Access and Engagement

People visiting Soapstone Prairie trail

Access and Engagement programs and services work toward building a community where every person feels seen, valued and able to fully participate in civic and cultural life, and neighborhoods are strengthened by shared goals and strategies.


The City advances equal opportunity and ADA accessibility by educating and partnering with people with disabilities; meeting access standards in public spaces and digital services; and using targeted, fiscally responsible improvements to close service gaps so everyone can fully utilize City programs, services and facilities. Visit the page links below to learn more about City policies and approaches, and ways to get support on accessibility-related topics.  

Our Commitment to Accessibility

  • We advance equal opportunity for people with disabilities and provide accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • We educate and advocate alongside people with disabilities.
  • We follow access standards for public places and ensure equal access in our programs, services and activities.
  • We reflect on the City's progress in ADA's promise of advancing disability dignity, access and inclusion to grow community and workplace wellbeing.
  • We are partners and leaders in our communities.

City departments develop fiscally responsive targeted approaches to accessibility. We examine current practices and work to improve contract language, building standards, parks and recreation amenities, and hiring practices and job opportunities for people with disabilities. City staff also develop accessibility standards for information technology systems that provide access to electronic information in formats for visual and non-visual use.

One of the ways we approach this work is by applying a targeted approach. For example, in the illustration below, our universal goal is that everyone has a bicycle and can enjoy recreational trails. 

An illustration depicting differences between uniformed and targeted approaches, using bicycles as the example

 

The top image shows a uniform approach that gives everyone the same bicycle, regardless of their size, ability or needs. The result is that not everyone can enjoy the recreation trails. The bottom image shows a targeted approach that gives each person a bicycle suited to them so everyone can ride a bicycle and enjoy recreation trails.

We continually analyze service gaps and develop strategies that include accessible design philosophies to ensure all community members can access to City programs, services and facilities.

Accessibility Policy and Support

Visit the page link below to view the City's official Accessibility Policy, report an accessibility issue or learn more about legal protections and support services.

Non-Discrimination Policies


Get assistance

There are a variety of City initiatives, programs and services in place to expand access to services and support meaningful civic engagement in the decision-making processes that shape our community. Follow the page links below for more information.


Share Your Voice

Sign up to speak at an upcoming City Council meeting to add your perspective, help shape City decisions, and ensure our community’s choices reflect the people who live here. 

If it's your first time speaking and you’re feeling nervous, that’s totally normal!  We’re glad you’re engaged and your perspective matters. If you’d like help getting ready or have questions about the process, please reach out to us ahead of time and we’ll support you every step of the way.

Sign up to speak


The City also leads efforts to expand access and strengthen public engagement through targeted outreach and ongoing relationships that help ensure community perspectives inform City decisions, services, workplace policies and more.

Disability Advisory Board

The Disability Advisory Board advises City Council, and educates and advises City employees and the community about issues related to disabilities and accessibility.

Learn more about the Disability Advisory Board

LGBTQIA+ Liaisons

The City of Fort Collins supports the rights of our LGBTQ+ communities and has appointed LGBTQ+ Liaisons to provide an informed voice to the City Manager and Police Chief on LGBTQ+ issues in the Fort Collins community. The LGBTQ+ Liaisons also work with the Office of Workplace and Community Partnerships and Employee Resource Group to develop community and employee events.

These liaisons participate in community conversations to meet an important requirement of the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index Scorecard to build bridges and maintain communication between local government, LGBTQ+ community members and organizations, and police services.

Appointed Liaisons:

Native American Engagement

The City works to build meaningful relationships with Native Nations and the local Indigenous community through engagement, consultation and collaborative programs that honor cultural heritage and address community needs.