September 2026 Community Events & “Happy Birthday”

University Center for the Arts in the old Fort Collins High School building at 1400 Remington Street, across from the CSU Flower Trial Garden. Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

I learned years ago that it’s a bummer to work on your birthday, so I’ve taken a vacation day on mine ever since.

It’s an opportunity to go for a hike, reflect on life, and feel gratitude for the people and things that make my life great.

Seven’s my lucky number, so I’d like to share seven things I’m grateful for — besides family and friends — about Fort Collins. There are dozens of others but I’ve got to keep this a manageable length so I can go out and hike, row and play tennis!

7. Debut Theatre Company for enjoyable, high-quality productions by talented young people. Buy tickets to their October play “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at the Lincoln Center. And while you’re at it, check out tickets for “Hamlet’s Christmas Party.” One of my coworkers is making his Lincoln Center debut!

6. Pianos About Town for bringing local art and spontaneous music to Fort Collins streets. Thank you to Bohemian Foundation, Downtown Development Authority and City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places.

5. Old Town Square and the surrounding downtown neighborhood: for being a wonderful community gathering spot for free summer concerts, shops and restaurants, including three independent bookstores: Old Firehouse Books, Bookstore on the Square, and Cherry On Top Bookshop.

4. Marcuz Boba Tea Shop Filipino & International Restaurant for offering the comforts of home cooking from my mom’s birthplace, The Philippines. BTW if you ever get a chance to see the latest incarnation of David Bryne and Fatboy Slim’s musical “Here Lies Love” do it. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

3. Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, The Lincoln Center Art Gallery and Museum of Art Fort Collins for bringing thought-provoking visual art to our community.

2. The Lyric Cinema Cafe for being an inclusive and welcoming community hub that is wonderfully weird.

1. City of Fort Collins Natural Areas for giving us more than 100 miles of trail over more than 50 natural areas. How lucky are we?

In Memoriam

We lost a bright star this month. Rest in peace, Ally Eden, former poet laureate of Fort Collins and “…cherished friend, sister, daughter, poet, community member, and absolutely beloved wife of Alysia…”

Hobbies Spotlight

Did you know mahjong is alive and well in Northern Colorado? Check out these websites to help you get you started.

Riichi NoCo meets weekly at Stodgy Brewing and offers lessons (Sept. 16 and monthly) at Harmony Library.
“The home of riichi mahjong in Northern Colorado.”

Mahjong Social Club
“Learn and play in Fort Collins and Loveland. Choose your city to see beginner lessons, Social Club nights, and current local games.”

Ibad Ahmed Khan, founder of Peakxel Studio
Ibad Ahmed Khan, founder of Peakxel Studio
Peakxel logo of blue rocketship above company name
Peakxel logo of blue rocketship above company name

Business Spotlight

“Ibad Ahmed Khan is the founder of Peakxel Studio, a web design and technical SEO agency based in Fort Collins. Peakxel Studio builds fast, modern websites for small businesses across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado using Next.js, paired with local SEO strategies designed to help businesses actually get found on Google. Ibad works closely with each business owner to make sure their website isn’t just good-looking, but built to generate real, measurable leads.”

Fort Collins business owners, click here for more information.

Article: “Why Some Fort Collins Businesses Are Getting Found Online (and Others Aren’t)“

Excerpt: ” ‘Why does that guy show up before me? I’ve been in business longer. My website looks better.’

“That’s a question I hear constantly from Fort Collins small business owners trying to figure out local search engine optimization (SEO). Here’s the honest answer: getting found online in Fort Collins has almost nothing to do with how long you’ve been in business, and very little to do with how your website looks. It comes down to a small set of decisions — your Google Business Profile, local search consistency, website speed — that some Fort Collins businesses handle and others don’t even know exist.

“In this article, I walk through exactly what separates the Fort Collins businesses that show up on Google from the ones that stay invisible. Not theory — what I actually see, business by business, working in local SEO and web design here in Northern Colorado.”

September 2026 Community Events

Looking for free and low-cost inclusive community events this month? We’ve got you. Here are a few.

Through Dec. 13 “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” at Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, The Griffin Foundation Gallery, Co-curated by Andrea Lee Harris and Sadie Williams, 1400 Remington St. Donations welcome. Free

Excerpt: “Ralph Steadman is one of the most influential British graphic artists of the last 50 years. He is famous for his long collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson, notably illustrating Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which inspired two films in 1979 and 1998. With his international reputation, Steadman has attained a cult status and continues to influence artists from around the globe.

“…We are back with 138 original artworks and more. This enhanced new touring exhibition will take the viewer on a journey through Steadman’s prolific career of more than sixty years, from the sketches he created as a student in the 1950s to present-day artworks. At 87 years young, Ralph Steadman is still at the drawing desk throwing ink and making history.”

Through Sept 7 “Best Things To Do On Labor Day Weekend in Fort Collins” by Visit Fort Collins.

Sept. 10 Thursday Night Live concert “Chris Daniels & The Kings” in Old Town Square, 7 to 9 p.m. Free

Sept. 13 “Tell It Like It Was” storytelling workshop at Old Town Library facilitated by Mary Roberts. Registration required due to limited seating. Free

Sept. 16 “AI for Work: Create and Organize with Smart Tech” at Old Town Library. “Explore AI options to streamline your workflow, helping you brainstorm, write emails and reports, and create documents. We’ll look at several different AI platforms and try some projects to introduce you to AI capabilities and how they can help you in the workplace, school, or with projects.” Registration recommended. Free

Sept. 17 “Can the President Do That? Constitutional Checks and Balances” at Harmony Library. Sept. 17 is Constitution Day. Join Front Range Community College faculty member Jeff Borg to learn about historical and present-day constitutional checks and balances. Registration required. Free

Sept. 24 “Breaking Bread Around The World: Gimbap to K-Pop” fundraiser for Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures at Odell Wine Project. $150

Through Sept. 26 BIPOC Mercado by The BIPOC Alliance in the Oak Street Mall, 140 W. Oak St. Suite 150. “Shop local and support BIPOC small businesses, makers, artists, and entrepreneurs at this community Mercado in downtown Fort Collins.”

Sept. 30 “Reading Between the Headlines: A Conversation with Vanessa Otero” at Old Town Library. Otero is founder of the Media Bias Chart. Registration required. Free

Looking Ahead


Oct. 18 Open Streets, on Laurel between Mason and Shields, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle-free fun for the whole family. Free

Oct. 18 Free 30-minute “Flash Story Lab” at 6 p.m. followed by Fort Stories storytelling event facilitated by Mary Roberts, theme: “Lean On Me,” 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., Visit Fort Collins, 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100. $5

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/
https://www.dfccd.org/
https://artsourcecolorado.com/

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

August 2026 Community Events & “15 Years of Liberation”

Photo of Horsetooth Reservoir from Arthur’s Rock in Lory State Park looking northeast on July 25 by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins. All rights reserved (c) 2026

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

For my “15 Years of Liberation” event this month, I gathered with friends to celebrate all the ways I’ve changed my life for the better since leaving an abusive marriage.

Fifteen years ago, I had no friends, a job I hated, and a husband who was verbally and emotionally abusive, and who isolated me from my family. He controlled every aspect of my life. I was totally alone.

Today, I’m close to my family, have great friends who share my interests in writing, reading, movies, music, art, hiking, tennis and rowing. I have the best boss and coworkers, some of whom have become my close buddies over 12 years.

I’m so fortunate to be where I am today.

I’ve lived in Fort Collins for nearly 25 years but really didn’t begin enjoying life until August 2011. In honor of this milestone, I’d like to give a shout out to my sister, who believed and supported me; to the nonprofit Crossroads Safehouse, which connected me with a compassionate advocate; and to the local counselor who told me, “He’s never going to change. You need to leave” and helped me plan every detail of my escape. (I could write my own version of Sleeping With The Enemy but that’s another story for another time.)

From the Crossroads Safehouse website: “Crossroads Safehouse & Services is here to help. Domestic violence includes many forms of abuse, not just physical.” “Domestic violence is abuse that may include physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, economic and psychological patterns in which the abuser’s conscious or unconscious goal is to gain or maintain control over the victim. Not all forms of domestic violence are against the law, and there are not always physical signs of abuse.”

