Diverse Fort Collins

January 2026 Community Events & “Do All Asian Americans in FoCo Look Alike to You?”

Asking for a friend

Photo: Tennis court with sunlight streaming through trees in background by Angela Bailey on Unsplash.

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

On a sunny afternoon a couple of months ago, I arrived early to tennis class and waited for the other class to finish.

One of the coaches came over to me with a smile, introduced herself, and proceeded to praise the skills and performance of one student. Apparently, Billie* was a superstar that day.

Why is she telling me this?

Oh. She thinks I’m the girl’s mother.

I looked at her quizzically, with a polite smile: “I don’t know who Billie is.”

I don’t know who Billie is but I’m glad she did well in class!

The coach, a young white woman, paused in surprise, then had the decency to be embarrassed: “Oh, I’m sorry!”

I wanted to say, “I know there aren’t many Asian Americans in Fort Collins and we all look alike to you. But she and I are not even the same kind of Asian.”

My mom is from the Philippines; Billie doesn’t look like me. At all.

I’m guessing Billie’s mother or guardian was the lady sitting waaaaay over at the end of the seating area, chatting with another parent. (Out of the coach’s line of sight.)

But I can’t assume that, otherwise I’m be engaging in the same unconscious bias as the coach.

Looks are deceiving. You can’t assume anything based on appearances.

Duh.

And yet. We all do it.

It’s like the opening scene in the Academy Award-nominated film Past Lives, written and directed by Celine Song, in which you hear a man and woman (presumably white) speculating about the three people across the bar: Who are they to each other? Are the Asian man and Asian woman a couple? Is the white man their friend?

Spoiler alert: They’re wrong.

I mentioned this tennis class incident to a new acquaintance who moved to Fort Collins several years ago from a diverse, metropolitan city in another state. Her parents are immigrants from India; she and her children were born in the U.S.

“The same thing happened to me!” she said. At her kids’ school.

We discussed identity and first generation and second generation Americans, then exchanged phone numbers with the intention to meet for coffee in the new year.

Nothing like a little structural racism to bring people together.

Have you ever witnessed or participated in this kind of conversation that ended up being a case of mistaken identity?

Did you shrug it off, not giving it a second thought? Or did you examine why it happened? Did you research unconscious bias and microaggressions?

Why or why not?

Discuss amongst yourselves. That’s your homework for the month.

(*Name changed to protect privacy.)

Bonus points for extra credit homework: Read Throwback by Maureen Goo, which offers myriad examples of the “colorblind” racism and casual racism in the 1990s that some of us grew up with.

It shows readers how far we’ve come. And how far we have yet to go.

From the publisher: Back to the Future meets Joy Luck Club in this fresh, funny novel about a Gen Z Korean American girl who gets stuck in the 90s with her teenaged mother, perfect for fans of Mary H.K. Choi, Morgan Matson, and Nicola Yoon.

“No one can blend family, humor, satire, and love into a single perfect story like Maureen Goo can.” —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter

Happy new year! Interested in community events this month? You’ve come to the right place.

Here are a few inclusive events to kick off 2026, plus a list of community calendars to check out.

January 2026 Community Events

January, The Gardens on Spring Creek, Butterfly House, Children’s Garden and more, open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Thursdays.

January, The Lyric Cinema Cafe, movies, art, and community events such as open mic, trivia, storytelling, karaoke, and more.

January, Poudre Libraries, various events for adults, teens and children throughout the month

Jan. 2 “Coyote Pretty” Sapphic Show, R Bar Fort Collins, 9 p.m. $15, and various events throughout the month.

Jan. 2-30 Fort Collins Museum of Discovery events and films in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater.

Jan. 2 First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Fort Collins, Free

Jan. 2 First Friday at the Publick House, Wolverine Farm, Free, plus various events throughout the month.

Through Jan. 4 Indigenous Voices: A Contemporary Art Exhibition, Museum of Art Fort Collins, see ticket prices on the website including free admission for: 18 and under, SNAP recipients with SNAP card, CSU students with ID, military veterans with ID, 50 percent discount for educators with ID, etc.

Jan. 4 Liberation Is Local, facilitated by Dr. Cori Wong, weekly on Sundays. Donations welcome. Free

Jan. 6-8 Registration opens for City of Fort Collins Recreation programs and classes

Jan. 9 – Feb. 27 The Lincoln Center Art Gallery’s new exhibit Kristy Deetz: Disrupted Gardens features a series of large-scale, hyper-realistic acrylic paintings that imagine a future where nature and artificial intelligence respond to pollution and climate change by reshaping the Earth (our “Garden”) and populating it with new, often evolving creatures.

Jan. 15 & 16 Artist’s Visit, including Live Sculpting, Reception and Artist Talk
The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, CO 80521
The Art Gallery Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 1–6 pm and before most performances, Free

Kristy will be visiting from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She will sculpt in the Art Gallery, demonstrating how she creates her Specimens, from 1 to 6 pm, Thursday, Jan. 15, and from 3 to 5 pm, Friday, Jan. 16. The sculptures she creates will remain on view for the duration of the exhibit. To end the day on Jan. 16, the Art Gallery will host an Artist Talk at 5:30 pm and celebrate Kristy’s visit with an Artist’s Reception at 6:30 pm.

Through Jan. 17 Paths Adjacent: Dark Noodle Art and CC Stanhill. Closing reception and artists’ talk on Jan. 17, 6 to 9 p.m., open to the public, Free

Taryn Bushey (she/her) is the creator behind Dark Noodle Art. Taryn is a self-taught artist specializing in abstract and modern line art.

CC Stanhill (they/them) is an illustrator, animator, and inveterate punslinger living in Fort Collins. Their work explores queer themes of fluidity, freedom and connection; but mostly it’s about being colossally capricious. They were once described by a prominent person as “quite a lucid sort of fellow.”

Jan. 28 through April 12 Revisited: Andy Warhol’s Social Media and Andy Warhol at Colorado State University, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, University Center for the Arts. Free

City of Fort Collins Natural Areas: more than 50 conserved natural areas and more than 100 miles of trails

City of Fort Collins Parks: more than 966 acres of developed parks

“You know, everything old can be made new again. Like democracy.”
– Effie Trinket, Mockingjay Part I

Screenshot of Larimer County Democrats website: “While November 2026 is a long way off, the countdown has begun. Please note the following dates in your calendar as we go through our Party nominations process.” [Visit https://www.larimerdems.org/ ]
Feb 11 is the last day to register as a Democrat if you want to attend caucuses.

December 2025 Community Events

Photo of downtown holiday lights and window display of doozie jewelry at the corner of Walnut and Linden. Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Museum of Art Fort Collins

Indigenous Voice: A Contemporary Art Exhibition (through Jan. 4)

Excerpt:
“Representation matters. Giving any community an opportunity to see work from a community they may not know much about helps not only expand that understanding, but enrich the visual language that accompanies that community.

“Indigenous Voices is meant to be an exhibition that showcases local Colorado contemporary artists, their work and their voices, giving insight into the rich tapestry of ideas that comes through modern art by living artists that are also Indigenous.

“Political, cultural, social and artistically driven, Indigenous Voices showcases artists that embody possibility through the art they create.”

Curated by Gregg Deal

Northern Lights in NoCo

Did you miss seeing the Northern Lights in early November? Here are some photos by local media and community members:

KUNC, Nov.12: PHOTOS: The northern lights appear over Northern Colorado skies

Colorado Public Radio, Nov. 12: Photos: Northern lights as seen across Colorado last night (and yes, you may be able to see them again tonight)

Nov. 28-29 Holiday Artisan Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fort Collins Senior Center. Free

Find uniquely crafted holiday gifts at this premier craft fair. More than 100 artisans and crafters gather to share handmade creations with visitors.

Read about free downtown parking and more:

Downtown Fort Collins Holiday Hub

“Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be for the holidays! Dine, shop, and explore under the twinkling of the holiday lights…

“Bonus, shop at Old Town Spree participating businesses for a chance to win a $100 Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card. Need some family activities? Visit with Santa or play at the skate rink in Old Town Square.

“In an effort to help support downtown businesses during the holiday season, the City of Fort Collins, Parking Services, will again offer free parking in the public parking structures on Saturdays and City holidays.

