on each of the
items listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Your neighborhood as a place to live 47% 316 37% 251 12% 81 1% 6 1% 6 2% 10 100% 670
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 35% 232 29% 193 15% 98 5% 31 1% 8 15% 102 100% 664
Access within your neighborhood to everyday needs (i.e., grocery
shopping, services, and amenities) 42% 280 37% 245 16% 107 4% 27 0% 3 1% 7 100% 668
Table 37: Question 3A and 3B
None 1-5 6-10 More than
10 Total
% N % N % N % N % N
Thinking about your neighbors who live on your street or in your apartment complex, how
many of them do you know by name? 14% 94 35% 238 25% 171 25% 171 100% 674
In how many households do you know someone by name? 12% 79 47% 317 27% 183 14% 95 100% 674
Table 38: Question 4
How often do you talk to any of your neighbors? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
At least once per day 22% 149
At least once per week 48% 320
At least once per month 19% 130
At least once per year 4% 27
Less than once per year 2% 16
Never 4% 28
Total 100% 669
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
52
Table 39: Question 5
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of
the following areas in Fort Collins.
Always
safe
Usually
safe
Sometimes safe,
sometimes unsafe
Usually
unsafe
Always
unsafe
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 62% 417 31% 210 4% 24 1% 4 1% 4 1% 8 100% 667
Downtown Fort Collins at night 11% 73 52% 346 25% 163 5% 31 2% 10 6% 43 100% 666
Your neighborhood during the day 74% 493 23% 152 2% 15 0% 2 0% 0 0% 3 100% 666
Your neighborhood at night 41% 274 43% 285 12% 83 2% 12 1% 3 1% 10 100% 667
Parks 31% 204 46% 306 14% 94 1% 8 0% 3 7% 48 100% 662
Natural areas/open space 30% 199 50% 332 11% 71 1% 4 1% 3 9% 57 100% 666
Recreation facilities 39% 256 42% 277 6% 37 0% 0 0% 1 13% 88 100% 661
Trails 29% 190 46% 302 14% 94 1% 5 0% 2 10% 64 100% 658
Fort Collins overall during the day 52% 346 44% 295 4% 24 0% 0 0% 0 0% 2 100% 668
Fort Collins overall at night 16% 106 54% 362 24% 161 2% 13 0% 3 3% 21 100% 666
Table 40: Question 6
Please rate the quality of each of the following in Fort Collins.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for
natural disasters or other emergency situations) 20% 133 32% 207 15% 100 1% 6 0% 2 31% 202 100% 651
Disaster response and restoration of services 19% 126 32% 213 14% 92 1% 7 0% 2 33% 219 100% 659
Fire prevention/education 21% 140 33% 220 14% 91 1% 8 0% 1 30% 199 100% 659
Fire response time 27% 181 27% 175 7% 48 0% 2 0% 0 38% 254 100% 661
Fire services overall 29% 189 33% 213 9% 58 0% 0 0% 0 30% 196 100% 656
Crime prevention 14% 90 41% 266 24% 155 3% 17 2% 11 18% 119 100% 658
Police patrol 19% 127 38% 254 28% 186 4% 24 1% 10 10% 65 100% 665
Traffic enforcement 13% 88 35% 231 32% 213 8% 50 5% 31 7% 50 100% 664
Police visibility 22% 147 39% 258 28% 189 3% 23 2% 15 5% 33 100% 664
Police response time 16% 104 29% 190 15% 97 2% 11 1% 8 38% 252 100% 661
Police services overall 19% 123 39% 257 20% 130 3% 21 1% 10 18% 118 100% 658
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 12% 77 30% 199 26% 172 6% 39 3% 20 23% 152 100% 658
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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53
Please rate the quality of each of the following in Fort Collins.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Noise enforcement 11% 71 27% 178 29% 190 7% 46 3% 19 24% 158 100% 662
Animal control 13% 83 32% 213 22% 149 6% 39 3% 19 24% 159 100% 663
Business property maintenance 15% 99 38% 251 23% 150 2% 13 0% 1 22% 148 100% 662
Residential property maintenance 15% 102 38% 249 26% 171 2% 16 0% 3 18% 119 100% 659
Natural Areas Ranger services 24% 160 35% 231 11% 74 1% 5 0% 2 28% 184 100% 656
Table 41: Question 7
Please rate quality of each of the following in Fort Collins.
Very good Good Average Bad Very bad No opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Drinking water 66% 443 25% 168 6% 40 1% 6 0% 3 1% 6 100% 666
Electric services 53% 351 35% 231 10% 65 1% 9 0% 2 2% 11 100% 668
Sewer services 49% 324 35% 231 11% 70 1% 5 0% 1 5% 35 100% 667
Storm drainage 39% 258 35% 230 18% 123 3% 23 1% 4 4% 28 100% 666
Utility billing 40% 268 34% 224 18% 120 3% 21 1% 8 4% 26 100% 668
Utilities overall 43% 287 38% 250 15% 101 1% 9 1% 5 2% 14 100% 666
Table 42: Question 8
Please rate the following areas of transportation in Fort
Collins.
Very
good Good Average Bad Very bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Ease of driving 8% 52 28% 185 32% 216 22% 146 9% 57 2% 12 100% 669
Ease of traveling by public transportation 7% 46 27% 179 25% 168 13% 89 3% 19 25% 164 100% 665
As a walkable city 19% 124 40% 270 29% 196 9% 57 1% 10 2% 11 100% 667
Ease of traveling by bicycle 33% 220 39% 257 14% 91 4% 27 1% 6 9% 61 100% 662
Availability of parking Downtown 5% 36 19% 130 37% 248 24% 159 11% 76 3% 18 100% 666
Level of traffic congestion 1% 6 12% 80 31% 206 32% 211 24% 161 1% 6 100% 669
Street maintenance 11% 77 33% 218 36% 239 12% 79 7% 50 1% 6 100% 669
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
54
Table 43: Question 9
Please rate the City's performance in each of the following
areas.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Managing and planning for growth 11% 74 33% 218 24% 158 13% 87 6% 41 14% 90 100% 670
Efficient operation of programs and services 10% 69 38% 257 30% 203 3% 19 2% 12 16% 109 100% 669
Encouraging sustainability in the community 22% 148 40% 268 23% 152 3% 21 2% 13 10% 66 100% 668
Overall direction of the City 17% 112 43% 284 23% 152 6% 43 3% 18 8% 55 100% 664
Table 44: Question 10
Please rate the City's performance in each of the following
areas.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Support of businesses 16% 109 34% 230 19% 125 4% 26 2% 15 24% 162 100% 667
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 16% 105 39% 263 21% 138 4% 25 2% 16 18% 120 100% 666
Encouraging a variety of businesses 18% 118 35% 230 24% 160 5% 34 2% 11 17% 113 100% 665
Retaining existing businesses 13% 88 31% 209 26% 175 6% 37 3% 18 21% 137 100% 663
Attracting new businesses 14% 96 33% 219 24% 161 6% 38 2% 15 20% 135 100% 663
Table 45: Question 11
Please rate the quality of each of the programs or facilities
listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Natural areas and open space 56% 370 34% 225 5% 30 0% 1 0% 2 5% 35 100% 664
Recreational trails 55% 367 34% 229 4% 24 0% 1 0% 0 7% 45 100% 667
Parks 54% 357 36% 241 6% 39 0% 0 0% 2 4% 26 100% 666
Cemeteries 19% 129 25% 168 9% 60 0% 2 0% 1 46% 302 100% 661
Golf courses 20% 130 26% 172 9% 61 0% 2 0% 0 45% 299 100% 663
Athletic fields 26% 169 35% 231 11% 74 1% 6 1% 3 26% 174 100% 658
Northside Aztlan Community Center 20% 129 23% 154 6% 43 0% 2 0% 0 50% 332 100% 660
Fort Collins Senior Center 24% 159 23% 151 5% 33 0% 1 0% 0 48% 320 100% 664
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 21% 139 30% 198 11% 74 1% 6 0% 1 37% 246 100% 663
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
55
Please rate the quality of each of the programs or facilities
listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Mulberry Pool 15% 98 24% 159 15% 98 1% 5 0% 2 45% 299 100% 661
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 22% 145 29% 193 8% 51 0% 0 0% 0 41% 273 100% 663
The Gardens on Spring Creek 32% 214 25% 168 6% 39 0% 0 0% 1 36% 237 100% 658
Pottery studio 13% 86 13% 88 6% 37 0% 3 0% 3 67% 441 100% 658
Art in Public Places program 24% 161 30% 197 11% 72 1% 7 0% 2 34% 223 100% 662
Lincoln Center programs 28% 183 33% 220 11% 74 1% 5 0% 0 27% 179 100% 661
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 33% 220 26% 170 6% 43 1% 9 0% 0 33% 220 100% 662
Adult recreation programs 19% 126 27% 182 13% 84 2% 14 1% 4 38% 254 100% 664
Senior recreation programs 15% 102 16% 108 9% 57 1% 5 0% 1 59% 390 100% 662
Youth/teen recreation programs 14% 91 22% 146 9% 62 2% 11 0% 2 53% 347 100% 661
Table 46: Question 12
Please rate the quality of the environment in Fort Collins on
each of the items listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Community's visual attractiveness 45% 299 44% 296 9% 58 2% 11 0% 1 0% 3 100% 668
Air quality 35% 237 46% 310 15% 101 2% 11 1% 7 0% 2 100% 668
Recycling programs 33% 222 43% 288 18% 119 3% 21 1% 6 2% 10 100% 666
Conservation efforts 30% 200 42% 282 16% 110 3% 20 1% 4 7% 50 100% 665
Overall quality of environment 37% 249 49% 326 12% 80 1% 7 0% 1 1% 4 100% 667
Table 47: Question 13
To what extent would you support or oppose the
City taking each of the following actions?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N
Prohibiting yard waste from being sent to the landfill 25% 165 25% 168 15% 100 19% 124 16% 105 100% 662
Prohibiting the disposal of bottles/cans/paper (i.e., "curbside
recyclables”) in residential trash containers 37% 248 26% 175 12% 81 18% 121 6% 40 100% 664
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
56
Table 48: Question 14
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Fort Collins? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Very good 33% 219
Good 51% 340
Average 14% 97
Bad 1% 4
Very bad 1% 5
No opinion 1% 4
Total 100% 668
Table 49: Question 15
Have you had contact with any City employee(s) by phone, in-person, via email or online within
the last 12 months?
Percent of
respondents
Number of
respondents
Yes 54% 361
No 46% 306
Total 100% 667
Table 50: Question 16A
Thinking about your most recent contact, please rate City
employee(s) on each of the items below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
% N % N % N % N % N % N % N
Courtesy 54% 195 32% 114 12% 42 2% 6 1% 2 0% 1 100% 361
Promptness 49% 177 29% 104 15% 55 4% 14 1% 4 2% 6 100% 361
Knowledge 48% 174 34% 124 12% 44 3% 10 2% 7 0% 2 100% 361
Making you feel valued 42% 151 25% 91 21% 74 7% 27 3% 9 2% 7 100% 361
Overall impression 44% 158 35% 125 15% 54 4% 13 2% 9 1% 3 100% 360
*Asked only of those who reported having contact with a City employee in the 12 months prior to the survey.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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57
Table 51: Question 16B
Although you may not have had any recent personal contact with
City employees, we would like to know your impression of how
City employees treat Fort Collins residents. Please rate City
employees on each of the items below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
Courtesy 14% 41 40% 119 12% 36 1% 3 1% 1 33% 97 100% 298
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests 15% 45 34% 102 13% 40 2% 5 1% 1 35% 105 100% 298
Making citizens or customers feel valued 11% 34 35% 104 17% 51 1% 3 1% 2 35% 103 100% 298
*Asked only of those who reported NOT having had contact with a City employee in the 12 months prior to the survey.
Table 52: Question 17
Please select the option that best describes how you think the City should address
each of the following aspects of the community.
More
effort
Same
effort
Less
effort
No
opinion Total
Economy: Includes economic planning and development activities 31% 200 54% 351 4% 29 10% 68 100% 648
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water resources, good air quality, land
conservation, smart growth, and an attractive community 38% 251 54% 357 4% 28 3% 21 100% 657
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor relationships, ensuring attractive
neighborhoods, historic preservation, and an adequate supply of quality housing for all socio-
economic groups 41% 266 49% 321 5% 35 5% 32 100% 655
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical response, and building inspection 20% 134 71% 468 2% 15 6% 38 100% 656
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating and improving recreational facilities, Lincoln
Center, and the Museum of Discovery; providing recreational and cultural programs;
maintaining parks, trails and cemeteries; and improving natural areas 20% 130 72% 477 3% 20 5% 31 100% 659
Transportation: Includes transportation planning and development, maintaining roads and traffic
operations, Transfort operations, and transportation demand management 59% 388 33% 220 4% 26 4% 26 100% 660
General Government: Includes internal support functions, City management, Council, boards
and commissions, technology, communicating with residents and building maintenance and
repair 16% 105 64% 417 6% 41 14% 93 100% 656
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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58
Table 53: Question 18
If you answered "more effort" for any of the items in question 17, what specific services and
amenities would you like to see improved?
Percent of
respondents
Number of
respondents
Affordable housing/student housing 21% 81
Transportation 34% 132
Parks and recreation (trails, open space, programs, facilities) 8% 31
Business and retail development 8% 32
Economic/jobs and population growth 15% 58
Traffic and road maintenance 35% 133
Water 3% 11
Neighborhoods/beautification 12% 45
Police and safety 10% 40
Government overall (listening to residents and communication/organization) 8% 32
Recycling and environmental sustainability 24% 93
Community facilities/events/entertainment 3% 12
Services for low-income/homeless 2% 7
Other 5% 21
*The column labeled "Percent of respondents" includes all respondents to the survey. The column labeled "Percent of respondents making a comment" includes only those who responded to
question
18.The total may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
Table 54: Question 19
If you answered "less effort" for any of the items in question 17, what specific services
and amenities would you like to see reduced?
Percent of respondents making
a comment
Number of
respondents
Transportation 24% 18
Parks, recreation and open space 5% 4
Neighborhood and community services 26% 19
Police 7% 5
Government organization and functions overall 27% 20
Recycling and environmental sustainability efforts 14% 10
Economic growth 14% 10
*The column labeled "Percent of respondents" includes all respondents to the survey. The column labeled "Percent of respondents making a comment" includes only those who responded to
question
19.The total may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
59
Table 55: Question 20
Thinking about the future of Fort Collins, what do you think should be the top three priorities
for the City within the next five years?
Percent of
respondents
Number of
respondents
Economy/ Business 38% 187
Environment 28% 140
Neighborhoods/ Housing 31% 154
Safety/ Police 12% 58
Culture, Parks & Recreation 15% 74
Transportation/ Traffic 64% 316
General Government 6% 30
Other 26% 128
*The column labeled "Percent of respondents" includes all respondents to the survey. The column labeled "Percent of respondents making a comment" includes only those who responded to
question
20.The total may exceed 100% as respondents were able to write in multiple services.
Table 56: Question 21
Please select the option that best describes how you think the
City should address each of the following aspects of the
community.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
Welcoming citizen involvement 19% 121 39% 255 23% 146 3% 20 1% 5 15% 100 100% 648
Listening to citizens 11% 72 28% 182 29% 186 7% 43 4% 27 21% 137 100% 648
Informing citizens 16% 105 37% 238 28% 178 6% 40 2% 12 11% 73 100% 647
Providing opportunities to participate in government activities 11% 70 30% 190 27% 170 6% 41 1% 9 24% 153 100% 633
Providing emergency information 16% 104 33% 213 26% 165 2% 16 1% 5 22% 144 100% 647
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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Table 57: Question 22
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or other members of your household
use each of the following sources of information regarding City issues, services
and programs.
Always Frequently Sometimes Never Total
% N % N % N % N % N
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 1% 3 2% 16 19% 122 78% 509 100% 651
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com/cable14 0% 2 2% 13 9% 60 88% 572 100% 647
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 7% 43 19% 122 54% 347 21% 135 100% 647
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 12% 78 21% 135 33% 213 35% 228 100% 654
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 7% 46 15% 96 40% 259 38% 250 100% 652
Tracks and Trails (the guide to natural areas activities) 8% 53 25% 161 35% 229 32% 209 100% 651
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 11% 73 27% 173 32% 207 30% 194 100% 647
Word of mouth 14% 90 39% 258 34% 219 13% 87 100% 654
Newspaper (print or online) 16% 107 25% 163 31% 203 28% 182 100% 655
Radio 8% 53 21% 136 34% 224 37% 242 100% 655
Television news 11% 71 16% 104 30% 196 43% 284 100% 655
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.) 10% 68 20% 131 29% 191 40% 263 100% 653
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 1% 4 1% 6 7% 47 91% 592 100% 649
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins, Digital Publications, Recreator) 1% 9 3% 22 15% 101 80% 522 100% 654
City booth at local events 2% 12 5% 34 34% 222 59% 379 100% 648
Table 58: Question D1
About how many years have you lived in Fort Collins? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
5 years or less 40% 266
6-10 years 16% 110
11-15 years 9% 57
16-20 years 7% 46
More than 20 years 29% 193
Total 100% 672
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Table 59: Question D2
Are you a full-time or part-time student at a college or university in Fort Collins? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Yes 18% 117
No 82% 540
Total 100% 657
Table 60: Question D3
Which college or university do you attend? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Colorado State University 84% 97
Front Range Community College 12% 14
Another local college or university 5% 5
Total 100% 116
Table 61: Question D4
What is your employment status? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Working full time for pay 61% 342
Working part time for pay 13% 73
Unemployed, looking for paid work 5% 27
Unemployed, not looking for paid work 4% 25
Fully retired 17% 95
Total 100% 562
Table 62: Question D5
Do you work inside the boundaries of Fort Collins? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Yes, outside the home 53% 337
Yes, from home 9% 55
No 39% 247
Total 100% 639
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Table 63: Question D7
Your gender Percent of respondents Number of respondents
18-24 14% 90
25-34 29% 194
35-44 16% 106
45-54 15% 98
55-64 11% 73
65-74 9% 57
75+ 7% 44
Total 100% 662
Table 64: Question D7
Your gender Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Male 49% 323
Female 51% 335
Total 100% 658
Table 65: Question D8
Which best describes the building you live in? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Detached 59% 388
Attached 41% 273
Total 100% 660
Table 66: Question D9
Do you own or rent your residence? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Own 53% 331
Rent 47% 298
Total 100% 629
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Table 67: Question D10
Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Not Hispanic 95% 619
Hispanic 5% 34
Total 100% 652
Table 68: Questions D11
What is your race? Percent of respondents Number of respondents
White alone, not Hispanic 84% 547
Hispanic and/or other race 16% 106
Total 100% 653
Table 69: Geographic Area of Residence
Percent of respondents Number of respondents
Northeast 12% 82
East Central 24% 159
Southeast 16% 103
Northwest/CSU 21% 141
West Central 22% 145
Southwest 5% 34
Total 100% 664
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Appendix C. Verbatim Responses
Following are verbatim responses to open-ended. Because these responses were written by survey participants,
they are presented here in verbatim form, including any typographical, grammar or other mistakes. Within each
question the responses are in alphabetical order.
Q18: If you answered “more effort” for any of the items in question 17, what specific services and
amenities would you like to see increased?
• (1)Less restrictions on businesses.(2)Keep public areas cleaner with better landscaping.(3)Keep up on
potholes better.(4)Too many police.
• 1)Build glade reservoir-thirty/forty you will regret not doing so.2)The east/west traffic over Mason corridor
is pathetic.3)Building the on-campus station is stupid!!!
• 1)Economic-job growth/attract housing. 2) More bus service accessible to all.
• 1. More quality housing at reasonable pricing for all socioeconomic groups.2. Better working arrangements
with the railroad company.
• A ban on fracking in Larimer County. A progressive and aggressive water conservation plan, and water
storage/availability.
• A composting program for disposing of organics, better bus service-more timely/reliable buses.
• Adequate supply of affordable housing continues to be a problem.
• Adequate supply of quality housing for all socioeconomic groups.
• Adequate supply of quality housing. Traffic lights and ways to move the terrible jams.
• Adult swimming pools & fitness center. New golf course.
• Affordable housing and traffic congestion issues especially concerning the evil train!!!
• Affordable housing needs to be a priority. Also, traffic control is in need of a re-evaluation.
• Affordable housing options. Road quality.
• Affordable housing programs, 100% financing, more police presence away from campus.
• Affordable housing, ban U+2 & change it to more occupancy & stop encouraging people from out of state
to move here. Just stop. This town is too damn expensive.Increase social services, affordability of students
living without mommy & daddy's help, and stop the damn construction.
• Affordable housing, more jobs, increased response time of PD & FD, get homeless off the street, find them
housing, jobs & help for the mentally ill!! Make certain areas of the city safer.
• Affordable housing, police response time.
• Affordable housing.
• Affordable housing.
• Air quality- reduce ozone!!Enforce U+2 & improve neighborhoods for families.
• Air quality.
• Air quality/affordable housing.
• Always good to continue to improve environment for future.
• Animal control should control animals without needing to get 5-6 calls. Also should not give names of
callers.
• Anything that can be done to encourage more conservation, recycling, etc. e.g, the shared solar power
(residential) is a great idea!
• Attractive neighborhoods.
• Balance new variety of developments with additional acquisition of natural areas/trail systems, etc.
• Balancing population growth & economic growth with sustainability, goals, affordable housing and
alternative transportation.
• Ban Coloradoan throw away and door knockers.
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• Be more aware of road work on main E/W or S/N roads at one time, not close two at a time.
• Better animal control.
• Better bus grid on outskirts of town-reinstate the Timberline bus N to S please!
• Better bus service-max is too limited in area covered- hard for seniors to use buses routes too limited. Need
better police control of late night drunks in old town noise from drunks at night is bad.
• Better integration of environmental and economic aspects.
• Better maintenance of some neighborhoods. Improve traffic movement in certain areas. No cell phones
while driving! Enforce it!
• Better management of cities projects oversight committee for reviewing internal project.
• Better management of city projects & planning, city manager should be replaced.
• Better outcomes for air quality & reduce/reuse & recycling cap [?] implementation.Improving
neighborhood- enforcement/u & z, noise & traffic calming.
• Better priced living areas. Rent is too expensive.
• Better public transportation options other than driving, take better care of the roads.
• Better public transportation, improving traffic in midtown.
• Better recycling options, increased support for emergency services, more funding for arts programs, more
public transportation options.
• Better restaurants- way to many franchises shopping is pathetic! Safer Downtown at night make Ft. Collins
a destination.
• Better road maintenance. Stop building concrete medians and roundabouts that cost more and use money
on maintenance that is actually needed. More entertainment options.
• Better smart growth; better management of water resources; develop more jobs that provide a livable wage.
• Better street maintenance- county.
• Better traffic control & town is getting way too congested!!!!
• Better Transfort service-routes, time between rotations; historic preservation; land conservation.
• Better transportation.
• Better/more programs supporting recycling and composting applicable to businesses & residents.
• Bicycle/pedestrians trail to Loveland west of shield so there is access without driving.
• Boards & commissions & communicating with residents.
• Bring more jobs to town; bring more affordable housing.
• Building of glade reservoir, for future generations, senior housing is also a top priority!
• Bus service extended to 3AM..... might help with the amount to DUI's, but yet again that's how you make
money.
• Bus service-routes (and more frequent) on main roads. Traffic is getting very bad on Timberline and
Harmony. Also, Prospect has no bike lane very dangerous on every busy road.
• Buses running more often on routes that are once an hour.
• Buses/max bus on Sundays.
• Buying a house in Ft Collins is incredibly expensive and has an adverse effect on cultural and SES
heterogeneity.
• Car traffic & train traffic-out of control
• City broadband. Please get us out from under comcast! Make it easier to do biz here.
• City buses increased.
• City has established itself as an innovation leader- that is worth working love to maintain.
• City should be move involved in promoting desired job opportunities & shared economy concepts with
current retirements happening in planning & development departments- newer employees need more
training. L.P.C. needs to directly relate more to overall planning.
• City should develop broadband as a utility.
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• Communicating with residentsMore policing & ticketing out of control drivers.
• Community outreach programs by the police. Increased foot & live patrols, less "drive-by policing".
• Concentrate on the environment more than more people for businesses.
• Continual upgrading of trails, expanded bus service, city-owned internet.
• Continued effort with quality of air, ensuring attractive neighborhoods (some yards look awful).
• Cost of living & wages don't line up.Traffic sucks! We need train bypasses? Perhaps an byway in town.
• Crossed them out because I don't know how to improve them. They are good to me just felt like of all the
areas those would be the best worth while for extra work.
• Culture-Lincoln Center: better programming and marketing.Transportation: road maintenance, better
student access to FRCC.Environment: need to focus on smart growth.
• Decent public transportation that goes where people need to go- not up a down Mason street.
• Development may be ok, but far too high of prices; air quality w/all cars is getting bad & water tastes more
treated now then even a yr ago. Max would be used more if people outside walk/bike distance could more
easily get to it &/or find parking near it.
• Do not want to become Boulder!!
• Draw more/diverse biz to F.C.: provide any neighborhood based interactions: grow the parks & trails
systems.
• Ease & availability of public transportation.
• Ease life for those of lower socioeconomic status- nice public housing, more public transportation options,
opportunities for them to go to museums and take part in social/recreational facilities, a good quality of life
regardless of personal financial abilities.
• Economy & neighborhood: many people struggle to find less expensive housing.Transport: some
construction sites(streets)have no one working there, creating trouble for drivers to get around town
efficiently & quickly.
• Economy- plans for expansion accommodation of more growth. Environment-combat highly congested
traffic w/air quality in city out living diesel fumes (excessive), etc.
• Economy- small business development.Safety-police- better response times, crack down on old town
crime.
• Economy: More business friendly environment.Transport: More emphasis on road maintenance and traffic
flow.
• Economy: more effort towards bringing in new businesses; culture: more cultural activities than those
offered at Lincoln Center; transportation :more effort on fixing the train back-ups on Prospect Rd.
• Economy: The influx of people moving or visiting should have been anticipated.Neighborhoods: Compared
to average rates of pay for most businesses, the housing market is almost completely unaffordable.