From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Intimate Partner Violence is common. It affects millions of people in the United States each year. More than 1 in 3 women (nearly 43.5 million) and more than 1 in 6 men (20.7 million) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.”

It’s OK to ask for help. You don’t have to face this alone. Call 888-541-SAFE (7233) if you live in the Fort Collins area or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233).

Film Spotlight

Code for the People: A Film by Bao Nguyen (Full Documentary: 20 minutes) Free

“The open web is arguably the world’s most vital invisible utility–and it is under siege.

“We have traded a free internet for a collection of walled gardens. Today, a handful of digital landlords use algorithms to dictate our reality, while closed AI threatens to change the ways we connect. We are at a breaking point: we can either let gatekeepers continue to consolidate their power, or we can reclaim the open source spirit that built the web in the first place.

“The future of the internet is being decided right now and it needs our help.

“From acclaimed director Bao Nguyen (BTS, Be Water, The Greatest Night in Pop), Code for the People is a documentary short exploring the past, present, and contested future of the open web…”

Business Spotlight

ARTSourceNOCO: A Guide to the Arts & Hospitality in Northern Colorado

Full Circle Creative, publishers of ARTSourceNoCO
“Since 1999, Full Circle Creative has told the unique story for our clients through imagery, design, video, and words.

“See examples on the website “that highlight our craft: corporate identity design (brand); print collateral; dynamic custom websites; photography; videography—all built to address our client’s specific needs.”

August 2026 Community Events

Looking for inclusive events in and around Fort Collins? We’ve got you. Here are a few.

July 31 – Aug. 4 Larimer County Fair & Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) Rodeo at The Ranch, Loveland. Free parking and admission

Aug. 2 Artist Kristin Savage curated “The Art of Impact” show with 55 artworks, 18 artists, and one poet all sharing their ideas about environmental sustainability.

Through painting, sculpture, collage, upcycled denim, visible mending, artwork utilizing reclaimed materials diverted from the waste stream, and ceramics using locally sourced slip from the Horsetooth Reservoir — the exhibit invites visitors to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and imagine what comes next.

On view at the Center for Creativity, 200 Matthews St., through Aug. 2 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free

Aug. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20 Magic Rat Live Music, The Elizabeth Hotel. Free

Aug. 7 Film Showcase and Industry Talk, in conjunction with the 53:14 Music Video Experiment, during First Friday Art Walk. “We hope all our friends, supporters, film enthusiasts, and music community will join us as we celebrate nine years of 53:14 with a special screening of music videos from years of the festival. The evening is a great opportunity to mingle with filmmakers and industry professionals.” At Visit Fort Collins, 1 Old Town Square, #107, 6 p.m. Free

Aug. 20-22 Emil Wakim, the first Lebanese American cast member of Saturday Night Live at The Comedy Fort, 6 p.m. (Sold Out) and 8:30 p.m. $23

“Emil Wakim is a stand up comedian, writer, and actor based in Brooklyn, New York. Emil made history as the first Lebanese-American cast member of Saturday Night Live, where his stand-out Weekend Update appearances earned him international acclaim during SNL’s milestone 50th season. Emil has also been seen on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Don’t Tell Comedy, and Comedy Central. He was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and was named one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know.”

Aug. 21 through Sept 5 Textured Stories art exhibit at Cornerstone Gallery, Masonic Event Center.

“We hope you can join us during these last few weeks of summer for the remaining special events celebrating our exhibiting artists, fiber artist Hannah Cross and jewelry designer Alex Reynolds and their exhibition, Textured Stories. Free

“Closing Reception, Sept. 5, 6 to 9 p.m. In Textured Stories, the artists ask, “What might beauty look like when materials are chosen with care and made to last?”  Through natural fibers, precious metals, and gemstones, the artists explore how the materials we choose shape the objects we live with, wear, and value.

“Bringing together Cross’s textured fiber work and Reynolds’s story-driven jewelry design, the exhibition considers how beauty can be created with greater attention to process, sustainability, and longevity. Together, their work invites viewers to uncoil and reweave their relationship with materials:  where they come from, how they are transformed, and what it means to create art with durability, intention, and hope in mind.

“Cornerstone Gallery is open to the public on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. During this first exhibition season, 100% of sales will go directly to the exhibiting artists.”

Aug. 24 through Aug. 29 The first Fat Marmot Week. Rocky Mountain PBS article: “Colorado scientists announce Fat Marmot Week.“

Excerpt: “Marmot scientists at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory announced the first-ever Fat Marmot Week, taking place Aug. 24-29. Similar to the famous Fat Bear Week at Katmai National Park and Preserve, the scientists in Gothic, Colorado, are inviting the public to vote for their favorite marmot in a bracket-style showdown. 

“Marmots — the largest member of the squirrel family — can put on up to three times their body weight in summer before hibernating for five months. 

“It’s fun to root for the chunkiest marmot, but behind the fun and games is a deathly serious competition against nature to pile on fat to survive the long, cold winter,” Dan Blumstein, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at University of California Los Angeles, said in a July 27 press release. “Importantly, marmots give us a window on the health of high-alpine ecosystems.”

Aug. 28 Sammy Anzer at The Comedy Fort, 8:30 p.m., $17

“Sammy Anzer is an educated street boy turned comedian that uses his multi-racial background to examine America. Rooster magazine says, “Anzer’s performances blend joy with contemplation, and his insightful societal commentary inspires reflection and lifts up the room.” He has performed alongside D.L. Hughley, Maria Bamford, Fahim Anwar, and Neal Brennan; written for Kevin Hart’s LOL Network; and caught ZIWE’s interest for an interview. Recently, he was named a Breakout Comedian of the Year in a competition hosted by Deon Cole, his debut album hit #1 on iTunes, he made his debut at The Apollo; and he’s appeared on PBS Roots of Comedy, Funny or Die, and SiriusXM. Sammy’s proud to have used comedy to raise $20,000 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and at the end of it all, Sammy has a simple goal: making people laugh and changing the world.”

Aug. 29 The Fort Collins Foothills and Downtown Rotary Club Duck Race, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Park Pool Lazy River. Food trucks and live music. Adopt a duck to benefit your favorite local nonprofit!

Aug. 30 “The Gadfly: True Stories & 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 a philosophy talk or improv, expect room for questions, discussion, and crowd work. These events are unique and engaging! Far from a tight five, the main goal isn’t punchlines to get big laughs. The point is to make telling the truth a good time.” 5:30 to 7 p.m., Speak Cheesy Lounge in the basement of Slyce Pizza. $10 suggested donation

Aug. 31 at The Lyric Cinema Cafe, 7:30 p.m., outdoor screen. Advance screening of The Weight, starring Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe and Julia Jones. $12 adults, $10 seniors.

Logline: “Desperate to save what is left of his family, during the height of the Great Depression a battle-scarred veteran is hired to help smuggle a fortune in gold across 100 miles of impenetrable wilderness.”

From the Aug. 19 enewsletter of The Lyric. Excerpt: “…I don’t know if you’ve heard, but The Sundance Film Festival is headed to Boulder next year, and I’ll tell you what, it’s the talk of the movie theater business here in Colorado. So much so that I’ve been meeting with various Sundance representatives and staff to see if we can’t host some kind of screening up here in old Fort Collins. As a card carrying skeptic and order of Cynics United America, I figured they would have there plate full for at least a few years before they worked their way up to Fort Collins, and were just trying to be nice to me. Well, lo and behold, I got an email from one of their registered “cool cats” asking if I wanted to host an Advance Screening of The Weight, Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe’s new film, which opened to rave reviews this year at Sundance, I nearly fell out of my seat. I typically don’t get a film until a week or two AFTER it opens, so to get a screening three weeks BEFORE the opening is unheard of. I tongue-in-cheek asked if they could get Ethan Hawke to come to the screening, to which they said no, but they could get the director. That, dear reader, is when I actually fell out of my seat! So come to our exclusive ADVANCE SCREENING OF THE WEIGHT with director Padraic McKinley and actor Julia Jones in attendance on Aug 31…We will be showing it on the outdoor screen…”

Year-round Chapungu Sculpture Park, McWinney-Hahn Sculpture Park, Foote Lagoon/Civic Center/Downtown, Benson Sculpture Garden. City of Loveland, Art in Public Places. Free

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/
https://www.dfccd.org/
https://artsourcecolorado.com/

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

July 2026 Community Events & “Empathy is an evolutionary advantage”

Photo of American flag over a green field against a blue sky and clouds at sunset by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

My friends and I felt a bit “meh” about Independence Day and the United States’ 250th birthday.

