- Susan Kirkpatrick
Former Mayor
City of Fort Collins

"Tricia Canonico has meaningful experience in climate policy and transportation to help the City of Fort Collins address two of the most important policy areas facing us today. These areas of expertise set her apart from other candidates and I appreciate her willingness to run for Mayor after serving for four years on the City Council."

Fort Collins should be a place where everyone — no matter who they are or where they’re starting from — has the opportunity to thrive. That means ensuring housing is attainable, communities are connected and safe, and our future is resilient and sustainable. As Mayor, I will champion policies that reflect our values of inclusion, belonging, and bold local leadership.

On the Issues

Continue to advocate for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure
Identify and pursue funding mechanisms, like my work with legislators on this year’s Motor Vehicle Collision Prevention Enterprise (HB25-1303)
Become the country’s first Diamond Level Bicycle Friendly Community (we are currently one of 5 Platinum Level Cities) This requires a dedication to excellence in five key areas: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Evaluation & Planning and Equity & Inclusion.
Turn the dream of passenger rail from Fort Collins to Denver into a reality by the end of the decade (I currently serve on the Front Range Passenger Rail District Board)
Keep our city buses free to ride throughout the City. Optimize Transfort to incorporate micro-mobility while preserving regional transit to make transit the easier choice for more residents
Transform the former Albertsons site on North College into a welcoming Community Center that reflects the vision and needs of North College residents.
Keep the Southeast Community Center moving forward, with a community-led design and partnerships with the Poudre School District and Poudre Library District to bring City services to this section of the City.
Expand opportunities for innovative community engagement like this year’s Civic Assembly and participatory budgeting

Livability means more than services — it’s about how people experience daily life in our city. I will continue to advocate for investments that connect neighbors, improve quality of life, and build community belonging

Livability

Streamline the development process so that City can be a collaborative partner in development
Create an asset map of underutilized City-owned land that can be leveraged for affordable housing.
Expand housing choice by launching a library of pre-approved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and infill housing.
Incentivize innovative, lower-waste construction methods like modular, 3D printing, and self-healing concrete.
Allow for cottage courts, co-ops, and intergenerational models that support residents at every stage of life.
Explore a Housing Development Fund to support local builders and nontraditional developers.
Right-size parking requirements to reduce costs, improve environmental outcomes and support walkable neighborhoods.

An adequate supply of affordable housing is a key attribute of a healthy community. It’s crucial that young workers and families, longtime residents and older adults are able to live and thrive in Fort Collins. I’ll lead efforts that prioritize housing choice, speed, and sustainability

Affordability

Continue to work with the County to advance construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling from building sites with the development of a new regional sorting and recycling facility while also exploring adoption of a C&D ordinance to recycle construction materials to help meet the City’s Zero Waste goal.
Implement a city-wide voluntary composting program, to capture food and yard waste, leading first with municipal facilities.
Support green infrastructure: permeable surfaces, stormwater innovations, and urban tree planting
Partner to bring a Resource Central satellite reuse campus for building materials and household goods to Fort Collins.
Launch a Local Circular Economy Innovation Fund similar to the City’s Municipal Innovation Fund, to support low-waste businesses and co-ops.
Prioritize climate-smart land use through 15-minute neighborhoods that reduce car dependency and promote equity.
Continue partnering with Platte River Power Authority to advance the development of a Virtual Power Plant, accelerating our transition to clean, reliable, and locally generated energy.
Continue to advance the electrification of the City’s vehicle fleet and remove barriers to public EV infrastructure, especially for renters and multi-unit dwellings.

Fort Collins can be a model for true sustainability—meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive.
That means more than environmental performance. It means investing in clean energy, protecting natural resources, promoting social equity, and building a resilient, inclusive economy that works for everyone.

Sustainability

Continue to advocate for small businesses—the backbone of our local economy—by creating innovative programs like a Food Business Incubator Accelerator, leveraging underutilized City-owned properties to foster new food-related enterprises and culinary entrepreneurs.
Grow and scale the Multicultural Business and Entrepreneurial Center, ensuring more entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds have access to the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed.
Fort Collins has the potential to be a hub for cleantech, biotech, and climate tech. I’ll work in close partnership with our existing tech sector, Colorado State University, and leading research institutions to attract and retain high-quality, sustainable jobs in these growing industries.
Promote local and regional workforce development partnerships—including with community colleges, trade schools, and industry leaders—to provide residents with the skills and pathways needed to thrive in a changing economy.
Continue driving cost savings and better service delivery by modernizing City systems and using smart technologies to streamline operations, increase transparency, and improve the resident experience.

A strong and inclusive economy is essential to a thriving Fort Collins. As Mayor, I will champion policies that support small businesses, attract innovative industries, and prepare our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

Economic Vitality

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