• Economy-attract diverse businesses; neighborhoods-quality housing for all groups; safety-traffic
enforcement(speed & pedestrians).
• Economy-continue to in same growth of "clean" industry/diversification; Environment-continue clean air
efforts; transport- solve train bottleneck and better across/around town limited access.
• economy-encourage businesses to move here. Environment-water is a concern-the reservoir is a concern to
me.
• Economy-more publicity for what is being done.
• Efficiency of traffic lights are terrible, needs a lot of work, population growth with little infrastructure
planning/changes.
• Effort on bringing more businesses to F.C.Effort on road maintenance roads around F.C. are terrible.
• Effort to bring new light- manufacturing and biotech (i.e good jobs) to Fort Collins.
• Efforts to increase affordable non-student housing
• Efforts to increase good water quality & smart growth.
• Encourage more biz to locate here.
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• Encourage more sustainable building. Bring back resource.
• Encourage more sustainable building. Bring back resource.
• Enforce U+2. Make absentee landlords keep up proprieties.
• Enhance conservation and sustainability awareness to reduce inefficiencies in water & energy usage &
encourage greater participation in recycling and proper disposal of restricted materials (e.g. paint used oil).
• Environment- encourage more recycling; better cleanup of trash on streets general government: more input
from citizens on future projects various leases.
• Environment is a key attraction to Fort Collins. Living in the student populated part of city, I believe
recycling and proper disposal education is needed to be enforced here more heavily, as trash is always
incorrectly disposed. Also, Sunday Transfort service would help this quickly growing city.
• Environment keep reserving Parkland, open spaces. People want to be here because of that.
• Environment should not be overridden by economy. Police patrol & visibility should increase. Max is great,
but the rest of Transfort is inconvenient.
• Environment: more emphasis on water conservation, parks & rec. More cultural programs; transportation:
less construction.
• Environmental: level conservation, smart growth, air quality. (parks & rec: improve natural areas, maintain
parks/trails; transportation max- east/west create parking for max stations.
• Environment-slower growth, Transportation- increased effort to relieve traffic congestion due to the train
schedule.
• Every open space that was here when we moved here is being scraped and a three story apartments are
going up. This town feels overcrowded.
• Everything, these are just important.
• E-waste collection center, more w/holistic transportation planning w/ implementation hold contractors
accountable for schedule inequality on streets & sidewalks. I'm seeing a lot of work failures and
substandard work.
• Expand transport service to every half hour on every route. Add routes into neighborhoods.
• Expanded bus routes, max should run until at least 1:00AM on Friday/Saturday nights.
• Expansion of roads to keep up with growth. When construction is started on a road, finish before moving
on to the next.
• Extending hours for public at Mulberry and epic center. City bus running on Sunday.
• Fewer tract homes consuming farm lands & open spaces; slower growth; plans to reroute commuter traffic
away from old town; plans for traffic congestion heading to and from I-25
• Fill the empty buildings, and air quality is getting bad, more cops patrolling neighborhoods regularly, more
buses in more places running more often.
• Finish fixing the roads! Take less time and stop starting so many projects at once! The traffic situation is
beyond stupid at this point.
• Fix traffic problems, promote economic development.
• For environment & parks, recreation-reclamation and improvement of areas previously damaged (fire &
flood). For safety- more police preserve Downtown.
• Fort Collins roads are always under construction, contributing to traffic problems. Contracting
w/companies who do good work in a timely manner is important.
• Future planning of street design with designated right hand turn lanes.
• General government- we live in a patio home directly behind the.
• Getting empty business building filled. Requiring new apartments & houses to have 1 parking space for
each bedroom. Requiring all new homes & apartments to be handicap excess able wide doors elevators-
hand grips in bathtubs.
• Good neighbor relations-ensuring attractive neighborhoods-historic preservation.
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• Good neighbor relationship activities. We need more affordable housing that is safe, up to code, and
accessible.
• Good water resources, air quality.
• Good water resources, good air quality. Land conservation quality housing for all socioeconomic groups-
houses not apts.
• Government main role is safety.
• Harmony, Prospect, I-25 major back ups-seem like all the time.The main roads into Fort Collins are very
congested during rush hour, you get stopped at every light very, very annoying also the lack a turn lanes
and time to get though a light cell service is horrible on the south side of town. Please allow cell companies
to install cell towers. 911 even has difficulty.
• Help citizens w/neighborhood issues such as hoarders. Stop blocking all major roads w/construction and
trains during spring and summer.
• High paying jobs.
• Historic preservation & more local history exhibits at the museum. Inexpensive housing needs to be
increased.
• Housing affordability.
• Housing affordable for everyone.
• Housing for gen population and not just students.
• Housing for lower-income families, better bus routes-increased frequency.
• Housing for middle & lower income people including young families & older folks. It's hard to get around
town on buses & takes too long.
• Housing.
• I am impressed with all current efforts, would just like to see Fort Collins continue to improve.
• I believe "smart growth" should be a priority such that we don't become an urban sprawl city.
• I believe we can always improve on historic preservation, and adequate supply of quality housing. As for
transportation. I would love to have the light rail extended from Denver, to here in Ft. Collins.
• I don't know. Economy, safety and transportation.
• I know you always work on traffic, but it will always need more and more effort.
• I like what they are doing in both environment & neighborhoods- I just don't want it to drop off.
• I live in the north end of F.C. With the trains and road repair, traveling to mid-town and south F.C. is
impossible!
• I think the bike lanes should be sweeped more often.
• I think we are going to love to address where I safely direct bicycles in the future.
• I would like for road construction to not be done all at the some time (this yr. there has been construction
everywhere).
• I would like to see more affordable housing for people who work in service areas-chefs & restaurant staff,
teachers, supermarket workers, shop owners, etc.
• I would like to see more efforts in the neighborhood as well as transportation. I would like to see less
construction always going on.
• I would like to see recycle bins around town, especially Downtown, where only waste bins appear. Also, it
smoking Downtown is banned, there still being ashtrays sends a mixed signal to people.
• I would like to see road work completed a bit faster!
• I would love to see more community engagement & education for all areas.
• I would prefer more acceptance of new businesses to encourage more job opportunities. I know a numbers
of businesses that have been denied and some that went to other places.
• I-25 needs to be widened!Homeless panhandler's is a problem.
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• I'd love to see emphasis placed in these areas I believe Fort Collins is doing a great job & would support
continued development in the above areas. This is a somewhat awkwardly worded question is that it
implies dissatisfaction to a certain small degree. I am very impressed and satisfied with Fort Collins.
• Improve air quality, land conservation. Bring in larger companies.
• Improving what we already have instead of trying to attract more growth-proactive rather than reactive in
areas such as transportation/road congestion-& bike lanes & buses are not the answer.
• Increase in recycling & conservation efforts. Focus on affordable housing.
• Increase the importance of "bus right of way" so public transit becomes more common place.
• Increased attention to job growth & attracting new (large) businesses. Not all of us want to work in retail
or for the hospital!
• Internet from the city.
• It seems like this summer there was so much road construction. College- event & mid Horsetooth &
Timberline, Remington, Shields & Willox, so many major roads. Maybe some info re: why it was timed like
that would be helpful. Can we build over/under passes for trains? Overall they do a good job. The max
seems kind of weird (guess its for college students).
• Job availability is usually low pay but cost of living here is high.
• Job development for professionals outside of CSU, composting.
• Job opportunities. Make Fort Collins an appealing place for large good employers.
• Just keep moving in good direction. Don't give up.
• Keeping neighborhoods safe and easy to live in. Housing pricing not matching quality of neighborhood.
• Kmart bldg area is blight!!
• Less involvement with small business. Traffic is extremely frustrating, trains cause congestion.
• Less money on flowers-'really'. Better planning on road work!!Less greed.
• Less noise/nightly train horns. Traffic congestion.
• Less nonsense from the minority on the city council re promoting new and/or existing businesses, i.e.,
Woodward etc.
• Less restrictions on new business construction e.g. The "mess" of a parking lot at Walmart on mulberry.
• Less student housing, more affordable housing for singles, lower income families.
• Listen to the citizens & don't sell out to business interests.
• Local govt. does very little. They claim to listen to input but don't.
• Looking ahead making sure growth does not outpace infrastructure.
• Looking to keep FTC a quality place for job opportunity and economic growth always requires forward,
not status quo thinking.
• Low income housing, road maintenance, more Transfort routes.
• Maintain & clearly mark bike paths.
• Maintain ability to local businesses to survive in old town (rising costs pushing them out). More historic
preservation in old town neighborhoods. More affect toward street growth & not allowing questionable
practices.(Fracking! NISP).
• Maintaining roads, improving roads.
• Make it easier to start a business.
• Make neighborhood services & enforcement- the land use code. (e.g.-single family- single family character)
(keep breweries in light end.) they were designed a specific way & need you to continue that treatment
etc.
• Making sure we don't turn all this land into housing communities.
• Making the north end of town safer and more appealing.
• Max is great but still leaves out all other areas outside central corridor-need more options to get people to
Max stations.
• Max similar system to service W. Elizabeth St.
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• Monitor speeding on Prospect an college specifically, more parking Downtown. Increase environmental
education.
• More "east/west" Max style public transportation.
• More & better public transportation.
• More adult education programming & ensuring that growth keeps Fort Collins unique instead of turning
it into a suburban every town USA.
• More advising programs about recycling and composting.
• More affordable house better movement of vehicle traffic.
• More affordable housing available. Learn how to plan cycling of lights; make traffic flow!! Do a more in
depth job of above items.
• More affordable housing more enforcement of traffic violations, speeding, running red lights, tailgating.
• More affordable housing options at <$300,000. Too many people are getting priced out of the housing
market.
• More affordable housing options for first time buyers & those entrance the market at a lower price range.
• More affordable housing, especially for renters. The rental market inflation is ridiculous.
• More affordable housing, less "growth", less traffic, better architectural standards, fewer construction
trucks(they are dangerous.) Cement trucks are the worst.
• More affordable housing, slower & more planned development with awareness of traffic/transportation-
too much building & not enough planning for road maintenance, etc.
• More affordable housing. A bypass from the NW side of town to the SE side of town-help people get away
from congested streets!
• More affordable housing. Better Transfort routes-grid pattern.
• More affordable housing-better communication technology for the out lying areas of the city.
• More affordable housing-not welfare housing regular housing for working people bigger police force.
• More attention to poorly maintained yards.
• More bike lanes and urban trails.
• More bike lanes. Better management of traffic flow.
• More bike trails. Road maintenance improvements to existing facilities epic & Mulberry pool.
• More bus service (frequency) to connect to Max. Max and bus services increase even up operations for
employees and patrons of old town.
• More bus service east/west & increase Bustang routes to Denver.
• More buses for Transfort and make them stay running late.
• More buss services, longer buss hours, more routes to the hospital and it's offices etc. Better police training
and education. Better mental health and social services.
• More careful road repair/construction planning & coordination.
• More cops!! Enforce the traffic laws! More animal control, start issuing more tickets to dogs off leash and
there that poop everywhere!
• More effect from the city.
• More effort to attracting primary employers, & attracting more retail businesses in old town.
• More emphasis on bike and mass transit.
• More enforcement of yards and/or weed control of properties, especially "obvious" rentals.
• More focused attention on resources to aging neighborhoods and making them more attractive and giving
more resources to these neighborhoods for building community.
• More funding for police the city is expanding very fast and if we want the same level of service we need
high quality officers.
• More job opportunities for entry-level college graduates, safety at night, traffic especially regarding trains is
terrible and needs much improvement.
• More land conservation, more affordable housing, better bus service.
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• More left-hand turn lanes and traffic signals.
• More long term job opportunities.
• More museums, things to do.
• More open space.
• More options for public transportation or safer trails for riding bikes to more places off main busy roads.
• More outdoor education and maintenance/extensions of natural trails. Transportation to these trails/parks.
• More outdoor music & art year round, more transparency about economic & environmental issues.
• More parking less road closures.
• More police especially at night enforcement, text/TV alerts.
• More police exposure, checking for bad pavement & sidewalks in residential areas.
• More police patrol in neighborhoods during nights. Safety is very important.
• More police presence, more noise control enforcement-especially barking dogs & diesel trucks.
• More police.
• More quality housing for low income. Where do the folks from the trailer parks go??
• More reasonable integration w/CSU & neighborhoods, i.e.less overused "trash" housing in family
neighborhoods.
• More recycling, maybe more success stories to show how it's working. Fix college avenue!
• More researching into the dangers of fracking another recreation facility would help around the midtown
college/Horsetooth area.
• More socioeconomic housing/affordable housing.More transportation to major cities like Denver more
regularly.
• More solar, wind, etc- fast shift to renewable energies I protect open spaces & create more.
• More staff and larger budgets for maintenance at city owned places such as Martinez farm, gardens on
Spring Creek, and general landscaping. Minimum standards for landscaping in residential areas such as no
weeds and exposed soil in front lawns.
• More tax concessions to attract more business.
• More traffic lights on busy streets.
• More tree lined boulevards-speed bumps-traffic police. There is no current check on speeding in south F.C.
• Mosquito control- once West Nile detected, spraying should happen!Would like to see better planning in
road development to handle all of the traffic & trains-I think you are ignoring a serious problem.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• Need a solution for trains to locking traffic at Lemay and Riverside Prospect Rd is too congested because of
the bridge work on Mulberry.
• Need to attract and retain businesses, including small business. Make it easy to do business here. Better
roads.
• Need to attract businesses. Fort Collins seems too expensive or somewhat anti-business.
• Need to resolve the train issue... especially near the hospital.
• Neighbor relationships.
• Neighborhood- supply quality housing for all socioeconomic groups, safety there is always room for
improvement. This is something we all should strive for transportation maintenance of roads, train stops
need some solution long term.
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• Neighborhoods, attractive neighborhoods, historic preservation.
• Neighborhoods: more affordable housing culture, parks & recreation: more community
involvement/programs.
• No comment.
• No growing at the expense of our environment-plan for the future.
• No police dispatch hold times during peak times; land bank use to affordable and working homes; more
straight-forward bus routes; increase communication with residents.
• Not sure.
• Open streets initiatives and "complete streets" for safe travel by auto, foot, bicycle & transit regardless of
age or ability.
• Parks & rec neighborhoods- there has been an increased influx of transients in the neighborhood east side
park no actions have been taken to stop the park from becoming another Jefferson St park, families can no
longer use the picnic - it is really a shame.
• Parks & rec: increase lighting an biking trails @ night! Economy: more affordable housing; environment:
more natural area and trails, more sustainable living opportunities; neighborhoods: more affordable
housing & opportunities for promoting good neighbor relationships.
• Planning for influx of residents on the road & with in neighborhoods.
• Please consider improving public transportation options, when planning transport buses routes consider
business hours as well.
• Please please find a solution for the trains in Fort Collins. They are a burden and cause problems with
commuters. Please look into underpasses or other solutions.
• Please, O please, widen I-25 from Longmont to Fort Collins.
• Police & fire should be #1 priorities.
• Police patrols/noise enforcement.
• Poor neighborhoods like Andersonville & surrounding areas don't have the same level of service, safety &
quality of environment.
• Preserving environment can always be better improved.
• Preserving open spaces as part of city planning/smart growth. Planning for better management of
increasing traffic congestion.
• Proactive planning & effort towards growth- do not want sprawl(i.e. Highlands ranch in Denver) or lock
out (i.e. Boulder).Delicate balance but recognize change is coming so change must occur cannot afford to
be “status quo” or change will happen anyway & we may not like the outcome.
• Promote and retain small & locally owned/operated business. Promotion of open space retention by private
owners (reduced tax burden!) Sustainable practices/recycling/composting/reduction of plastic &
consumables w/in businesses. More effect to control excessive "cruising" activities, specifically noxious
diesel pickups!
• Promote knowing your neighbor programs (i.e. one neighbor hosts a neighborhood movie night or block
parties).
• Promote more of a friendly- helpful attitude with business.
• Promoting better neighborhood relationships (community events) and more accessible public
transportation (bus routes).
• Property owners/manager accountable for outside appearance especially around university neighborhoods
better planning of road maintenance with growing population.
• Protect open areas from more development. The city is loosing its beauty with too much development.
• Providing better opportunities for poor and homeless i.e housing, jobs, food and transportation.
• Public metro system strong recycling & water management/neighborhood events.
• Public transit to all parts of the city. Attention given to old town given to all parts of the city to avoid
cultural slums.
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• Public transit/walkable neighborhoods/complete streets. Max is totally inadequate. Public transit times
need to come close to drive & park times to be a viable alternative for anyone but students. Frequency of
service needs to be every 5 minutes for people to use it. That's what they do in Europe.
• Put more thought into why the city is doing what it is doing-too many bus programs, and building a new
stadium (did you even think?) Take care of the roads!
• Quality affordable housing for the less fortunate.
• Quality affordable housing. Better enforcement of rental properties-hold owners more accountable.
• Quality housing (rent), traffic flow on side streets.A better bus connection to Avago/HP site. (Horsetooth
up Ziegler).
• Rampant runaway growth & development & the nightmarish traffic/railroad congestion.
• Rebuilding Mulberry bridge is taking too long. On any given day there are too few workers. Contract
completion date for such an important artery was usefully base.
• Recruit more high tech business, complete pack by FRHS, increase police force & presence, not sure about
the traffic. It's just too much.
• Recycling education/less restriction on new business.
• Recycling opportunities environmental education.
• Recycling required by businesses and residents. Light rail and bus connections to Denver, DIA & Boulder.
• Reduce fees to businesses.
• Reduce train traffic/switching No more trees down for malls/buildings.
• Reducing businesses regulatory restaurants by planning and development permitting.
• Respect for the opinions of taxpayers some items like standard not voted on. Taxpayers against over
development-but no one cares.
• Restrictions on sprawling growth. This will help with traffic congestion.
• Return of "Streetmosphere", & (the Fort Collins jazz festival) was very noticeably gone last summer, more
arts funding/support.
• Right turn lanes developed in major intersections- like what is being done on Timberline and Horsetooth.
• Road & traffic, congestionLand conservation, awareness.
• Road/traffic conditions, construction, trains.
• Roads- I live on the north side of F.C. Whoever is managing the College Ave reconstruction needs to be
"drawn & quartered"!
• Roads, i.e: Road quality(potholes), and road expansion (more lanes on busy roads, more right turn lanes on
some main roads.)
• Run Max on Sundays.
• Safety during night.
• Safety- increased enforcement of traffic violations, vagrancy & pan handling transportation- deal w/ the
train crossing, schedule street closures better!
• Safety, by having more police involvement with community.
• SBDC support, economic summits, more roundabouts, get done w/construction on n college.
• See #3 below. You can't stop growth, so plan for it and accommodate what comes with it. Stop catering to
N-S traffic & recognize that there is also a lot of E-W traffic on streets like Mulberry & Prospect. A 15sec
green cycle for E-W is stupid.
• See above-more indoor pools also look at children's village in Cheyenne. Trail power across Harmony. EPIC
is great-just too busy-need more.
• Serious sustainability (no grass in new developments for example), change U+2 to lower rental rates,
improve congestion & bike lanes.
• Single family in middle of town and old town not treated w/same respect as south Fort Collins. No
oversight of renters, U+2 near campus.
• Smart growth & quality housing for all socioeconomic groups.
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• Smart growth- the growth is in high density housing which changes the culture and ambiance of
neighborhood living. Like to see more patio and single family houses inside Harmony Rd.
• Smart growth, new job/career potential, water resources for growth.
• Smart growth, traffic management.
• Smart growth. Adequate housing supply. Transportation congestion (general and congestion caused by
trains). Police need to deal with the shootings on I-25
• Smart growth. Police, police, fire response, maintaining red old traffic operations communicating
w/residents about ongoing project during & other projects.
• Smart growth-every piece of land is being built on-and usually its an apartment building- what about a "no
growth" policy?
• Smart growth-limit sprawl. Find ways to reduce rental costs/increase supply of apartments. More bus
service to other cities.
• Solar: finish Poudre trail; expand public transportation to meet need.
• Solutions to traffic congestion, better public transportation access during summer/CSU off session etc.
• Some older neighborhoods need more maintenance and care, such as the South Meadowlark heights sign
on drake, or some rental properties on North Shield.
• Specially neighborhoods, quality affordable housing in this awesome town should be more accessible.
• Specifically-"Do not get comfortable".
• Spend more time planning for the future, by building more, wider roads, encouraging new business, and by
making citizens feel important & heard.
• Still need continued work around "U+2" issues & rental property maintenance.
• Stop growth.
• Street maintenance.Reduce traffic congestion.
• Supply of affordable housing improve traffic, train schedules, construction schedule.
• Terrible traffic congestion that already exists intensifies when multiple alternate routes are undergoing
construction @ time.
• The avg. cost of housing living compared to avg. amt of income is extremely frustrating & defeating when
trying to thrive here. Higher wages and/or more affordable housing.
• The city could improve all of their services through more efficient use of resources.
• The city looks trashy, roads are bad-spend less money on making thing like medians w/sculptures & fix
traffic & college ave instead.
• The city needs to listen to the people that live here. The city has blinders on..
• The city really need to push to limit vehicles on roads somehow. Way too congested for a city this size &
w/as much public transit.
• The housing market is so difficult for new buyers. There seems to be a large # of "expensive" (+ $ 500k), but
not a lot of sub $300k.
• The infrastructure in northern Colorado is not supporting the amount of people who live/are moving here.
Traffic is a huge frustration for our family!
• The new bus causes a traffic nightmare @ Harmony. Add pedestrian and bike crossing and then a train-
awful-needs attention
• The only tax increase I would like to see is for land purchase & conservation without being tried to other
programs (Downtown trolley for example).
• The statement are confusing so I usually answered no opinion but I do have opinions!
• The streets and sidewalks are dirty, with trash everywhere. Walking and biking(especially) is often an
unattractive proposition!
• The traffic in Ft. Collins is terrible!! The lights don't seem to be synced, left turn lights are short.
• There are some neighborhoods that look run-down & the trailer parks are becoming unattractive eyesores.
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• There could be block unity in charge of picking up trash could make Face book pages with the block team
names. Teams could compete in "clean streets" competitions-or communicate with each other to work on
bigger joint projects together.
• There is a major divide between CSU/front range students and the non-student rest of the community. An
resident once called student neighborhoods a gretto. Also, U+2 is not helping this relationship at all.
• They can always use more improvement.
• This town needs railroad over/under passes. Traffic is horrible in this town. Better planning on road repair
(Shields St. is closed while only 1 lane open on College & Horsetooth is torn up all at the same time.
• Time it takes for some people to get to work too long. Max is great bus coverage could be better in other
areas.
• Traffic congestion due to Max line. Traffic light timing study on 287.
• Traffic congestion, road repair, reduce power costs.
• Traffic control, more entertainment events.
• Traffic flow management; better coordination of street projects to avoid multiple detours/projects in close
areas.
• Traffic in town gets worse every year- my kids don't want to learn to drive, and I don't blame them. Max is
great, but not enough.
• Traffic is a nightmare!! I dread driving everyday. Trains need to be deterred. New residents should be taxed
to handle increased impact in roads. Too many "students" neighborhood that need maintenance.
• Traffic is terrible, unsafe, and almost unbearable for such a small city. Traffic law is almost completely
unenforced.
• Traffic is the worst in Colorado.
• Traffic management- traffic congestion seems to have increased significantly in the last few years.
• Traffic monitoring & through put. Underpasses/overpasses for pedestrians & bicyclists, associated
w/Max. Traffic light timing, trains!! Better bike routes using secondary streets. See more representation for
car transit.
• Traffic operations.
• Traffic operations: trains (specifically the once at Lemay and Riverside through Prospect and Timberline)
can cause 20-30 minute delays. Tripling my allotted travel time just in case I see a train is very inefficient
planning.
• Traffic operations-congestion has reduced quality of my life. Emergency contact-Ineffective in notifying
citizens during emergency.
• Traffic speed control; too much catering to bicycles; need to tear down building vacated for period of time.
• Traffic, especially Vine & Lemay and Vine in timberline communication!!
• Train delay abatement, trees that don't obscure signs/light, decrease constant gridlock.
• Train from Ft. Collins to Denver.
• Trains.Traffic congestion.
• Transfort road maintenance, traffic operations, affordable housing for lower middle class.
• Transportation for people w/disabilities- availability, cover more areas.
• Transportation from town to the Horsetooth trail.
• Transportation is abysmal. Light are timed to slow traffic. City's irresponsible about too much growth. [?]
to make developed real estate monthly.
• Transportation will continue to be a problem as the city's population continues to grow. More versatile
options are necessary e.g. The Max to go further south to Loveland. A train to Denver!
• Transportation- with all the construction, it is hard to get around with so many streets being worked on at
the same time.
• Transportation.
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• Transportation. Better design of Transfort routes for non-students and fixing traffic flow issues and
acknowledging most of us will continue to travel by car.
• Transportation-parking and traffic is getting worse and worse.
• Transportation-there is no planning! From lights not being synced to street closers...traffic flow is a mess!!
• Truck bi-pass
• U+2 enforcement, excessive vehicle enforcement, dealing w/excessive train traffic, spreading out
construction so that the entire city isn't doing road work @ the same time.
• Water quality can be improved. There is a need for more affordable housing units.
• We definitely need more affordable housing. Stop building extra things we don't need in places where
traffic is already horrible!!!
• We have plenty of weekend jail birds- there should not be weeds or trash anywhere!
• We need a better plan for the traffic flow-more solutions for the homeless & affordable housing.
• We need help with traffic-it's very congested on roads in town. We need smart growth- don't want to lose
our spaces around town.
• We need to fix the train problems and I would like to see the max more affordable (and a good mobile app
for it).
• We need to solve railroad problem, perhaps with overpasses.
• Working with contractors doing road construction to ensure that road construction is done in a timely
manner. How long will the construction last on 287?
• Would like to see road maintenance continue, timing street signals and reducing traffic through efficient
roads move the train out of town.
• You found 87 million dollars to built "the bus to nowhere". Find the money to immediately begin building
R.R. underpasses along Mason at Lemay and Riverside and Vine.
Q19: If you answered “less effort” for any of the items in question 15, what specific services and
amenities would you like to see reduced?
• (1)I would like to see less law enforcement(less police in general).(2)I would like more artistic
entertainment.
• A less effort on recycling.