Can you blame us? Many of our nation’s leaders are focused on destroying our democracy and all the progress we’ve made in 250 years.

If you’re a member of a historically underrepresented group (person of color, queer, living with a disability, neurodivergent, etc.) then you’re dealing with structural and institutional racism, sexism, ableism, and a lot of other -isms that have resulted in a lack of generational wealth and generational advantages on top of all the other challenges we Americans tackle every day.

But then I watched Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg, in which a wise character says, “Empathy is an evolutionary advantage.”

And came across this eloquent and timely essay by Roswell Encina, “What a subway ride with white supremacists taught me about America.”

We’re not going to walk away from fighting for the soul of the United States of America. We’re not going to abandon it.

It’s our responsibility to protect and preserve what so many courageous Americans have helped build over centuries. And yes, we must acknowledge the genocide of Native Americans, enslavement of Black Americans, and other atrocities against Americans of color that have been committed along the way. Then and now. We must make amends and vow to do better.

One day, we will get past this. One day, saner minds will prevail.

But we all need to do our part to get there. How can you contribute? What are your unique talents — your superpowers — that you can lend to a movement whose goal is liberation for all?

Don’t be a nationalist. Don’t defend the decline of our country. Be a patriot. Fight for our values. Fight for what could be, and what should be.

Our future depends on it.

Need a “We Are The World” moment to soothe your soul? Here you go:

‘A brilliant reprieve, a unifying force’: America falls in love with World Cup by Christopher Mathias, The Guardian

Excerpt: “There’s also a harder-to-measure, more intangible reason for why Americans might be loving this World Cup. The tournament’s inherent internationalism has given Americans an outlet for a joyous multiculturalism under attack by this administration’s nationalism and isolationism. It has provided a stage for Americans to show the world: we are not our government.”

July 2026 Community Events

Looking for inclusive community events and programs? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few.

This week, this month, this year: Free events at Poudre Libraries.

Now through early September: Holy Family Church 2026 Raffle. 326 Whitcomb St. Fort Collins CO 80521. License No. 2026-21192. Grand Prize: 2026 Chevy Trax. Second Prize: $1,000 Cash. Third Prize: $500 Cash. Fourth Prize: Ten $100 winners. Drawing Sunday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at Holy Family Church. Winner need not be present to win. $20 per ticket. Contact Claudia at lore012545@gmail.com or (970) 310-6172.

Now through Aug. 13: AllReads 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Three books. Any books. All summer. The reward? A pool party. Free to join. Open to all adults.

Now through Aug. 14: Poudre Libraries “Unearth a Story” (“Desentierra una Historia”) Summer Adventure. Free

Wednesdays through July 22: Lagoon Concert Series at Colorado State University. 6:30 p.m. Free

Thursdays this summer: Thursday Night Live music in Old Town Square. 7 p.m. Free

Fridays through August: Music on The Lawn, Foothills Mall. Free

Saturdays Through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Larimer County Farmers Market. 200 W. Oak St.

July 17 For The Love of Strangers, Visit Fort Collins. 7 p.m. Registration not required. $10 suggested donation

July 21 Global Dining: Marcuz Filipino Restaurant. Fundraiser benefiting the museum. $70. Visit the Events page for more information.

“Join the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures for an unforgettable evening of food, culture, and community at Marcuz Filipino & International Restaurant.

“Step into a restaurant that feels like going back to Mama’s house: warm, welcoming, and filled with the aromas and flavors that evoke cherished memories for so many in the Filipino community. Through a thoughtfully curated menu and stories shared by the founders of Marcuz, you’ll experience the heart of Filipino hospitality.”

July 23 “Fraud and Cybercrime Awareness” educational community event at the Fort Collins Senior Center, hosted by the Human Relations Commission, the City of Fort Collins’ Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board, and the Fort Collins Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board. Registration required for each attendee. Light dinner provided. Free

The event will focus on types of financial fraud/cybercrimes and how to identify them, things to do to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible, current resources available. Questions? Contact Barb Kistler or Melanie Moses at: bak-avm@comcast.net orMMoses@fortcollins.gov

Saludos, ¡Espero que se encuentre muy bien! Mi nombre es Barb Kistler, vicepresidenta de la Comisión de Relaciones Humanas de Fort Collins (HRC), y me pongo en contacto con usted en nombre de la HRC, la Oficina de Equidad e Inclusión de la Ciudad de Fort Collins, el Consejo Asesor de Personas Mayores de Fort Collins y el Consejo Asesor sobre Mujeres y Equidad de Género de Fort Collins. Queremos saludarlo e invitarlo a que nos acompañe y nos ayude a difundir nuestro próximo programa educativo: “Concienciación Sobre Fraudes y el Crimen Cybernético”.

“Concienciación Sobre Fraudes y el Crimen Cybernético” es un evento comunitario gratuito diseñado para presentar tipos de fraude financiero y delitos cibernéticos, y cómo identificarlos, medidas para protegerse a sí mismo y a su familia lo mejor posible, recursos disponibles actualmente. Fecha: jueves, 23 de julio. Para fines de planificación, por favor, confirme su participación. Nota: Por favor, cada persona que va a participar debe confirmar su participación por separado. Adicional: Para la traducción de idiomas, por favor comuníquese   con  HRC@fcgov.com a más tardar el 9 de julio. Presentadores: Servicios de la Policiá de Fort Collins. Para más información, comuníquese con Barb Kistler o Melanie Moses en: bak-avm@comcast.net o MMoses@fortcollins.gov ¡Gracias y esperamos verlos allí!

July 26 The Gadfly: True Stories and Stand-Up Philosophy. 5:30 to 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

July 31 – Aug. 4 Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo, The Ranch. Free admission and parking

Looking Ahead

Aug 29 Fort Collins Rotary Duck Race benefiting local nonprofits. “Thousands of rubber ducks are about to take over a lazy river in Fort Collins, all for a good cause.” $25 per adoption

Sept. 13 “Tell It Like It Was” storytelling workshop, Old Town Library. Registration required. Free

Oct. 18 Fort Stories storytelling event. Theme: “Lean On Me.” Details coming soon. Visit Side Porch Stories.

Heritage Spotlight

Olivia Rodrigo is proud of her Filipino heritage. Watch this video and then stop by Marcuz Boba in downtown Fort Collins for an authentic Filipino meal, including Rodrigo’s favorite, lumpia.

Art Spotlight

Kestrel Fields art residency program, a Northern Colorado creative retreat

Business Spotlight

Arboretum Coffee, 221 W. Prospect Rd., #100. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

A Fort Collins-based non-profit craft coffee shop building futures for refugees and immigrants through coffee

“At Arboretum Coffee, we do more than serve great coffee—we serve opportunity. Our paid apprenticeship program provides hands-on job training, mentorship, life-skills education, resource navigation, and leadership development, ensuring that refugees and immigrants gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to build careers, confidence, and meaningful community relationships.

“By creating a space of belonging and bridging cultures through coffee, we’re breaking down barriers and opening doors to lasting economic and communal opportunity.”

Music Spotlight

10 Songs for Social Change (Amnesty International)

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/
https://www.dfccd.org/

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

June 2026 Community Events & “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Sunrise photo by Claudia Quezada. (c) 2026 All Rights Reserved.

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Debut Theatre Company’s fantastic production of The Odyssey closed at The Lincoln Center recently, and one moment in particular spoke to me.

“Row! Row! Row!” Odysseus shouts to his soldiers as they row over open sea and away from danger while battling their way home to Ithaca after the great Trojan War.

I recently completed Fort Collins Rowing Association’s two-day Learn-To-Row course. Wow, what an epic adventure that was, starting with the class time: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The world is a different place at sunrise: peaceful, beautiful, and full of promise.

My rowing knowledge was limited to what I’ve seen in movies and TV; I had no idea how complex sculling technique is.

If your timing is off or the handle gets caught on your clothing, or the oar angle is not “square” (perpendicular) to the water as it enters, you “catch a crab” and the oars get swept up in the flow of water and crash into your teammate’s oars. And everyone has to stop. (“Weigh enough!”)

But then some Canada geese flying overhead honk at each other and land on the water near your boat.

