Hughes Update 08/22/2025

On Tuesday night, a group of Sendtown riders, ages 9 to 13, once again stood before Fort Collins City Council asking for a bike park at the Hughes site. Their voices set the tone for a meeting where two major developments pushed the bike park closer to reality. Several of their parents also spoke in support.

 You can watch the full council meeting stream here: City of Fort Collins Meeting Stream.

Hughes Multi-Use Plan to November Ballot
Council voted on first reading to refer the Civic Assembly Hughes Multi-Use Plan to the November ballot as a council-referred item (as opposed to a citizen-initiated one, like the earlier “100% natural area” proposal). The plan includes specific language for up to a 35-acre bike park, in addition to other designated uses. That acreage is for bike park features only, not parking or shared amenities.

The measure will come back for a second reading, but based on council discussion, it seems unlikely there will be changes or risk to it passing. Councilmember Susan Gutowsky cast the lone “no” vote, citing the bike park as her reason. Kelly Ohlson noted he’d prefer to see a bike park elsewhere but voted “yes,” supporting the Civic Assembly process and overall outcome.

CCIP Renewal Could Fund First Phase
Council also voted to place the Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) tax renewal on the November ballot. The package includes $5 million earmarked for the first phase of a bike park, based on feedback from a future feasibility study.

Historically, CCIP has passed, though nothing is guaranteed. If Hughes fails but CCIP passes, Fort Collins would still have money in place for a bike park. If both pass, the momentum is even greater—though the $5M won’t cover total costs, it’s a strong start.

Other Ballot Measures in November
Also on the November ballot will be the YES for Hughes Open Space! citizen initiative, which would designate Hughes as open space only, with no bike park (bad). At the same time, the  Yes to Natural Areas initiative (good) will ask voters to continue Fort Collins’ existing Natural Areas funding in perpetuity- never expires. That funding is dedicated to protecting natural areas, wildlife habitat, open spaces, streams, rivers, and riparian areas, while also ensuring the public can enjoy them.

What’s Next
Looking ahead, a consortium issue committee is forming to support the multi-use measure, bringing together wildlife, environmental, and other partners. Fundraising and volunteer efforts will be critical, and youth involvement could be the key to success.

Thanks to Kevin Krause with the Sendtown Bike Club and the Bike Park Collective for sitting through the entire meeting and sending in this detailed update. And thanks to everyone—especially the kids and their parents—who continue to show up and speak up.

This is a milestone moment for the Fort Collins cycling community. November will be huge.