Non-Discrimination Policies

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado (the "City") gives public notice that it is committed to assuring full compliance with, and is prohibited by law from violating, all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. These laws include but are not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VI"), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act (the "Fair Housing Act"), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended. The City of Fort Collins does not, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, religion or familial status, discriminate against persons in the provision of its programs, services or activities.

Any person who believes they have been discriminated against in City programs, services, or activities in violation of the Title VI, ADA or other protections can file a formal complaint or request for reasonable accommodation. Complaints must be submitted within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date of the alleged discrimination. 

Please complete the appropriate form below and send via email to adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov, or print and mail the completed form and send to City of Fort Collins, attn: Title VI Coordinator, 300 Laporte Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins 80521.

The City of Fort Collins is committed to reducing and removing barriers to participation in City programs and services, and ensuring access to information by everyone in our community. We strive to bring people together and provide safe, welcoming spaces for all.  

The City makes all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people have an equal opportunity to enjoy all its programs, services and activities. For detailed information about our efforts relating to accessibility in all areas, visit the link below. 

Interpretation and Translation

The City provides language access services at no charge to persons who have limited ability to read, write or speak English and wish to use services, programs or activities offered by the City. These services include:

• An interpretation and translation service that offers telephonic services in over 200 languages. It usually takes less than 10 seconds to connect to an interpreter. You do not need to know English to call or to identify your language.
• Interpretation at public meetings.
• Translation of documents or portions of documents.

Request Assistance

For assistance with language access, contact the Title VI Coordinator at 970-416-4254 or visit our office at 300 Laporte Ave., Building A, Fort Collins CO 80521. Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City, should call the ADA Coordinator at 970-416-4254 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado.

Website Translation Using Google Translate

If you prefer to read our content in a language other than English, you can use Google Translate for quick and reasonably-accurate translations. Please note that while Google Translate provides a convenient way to view content in different languages, it is not perfect and has limitations. Look for the Google Translate dropdown menu on the top right of web pages to select another language.

City of Fort Collins Accessibility Statement

The City of Fort Collins is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all. Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. These guidelines not only help make technology accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.

Our efforts are part of a meaningful change in making all City of Fort Collins services inclusive and accessible. We welcome comments on how to improve our technology’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any State of Colorado services.

The City makes all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people have an equal opportunity to enjoy all its programs, services and activities. For detailed information about our efforts relating to accessibility in all areas, visit the link below.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City, should call the ADA Coordinator at 970-416-4254 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Alternatively, if the need is urgent, you may call 970-221-6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance.

An accommodation is a reasonable modification or adjustment that enables a qualified person with a disability to enjoy the same access to services, activities and programs that are enjoyed by persons without disabilities. If you would like to request a Reasonable Accommodation that is not time-sensitive, please follow the link below to submit a request. You may also print and mail the completed form and send to City of Fort Collins, attn: ADA Coordinator, 300 Laporte Ave., Building A, Fort Collins CO 80521.

The City of Fort Collins is committed to making content and information provided on digital platforms accessible to all users. These guidelines not only help make technology accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability. Examples of accessibility-focused features include:

• Main navigation is text and uses ARIA-* attributes.
• Content has been organized hierarchically.
• Page layouts adapt to all modern devices, from smartphones to the desktop.
• Font sizes are relative and can be adjusted by users.

The City of Fort Collins has developed accessibility technical standards with the intent of providing enterprise standard configurations for technologies which provide service to those with disabilities, in accordance with the technical standards provided by:

• World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA or higher
• Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Chapters 3,4,6 
• OIT Adopted Rules Establishing Technology Accessibility Standards, 8 CCR 1501-11;
• and following C.R.S. § 24-85-101 et. seq.

Report a Digital Accessibility Problem

If you would like to report a digital accessibility problem to the City of Fort Collins, please use the form below. Be sure to specify the web page or digital file/platform being referenced in reporting the accessibility issue. You may also print and mail the completed form and send to City of Fort Collins, attn: ADA Coordinator, 300 Laporte Ave., Building A, Fort Collins CO 80521.

For additional assistance, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email at adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. You will receive a response to your query within 15 business days.

If you would like to report a digital accessibility problem to the City of Fort Collins, please use the form below. Be sure to specify the web page or digital file/platform being referenced in reporting the accessibility issue. You may also print and mail the completed form and send to City of Fort Collins, attn: ADA Coordinator, 300 Laporte Ave., Building A, Fort Collins CO 80521.

For additional assistance, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email at adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. You will receive a response to your query within 15 business days.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the Federal law that protects individuals and groups from discrimination based on their race, color, and national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, is committed to assuring full compliance, and is prohibited by law from violating all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. For a list of relevant laws, see the Non-Discrimination section of this page.

The City of Fort Collins does not, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, religion or familial status, discriminate against persons in the provision of its programs, services or activities.

Some common examples of conduct that may be a violation of these civil rights laws: A person is denied participation in a service, a person is provided a different service or benefit, and/or a person is denied the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning or advisory board or commission based on any of the protected classes listed above.

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA") and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the City will not discriminate against a person with a disability on the basis of disability or in the administration of its services, programs, or activities.

The City, upon request, will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so a person with a disability can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities, including but not limited to:

• Qualified sign language interpreters
• Documents in Braille
• Qualified speech-to-speech transliterator

The City will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all programs, services and activities in alignment with ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

An accommodation is a reasonable modification or adjustment that enables a qualified person with a disability to enjoy the same access to services, activities and programs that are enjoyed by persons without disabilities. 

Please note that neither the ADA nor Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require the City to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City, should call 970-416-4254 and ask to speak to the City's ADA Coordinator no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event to ensure availability of services. V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado.