“Free Saturdays begin Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, and continues through Jan. 3, 2026.

Firehouse Alley Parking Structure

Old Town Parking Structure

Civic Center Parking Structure

“As a reminder – parking in the parking structures is always free on Sundays and City holidays. On all other days, parking is free for the first hour and $1 each hour after; in all three parking structures. A parking session must be initiated regardless of duration of stay.

Holiday Guides

The Armstrong Hotel Holiday Guide

Fort Collins Holiday Events

Holidays at Foothills Mall

City of Fort Collins Recreation Department special events

Old Town Spree: “This November and December, locally owned and operated businesses in Downtown Fort Collins invite shoppers and diners to enter to win thousands of dollars in Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card* prizes!

“Participating is as simple as shopping or dining at any official Old Town Spree businesses to receive a card with your unique code to enter to win. You could win one of four $100 Downtown Gift Cards drawn weekly. You also have a shot at winning one of five $250 Downtown Gift Card Grand Prizes to be drawn on Jan. 5, 2026! Be sure to enter your codes early and often for your chance to win!”

Dec. 5 and 6 Student recitals at the University Center for the Arts, Colorado State University. Free

–Friday, Dec. 5
5 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, Bryson Hodges, Piano
7 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, Russell Wolfe, Violin

-Saturday, Dec. 6:
6 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, Colin Ferry, Percussion
8 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, Brian Tremper, Percussion

Dec. 5 First Friday Art Walk 6 to 9 pm. Other Winter Dates: Jan. 2, and Feb. 6

“Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ is a monthly self-guided walking tour that celebrates creativity, culture, and community…”

Dec. 7 Family Band Holiday Market with Goth Santa at The Lyric, Noon to 5 p.m.

Through Dec. 12 Here & Now: Recent Work by the Department of Art & Art History, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, University Center for the Arts. Free

Colorado Gives Day

Dec. 9 Colorado Gives Day. “Join the wave of generosity. All donations made online now through Dec. 9 count toward Colorado Gives Day and the $1 million+ Incentive Fund. It’s easily the best day to give.” Support your favorite nonprofits, including museums, theater companies, radio stations, and more.

Flier promoting “For The Love of Strangers” designed and facilitated by Dr. Cori Wong, Positive Philosophy Consulting @myphilifesophy coriwong.com. Dec. 12 at Visit Fort Collins welcome center, Mountain and Remington. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Arrive at 6:45 p.m. “A fun and dynamic community experience workshopping unique ideas for meaningfully connecting with others. Bring a friend. Attend on your own. Explore some of my Best Worst Ideas. Experience the finale!!”

Dec. 12 For The Love of Strangers, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins (Mountain and Remington) Final date! Theme: “Love, An Artist.” “A fun and dynamic community experience workshopping unique ideas for meaningfully connecting with others. Bring a friend. Attend on your own. Explore some of my Best Worst Ideas. Experience the finale!!” Suggested donation: $10.

Dec. 13 Tuba Christmas, 2 to 3 p.m. Oak Street Plaza, 148 W. Oak St. Free

Poster for *Merrily We Roll Along*. “Only in theaters December 5.”

Dec. 13-17 Merrily We Roll Along. The Tony-Award winning Broadway musical comes to Cinemark Fort Collins on Timberline via Fathom Entertainment. $15

Dec. 12-28 Garden of Lights at The Gardens on Spring Creek. Nightly. Admission: 4 and under, free. Children ( 5-11) $8-10; General (14+} $12-14. Members receive a 20% discount. “This timed admission event runs nightly (except Dec. 24 & 25) with entry from 5 to 8 p.m. Grounds will be cleared at 9 p.m. Purchase tickets early for best prices and to ensure your preferred date and time!”

“…Explore our beautifully transformed botanic gardens as you stroll along a whimsical half-mile loop, glowing with colorful grapevines, towering flowerbeds, dancing blossoms, and vibrant displays.

“Visit with Santa (onsite nightly through Dec. 23) and enjoy other live entertainers while you warm up with a hot cocoa or beverage from our full bar. New this year, don’t miss our Ice Forest, where you may catch a glimpse of the magical Ice Queen herself on select nights.”

Brocken Spectre and Glory: Portrait of Temple Grandin” by David Lenz, oil on canvas, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the Marc Pachter Commissioning Fund and an anonymous donor.

CSU Source: “Temple Grandin portrait joins Smithsonian gallery”

“…The portrait of Grandin joins three others in the Portrait of a Nation program this year. The others depict Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. poet laureate and the first Native American to hold the role; Steven Spielberg, the Oscar-winning filmmaker; and Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase….”

“…The Grandin portrait features an atmospheric phenomenon known as a “brocken spectre and glory,” or colored rings around a shadow. According to the Smithsonian, “the viewer’s projected shadow in the center symbolizes Grandin’s belief that every person is important and can contribute to society in unique ways.”

“The portraits will be on view on the National Portrait Gallery’s first floor Nov. 14, 2025, to Oct. 25, 2026, then will become part of the museum’s permanent collections.”

Read the Town & Country article announcing the portraits of Grandin, Joy Harjo and Steven Spielberg.

*Joy Harjo by Joel Daniel Phillips. Charcoal, graphite, and ink on paper, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.*

Excerpts from Town & Country: “…Harjo, a poet, musician, playwright, and author of the Mvskoke/Muscogee (Creek) Nation, served as the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate. She was the first Native American to hold the role. In the portrait, which was created by contemporary artist Joel Daniel Phillips, Harjo wears a traditional native skirt and holds a saxophone as a tribute to her heritage….”

*Members of a youth orchestra outside of Kyiv. Hanna Palamatenko/NPR*

From NPR’s Today’s Listen, Oct. 24:
“The lives of Ukrainians have changed in many ways since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, including the way nighttime sounds. Since the start of the war, the country has been hit with over 50,000 drone strikes. Members of a youth orchestra outside of Kyiv know the new sounds of their country well and are working on a sonic poem about it. The sound of the piece begins as a peaceful night or an ordinary day in an ordinary city, until chaos rocks the city. The orchestra members use their instruments to mimic the sounds they hear at night, from drones flying around to the emergency vehicles that pass by their homes. Listen to this State of the World From NPR episode to hear how the orchestra is channeling their daily reality into this composition.”

Business Spotlight

The Coloradoan: Readers say The Bread Chic has the best pie in Fort Collins — and owner Christie Rich shared some big news during our visit.

Friendly Nick’s Butcher
Excerpt from About > Our Values

…We believe that the animals we consume should be treated humanely, raised using sustainable methods that has minimal impact on the environment, and generally cared about and respected for what they provide us.

We believe that everyone should have access to high quality meat and the customers should be offered an opportunity to talk one on one with an educated butcher that has their best interest in mind and can provide tips and advice that surpasses their expectations.

Our core values can best be summed up like this: We desire to provide our employees, our animals, and our customers with a higher standard of living.

Nonprofit Spotlight

Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow-wow Association, Inc. (NCIPA)

🎄Christmas Gift and Food Drive🎄

Excerpt:
“Over the years, our members received requests for holiday donations from other communities, and many did what they could in helping others. In 2006, we recognized that our local Native American community needed help too.

“If you would like to help brighten the holidays for others in need, please contact us: ncipa.pw@gmail.com

“Suggestions for donations:

Dry goods like flour, cake mixes, rice, beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes; Canned fruit and vegetables
Diapers and wipes, shampoo, soap, toilet tissue
Turkeys, hams, roasts
Gift cards; Sponsor a family or a single gift – any donation is very much appreciated!”

Foundation Music School. Changing lives one note at a time.

Excerpt:
“Everyone should have the chance to experience life changes through music. Come see how we make music a real possibility for everyone regardless of their age, ability, or income. Our scholarship program makes music affordable for all and our non-profit status means we have a sincere heart for our community.”

Vindeket Foods

“Vindeket is a non-profit food rescue that partners with grocery stores, restaurants and farms to reduce wasted food.”

Artspire NoCo

“We work in Northern Colorado to excite, enlighten, and educate young people through the arts.”

