Scott VanTatenhove (“ScottyV”) Interview

Scott VanTatenhove (“ScottyV”)—PSD teacher, FoCoMX/FCMoA supporter, and former Transportation Board member—talks with Nick Armstrong about his bid for Fort Collins Mayor (Nov. 2025). He describes a collaboration-first view of the Mayor’s role and outlines priorities on housing, homelessness, small-business vitality, and environmental stewardship. He emphasizes listening across land-use factions (YIMBY and Preserve Fort Collins), the fiscal tradeoffs of downtown housing and parking, and long-term choices between outward growth and denser infill.

He highlights nonprofit funding pressures, cites rising infrastructure costs (including NISP), and explains his “zero-dollar” campaign to remain independent of donors. Personal notes include his LGBTQIA+ advocacy and a desire to restore the City Park Train as a unifying amenity.

Highlights

• Collaboration-first view of the Mayor’s role
• Housing, homelessness, small-business impacts downtown
• Infrastructure costs and nonprofit funding pressures
• Personal priority: restore the City Park Train

Resources / Links

• Candidate website: https://www.facebook.com/scott.vantatenhove
• Show notes: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-fort-collins-mayoral-candidate-scott-vantatenhove-scottyv/
• Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA): https://focoma.org/
• Early Childhood Council of Larimer County (ECCLC): https://www.ecclc.org/
• Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• Dear Fort Collins YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Zoelle Lane Interview

District 5 candidate Zoelle Lane discusses affordability, housing, and transit in Fort Collins. She favors mid- to high-density and mixed-use zoning along transit corridors, streamlined permits, and a phased local minimum-wage plan with support for small businesses. Lane points to east-west bus gaps and frequency in District 5, suggests park-and-ride options, and advocates water-wise policies (rainwater irrigation, xeriscaping, low-flow incentives) while scrutinizing water-intensive data centers. She supports stronger—but not over-reliant—city partnerships with nonprofits and arts groups and encourages voter participation.

Highlights

• Housing near transit; updated parking rules
• Phased minimum-wage plan with small-business considerations
• District 5 bus frequency and park-and-ride
• Water-wise growth; nonprofit partnerships

Resources / Links

• Candidate site: https://zoellelane.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoelleforfc/
• Animal Friends Alliance: https://www.savinganimalstoday.org/
• Show notes: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-zoelle-lane-in-district-5/
• Dear Fort Collins: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Amy Hoeven Interview

Amy Hoeven, candidate for Fort Collins City Council District 5, shares her priorities ahead of the 2025 election. She discusses protecting vulnerable communities, addressing housing and workforce challenges, and strengthening small businesses. Hoeven emphasizes inclusive policymaking, support for arts and culture, and the importance of neighborhood hubs and transit-oriented growth.

Highlights

• Affordable housing and transportation solutions
• Inclusion for immigrant and LGBTQIA+ communities
• Strategies to support small businesses
• Civic engagement through ranked choice voting

Resources / Links

• Amy Hoeven: https://amy4council.com
• ISAAC Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition: https://isaacnoco.org
• Show notes: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-amy-hoeven-in-district-5/
• Dear Fort Collins: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Lance Smith Interview

Lance Smith, former Utilities Finance Director and candidate for Fort Collins City Council in District 3, joins Nick Armstrong to discuss the city’s budget, housing, sustainability, water, inclusion, and ranked-choice voting. Smith argues for more prudent budgeting as cash reserves are drawn down through 2026, and says housing and climate goals should be addressed in parallel—streamlining development review, aligning new housing near transit, and considering broader ways “growth pays its own way.”

He highlights District 3’s water context (Fort Collins–Loveland Water District, Halligan ties), the city’s connector role on homelessness and mental health (including emergency shelter plans and HOPE), and the importance of listening to all residents, including LGBTQIA community members.

Notable Quotes (verbatim)“I think change is inevitable. So let’s make some positive change together.”“I’m interested in serving the whole community… we need to find solutions together.”“I would say that the city’s sustainability goals and housing challenges need to be addressed in parallel.”“As a council member, I would be looking to reach out… to help teach me about the challenges and opportunities we have.”“If we continue with business as usual, I think there will be significant challenges.”Resources / Links

• Candidate Website: https://lancesmith4foco.com/
• Show notes for this episode: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-lance-smith-in-district-3/
• Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Josh Fudge Interview

District 3 City Council candidate Josh Fudge joins Nick Armstrong on Dear Fort Collins to discuss Fort Collins’ budget pressures, housing affordability, and regional coordination. Drawing on two decades in local government, he argues that reliance on sales tax constrains services and favors multi-agency collaboration to protect quality of life as outside funding tightens.