Or you see the sunrise peek through the clouds.

Or you leave the bay and row in open water on Horsetooth Reservoir for the first time and the water is a bit choppy but everyone listens to the bow’s commands and the coach’s advice, and soon you’re gliding through the water, fast and in sync.

It’s magic.

When was the last time I tackled something completely new? Something that makes me uncomfortable. Scares me a little, even.

Am I up for embracing “beginner’s mind”? Am I willing to stay open and curious as I make mistakes?

Challenge accepted.

Thank you to my friend Lore for paving the way by taking the Learn to Row class last year, encouraging me to do the same, and giving me a heads up on what to expect.

And thanks to my friend Teresa for gifting me with tickets to see the delightful and entertaining production of The Odyssey by Debut Theatre Company. Mark your calendar for Debut’s next production at The Lincoln Center, Oct. 9-24.

Life is meant to be lived in community. If you’re searching for your people, keep exploring. They’re out there.

And they’re waiting for you.

Registration is open for the adult Learn To Row class, June 13-14. NoCo Juniors beginners camp is June 1-5. Learn more and register at FCRowing.org

Cloudy sunrise by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins. (c) 2026 All Rights Reserved.
Summer sunrise on July 14 by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins. (c) 2026 All Rights Reserved.
Flier shows image of foil-wrapped burrito and Chipotle logo: “Do Good With Chipotle. Fundraiser for Fort Collins Rowing Association. 25% of sales donated to the cause. Tuesday, June 2, 4 to 8 p.m., 2120 E. Harmony Rd., Fort Collins CO 80528. Order online for pick up using code KYZVAZD or show this flier in restaurant.”

If you’d like to support a great local nonprofit, head to Chipotle at 2120 E on Harmony Road on Tuesday, June 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. and mention Fort Collins Rowing Association to help buy new oars. Twenty-five percent of sales will be donated during this fundraiser. Or order online for pick up using code KYZVAZD.

Vote!

Ballots are in the mail.

Check out the list of recommended candidates on our Vote! page as you prepare your ballots for the June 30 primary election.

From Larimer County Democrats:

Excerpt: “In six months, election 2026 will be history. We’re taking action now because we want to be the ones who write the history of the next two years. To make that happen, we have to be the ones who show up. Now’s the time.

We knocked over 1,000 doors the last two weeks of May, with a 42% contact rate. If you know voter outreach, that’s pretty good. But we’re just getting started. We hope to knock 10,000 doors in June, which could double the normal Democratic Primary turnout.

Isn’t it too early? No. The future of Colorado’s Democratic Party will be shaped by voters just like you on June 30, likely for the next decade. We can all work together to achieve a broad and representative turnout, or we can resort to recriminations when the people we like don’t win. It’s that simple. If you want to vote for someone on Nov. 3, you not only have to vote for them on June 30, but you have to encourage others to do so as well.”

June 2026 Community Events

Looking for inclusive community events? We’ve got you.

Banda La Patrona will perform in Old Town Square on June 4 at 7 p.m.

June 4 Bohemian Live Music Presents Thursday Night Live featuring Banda La Patrona in Old Town Square, 7 to 9 p.m. Free.

Banda la Patrona is a regional Mexican band from Zacatecas that was formed in Denver, CO with a mission to introduce Mexican Banda music to the masses. Their high energy shows have found a way to honor this traditional art with a sound that carries into today’s musical landscape. 

June 4 Steal This Story, Please! at The Lyric Cinema, 8:30 p.m.

From The Cherry Picks: “Undeterred by armed soldiers, smooth-talking politicians, and riot police, journalist Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping portrait of the trailblazer whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. From the frontlines of global conflicts to the organized chaos of her daily news show Democracy Now!, Goodman broadcasts stories and voices routinely silenced by commercial media.” (Elsewhere Films)

June 6 Fort Collins Pride from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Library Park, 207 Peterson St. Visit the website for full schedule and details: Pride Read-A-Thon, Teen Quiet Space, bandanna printing, zines and more, vaccine clinic, movement workshops, Wag In Drag, drag sets, music, DJ sets, and more. Venues: Main Stage, Odell Beer Garden Stage, Center for Creativity, Old Town Library, Library Park.

June 11-14 FoCo Fringe

“FoCo Fringe is a multi-day festival for performing artists with bold creativity – professionals and amateurs alike – to share their art, inviting our community to experience the raw, the beautiful, and the unexpected.

“The Fringe will feature 50+ performances across multiple downtown venues, showcasing theater, dance, film, comedy, and more.”

June 11 Beyond the Month: Expanding How We Understand Black History at The Global Village Museum, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. $10

Black history is more than a designated month or commemorative observance. Those who advanced the study of African American history envisioned it as a year-round, interdisciplinary pursuit. This interactive presentation invites participants to engage with Black history through a humanizing lens—one that foregrounds the many stories, epistemologies, and lived experiences that shape it.

Dr. Alexander Pittman is an Assistant Professor of History in the Department of History at CSU, where his work sits at the intersection of Social Studies teaching, History Education, and African American History. 

Making Movies will perform in Old Town Square on June 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.

June 18 Bohemian Live Music Presents Thursday Night Live featuring Making Movies

“Making Movies is the Latin Grammy–nominated group led by Enrique Chi — born in Santiago, Panamá, and raised in the American Midwest — forging a sound guided by tradition, yet unmistakably its own.

“The band has been described by Rolling Stone as “an eclectic blend of rumbero percussion, delicate organs, and grungy fuzz,” while NPR calls the project “perhaps one of the most unique groups around today.”

“This year’s TNL series has 16 weekly concerts and is designed to showcase a diverse lineup of music from Colorado and beyond. The community is invited to an incredible display of artist discovery with musical offerings of many genres and styles. These concerts offer emerging and established artists the opportunity to share live music and connect with our Northern Colorado community.

“The series will be held on the outdoor stage in Fort Collins’ Old Town Square and will take place every Thursday at 7 PM. These performances are free and open to the public.”

Family friendly fun on Friday night and all day Saturday June 19-20 at Foothills Mall. FoCoJuneteenth.com

June 19-20 Fort Collins Juneteenth at Foothills Mall. “Celebrate with us! 215 E Foothills Parkway. Our main celebration features a vendor-market-meets-health-and-wellness fair, food interactive workshops, entertainment, face painting, educational opportunities, and so much more.” Family friendly fun, and live entertainment on the Main Stage, at Foothills Mall.

Youth Night from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at Cultural Enrichment Center, 1825 E. Mulberry St.

Visit FoCoJuneteenth.com for Friday night concert schedule (The Reminders, Saja Butler, Kanna, Sol Pride, New Bloodline, Caleb Colors, Sam Adams) and event map.X

Business Spotlight

Flier featuring The Crowded Bookshelf logo of a dragon sitting on a stack of books and information on how to donate to help this business open a store.

From The Crowded Bookshelf: “We’re opening a brick and mortar shop! FoCo’s death positive, sex positive bookstore is getting a permanent home! Help us get there. Donate now! Scan the QR code in the above flier. Visit the website for information on book groups, events, and monthly pop-ups at local venues.”

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/
https://www.dfccd.org/

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

May 2026 Community Events & “Music is Love”

The Patti Fiasco perform at Washington’s on April 25 during FoCoMX. Photo by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

The annual Fort Collins Music Experiment (FoCoMX) April 24-25 was balm for our weary hearts

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

It happened over and over again at FoCoMX this past weekend.

A friend or coworker or acquaintance spotted me, and the reaction was the same: an exclamation of delighted surprise.

And a hug. Or a fist bump. Or simply a wide smile.

Then we went back to bopping our heads and swaying to the music of one of the 450 bands playing at 40+ venues throughout downtown, the River District, and North College Avenue.

More than one musician alluded to, or outright referred to, the turmoil our country is experiencing right now due to an administration fomenting a culture of cruelty.

The most vulnerable among us are the targets.

But love, kindness and music were the antidotes, at least for two days, at this annual festival celebrating and showcasing Colorado musicians.

Some attended mostly outdoor shows at Old Town Square, or The Lyric, or local microbreweries and froze their butts off Friday night during unexpectedly cold and windy weather, then went home early at 7 or 8 p.m. to warm up.