“You know, everything old can be made new again. Like democracy.”
– Effie Trinket, Mockingjay Part I

Screenshot of Larimer County Democrats website: “Democracy is not a spectator sport. 2026 Midterm Election. Count down to 2026! 339 days. While November 2026 is a long way off, the countdown has begun. Please note the following dates in your calendar as we go through our Party nominations process.” [Visit https://www.larimerdems.org/ ]

Volunteer and donate to Larimer County Democrats: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”

Event Calendars

https://oldfirehousebooks.com/events/calendar/2025
https://uca.colostate.edu/events/
https://artmuseum.colostate.edu/programs/
https://moafc.org/moafc-events/
https://www.lyriccinema.com/upcoming
https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fcgov.com/events/
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

Halloween, Día de Muertos, and November 2025 Community Events

Fall colors were on display around Sheldon Lake at City Park in Fort Collins on Oct. 22.
© 2025 Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

*Autumn is in full force in Fort Collins, as seen near downtown on Oct. 24.*
*© 2025 Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins*

Día de los muertos and other community events abound in November! Here are a few.

Oct. 28-Nov. 4 Día de Muertos celebration. Monarch butterflies in the Butterfly House, ofrendas (altars) in the Community Room, and Nov. 1 family memory workshop ($35) (see details below) at the Gardens on Spring Creek. Admission $10.50-$12.50 or free for members.

“Visit the Butterfly House at The Gardens to enjoy hundreds of monarch butterflies (mariposas) and cempazúchitl – Mexican marigold flowers. It is believed that the scent and color of marigold petals help guide the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living during Día de Muertos.”

Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Native American Authors at Poudre Libraries

Día de Muertos Family Memory Workshop, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 1. $35

“In this reflective workshop, participants will respond to themed prompts inspired by the Mexican celebration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), exploring personal stories centered on family, tradition, food, celebration, and memory. You’ll have the opportunity to write, share stories in community, and honor your loved ones by contributing to a mini altar (ofrenda). “

Oct. 30 KRFC 88.9 FM SNL-Themed Halloween Party: “Live from Fort Collins, It’s KRFC!” at The Agave Room. $88.90

“KRFC 88.9 FM invites you to an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and local flair—infused with the comedy and charisma of Saturday Night Live. Join us for “Live from Fort Collins, It’s KRFC!” as we celebrate Halloween Eve with a costume-filled party blending live entertainment and radio charm.”

Oct. 31 Brave New Wheel Halloween Party at The Lyric, 8 p.m. $12 presale, $15 day of show. DJs, dancing, costume contest.

Oct. 31 “In advance of the annual AISES Powwow, there will be a preview on the Lory Student Center Plaza [at Colorado State University] from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The public event will feature drumming and dancers in powwow regalia. Frybread will also be available for purchase on LSC Plaza.”

Nov. 1 AISES Powwow at CSU in honor of Native American Heritage Month

“Native American Heritage Month at Colorado State University starts in November with the AISES Powwow, a long-standing public celebration that brings together Indigenous and campus communities.

“Throughout the month, the celebration – open to everyone – will feature a keynote talk by a world champion Native American hoop dancer, a movie screening and culinary experiences.

“The AISES Powwow – set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 – will feature powwow dancers, drumming, food, vendors and more. The social and cultural gathering brings together Indigenous people as well as non-Indigenous guests to honor Native cultures and traditions.

“The powwow is organized by the CSU student chapter of AISES – Advancing Indigenous Peoples in STEM – a national group focused on increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.”

Nov. 1 BIPOC Alliance Día de Muertos Community Celebration in Old Town Square, Noon to 6 p.m. “Celebrate Día de Muertos in Old Town Square in Fort Collins. We transform the stage into a giant Altar to honor those who have passed.” Free

Nov. 1 Black Footed Ferret Feeding, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. “Come see our very own wild black-footed ferrets, the most endangered mammal in North America! Join us in the Natural Areas Exhibit to learn about the conservation work being done to return black-footed ferrets to the wild, from the national captive breeding program to new advances in cloning from our partners at US Fish and Wildlife. They will also feed the black-footed ferrets their weekend meal during this presentation. Parental discretion is advised. Museum admission is not required to attend this event, but space is limited.”

*The Comedy Fort marquee reads “COMING SOON: Nov. 1 Ali Sultan, Nov. 6 Phil Hanley, Nov. 9 Moms Unhinged*.
Tix @ ComedyFortCollins.com”

Nov. 1 Ali Sultan: Special Taping at The Comedy Fort, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $20. Ages 21+ only.

“Ali Sultan saw his first stand up comedian when he moved to America from Yemen at the age of 15. He grew the desire to go on stage, but first he needed to learn English. Ali is the first professional Yemeni American comedian to be featured on Television when Kevin Hart hand picked him to perform on Comedy Central’s Hart of The City. His album “happy to be here” debuted at #2 on iTunes and can be heard on iTunes, Spotify, Sirius Xm and has over 700k streams on Pandora.”

Instragram abuelita_guille “This year at our annual Dia de Muertos at @stodgybrewing
we’re going to make things extra traditional: Our first Calaverita Literaria poetry contest!”

Nov. 1 Dia de Muertos Ofrenda Comunitaria (Community Altar) and Spiced Stout Release, by Stodgy Brewing in collaboration with Abuelita Guille Hot Sauce. Free event, beer and food available for purchase.

Enjoy a traditional Day of the Dead event with a community altar and free sugar skull face painting. Bring images of your loved ones (family, friends, pets, etc.) that have passed on, a sample of their favorite foods, and/or marigolds to place on the community altar. Las Catrinas food truck will serve food for purchase from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Concurso de Calaveritas Literarias: write a witty, funny poem about a person and their encounter with death. Requirements: Must rhyme, funny not cruel, Spanish or English, No AI. Due Oct 29 to bebo@abuelitaguille.org or @abuelita_guille (Instagram). Will be shared publicly Nov. 1 at the Stodgy Brewing event.

Example:
Mike’s always with his coffee,
never stopping for a rest,
La Catrina came to take him,
but he stayed to chat, no less.

How to write literary calaveras for Día de Muertos | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/fall-ideas/how-to-write-literary-calaveras-for-dia-de-muertos/

Nov. 7 First Friday Art Walk. We Were Never Meant to Disappear by Liz Ortiz, through Nov. 25. Cornerstone Gallery at the Masonic Temple.

“We Were Never Meant to Disappear is a 21-year retrospective and deeply personal solo exhibition by Liz Ortiz, founder of Mad Hare Press. Spanning two decades of previously unseen artwork, across graphite, ink, paint, photography, and printmaking. This exhibition becomes both archive and altar. It offers viewers an intimate journey through memory, resilience, and reclamation.

“With quiet strength and fierce clarity, Ortiz’s work confronts cultural invisibility, generational disconnection, and the lived complexity of navigating a predominantly white community as an Indigenous Latina woman. Each piece, whether old or newly created, honors her heritage, affirms the worth of her existence, and disrupts the comfort of erasure with presence.”

Nov. 11 Veterans Day breakfast at Fort Collins Senior Center, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free

“Enjoy a morning of food, song and patriotism to celebrate those who have honorably served our country. Presented by the Kiwanis Poudre Golden K Club of Fort Collins and the City of Fort Collins Recreation Department. Posting of the colors begins at 8 a.m. with service songs to follow.”

*The Thanksgiving Play* event flier. Scan QR code for tickets.

(POSTPONED due to illness) Nov. 14 and 15 The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse, presented by In Living Colored at FoCo Cultural Enrichment Center. Talkback after each performance. All voices heard. Complimentary snacks and beverages. Children welcome. Scan QR code for tickets. $15

“Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month.” – Samuel French

Nov. 14 For The Love of Strangers variety show emceed by Dr. Cori Wong. Theme: “On Failure.” 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins. $10 suggested donation. Only two more shows! Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. See list of events at Dr. Cori Wong’s calendar.

Nov. 14-15 The Wizard of Oz at The Lincoln Center, presented by Fort Collins Children’s Theatre. $24-$35.

“Join FCCT’s multigenerational cast as they follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. In this tale, young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the Land of Oz to discover the magic of knowing the power of home! Friday night’s show will include an ASL interpreter.“

Through Jan. 24 “Clay Metamorphosis: From Mud to Modern,” Global Village Museum. “The Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures welcomes you to explore, learn, and connect with world cultures. Whether you’re planning your visit, have a question, or want to get involved, we’re here to help!” $3-$7.