• Almost every government funded project fails stop supporting failure & penalties success.
• Already doing a good job w/economy and environment issues.
• Always look for less government opportunities. Does your law enforcement contact for profit or arrest
stats?
• Better road maintenance especially county- winter.
• Boards & stop raises for city managers.
• Building period raises rent, a lot of us can't even afford to live hear, most of us will end up moving.
• City development activities seem directed towards the more affluent/higher income.
• City has plenty of parks and open spaces, forget about "cultural" garbage like museums & arts 90%
population doesn't care about it. More fun things to do.
• City management.
• Construction is not strategic & creates incredible obstacles when everywhere! Finish one project a time
fast, then move on to next project.
• Don't go overboard here.
• Eliminated city public unions would free up much needed funds for streets & roads & the like.
• Fewer codes and regulations of frivolous things.
• Focus more on people's relationships/interactions instead of making things pretty.
• Fort Collins is now a "Nanny city" where the government involves itself in every ones every activity.
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• Fort Collins is safe. People are good. Cops have nothing to do. Police station is nicest, building in town-
why? and with what money? tax/tickets?
• Generally we advocate for less government involvement.
• Government need to focus less on themselves and more on people (taxpayers).
• Historic preservation is run by one person w/no one to hold her accountable.
• Homeless housing.
• I don't see how the city government can promote "good neighbor relationships" and thus would be a waste
of resources.
• I think safety is highly done which we could take more efforts in other things.
• I'd like to see the city quit telling developers how to build "nice" looking parking lots- This usually results
in less parking.
• In both cases all the road construction affects my life negatively. The cites are both ugly & inconvenient.
• Leave neighborhoods alone/stop passing rules & regulations.
• Less development & less population & less growth.
• Less economic development focus, while concentration on what we have, to ensure Fort Collins doesn't
grow too fast.
• Less effort on mass transit.
• Less effort to find an adequate supply of quality housing for all. Not everyone has to live in Ft Collins.
• Less emphasis on purchasing open space less emphasis on sustainability initiatives.
• Less emphasis on tax payer supported "affordable housing" remove barriers to market based solutions.
• Less focus on constant development and build out of expensive homes & apartments.
• Less historic preservation rules e.g: when homeowner wants to remodel, permitting too
difficult/bureaucratic. Overloaded sustainability bureaucracy.
• Less intrusion and control from city hall!
• Less involved with environment.
• Less support for "happenings" in Downtown Fort Collins. Need to develop a "roomy" area.
• Let private sector take care of self.
• Let private sector take care of self/already "making it" w/o public funds & effort/bus system isn't possible to
get me to work/3 transfers & 1.5 hr on bus-20 min bike-1 hr walk).
• Let residents make more of their own choices or you'll just continue to be more and more like Boulder.
• Max is good.
• MAX, it causes delays all over town for those driving.
• Neighborhood relations are already pretty good.
• Neighborhoods are autonomous.
• Neighborhoods- stop worrying & spending $ to force equal housing. Let supply idea and solve the
problems accept that not everyone should be able to afford to live in Fort Collins.
• Nobody rides the bus $ wasted housing for "all".
• Other things are more important 1st.
• Putting too much in a dollar loosing Transfort and connecting buses don't work.
• Quality of growth rather than quantity of growth (economic) should be the focus.
• Recreation, landscaping, too much government bureaucracy.
• Reduce land ownership and purchasing that only serves the political agendas of a few.
• Reduce redoing, reconstructing, filling old town air with endless pollutions and toxins!
• Some environmental efforts are too focused on smell diminishing returns at too much effort/cost.
• Some maintenance appears redundant on buildings. City council ideally should represent districts not
simply anti-growth or pro-as it relates to issues. Whoops. Co-ordinate road repair so traffic is minimally
impacted stop light timing also. I 25 widening/regional transportation improvement.
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• Stay out of private business. Eliminate about half the traffic lights-make feeder routes, no lights at every
cross road, I have no idea what this means.
• Stop fluoride in city water, less visibility for police and fire departments.
• Stop passing laws restricting peoples freedoms and regulating behavior.
• Summer of 2015 I witnessed un-due road/sidewalk construction.
• The city buildings are pretty enough.
• The Max is a colossal failure. Tremendous monetary waste.
• The Max should have been light rail instead of the stupid bus and then connect to Denver.
• The Max was a colossal waste.
• There are enough damn trees covering every inch of this city!! Stop trying to push more trees on every
aspect of life here! You can't sec any of the business here because they are all covered in trees!
• There is way too much of a police presence here, & now w/ pot legal, the cops should quit their war on
drugs, stop lying on the stand & do some real police work. These cops/& co's are among the stupidest &
the least trained that I've ever seen, or they have been improperly trained.
• There seems to be overkill of opportunities to meet with a city council member.
• Tired of all the road work and trains making it hard to get around.
• Too many meetings-no action
• Too much cost and promotion of "culture, parks, & recreation". Not enough encouragement for business
that matters.
• Too much money is wasted on how things look while actual services are few and far between.
• Too much time is spent in meetings. Too many programs. Trust department staff to do their jobs.
• Trains need to do something about trains!
• Transfort.
• Transportation- less Transfort, not going to use this matter how much you try to cram it down our throats.
Less environmental and social engineering.
• Two of our churches exists were blocked & how the city put in Parkways/islands on Harmony west of
shields. We should have been asked about this before they put them in. We all have to exit through the
some driven by and most of us have to make a U turn very congested!
• We don't need Woodward or any other "big employers". Less police control less ordinances.
• We have enough open space. Smart growth is a joke and is connected to agenda 21.
• You plus two rule.
• Zero tolerance for speeding, especially in school zones. Continued expansion to our awesome public
transportation system.
Q20: Thinking about the future of Fort Collins, what do you think should be the top three priorities for
the City within the next five years?
• (1) Affordable housing (2) Parking Downtown (3) Get rid of the bikes or don't encourage bike riders.
• (1) Affordable housing.(2) More robust recycling program.(3) More public transportation-light rail to
Denver?
• (1) Affordable housing; 2.Rental properties-especially too many cars & people in one place; street
maintenance and traffic congestion.
• (1) Making entire city a quite zone w/regard to train noise. 2) Control of panhandling (aggressive or not),
disruptive behaviors exhibited as of last 3 years, is extreme; loitering & transient related activity. 3)
Regional transportation issues- I-25 and connectivity/safety/w/regard to emergency travel train block's
issues.
• (1) Quality rentals/home buying expenses, (2) Road maintenance, (3) A long term solution for train issues
be put into play.
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• (1) Road maintenance.(2) Less roundabouts.(3) More shopping.(4) More jobs.(5) More drug education in
schools.
• (1) The presence of the "homeless" throughout Downtown is a deterrent to shopping Downtown. (2) Focus
on something other than beer. (3)Safety.
• (1) Train management. (2) Increase affordable housing. (3) Continue improving public transportation
(going in the right direction at this point, but can still use a little more improvement).
• (1)Build/expand roads, (2)Decriminalize pot along w/all drugs; (3) Build more low income/middle class
living areas.
• (1)Police/fire (2)Recreational path (3)More public rec programs for kids.
• (1)Reduce traffic congestion by slowing development or charging more for development opportunities
(2)Affordable recreation facility in south part of town-recreation center besides Aztlan. (3)More senior
care/facilities & ease of moving about town.
• (1)Traffic-better flow. (2)Homeless. (3)Less government-meaningless regulations.
• 1 Affordable housing 2 Relief of traffic congestion 3 Improve relation between drivers and bicyclist.
• 1 Excellent health care 2 Environment friendly with quality transportation, 3 Preservation of the land and
beauty that surrounds us.
• 1 Neighborhood development for aging neighborhoods.2 Midtown revitalization.3 Traffic congestion.4
More openings in recreation classes.
• 1 Sustainable development 2 Limiting growth 3 Environment preservation
• 1 Traffic & transportation solutions, 2 Railroad & truck routes, 3 Help to clean up the homeless situation
in old town.
• 1 Traffic 2 Road maintenance 3 Economy.
• 1 Traffic management and bicycle safety. 2 Resolution of train issues (noise & grade crossings). Totally
relocate? 3 Affordable housing & homelessness issues.
• 1 Traffic/public transport. 2 Community center like NACC on south end of town. 3 Affordable housing.
• 1 Train underpass or overpass. 2 Low income housing. 3 Homelessness
• 1) Affordable housing- help control outrageous prices for houses. 2)Stop property taxes outrageously every
year. 3)Help out small businesses w/tax breaks.
• 1) Attract more business. 2) Maintain/improve parks & green spaces. 3) Road maintenance to help with
increasing traffic.
• 1) Ease traffic congestion.2) Build overpasses or something at train crossing.
• 1) Economic growth 2) Keeping housing prices in check, 3) Maintain natural spaces.
• 1) Increase awareness of & participation in H20 & energy efficiency of citizens 2) Poudre river
naturalization 3) Sustainable development.
• 1) Managing growth 2) Landfill 3) Water.
• 1) Preserving trails & open space despite growth.2) Homeless population control including panhandling.3)
Solutions for traffic congestion & trains.
• 1) Silence the trains through Downtown!
• 1) Water resources 2) Traffic congestion 3) Building/development congestion.
• 1)Affordable housing. 2)Road & infrastructure improvement, 3) Reduce regulations & taxes on small
business.
• 1)Better mental health and social services.2)Homelessness prevention, affordable housing and drug
rehabilitation3)Parking garages.
• 1)Controlling traffic congestion. 2)Broadband. 3)Recycling.
• 1)Dealing with havoc of stadium in the middle of town.2) Expand busing 3) Street & light improvements
for poor neighborhoods.
• 1)Economic development.2)Help businesses start and/or expand, i.e, tax breaks.3)Improve streets(get
trains worked out- underpass at Vine & Lemay, and Riverside & Lemay-for cars
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• 1)Economic growth & opportunity. 2) Transportation. 3) Efficiency in government.
• 1)Homelessness and affordable housing.2)Marijuana issues.3)Traffic & parking issues with new CSU
stadium.
• 1)Listen to the voting public. 2) Stop having non English workers in construction. 3) Reduce stop
patronizing public city does what it wants anyway.
• 1)Maintain the unique can-do atmosphere.2)Preserve open space.3)Continue to value and maintain old
town.
• 1)Maintenance of residential neighborhoods.2)Maintenance of roads.3)Maintenance of positive economic
environment.
• 1)More affordable housing stop building homes that start in the $400k- who can afford that?! 2) Dealing
with the disruption caused by trains. 3) Encouraging new businesses to come to Fort Collins.
• 1)More available and affordable housing.2)Police should care more about safety threats & less on minor
traffic violations and petty things like that.3)Nothing else.
• 1)Slowed growth.2)Conservation of land & open space.3)Affordable housing.4)Better/more diverse job
opportunities.
• 1)Smart growth-maintaining character of Fort Collins while population continues to explode. 2) Maintain
environmental quality. 3) Reduce traffic congestion and/or improve public transit.
• 1)Traffic operations- especially close to CSU campus. 2)Growth of Fort Collins stays manageable.
• 1. Affordable housing. 2. Transportation. 3. Plan for future growth so it can be managed and accommodated.
• 1. Alleviating CSU stadium traffic issues. 2.Continued investment in safe bicycle transit. 3.Greater
investment in social programs for homelessness, mental health, substance abuse.
• 1. Attracting diversity of residents, so promoting a good life for all kinds of people. 2 Promoting
environmental consciousness and how individual lifestyle affects everyone else.3 Improving services that
help those who want to be responsible know how to do it and enable them to follow through (example:
educating people about how cars affect the environment, and then providing opportunities to take bikes or
public transport).
• 1. Become more ecofriendly w/recycling. 2. Become more biker friendly.
• 1. Continue working w/BNSF re train noise. 2. Develop alternatives to NISP.
• 1. Determining how to keep population growth with in a defined perimeter to avoid further sprawl.2. More
transport options.3. Continue to provide awesome parks & trails.
• 1. Economic growth. 2. Education. 3. Maintain variation & CSU.
• 1. Ft Collins is noted for beer & bicycles-less emphasize.2. Repair streets at night.3. Stop brain washing of
people on "choice city". Earn that title. Don't try to make people believe what you want.
• 1. Growth (housing) 2. Schools- PSD is good; it needs to be great!3. Water usage & conservation- public
education & a planned approach.
• 1. Improve climate for small businesses. 2. Make the city more car friendly. 3. Drop the liberal, social,
environment, agenda.
• 1. Limit residential growth, 2. Road maintenance.
• 1. Make bike rider more accessibility for their action- going through red light.2. Pass the glade reservoir
program issue/train issues.
• 1. Railroad & automobile conflicts. 2. Less city maintained or "common" landscapes (use rock for less
watering). 3. Do not implement time of use billing for water & electricity.
• 1. Reasonable housing pricing. 2. Develop A city owned internet and cable company. 3. Work together with
the railroad companies.
• 1. Re-development of lesser maintained areas.2. Continue attracting new businesses.3. Sustainability.
• 1. Restrictions on growth. 2.Something to go over and/or under trains. 3. Affordable housing instead of high
priced apartments.
• 1. Roads/traffic control.2. Get rid of/change U+2 law.3. More events/community activity.
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• 1. Senior population 2. Low income population 3. Keeping/promoting small town feeling (too late?)
• 1. Solution for trains throughout town. 2.Keeping Marijuana facilities away from schools/rehabilitation
facilities possibly out of town more. 3. More adult entertainment/younger entertainment.
• 1. Stop the stadium 2. Relocate the homeless out of old town. 3. Senior center in south Fort Collins.
• 1. Transportation- ways to get people out of cars. 2. City owned WIFI. 3. Maintain high water quality and
availability.
• 1. Well planned controlled growth, 2. Increasing open space lands, 3. Crime prevention.
• 1.) Downtown parking 2.) Homeless
• 1.)Ensure all development is environmentally sound and sustainable; 2.)Ensure developments have green
spaces; 3.)Ensure availability of low cost housing.
• 1.)Make a much better recycling program!2.)Much more solar effort-much more! 3)Wider & safer bike
paths.
• 1.Affordable housing 2.Road repairs 3.Bring more green.
• 1.Connectivity for wildlife corridors and walk ability to parks.2.Maintain our identity and not to be
managed/ruled by CSU or State.
• 1.Cost of living for elderly and/or disabled. 2.Jobs for over 50. 3.Citizen panel.
• 1.Environment (sustainability) 2.Safety 3.Economy (keep growing).
• 1.Fiber municipal internet (like Longmont). 2.Traffic in midtown. 3.SE rec center with adult lap lanes.
• 1.Housing, specifically keeping student population contained near university.2.Keep parks & natural areas
pristine.3.Water conservation-no reservoir.
• 1.Minimize/eliminate new rental units. 2. Improve east-west thoroughfares to improve traffic flow/control.
3. Add/(convert tennis) Pickle bay courts.
• 1.Promote business development and job creation. 2.Expand and improve efficiency of private motor vehicle
road ways 3. Reduce bureaucratic costs and taxes to make living in Fort Collins affordable to low income
residents.
• 1.Public transport 2. Affordable housing. 3. Attract new businesses. 4. Downtown parking & traffic.
• 1.Reducing the horrid traffic jams.2.Reducing the price at housing for college students.3.More festivals.
• 1.See #18 [housing]. 2.Cultural diversity. 3.Environmental (clean energy sources, prevention of
fracking/drilling in the region, etc).
• 1.The top priority for the city should be citizen safety. We need more police etc.2.We need less city
beautification and more snow removal in residential areas and less street sweeping.3. Be more business
friendly.
• 1.Traffic.2.Traffic.3.Traffic.
• 1-Housing affordability. 2 Traffic flow. 3 Neighborhood appearance.
• 1-Maintain current "feeling" of smaller-town/safety, considering estimated future growth.2-Environment
issues (Poudre River-protection, H2O land (oil/fracking), natural environment for animals.3-Protect local
business & restaurants more support for local over chains/big retail-creativity innovation.
• 1-Street and parking updates for population growth.2 Have max run late nights (less DUI's) 3- Build
businesses over residences less housing, more jobs.
• 1-Traffic reduction & movement across city.2-Evironmental awareness. Public transport to Denver.
• A pedestrian crossing signal at Elizabeth St & the entrance to Rams park.
• A. Affordable housing#1B. Protection for bikers.C. Place safe for homeless.
• Access over/under train tracks. No trains at rush hour.
• Access to and maintenance of recreational areas (bike lanes & trails), strong economic environment, safety.
• Accommodations & development for sure to come population growth(congested streets, housing, etc).
• Addressing environmental concerns low income housings mental health services.
• Addressing the "you plus two" issue, traffic & congestion related to the new stadium, better music/concert
venues.
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• Affordability, an actual food scene, bringing better music acts to the city.
• Affordable housing & not all apartments, public transportation & keep it beautiful! (May be the city well
need to subsidies removal of enormous dead trees is in private yards. I think of this as I drive around some
folks can't afford cost of removal.
• Affordable housing (all socioeconomic groups); planned development-prevent sprawl; transportation-
roads, bus etc.
• Affordable housing (esp.for students, no U+2) sustainability efforts, community involvement in green
efforts.
• Affordable housing affordable health.
• Affordable housing, bigger police force(stop the stadium- hahaha).
• Affordable housing, climate change, transportation.
• Affordable housing, crime prevention, ease of traffic congestion.
• Affordable housing, economic equality, police response time.
• Affordable housing, fixing roads, slowing residential developments.
• Affordable housing, homelessness.
• Affordable housing, no new stadium, solve the problem of pan handling.
• Affordable housing-, over gentrification, taking care of increasing senior population.
• Affordable housing, revise U+2 control growth.
• Affordable housing, smart growth with the huge influx of people, and keeping crime low.
• Affordable housing, smooth transportation, safety.
• Affordable housing, south end of town community activities, schools improvements.
• Affordable housing, traffic congestion, & sustainability.
• Affordable housing, traffic.
• Affordable housing, train delays, help for the homeless.
• Affordable housing, transient issues, poverty issues.
• Affordable housing, transportation, more open space.
• Affordable housing, water quality & insuring affordable utility costs.
• Affordable housing.
• Affordable housing.
• Affordable housing.Less emphasis on beer.
• Affordable housing; alternative transportation; balancing growth w/ sustainability goals (cap, energy plan,
watershed protection).
• Affordable housing; consider new transportation means more water reservoirs.
• Affordable housing; water resources; livable wages.
• Affordable housing-more efforts on recycling add a bus route on Timberline to reach services at Harmony
brake & beyond. Open our jobs opportunity considerably.
• Affordable living/housing.Attracting new businesses to come.
• Air quality , GHG reduction, jobs.
• Air quality, continuing construction on streets getting rid of potholes/ safety hazards, and ensuring
properties are being taken care of so many branches in the way of walking on sidewalks.
• Alternative transportation, schools, affordable housing in walkable areas & less sprawl.
• An additional non toll lane on I-25
• Better concern to slow growth, less homelessness, better housing affordability, more support and incentive
for small business.
• Better light controls to move traffic, no trains running during rush hours, more right hand turn lanes.
• Better road maintenance, attracting better job opportunities. Enhance cycling safety.
• Better roads, more affordable living, get rid of loitering.
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• Better traffic control, making room for growth.
• Better traffic flow, less stop lights.
• Better transportation.
• Bring in more high tech jobs- High paying jobs. More community pools for summer fun, continue to
prioritize safety.
• Bring more business to the mall. More shopping opportunities. Consider viaducts for train crossings.
Reopen left turning lane at intersection of Riverside and Prospect!
• Build R.R underpasses. Buy the Denver rescue mission, tear it down and build a parking garage on that
land. Police foot patrols in old town day and until 3:00 AM or old town will become a skid row.
• Building an overpass is very needed to decrease traffic when the train blocks the road for 30-1hr. The
overpass should be a priority.
• Building the economy to support middle-class citizens; improving infrastructure; making way for
sustainable growth.
• Building too many homes without the infrastructure to support. Mitigating traffic with too many people
and too small road capacity. Preserving the heritage and smaller city feel of Fort Collins.
• Buildings.
• Business diversity with growth and support of tech fields, improving infrastructure (i.e parking & road
conditions-potholes, etc) and reclamation/improvement of previously damaged natural areas.
• Busing to businesses, left hand turn improvements, low rent housing options.
• CAP, alternative transportation credits for businesses, community compost program to decrease landfill
use.
• City management & infrastructure.
• City planning for growth, transportation planning to reduce congestion/traffic.
• City wide internet- either free wireless or the fiber optic like in Longmont, carbon tax, recycling that
makes economic sense bike tax.
• Clean up roads a little.
• Congestion and noise from trains; efforts to bring companies that employ persons at a living wage; more
affordable housing and alleviate some panhandling and homelessness.
• Continuing supporting the arts & culture, already so much to offer, keep it going bring more in!
• Control growth, better traffic movement (how about building a few overpasses), better police enforcement.
• Control the traffics on College ave going to fast.Do something about the train and blowing the whistle
(please).
• Controlling growth, ensuring water supply is clean & available, addressing crime that may follow growth.
• Controlling growth; traffic enforcement; keeping roads in better shape.
• Correcting railroad problem-less effort on biking and more attention to traffic.
• Create more non-college based clubs & activities Downtown; improve &/or maintain good water & air
quality; increase affordable housing for middle class & keep all available housing away from investors.(Also
walking signs...some don't change & people get pissy. I walk 95% of time & have nearly been hit multiple
times a week.)
• Creating less expensive housing for students, more opportunities for bicycles and more new businesses.
• Crime, seniors & roads.
• Curb growth, promote tech, business, community sustainability.
• Curbside lawn waste recycle. Complete dangerous missing links in bicycle routes.
• Deal with railroad stops. More affordable housing. Planning for growth.
• Dealing in a major way with train noise at night & stalling traffic for up to an hour!
• Dealing w/the trains! Reducing traffic congestion. Encouraging recycling.
• Dealing with railroad disruption, dealing with railroad disruption, dealing with railroad disruption.
• Develop a bypass system! Produce more affordable housing. Doing great in all other respects.
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• Develop north side Fort Collins.
• Discourage more home building. There isn't enough room.
• Diversifying Fort Collins businesses & economy more; increased multi-use and affordable housing;
increased street maintenance in high traffic corridors such as College ave, Prospect and Mulberry.
• Do away with tax using climate action plan. Better road maintenance. Less govt more market based
solutions.
• Do not build the new CSU stadium right in the middle of town. It is already congested.
• Don't have priorities.
• Don't try to be like Boulder-we are unique. Become more business oriented-we're losing to Loveland!
• Draw new biz, improve schools, expand parks & trails.
• Easier to bring smaller businesses into town.
• Economic development.
• Economic growth no more trains through town, public transportation, parks & rec.
• Economic growth, expanding affordable housing, and maintaining quality of life.
• Economic planning, transportation, general management.
• Economy, environment and transportation.
• Economy, environment, attract business.
• Economy, environment, culture, parks & rec.
• Economy, environment, safety.
• Economy, environment, safety.
• Economy, environment, transportation.
• Economy, transportation, environment (take fluoride out of water).
• Economy, transportation, general government.
• Education, safety, arts/culture.
• Effectively managing growth, keeping residents safe, and being environmentally-friendly
• Eliminate public unions for all city employees except police & fire. Those two services actually risk their
lives for us all & they deserve more.
• Energy off grid/grid tie solar for 60% city power, led street lights, green roofs or living roof systems, living
walls.
• Energy off grid/grid tie solar for 60% city power, led street lights, green roofs or living roof systems, living
walls.
• Enforce U+2/better water use (fewer lawns), (smarter landscaping in neighborhoods/traffic calming
activities b/c large, wide streets- fast speeds (except college ave-leave it 40).
• Environment & economy.
• Environment (cap implementation), improved neighborhood, economy.
• Environment, transportation, and neighborhoods.
• Environmental efforts, support of businesses/encouraging law businesses, safety within community.
• Environmental services.Affordable housing.Job opportunities.
• Environmental sustainability, more racially diverse population, keep a many open spaces as possible.
• Environmental sustainability, transportation, managing/planning for city growth.
• Environmental sustainability. Affordable housing. Traffic.
• Expanding I-25; bringin in better shopping pottery barn, crate & barrel etc.
• Figuring out how to make our city work with the amount of people moving here. Roads. Public transport.
• Fill in empty lots- see # 18, recycling- if Berlin St as many can do it so can #. Collins- have multiple places
where glass esp. beer bottles can be recycled.
• Find a better way to manage traffic flow especially during peak hours & construction diversions.
• Fiscal health/responsibility, road/street maintenance, close monitoring of Marijuana industry/locations.
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• Fix the traffic mess!! Cut taxes!!!
• Flow of traffic-turning lanes-put arrows where it give cars the go ahead to turn right when the others are
turning left.
• Free parking Downtown, if you are going to continue running the "max" bus make sure people are buying
tickets to free up street parking- give Fort Collins residents a sticker to park in the parking garages.
• Get rid of [] & get CSU back on track-we don't need a new stadium!
• Get rid of the "common core" curriculum in public schools!!
• Getting a solution to the stupid train and how it disrupts business and traffic. No more horns! Build an
overpass!
• Good roads and more patrols by law enforcement. Vandalism in the parks and speeding on streets is
currently routine.
• Good schools, affordable housing.
• Growth management, environment, transportation-bikes, buses etc. Loose the limited parking if business
apartment etc is located near Max students will bring cars & need to park them & than be encouraged to
bike or take mass transit.
• Growth management, traffic & the train!
• Growth management.
• Growth management-traffic, density, etc.
• Growth, housing costs, traffic.
• Growth, new business, traffic.
• Growth, transportation.
• Have the train go around the town. Fill up the empty buildings.
• High speed internet. Figure out how to do road maintenance reducing time road is out of service. Planning
for growth.
• Homeless people and family, mental illness health care, affordable housing.
• Homeless population, affordable housing, environmental care.
• Homeless population, mental health long term residences reduce housing costs, reduce development in
open lands.
• Homelessness putting power lines and other wires underground.
• Housing "affordable", traffic to flow, and seven day/24hr. bus system if you want clean ecological system.
• Housing, transportation(travel this/traffic), parks, trails, open spaces.
• Housing, transportation, traffic control.
• Housing/growth, road infrastructure.