Others stayed out until nearly 1:00 a.m. cheering for coworkers and friends in bands playing at The Atrium (Wicked Vixen and Spliff Tank…you rocked), Wobble Hifi, Surfside 7, The Neighbor, the Aggie Theatre, or many other late night spots.

And don’t you love bands that remind you life can be beautiful in the small moments between big challenges?

“My life has been serious lately, y’all, so I decided to wear my underpants on the outside,” Alysia Kraft said with a grin while showing off her leopard print panties over black tights, as the audience roared their approval during The Patti Fiasco‘s joyful, high energy set at Washington’s on Saturday night.

But you don’t need a big theater to produce a quality show.

A few of the most delightful experiences happened at the smallest venues:

#1 The clever and campy video for “Born in the Snow” by VCO is a must-see. Watch their parody of “The Shining” right now. Seeing them play live at 5:15 p.m. at The Gilded Goat was an unexpected treat. Solid musicianship, songwriting, and lead vocals.

#2 I stopped for a few minutes to listen to the awesome brass-driven band playing at Little Horse Vintage on Pine Street around 9 p.m. Friday night. The crowd was really into it, dancing and apparently having the time of their lives. Someone, please tell me which band it was.* It must’ve been an unofficial performance because it wasn’t on the published FoCoMX lineup. [*The Book Club, a Boston-based cover band. Thanks for the lightning-quick reply, Little Horse!]

#3 Guitarist and singer-songwriter Miguel Aviña, accompanied by Josh Lee on violin, thanked the audience (mostly white) at Wobble Hifi for listening to his songs (mostly in Spanish).

The lead singer of iZCALLIi sang moving and heartfelt songs in his solo set. The crowd’s vibe was positive and welcoming.

The duo engaged in repartee between tunes, with Aviña encouraging Lee at one point to say something in Korean, which he did enthusiastically.

After, I approached Aviña with compliments; he was kind and gracious. “What’s your name?” he asked with a smile.

“Mi nombre es Katarina Valdez pero no hablo español muy bien,” I rattled off in a comically rehearsed manner.

I laughed while he looked impressed at my accent, which may sound auténtico but I’m not fluent.

I wish my dad had taught me and my sister Spanish when we were growing up.

“But it was the 1970s and 80s, so assimilation was the thing,” I told Aviño, thinking, “Qué lástima” as I often do about that topic.

“Ah, it was a different time,” he replied with sympathy.

Another of the many feel-good FoCoMX moments happened at The Whisk(e)y Friday night when Post Paradise (the only band to perform at this festival all 18 years) rocked the Visit Fort Collins anthem, “The Place Where I Belong.”

It happened over and over again: a space full of people dancing, smiling, and singing along.

Music. Connection. Love. What more could you want?

May Community Events

Looking for inclusive gathering spaces and community events? You’ve come to the right place.

May 1-9 FC Mural Project

May 1-16 The Odyssey presented by Debut Theatre Company at The Lincoln Center

May 2 Free Comic Book Day at participating stores.

May 2 CSU’s Creative Writing Program celebrates new books by Camille Dungy and Dan Beachy-Quick, 5 to 7 p.m. at Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St. Free

May 2 & May 20 Cinematic Storytelling at The Magic Rat

From DowntownFortCollins.com:

Experience the raw power of independent filmmaking right here in the heart of Downtown Fort Collins. The Magic Rat Music Showcase provides a stage for local creators to share authentic, human experiences through film.

Future Frames Showcase

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 12 – 2 p.m

  • Discover work created through the Boys & Girls Club Youth Filmmaking Program.
  • Details and tickets

“An Iris Wild” Screening

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6 – 9 p.m.

  • The Story: Follow the journey of Iris in this gripping work from Northern Colorado filmmaker Benjamin Hess. This deeply moving exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the path toward recovery.
  • Behind-the-Lens: Attendees will enjoy a pitch video for the upcoming feature film, “About a Fix,” followed by a live dialogue with the creative team.
  • Details and tickets

Author reading by Katie Huey, book signing, cookies. Remembering those we loved and lost.

May 3 Grief Cookies & Other Comforting Things by Katie Huey. Book Birthday Party. 1 to 3 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100. Books available for purchase. Author reading, book signing, cookies. Free.

May 5-6 Art Week Tours

We’re excited to partner with the Fort Collins Mural Project for Art Week Fort Collins, May 1–9! 

Explore with guided tours, participate in workshops, attend shows, and celebrate the arts downtown.

Art in Public Places will lead two tours:

May 5 | 10:30 a.m.| Public Art Walking Tour | ages 12+

May 6 | 10 a.m.| Super Tour! History, Murals and Public Art Downtown | age 12+

Reserve your free spot now!

Full schedule and tickets

Sofia Crespo, Timur Si-Qin, and Erin Espelie craft distinct visual worlds through custom-trained machine learning, ultra-high-definition 3D simulation, and Super 8mm film, drawing viewers into intimate and heightened encounters with planetary-scale biodiversity. Presented within a state-of-the-art immersive projection environment, Quickening renders these works in embodied, emotive form and affirms the aesthetic experience as a vital force in deepening our ecological imagination.

Ending May 6 CSU Hatton Gallery’s Embodied Art & Technology Program presents Quickening: Aesthetic Encounters and the Ecological Imagination, an immersive video exhibition featuring three leading artists create powerful perceptual environments that awaken ecological consciousness. Free. Donations welcome.

Paintings by Randie Steinke (above left) and Annie O’Brien Gonzalez (above right).

May 8 The Bright Side Opening Reception. Free

The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, CO 80521

The Art Gallery Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 1 – 6 p.m. and before most performances

“The Lincoln Center Art Gallery celebrates the power of bright color and uplifting energy through a dynamic mix of artistic styles with our next exhibit, The Bright Side. Featuring floral paintings byAnnie O’Brien Gonzales (above right), an interactive installation by Laura Merage, abstract works by Tricia Soderberg, and a selection of portraits by Randy Steinke (above left); the collection invites viewers to experience art that can’t help but lift your spirits. The art in this exhibit draws people in through bright colors, interesting shapes and unexpected materials that offer an immersive environment designed to inspire positivity, and curiosity.”

Nonprofit Spotlight

Heart and Sol of Loveland

“Heart and Sol is made up of BILPOC (Black, Indigenous, Latiné, People of Color) and LGBTQ+ community members and allies who welcome and promote diversity and cultural appreciation in Loveland. With dynamic partnerships throughout Northern Colorado, we believe we are ALL the Heart and Sol (soul) of our community. 

“Our goal is to support, celebrate, and embrace the cultural richness surrounding us and to influence change in our local community. We do this through allyship and by hosting events and community conversations. We “Party With a Purpose.”

“Heart and Sol is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization.”

“At Marcuz Boba, enjoy these comforting meals, served all day to satisfy your breakfast cravings or any midday hunger pangs. Experience the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines right here in Fort Collins, where each bite tells a story of culture and tradition.”
“From hearty soups to savory meat dishes
From the slow-simmered richness of our Beef Bulalo to the soul-warming tang of our Sinigang, every bowl is crafted using guarded family secrets passed down through generations.”
At Marcuz Boba, this week’s specials through May 2 include Chicken Nilaga, Pineapple Chicken, Chicken Curry and Bicol Express.

Business Spotlight

Marcuz Boba Tea Shop, Filipino & International Cuisine, 130 W Laurel St. (in the former The Boot Grill)

“At Marcuz Boba, we take pride in offering a delightful fusion of classic Filipino and international cuisine, all prepared with love and care.

“Every dish is crafted to celebrate the culinary traditions we experienced throughout the years. Our chefs pour their passion into each recipe, using fresh, local ingredients to create memorable dining experiences that evoke a sense of home and togetherness.

“Join us for a meal that not only satisfies your palate but also nourishes the soul, where every bite tells a story.”

Looking Ahead

FoCo Juneteenth: Volunteer for June 19-20

Fort Collins Reads. Tickets are on sale now for Nov. 8

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.dfccd.org/
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

April 2026 Community Events

Pale pink blossoms against a blue sky. Photo by Yan Liu on Unsplash.

Looking for inclusive events in Fort Collins? We’ve got you. Here are a few.

April 7 plus multiple dates. Group Coaching Workshop led by students on track to become national certified health and wellness coaches, at Front Range Community College. Free

April 10-11, 17-18 Fort Collins Book Fest at Foothills Mall kicks off with a special event at Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, in Old Town, featuring poetry readings by local poets and opportunities to meet presenters and speakers. Visit website for schedule. Various ticket options are available, including pay what you can, $25 Supporter, $35 Champion.