*WE ARE FORT COLLINS display for Día de Muertos at Old Town Library, Poudre River Public Library District. Visit poudrelibraries.org for event calendar. Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins*

Groom and bride stand atop the Día de Muertos altar at Old Town Library, Poudre River Public Library District.
Visit poudrelibraries.org for event calendar. Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

*First Fridays 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 2 to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. Learn more at focomasonic.com/cornerstone-gallery*

*Free and open to the public. Learn more at focomasonic.com/cornerstone-gallery*

Nov. 18 Keynote and performance: Tony Duncan

In addition to the powwow, CSU’s Native American Cultural Center will be hosting a keynote conversation with Tony Duncan, a five-time world champion hoop dancer ranked among the top 10 in the world. This conversation is in collaboration with RamEvents.

The keynote and performance is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Lory Student Center Theatre.

Native American hoop dancing is a traditional and symbolic dance form that serves as a cultural expression and storytelling art. It is often performed at powwows, festivals and cultural gatherings.

Duncan received the Native American Music Award for Artist of the year in 2013. He also has toured nationally and internationally with pop-star Nelly Furtado.

Representation in Film, TV, Media, and Music

*Good Fortune,* written and director by Aziz Ansari, features a diverse cast
including protagonists portrayed by Ansari *(Master of None)* and Keke Palmer (*Nope*).
Photo Credit: © 2025 Lionsgate, Garam Films, Oh Brudder Productions, Keep Your Head, and Yang Pictures.

Review by Katherine Valdez

There’s nothing subtle about Good Fortune, written and directed by Aziz Ansari, starring Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, and Ansari himself.

And that’s part of the charm.

In this Los Angeles-based social satire, “a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker and a wealthy venture capitalist. (IMDb)

The film hits you over the head with its message: Not everyone is thriving in this capitalist society of ours; we need to remember our humanity, have compassion for one another, and work to change things. Ansari captures perfectly the plight of Arj, an out-of-work documentary filmmaker who takes odd jobs through a handyman app and sleeps in his car: “I did everything I was supposed to do, and nothing’s working out.”

Reeves is delightful as a naive, low-level angel who becomes bored with his assignment: “Texting and Driving.” He’s saving hundreds of lives but yearns to tackle bigger projects, like helping desperate souls find an appreciation for life.

He has some of the film’s best lines, like “I used to be a celestial being, and now I’m a chain-smoker” after his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), demotes him from angel to human and he ends up as a restaurant dishwasher, living from paycheck to paycheck.

Keke Palmer and Seth Rogen round out the pitch-perfect quad of lead actors. Rogen’s character is a more calm (and financially successful) version of his character Will on the hilarious series Plantonic.

Palmer’s Elena is particularly compelling; she works at a big box hardware store and tries to organize coworkers to unionize for safer working conditions and better pay and benefits.

Carla Hay, a reviewer featured on The Cherry Picks, said, “There’s some salty comedy, but the core of Good Fortune is sweet sentimentality. The movie takes a broader sociopolitical look at economic inequalities than the more individual-oriented Trading Places.”

If you’re in the mood for laugh therapy as well as deep thoughts, Good Fortune is a great way to spend 1 hour and 37 minutes at the cinema. Playing now at The Lyric.

Read about the controversies surrounding Ansari and where he is today.

Another film with a diverse cast that is also highly recommended:

One Battle After Another. “When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.” (IMDb)

In a Cherry Picks highlighted review Christina Newland writes, “One Battle After Another is a film about legacy, about fathers and daughters, about the fight against an all-too-real American government hellbent on white supremacy, militarism and oppression.”

New song “Freedom Means Something” by Dead Pioneers

*Sign on Walnut Street in downtown Fort Collins:*
*“The moment in between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.” – Barbara De Angelis*

Event Calendars

https://www.fcgov.com/gardens/events

https://oldfirehousebooks.com/events/calendar/2025
https://artmuseum.colostate.edu/programs/
https://moafc.org/moafc-events/
https://www.lyriccinema.com/upcoming
https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fcgov.com/events/
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

October 2025 Community Events

Yellow flowers with hill in background at Maxwell Natural Area on Sept. 13, 2025 by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Ready for a spooktacular October?

A variety of creative projects and community events (including free and low cost) await you in Fort Collins. Here are a few.

October is Hispanic Heritage Month!

Books and Events to Celebrate Hispanic and Latiné Heritage Month – Poudre Libraries
Oct. 1 Noche familiar de Loteria
Oct. 7 Papel Picado Workshop for Teens
Oct. 17 Celebrando Día de Muertos con Memo Plastilina

Latiné and Hispanic Heritage Celebration – the City of Fort Collins
Latinx History Tour Companion – City of Fort Collins
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources – National Museum of the American Latino

Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Every Thursday in October): Late Night Horror Fest at The Lyric Cinema

Oct. 3 Colorado Queer Comedy Festival at The Lyric

Oct. 3 Linden Street Block Party & First Friday
The City of Fort Collins will close the 200 block of Linden Street (between Walnut Street and Jefferson Street) to vehicle traffic on Friday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. for First Friday activities including live music, sidewalk vendors, family friendly activities and a skateboard expo.

*Corgi-themed Pianos About Town painted by Ben Hatcher*.

Oct 4 Annual Tour de Corgi
The Tour de Corgi is a Corgi Meet-Up and carnival parade of corgis through Old Town Fort Collins. Civic Center Park and Old Town Fort Collins. Proceeds benefit 4 Paws Pet Pantry, Colorado Corgis and Friends Rescue, Wyoming Dachshund and Corgi Rescue, and Bandit’s K9Care. For up-to-the-minute information, join our Facebook Page and Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/tourdecorgi/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourdecorgi/

Article: Rock On with 300+ Corgis: Tour de Corgi Returns to Fort Collins Oct. 4

Excerpt:
Fort Collins is the home of Bikes, Beers, Bands…and Butts! That’s right — fluffy corgi butts, to be exact! The beloved Tour de Corgi is back for its 11th year, and it’s bringing the cutest parade in the country back to the streets of Old Town Fort Collins.

This year’s theme? “Rock On!” Get ready for a full-on festival of short legs, big personalities, and rockstar vibes as corgis from across the country strut their stuff in costumes worthy of the main stage.

Join us for the 11th Annual Tour de Corgi and enjoy:
-A lively parade through Old Town
-A hilarious costume contest
-Dozens of local vendors
-And plenty of fluffy, frolicking fun!

*Sunny Stacks Pancakes food truck photo by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins*

Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 Larimer County Farmers’ Market. Saturdays through Oct. 25
Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 Fort Collins Farmers’ Market. Sundays through Nov. 9

Oct. 5 Tell It Like It Was: A Four-Week Journey Into Storytelling, Connection and Community Leadership, taught by Mary Roberts. Free.

Explore your past. Shape your story. Inspire your community.

Presented by story coach and author, Mary Roberts, this four-week course is for anyone who wants to tell true stories that matter—whether on the stage, on the page, in conversation, or in circles they create themselves. Through skill-building, guided reflection, story practice, and a toolkit for leading story circles, participants will leave with confidence in their voice and the power to help others share theirs.

No writing or performance experience needed—just a willingness to show up with curiosity and a little courage!

You will come away with:

· A personal story crafted and practiced
· A solid understanding of storytelling elements
· Confidence in giving and receiving story feedback|
· A toolkit to start their own community story circle
· A deeper connection to themselves and others

Mary Roberts is a storyteller, story coach, and author with an M.A. in Creative Nonfiction Writing. With over a decade of experience on storytelling stages and in classrooms, she helps individuals shape true stories with heart, clarity, and purpose. Mary is passionate about using personal narrative to build connection, heal old narratives, and spark change—one story at a time.

Additional Information: Registration is required. Register on the library website, in person at any library, or by calling our Answer Center at 970-221-6740.

Oct. 10 For The Love of Strangers, emceed by Dr. Cori Wong. Doors: 6:30 p.m. Show: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100 (north side of Mountain Avenue). $10 suggested donation.