• Housing/parking/transportation.
• I believe trying to protect our neighborhoods and the crimes and creepers need to decrease.
• I don't know.
• I feel very strongly about this! Upgrade Hughes stadium.1. Stop CSU from building an on-campus football
stadium? Spend their money else where! 2. I don't like my home (born here) town known as a Marijuana &
Beer town. What to do about it?3. Somehow raise standards for schools & children in spite of "dumbing
down" of last few decades.
• I went to school here it is getting too big.
• I would like to see a new family indoor pool, fun center-like Greeley or Loveland/recreation center on the
south side of town. We need one to keep young families in town. Edora is run clown and old. Same with
mulberry pool.
• Improve safety; improve road construction & improve driving traffic issues.
• Improve streets to meet needs of growing traffic improve low income housing.
• Improve traffic, improve public transit, continue natural areas support.
• Improving traffic & parking.
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• Improving transportation/flow of traffic.
• Infrastructure- the population in the city is growing & our roads may not accommodate. The Max is great
so that line could be lengthened more. Affordable housing and/or rent control.
• Infrastructure to hardly increased growth.
• Infrastructure to improve business. Address the train problem.
• Infrastructure!! The Lemay/Timberline situation is terrible. Quit studying the problem and do something!!
• Interacting the new stadium with the community. And making Colorado State University an entire
community gathering place on game days.
• Internet.
• It is noted in #18: Better care for the poor and homeless, maintaining visual and aesthetic appeal and
promoting opportunities for new business, continued emphasis on improving transportation problems i.e
the trains.
• I've lived here less than 1 year so I'm not sure.
• Jobs/cycling safety in town/recreation center south-needs a hot tub-not just warm therapy pool.
• Jobs; affordable housing; environment (water & air specifically).
• Jobs-affordable housing-safety.
• Keep business growing make sure school funding keeps pace with other areas.
• Keep up with poor road conditions. Potholes & repaving are paramount!
• Keeping the current quality of life by limiting growth and creating quality employment opportunities.
• Keeping the same feeling of the city with all the growth will be very hard.
• Land conversation, continue bike and road quality, employment opportunities.
• Less "growth"-less traffic-better architecture.
• Less development & less population & less growth.
• Less development, more trees (prepare for the tree buy in Boulder)more business(cost co./ [?]feral should
be in Fort Collins).
• Less government, lower taxes, fire 90% of the bureaucratic.
• Less growth maintaining services.
• License bicycles and have them obey the same traffic laws as cars.
• Limit growth and new building at least slow down.
• Limit growth- more open space between cities- Fort Collins is big enough- allow other cities to grow to
100,000 with buffer between them.
• Limited growth, water, & a safe community.
• Limiting growth, improving infrastructure (traffic congestion), maintaining quality of life, do not provide
public funds to private businesses.
• Limiting sprawl, conserving natural spaces, increasing public transit.
• Long term management plans with ample public information.
• Lower middle affordable housing, traffic, homeless population/transients.
• Lower property taxes. Train overpass less in fill. More open space.
• Maintaining a quality environment (business, residential, recreational) solve the train problem & noise,
traffic congestion.
• Maintaining infrastructure in the force of unbridled growth.Social justice and reforms to criminal justice
system.Affordable housing.
• Maintaining maintenance w/o to much disruption, streamline the amount of city infrastructure (hire
contractors not buy more).
• Maintaining quality of life, stop really expensive housing developments & increase moderate income
homes.
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• Maintaining that "smaller town feel" as F.C. grows, helping small businesses succeed ("mom & pop
"stores), and maintaining the excellence in the schools.
• Make it easier for small businesses to operate.The strict signage codes and excessive landscaping
requirements make it difficult for small businesses to be seen/found.
• Make the ridiculous tear system on water & energy go away. People should not be penalized for having
large families.
• Making all bicycle/pedestrian trails as wide as the park paths such as the Spring Creek and power
trails,(all sidewalks!)
• Making it easier to drive around there's too much traffic.
• Managed growth, continued economic opportunities, housing for all.
• Managing growth (not overcrowding in new developments, change U+2, not making traffic congestion
worse).
• Managing growth of the city and promoting diversity.
• Managing growth responsibly and attracting more primary employers also maintaining the current
smallish town feel.
• Managing growth.
• Managing our growth, making sure the city stays safe & crime free; encouraging a climate for new business
& families.
• Managing traffic issues, especially regarding railroad crossings. Job opportunities for college grads,
development of North Fort Collins.
• Mental health services. Housing for low-income & homeless (often the same population).
• More affordable housing, recycling growth, school projects.
• More affordable housing, recycling opportunities at apartment complexes air pollution control.
• More affordable housing, speed enforcement on major roads.
• More attention to pedestrian traffic.Less allowance for vehicle emissions & toxins. Stop pretending
environment concerns & start enforcement.
• More attractions- better restaurants, better traffic flow- less gang violence & presence.
• More available housing is affordable rental properties (not more restricted), train traffic/noise issue, road
traffic congestion as a whole.
• More bicycling paths; better separation of cars from bikes; ban vicious dogs.
• More businesses & job growth. Better public transportation. Stricter with homeless in old town & in other
areas of town.
• More cops, more fire dept, more schools.
• More parking in Downtown; less emphasis on mass transit better actual traffic management to improve
flow.
• More parking, better traffic control so roads are less congested & safety of the city's inhabitants.
• More parking, get rid of "you plus two" and extra lanes, or no road closures.
• More public transportation, parking Downtown, better care for homeless.
• More shopping, restaurants & amenities in north Fort Collins.
• More streets that handle heavy traffic like the Interstate #15. Railroad should be taken out of busy sections
of town.
• More transportation options to Denver; more support for title one schools; more affordable housing
opportunities.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• N/A.
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• Nature, nature, nature-protecting clean water-composting!- Its so easy being a good role model for the rest
of earth what a balanced city can do.
• Neighborhoods, environment, culture/parks/rec.
• No opinion.
• No topless women ever.
• Not being another Boulder carbon copy, maintaining the natural beauty and providing recreational
activities for all.
• OMG- less traffic! For neighborhoods on busier streets, roundabouts would force slower safer speed: for
example: intersection of Mulberry and Whitcomb is a nightmare and so dangerous. The cops speed on
these busier streets so a calms sense of neighborhood is impossible.
• Out of control.
• Overall growth management, traffic and public services.
• Parking!
• Perform road construction projects in reasonable time-more business friendly environment.
• Plan for strong growths of people, housing saves streets.
• Planning for growth (i.e traffic, open space).
• Police community outreach, sustainable small business, & better traffic patterns.
• Police expansion, street improvement, connecting existing bike routes.
• Police, fire, utilities.
• Population growth, traffic congestion, cost of living and safety.
• Preservation of open space. Creation of outdoor "super-pass" to include Horsetooth, county parks, state
parks, national parks, and national forest. for $100 to $200 per-family per year.
• Preserving historic areas, reducing pollution, creating more affordable living near campus & old town.
• Preserving our environment(why people live here), smart growth, preservation & upkeep of Downtown &
older neighborhoods.
• Preserving/improving air quality; anticipating population growth; balancing the economy.
• Programmed growth, economic development recycling efforts and waste reduction.
• Promote small business growth, promote hi-tech business, street improvement in poorer neighborhoods.
• Proper planning & management of road maintenance (can I be any clearer about this?)
• Providing ways for citizens to recycle easily, promoting said recycling programs, there was a third thing
here somewhere.
• Public metro system strong recycling & water management/neighborhood events.
• Public transportation (including I-25) & road construction, water supply, priorities besides beer bicycles
& Marijuana.
• Public transportation, city internet, protection of Poudre river.
• Public transportation, community development, better city planning (considering the growth).
• Public transportation, diversity acceptance, job growth for professionals.
• Public transportation, environmental stewardship.
• Quality of air, quality of air.
• Recreation on the south side(rec center, pool etc), affordable housing.
• Recycling, yard waste, expanded public transport.
• Reduce democrat policies to encourage more free enterprise businesses.
• Reduce regulation that drives increased costs to building/improvement. Reduce tax burden, encourage self
sufficiency.
• Reduce traffic congestion.Street maintenance.
• Reduce train traffic/switching Redo College Avenue.
• Reduce utility costs. Their sustainability efforts is increasing costs too much.
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• Reducing traffic congestion.
• Relief of traffic congestion(in general E-W streets do not receive appropriate priority); widening of I-25;
fast track to DIA.
• Remove Darin Atteberry from city manager position for wasting millions of dollars on failed email project.
He was advised several times that it would not work, by knowledgeable personnel.
• Replace city manager, independent committee to oversee projects and stop waste of tax payers money.
Replace incompetent management.
• Replace growth mentality with sustainable economy.
• Rethink CSU, if CSU could be moved out how could that property be redeveloped.
• Revamp the ridiculous tier system for electricity & water.
• Revamping bus routes to use Max as a more efficient artery. More realistic building planning options
prioritizing revitalization over new construction.
• Road infrastructure! More traffic cops! Better housing options for those of us that make too much for sector
8 but not enough to pay $1200 for a 1 bedroom.
• Roads and traffic.
• Roads. Affordability.
• Roads. Transportation.
• Roads/moving trains outside city limits & increasing efficiency & capacity controlled rents/housing prices
& cleaning up neighborhoods.
• Roads; congestion; Downtown parking.
• RR problems and traffic problems.
• Runaway growth & development, traffic congestion! Railroad schedules.
• Safety of citizens. The city is growing in population. So, ensuring everybody's safety should be the city's # 1
priority.
• Safety with growth and increase in urban crime, improve traffic by over passes on railroad tracks, local
business growth.
• Safety, economy, environment.
• Safety, government, environment.
• Safety, seniors, traffic.
• Safety, shopping, arcs.
• Safety, smart growth, no stadium in the middle of town.
• Safety, transportation, and culture, parks, & recreation.
• Safety, transportation, and environment.
• Safety.
• Safety; transportation; culture, parks & recreation.
• See above #19.
• Sewer- drains county maintenance road clean up.
• Slow down growth, more affordable housing stop gentrification of the city!!
• Slower growth-transportation-housing
• Slowing population growth, not building a new stadium, traffic safety.
• Smart growth quality affordable housing, maintaining environment excellent services- schools, trails,
parks, etc.
• South side rec w/pool, more trails (adding & connecting) trains!
• Stop (wasting) money on "beautification" and put it toward Transfort something that would make my life
better.
• Stop construction!
• Stop doing all road construction at same time reduce speeding by drivers-out of control
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• Stop growth-better traffic control.
• Stop speeders & stoplight runners- deal with absurd train situation which blocks traffic daily.
• Stop the area from continuing down the path to being California- traffic, kowtowing to homeless etc etc.
• Stop the nonsense of extreme sustainability. Plan infrastructure growth.
• Stop wasted $ on unnecessary construction projects for "attractiveness". Stop creating laws that take away
freedom of choice. Stop sky rocketing home costs.
• Street design for future growth.
• Street maintenance & repair. Growth management, monetary support for police, fire & emergency
responders.
• Streets.
• Support of small business, homelessness & transportation.
• Sustainability (environment); community activities & neighborhoods.
• Sustainability, affordability for low-mid income, local programs (universal health, internet service, others)-
promote local power & community nights.
• Sustainability, environmental improvement and park & recreational improvement.
• Sustainability, homeless population, communal projects (gardens, workshops, etc).
• Sustainability, local business, public areas improvement.
• Sustainability, transportation, & encouraging the arts.
• Sustainable & smart growth; environment; economy.
• Sustainable economic development, traffic control, increased sustainable public transport such as
electric/hybrid trains to reduce vehicle traffic Downtown, or close old town to traffic.
• Sustainable growth open space.
• Sustainable growth rate, realistic public transportation.
• sustainable, companies with job opportunities.
• Taxes streets & over spending.
• Teach bikers to follow bike lanes not sidewalk, dog's doing #2 on sidewalk clean it up.
• The best idea you had was putting the electricity underground! Do not park out house in front of peoples'
houses when you have a city parking lot across Vine drive.
• The city needs to increase public transportation, advance infrastructure from low density to high density
roads, housing etc and reform U+2 as well as increase and improve student- community relations.
• The environment is the most important. Road infrastructure and repair & parks an rec are second most
important.
• The road work, the housing, jobs.
• There needs to be more emphasis placed on keeping our city looking clean, whether or not that means more
waste/recycle bins, or higher fines for littering.
• This city has grown immensely since I moved here in '92'. Keeping an intimate feel in the face of expansion
is important. Also stop building "modern", angular buildings. They don't stand the test of time and look
dated within a few years.
• To not make the new station so intrusive to the students & residents.
• Traffic & safety.
• Traffic and streets are in poor condition.
• Traffic congestion and neighborhood parking permits near CSU.
• Traffic congestion, & the areas of blight kill the overall effect.
• Traffic congestion, affordable housing traffic congestion.
• Traffic congestion, Downtown safety, economic development.
• Traffic congestion, effects of population growth, providing services to growing senior population.
• Traffic congestion, expanding bike trails, keeping the growth management.
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• Traffic control, more public safety (greater police presence) moving homeless folks out of old town area.
• Traffic control, splash park open later in the year (at Horsetooth)street management(college).
• Traffic control.
• Traffic control.Roads.Bike safety.Snow removal.
• Traffic control-bike control.
• Traffic flow and congestion has really been a major problem vs 5 or 10 years ago.
• Traffic flow, affordable housing, lowering utility costs.
• Traffic greed by developers. Trains.
• Traffic issues. Railroad/trains-waiting time.
• Traffic issues; College ave & Harmony Rd are congested. More senior services. More activities for seniors.
More culture in the summer months for seniors.
• Traffic management around campus-fresh men should not be allowed to have a vehicle if living on campus.
• Traffic management; affordable housing; Downtown parking.
• Traffic! Trains! Growth! The town is growing to fast for the transportation to keep up. And obviously no
thought is going into the train situation or the traffic congestion.
• Traffic, air quality, more help for lonely senior.
• Traffic, help create a job growth climate.
• Traffic, housing "affordable" for average income, water quality, and amount available.
• Traffic, road conditions, more large businesses coming in, fix the trains!
• Traffic, working with CSU to find common ground, planning what is the best use of Hughes stadium for
the community.
• Traffic.
• Traffic. Help all SES groups-homeless, low income, etc.
• Traffic. Pedestrian/bike/bus crossing on major streets needs to be addressed and fixed! Go sit at Harmony
& Mason from 2PM to 6PM!
• Traffic.Affordable housing.
• Traffic/economic planning/environment.
• Traffic/parking, continue good parks & rec programs, good tax base.
• Traffic/road way expansion, pay vs. home prices, more public transportation options.
• Traffic-public transportation- quit encouraging homeless folks as heroes.
• Train management- esp. near Lemay & Riverside no stadium (ugly, this isn't a football town) don't
kowtow to people asking for parking Downtown- the garages offer plenty w/in close walking distance.
• Train overpasses, noise control on College & elsewhere-usually trucks & motorcycles-it's ridiculous to try
to eat outside on college.
• Train situation.
• Trains routing, I-25 access to Denver (more lanes now).
• Trains underpasses, train overpasses, train tunnels. Essentially a focus on transportation infrastructure.
• TrainsTraffic.
• Transit/transportation=#1, #2 & #3.
• Transportation (traffic), parks & rec (keep a great thing going), and safety (always important).
• Transportation- bike lanes/trails- I don't personally bike because it is too dangerous.
• Transportation efforts- more parking/stations/garages) for CSU- for max stations (remote parking for
Downtown etc!!) More max routes.
• Transportation improvement, cultural activities, natural areas.
• Transportation issues especially as above. There is no route from the west side to hospital per trains in
some cases of emergency.
• Transportation, (more choices) traffic gridlock, Downtown-weekend college & intoxication.
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• Transportation, affordable housing options, sustainability.
• Transportation, affordable housing, economy.
• Transportation, conservation, arts.
• Transportation, environment & city planning.
• Transportation, housing, conservation.
• Transportation, less stops signs, may open later, everything caters to better opportunities for late night
restaurant workers a-service w/pay jobs.
• Transportation, safety, planning/management for growth.
• Transportation, transportation, economy.
• Transportation, vertical growth.
• Transportation. Affordable housing. Drought protection.
• Transportation. Housing. Continued support of education.
• Transportation-both mass and commuters, construction and timing of projects, train yard car hookups-too
many big delays.
• Transportation-trains and construction terrible!! I have to leave for work an hour before my start time and I
am a nurse. Safety overall, recycling and code enforcement #4.
• Trash districting; traffic congestion control; bike trails.
• Treating our public school funding on an equal distribution. Install right turn green arrows where
applicable. Teen activities in summer.
• Under/overpasses for train/traffic intersections.
• Up not out development, affordable housing, acquisition/maintenance of open spaces.
• Upkeep of roads, community involvement.
• Water availability- built reservoirs immediately! Jobs-good environment for business. Roads-build-need to
add lanes to insterstate 25 (immediately).
• Water availability, affordable housing (lowering costs) traffic control.
• Water conservation; reduce greenhouse gas; reduce train conflicts.
• Water for growth (but not the NISP), affordable rentals; fix the train delay issue.
• Water planning, better road maintenance.
• Water resource, get railroad out of town.
• Water resources-traffic control-safety
• Water storage, high paying jobs.
• Water supply; housing, trash or recycling.
• Water, traffic.
• Water, water, water.
• Water/air/trails & parks.
• Water; business; environment.
• While also hate legalized recreational. Marijuana I understand that was state vote but if city can do
anything please do! While enforcing non-smoking cigarettes in Downtown is great. They should "have not"
include electric cigarettes! As that is not offensive in smell or health. Electric cigarettes are source of
reducing smoking for smokers!
• Widen I-25 to 3 lanes.Homeless need employment opportunities.
• Widening streets sucks as prospect from Timberline to I 25. No more million dollar projects like the Max!
Wasted $.
• Your city is becoming unaffordable. Finding ways to balance income w/ viable jobs that pay enough to keep
people.
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Appendix D. Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics
Average ratings for select survey questions are compared by respondent characteristics in the following tables. Although responses to many of the
evaluative questions were made on a five-point scale with 1 representing the best rating and 5 the worst, the ratings shown in this appendix and those
that follow are on a scale where 0 is the worst possible rating and 100 is the best possible rating..
The 100-point scale is not a percent. It is a conversion of responses to an average rating. Each response option is assigned a value that is used in calculating
the average score. For example, “very good”=100, “good”=75, “average”=50, “bad”=25, and “very bad”=0. If everyone reported “very good,” then the average
rating would be 100 on the 100-point scale. Likewise, if all respondents said “very bad”, the result would be 0 on the 100-point scale. If half the
respondents gave a score of “very good” and half gave a score of “very bad,” the average would be in the middle of the scale (like the center post of a teeter
totter), or “average.”
Cells shaded grey indicates statistically significant differences (p < .05).