April 10-12 Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association (NCIPA) 32nd Annual Powwow and Art Market at Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 Willow St. Theme: “Strength and Hope Through Community.” Visit website for schedule. Public welcome. Admission: Ages 13 and up, $6 per day or $15 for the weekend. Children ages 6 to 12, $3 per day or $7 for the weekend. Ages 5 and younger: Free

Reading and Q&A with author Nico Lang. American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era. Presented by PFLAG Fort Collins.

April 11 Nico Lang, longtime LGBTQ+ journalist and author of the groundbreaking new book, American Teenager will speak back to extreme anti-trans rhetoric about youth by showing trans young people as they actually are: powerfully human.

American Teenager documents the lives of trans kids and their loved ones in seven different states. Lang has toured the country for the past 18 months to bring their voices and stories to as many communities as possible. Reading begins at 3 p.m. followed by Q&A at the Fort Collins Senior Center, Twinberry Auditorium (1200 Raintree Dr.). Free

April 17 For The Love of Strangers: “A fun and dynamic community experience workshopping unique ideas for meaningfully connecting with others.” 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100. $10 suggested donation.

Symphony Sounds for Children flier: Join the Fort Collins Symphony for Beyond The Notes, a multi-sensory, interdisciplinary arts education time for kids in preschool through 5th grade. April 18 at 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Council Tree Library. Free. Registration required.

April 18 Symphony Sounds for Children, Council Tree Library, Large Meeting Room, 11 to 11:45 a.m. Registration required. Free

Registration required for this free multi-generational event that is designed for children preschool age to 5th grade and their caregivers.

The Fort Collins Symphony community engagement program, Beyond The Notes, provides multi-sensory, interdisciplinary arts education for youth and their caring adults.  Each session builds vocabulary, critical and creative thinking skills, and listening skills, and participants meet musicians and get a behind-the-scenes look at the symphony.

April 19 “Come As You Are: An Evening of Poetry and Performance.” Enjoy a short performance by Opposite of Blink, followed by poetry open mic by Lorrie Wolfe and Columbine Poets of Colorado. 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave. Free

April 24-25 FoCoMX: Fort Collins Music Experiment. “Join us for Colorado’s largest live music event! We are grateful to have a vibrant music community supported by music lovers and filled with talented musicians! Thank you to everyone for supporting this unique showcase of Colorado artists for the past 17 years.

“FoCoMX is presented by the Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA), Fort Collins Connexion, and Odell Brewing Co. FoCoMA has showcased thousands of bands, helped grow new live music fans, garnered national media attention, and has earned the unofficial title of “The Biggest Little Festival in America.” Tickets: $50, $60, $75.

April 25 Support local bookstores on Indie Bookstore Day: Bookstore On The Square, Cherry on Top Bookshop, The Eclectic Reader, Bizarre Bazaar Books & Music Store, Northern Lights Bookstore, Old Firehouse Books, Perelandra Bookshop.

April 25 The NoCo Record Show. Live DJs. Dozens of awesome vendors. Over 40,000 records for sale, at Breckenridge Brewery, 1020 E. Lincoln Ave. Early bird $10 at 10. Free entry after 11 a.m. Free early bird entry with FoCoMx pass.

April 30 Wolverine Farm will announce the new Fort Collins Poet Laureate at 7 p.m. with a reunion of past poets laureates. Submit nominations and attend the celebration.

Nonprofit Spotlight

Northern Colorado Equality “seeks to empower the LGBTQ+ community and our allies through activities, programs, services and education. Honoring, promoting and celebrating our community’s diversity is our central organizing principle.”

Trans Lifeline is “a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.”

Check out these resources and nonprofits, and consider making a donation:

Business Spotlight

Cherry on Top Bookshop, Fort Collins’ first romance bookstore! 119 E. Mountain Ave. Open Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the shop on Instagram.

State News

“Governor Polis Announces New Poet Laureate: Apache Seeks to Share Poetry’s Transformative Power with Coloradans Statewide.”

EXCERPTS: Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced in January that Crisosto Apache has been selected as the new Colorado Poet Laureate, succeeding the late Andrea Gibson.

Apache, an indigenous poet and Associate Professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, will serve in the role for two years with a special emphasis on honoring America 250 – Colorado 150 in 2026, a year-long commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood.

“We are thrilled to welcome Crisosto Apache as the new Colorado Poet Laureate. The Poets Laureate helps us remember the past, process the present, and inspire us to dream of the future we hope to create. We are fortunate to have Crisosto fill a role that is so vital in this current moment,” said Sarah Olivier, Executive Director of Colorado Humanities.

Event Calendars
https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
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


March 2026 Community Events & “Believe In Your Power”

American flag and downtown Denver lights at night with protesters in foreground. Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

Protester holding up a sign "Do Not Obey In Advance." Photo by Colin Lloyd/Unsplash
Protester wearing blue knit hat in a crowd holding a white sign with black lettering “DO NOT OBEY IN ADVANCE” during a nighttime rally in Denver. Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash.

We are the ones we have been waiting for. — June Jordan

Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular. — David Hume (epigraph to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins)

Believe In Your Power

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

The first time I volunteered as a delegate to the Democratic State Assembly in March 2018, I was dazzled by the spectacle and cacophony at the events arena in Broomfield, Colorado.

It was like a scene out of a movie.

Banners decorated the concourse hallways, and volunteers handed out fliers encouraging votes for their candidate or cause.

Candidates for statewide office gave impassioned speeches in front of thousands of people about why they were running.

Young people — our future leaders — stood at the podium and gave us hope.

It was inspiring and educational, encouraging and heart-warming.

Earlier this month, I participated in the virtual caucus and volunteered to run as a delegate to the county assembly and help advance candidate nominations on the June ballot.

In my precinct breakout session, I was one of four delegates elected. We then headed to the county assembly on Saturday, March 7.

There, I and others volunteered to serve as delegates to our congressional district assemblies and state assembly later this month.

Were you one of the 1,200 or so Larimer County residents (and 13,000 Coloradans across the state!*) in caucus Zoom rooms proudly fulfilling your civic duty? Not surrendering your rights in advance? Not giving up?

If so, maybe I’ll see you again soon.

(Thanks to all Larimer County Democrats volunteers! I appreciate your cool heads during an intense day.)

Distressed about the state of our country? Research candidates for local and state-wide races, and prepare for the June primary election.

March 2026 Community Events

Looking for inclusive events in Fort Collins? We’ve got you. Here are a few.

March 15 Local Legislator Town Hall. Join Senator Cathy Kipp and Representatives Andrew Boesenecker (House District 53) & Yara Zokaie (House District 52) for an informative town hall at 3 to 4:30 p.m., Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St.

Screenshot

March 15 Oscar Watch Party at The Lyric Cinema. Please reserve your seat at LyricCinema.com Free. Donations welcome.

March 15 Last day for winter exhibitions at Museum of Art Fort Collins! From the MOAFC:

“The museum is featuring Installation Nation in the main gallery. Installation Nation highlights the work of five local and regional artists to explore the intersection of installation art, nature and our environment. Installation art moves beyond traditional art forms to incorporate sound, architecture, found objects to give an immersive experience to the viewer. Exhibiting artists are: Nicole Banowetz (Denver, CO), Ashley Hope Carlisle (Laramie, WY), Chelsea Gilmore (Fort Collins, CO), Katelynn Mai-Fusco (Greeley, CO), Abbie Powers (Loveland, CO). Read a thoughtful review of the exhibition from the Rocky Mountain Collegian.

“The second exhibition is A Pendulum Oscillates About Its Lowest Point. Featuring artists Derrick Velasquez and Gretchen Marie Schaefer and is curated by Jenny Nagashima and Ilan Gutin. This exhibition is organized by Dinghy Rig, which is a collaborative artist-run art production and exhibition program launched by CSU Professors Aitor Lajarin-Encina and Marius Lehene.

“Our third exhibition features landscape painter Gina Blickenstaff (Fort Collins, CO). Her striking and unique landscape paintings show nature in all of its glorious moods and textures. From close up views of grasses and leaves to far away vistas and changing light, Blickenstaff’s landscapes hone in on the elegant details and design of nature.”