For the Love of Strangers is an innovative and highly-interactive community experience. It animates possibilities for being with others by building a hyper-local culture of connection. Each show focuses on a theme and runs about 90 minutes; a story-sharing space blended with small group think tanks.

Oct. 14 CSU Ignites AI: Shaping Tomorrow Together. Livestream info available soon.

Oct. 19 Poetry Curious workshop facilitated by Fort Collins Poet Laureate Melissa Mitchell at Wolverine Farm Letterpress and Publick House. Free.

Oct. 22 Sip and Tell storytelling event at Horse and Dragon Brewing Company, emceed by Susan Earley. Theme: Faceoff. $5.

Oct. 26 “The Gadfly: True Stories and Stand-Up Philosophy” is for thoughtful people who love to laugh, especially as we grapple with the complex conditions of our existence. While not exactly lectures or improv, my shows leave room for questions and crowd work. Far from a “tight five”, the main goal isn’t punchlines to get big laughs. The goal is to make telling the truth a good time.”

Oct. 26 “Oh…Ethics Got Good.”
Nov. 23 “More Power, Please!”

More Details:
Where: Speak Cheesy Lounge (below Slyce Pizza on 120 Mason St.)
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Stand-Up Philosophy (All-Night Happy Hour starts at 5 p.m.)
Cost: $10 suggested donation

Spotlight: New Community Resource

*All photos by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins*

We spotted The Stained Page Project Free Book Trailer at City Park during the FoCo Food Truck Rally on Sept. 9.

What a wonderful way to spread joy throughout the community: the gift of reading. Owner and artist Esmé told us it’s a way of bringing more love into the world. We couldn’t agree more.

***

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Crossroads Safehouse

Do you ever feel like you are walking on eggshells around someone who is supposed to love you? Crossroads Safehouse is here to help. Domestic violence includes many forms of abuse, not just physical.

Crossroads Safehouse first opened its doors to the Northern Colorado community in 1980 when it offered four rooms to victims of domestic violence. Crossroads is now housed in a 29,000 square foot facility with 31 rooms serving victims and their children every day of the year. Our team of 35 dedicated staff members works hard to provide wrap-around services to victims of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse, including access to our emergency shelter with therapy, advocacy, legal advice, food, clothing and much more.

Nonprofit Spotlight

Fuerza Latina
Fuerza Latina es una organización de inmigrantes y aliados dedicada a educar, informar, organizar y promover el cambio para facilitar una mejor calidad de vida a los inmigrantes en nuestra comunidad.

Fuerza Latina
Fuerza Latina is an organization of immigrants and allies dedicated to educating, informing, organizing and promoting change to facilitate an improved quality of life for immigrants in our community.

Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort Collins

The Cultural Enrichment Center is designed to address the cultural, academic, career, and social needs of middle school and high school African American students in Fort Collins. The enrichment center is crafted in an academic cultural framework for the purpose of connecting participants with history, literature, arts, music, dance, traditions, and folklore of the African American experience.

Business Spotlight

Black Sparrow Media
Black Sparrow Media creates a wide variety of entertainment content, and commercial productions. From conception to execution, we look for the beauty in all stories and find creative ways to express it to a large audience.

Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary
Herbalism is for everyone. We make it right for you. Whether you’re seeking guidance to re-weave your health, looking for all-natural skin and body care, or simply curious about herbs, Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary and Clinic is here to serve on your plant journey.

Multicultural Business & Entrepreneur Center
The Multicultural Business & Entrepreneur Center (MBEC) is a free bilingual (English & Spanish) center that provides business owners and entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship and specialty training. It also connects them with critical resources to create, launch and grow a business in Fort Collins. All services at the MBEC are free.

NoCo Latino Chamber of Commerce
The voice of the Latino Business Community in Northern Colorado and the Front Range area. We’re in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and surrounding cities working for you! Started in 2021 by Fort Collins and Greeley business owners.

Event Calendars

https://artmuseum.colostate.edu/programs/

https://moafc.org/moafc-events/

https://www.lyriccinema.com/upcoming
https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fcgov.com/events/
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Looking ahead: November

Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy – Nov. 8 through Nov. 16 – Race Forward – In Cities, Communities, and Virtual Spaces Across the Country

The Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy—a national pulse point for multiracial democracy and cross-racial solidarity—is back! Across cities, towns, and virtual spaces, communities will come alive through music, storytelling, movement, and collective learning. It’s a time to shift the narrative, reclaim the deeper meaning of democracy, and elevate the power of culture to shape what comes next.

Strategic in its approach of meeting people where they are, moving them emotionally, and inviting them into collective action, the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy provides a range of opportunities and events—some curated and some for you to design on your own.

**

Diverse Fort Collins is a website connecting people with resources and each other.

Check out our Resource Guide to contact nonprofits, groups, and local businesses.

Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at…

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

September 2025 Community Events

Goodbye, summer. Hello, fall fun!

A variety of creative projects and community events (including free and low cost) await you in Fort Collins and the surrounding region.

Labor Day weekend activities

Curiosity Pass: Poudre Libraries offers passes to museums, galleries and cultural attractions. Free.

Poetry

Two Fort Collins poets recently hosted book launch parties at Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House:

Advance, discounted sales of the debut chapbook Portrait Lands by Fort Collins Poet Laureate Melissa Mitchell ends on Sept. 12.

Kit Song’s debut chapbook where rain sleeps is on sale now.

Wolverine hosts regular poetry and storytelling events: read the events calendar.

Community Events

Aug. 29 The 53:14 Music Video Experiment, 6 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. at The Lyric Cinema Cafe. Free. Donations welcome.

From The Lyric: The filming of the 53:14 Music Videos is complete! All ten original videos were produced last weekend and now the audience participation is about to start. We’d love for you to be there to see them all for the first time! Brand new videos from ALL MY SENSES, ASH REDHORSE AND THE MIDNIGHT SUNS, AUTUMNAL, DUCKI, DVNEHPPY, EVE COFFMAN, FOREIGN SUNS, GRAVEYARD CHOIR, NEON THE BISHOP, and SLOW CAVES premiere this Friday, August 29 at The Lyric!

Get there at 6 PM for live music by EVA ROSE KING and DOGTAGS

This event is free, all ages, and open to the public. RSVP

Sept. 4 The final Thursday Night Live concert in Old Town Square: Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts, 7 p.m. Free.

*Storytelling coach Mary Roberts taught the free Sept. 7 class “Tell It Like It Was” at Old Town Library.*

Sept. 7 “Tell It Like It Was”: A personal storytelling class for the brave, not-so-brave, and everyone in between. 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Old Town Library. Registration now open. Free.

Sept. 10 Mayoral Forum. 6 p.m. at The Lyric. Free. Donations welcome.

*Fort Collins community joined local first responders during the inaugural stair climb on Sept. 11, 2024. Photo from video by The Coloradoan.*

Sept. 11 Public invited to join first responders in 9/11 Memorial and Stair Climb at Canvas Stadium. Free.

Sept. 11 A Free Professional Development Workshop Series for Artists and Arts Organizations. Creative Foundation Workshops is a new, ongoing workshop series designed to support Northern Colorado artists and arts organizations in building strong, sustainable creative practices. Workshops will take place bimonthly beginning in September and will focus on essential skill development topics such as marketing, budgeting, grant writing, portfolio development, and more.

Each session is free to attend, features experienced facilitators, and is structured to provide both practical tools and opportunities for connection within the local arts community. Workshops are open to all and geared toward both individual artists and representatives of arts-focused nonprofits, with content that applies to a variety of disciplines and experience levels.

Join the first workshop in the series:
Shout it Out! Workshop for Making Effective Marketing Plans
Date: Thursday, Sept. 11
Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
Location: The Lincoln Center, Columbine Room

This free hands-on session will walk participants through the process of building a simple and effective marketing plan, with guidance on designing promotional materials, using social media and email tools, and identifying core marketing goals. Light refreshments. Provided by the City of Fort Collins in collaboration with the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District.

Sept. 12 For The Love of Strangers is an experiential variety show emceed by Dr. Cori Wong on 2nd Fridays through December. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visit Fort Collins. $10 suggested donation.

Celebrate The Farm’s 40th Anniversary
Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Speaking remarks at 11:00 a.m.
Where: The Farm at Lee Martinez Park (600 N Sherwood St.)
Note – Parking may be limited during the event.