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
94
Table 70: Question 1 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on each
of the items listed below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Overall, as a place to live 88 89 91 88 89 91 86 84 89
Overall safety of residents 81 84 82 80 81 83 79 81 81
Quality of shopping opportunities 75 72 73 69 72 72 72 70 72
Quality of dining opportunities 82 82 81 82 82 82 82 82 82
Quality of entertainment opportunities 75 73 71 71 73 73 72 74 73
Availability of job opportunities 59 56 56 55 57 59 54 67 57
Availability of affordable quality housing 38 42 39 34 38 40 33 49 38
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 71 69 71 73 71 71 72 72 71
Quality of recreational opportunities 87 83 85 83 85 86 84 83 85
Availability of quality healthcare 74 76 78 81 77 80 73 70 77
Quality of public schools 80 85 82 81 82 83 81 68 82
Quality of public library services 82 85 84 82 83 83 84 73 83
As a place to raise children 85 89 89 87 87 89 86 76 87
As a place to retire 79 83 82 77 79 81 78 69 80
As a place to attend college 85 88 87 82 85 84 86 87 85
As a place to work 76 78 77 75 76 77 75 72 76
Community acceptance of all people 74 72 69 70 72 70 73 78 72
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 86 85 83 85 86 83 82 85
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
95
Table 71: Question 1 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on each
of the items listed below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Overall, as a place to live 88 89 89 88 90 89 90 89 86 89
Overall safety of residents 81 81 81 83 79 81 82 82 79 81
Quality of shopping opportunities 71 72 72 73 72 72 71 73 74 72
Quality of dining opportunities 83 82 82 81 82 82 83 81 82 82
Quality of entertainment opportunities 74 73 73 72 73 73 74 70 74 73
Availability of job opportunities 58 57 57 58 56 57 58 56 57 57
Availability of affordable quality housing 43 36 38 39 37 38 37 38 38 38
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 73 71 71 70 73 71 71 71 73 71
Quality of recreational opportunities 85 85 85 85 85 85 88 85 81 85
Availability of quality healthcare 74 78 77 77 78 77 75 76 82 77
Quality of public schools 78 82 82 82 82 82 83 83 78 82
Quality of public library services 80 84 83 83 83 83 83 84 81 83
As a place to raise children 82 88 87 88 87 87 87 90 83 87
As a place to retire 77 80 79 79 80 80 83 79 77 80
As a place to attend college 89 84 85 84 86 85 87 84 82 85
As a place to work 76 76 76 78 75 76 77 76 74 76
Community acceptance of all people 74 71 72 72 71 72 74 72 68 72
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 85 85 85 84 85 87 85 81 85
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
96
Table 72: Question 1 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on each of
the items listed below. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Overall, as a place to live 89 87 89 90 86 89
Overall safety of residents 81 80 81 82 80 81
Quality of shopping opportunities 73 69 72 71 75 72
Quality of dining opportunities 83 75 82 82 82 82
Quality of entertainment opportunities 73 70 73 72 75 73
Availability of job opportunities 58 53 57 57 57 57
Availability of affordable quality housing 38 35 38 36 41 38
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 72 67 71 70 74 71
Quality of recreational opportunities 85 84 85 86 83 85
Availability of quality healthcare 79 67 77 76 80 77
Quality of public schools 83 75 82 82 80 82
Quality of public library services 84 80 83 83 83 83
As a place to raise children 88 85 87 88 84 87
As a place to retire 79 80 79 80 79 80
As a place to attend college 85 82 85 85 84 85
As a place to work 77 72 76 77 73 76
Community acceptance of all people 72 69 72 72 71 72
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 81 85 86 82 85
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
97
Table 73: Question 2 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the quality of your neighborhood on
each of the items listed below. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Your neighborhood as a place to live 84 86 84 79 83 85 78 86 83
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 77 80 82 73 77 83 68 60 77
Access within your neighborhood to everyday needs 77 81 85 79 79 80 79 75 79
Table 74: Question 2 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the quality of your neighborhood on
each of the items listed below. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Your neighborhood as a place to live 80 83 83 83 83 83 82 83 83 83
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 65 79 77 77 77 77 73 81 78 77
Access within your neighborhood to everyday needs 79 79 79 78 81 79 78 81 79 79
Table 75: Question 2 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the quality of your neighborhood on each
of the items listed below. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall Working full or
part time for pay
Not
working for
pay
Overall
Your neighborhood as a place to live 83 81 83 83 83 83
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 77 76 77 78 75 77
Access within your neighborhood to everyday needs 80 77 79 80 77 79
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
98
Table 76: Question 5 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the
following areas. (Average rating 0=always
unsafe, 100=always safe)
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More than
20 years Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 91 89 88 86 89 89 89 89 89
Downtown Fort Collins at night 72 69 64 62 68 68 67 72 68
Your neighborhood during the day 93 95 92 92 93 94 92 88 93
Your neighborhood at night 81 84 82 79 81 84 77 77 81
Parks 82 78 78 73 79 79 78 85 79
Natural areas/open space 82 81 79 75 79 78 81 83 80
Recreation facilities 86 86 83 82 84 84 84 86 84
Trails 81 80 77 75 78 78 79 81 78
Fort Collins overall during the day 89 89 86 84 87 87 86 89 87
Fort Collins overall at night 75 73 70 67 72 73 69 77 72
Table 77: Question 5 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the
following areas. (Average rating 0=always unsafe,
100=always safe).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 91 89 89 89 89 89 92 88 86 89
Downtown Fort Collins at night 69 67 68 70 66 68 71 66 63 68
Your neighborhood during the day 93 93 93 94 92 93 93 94 91 93
Your neighborhood at night 79 82 81 84 78 81 81 82 80 81
Parks 80 78 79 81 76 79 81 78 74 79
Natural areas/open space 81 79 80 83 76 79 83 79 74 80
Recreation facilities 87 84 84 86 83 84 86 85 80 84
Trails 78 79 79 82 75 78 81 79 74 79
Fort Collins overall during the day 88 87 87 88 86 87 89 87 84 87
Fort Collins overall at night 74 71 72 76 68 72 74 72 66 72
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
99
Table 78: Question 5 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the
following areas. (Average rating 0=always unsafe,
100=always safe).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 89 89 89 90 88 89
Downtown Fort Collins at night 68 69 68 68 67 68
Your neighborhood during the day 93 90 93 94 91 93
Your neighborhood at night 82 77 81 82 79 81
Parks 78 81 79 79 79 79
Natural areas/open space 80 80 80 80 78 80
Recreation facilities 85 82 84 85 84 85
Trails 79 79 79 79 76 79
Fort Collins overall during the day 87 87 87 88 85 87
Fort Collins overall at night 71 74 72 72 69 72
Table 79: Question 6 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the
community for natural disasters or other emergency
situations) 77 80 74 74 76 74 78 81 76
Disaster response and restoration of services 76 79 75 74 76 75 77 80 76
Fire prevention/education 76 79 75 77 77 76 77 84 77
Fire response time 81 85 83 83 83 83 84 78 83
Fire services overall 80 85 82 83 82 82 84 75 82
Crime prevention 71 68 69 67 69 69 68 78 69
Police patrol 71 73 67 66 69 68 70 78 69
Traffic enforcement 65 65 59 58 62 59 65 72 62
Police visibility 71 72 68 67 70 69 70 76 70
Police response time 74 76 72 69 73 71 73 83 73
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
100
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Police services overall 72 75 71 69 71 71 72 83 72
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 66 70 60 58 63 61 67 76 64
Noise enforcement 63 66 62 58 62 60 63 69 62
Animal control 67 70 62 62 65 63 68 71 65
Business property maintenance 73 74 72 67 71 71 71 76 71
Residential property maintenance 72 74 70 66 70 70 70 73 70
Natural Areas Ranger services 81 81 77 75 79 78 79 84 79
Table 80: Question 6 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the
community for natural disasters or other emergency
situations) 78 76 76 76 76 76 77 74 76 76
Disaster response and restoration of services 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76 76
Fire prevention/education 79 76 77 76 77 77 75 76 78 77
Fire response time 81 83 83 82 83 83 82 83 84 83
Fire services overall 78 83 82 82 82 82 80 83 84 82
Crime prevention 71 68 69 70 68 69 71 67 68 69
Police patrol 73 68 69 69 69 69 73 65 68 69
Traffic enforcement 66 61 62 60 64 62 65 59 60 62
Police visibility 72 69 70 70 70 70 74 68 65 70
Police response time 76 72 73 72 74 73 76 69 72 73
Police services overall 74 71 71 71 72 71 74 69 70 71
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 69 62 64 64 63 63 70 60 58 63
Noise enforcement 64 61 62 62 62 62 66 63 54 62
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
101
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Animal control 68 65 65 64 66 65 68 64 61 65
Business property maintenance 75 70 71 72 70 71 75 70 66 71
Residential property maintenance 73 69 70 71 69 70 74 68 66 70
Natural Areas Ranger services 83 78 79 79 78 79 83 77 74 79
Table 81: Question 6 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate quality of each of the following in Fort
Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the
community for natural disasters or other emergency
situations) 76 74 76 76 77 76
Disaster response and restoration of services 76 76 76 76 75 76
Fire prevention/education 77 72 77 76 78 77
Fire response time 83 80 83 83 82 83
Fire services overall 83 79 82 82 83 82
Crime prevention 69 68 69 69 69 69
Police patrol 69 69 69 70 67 69
Traffic enforcement 62 60 62 63 60 62
Police visibility 70 69 70 71 68 70
Police response time 74 68 73 73 74 73
Police services overall 72 69 71 72 70 72
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 64 59 63 65 60 64
Noise enforcement 63 56 62 63 59 62
Animal control 66 59 65 66 62 65
Business property maintenance 71 71 71 72 69 71
Residential property maintenance 69 73 70 71 68 70
Natural Areas Ranger services 78 81 79 79 78 79
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
102
Table 82: Question 7 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More than
20 years Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Drinking water 86 89 92 92 89 92 87 85 90
Electric services 83 88 87 85 85 86 85 81 85
Sewer services 82 88 86 85 84 84 85 80 85
Storm drainage 77 80 79 78 78 79 77 81 78
Utility billing 79 82 77 76 78 77 81 74 78
Utilities overall 80 84 81 80 81 80 82 81 81
Table 83: Question 7 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Drinking water 90 89 90 91 88 89 90 90 89 89
Electric services 85 85 85 86 84 85 84 84 87 85
Sewer services 84 84 84 85 83 84 85 83 85 84
Storm drainage 77 78 78 79 77 78 77 78 79 78
Utility billing 78 78 78 79 78 78 78 78 79 78
Utilities overall 81 81 81 82 79 81 81 80 81 81
Table 84: Question 7 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate quality of each of the following in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Drinking water 90 88 90 91 87 90
Electric services 86 81 85 85 85 85
Sewer services 85 80 84 85 83 85
Storm drainage 79 72 78 78 78 78
Utility billing 79 73 78 78 79 78
Utilities overall 82 76 81 81 81 81
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
103
Table 85: Question 8 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the following areas of transportation
in Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Ease of driving 54 48 56 46 51 51 52 54 51
Ease of traveling by public transportation 64 55 51 52 57 53 61 73 57
As a walkable city 69 66 65 64 67 65 67 79 67
Ease of traveling by bicycle 81 79 76 71 77 77 78 74 78
Availability of parking Downtown 47 47 47 43 46 47 44 42 46
Level of traffic congestion 37 31 35 29 33 33 32 41 33
Street maintenance 62 56 56 53 57 57 57 62 57
Table 86: Question 8 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the following areas of transportation
in Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Ease of driving 51 51 51 52 51 51 50 51 53 51
Ease of traveling by public transportation 66 55 57 56 59 57 62 51 55 57
As a walkable city 66 67 67 66 67 67 68 66 65 67
Ease of traveling by bicycle 79 77 77 79 76 77 81 78 68 77
Availability of parking Downtown 46 46 46 47 45 46 44 51 43 46
Level of traffic congestion 35 33 34 34 33 33 33 33 34 33
Street maintenance 58 57 57 58 56 57 59 56 56 57
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
104
Table 87: Question 8 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the following areas of transportation in
Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Ease of driving 51 51 51 50 54 51
Ease of traveling by public transportation 57 57 57 56 61 57
As a walkable city 66 69 67 66 70 67
Ease of traveling by bicycle 77 79 77 79 71 77
Availability of parking Downtown 47 40 46 46 45 46
Level of traffic congestion 34 32 33 33 35 33
Street maintenance 57 61 57 56 60 57
Table 88: Question 9 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the City's performance in each of the
following in Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Managing and planning for growth 63 54 60 55 58 57 60 69 59
Efficient operation of programs and services 74 75 68 68 71 71 73 77 72
Encouraging sustainability in the community 74 75 68 68 71 71 73 77 72
Overall direction of the City 72 68 66 62 68 66 70 81 68
Table 89: Question 9 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate City's performance in each of the
following in Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Managing and planning for growth 66 57 59 59 58 58 61 57 57 59
Efficient operation of programs and services 75 71 72 72 71 71 74 71 67 71
Encouraging sustainability in the community 75 71 72 72 71 71 74 71 67 71
Overall direction of the City 74 67 68 68 67 68 72 66 63 68
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
105
Table 90: Question 9 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate City's performance in each of the
following in Fort Collins. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Managing and planning for growth 58 60 59 58 61 59
Efficient operation of programs and services 71 72 72 72 71 72
Encouraging sustainability in the community 71 72 72 72 71 72
Overall direction of the City 68 66 68 68 68 68
Table 91: Question 10 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the City's performance in each of
the following areas (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More than
20 years Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Support of businesses 73 71 66 66 69 68 72 78 70
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 71 72 67 65 69 68 71 75 69
Encouraging a variety of businesses 74 69 64 64 68 67 70 80 68
Retaining existing businesses 71 65 61 59 65 63 66 83 65
Attracting new businesses 72 69 60 61 66 64 69 79 66
Table 92: Question 10 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the City's performance in each of the
following areas (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Support of businesses 78 68 69 68 71 69 75 68 62 69
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 72 68 69 69 69 69 74 68 64 69
Encouraging a variety of businesses 74 67 68 67 70 68 73 67 62 68
Retaining existing businesses 76 63 65 63 66 65 70 63 58 65
Attracting new businesses 74 65 66 64 68 66 73 63 60 66
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
106
Table 93: Question 10 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the City's performance in each of the
following areas (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Support of businesses 71 63 69 69 70 69
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 70 64 69 69 70 69
Encouraging a variety of businesses 69 66 69 68 69 69
Retaining existing businesses 66 59 65 64 66 65
Attracting new businesses 68 59 66 66 67 66
Table 94: Question 11 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the quality of each of the programs
or facilities listed below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Natural areas and open space 89 89 90 86 88 88 89 85 88
Recreational trails 89 89 89 88 89 89 89 87 89
Parks 89 86 87 86 87 87 88 84 87
Cemeteries 79 80 79 79 79 78 83 71 79
Golf courses 78 79 80 81 79 78 82 77 80
Athletic fields 79 79 76 80 79 78 81 76 79
Northside Aztlan Community Center 80 82 81 82 81 80 85 77 81
Fort Collins Senior Center 81 87 85 84 84 83 85 75 84
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 79 74 79 78 78 78 77 77 78
Mulberry Pool 76 72 71 74 74 73 75 75 74
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 81 82 79 82 81 81 81 73 81
The Gardens on Spring Creek 85 86 85 86 85 85 86 73 85
Pottery studio 76 86 76 80 79 78 81 71 79
Art in Public Places program 80 82 78 77 79 78 82 73 79
Lincoln Center programs 80 83 80 79 80 80 82 71 80
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center 82 86 84 85 84 85 84 73 84
Adult recreation programs 77 74 74 75 75 75 77 73 75
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
107
Please rate the quality of each of the programs
or facilities listed below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Senior recreation programs 79 80 74 78 78 77 80 73 78
Youth/teen recreation programs 75 77 74 74 75 74 76 74 75
Table 95: Question 11 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the quality of each of the programs
or facilities listed below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Natural areas and open space 89 88 88 88 88 88 90 88 84 88
Recreational trails 89 89 89 89 89 89 90 88 86 89
Parks 88 87 87 87 87 87 89 86 84 87
Cemeteries 81 79 79 77 82 79 82 78 78 79
Golf courses 80 79 79 78 80 79 79 80 79 79
Athletic fields 78 79 79 77 80 79 79 79 78 79
Northside Aztlan Community Center 79 82 81 80 82 81 82 81 81 81
Fort Collins Senior Center 82 84 84 84 84 84 83 83 85 84
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 76 78 78 77 79 78 78 76 81 78
Mulberry Pool 75 74 74 72 75 74 77 70 75 74
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 79 81 81 79 82 81 83 80 81 81
The Gardens on Spring Creek 84 85 85 84 86 85 87 83 85 85
Pottery studio 79 79 79 79 79 79 81 80 74 79
Art in Public Places program 82 78 79 77 80 79 84 77 74 79
Lincoln Center programs 79 80 80 79 81 80 83 80 77 80
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center 84 84 84 83 85 84 87 83 81 84
Adult recreation programs 74 76 75 74 76 75 76 75 75 75
Senior recreation programs 78 78 78 77 78 78 80 77 77 78
Youth/teen recreation programs 71 76 75 74 76 75 77 74 73 75
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
108
Table 96: Question 11 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the quality of each of the programs or
facilities listed below. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Natural areas and open space 88 88 88 89 85 88
Recreational trails 89 87 89 89 87 89
Parks 87 86 87 87 86 87
Cemeteries 80 75 79 80 78 79
Golf courses 79 78 79 80 77 79
Athletic fields 79 75 79 78 80 79
Northside Aztlan Community Center 82 78 81 81 83 81
Fort Collins Senior Center 84 80 84 84 84 84
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 78 74 78 77 81 78
Mulberry Pool 74 74 74 73 76 74
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 81 77 81 81 81 81
The Gardens on Spring Creek 85 85 85 86 84 85
Pottery studio 79 79 79 81 75 79
Art in Public Places program 79 76 79 80 78 79
Lincoln Center programs 80 78 80 81 78 80
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center 85 79 84 85 81 84
Adult recreation programs 76 69 75 76 75 75
Senior recreation programs 78 77 78 79 77 78
Youth/teen recreation programs 75 74 75 75 75 75
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
109
Table 97: Question 12 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the quality of the environment in Fort
Collins in each of the following areas. (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Community's visual attractiveness 83 84 83 83 83 84 82 84 83
Air quality 81 76 83 73 78 78 79 84 79
Recycling programs 78 81 75 73 77 77 75 86 77
Conservation efforts 78 80 77 72 76 77 76 81 77
Overall quality of environment 83 82 81 77 81 81 81 88 81
Table 98: Question 12 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the quality of the environment in Fort
Collins in each of the following areas. (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Community's visual attractiveness 81 84 83 83 84 83 85 83 80 83
Air quality 83 77 78 80 77 78 82 78 72 78
Recycling programs 80 76 77 75 78 77 78 78 73 77
Conservation efforts 78 76 77 76 77 77 78 78 73 77
Overall quality of environment 84 80 81 81 81 81 84 80 76 81
Table 99: Question 12 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the quality of the environment in Fort
Collins in each of the following areas. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall Working full or
part time for pay
Not
working for
pay
Overall
Community's visual attractiveness 83 85 83 84 82 83
Air quality 78 83 78 79 76 78
Recycling programs 78 72 77 76 78 77
Conservation efforts 76 77 76 77 76 77
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
110
Table 100: Question 13 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
To what extent would you support or oppose the
City taking each of the following actions? (Average
rating 0=strongly oppose, 100=strongly support).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Prohibiting yard waste from being sent to the landfill 64 61 49 45 55 51 63 62 56
Prohibiting the disposal of bottles/cans/paper 67 69 62 52 62 58 67 81 63
Table 101: Question 13 by Student Status, Gender and Age
To what extent would you support or oppose the
City taking each of the following actions? (Average
rating 0=strongly oppose, 100=strongly support).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Prohibiting yard waste from being sent to the landfill 71 52 55 54 56 55 64 53 45 55
Prohibiting the disposal of bottles/cans/paper 76 60 63 62 63 63 70 62 50 63
Table 102: Question 13 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
To what extent would you support or oppose the City
taking each of the following actions? (Average rating
0=strongly oppose, 100=strongly support).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall
Working full or
part time for
pay
Not
working for
pay
Overall
Prohibiting yard waste from being sent to the landfill 55 59 56 55 56 55
Prohibiting the disposal of bottles/cans/paper 63 60 63 64 60 63
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
111
Table 103: Question 14 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services
provided by the City of Fort Collins? (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good) 80 82 78 76 79 79 79 80 79
Table 104: Question 14 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services
provided by the City of Fort Collins? (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good) 78 79 79 79 79 79 80 80 75 79
Table 105: Question 14 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services
provided by the City of Fort Collins? (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good) 80 74 79 79 78 79
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
112
Table 106: Question 16a by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Thinking about your most recent contact, please
rate City employee(s) on each of the items below.
(Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Courtesy 86 87 84 82 84 85 84 66 84
Promptness 84 86 76 77 81 80 83 59 81
Knowledge 83 88 75 79 81 80 82 75 81
Making you feel valued 78 80 70 71 75 74 76 41 75
Overall impression 81 84 74 76 79 79 79 49 79
This question was asked only of those who reported having had phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
Table 107: Question 16a by Student Status, Gender and Age
Thinking about your most recent contact, please
rate City employee(s) on each of the items below.
(Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Courtesy 80 85 84 82 87 84 84 84 85 84
Promptness 76 81 81 79 83 81 81 81 79 81
Knowledge 77 82 81 79 84 81 82 81 80 81
Making you feel valued 67 75 74 72 78 75 75 74 75 75
Overall impression 76 79 78 76 82 79 80 78 78 79
This question was asked only of those who reported having had phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
113
Table 108: Question 16a by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Thinking about your most recent contact, please rate
City employee(s) on each of the items below. (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall
Working full or
part time for
pay
Not
working for
pay
Overall
Courtesy 85 82 84 84 86 84
Promptness 81 79 81 80 82 81
Knowledge 81 80 81 81 81 81
Making you feel valued 75 68 74 74 76 75
Overall impression 79 74 79 79 79 79
This question was asked only of those who reported having had phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
Table 109: Question 16b by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Although you may not have had any recent personal
contact with City employees, we would like to know
your impression of how City employees treat Fort
Collins residents. Please rate City employees on each
of the items below. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5
years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Courtesy 72 79 76 74 74 73 75 76 74
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests 72 79 73 72 74 72 76 75 74
Making citizens or customers feel valued 71 76 70 69 71 70 70 77 71
This question was asked only of those who reported no phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
114
Table 110: Question 16b by Student Status, Gender and Age
Although you may not have had any recent personal
contact with City employees, we would like to know
your impression of how City employees treat Fort
Collins residents. Please rate City employees on each of
the items below. (Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Full-time or part-
time student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55
years
or
older
Overall
Courtesy 77 74 75 77 72 74 77 71 75 75
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests 77 73 74 77 71 74 78 70 73 74
Making citizens or customers feel valued 75 70 71 75 68 71 74 67 70 71
This question was asked only of those who reported no phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
Table 111: Question 16b by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Although you may not have had any recent personal contact with
City employees, we would like to know your impression of how
City employees treat Fort Collins residents. Please rate City
employees on each of the items below. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White
alone, not
Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or
other race
Overall
Working full
or part time
for pay
Not
working
for pay
Overall
Courtesy 75 74 75 74 77 75
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service requests 75 73 74 74 74 74
Making citizens or customers feel valued 72 70 72 71 73 71
This question was asked only of those who reported no phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
115
Table 112: Question 17 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please select the option that best describes how you think the
City should address each of the following aspects of the
community.
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Economy: Includes economic planning and development
activities
More effort 27% 34% 37% 43% 35% 35% 36% 20% 35%
Same effort 67% 61% 61% 51% 61% 61% 58% 72% 60%
Less effort 6% 5% 2% 5% 5% 4% 6% 8% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water
resources, good air quality, land conservation, smart
growth, and an attractive community
More effort 34% 45% 40% 43% 39% 43% 35% 16% 39%
Same effort 63% 50% 54% 52% 56% 53% 59% 78% 56%
Less effort 3% 5% 6% 5% 4% 4% 5% 6% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor
relationships, ensuring attractive neighborhoods, historic
preservation, and an adequate supply of quality housing for
all socio-economic groups
More effort 43% 49% 37% 42% 43% 39% 51% 13% 43%
Same effort 50% 47% 58% 52% 52% 55% 43% 79% 51%
Less effort 7% 4% 5% 6% 6% 5% 6% 8% 6%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical
response, and building inspection
More effort 21% 23% 19% 24% 22% 20% 25% 13% 21%
Same effort 74% 77% 79% 75% 76% 79% 72% 80% 76%
Less effort 5% 0% 2% 1% 2% 2% 3% 6% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating and
improving recreational facilities, Lincoln Center, and the
Museum of Discovery; providing recreational and cultural
programs; maintaining parks, trails and cemeteries; and
improving natural areas
More effort 29% 17% 21% 12% 21% 20% 23% 14% 21%
Same effort 68% 81% 72% 85% 76% 78% 73% 73% 76%
Less effort 2% 2% 7% 3% 3% 2% 4% 13% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Transportation: Includes transportation planning and
development, maintaining roads and traffic operations,
Transfort operations, and transportation demand
management
More effort 57% 71% 59% 62% 61% 63% 64% 29% 61%
Same effort 39% 27% 30% 36% 35% 34% 31% 66% 34%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
116
Table 113: Question 17 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please select the option that best describes how you think the City
should address each of the following aspects of the community.
Full-time or part-
time student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall
18-
34
years
35-
54
years
55
years
or
older
Overall
Economy: Includes economic planning and development
activities
More effort 22% 37% 35% 34% 34% 34% 28% 40% 37% 34%
Same effort 73% 58% 60% 60% 62% 61% 68% 54% 58% 61%
Less effort 5% 5% 5% 6% 4% 5% 4% 6% 6% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water
resources, good air quality, land conservation, smart growth,
and an attractive community
More effort 40% 40% 40% 36% 43% 39% 35% 42% 43% 39%
Same effort 57% 56% 56% 57% 55% 56% 63% 51% 52% 56%
Less effort 4% 5% 4% 7% 2% 4% 2% 6% 5% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor
relationships, ensuring attractive neighborhoods, historic
preservation, and an adequate supply of quality housing for
all socio-economic groups
More effort 43% 43% 43% 37% 47% 43% 40% 45% 44% 43%
Same effort 50% 51% 51% 52% 51% 52% 54% 50% 49% 52%
Less effort 7% 5% 6% 10% 1% 6% 6% 5% 7% 6%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical response,
and building inspection
More effort 31% 19% 21% 21% 23% 22% 22% 20% 23% 22%
Same effort 64% 79% 76% 76% 76% 76% 74% 79% 75% 76%
Less effort 6% 2% 3% 3% 2% 3% 4% 1% 2% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating and
improving recreational facilities, Lincoln Center, and the
Museum of Discovery; providing recreational and cultural
programs; maintaining parks, trails and cemeteries; and
improving natural areas
More effort 31% 19% 21% 18% 23% 21% 23% 21% 16% 21%
Same effort 65% 78% 76% 77% 75% 76% 74% 75% 80% 76%
Less effort 4% 3% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Transportation: Includes transportation planning and
development, maintaining roads and traffic operations,
Transfort operations, and transportation demand
management
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
117
Table 114: Question 17 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Student
Please select the option that best describes how you think the City should address
each of the following aspects of the community.
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White
alone,
not
Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or
other
race
Overall
Working
full or
part
time for
pay
Not
working
for pay
Overall
Economy: Includes economic planning and development
activities
More effort 34% 39% 34% 35% 32% 35%
Same effort 62% 55% 60% 60% 64% 61%
Less effort 5% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Environment: Includes efforts to ensure good water
resources, good air quality, land conservation, smart growth,
and an attractive community
More effort 41% 32% 39% 39% 40% 39%
Same effort 55% 60% 56% 56% 56% 56%
Less effort 4% 8% 4% 4% 3% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Neighborhoods: Includes promoting good neighbor
relationships, ensuring attractive neighborhoods, historic
preservation, and an adequate supply of quality housing for all
socio-economic groups
More effort 41% 50% 43% 42% 45% 43%
Same effort 53% 44% 52% 52% 49% 52%
Less effort 6% 6% 6% 5% 6% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Safety: Includes police, fire and emergency medical response,
and building inspection
More effort 21% 26% 22% 21% 23% 22%
Same effort 76% 74% 76% 77% 74% 76%
Less effort 3% 0% 3% 2% 3% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Culture, Parks & Recreation: Includes operating and improving
recreational facilities, Lincoln Center, and the Museum of
Discovery; providing recreational and cultural programs;
maintaining parks, trails and cemeteries; and improving natural
areas
More effort 21% 18% 21% 21% 21% 21%
Same effort 76% 79% 76% 76% 76% 76%
Less effort 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
118
Table 115: Question 21 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please rate the City's performance in the following
area. (Average rating 0=very bad, 100=very good).
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5 years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More than
20 years Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Welcoming citizen involvement 70 77 71 70 71 71 71 78 71
Listening to citizens 64 64 59 58 61 60 63 68 61
Informing citizens 69 69 65 64 67 68 65 64 67
Providing opportunities to participate in government
activities 66 63 62 63 64 65 63 69 64
Providing emergency information 69 71 68 71 70 70 69 73 70
Table 116: Question 21 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please rate the City's performance in the
following area. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Full-time or part-time
student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55 years
or older Overall
Welcoming citizen involvement 70 72 71 71 72 71 72 73 67 71
Listening to citizens 66 60 61 60 62 61 63 62 58 61
Informing citizens 64 67 67 69 65 67 66 69 65 67
Providing opportunities to participate in government
activities 59 65 64 64 64 64 62 67 64 64
Providing emergency information 68 70 70 71 69 70 69 69 71 70
Table 117: Question 21 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please rate the City's performance in the
following area. (Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White alone,
not Hispanic
Hispanic and/or
other race Overall
Working full or
part time for pay
Not working
for pay Overall
Welcoming citizen involvement 72 66 71 71 73 71
Listening to citizens 62 58 61 60 65 61
Informing citizens 67 65 67 66 68 67
Providing opportunities to participate in government
activities 65 60 64 63 66 64
Providing emergency information 69 71 70 69 71 70
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
119
Table 118: Question 22 by Respondent Length of Residency and Housing Tenure
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or other
members of your household use each of the following
sources of information regarding City issues, services
and programs. (Percent at least sometimes)
Respondent length of residency Respondent housing unit type
5
years
or less
6-10
years
11-20
years
More
than 20
years
Overall Detached Attached Dorm Overall
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 19% 15% 20% 30% 22% 21% 24% 15% 22%
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com/cable14 15% 4% 10% 13% 12% 11% 12% 10% 11%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 71% 84% 91% 82% 79% 84% 78% 27% 79%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 54% 62% 70% 80% 65% 75% 56% 15% 65%
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 47% 53% 77% 77% 62% 69% 53% 25% 61%
Tracks and Trails (the guide to natural areas activities) 66% 69% 71% 69% 68% 71% 65% 52% 68%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 56% 71% 88% 78% 70% 82% 55% 30% 70%
Word of mouth 81% 91% 92% 89% 87% 90% 85% 57% 87%
Newspaper (print or online) 61% 70% 81% 83% 72% 74% 72% 44% 72%
Radio 56% 60% 70% 71% 63% 69% 60% 29% 64%
Television news 48% 56% 58% 68% 57% 61% 54% 18% 56%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.) 65% 62% 59% 52% 60% 58% 62% 62% 60%
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 9% 10% 8% 8% 9% 9% 8% 10% 9%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins, Digital
Publications, Recreator) 17% 27% 19% 22% 20% 21% 18% 26% 20%
City booth at local events 38% 45% 35% 47% 41% 42% 43% 23% 42%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
120
Table 119: Question 22 by Student Status, Gender and Age
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or other
members of your household use each of the following
sources of information regarding City issues, services
and programs. (Percent at least sometimes)
Full-time or part-
time student Respondent gender Respondent age
Yes No Overall Male Female Overall 18-34
years
35-54
years
55
years
or
older
Overall
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 16% 23% 21% 20% 23% 22% 14% 19% 38% 22%
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com/cable14 12% 11% 11% 12% 11% 12% 9% 8% 21% 12%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 65% 82% 79% 83% 75% 79% 79% 90% 67% 79%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 40% 70% 65% 62% 68% 65% 52% 72% 80% 65%
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 45% 65% 62% 60% 63% 61% 46% 69% 80% 62%
Tracks and Trails (the guide to natural areas activities) 63% 69% 68% 69% 67% 68% 63% 78% 66% 68%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 41% 76% 70% 67% 73% 70% 57% 83% 79% 70%
Word of mouth 78% 88% 86% 86% 87% 87% 82% 91% 89% 87%
Newspaper (print or online) 60% 75% 72% 70% 75% 72% 62% 76% 85% 73%
Radio 57% 64% 63% 57% 68% 63% 62% 63% 65% 63%
Television news 42% 59% 56% 51% 62% 57% 48% 55% 74% 57%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.) 72% 57% 60% 57% 62% 60% 73% 63% 33% 60%
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 11% 8% 9% 11% 7% 9% 8% 11% 8% 9%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins, Digital
Publications, Recreator) 21% 20% 20% 23% 17% 20% 19% 23% 19% 20%
City booth at local events 33% 43% 42% 43% 40% 42% 42% 44% 39% 42%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
121
Table 120: Question 22 by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Status
Please indicate how frequently, if ever, you or other members
of your household use each of the following sources of
information regarding City issues, services and programs.