Fort Stories: Happy (And Not-So-Happy) Trails. Sunday, March 22, 6:30-8 p.m at Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, 7 Old Town
Square. Sideporchstories.com

March 22 Fort Stories. Theme: “Happy (and Not-So-Happy) Trails.” 6:30 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, 7 Old Town Square. $5 suggested donation.

Stories from the paths we hike, the roads we choose, and the detours that change everything. True stories told by your Fort Collins neighbors. Any maybe you!

Come put your name in the hat — see what it feel like to share your story in front of a supportive and enthusiastic audience.

For more info, scan the QR code above or email or text mary@sideporchstories.com, (970) 227-9806.

Info from No Kings website: “On March 28, we show up together, and we say, loud and clear: No Kings.”

March 28 No Kings protest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Civic Center Park, 201 Laporte Ave.

Colorado Will See 72 No Kings protests (Coloradoan article)

No Kings Accessible Rally at 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. EDT

“Resistance is for everyone, everywhere. But showing up isn’t always easy. That’s why we created an accessible space that makes it possible for everyone to show up; however it works for you and fits your life. Protect our health. Defend our democracy. No Kings. ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided.”

Can’t attend in person? Watch the No Kings Flagship Rally live at the Minnesota state capital.

March 29 Join Senator Cathy Kipp and Representatives Andy Boesenecker & Yara Zokaie for another Local Legislator Town Hall to stay updated on what’s happening at the state Capitol, at 3 to 4:30 p.m. Old Town Library, 201 Petersen St.

The Gadfly: True stories and stand-up philosophy with Dr. Cori Wong. 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Speak Cheesy Lounge in Slyce Pizza, 120 S. Mason St. $10 suggested donation.

March 29 Stand-up philosophy and true stories at The Gadfly with Dr. Cori Wong. “The point is to make telling the truth a good time.” “Expect room for questions, discussion and crowd work.” See details in flier and caption above.

March 31 Trans Day of Visibility

Event Calendars
https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month

State News

*From Colorado Democrats (March 11):

How We DOUBLED Turnout at Caucus

“Last week, approximately 13,000 Coloradans showed up to Democratic precinct caucuses across the state: nearly double recent cycles.

“That’s not a typo. We doubled turnout. In 2022, about 6,390 Democrats caucused. In 2024, about 6,799. This year? 13,000.

“This is what grassroots organizing looks like: neighbors meeting in living rooms and community centers to elect precinct leaders, choose delegates, and shape the future of our party. And it’s just getting started.

“County assemblies are happening now through March 14. Then on March 28, Democrats from every corner of Colorado will gather in Pueblo for State Assembly to advance candidates to the primary ballot and organize for 2026.

“We’re breaking down barriers to entry and are better off when more people participate.

The Colorado Democratic Party runs on small-dollar donations, not mega donors. Chip in $10, $25, or whatever you can to fuel the organizing that’s delivering this kind of turnout.“

National News

From National Public Radio (NPR) (Feb. 20): Theater: In the new off-Broadway comedy BigFoot! The Musical, the protagonist is really anyone who has ever been othered, co-producer Amber Ruffin tells NPR.

Excerpt: “Amber Ruffin’s joy is infectious. And she’s bringing that joy to her latest production, the original off-Broadway show Bigfoot! The Musical, co-written by Kevin Sciretta. The show’s plot involves a corrupt mayor, gullible townspeople and a kindhearted Bigfoot who longs for community. What evolves on stage takes on even more meaning in today’s political landscape.

“Ruffin started writing Bigfoot! in 2014. In an interview with NPR’s Michel Martin, she talked of how her protagonist is really anyone who has ever been othered — a detail that shifted over the years she was writing the musical. ‘Bigfoot, in my mind, is a Black woman,’ she said. ‘Bigfoot, in my mind, is a trans person. Then I was like, Bigfoot, in my mind, is just all LGBTQ. Then I was like, Bigfoot is an immigrant.’”

From the Los Angeles Times, “Decoding Bad Bunny’s triumphantly Puerto Rican Super Bowl half-time show” by Tatiana Tenreyro:

“…The Instagram stories on my feed were filled with Puerto Ricans and other Latines hosting watch parties, taking in this much-needed moment of sheer joy during a treacherous time when speaking in our native language, or being a brown-skinned person is enough of a risk factor in being abducted by ICE. Having had the privilege of seeing Bad Bunny at the Choliseo during his residency in San Juan last August, I knew this performance would not only be an impactful homage to my island, but the Super Bowl halftime show carried an underlying, defiant message, that no matter how much conservatives prop up hatred and fear-mongering toward Latines and immigrants, nothing will stop us from being proud of our roots…”

From Entertainment Weekly:

The 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off with some serious star power.

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron took the stage during Friday’s opening ceremony to deliver a message of peace from the late leader and activist Nelson Mandela, who hailed from her home country of South Africa.

“Peace is not just the absence of conflict,” Theron quoted Mandela as having said. “Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.”

Food for Thought

From John A. Powell of the Othering & Belonging Institute (March 9):

“We currently live in a world that is rapidly changing. And depending on where you stand, many would say it is for the worse. Long before the recent attacks on Iran, the prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, made the observation at Davos in mid-January that we have moved beyond a transition to a “rupture,” suggesting that the old world order is gone or disintegrating, and it is time to think about a new one. Similarly, the writer Masha Gessen observed that for a long time we have been in decline, and recently have begun to “fall off a cliff.” 

“For some time, many have wondered how to slow or hamper authoritarian impulses, and the incipient tyranny or established fascism that seems to be sweeping across the United States and the world. There is an emerging consensus, as reflected in these comments, that we have crossed that line, that we are no longer in an emerging, but in fact already within an authoritarian society.”

Read the rest of the essay on the Othering & Belonging Institute website.

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this essay are not necessarily those of the Othering & Belonging Institute or UC Berkeley, but belong to the author.

DiverseFortCollins.com Connecting people with resources and each other

February 2026 Community Events & “Sink or Swim”

Photo of swimming pool by Thomas Park on Unsplash

by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

My sister and I took swimming lessons when we were kids but I never became comfortable with it.

Despite growing up near the Pacific Ocean, I never swam in it. Never learned to surf.

So it was with determination that I, now in my 50s and celebrating nearly 25 years in Colorado, registered for the Adult Learn To Swim: Intro to Swimming class at the Fort Collins Senior Center last June.

Why? So I could be a guest paddler with my sister’s outrigger canoe club in our home town.

And register for the Fort Collins Rowing Association’s introductory class at Horsetooth Reservoir.

And finally get over the fear of putting my face in the water.

(My parents never learned to swim, but that’s another story for another time. Read about why people of color historically have low rates of swimming proficiency.)

There were three of us in the swim class: my friend Lore, who is in her 30s, and a lady—let’s call her Ann—in her 70s.

The teacher and assistant were kind and patient as we learned the basics of floating, kicking, front crawl, backstroke, and rotary breathing in Sunday morning weekly lessons.

Mystery solved. Essential life skill unlocked!

On a windy day in September, I did eventually paddle with my sister’s outrigger canoe club. How exhilarating to experience floating on the ocean!

I also registered for a two-day Learn To Row class this spring. The 6 a.m. start time might be the most challenging part of the entire experience. <Insert yawn>.

Lore was bold and took the rowing class the same month as the swimming lessons. She competed in her first regatta near Denver a few months later and has become an enthusiastic club member.

“You’ll love it,” she said.

I bet she’s right.

Learning something new expands your mind and your world. Introduces you to friends. Gives you a different perspective. And maybe a little hope as you navigate into the unknown future.

Time to be bold. What will you try for the first time this year?

Encouraging Words That Will Inspire You

Dr. Cori Wong (Jan. 21)
Live Weekly Update: Like We Love Heated Rivalry (or, How To Be Part of The Movement)

Action is the Antidote to Despair by Kirsten Savage (Jan. 29)
Excerpt: “This week, I’m turning the spotlight toward fellow artists who have responded to heartbreaking events in the news with bold, creative action.”

A Note From Chani by Chani Nicholas (Jan. 28)
Excerpt: “As we witness, organize, and resist against the descent into the hell and heartbreak that unfolds before us each and every day in Minneapolis, Iran, Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and beyond, it’s natural to want a simple directive — a “how to get out of this seemingly never-ending, evil dumpster fire” field guide. We want a step-by-step manual. We want to know when it will be over, and we want it to be soon.”