For 40 years, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park has been a beloved part of Fort Collins, offering hands-on connection to our agricultural heritage. Purchased by the City in 1985, this special place honors the land’s legacy – from its early days as a dairy farm to its transformation into a community treasure. Tucked along the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, The Farm is a celebration of resilience, education and the deep roots that shaped Fort Collins.

You’re invited to celebrate The Farm’s 40^th anniversary milestone with the City of Fort Collins this fall! Enjoy a special day of free admission featuring food trucks, farm games, live music, animal visits and line dancing. Explore the history of agriculture in Fort Collins through Art’s Toolshed, The Farm Museum and The Ross Proving-up House. Come help honor four decades of memories, learning and community at The Farm.

Sept. 13 HeroFest at Front Range Village, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.

JLF Colorado, Boulder Library, Sept. 13-14. Free. Donations welcome. Review the schedule.

Sept. 14 Fort Stories: True Stories. Brave Voices. Strong Communities emceed by Mary Roberts. Theme: “River.” At Visit Fort Collins. $10.

One unforgettable night in Fort Collins. Welcome to Fort Stories—a live storytelling event where community, courage, and connection come together for an unexpected evening. This isn’t a performance. It’s a gathering. A night to share and hear true, personal stories told live by everyday people—maybe even you.

Spanish Conversation

Fort Collins Spanish, Mondays at Bean Cycle Roasters

Let’s Talk In Spanish, 3rd Wednesdays at Old Town Library. Next meeting: Sept. 17

Sept. 27 La Familia / The Family Center Fiesta at The Lyric Cinema Cafe

The Family Center/La Familia has had the honor to serve our community for over 25 years. We celebrate our impact with supporters and guests at our annual Fiesta Party fundraising event!

This is a lively event filled with delicious Mexican food, margaritas, dancing, auctioned prizes, and more dancing! Our venue host, The Lyric, is the perfect setting, offering ideal open event space. Come dance with us!

This event is a way for our families, donors, board, and supporters to celebrate the impact we make in our community and the good work we do for our future: our youth.

Workshop

3rd Annual Creative Colorado Writers Retreat, Sept. 20-21 in Lakewood. Fort Collins Poet Laureate Melissa Mitchell will facilitate a workshop at the Twenty Bellows writers retreat. Two full days of creativity, craft and connection. This year’s retreat features: dedicated poetry, fiction and hybrid workshop tracks; plenty of open writing time in a welcoming, creative space; keynote address from poet Brice Maiurro; a vibrant book fair with regional indie presses; open mic opportunities and community networking. Register before Sept. 1 to receive complimentary lunches on the days for which you sign up.

Art Exhibit

Sept. 6 through Nov. 15

Opening reception: Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Exhibition dates: Sept. 6 through Nov. 15
Cornerstone Gallery at The Masonic Events Center

“We Were Never Meant to Disappear” is a 21-year retrospective and deeply personal solo exhibition by Liz Ortiz, founder of Mad Hare Press.

Spanning two decades of previously unseen artwork, across graphite, ink, paint, photography, and printmaking. This exhibition becomes both archive and altar. It offers viewers an intimate journey through memory, resilience, and reclamation.

With quiet strength and fierce clarity, Ortiz’s work confronts cultural invisibility, generational disconnection, and the lived complexity of navigating a predominantly white community as an Indigenous Latina woman. Each piece, whether old or newly created, honors her heritage, affirms the worth of her existence, and disrupts the comfort of erasure with presence.

This exhibition becomes a living dialogue between time, identity, and place, drawing lines from survival to self-recognition, and from lineage to legacy. Through it, Ortiz invites viewers to witness what has long gone unseen: the joy, pain, and power of holding onto oneself in a world that too often turns away.

Artist bio: Liz Ortiz is a multidisciplinary artist, printmaker, and cultural strategist based in Fort Collins, Colorado. She is the founder of Mad Hare Press, a mobile micro-studio and community arts initiative centered on accessibility, education, and ancestral connection through printmaking.

Drawing from over two decades of creative work, Ortiz’s practice weaves together personal narrative, archival memory, and traditional techniques across media, including lino block and intaglio printmaking, drawing, painting, and analog photography. Her work is grounded in the exploration of identity, cultural survival, and reclaiming space as an Indigenous Latina woman raised on the front range of Colorado.

Ortiz holds a BFA in Printmaking and Photography and an MBA in Marketing Data Analytics, which she uses to inform her art practice, consulting work, and community engagement. Her exhibitions and workshops create spaces where tradition and experimentation meet, spaces rooted in story, reflection, and collective healing.

Follow Liz and the Cornerstone Gallery for more announcements:
@madharepress
@cornerstone.foco

Persimmon’s menu has something for everyone. Try this refreshing, fizzy raspberry beverage with one of many tasty bites.
Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Business Spotlight

Bookstore On The Square, 113 Linden St., Old Town Square. 🏳️‍🌈LGBTQ & woman-owned indie bookstore hosting book groups, buy-back-used-book days, and more.

Persimmon, 251 Jefferson St., is a place for your morning coffee, lunch dates, evening dining, and all-day cocktails enjoyed with real food made by great people. Persimmon is the playful culmination of decades of hospitality hustling. Inspired to bring together his favorite things, founder Raffi Jergerian led the creation of the café and lounge. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Comedy Fort
Ali Sultan: Special Taping, Nov. 1, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., $20
Ali Sultan returns to film his special in Fort Collins! He saw his first stand up comedian when he moved to America from Yemen at the age of 15. He grew the desire to go on stage, but first he needed to learn English.

Ali is the first professional Yemeni American comedian to be featured on television when Kevin Hart hand picked him to perform on Comedy Central’s Hart of The City. He filmed his half-hour comedy special in Dubai for Comedy Central Arabia. He was named both Best Local Comic and artist of the year by City Pages. He represented Minnesota and won the Best in The Midwest competition at Gilda’s LaughFest. His album happy to be here debuted at #2 on iTunes and can be heard on iTunes, Spotify, Sirius Xm and has over 700k streams on Pandora.

DiverseFortCollins.com is a website connecting people with resources and each other.

Free Community Events Pack End-of-Summer Calendars

A crowd of people gathered in Old Town Square on July 31 Fort Collins-based roots reggae/dub band DubSkin.

A goat with a brown, black and white head says hello through the bars of its pen at the Larimer County Fair on Friday, Aug. 1 — A goat says hello through the bars of its pen at Larimer County Fair, which runs through Tuesday, Aug. 5
© 2025 All rights reserved. Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Fairgoers walk the midway at dusk during the Larimer County Fair on Friday, Aug. 1 at The Ranch in Loveland.
© 2025 All rights reserved. Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Diverse Fort Collins is a website connecting people with resources and each other.

Summer isn’t over yet! Fort Collins and surrounding communities offer many free and low-cost events and activities. Here are a few to check out.

*Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly event on Saturday Aug. 9 at New Belgium Brewing*

LOCAL

Poudre RiverFest, Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9 (Free)
The annual festival will take place at New Belgium Brewing and will celebrate the health and heritage of the Cache la Poudre River—through music, hands-on activities, educational opportunities, and family-friendly fun.

Poudre RiverFest is free and open to all community members. This year’s event is more inclusive and welcoming to Spanish-speaking communities across Northern Colorado: Exhibitor booths with Spanish-speaking team members identified with signage, event materials and signage translated into Spanish, and Spanish-speaking volunteers on site.

Thursday Night Live in Old Town Square. Band schedule. (Free)

The BIPOC Alliance (click on the Events tab)

2025 Fort Collins Farmers Markets (Sunday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

First Friday Art Walk (Free)

Food Truck Rally: City Park (Tuesdays through Sept. 16) and Fossil Creek Park (Thursdays)

Global Village Museum

Gregory Allicar Museum of Art (Free)

“For The Love of Strangers” interactive variety show emceed by Dr. Cori Wong at Visit Fort Collins, Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. and second Fridays in 2025. (Free. $10 suggested donation.)