(Percent at least sometimes)
Race/ethnicity Employment status
White
alone, not
Hispanic
Hispanic
and/or other
race
Overall
Working full
or part time
for pay
Not
working
for pay
Overall
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 21% 23% 22% 20% 26% 22%
Online video of cable channel 14 on www.fcgov.com/cable14 11% 15% 12% 11% 14% 11%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 81% 74% 80% 87% 58% 79%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 67% 55% 65% 66% 62% 65%
Newsletters or brochures from City departments 64% 50% 61% 60% 65% 62%
Tracks and Trails (the guide to natural areas activities) 69% 63% 69% 70% 62% 68%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation programs) 73% 54% 70% 71% 67% 70%
Word of mouth 88% 80% 86% 89% 80% 87%
Newspaper (print or online) 75% 55% 72% 72% 73% 72%
Radio 62% 70% 63% 64% 61% 63%
Television news 57% 55% 56% 56% 58% 57%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.) 60% 61% 60% 66% 44% 60%
Fort Collins Idea Lab (idealab.fcgov.com) 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps (Access Fort Collins, Digital
Publications, Recreator) 22% 9% 20% 21% 19% 20%
City booth at local events 40% 47% 41% 43% 37% 42%
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
122
Appendix E. Comparison of Select Questions by
Respondent Geographic Area of Residence
Average ratings for select survey questions are compared by geographic area of residence in the following tables.
Cells shaded grey indicates statistically significant differences (p ≤ .05).
Table 121: Question 1 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the
items listed below. (Average
rating 0=always unsafe,
100=always safe)
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Overall, as a place to live 86 88 91 89 89 89
Overall safety of residents 80 80 85 82 79 81
Quality of shopping
opportunities 73 68 75 76 70 72
Quality of dining opportunities 80 82 84 83 80 82
Quality of entertainment
opportunities 73 71 73 74 73 73
Availability of job opportunities 54 54 61 58 57 57
Availability of affordable quality
housing 39 36 39 39 36 38
Quality of arts and cultural
opportunities 72 68 71 74 72 71
Quality of recreational
opportunities 86 83 85 87 85 85
Availability of quality healthcare 79 77 80 73 77 77
Quality of public schools 77 82 84 79 82 82
Quality of public library services 83 84 84 81 83 83
As a place to raise children 89 86 91 84 86 87
As a place to retire 79 79 81 79 79 79
As a place to attend college 84 84 85 87 85 85
As a place to work 69 75 79 78 77 76
Community acceptance of all
people 66 72 72 76 71 72
Overall quality of life in Fort
Collins 84 84 87 85 84 85
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
123
Table 122: Question 2 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the quality of
your neighborhood on each
of the items listed below.
(Average rating 0=always
unsafe, 100=always safe)
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Your neighborhood as a place to
live 83 82 89 82 79 83
Your neighborhood as a place to
raise children 77 76 88 70 73 77
Access within your neighborhood
to everyday needs 73 83 79 78 79 79
Table 123: Question 5 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please tell us how safe you
feel in each of the following
areas. (Average rating 0=
always unsafe, 100=always
safe).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Downtown Fort Collins during
the day 89 88 89 90 89 89
Downtown Fort Collins at night 68 67 67 70 67 68
Your neighborhood during the
day 93 92 96 91 93 93
Your neighborhood at night 80 80 89 78 78 81
Parks 80 78 79 82 75 79
Natural areas/open space 81 79 79 83 76 80
Recreation facilities 85 85 83 87 82 84
Trails 80 76 80 82 75 78
Fort Collins overall during the
day 87 86 88 88 87 87
Fort Collins overall at night 72 70 73 73 70 72
Table 124: Question 6 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate quality of each of
the following in Fort Collins.
(Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
124
Please rate quality of each of
the following in Fort Collins.
(Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Police patrol 69 70 70 71 66 69
Traffic enforcement 59 61 63 65 60 62
Police visibility 68 71 71 71 67 70
Police response time 70 74 73 74 71 73
Police services overall 71 72 73 74 68 71
Code enforcement (weeds,
abandoned buildings, etc.) 61 64 65 70 59 64
Noise enforcement 62 61 65 64 56 62
Animal control 64 64 67 70 60 65
Business property maintenance 74 71 73 73 67 71
Residential property maintenance 72 71 73 71 64 70
Natural Areas Ranger services 83 77 80 79 77 79
Table 125: Question 7 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate quality of each
of the following in Fort
Collins. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Drinking water 91 89 91 88 89 90
Electric services 84 85 88 84 84 85
Sewer services 82 85 88 85 82 85
Storm drainage 75 78 84 79 74 78
Utility billing 75 79 80 80 75 78
Utilities overall 78 80 83 83 79 81
Table 126: Question 8 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the following
areas of transportation in
Fort Collins. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Ease of driving 40 54 55 50 52 51
Ease of traveling by public
transportation 56 47 56 64 62 57
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
125
Table 127: Question 9 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the City's
performance in each of the
following in Fort Collins.
(Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Managing and planning for
growth 51 62 56 63 58 59
Efficient operation of programs
and services 73 71 70 76 70 72
Encouraging sustainability in the
community 73 71 70 76 70 72
Overall direction of the City 64 68 65 74 66 68
Table 128: Question 10 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the City's
performance in each of the
following areas: (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Support of businesses 68 66 66 77 72 70
Promotion of the economic
health of Fort Collins 70 68 67 75 68 69
Encouraging a variety of
businesses 69 65 65 77 68 69
Retaining existing businesses 61 62 62 76 64 65
Attracting new businesses 68 64 62 75 65 66
Table 129: Question 11 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the quality of
each of the programs or
facilities listed below.
(Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Natural areas and open space 88 88 88 89 88 88
Recreational trails 89 88 90 89 88 89
Parks 87 86 86 89 89 87
Cemeteries 78 76 80 85 79 80
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126
Please rate the quality of
each of the programs or
facilities listed below.
(Average rating 0=very bad,
100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Pottery studio 90 75 76 82 76 79
Art in Public Places program 81 78 78 83 77 79
Lincoln Center programs 83 79 79 83 79 80
Fort Collins Museum and
Discovery Science Center 85 84 82 86 84 84
Adult recreation programs 74 76 77 78 71 75
Senior recreation programs 80 79 81 79 74 78
Youth/teen recreation programs 76 73 79 79 70 75
Table 130: Question 12 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the quality of the
environment in Fort Collins
in each of the following
areas. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Community's visual attractiveness 83 83 84 84 81 83
Air quality 77 80 81 78 76 79
Recycling programs 76 75 78 79 75 77
Conservation efforts 76 76 78 79 74 77
Overall quality of environment 80 82 81 82 79 81
Table 131: Question 13 by Geographic Area of Residence
To what extent would you
support or oppose the City
taking each of the following
actions? (Average rating
0=strongly oppose,
100=strongly support).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Prohibiting yard waste from being
sent to the landfill 57 55 43 66 59 56
Prohibiting the disposal of
bottles/cans/paper 56 61 60 72 62 62
Table 132: Question 14 by Geographic Area of Residence
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127
Table 133: Question 16a by Geographic Area of Residence
Thinking about your most
recent contact, please rate
City employee(s) on each of
the items below. (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Courtesy 84 81 91 88 80 84
Promptness 79 78 87 85 76 81
Knowledge 80 78 87 86 77 81
Making you feel valued 73 71 85 77 70 75
Overall impression 76 75 87 83 74 79
This question was asked only of those who reported having had phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
Table 134: Question 16b by Geographic Area of Residence
Although you may not have
had any recent personal
contact with City employees,
we would like to know your
impression of how City
employees treat Fort Collins
residents. Please rate City
employees on each of the
items below. (Average rating
0=very bad, 100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Courtesy 73 79 72 75 70 74
Promptness in responding to
inquiries and service requests 75 77 71 75 69 73
Making citizens or customers feel
valued 74 74 69 72 67 71
This question was asked only of those who reported no phone or in-person contact with any City employee(s) within the last 12 months
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128
Table 135: Question 17 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please select the option that best
describes how you think the City should
address each of the following aspects of
the community. (Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Economy: Includes economic
planning and development
activities
More effort 35% 35% 42% 28% 32% 35%
Same effort 61% 59% 53% 64% 65% 60%
Less effort 4% 6% 4% 8% 3% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Environment: Includes efforts to
ensure good water resources,
good air quality, land
conservation, smart growth, and
an attractive community
More effort 41% 33% 39% 43% 43% 39%
Same effort 55% 61% 53% 54% 57% 56%
Less effort 4% 6% 8% 4% 1% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Neighborhoods: Includes
promoting good neighbor
relationships, ensuring attractive
neighborhoods, historic
preservation, and an adequate
supply of quality housing for all
socio-economic groups
More effort 45% 48% 35% 46% 40% 43%
Same effort 50% 45% 60% 50% 52% 51%
Less effort 5% 7% 4% 4% 8% 6%
Total
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Safety: Includes police, fire and
emergency medical response,
and building inspection
More effort 23% 24% 21% 23% 17% 21%
Same effort 75% 74% 77% 73% 80% 76%
Less effort 1% 2% 2% 4% 3% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Culture, Parks & Recreation:
Includes operating and
improving recreational facilities,
Lincoln Center, and the
Museum of Discovery; providing
recreational and cultural
programs; maintaining parks,
trails and cemeteries; and
improving natural areas
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129
Table 136: Question 21 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please rate the City
performance in the
following area. (Average
rating 0=very bad, 100=very
good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Welcoming citizen involvement 70 69 73 78 68 71
Listening to citizens 56 60 62 67 59 61
Informing citizens 69 68 66 70 62 67
Providing opportunities to
participate in government
activities 66 60 68 65 62 64
Providing emergency
information 68 70 72 73 65 70
Table 137: Question 22 by Geographic Area of Residence
Please indicate how
frequently, if ever, you or
other members of your
household use each of the
following sources of
information regarding City
issues, services and programs.
(Percent at least sometimes).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Fort Collins local cable channel 14 30% 25% 18% 18% 22% 22%
Online video of cable channel 14
on www.fcgov.com/cable14 20% 11% 10% 11% 10% 12%
City's website (www.fcgov.com) 85% 74% 80% 70% 88% 79%
“City News” (insert with utility bill) 61% 69% 71% 49% 72% 65%
Newsletters or brochures from
City departments 68% 57% 61% 54% 69% 61%
Tracks and Trails (the guide to
natural areas activities) 75% 60% 75% 65% 69% 68%
“Recreator” (guide to recreation
programs) 83% 65% 78% 54% 74% 70%
Word of mouth 96% 84% 87% 78% 92% 87%
Newspaper (print or online) 79% 78% 71% 62% 73% 72%
Radio 76% 64% 62% 59% 62% 63%
Television news 62% 58% 65% 43% 58% 57%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter,
Nextdoor, etc.) 62% 59% 54% 62% 62% 60%
Fort Collins Idea Lab
(idealab.fcgov.com) 8% 6% 5% 13% 12% 9%
City of Fort Collins mobile apps
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130
Appendix F. Benchmark Comparisons
Understanding the Benchmark Comparisons
Communities use the comparative information provided by benchmarks to help interpret their own resident
survey results, to create or revise community plans, to evaluate the success of policy or budget decisions and to
measure local government or organizational performance. Taking the pulse of the community has little meaning
without knowing what pulse rate is too high and what is too low. When surveys of service satisfaction turn up
“good” resident evaluations, it is necessary to know how others rate their services to understand if “good” is good
enough or if most other communities are “very good.” Furthermore, in the absence of national or peer community
comparisons, a community is left with comparing its police protection rating to its street maintenance rating.
That comparison is unfair as street maintenance always gets lower ratings than police protection. More
illuminating is how residents’ ratings of police service compare to opinions about police service in other
communities and to resident ratings over time.
A police department that provides the fastest and most efficient service – one that closes most of its cases, solves
most of its crimes, and keeps the crime rate low – still has a problem to fix if the residents in the community rate
police services lower than ratings given by residents in other cities with objectively “worse” departments.
Benchmark data can help that police department – or any department – to understand how well residents think
it is doing.
While benchmarks help set the basis for evaluation, resident opinion should be used in conjunction with other
sources of data about budget, population demographics, personnel, and politics to help administrators know
how to respond to comparative results.
Comparison Data
NRC has designed a method for quantitatively integrating the results of surveys that we have conducted with
those that others have conducted. These integration methods have been described thoroughly in Public
Administration Review, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and in NRC’s first book on conducting and using
citizen surveys, Citizen Surveys: how to do them, how to use them, what they mean, published by the International
City/County Management Association (ICMA). Scholars who specialize in the analysis of citizen surveys
regularly have relied on NRC’s work.1,2 The method described in those publications is refined regularly and
statistically tested on a growing number of resident surveys in NRC’s proprietary databases.
Communities in NRC’s benchmark database are distributed geographically across the country and range from
small to large in population size. Comparisons may be made to all communities in the database or to a subset (i.e.,
Front Range communities), as in this report. Despite the differences in characteristics across communities, all are
in the business of providing services to residents. Though individual community circumstances, resources, and
practices vary, the objective in every community is to provide services that are so timely, tailored, and effective
that residents conclude the services are of the highest quality. High ratings in any community, like SAT scores in
any teen household, bring pride and a sense of accomplishment.
NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in citizen surveys
from over 500 communities whose residents evaluated local government services and gave their opinion about
the quality of community life. The comparison evaluations are from the most recent survey completed in each
jurisdiction; most communities conduct surveys every year or in alternating years. NRC adds the latest results
1 Kelly, J. & Swindell, D. (2002). Service quality variation across urban space: First steps towards a model of citizen satisfaction, Journal of Urban Affairs, 24,
271-288.
2 Van Ryzin, G., Muzzio, D., Immerwahr, S., Gulick, L. & Martinez, E. (2004). Drivers and consequences of citizen satisfaction: An application of the
American Customer Satisfaction Index Model to New York City, Public Administration Review, 64, 331-341.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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131
quickly upon survey completion, keeping the benchmark data fresh and relevant. The City of Fort Collins chose
to have comparisons made to the entire database as well as to the Front Range.
Putting Evaluations onto the 100-point Scale
Although responses to many of the evaluative questions were made on a five-point scale with 1 representing the
best rating and 5 the worst, the benchmarks are reported on a common scale where 0 is the worst possible rating
and 100 is the best possible rating. The margin of error around an average score on the 100-point scale is no
greater than plus or minus three points based on all respondents.
The 100-point scale is not a percent. It is a conversion of responses to an average rating. Each response option is
assigned a value that is used in calculating the average score. For example, “very good”=100, “good”=75,
“average”=50, “bad”=25 and “very bad”=0. If everyone reported “very good,” then the average rating would be 100
on the 100-point scale. Likewise, if all respondents gave a “very bad” rating, the result would be 0 on the 100-
point scale. If half the respondents gave a score of “very good” and half gave a score of “very bad,” the average
would be 50, in the middle of the scale (like the center post of a teeter totter) or “average.” An example of how to
convert survey frequencies into an average rating appears below.
Example of Converting Responses to the 100-point Scale
How do you rate Fort Collins as a place to live?
Response
option
Total with
“don’t
know”
Step1:
Remove
“don’t know”
responses
Total
without
“don’t know”
Step 2:
Assign scale
values
Step 3:
Multiply % by
scale value
Step 4: Sum
to calculate
average rating
Very good 15% =15÷(100-2)= 15.3% 100 =15.3% x 100 = 15.3
Good 53% =53÷(100-2)= 54.1% 75 =54.1% x 75 = 40.6
Average 26% =26÷(100-2)= 26.5% 50 =26.5% x 50 = 13.3
Bad 3% =3÷(100-2)= 3.1% 25 =3.1% x 25 = 0.8
Very bad 0% =0÷(100-2)= 0% 0 =0% x 0 = 0
Don’t know 2% --
Total 100% 100% 70
How do you rate Fort Collins as a place to live?
Interpreting the Results
Average ratings are compared when similar questions are included in NRC’s database, and there are at least five
communities in which the question was asked. Where comparisons are available, three numbers are provided in
the table. The first column is Fort Collins rating on the 100-point scale. The second column is the rank assigned
to Fort Collins rating among communities where a similar question was asked. The third column is the number
of communities that asked a similar question. The fourth column shows the comparison of Fort Collins average
rating (column one) to the benchmark.
Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, the City of Fort Collins results were generally noted as
being “above” the benchmark, “below” the benchmark or “similar” to the benchmark. For some questions – those
0% 3% 15%
0
Very bad
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132
related to resident behavior, circumstance or to a local problem – the comparison to the benchmark is designated
as “more,” “similar” or “less” (for example, the percent of residents having contacted the City in the last 12
months.) In instances where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have
been further demarcated by the attribute of “much,” (for example, “much less” or “much above”). These labels
come from a statistical comparison of Fort Collins rating to the benchmark where a rating is considered “similar”
if it is within the margin of error; “above,” “below,” “more” or “less” if the difference between Fort Collins rating
and the benchmark is greater than but less than twice the margin of error; and “much above,” “much below,”
“much more” or “much less” if the difference between Fort Collins rating and the benchmark is more than twice
the margin of error.
National Benchmark Comparisons
Table 138: Quality of Life and Community Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Overall, as a place to live 89 31 340 Much higher
Availability of affordable quality
housing 38 212 254 Much lower
Quality of public schools 82 27 223 Much higher
As a place to raise children 87 31 331 Much higher
As a place to retire 79 16 314 Much higher
Community acceptance of all people 72 13 243 Much higher
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 30 397 Much higher
Table 139: City Neighborhood Benchmark
Please rate the quality of your
neighborhood on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Your neighborhood as a place to live 83 37 262 Much higher
Table 140: Overall Safety Benchmark
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Overall safety of residents 81 59 223 Much higher
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133
Table 141: Personal Safety Benchmarks
Please tell us how safe you feel in
each of the following areas in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Your neighborhood during the day 93 52 256 Much higher
Your neighborhood at night 81 19 139 Much higher
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 89 162 302 Similar
Downtown Fort Collins at night 68 134 170 Much lower
Parks 79 6 19 Much higher
Table 142: Safety Services Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each of the
following in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Emergency preparedness (services that
prepare the community for natural
disasters or other emergency situations) 76 2 240 Much higher
Fire prevention/education 77 45 243 Much higher
Fire response time 83 10 26 Higher
Fire services overall 82 114 309 Similar
Crime prevention 69 97 306 Higher
Police patrol 69
Not
available Not available Not available
Traffic enforcement 62 128 326 Similar
Police visibility 70 8 27 Much higher
Police response time 73 16 41 Higher
Police services overall 71 188 382 Similar
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned
buildings, etc.) 64 33 314 Much higher
Animal control 65 73 293 Much higher
Business property maintenance 71
Not
available Not available Not available
Residential property maintenance 70
Not
available Not available Not available
Table 143: Safety-related Utilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each
of the following in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
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134
Table 144: Quality of the Environment Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of the
environment in Fort Collins on each
of the items listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Community’s visual attractiveness 83 15 309 Much higher
Air quality 78 32 209 Much higher
Recycling programs 77 88 313 Much higher
Overall quality of environment 81 29 234 Much higher
Table 145: Environment-related Utilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each
of the following in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Drinking water 89 1 291 Much higher
Sewer services 85 3 275 Much higher
Table 146: Transportation Benchmarks
Please rate the following areas
of transportation in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Ease of driving 51 200 253 Much lower
Ease of traveling by public
transportation 57 28 123 Much higher
As a walkable city 67 82 246 Higher
Ease of traveling by bicycle 77 5 250 Much higher
Availability of parking Downtown 46 84 114 Much lower
Level of traffic congestion 33 278 298 Much lower
Street maintenance 57 104 371 Much higher
Table 147: Community Aspects of Culture and Recreation Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
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135
Table 148: Parks, Recreational and Cultural Programs and Facilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each
of the programs or facilities
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Natural areas and open space 88 1 126 Much higher
Recreational trails 89 1 22 Much higher
Parks 87 8 284 Much higher
Cemeteries 79 3 9 Much higher
Golf courses 79 3 8 Much higher
Athletic fields 79 2 24 Much higher
Fort Collins Senior Center 84 1 9 Much higher
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 78
Not
available Not available Not available
Mulberry Pool 74 4 13 Much higher
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 84 1 5 Much higher
Adult recreation programs 75 38 297 Much higher
Youth/teen recreation programs 75 4 12 Much higher
Table 149: Community Aspects of Economic Health Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the
items listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Quality of shopping opportunities 72 29 252 Much higher
Quality of dining opportunities 82
Not
available Not available Not available
Availability of job opportunities 57 25 266 Much higher
Availability of quality healthcare 77 2 214 Much higher
As a place to work 76 19 305 Much higher
Table 150: Overall Quality of Services Benchmark
Overall, how would you rate the
quality of the services provided by
the City of Fort Collins?
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
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136
Table 152: City Government Benchmarks
Please rate the City's
performance in each of the
following areas.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Managing and planning for growth 58 2 21 Much higher
Overall direction of the City 68 21 277 Much higher
Table 153: Contact with City Employees Benchmark
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via
email or online within the last 12
months?
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or
online within the last 12 months? 54 49 267 Much higher
Table 154: Perceptions of City Employees Benchmarks
Thinking about your most recent
contact, please rate City employee(s)
on each of the items below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Courtesy 84 6 35 Much higher
Promptness 79 2 13 Much higher
Knowledge 81 24 141 Much higher
Making you feel valued 73 1 5 Much higher
Overall impression 79 31 320 Much higher
Table 155: City Information Benchmarks
Please rate the City's
performance in the following
area.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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137
Communities Included in National Comparisons
Listed below are the communities included in the national benchmark comparisons provided for the City of Fort
Collins followed by its 2010 population according to the U.S. Census.