Belonging in a time of state violence by John A. Powell/Othering & Belonging Institute (Jan. 29)
Excerpt: “There are moments when a society must pause — not to look away, but to look more carefully. Moments when we are asked not simply to react, but to reflect. To ask what kind of people we are becoming, and what kind of world we are quietly consenting to build…

“The true measure of a democracy is not how it treats those who are familiar or favored, but how it treats those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or easily cast aside.”

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (Jan. 31)
“It’s important to remember that cynics and defeatists share the same
story as authoritarians: That nothing is worth trying, the conclusion is foregone, hope is naive, and attempts to resist are too small or futile.

“That isn’t true, that’s just what authoritarians need us to believe. Don’t listen to them. Do not give up. Try.

“Because here is our story: A better world is possible. We will win. We must.”

Jena Griswold for Colorado Attorney General
Commit to Caucus for Jena Griswold

Phil Weiser for Colorado Governor
Commit to Caucus for Phil Weiser
Fight for Colorado Town Hall Tour – Fort Collins – Feb. 20

White cup and saucer with green matcha latte and white heart in center from Lima Coffee Roasters – Old Town Coffee Shop: “Love People. Love Coffee.” Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins.

Looking for inclusive community events and activities this month? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few to consider.

February 2026 Community Events

“FoCo Fringe is back! FoCo Fringe is a multi-day festival for performing artists with bold creativity – professionals and amateurs alike – to share their art, inviting our community to experience the raw, the beautiful, and the unexpected.

“The Fringe will feature 50+ performances across multiple downtown venues, showcasing theater, dance, film, comedy, and more. 

“The Fringe will take place June 11 – 14, 2026. The 2026 Artist Application is now open!”

Apply to FoCo Fringe

Applications are open now through Feb. 12.

Now through April 12: Andy Warhol’s legendary visit to CSU: How the pop art icon left a lasting legacy. Almost 45 years later, Warhol’s brief but electrifying time on campus continues to resonate with a new exhibition, “Revisited: Andy Warhol’s Social Media and Andy Warhol at Colorado State University,” on display through April 12 at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art.

Black History Month events poster. Credit: Colorado State University
Last year’s Black History Month fashion show at CSU. Credit: Colorado State University.

Feb. 3-21 CSU marks Black History Month with series of programs, events.

Excerpt: “Black History Month at Colorado State University features a host of events open to the entire campus community, ranging from a film screening and campus talks to culinary experiences and a fashion show.

“Hosted by CSU’s Black/African American Cultural Center, the month-long February celebration kicks off on Feb. 3 with learning stations on African Diasporic histories and cultures. This year’s theme – “Woven Roots: 100 Years of Commemoration, Lifetimes of the African Diaspora” – explores a century of lives, knowledges and cultures that extend beyond the borders of the United States.”

List of events

The Fox Den hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Credit: The Fox Den No Waste Cafe & Roastery

The Fox Den: No Waste Cafe & Roastery recurring events Open Mic Nights: Every Thursday (Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26) from 6–9 p.m. Come early to claim your spot! Mystery Book Club: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (Feb 11. and 25) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Movie Night: Every Wednesday (Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25) starting at 5 p.m.

Poster for “special table reading of the play Take a Giant Step by Louis Peterson, in the tradition of A Raisin in the Sun.

Feb. 6 Table reading of Louis Peterson’s groundbreaking play Take a Giant Step co-sponsored by Museum of Art Fort Collins, Louise Cutler Studio Community Art Projects, and others. 6 p.m. Open to the community. Free

Feb. 7 A World of Difference: Powered by People, Science, and Engineering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 215 E Foothills Pkwy. Free

“Join us for an exciting, hands-on celebration of innovation, creativity, and community! A World of Difference: Powered by People, Science, and Engineering brings together Colorado State University’s leading academic oprograms for a full day of interactive learning and exploration…”

Feb. 11 Ram Talks invites community to experience groundbreaking research and creative insights. Read the spring schedule, starting with “Are Insects Romantic? A Debate. Tristan Kubik, rare invertebrate biologist for the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and Melissa Schreiner, CSU Extension entomology specialist.” Doors: 5 p.m. Event: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

Feb. 13 Winter Bike to Work Day. Free

Graphic showing four people riding bicycles with foothills and Horsetooth Rock in background, and the words “Bike to Work Day. Friday, Feb. 13.” Credit: City of Fort Collins

From the City of Fort Collins:

“Fort Collins’ 19th Annual Winter Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day takes place on Thursday, Feb. 13, inviting riders of all experience levels to be part of the city’s biggest community ride. Swap a car trip for a bike ride, enjoy free breakfast along the way and connect with others who share Fort Collins’ trails and bikeways.

“Dozens of breakfast and refreshment stations will be available throughout the city (while supplies last), with free bike safety checks at select locations. Natural Areas will host a morning station, stop by for a tasty breakfast and some fun swag.

When: Thursday, Feb. 13
Morning stations: 7–9:30 a.m.
Afternoon stations: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Where: Stations throughout Fort Collins

“Visit the Bike to Work Day page for additional details and the interactive station map.”

Feb. 14 Local Legislator Town Hall

From Sen. Cathy Kipp: “Our next Local Legislator Town Hall is happening the morning of Feb. 14, with Senator Cathy Kipp and Representatives Andy Boesenecker & Yara Zokaie. Please join us to learn about what is happening at the Capitol and have your questions answered. Please be aware that, due to occupancy capacity and fire codes, seats will be limited to the first 80 people. We are working on getting larger spaces.”

Saturday, Feb. 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
Old Town Library – Medium Meeting Room
201 Peterson St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Feb. 28 Local Legislator Town Hall

“Two weeks after the Valentine’s Day Town Hall, we will be having another Saturday Local Legislator Town Hall, this time at the Council Tree Library. 

Please join Senator Cathy Kipp and Representatives Andy Boesenecker & Yara Zokaie to keep updated. So mark your calendar with the details below.”

Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:00-2:30pm
Council Tree Library – Large Meeting Room
2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Feb. 21 Asian Lunar New Year Celebration at The Drake Centre. Food, entertainment, family activities and more. Donations welcome. $0 to $30. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Unified Workforce.

Feb. 22 The Human Library, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Free. Registration is required.

Excerpt: “Typical libraries offer print books and digital eBooks for check out, but The Human Library® allows participants – or Readers – to borrow a human Book and engage in conversations about their unique stories, particularly their experiences in Fort Collins regarding their identity/identities.”

Gaia Masala & Burger offers a blend of Indian, American, and Mediterranean flavors with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal options. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 AM, enjoy favorites like Tikka Masala, Cheesesteaks, Gyros, and Burgers anytime.

Business Spotlight
Gaia Masala & Burger, 649 S. College Ave., open 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., new dining space with full menu that fuses Indian, Mediterranean and American flavors.

Resource Spotlight
Legal Funds and Legal Assistance including Immigration Legal Services

One Colorado
“Working together for a fair and just Colorado”
One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Coloradans and their families. Donate to One Colorado

Take Action Today
Participate in your caucus and county, district and state assemblies! Larimer Democrats: Take Action. The countdown to mid-term elections is on!

Event Calendars
https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
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

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 and activities 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. On hiatus after this date. 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.”

Poster for “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2026, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m.: Missing Possible II.” Theme: “Building community. Uniting Fort Collins.” Image of Dr. King in profile, with a dove in flight above his head, against a photo of Horsetooth Rock in Fort Collins.

Article: “Fort Collins MLK Day celebration moves indoors without the usual march”

Jan. 19 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event at Lory Student Center, Colorado State University. 10 a.m. Theme: “Building community. Uniting Fort Collins.” Free

“Join your community for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event, honoring Dr. King’s legacy. This event brings together campus and community partners for a day of reflection, inspiration, and engagement featuring performances and opportunities to engage. Together, we celebrate the ongoing work of “Building Community, Uniting Fort Collins.'”

“Following the short program, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities from 10:45-12:45. Try them all!””

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.

Read more at Larimer County Democrats.

A gaggle of Canada Geese walk across a frozen section of Sheldon Lake at City Park on Dec. 1.
Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Event Calendars

https://www.rbarfc.com/
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.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
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

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

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