Liberation Is Local. Sundays and Wednesdays. (Donations welcome)

Open Streets, Sunday Sept. 14 (Free)

Dime Stories: A Storytelling Open Mic, Gulo Gulo Writing Workshop, Poetry Curious, Queer Writes, and other events at Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House (Free)

Poudre Libraries: events calendar (Free)

The Toy, Game, and Puzzle (TGP) Library at Foothills Mall, a non-profit lending library (Free)

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Museum of Art Fort Collins

Pianos About Town at Foothills Mall and other locations around FoCo.
©2025 All rights reserved. Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Pianos About Town, various locations (Free)

REGIONAL

Larimer County Fair, through Tuesday, Aug. 5 at The Ranch in Loveland
(Free parking and entry)
The Coloradoan: “Take a look inside this year’s annual Larimer County Fair & PRCA Rodeo”

Heart & Sol of Loveland: Develop diversity awareness by supporting culture, community and education

Pastels on 5th chalk art festival, Saturday, Sept. 13

*Flowers in downtown Fort Collins © 2025 Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Colllins. All rights reserved.*

Spotlight on Local Businesses

Bean Cycle Roasters and Makerfolk: Modern and Handmade
Blue Moose Art Gallery: fine art, gifts, classes
Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys
Matt Elias Piano: private piano lessons
Old Firehouse Books: author events and book clubs (Free)

*Quote by Cory Booker in front of Clothes Pony* & Dandelion Toys in downtown Fort Collins.
© 2025 All rights reserved. Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Event Calendars

https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fcgov.com/events/
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month

**
Check out our Resource Guide to contact nonprofits, groups, and local businesses.

Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

FOR THE LOVE OF STRANGERS: A Variety Show To Meaningfully Connect with Others

Handmade posterboard sign and paper fliers on a table promoting For The Love of Strangers by Dr. Cori Wong

For The Love of Strangers flier event description

by Katherine Valdez (she/her)

I didn’t know what to expect when I attended Dr. Cori Wong’s Feb. 14 debut of the monthly show “For The Love of Strangers: Exploring the Best Worst Ideas for Meaningfully Connecting With Others” at Visit Fort Collins in Old Town Square.

Was it performance art and storytelling featuring diversity, equity, and inclusion stand-up comedy? A one-person variety show plus interactive workshop? A Valentine’s Day immersive dance party?

Turns out it was all of that and more.

Dr. Cori Wong told the Feb. 14 audience how to continue the dialogue and when we could meet again.

“…an eccentric, experimental, experiential variety show…” – Dr. Cori Wong

The format was roughly a humorous, personal anecdote by the emcee, followed by an interactive activity that helped you become acquainted with other folks in the room, but on a deeper level than you’d expect. These weren’t speed-dating questions.

Among the 40 or so attendees, we were young and not-so-young, introverted and extroverted, white and people of color, straight and queer, but we all had one thing in common.

We yearned for community.

In these Orwellian times, it’s what will save us. What will encourage us to keep going. What will inspire us to work toward changing our world for the better.

At one point, I had an engaging conversation with a young therapist. They’re so passionate about improving their skills and serving others that they’re taking a pay cut and moving to Denver to gain more experience serving a different population.

During another activity, we exchanged squares of paper on which we had scribbled something we wish we’d realized sooner.

I struggled to remember any recent epiphanies. I finally settled on, “You’re exactly where you need to be right now” before wandering among the crowd, exchanging smiles.

Cori invited volunteers to read the message they received if it resonated with them. Someone read mine. Connection!

The message I received said, “You’ll reach a place in life where you will feel fulfilled.” It’s now on my refrigerator. Comforting words from an individual whom I don’t know, whom I may never meet but who felt — at one time — what I’m feeling.

A message from a kind stranger exchanged during a group activity at “For The Love of Strangers” variety show
emceed by Dr. Cori Wong (she/her) on Feb. 14. Photo by Katherine Valdez

It made me feel less alone.

Time for reflection and discussion followed each segment. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other.

One more surprise awaited us near the end of the evening: a sing-a-long dance party to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

It was as fun and inspiring as you can imagine. We boogied, we sang (off-key, on-key…doesn’t matter), we laughed.

My mood lifted and my faith in humanity restored, I headed home, vowing to participate again.

Epilogue

I checked in with Cori a few weeks later, before publishing this post, and she reiterated her goal of building community:

“My dream is to build this out so that we have an even more visible network of spaces that feel rich, safe, supportive, and meaningful for building this local culture of connection.” – Dr. Cori Wong

Considering that one of the main questions she asks in many of her workshops and gatherings is “What does liberation look and feel like?” her dream is in perfect alignment with this question and this work.

About 40 community members attended the Feb. 14 debut of “For The Love of Strangers” variety show
emceed by Dr.Cori Wong at Visit Fort Collins in Old Town Square.

“For The Love of Strangers” is on second Fridays. The next one is March 14!

$10 suggested donation at BuyMeACoffee.com/CoriWong

Happy Lucky’s Teahouse provided refreshments and prizes during the Feb. 14 show.
Full Expression! A Dance Collective and The Museum of Art | Fort Collins provided giveaways during the March 14 show.

Sponsorships and other opportunities are available. Read details in the flier below.

**
DETAILS AND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE

For those who need a bit more information about what to expect, here’s how Dr. Wong described it to her followers on BuyMeACoffee.com/CoriWong, where you can download free PDFs about the monthly For The Love of Strangers event series and the weekly Liberation Is Local in-person (Sunday) and online (Wednesday) meetings:

“At the surface, “For the Love of Strangers: Exploring the Best Worst Ideas for Meaningfully Connecting with Others” looks like an eccentric, experimental, experiential variety show that closely resembles the most exciting facilitated workshop for like-minded people in our community you’ve never (yet) seen.“But it’s soooo much more than that.

“It’s a uniquely fun and highly engaging way to meet and interact with other inclusive adults in Northern Colorado through humorous story sharing, thoughtful dialogue, and practical activities.

“It’s intriguing AND inspiring.”

Read more blog posts by Diverse Fort Collins.

Juneteenth Community Celebration This Weekend!

Hey, Diverse FoCo friends,

Fort Collins’ Juneteenth celebrations begin today, Friday, June 14!

Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States that has been celebrated by the Black and African American community since the late 1800s.

This year’s community-wide celebration, co-sponsored by the City of Fort Collins and local partners, takes place at Foothills Mall all weekend, June 14-16, with live music, dance, art, theater, health & wellness, cultural performances, educational exhibits, vendor market, food trucks, and more.

Check out the schedule at FoCoJuneteenth.com and options for free transportation to the mall. Transfort will run regular service to and from the Foothills Mall. Share this link with anyone who would like alternatives to driving: https://ridetransfort.com/rider-info-event-transportation/

City offices will be closed for the holiday on Wednesday, June 19.

June is Pride Month!

Pride Month, celebrated each June, recognizes the past, current and future fight for equity and liberation for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Resources and Events:
CSU Pride Resource Center
Northern Colorado Equality
Splash Youth of Northern Colorado
NoCo Eclectic (transgender and nonbinary support)
Denver Pride June 22-23

Diversify Whitewater Community River Float – Northern Colorado

Also, Diversify Whitewater is back this year on June 29! This is the fifth annual Community River Float on the Cache la Poudre River. The event is sold out, but volunteers are welcome if you’d like to serve as a raft/inflatable kayak guide, safety boater, photographer, or as on-shore support.

Independence Day Community Celebration on Thursday, July 4

The July 4 holiday is a full day of family-friendly activities. View the schedule and make plans to attend.

People walking up the stairs of the Carnegie Center for Creativity. Photo courtesy of City of Fort Collins.

Share your favorite Faces and Places of Fort Collins, July 27-August 22

The City of Fort Collins Cultural Services Department invites the Fort Collins creative community to submit their artwork to be included in the opening art gallery exhibit at the newly renovated Center for Creativity at 200 Mathews St.

Read the guidelines and how to participate.

Community Celebration: July 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First Friday Reception: August 2, 6 – 9 p.m.
Exhibit Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m.

Community Members Post Events on Facebook Group and Page

Community members are posting information on the Diverse Fort Collins Events Facebook group about news and events in Fort Collins and surrounding communities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Share information about your event today!

We’re also posting about local happenings on the Diverse Fort Collins Facebook page and Diverse FoCo page.