Further Assistance

For additional help with ADA resources, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 970-416-4254 or send a request via email to adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov.

The Fair Housing Act is a subsection of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. As amended, the act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. For more information on fair housing and to learn how to file a complaint, visit the link below.

People with disabilities using service animals are permitted in City offices, even where pets are generally prohibited. Businesses and public entities are only legally allowed to ask two questions to inquire about a service animal:

1. Is this a service animal?
2. What task has the animal been trained to perform?

The Colorado Civil Rights Division works to eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and places of public accommodation under Colorado Civil Rights Laws. If you feel you have been discriminated against by a non-City entity or person, contact the Colorado Civil Rights Division.

The Fort Collins City Council is committed to providing and maintaining an environment that encourages mutual respect and promotes equality, dignity, and respect. This Policy embodies the City Council’s commitment to prevent and address discrimination; harassment, including sexual harassment; and retaliation. Discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace are against the law and will not be tolerated.

The City’s Title VI Coordinator position is administrative in nature. The role of the Title VI Coordinator is to assist people in understanding the City’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures in relation to compliance with Title VI. The Title VI Coordinator is an impartial administrator who neither advocates for nor is an adversary to a person who wants to or has filed a Title VI complaint. The Title VI Coordinator’s responsibility is to ensure the proper administration of the Title VI complaint process.

Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Complaint Process Regarding a City of Fort Collins Facility, Service, Program, or Activity.

This Complaint Process is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA") and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of facilities, services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City of Fort Collins (the “City”). The City’s Personnel Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.   

A complaint regarding the provision of facilities, services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint must be submitted by the Complainant and/or their designee as soon as possible but no later than one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days after the alleged violation to:

ADA Coordinator
City Manager’s Office
300 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the City’s ADA Coordinator or their designee will meet with the Complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the meeting, the City’s ADA Coordinator or their designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the Complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the City of Fort Collins and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by the City’s ADA Coordinator or his designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the Complainant and/or their designee may appeal the decision within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the response to the City Manager or their designee.

Within twenty (20) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager will designate a third party (not a City employee) to act as appeal officer (the “Appeal Officer”). The Appeal Officer shall attempt to meet with the Complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolution. The Appeal Officer will be an attorney or someone who is well-versed in disability law, rules and regulations. Within thirty (30) calendar days after the meeting, the City Manager or their designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the Complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint. 

The City’s ADA Coordinator or their designee and the City Manager or their designee may extend the deadlines noted herein for cause and with notification to the Complainant. All written complaints received by the City’s ADA Coordinator or their designee, appeals to the City Manager or their designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by the City of Fort Collins for at least three years. 

For more information about filing a complaint that a non-City entity has discriminated on the basis of disability, please visit the Colorado Civil Rights Division website.

The submitted form goes directly to the City’s Title VI and ADA Coordinator. A copy is sent to the email address provided on the complaint form, along with detailed information about how the complaint will be processed.

What to expect:

• Within 15 days of receiving the written complaint, the Title VI Coordinator will notify the Complainant of its receipt.
• The Title VI Coordinator will attempt to discuss the complaint with the Complainant and any City staff members or others who are concerned with the complaint and will attempt to resolve the complaint informally.
• If the Title VI Coordinator determines further investigation is warranted, they shall mail to the Complainant a notice of continuing investigation (“NCI”) within fifteen (15) days of receiving the completed Complaint Form.
• If appropriate, the Title VI Coordinator may also arrange to meet with the Complainant to discuss the matter and possible resolution.
• If the matter is not resolved informally, the Title VI Coordinator shall respond with their final response, in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after the NCI is sent to the Complainant.

If a person believes they have been discriminated against in violation of Title VI, they have the right to file a complaint with an external entity such as the federal agency providing federal assistance to the City related to the program, service or activity of concern or with the United States Department of Justice. 

For more information about filing a Title VI complaint, visit the U.S. Department of Justice website at the link below or contact the U.S. Department of Justice by telephone at 888-848-5306 for English and Spanish (inglés y español) or 202-307-2678 (TDD).  

Questions regarding the complaint process should be directed to the City's ADA Coordinator City’s via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or by calling 970-416-4254 during office hours (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).

If the Complainant feels the Title VI / ADA Coordinator's final response does not satisfactorily resolve the matter, the Complainant or authorized representative may appeal the decision in writing, to: 

City of Fort Collins
City Manager’s Office
300 Laporte Ave., Building A
Fort Collins, CO 80521

The complainant shall file their appeal, including a detailed description of its basis, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of the Title VI Coordinator’s final response.

Within twenty (20) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager will designate a third party (not a City employee) to act as appeal officer (the “Appeal Officer”). Next steps are as follows:

• The Appeal Officer shall attempt to meet with the Complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.  
• The Appeal Officer will be an attorney or someone who is well-versed in Title VI law, rules and regulations. Within twenty (20) days calendar days after the filing of the appeal, the Appeal Officer shall respond, with a final resolution of the complaint. 
• At that point, the complainant may investigate their options for further action, including but not limited to those described in subsection 3 above.
• The Title VI Coordinator, the City Manager or their designee and the Appeal Officer may extend the deadlines noted herein for cause and with notification to the complainant.

The City’s Title VI Coordinator will maintain the following materials for a period of three (3) years: (1) written complaints received by the Title VI Coordinator; (3) final response of the Title VI Coordinator; (3) final resolutions by the Appeals Officer.  

Upon request and at no cost, these documents will also be made available in alternative languages or formats by contacting the City’s Title VI Coordinator at titlesix@fortcollins.gov or by calling 970-416-4254.