Adams County, CO ................................................................................. 441,603
Airway Heights city, WA ........................................................................... 6,114
Albany city, OR ............................................................................................ 50,158
Albemarle County, VA ............................................................................. 98,970
Albert Lea city, MN .................................................................................... 18,016
Algonquin village, IL ................................................................................. 30,046
Aliso Viejo city, CA ................................................................................... 47,823
Altoona city, IA ............................................................................................ 14,541
American Canyon city, CA..................................................................... 19,454
Ames city, IA ................................................................................................ 58,965
Andover CDP, MA ........................................................................................ 8,762
Ankeny city, IA............................................................................................ 45,582
Ann Arbor city, MI ................................................................................... 113,934
Annapolis city, MD ................................................................................... 38,394
Apache Junction city, AZ ....................................................................... 35,840
Apple Valley town, CA ............................................................................. 69,135
Arapahoe County, CO ............................................................................ 572,003
Arkansas City city, AR .................................................................................. 366
Arlington city, TX .................................................................................... 365,438
Arlington County, VA ............................................................................ 207,627
Arvada city, CO ......................................................................................... 106,433
Asheville city, NC ...................................................................................... 83,393
Ashland city, OR ........................................................................................ 20,078
Ashland town, VA ......................................................................................... 7,225
Aspen city, CO .............................................................................................. 6,658
Auburn city, AL .......................................................................................... 53,380
Auburn city, WA ......................................................................................... 70,180
Augusta CCD, GA ..................................................................................... 134,777
Aurora city, CO ......................................................................................... 325,078
Austin city, TX ..........................................................................................790,390
Bainbridge Island city, WA ................................................................... 23,025
Baltimore city, MD .................................................................................. 620,961
Bartonville town, TX ................................................................................... 1,469
Battle Creek city, MI ................................................................................ 52,347
Bay City city, MI ......................................................................................... 34,932
Baytown city, TX ......................................................................................... 71,802
Bedford city, TX .......................................................................................... 46,979
Bedford town, MA ...................................................................................... 13,320
Bellevue city, WA ..................................................................................... 122,363
Bellingham city, WA................................................................................. 80,885
Beltrami County, MN .............................................................................. 44,442
Benbrook city, TX ....................................................................................... 21,234
Bend city, OR ............................................................................................... 76,639
Benicia city, CA ........................................................................................... 26,997
Bettendorf city, IA....................................................................................... 33,217
Billings city, MT ........................................................................................ 104,170
Blaine city, MN ............................................................................................ 57,186
Bloomfield Hills city, MI ............................................................................ 3,869
Bloomington city, MN ............................................................................. 82,893
Blue Springs city, MO .............................................................................. 52,575
Boise City city, ID .................................................................................... 205,671
Boone County, KY .......................................................................................118,811
Boulder city, CO ......................................................................................... 97,385
Bowling Green city, KY ........................................................................... 58,067
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138
Dardenne Prairie city, MO ...................................................................... 11,494
Davenport city, IA ...................................................................................... 99,685
Davidson town, NC ................................................................................... 10,944
Dayton city, OH ......................................................................................... 141,527
Decatur city, GA .......................................................................................... 19,335
Del Mar city, CA ............................................................................................. 4,161
Delray Beach city, FL ................................................................................ 60,522
Denison city, TX ......................................................................................... 22,682
Denton city, TX .......................................................................................... 113,383
Denver city, CO ......................................................................................... 600,158
Derby city, KS ............................................................................................... 22,158
Des Peres city, MO ....................................................................................... 8,373
Destin city, FL .............................................................................................. 12,305
Dorchester County, MD ........................................................................... 32,618
Dothan city, AL ........................................................................................... 65,496
Douglas County, CO .............................................................................. 285,465
Dover city, NH ............................................................................................. 29,987
Dublin city, CA ........................................................................................... 46,036
Duluth city, MN ......................................................................................... 86,265
Duncanville city, TX ................................................................................. 38,524
Durham city, NC ...................................................................................... 228,330
Eagle town, CO ............................................................................................. 6,508
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA ................................................................ 440,171
East Grand Forks city, MN ....................................................................... 8,601
East Lansing city, MI ................................................................................ 48,579
Eau Claire city, WI .................................................................................... 65,883
Eden Prairie city, MN ............................................................................... 60,797
Edgerton city, KS ........................................................................................... 1,671
Edgewater city, CO ...................................................................................... 5,170
Edina city, MN .............................................................................................47,941
Edmond city, OK ........................................................................................ 81,405
Edmonds city, WA .................................................................................... 39,709
El Cerrito city, CA ..................................................................................... 23,549
El Dorado County, CA ............................................................................ 181,058
El Paso city, TX .......................................................................................... 649,121
Elk Grove city, CA .................................................................................... 153,015
Elk River city, MN ..................................................................................... 22,974
Elko New Market city, MN ....................................................................... 4,110
Elmhurst city, IL .......................................................................................... 44,121
Encinitas city, CA ....................................................................................... 59,518
Englewood city, CO .................................................................................. 30,255
Erie town, CO ................................................................................................ 18,135
Escambia County, FL ............................................................................. 297,619
Estes Park town, CO.................................................................................... 5,858
Fairview town, TX ....................................................................................... 7,248
Farmington Hills city, MI ....................................................................... 79,740
Fayetteville city, NC .............................................................................. 200,564
Fishers town, IN ......................................................................................... 76,794
Flower Mound town, TX ........................................................................ 64,669
Forest Grove city, OR................................................................................ 21,083
Fort Collins city, CO .............................................................................. 143,986
Fort Smith city, AR ................................................................................... 86,209
Fort Worth city, TX................................................................................ 741,206
Fountain Hills town, AZ ......................................................................... 22,489
Franklin city, TN ........................................................................................ 62,487
Fredericksburg city, VA .......................................................................... 24,286
Fremont city, CA ...................................................................................... 214,089
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139
La Plata town, MD ........................................................................................ 8,753
La Porte city, TX ......................................................................................... 33,800
La Vista city, NE .......................................................................................... 15,758
Lafayette city, CO ...................................................................................... 24,453
Laguna Beach city, CA ............................................................................. 22,723
Laguna Hills city, CA ............................................................................... 30,344
Laguna Niguel city, CA ............................................................................ 62,979
Lake Oswego city, OR............................................................................... 36,619
Lake Stevens city, WA ............................................................................. 28,069
Lake Worth city, FL ..................................................................................34,910
Lake Zurich village, IL ............................................................................... 19,631
Lakeville city, MN...................................................................................... 55,954
Lakewood city, CO .................................................................................. 142,980
Lane County, OR ....................................................................................... 351,715
Larimer County, CO .............................................................................. 299,630
Las Cruces city, NM................................................................................... 97,618
Las Vegas city, NV ................................................................................... 583,756
Lawrence city, KS ...................................................................................... 87,643
League City city, TX ................................................................................. 83,560
Lee's Summit city, MO .............................................................................. 91,364
Lehi city, UT ................................................................................................. 47,407
Lenexa city, KS ............................................................................................ 48,190
Lewis County, NY ...................................................................................... 27,087
Lewisville city, TX ..................................................................................... 95,290
Libertyville village, IL ................................................................................ 20,315
Lincoln city, NE ........................................................................................ 258,379
Lindsborg city, KS ....................................................................................... 3,458
Littleton city, CO ........................................................................................ 41,737
Livermore city, CA ..................................................................................... 80,968
Lombard village, IL ..................................................................................... 43,165
Lone Tree city, CO ...................................................................................... 10,218
Long Grove village, IL ................................................................................ 8,043
Longmont city, CO .................................................................................... 86,270
Longview city, TX ...................................................................................... 80,455
Los Alamos County, NM ......................................................................... 17,950
Louisville city, CO ...................................................................................... 18,376
Lynchburg city, VA ................................................................................... 75,568
Lynnwood city, WA ................................................................................. 35,836
Macomb County, MI ............................................................................. 840,978
Madison city, WI .....................................................................................233,209
Manhattan Beach city, CA ...................................................................... 35,135
Mankato city, MN ..................................................................................... 39,309
Maple Grove city, MN .............................................................................. 61,567
Maple Valley city, WA............................................................................. 22,684
Maricopa County, AZ ........................................................................... 3,817,117
Martinez city, CA ...................................................................................... 35,824
Maryland Heights city, MO................................................................... 27,472
Matthews town, NC .................................................................................. 27,198
McAllen city, TX ....................................................................................... 129,877
McDonough city, GA ................................................................................ 22,084
McKinney city, TX ..................................................................................... 131,117
McMinnville city, OR ............................................................................... 32,187
Medford city, OR ....................................................................................... 74,907
Menlo Park city, CA .................................................................................. 32,026
Mercer Island city, WA ........................................................................... 22,699
Meridian charter township, MI ........................................................... 39,688
Meridian city, ID ........................................................................................ 75,092
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140
Port Huron city, MI .................................................................................... 30,184
Port Orange city, FL .................................................................................. 56,048
Portland city, OR ..................................................................................... 583,776
Post Falls city, ID ....................................................................................... 27,574
Prince William County, VA................................................................ 402,002
Prior Lake city, MN ................................................................................... 22,796
Provo city, UT ............................................................................................. 112,488
Pueblo city, CO ......................................................................................... 106,595
Purcellville town, VA................................................................................... 7,727
Queen Creek town, AZ ............................................................................. 26,361
Radnor township, PA ................................................................................. 31,531
Ramsey city, MN ........................................................................................ 23,668
Rapid City city, SD .................................................................................... 67,956
Raymore city, MO .......................................................................................19,206
Redmond city, WA ................................................................................... 54,144
Rehoboth Beach city, DE ............................................................................ 1,327
Reno city, NV ............................................................................................. 225,221
Reston CDP, VA ........................................................................................ 58,404
Richmond city, CA ................................................................................... 103,701
Richmond Heights city, MO ....................................................................8,603
Rifle city, CO ................................................................................................... 9,172
River Falls city, WI ................................................................................... 15,000
Riverdale city, UT ........................................................................................ 8,426
Riverside city, CA ..................................................................................... 303,871
Riverside city, MO ........................................................................................ 2,937
Rochester Hills city, MI .......................................................................... 70,995
Rock Hill city, SC .......................................................................................66,154
Rockford city, IL ........................................................................................ 152,871
Rockville city, MD ......................................................................................61,209
Rogers city, MN ............................................................................................. 8,597
Rolla city, MO .............................................................................................. 19,559
Roselle village, IL........................................................................................ 22,763
Rosemount city, MN ................................................................................. 21,874
Roseville city, MN ..................................................................................... 33,660
Roswell city, GA ......................................................................................... 88,346
Round Rock city, TX ................................................................................ 99,887
Royal Oak city, MI..................................................................................... 57,236
Saco city, ME.................................................................................................18,482
Sahuarita town, AZ ................................................................................... 25,259
Sammamish city, WA ............................................................................... 45,780
San Anselmo town, CA ............................................................................. 12,336
San Antonio city, TX ........................................................................... 1,327,407
San Carlos city, CA .................................................................................... 28,406
San Diego city, CA ................................................................................1,307,402
San Francisco city, CA ...........................................................................805,235
San Jose city, CA ...................................................................................... 945,942
San Juan County, NM ............................................................................ 130,044
San Marcos city, CA ................................................................................... 83,781
San Marcos city, TX ................................................................................. 44,894
San Rafael city, CA ..................................................................................... 57,713
Sandy Springs city, GA ............................................................................ 93,853
Sanford city, FL ........................................................................................... 53,570
Sangamon County, IL ............................................................................. 197,465
Santa Clarita city, CA ............................................................................. 176,320
Santa Fe County, NM .............................................................................. 144,170
Santa Monica city, CA ............................................................................. 89,736
Sarasota County, FL ............................................................................... 379,448
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141
Western Springs village, IL .................................................................... 12,975
Westerville city, OH .................................................................................. 36,120
Westlake town, TX ......................................................................................... 992
Westminster city, CO ............................................................................. 106,114
Weston town, MA ....................................................................................... 11,261
Wheat Ridge city, CO ............................................................................... 30,166
White House city, TN ............................................................................... 10,255
Wichita city, KS ....................................................................................... 382,368
Williamsburg city, VA ............................................................................. 14,068
Wilmington city, NC.............................................................................. 106,476
Wilsonville city, OR ..................................................................................19,509
Winchester city, VA ................................................................................. 26,203
Windsor town, CO ................................................................................... 18,644
Windsor town, CT ................................................................................... 29,044
Winnetka village, IL ................................................................................... 12,187
Winston-Salem city, NC ...................................................................... 229,617
Winter Garden city, FL ........................................................................... 34,568
Woodbury city, MN .................................................................................. 61,961
Woodland city, CA ................................................................................... 55,468
Woodland city, WA ................................................................................... 5,509
Wrentham town, MA ............................................................................... 10,955
Yakima city, WA ......................................................................................... 91,067
York County, VA ........................................................................................ 65,464
Yorktown town, IN ..................................................................................... 9,405
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142
Front Range Benchmark Comparisons
Table 156: Quality of Life and Community Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Overall, as a place to live 89 3 27 Much higher
Availability of affordable quality
housing 38 15 17 Much lower
Quality of public schools 82 2 15 Much higher
As a place to raise children 87 4 28 Much higher
As a place to retire 79 2 29 Much higher
Community acceptance of all people 72 1 20 Much higher
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 3 32 Much higher
Table 157: City Neighborhood Benchmark
Please rate the quality of your
neighborhood on each of the
items listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Your neighborhood as a place to live 83 6 26 Much higher
Table 158: Overall Safety Benchmark
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Overall safety of residents 81 5 15 Much higher
Table 159: Personal Safety Benchmarks
Please tell us how safe you feel
in each of the following areas in
Fort Collins.
Fort Collins
average
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143
Table 160: Safety Services Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each of the
following in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Emergency preparedness (services that
prepare the community for natural
disasters or other emergency situations) 76 1 17 Much higher
Fire prevention/education 77 2 13 Much higher
Fire response time 83
Not
available Not available Not available
Fire services overall 82 4 16 Higher
Crime prevention 69 5 19 Much higher
Police patrol 69
Not
available Not available Not available
Traffic enforcement 62 10 23 Similar
Police visibility 70
Not
available Not available Not available
Police response time 73
Not
available Not available Not available
Police services overall 71 8 26 Higher
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned
buildings, etc.) 64 3 23 Much higher
Animal control 65 3 21 Much higher
Business property maintenance 71
Not
available Not available Not available
Residential property maintenance 70
Not
available Not available Not available
Table 161: Safety-related Utilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of
each of the following in
Fort Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Electric services 85
Not
available Not available Not available
Storm drainage 78 1 20 Much higher
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144
Table 163: Environment-related Utilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of
each of the following in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Drinking water 89 1 15 Much higher
Sewer services 85 1 16 Much higher
Table 164: Transportation Benchmarks
Please rate the following areas
of transportation in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Ease of driving 51 21 23 Much lower
Ease of traveling by public
transportation 57 4 11 Higher
As a walkable city 67 11 21 Similar
Ease of traveling by bicycle 77 2 22 Much higher
Availability of parking Downtown 46 4 5 Much lower
Level of traffic congestion 33 19 19 Much lower
Street maintenance 57 8 28 Higher
Table 165: Community Aspects of Culture and Recreation Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the items
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Quality of arts and cultural
opportunities 71 3 18 Much higher
Quality of recreational opportunities 85 1 22 Much higher
Quality of public library services 83 2 22 Much higher
Table 166: Parks, Recreational and Cultural Programs and Facilities Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each
of the programs or facilities
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
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145
Please rate the quality of each
of the programs or facilities
listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Mulberry Pool 74
Not
available Not available Not available
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 84
Not
available Not available Not available
Adult recreation programs 75 5 20 Higher
Youth/teen recreation programs 75
Not
available Not available Not available
Table 167: Community Aspects of Economic Health Benchmarks
Please rate Fort Collins as a
community on each of the
items listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Quality of shopping opportunities 72 2 22 Much higher
Quality of dining opportunities 82
Not
available Not available Not available
Availability of job opportunities 57 2 25 Much higher
Availability of quality healthcare 77 1 16 Much higher
As a place to work 76 1 29 Much higher
Table 168: Overall Quality of Services Benchmark
Overall, how would you rate the
quality of the services provided by
the City of Fort Collins?
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
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146
Table 171: Contact with City Employees Benchmark
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via
email or online within the last 12
months?
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email
or online within the last 12 months? 54 5 22 Much higher
Table 172: Perceptions of City Employees Benchmarks
Thinking about your most recent
contact, please rate City
employee(s) on each of the items
below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Courtesy 84 5 7 Similar
Promptness 79
Not
available Not available Not available
Knowledge 81 4 18 Much higher
Making you feel valued 73
Not
available Not available Not available
Overall impression 79 5 28 Much higher
Table 173: Informing Citizens Benchmarks
Please rate the City's
performance in the following
area.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Welcoming citizen involvement 71 1 23 Much higher
Listening to citizens 61 1 8 Much higher
Informing citizens 67 3 6 Higher
Providing opportunities to
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
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147
Communities Included in Front Range Comparisons
Listed below are the communities included in the Front Range benchmark comparisons provided for the City of
Fort Collins followed by its 2010 population according to the U.S. Census.
Adams County, CO ................................................................................. 441,603
Arapahoe County, CO ............................................................................ 572,003
Arvada city, CO ......................................................................................... 106,433
Aurora city, CO ......................................................................................... 325,078
Boulder city, CO ......................................................................................... 97,385
Brighton city, CO ....................................................................................... 33,352
Broomfield city, CO ................................................................................... 55,889
Castle Pines North city, CO ................................................................... 10,360
Castle Rock town, CO .............................................................................. 48,231
Centennial city, CO.................................................................................. 100,377
Commerce City city, CO .......................................................................... 45,913
Denver city, CO ......................................................................................... 600,158
Douglas County, CO .............................................................................. 285,465
Edgewater city, CO ...................................................................................... 5,170
Elk Grove city, CA .................................................................................... 153,015
Englewood city, CO .................................................................................. 30,255
Erie town, CO ................................................................................................ 18,135
Fort Collins city, CO .............................................................................. 143,986
Greeley city, CO ......................................................................................... 92,889
Highlands Ranch CDP, CO .................................................................... 96,713
Jefferson County, CO ............................................................................ 534,543
Lafayette city, CO ...................................................................................... 24,453
Lakewood city, CO .................................................................................. 142,980
Larimer County, CO .............................................................................. 299,630
Littleton city, CO ........................................................................................ 41,737
Lone Tree city, CO ...................................................................................... 10,218
Longmont city, CO .................................................................................... 86,270
Louisville city, CO ...................................................................................... 18,376
Monument town, CO .................................................................................. 5,530
Northglenn city, CO ................................................................................. 35,789
Parker town, CO ........................................................................................ 45,297
Pueblo city, CO ......................................................................................... 106,595
Thornton city, CO .....................................................................................118,772
Westminster city, CO ............................................................................. 106,114
Windsor town, CO ................................................................................... 18,644
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148
Appendix G. Comparisons of Average Ratings by Year
This appendix contains the average ratings for all evaluative questions compared by year. Differences between
2015 and 2013 can be considered “statistically significant” and are shaded grey if they are three points or more on
the 100-point scale.
Table 174: Quality of Life and Community Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate Fort Collins as a community on
each of the items listed below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Overall, as a place to live 89 91 90 88 88 79 81 80
Overall safety of residents 81 84 83 81 81 72 76 78
Quality of shopping opportunities 72 72 70 68 68 66 NA NA
Quality of dining opportunities 82 82 83 80 81 80 NA NA
Quality of entertainment opportunities 73 73 69 68 67 68 NA NA
Availability of job opportunities 57 55 52 48 49 50 NA NA
Availability of affordable quality housing 38 53 54 58 52 40 43 37
Quality of arts and cultural opportunities 71 74 70 68 69 67 NA NA
Quality of recreational opportunities 85 86 84 83 81 81 NA NA
Availability of quality healthcare 77 76 77 74 73 NA NA NA
Quality of public schools 82 80 80 77 76 76 NA NA
Quality of public library services 83 81 81 79 77 75 76 78
As a place to raise children 87 87 86 84 83 81 84 81
As a place to retire 79 80 79 79 77 76 73 74
As a place to attend college 85 84 85 85 84 81 84 84
As a place to work 76 77 77 73 71 NA 66 73
Community acceptance of all people 72 76 72 69 70 64 67 64
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 85 86 84 83 82 NA NA NA
Note: in the 2010 survey, “Community acceptance of all people” was worded as “Community openness and acceptance of all people.” In the 2010
survey, “Quality of shopping opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of shopping,” “Quality of dining opportunities” was worded as
“Availability and diversity of dining,” “Quality of entertainment opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of entertainment” and
“Availability of job opportunities” was worded as “Availability and diversity of job opportunities.” In the 2010 survey, “Quality of arts and cultural
opportunities” was described as “Availability and diversity of arts and cultural activities,” and “Quality of recreational opportunities” was worded as
“Availability and diversity of recreational opportunities.”
Table 175: Quality of the Neighborhoods Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of the environment in
Fort Collins on each of the items listed below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Your neighborhood as a place to live 83 82 80 78 80 80 NA NA
Your neighborhood as a place to raise children 77 75 75 72 73 78 NA NA
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149
Table 176: Ratings of Personal Safety Compared by Year
Please tell us how safe you feel in each of the following areas
in Fort Collins.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=always unsafe,
100=always safe).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006
Downtown Fort Collins during the day 89 93 92 88 88 86
Downtown Fort Collins at night 68 71 69 70 69 67
Your neighborhood during the day 93 94 93 91 91 89
Your neighborhood at night 81 82 81 78 78 79
Parks 79 79 80 80 79 76
Natural areas/open space 79 80 79 80 78 NA
Recreation facilities 84 86 83 84 82 79
Trails 78 78 77 76 74 72
Fort Collins overall during the day 87 90 88 NA NA NA
Fort Collins overall at night 72 74 73 NA NA NA
Note: In the 2012 and 2013 surveys, the phrase “in Fort Collins” was removed from each item and inserted into the question stem wording.
Table 177: Community Safety Services Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of each of the following in Fort
Collins.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2003 2001
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community
for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 76 77 75 NA NA NA NA
Disaster response and restoration of services 76 78 NA NA NA NA NA
Fire prevention/education 77 76 75 NA NA NA NA
Fire response time 83 83 81 NA NA NA NA
Fire services overall 82 82 81 86 86 85 87
Crime prevention 69 71 70 74 72 NA NA
Police patrol 69 73 72 72 72 NA NA
Traffic enforcement 62 67 69 68 68 61 61
Police visibility 70 72 72 71 72 NA NA
Police response time 73 74 72 70 71 74 76
Police services overall 71 74 72 70 71 NA NA
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 64 65 66 63 63 NA NA
Noise enforcement 62 65 66 NA NA NA NA
Animal control 65 68 69 67 70 NA NA
Business property maintenance 71 73 73 71 72 NA NA
Residential property maintenance 70 70 69 67 68 NA NA
Natural Areas Ranger services 79 78 78 NA NA NA NA
Note: This question was not asked in 2006. In the 2010 survey, “Fire services overall” was described as “Fire services.” “Disaster response and
restoration of services” was a new item in 2013.
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150
Table 178: Utility Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of each of the following
in Fort Collins.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Drinking water 89 89 88 85 85 83 NA NA
Electric services 85 84 83 NA NA NA NA NA
Sewer services 85 83 84 NA NA NA NA NA
Storm drainage 78 77 77 NA NA NA NA NA
Utility billing 78 75 76 NA NA NA NA NA
Utilities overall 81 79 79 NA NA NA NA NA
Note: In the 2010 survey, “Drinking water” was “Drinking water quality” and was included in the Quality of Environment question set. In 2012, it
was moved to be grouped with questions about other utilities.
Table 179: Transportation Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate the following areas of
transportation in Fort Collins.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Ease of driving 51 61 65 61 57 50 NA NA
Ease of traveling by public transportation 57 56 54 48 51 38 NA NA
As a walkable city 67 71 71 67 68 60 NA NA
Ease of traveling by bicycle 77 79 81 78 78 68 NA NA
Availability of parking Downtown 46 49 51 51 52 NA NA NA
Level of traffic congestion 33 45 50 48 44 NA 32 27
Street maintenance 57 61 61 52 60 NA 59 59
Note: In the 2012 survey, the phrase “in Fort Collins” was removed from each item and inserted into the question stem wording.
Table 180: City Government Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate the City's performance in each of
the following areas.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Managing and planning for growth 58 63 62 59 53 43 44 40
Efficient operation of programs and services 71 72 71 NA NA NA NA NA
Encouraging sustainability in the community 71 72 71 NA NA NA NA NA
Overall direction of the City 68 71 70 65 63 NA NA NA
Table 181: Ratings of Economic Health Compared by Year
Please rate the City's performance in each of the following
areas.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad, 100=very
good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006
Support of businesses 69 70 69 63 63 NA
Promotion of the economic health of Fort Collins 69 67 65 57 57 56
Note: In the 2010 survey “Support of businesses” was worded as “Overall support of businesses in Fort Collins” and “Economic health strategies”
was worded as “Overall economic health of Fort Collins.”
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151
Table 182: Ratings of Parks, Recreational and Cultural Programs and Facilities Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of each of the programs
or facilities listed below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Natural areas and open space 88 87 86 85 84 82 78 76
Recreational trails 89 88 87 86 86 83 82 81
Parks 87 87 86 84 85 82 83 83
Cemeteries 79 81 78 75 75 74 73 72
Golf courses 79 79 78 76 79 78 78 78
Athletic fields 79 81 80 78 79 76 78 77
Northside Aztlan Community Center 81 80 81 80 79 67 NA NA
Fort Collins Senior Center 84 82 82 81 82 83 NA NA
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 78 79 79 78 78 79 NA NA
Mulberry Pool 74 74 75 74 71 72 NA NA
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 81 81 80 79 79 81 NA NA
The Gardens on Spring Creek 85 84 84 81 82 76 NA NA
Pottery studio 79 80 77 76 74 74 NA NA
Art in Public Places program 79 80 78 72 74 67 NA NA
Lincoln Center programs 80 80 80 76 77 76 77 78
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center 84 83 78 71 70 72 70 72
Adult recreation programs 75 78 76 74 73 73 71 74
Senior recreation programs 78 80 78 77 78 78 75 78
Youth/teen recreation programs 75 78 77 74 72 67 69 63
Note: Prior to 2013, the “Fort Collins Museum of Discovery” was “Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center.”
Table 183: Quality of the Environment Compared by Year
Please rate the quality of the environment in
Fort Collins on each of the items listed below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Community's visual attractiveness 83 84 81 80 82 78 75 70
Air quality 78 83 80 80 78 71 67 63
Recycling programs 77 80 79 77 76 71 68 69
Conservation efforts 77 79 78 78 75 NA NA NA
Overall quality of environment 81 83 81 81 80 76 NA NA
Table 184: Overall Quality of City Services Compared by Year
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by
the City of Fort Collins?
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad, 100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of
Fort Collins? 79 79 78 74 73
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152
Table 185: Ratings of Employee Characteristics by Users Compared by Year
Thinking about your most recent contact,
please rate City employee(s) on each of the
items below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Courtesy 84 85 84 82 81 83 81 84
Promptness 81 79 79 76 76 77 75 77
Knowledge 81 79 79 79 77 78 77 78
Making you feel valued 75 74 75 75 75 75 75 76
Overall impression 79 79 78 78 77 NA NA NA
This question was asked only of those who reported having contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
In the 2010 survey, “Making you feel valued” was worded as “Making you feel valued as a citizen/customer.”
Table 186: Ratings of Employee Characteristics by Non-users Compared by Year
Although you may not have had any recent
personal contact with City employees, we
would like to know your impression of how City
employees treat Fort Collins residents. Please
rate City employees on each of the items
below.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Courtesy 74 77 76 80 72 72 73 69
Promptness in responding to inquiries and service
requests 74 74 74 67 68 66 69 65
Making citizens or customers feel valued 71 73 72 72 69 67 67 64
This question was asked only of those who did not have contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
In the 2010 survey, “Making you feel valued” was worded as “Making you feel valued as a citizen/customer.”
Table 187: City Information Ratings Compared by Year
Please rate the City's performance in each of
the following areas.
Average rating on 100-point scale (0=very bad,
100=very good).
2015 2013 2012 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001
Welcoming citizen involvement 71 71 70 64 66 48 NA NA
Listening to citizens 61 63 63 58 57 55 NA NA
Informing citizens 67 71 70 66 67 62 63 62
In the 2010 survey, “Informing citizens” was worded as “The job the City does at informing citizens” and was included in the City Government
question set.
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153
Appendix H. Survey Methodology
Survey Instrument Development
The Fort Collins Citizen Survey was administered by mail in September of 2015. This was the eighth iteration of
the survey. The previous seven surveys were collected by mail biennially starting in 2001 through 2015. General
citizen surveys, such as this one, ask recipients their perspectives about the quality of life in the, use of City
amenities, opinions on policy-related issues facing the City and assessments of City service delivery. The 2015
citizen survey instrument for Fort Collins was developed by starting with the version from the previous
implementation in 2013. Topics were generated for new questions and then were modified to find those that were
the best fit for the 2015 questionnaire. In an iterative process between City staff and NRC staff, a final six-page
questionnaire was created.
Sample Selection
For the 2015 survey, 2,700 residents were randomly selected across six geographic areas within the city to receive
survey mailings. Additionally, 300 Colorado State University (CSU) students were randomly selected from those
that reside in dormitories, for a total of 3,000 residents. To ensure households selected to participate in the survey
were within the City of Fort Collins boundaries, the latitude and longitude of each address (among the 2,700)
was plotted to determine its location within the city. Addresses that fell outside of the city boundaries were
removed from the list of households. Attached units within the city were oversampled to compensate for
detached unit residents’ tendency to return surveys at a higher rate. An individual within each household was
selected using the birthday method. (The birthday method selects a person within the household by asking the
“person whose birthday has most recently passed” to complete the questionnaire. The underlying assumption in
this method is that day of birth has no relationship to the way people respond to surveys.)
Survey Administration
Households received three mailings, one week apart beginning in September of 2015. Completed surveys were
collected over a five-week period. The first mailing was a prenotification postcard announcing the upcoming
survey. The other two mailings contained a letter from the Mayor inviting the household to participate, a
questionnaire and a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope. In 2015, respondents were given the option to
complete the survey online in English or in Spanish. Spanish language was included on the letters informing them
of the purpose of the survey and instructing them to either complete the survey online or call the City to request
a Spanish copy. About 3% of the mailings were returned as undeliverable because the housing unit was vacant or
the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the 2,914 households and dormitory students
that received the survey, 674 respondents completed the survey (56 were completed online), 29 of which were
returned by students living in dormitories, providing an overall response rate of 23%. No surveys were completed
in Spanish. The response rate for the 2,621 (646 out of 2,700) Fort Collins residents who received a survey was
25% and the response rate for the 300 (29 out of 300) CSU dormitory students who received a survey was 10%.
