Community Mediation
Community Mediation is two skilled mediators leading a structured conversation between people in conflict. Mediation is a proven method used worldwide. Our mediators are trained volunteers who serve our community.
Community Mediation is free and confidential for Fort Collins residents. It costs you nothing but time. Free interpretation services are available.
What Community Mediation Does
Community Mediation helps people in conflict come together and find a path forward. Participants share their views, needs and ideas for change. Participants are in charge of creating their own agreements. The process helps people solve problems that hurt their quality of life.
What We Can Help With
We can help with issues that stress you out and hurt your quality of life.
Common conflicts include:
- Neighbor problems (noise, fences, trees, lights, parking, pets, smoking and personal issues)
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Roommate conflicts
- Homeowners association/non-profit board conflicts (communication and relationship issues, not employment or legal disputes)
We cannot help with divorce, child custody/co-parenting plans, or employment disputes.
Mediation works best when used early in a dispute. The earlier the better, but it's never too late.
How It Works
Mediation creates a safe space for people to share views and work toward solutions. Mediators guide the process; participants decide the outcome. People in conflict know what they need; mediators don't take sides or tell people what to do.
Four-Step Process
Step 1
Start with a private 30-minute talk with our staff. Staff will listen and ask what happened, how you were affected, and what changes you want. Staff help you decide if mediation is right and who to invite.
Step 2
We invite the other people in your dispute to contact our office. Each person has a private 30-minute talk with staff to ask questions, learn about the process, and share their view.
Step 3
When everyone agrees to mediate, each person has a short prep talk (15-30 minutes) with staff to share updates, ask questions and review forms and ground rules.
Step 4
The mediation session takes 2 hours. Everyone sits at a table, shares their side and works together to find solutions with help from skilled mediators. If you reach an agreement, everyone signs it and gets a copy. If you need more time, we schedule a second session.
If someone says no to mediation, we respect that choice. For those not joining mediation, we offer conflict coaching and thought partnership: private talks to help you think through choices and needs. This may include connecting with community resources, using your strengths and planning how to talk with the other person.
Benefits of Community Mediation
Community Mediation can help by reducing current harm and preventing future problems. We provide supportive, fair structure and help you understand why the conflict happened. The process creates plans to change behavior and communication, connects you with other community services, and makes written agreements. It's a free, confidential service that finds community-based solutions without court involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it confidential?
Colorado law says all mediation talks are private with few exceptions. No person, mediator or staff can share what you say in mediation or be forced to share it in court.
This means all information you share with staff or mediators is confidential. Any new information you learn during mediation is confidential. Written agreements are NOT confidential. The only exception: Staff must tell police or social services if someone plans to commit a serious crime, hurt themselves or others, or threaten a child.
Can I use mediation and how much does it cost?
Community mediation is available to anyone who lives in Fort Collins or the Fort Collins growth area. It's also available for property disputes within the City, even if owners live elsewhere.
Community mediation is free.
One exception: People referred by Fort Collins Municipal Court who get a ticket pay a $50 fee.
When is the best time to ask for mediation?
The earlier the better, but it's never too late.
Request mediation as early as possible in a dispute. First, try talking to the other person to solve the issue yourselves. If this doesn't work or makes things worse, it may be time to ask for help.
Early in a conflict, it's often easier for people to talk things through and find a way forward together. However, it's never too late to work things out. Good things happen when people listen to each other and better understand each other and the situation.
What other services do you offer?
When you need help thinking through a conflict, we can help! Through private talks, we help residents think through choices and considering their needs in a conflict. This may include connecting with community resources, planning how to talk with the other person and deciding if mediation feels right.
If the other person doesn't want to mediate, we can help! When you request mediation, we invite the other party to join. Mediation is voluntary. If they say no, our staff will help you with conflict coaching, problem-solving and resource referrals.
If you can't meet in person, we can help! For people who can't meet in person, we offer virtual mediation using Zoom. If you don't have technology, we can set you up with a computer at our office.
How do you handle safety concerns? What are the rules?
Mediators are trained to guide and protect the mediation process, including enforcing ground rules. Anyone can ask for a break or stop the mediation if they don't feel safe enough to continue. Please talk with your mediators about safety concerns so you can plan together to make mediation as safe as possible.
How often do people reach agreements? Are they binding?
People reach agreements in about 85% of mediations. Agreements are legally binding and would be accepted by a judge. However, it's up to you to legally pursue having the agreement upheld.
Should I send documentation or evidence?
This isn't necessary. Mediators and staff may look at documents but don't evaluate them as evidence or give opinions. The main person who might look at your documents is the other party in the dispute. Ask your mediators how to share documents in mediation.
Who are the mediators? What training do they have?
Our mediators are City staff or City volunteers. Mediators work in teams of two. All mediators must have a 40-hour mediation training certificate. They also get extensive mentoring and coaching through our program. Many mediators have private sector experience too. Their work with the City program is voluntary.