DiverseFortCollins.com and DiverseFoCo.com
Connecting People with Resources and Each Other

2023 Winter Solstice

Photo: Riverbend Ponds Natural Area on Jan. 1, 2024 by @KatValdezWriter

“I made you this bright so that others would see in the darkness.”
– God to Eric, “Sex Education” Season 4

I love this quote. I love that God is a Black woman and Eric is a glitter makeup-wearing, proud gay man. To me, the meaning is simple: Don’t dim your light. Others are counting on you to lead the way. Become who you’re meant to be. Be bold.

How do you shine for yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, and community?

Upcoming Community Events and Volunteer Opportunities

You have just 12 more days to submit your application for City of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions. The deadline is Jan. 15. We need more diverse voices! The city needs your expertise. It has many vacancies to fill but has received very few applications for the following: Air Quality Advisory Board, Land Use Review Commission, Senior Advisory Board, Water Commission, Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board, and Youth Advisory Board. Read details here: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/
“It Starts With Us” is the theme of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15. Visit the website for details and volunteer opportunities: https://lsc.colostate.edu/involvement/campus-activities/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-march-celebration/

2023 Year in Review

Special thanks to volunteer extraordinaire MK for checking every link and re-organizing our Resources into categories on an attractive new landing page! Check it out and let us know what you think. We’re always open to improving the user experience and adding more local resources. Email diversefoco@gmail.com with “Resources” in the subject line.
It’s worth noting again that we partnered with Writing Heights Writers Association (formerly Northern Colorado Writers) on Community Voices. If you live, work, or play in Fort Collins, we’d love to hear from you. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?
We heard from folks around the country who contributed information and links to our Resources page, and others who were planning to move to Fort Collins and wanted to know what it’s like for people of color to live here.
Community members connected and posted news, events, links to local businesses owned by people of color, and volunteer opportunities in our Facebook Events group.
We updated our Vote page with resources and links to articles about the November election.
From the “long overdue” files: we finally deleted our X account (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter).
Congratulations to former DFC Advisory Committee Co-Chair Teresa Funke and her daughter Lydia Funke for writing and producing their first play! My sister and I were fortunate to travel to New York City in October to see the premiere ofWave Me Goodbye at The Kraine Theatre in the East Village. Uplifting and moving; really impressive. It’s inspired by a true story, adapted from Teresa’s novel of the same name, and will be available for community theaters and high schools to produce. They will publish the play this year and sell rights to perform it through her website TeresaFunke.com. Contact her at teresa@teresafunke.com if interested.
During that same New York City trip, we were thrilled to experience Here Lies Love, the Broadway musical conceived by David Byrne and with music by Byrne and Fatboy Slim. The cast was 100% Filipino and many of the audience members were Filipino. Kind of a dream come true for two theater enthusiasts whose mother is from Tacloban, Leyte. It was a joyful, historically accurate production that also did not flinch at addressing the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship.

*Riverbend Ponds Natural Area looking northwest on Jan. 1, 2024 by @KatValdezWriter*

Looking Ahead at 2024

The 2024 presidential election. Keep an eye on our Vote page for information and resources on Colorado’s upcoming presidential primary: https://diversefortcollins.com/vote/
More website improvements to come!
Would you like to help explore the possibility of producing a limited-series Diverse Fort Collins podcast in late 2024? We seek volunteers with podcast production experience or the time and energy to learn. We’re eager to meet this spring to discuss guest speakers and format ideas. Email diversefoco@gmail.com with “Podcast” in the subject line.

Isolation and Exposure Calculator. A coworker tested positive for COVID-19 in December. I wore my mask everywhere for the designated time period and got tested a few days later per the CDC exposure calculator, a tool to help you determine whether to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

*Frost on leaves and grass, Dec. 15, 2023 by @KatValdezWriter*

Nonprofit Spotlight

“From Krispy Kreme to another In-N-Out, here are Fort Collins food highlights for 2024” by Erin Udell/Fort Collins Coloradoan (Dec. 28, 2023)

(Read this article free using your library card)

Excerpt:

Arboretum Coffee is on a mission in 2024.

The nonprofit coffee shop plans to open at 221 W. Prospect Road under the Prospect Station Apartments on Jan. 22, bringing its coffee and, more importantly, an apprenticeship program for Fort Collins’ refugee and immigrant youth to the area.

The nonprofit coffee shop plans to offer a 12-month program for refugees and immigrants ages 18 to 24

Participants will learn barista and customer service skills through on-the-job training and receive one-on-one mentoring and classes in financial literacy and career preparation, according to Arboretum Coffee Executive Director Hannah Norris.

Norris, who previously worked as a caseworker at the Matthews House in Fort Collins, said she wanted to start Arboretum Coffee after seeing an influx in refugees and immigrants coming to Fort Collins in recent years.

“A lot of refugees and immigrants have to start in unsafe and undignified working environments when they get to the U.S. in order to pay the bills,” Norris said.

To combat this and build community for these groups, Arboretum Coffee hopes to open with two cohorts of five participants in early and mid-2024. To learn more or volunteer for Arboretum Coffee, visit arboretumcoffee.org.

Pop Culture Recommendations (with “happily ever after” guaranteed)

Now that you’ve confirmed your new year’s resolutions, sit back and relax with any of the following.

Sis Flicks Podcast: “The podcast where we won’t judge you for talking through the movie.” Sisters Nadhya and Paola geek out over rom-coms and blockbusters like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
If You Were The Last is a quirky romantic comedy starring Zoë Chao and Anthony Mackie. Groundbreaking! When was the last time we watched a rom-com with Asian American and Black actors in the lead roles? Screenwriter Angela Bourassa is one to watch. Available on Peacock.

Logline: Adrift in their broken-down space shuttle with little hope of rescue, two astronauts argue over whether they’re better off spending their remaining days as friends or something more.
God’s Own Country is a gritty, beautiful film about two Yorkshire farmers who fall in love, and in which — spoiler alert — neither of them dies or marries a woman in the end. An LGBTQIA+ drama ending in happily ever after? Sign us up! Kudos to writer-director Francis Lee. Free to view on Tubi.

Logline: Spring. Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path. (IMDb)
Same for Boys…another serving of joy that also portrays the complexities of coming of age (“Shall we stay here forever?”)

Logline: A sexually awakening gay teen athlete finds himself in a budding relationship with his mutually attracted relay race teammate.
Any books by the imprint Joy Revolution, led by best-selling authors Nicola Yoon and David Yoon.
Watch a movie or attend an event at The Lyric, Fort Collins’ only independent cinema that’s also an inclusive community center. Hosting an event? Check out their rental information. They’ve got you covered.

2023 was challenging in many ways, and some of those challenges continue. May you find comfort and joy in community in 2024.

Katherine Valdez
Founder, Diverse Fort Collins

2023 Autumn Equinox

DFC Friends,

We hope you’re enjoying autumn!

Two quick and important messages:

1. We need more diversity on City of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions.

Please considering registering and attending the first Boards and Commissions Open House on Monday, Nov. 6, and applying!

2. Your vote matters. Vote on Nov. 7 by mailing your ballot today or dropping it off at one of the many ballot box drop locations around the city.

Check out our voter guide and resources.

And for those who love arts and culture, stay tuned for a rare opportunity to attend an amazing immersive performance by Control Group Productions right here in Fort Collins, Dec. 14-17! Read more about “Bitter Moon.”

Remember, we’re always interested in hearing your story. Write a Community Voices guest commentary and share your story with the world.

By the way, we’re fortunate to have a brilliant new volunteer, MK, a software engineer (whom we met through Dr. Cori Wong’s Feminist Friendship workshop this summer) to help us organize and develop the website. Stay tuned for improvements in 2024.

Finally, we know the world is hurting right now with what’s happening in the Middle East.

“even now, between us” by adrienne maree brown

Do what you must to take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Take action if you’re moved to do so:

Statement from Othering & Belonging Institute:

“We belong to each other: a call to end the violence”

Statement from Open Society Foundations

https://www.mpowerchange.org/

https://diasporaalliance.co/

https://www.raceforward.org/

Stay warm and healthy,
Diverse Fort Collins

Photo credit: View of Poudre River from bridge near Greyrock trailhead in Poudre Canyon, Oct. 21, 2023 by @katvaldezwriter