Survey Analysis
Weighting the Data
The demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared to those found in the 2010 Census
and the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) Census estimates for adults in the city. Survey results were
weighted using the population norms to reflect the appropriate percent of those residents in the city. Other
discrepancies between the whole population and the survey respondents also were aided by the weighting due to
the intercorrelation of many socioeconomic characteristics.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
154
The variables used for weighting were respondent gender, age, housing unit type, tenure (rent, own or living in
group quarters) and area. This decision was based on:
• The disparity between the survey respondent characteristics and the population norms for these variables
• The magnitude of differences of opinion among these subgroups
• The weighting, if any, done in prior years
Several different weighting “schemes” are tested to ensure the best fit for the data.
The weighting process actually begins at the point of sampling. Knowing that residents in single family dwellings
are more likely to respond to a mail survey, NRC oversamples residents of multi-family dwellings to ensure they
are accurately represented in the sample data. Rather than giving all residents an equal chance of receiving the
survey, this is systematic, stratified sampling, which gives each resident of the jurisdiction a known chance of
receiving the survey (and apartment dwellers, for example, a greater chance than single family home dwellers). As
a consequence, results must be weighted to recapture the proper representation of multi-family housing dwellers.
The results of the weighting scheme are presented in the figure on below.
Table 188: 2015 Fort Collins Citizen Survey Weighting Table
Characteristic 2010 Census Unweighted Data Weighted Data
Housing
Detached unit* 58% 62% 58%
Attached unit* 37% 34% 36%
Dorms 5% 4% 5%
Own home 52% 68% 52%
Rent home 43% 27% 43%
Dorms 5% 5% 5%
Sex and Age
18-34 years of age 45% 26% 43%
35-54 years of age 31% 27% 31%
55+ years of age 23% 47% 26%
Male 50% 44% 49%
Female 50% 56% 51%
Males 18-34 24% 10% 22%
Males 35-54 15% 11% 15%
Males 55+ 11% 22% 11%
Females 18-34 22% 16% 21%
Females 35-54 16% 17% 15%
Females 55+ 13% 24% 15%
Area
Northeast 12% 11% 12%
East Central 24% 24% 24%
Southeast 15% 15% 16%
Northwest/CSU dorms 21% 24% 21%
West Central 22% 21% 22%
Southwest 5% 6% 5%
Northeast 12% 11% 12%
* Source: American Community Survey 2011 5-year estimates
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
155
Analyzing the Data
The surveys were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency distributions
and the “percent positive” are presented in the body of the report and full results and results by subgroups are
reported in the appendices. Chi-square and ANOVA tests of significance were applied to breakdowns of selected
survey questions by subgroups. A “p-value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that
differences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other words, a greater than 95% probability that the
differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those
populations. Where differences between subgroups are statistically significant, they are marked with grey
shading in tables.
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey Report of Results
November 2015
156
Appendix I. Survey Materials
Copies of the prenotification postcards, cover letters and survey instrument mailed to respondents appear on the
following pages.
participate in government
activities 64 4 14 Higher
Overall, how would you rate the quality
of the services provided by the City of
Fort Collins? 79 3 28 Much higher
Table 169: Utility Billing and Utilities Overall Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of
each of the following in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Utility billing 78 1 8 Much higher
Utilities overall 81 1 7 Much higher
Table 170: City Government Benchmarks
Please rate the City's
performance in each of the
following areas.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Managing and planning for growth 58
Not
available Not available Not available
Overall direction of the City 68 2 27 Much higher
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to Front
Range benchmark
Natural areas and open space 88 1 11 Much higher
Recreational trails 89 1 5 Much higher
Parks 87 1 19 Much higher
Cemeteries 79
Not
available Not available Not available
Golf courses 79
Not
available Not available Not available
Athletic fields 79
Not
available Not available Not available
Fort Collins Senior Center 84
Not
available Not available Not available
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 78
Not
available Not available Not available
Table 162: Quality of the Environment Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of the
environment in Fort Collins on each
of the items listed below.
Fort Collins
average
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Community’s visual attractiveness 83 2 22 Much higher
Air quality 78 1 16 Much higher
Recycling programs 77 3 17 Much higher
Overall quality of environment 81 3 17 Much higher
rating
Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
Front Range
benchmark
Your neighborhood during the day 93 5 17 Much higher
Your neighborhood at night 81 5 11 Much higher
Downtown Fort Collins during the
day 89 10 20 Similar
Downtown Fort Collins at night 68 12 14 Much lower
Parks 79
Not
available Not available Not available
Savage city, MN ........................................................................................... 26,911
Scarborough CDP, ME ............................................................................... 4,403
Schaumburg village, IL............................................................................. 74,227
Scott County, MN ................................................................................... 129,928
Scottsdale city, AZ ................................................................................... 217,385
Seaside city, CA .......................................................................................... 33,025
SeaTac city, WA ......................................................................................... 26,909
Sevierville city, TN...................................................................................... 14,807
Shawnee city, KS ........................................................................................ 62,209
Sheboygan city, WI ................................................................................... 49,288
Shoreview city, MN .................................................................................. 25,043
Shorewood city, MN .................................................................................... 7,307
Shorewood village, IL .................................................................................15,615
Shorewood village, WI .............................................................................. 13,162
Sioux Center city, IA ...................................................................................7,048
Sioux Falls city, SD ...................................................................................153,888
Skokie village, IL ........................................................................................ 64,784
Snellville city, GA ........................................................................................18,242
Snowmass Village town, CO ................................................................... 2,826
South Kingstown town, RI .................................................................... 30,639
South Lake Tahoe city, CA ..................................................................... 21,403
South Portland city, ME.......................................................................... 25,002
Southborough town, MA ........................................................................... 9,767
Southlake city, TX ..................................................................................... 26,575
Sparks city, NV ........................................................................................... 90,264
Spokane Valley city, WA ........................................................................ 89,755
Spring Hill city, KS ....................................................................................... 5,437
Springboro city, OH ................................................................................... 17,409
Springfield city, MO ............................................................................... 159,498
Springfield city, OR................................................................................... 59,403
Springville city, UT ................................................................................... 29,466
St. Charles city, IL ...................................................................................... 32,974
St. Cloud city, FL......................................................................................... 35,183
St. Cloud city, MN ..................................................................................... 65,842
St. Joseph city, MO .................................................................................... 76,780
St. Louis County, MN ........................................................................... 200,226
St. Louis Park city, MN ........................................................................... 45,250
Stallings town, NC ...................................................................................... 13,831
State College borough, PA ..................................................................... 42,034
Steamboat Springs city, CO ................................................................... 12,088
Sterling Heights city, MI ...................................................................... 129,699
Sugar Grove village, IL ................................................................................ 8,997
Sugar Land city, TX .................................................................................... 78,817
Summit city, NJ ............................................................................................ 21,457
Summit County, UT ................................................................................. 36,324
Sunnyvale city, CA ................................................................................... 140,081
Surprise city, AZ......................................................................................... 117,517
Suwanee city, GA ........................................................................................ 15,355
Tacoma city, WA ...................................................................................... 198,397
Takoma Park city, MD ............................................................................... 16,715
Tamarac city, FL ......................................................................................... 60,427
Temecula city, CA .................................................................................... 100,097
Tempe city, AZ ............................................................................................ 161,719
Temple city, TX ........................................................................................... 66,102
The Woodlands CDP, TX....................................................................... 93,847
Thornton city, CO .....................................................................................118,772
Thousand Oaks city, CA ....................................................................... 126,683
Tigard city, OR ............................................................................................ 48,035
Tracy city, CA .............................................................................................. 82,922
Tualatin city, OR ........................................................................................ 26,054
Tulsa city, OK ............................................................................................ 391,906
Twin Falls city, ID ..................................................................................... 44,125
Tyler city, TX ............................................................................................... 96,900
Umatilla city, OR ......................................................................................... 6,906
Upper Arlington city, OH ........................................................................ 33,771
Urbandale city, IA ...................................................................................... 39,463
Vail town, CO ................................................................................................. 5,305
Vancouver city, WA.................................................................................. 161,791
Vestavia Hills city, AL .............................................................................. 34,033
Victoria city, MN .......................................................................................... 7,345
Virginia Beach city, VA ......................................................................... 437,994
Wake Forest town, NC ............................................................................. 30,117
Walnut Creek city, CA ............................................................................. 64,173
Washington County, MN ..................................................................... 238,136
Washington town, NH ................................................................................ 1,123
Washoe County, NV .............................................................................. 421,407
Watauga city, TX ....................................................................................... 23,497
Wauwatosa city, WI ................................................................................ 46,396
Waverly city, IA .............................................................................................9,874
Weddington town, NC ............................................................................. 9,459
Wentzville city, MO ................................................................................. 29,070
West Carrollton city, OH......................................................................... 13,143
West Chester borough, PA ..................................................................... 18,461
West Des Moines city, IA ....................................................................... 56,609
West Richland city, WA ........................................................................... 11,811
Merriam city, KS.......................................................................................... 11,003
Mesa County, CO..................................................................................... 146,723
Miami Beach city, FL ................................................................................. 87,779
Miami city, FL ...........................................................................................399,457
Middleton city, WI ....................................................................................17,442
Midland city, MI.......................................................................................... 41,863
Milford city, DE ............................................................................................ 9,559
Milton city, GA ............................................................................................ 32,661
Minneapolis city, MN ............................................................................ 382,578
Mission Viejo city, CA ............................................................................. 93,305
Modesto city, CA ...................................................................................... 201,165
Monterey city, CA....................................................................................... 27,810
Montgomery County, VA ....................................................................... 94,392
Monticello city, UT ...................................................................................... 1,972
Monument town, CO .................................................................................. 5,530
Mooresville town, NC ................................................................................ 32,711
Morristown city, TN ................................................................................. 29,137
Morrisville town, NC ................................................................................ 18,576
Moscow city, ID.......................................................................................... 23,800
Mountain Village town, CO ..................................................................... 1,320
Mountlake Terrace city, WA .................................................................19,909
Muscatine city, IA ...................................................................................... 22,886
Naperville city, IL ...................................................................................... 141,853
Needham CDP, MA ................................................................................... 28,886
New Braunfels city, TX ........................................................................... 57,740
New Brighton city, MN ............................................................................21,456
New Hanover County, NC ...................................................................202,667
New Orleans city, LA .............................................................................343,829
New Smyrna Beach city, FL ...................................................................22,464
Newberg city, OR ...................................................................................... 22,068
Newport Beach city, CA .......................................................................... 85,186
Newport News city, VA ......................................................................... 180,719
Newton city, IA ............................................................................................ 15,254
Noblesville city, IN ..................................................................................... 51,969
Nogales city, AZ ......................................................................................... 20,837
Norfolk city, VA ....................................................................................... 242,803
North Richland Hills city, TX .............................................................. 63,343
Northglenn city, CO ................................................................................. 35,789
Novato city, CA........................................................................................... 51,904
Novi city, MI ................................................................................................ 55,224
O'Fallon city, IL ........................................................................................... 28,281
O'Fallon city, MO ...................................................................................... 79,329
Oak Park village, IL .................................................................................... 51,878
Oakland city, CA ......................................................................................390,724
Oakland Park city, FL ............................................................................... 41,363
Oakley city, CA ........................................................................................... 35,432
Ogdensburg city, NY .................................................................................. 11,128
Oklahoma City city, OK ........................................................................ 579,999
Olathe city, KS ............................................................................................125,872
Old Town city, ME .......................................................................................7,840
Olmsted County, MN............................................................................. 144,248
Olympia city, WA ...................................................................................... 46,478
Orland Park village, IL ..............................................................................56,767
Oshkosh city, WI ....................................................................................... 66,083
Oshtemo charter township, MI ............................................................ 21,705
Otsego County, MI .................................................................................... 24,164
Overland Park city, KS ............................................................................ 173,372
Oviedo city, FL ............................................................................................ 33,342
Paducah city, KY ........................................................................................ 25,024
Palm Coast city, FL .................................................................................... 75,180
Palo Alto city, CA ....................................................................................... 64,403
Papillion city, NE ........................................................................................ 18,894
Park City city, UT ......................................................................................... 7,558
Parker town, CO ........................................................................................ 45,297
Parkland city, FL ........................................................................................ 23,962
Pasadena city, CA ..................................................................................... 137,122
Pasco city, WA ............................................................................................. 59,781
Pasco County, FL .................................................................................... 464,697
Pearland city, TX ......................................................................................... 91,252
Peoria city, AZ ........................................................................................... 154,065
Peoria city, IL .............................................................................................. 115,007
Peoria County, IL ..................................................................................... 186,494
Petoskey city, MI ........................................................................................... 5,670
Pflugerville city, TX................................................................................... 46,936
Phoenix city, AZ ................................................................................... 1,445,632
Pinal County, AZ...................................................................................... 375,770
Pinehurst village, NC................................................................................. 13,124
Piqua city, OH ............................................................................................. 20,522
Pitkin County, CO ....................................................................................... 17,148
Plano city, TX ............................................................................................ 259,841
Platte City city, MO ..................................................................................... 4,691
Plymouth city, MN .................................................................................... 70,576
Pocatello city, ID ........................................................................................ 54,255
Polk County, IA ....................................................................................... 430,640
Pompano Beach city, FL .......................................................................... 99,845
Friendswood city, TX ............................................................................... 35,805
Fruita city, CO ............................................................................................. 12,646
Gahanna city, OH ...................................................................................... 33,248
Gaithersburg city, MD ............................................................................. 59,933
Galveston city, TX ..................................................................................... 47,743
Gardner city, KS ...........................................................................................19,123
Geneva city, NY ............................................................................................ 13,261
Georgetown city, TX ................................................................................47,400
Gilbert town, AZ ..................................................................................... 208,453
Gillette city, WY ........................................................................................ 29,087
Glendora city, CA ...................................................................................... 50,073
Glenview village, IL .................................................................................. 44,692
Globe city, AZ ................................................................................................ 7,532
Golden Valley city, MN ............................................................................ 20,371
Goodyear city, AZ ...................................................................................... 65,275
Grafton village, WI..................................................................................... 11,459
Grand Blanc city, MI ................................................................................... 8,276
Grand Island city, NE ............................................................................... 48,520
Grass Valley city, CA ................................................................................. 12,860
Greeley city, CO ......................................................................................... 92,889
Green Valley CDP, AZ ............................................................................... 21,391
Greenville city, NC .................................................................................... 84,554
Greenwich town, CT ................................................................................... 61,171
Greenwood Village city, CO .................................................................. 13,925
Greer city, SC ................................................................................................ 25,515
Guilford County, NC ............................................................................. 488,406
Gunnison County, CO .............................................................................. 15,324
Gurnee village, IL ........................................................................................ 31,295
Hailey city, ID ................................................................................................. 7,960
Haines Borough, AK .................................................................................... 2,508
Hallandale Beach city, FL ......................................................................... 37,113
Hamilton city, OH ..................................................................................... 62,477
Hanover County, VA ................................................................................ 99,863
Harrisonburg city, VA .............................................................................. 48,914
Harrisonville city, MO .............................................................................. 10,019
Hayward city, CA ..................................................................................... 144,186
Henderson city, NV ................................................................................. 257,729
Herndon town, VA .................................................................................... 23,292
High Point city, NC.................................................................................. 104,371
Highland Park city, IL .............................................................................. 29,763
Highlands Ranch CDP, CO .................................................................... 96,713
Hillsborough town, NC .............................................................................. 6,087
Holland city, MI .......................................................................................... 33,051
Honolulu County, HI ............................................................................. 953,207
Hooksett town, NH ....................................................................................13,451
Hopkins city, MN ........................................................................................ 17,591
Hopkinton town, MA ...............................................................................14,925
Hoquiam city, WA ....................................................................................... 8,726
Horry County, SC .................................................................................... 269,291
Hudson city, OH ........................................................................................ 22,262
Hudson town, CO ......................................................................................... 2,356
Hudsonville city, MI ..................................................................................... 7,116
Huntersville town, NC ............................................................................ 46,773
Hurst city, TX ............................................................................................... 37,337
Hutchinson city, MN ................................................................................. 14,178
Hutto city, TX ..............................................................................................14,698
Hyattsville city, MD ................................................................................... 17,557
Independence city, MO .......................................................................... 116,830
Indian Trail town, NC .............................................................................. 33,518
Indianola city, IA ......................................................................................... 14,782
Iowa City city, IA ....................................................................................... 67,862
Issaquah city, WA ..................................................................................... 30,434
Jackson County, MI ................................................................................ 160,248
James City County, VA ............................................................................ 67,009
Jefferson City city, MO ............................................................................ 43,079
Jefferson County, CO ............................................................................ 534,543
Jefferson County, NY ............................................................................... 116,229
Jerome city, ID ..............................................................................................10,890
Johnson City city, TN ............................................................................... 63,152
Johnston city, IA .......................................................................................... 17,278
Jupiter town, FL .......................................................................................... 55,156
Kalamazoo city, MI ................................................................................... 74,262
Kansas City city, KS ................................................................................ 145,786
Kansas City city, MO ............................................................................. 459,787
Keizer city, OR ............................................................................................ 36,478
Kenmore city, WA .....................................................................................20,460
Kennedale city, TX ....................................................................................... 6,763
Kennett Square borough, PA.................................................................... 6,072
Kettering city, OH ...................................................................................... 56,163
Key West city, FL ..................................................................................... 24,649
King County, WA ................................................................................. 1,931,249
Kirkland city, WA ..................................................................................... 48,787
Kirkwood city, MO ................................................................................... 27,540
Knoxville city, IA............................................................................................ 7,313
La Mesa city, CA ........................................................................................ 57,065
Brentwood city, MO ................................................................................... 8,055
Brentwood city, TN................................................................................... 37,060
Brighton city, CO ....................................................................................... 33,352
Bristol city, TN ............................................................................................ 26,702
Broken Arrow city, OK ............................................................................ 98,850
Brookfield city, WI .................................................................................... 37,920
Brookline CDP, MA................................................................................... 58,732
Broomfield city, CO ................................................................................... 55,889
Brownsburg town, IN ............................................................................... 21,285
Bryan city, TX ............................................................................................... 76,201
Burien city, WA ........................................................................................... 33,313
Burleson city, TX ........................................................................................ 36,690
Cabarrus County, NC .............................................................................. 178,011
Cambridge city, MA................................................................................. 105,162
Canton city, SD .............................................................................................. 3,057
Cape Coral city, FL .................................................................................. 154,305
Cape Girardeau city, MO ........................................................................ 37,941
Carlisle borough, PA .................................................................................. 18,682
Carlsbad city, CA ..................................................................................... 105,328
Carroll city, IA ...............................................................................................10,103
Cartersville city, GA ................................................................................... 19,731
Cary town, NC .......................................................................................... 135,234
Casa Grande city, AZ ................................................................................ 48,571
Casper city, WY .......................................................................................... 55,316
Castine town, ME ......................................................................................... 1,366
Castle Pines North city, CO ................................................................... 10,360
Castle Rock town, CO .............................................................................. 48,231
Centennial city, CO ................................................................................. 100,377
Centralia city, IL .......................................................................................... 13,032
Chambersburg borough, PA .................................................................. 20,268
Chandler city, AZ......................................................................................236,123
Chanhassen city, MN ............................................................................... 22,952
Chapel Hill town, NC ............................................................................... 57,233
Charlotte city, NC ................................................................................... 731,424
Charlotte County, FL ............................................................................. 159,978
Charlottesville city, VA ........................................................................... 43,475
Chattanooga city, TN ..............................................................................167,674
Chesterfield County, VA ........................................................................316,236
Chippewa Falls city, WI ........................................................................... 13,661
Citrus Heights city, CA ............................................................................ 83,301
Clackamas County, OR ......................................................................... 375,992
Clarendon Hills village, IL.........................................................................8,427
Clayton city, MO ......................................................................................... 15,939
Clearwater city, FL .................................................................................. 107,685
Cleveland Heights city, OH .................................................................... 46,121
Clive city, IA .................................................................................................. 15,447
Clovis city, CA .............................................................................................. 95,631
College Park city, MD ............................................................................... 30,413
College Station city, TX .......................................................................... 93,857
Colleyville city, TX .................................................................................... 22,807
Collinsville city, IL..................................................................................... 25,579
Columbia city, MO .................................................................................. 108,500
Columbia city, SC .................................................................................... 129,272
Columbia Falls city, MT ........................................................................... 4,688
Columbus city, WI ....................................................................................... 4,991
Commerce City city, CO .......................................................................... 45,913
Concord city, CA ...................................................................................... 122,067
Concord town, MA .................................................................................... 17,668
Cookeville city, TN.................................................................................... 30,435
Coon Rapids city, MN .............................................................................. 61,476
Copperas Cove city, TX .......................................................................... 32,032
Coronado city, CA ...................................................................................... 18,912
Corvallis city, OR ....................................................................................... 54,462
Creve Coeur city, MO ............................................................................... 17,833
Cross Roads town, TX ................................................................................ 1,563
Crystal Lake city, IL .................................................................................. 40,743
Dacono city, CO ............................................................................................. 4,152
Dade City city, FL ......................................................................................... 6,437
Dakota County, MN ............................................................................... 398,552
Dallas city, OR .............................................................................................. 14,583
Dallas city, TX ......................................................................................... 1,197,816
Danville city, KY ...........................................................................................16,218
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Welcoming citizen involvement 71 3 264 Much higher
Listening to citizens 61 1 27 Much higher
Informing citizens 67 3 20 Much higher
Providing opportunities to
participate in government
activities 64 60 227 Higher
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national
benchmark
Overall, how would you rate the quality
of the services provided by the City of
Fort Collins? 79 15 385 Much higher
Table 151: Utility Billing and Utilities Overall Benchmarks
Please rate the quality of each
of the following in Fort
Collins.
Fort Collins
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Utility billing 78 3 118 Much higher
Utilities overall 81 3 137 Much higher
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Quality of arts and cultural
opportunities 71 27 251 Much higher
Quality of recreational opportunities 85 2 258 Much higher
Quality of public library services 83 41 299 Much higher
average rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
national benchmark
Electric services 85 2 18 Much higher
Storm drainage 78 1 314 Much higher
75
Good
25
Bad
100
Very good
26%
50
Average
53%
70
(Access Fort Collins, Digital
Publications, Recreator) 19% 16% 22% 23% 20% 20%
City booth at local events 45% 42% 39% 38% 44% 42%
More effort 19% 17% 19% 28% 21% 21%
Same effort 78% 79% 76% 69% 77% 76%
Less effort 3% 4% 5% 3% 2% 3%
Total
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Transportation: Includes
transportation planning and
development, maintaining roads
and traffic operations, Transfort
operations, and transportation
demand management
More effort 82% 59% 57% 56% 61% 61%
Same effort 15% 35% 40% 40% 35% 35%
Less effort 3% 6% 2% 5% 5% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
General Government: Includes
internal support functions, City
management, Council, boards
and commissions, technology,
communicating with residents
and building maintenance and
repair
More effort 30% 13% 18% 14% 24% 19%
Same effort 62% 78% 74% 77% 74% 74%
Less effort 9% 10% 8% 9% 3% 7%
Total
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
(Average rating 0=very
bad, 100=very good).
Geographic area of residence
Northeast East
Central
South of
Harmony Northwest/CSU
West
Central Overall
Overall, how would you rate
the quality of the services
provided by the City of Fort
Collins? 74 78 81 81 79 79
Golf courses 72 76 83 81 81 80
Athletic fields 73 77 82 82 78 79
Northside Aztlan Community
Center 77 81 79 85 82 81
Fort Collins Senior Center 81 84 84 85 84 84
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) 74 77 77 82 79 78
Mulberry Pool 75 72 73 76 74 74
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 79 81 80 84 81 81
The Gardens on Spring Creek 86 85 83 89 84 85
As a walkable city 69 62 61 76 67 67
Ease of traveling by bicycle 79 75 76 80 78 77
Availability of parking Downtown 43 44 47 46 47 46
Level of traffic congestion 30 32 35 37 32 33
Street maintenance 63 53 57 60 56 57
Emergency preparedness
(services that prepare the
community for natural disasters
or other emergency situations) 68 76 79 77 75 76
Disaster response and
restoration of services 70 78 82 76 72 76
Fire prevention/education 75 77 79 77 74 77
Fire response time 80 85 85 81 82 83
Fire services overall 81 84 85 79 80 82
Crime prevention 69 69 73 70 65 69
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Transportation: Includes transportation planning and
development, maintaining roads and traffic operations,
Transfort operations, and transportation demand
management
More effort 61% 59% 61% 65% 52% 61%
Same effort 35% 34% 35% 31% 44% 35%
Less effort 3% 7% 4% 4% 3% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
General Government: Includes internal support functions,
City management, Council, boards and commissions,
technology, communicating with residents and building
maintenance and repair
More effort 18% 21% 19% 19% 18% 19%
Same effort 74% 77% 74% 74% 76% 74%
Less effort 8% 2% 7% 7% 6% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
More effort 61% 61% 61% 62% 60% 61% 68% 55% 58% 61%
Same effort 33% 35% 35% 33% 37% 35% 31% 38% 38% 35%
Less effort 5% 4% 4% 5% 3% 4% 2% 7% 4% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
General Government: Includes internal support functions,
City management, Council, boards and commissions,
technology, communicating with residents and building
maintenance and repair
More effort 14% 20% 19% 19% 18% 18% 13% 19% 26% 18%
Same effort 78% 74% 74% 73% 76% 74% 79% 75% 66% 74%
Less effort 9% 7% 7% 8% 6% 7% 9% 6% 7% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Less effort 4% 2% 10% 2% 4% 3% 5% 5% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
General Government: Includes internal support functions,
City management, Council, boards and commissions,
technology, communicating with residents and building
maintenance and repair
More effort 13% 16% 18% 27% 19% 19% 20% 0% 19%
Same effort 79% 81% 72% 66% 74% 75% 71% 92% 74%
Less effort 8% 3% 10% 7% 7% 6% 9% 8% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Overall quality of environment 81 82 81 81 80 81