On housing, he supports adding density in transit-served corridors (Midtown/College, Harmony; future rail) and streamlining development while maintaining standards. He backs walkability, bikeability, and free transit to reduce congestion from regional commutes. On water, he supports conservation, xeriscaping incentives, and regional planning. On climate, he prefers incentives over near-term mandates to avoid added costs for residents and small businesses. He supports arts through grants (as budgets allow) and city spaces for artists. Fudge acknowledges past polarization around land use and seeks “common-sense” approaches.

Notable Quotes (verbatim)“Seeing the difficulties that the city’s budget is having…being in the decision-making chain for the city really kind of hit home for me.”“If we can bring more of our workers here closer to the city and make it walkable and make transit more feasible…”“The city can…play a strong role locally…making sure that the city is walkable, bikeable, and that transit is available and usable.”“I really want to find those common-sense solutions for housing that…don’t open up those old wounds.”“I’m happy to meet with just about anyone who…shares those values of being inclusive and common sense.”Resources / Links

• Candidate site: https://fudgeforfortcollins.com
• Poudre Libraries: https://poudrelibraries.org/
• Show notes from this episode: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-josh-fudge-in-district-3/
• Dear Fort Collins: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Steve Yurash Interview

District 3 candidate Steve Yurash discusses why he’s running and how he’d approach council work. He argues for more centrist, data-driven decision-making and greater fiscal caution, citing recent budget growth. Yurash supports ranked choice voting, favors higher individual donation limits, and opposes publicly funded local campaigns.

Policy topics include water-constrained growth (NISP, Halligan), small-business permitting, transportation (roundabouts, smaller buses, added e-bike/scooter connections), parking requirements under state land-use changes, and adding shade trees along trails. He suggests public-private housing partnerships to support workers and outlines a differentiated approach to homelessness and mental-health needs. He also expresses interest in Foothills Mall redevelopment discussions and frames arts support as a venue issue.

Notable Quotes (verbatim)“Ranked choice voting is wonderful.”“I’m not going to be bought by a $1,000 donation.”“Climate resilience is really the catchphrase.”Resources / Links

• Candidate site: https://www.steveyurash.org
• Show notes: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-steve-yurash-in-district-3/
• SPLC reference: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/gays-against-groomers

Susan Gutowsky Interview

Susan Gutowsky (City Council District 1 Incumbent and City Council Candidate in the upcoming election) joins Nick Armstrong to talk about her priorities for District 1 — from tackling living affordability and improving North East Fort Collins connectivity to navigating Montava’s infrastructure challenges, supporting small businesses, and championing arts and inclusion. Susan also shares how ranked-choice voting changes campaigns and why experience matters in shaping Fort Collins’ future.

Highlights

• Focus on affordability: land banking & partnerships for AMI-qualified housing
• Push for trails, roads, and a Northeast Park — including the ongoing bike park debate
• Strategies for Montava growth amid water and infrastructure limits
• Boosting Old Town vitality with business-friendly policies
• Advocating for arts, diversity, and LGBTQIA+ safety

Resources / Links

• Candidate website: https://susan-gutowsky.org/
• Show notes for this episode: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/09/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-susan-gutowsky/
• Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Chris Conway Interview

Chris Conway (City Council District 1 candidate) talks with Nick Armstrong about keeping Fort Collins affordable by speeding up permitting, updating zoning, and allowing more diverse, in-town housing—and how that ties directly to climate goals (less sprawl, shorter commutes). He digs into northeast Fort Collins connectivity (trail extensions, safer corridors, city–county coordination), water planning (conservation + smart storage), support for arts and small orgs through flexible space and small grants, resources and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ residents, and ideas to lower barriers for youth recreation. Chris shares why he founded a local “Yes In My Backyard” pro-housing group and how ranked-choice voting shapes his outreach.

Highlights

• Affordability first: faster approvals, lower hurdles for ADUs, more housing near transit
• Climate + housing: prioritize infill to cut long car commutes
• District 1 mobility: extend trails into the NE; improve safety on key corridors; align city–county work
• Water: design for efficiency; plan for storage in drier years
• Community: flexible rules for arts/creatives; clearer resource hub for LGBTQIA+ residents
• Recreation: low-barrier, neighborhood youth sports

Resources / Links

• Candidate website: https://www.chrisconwayfc.com/
• Show notes for this episode: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/09/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-chris-conway-in-district-1/
• Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Daisy Montgomery Interview

Daisy Montgomery (City Council District 1 candidate) joins Nick Armstrong to talk about fixing northeast Fort Collins connectivity (bike lanes, sidewalks, ADA crossings), balancing climate goals with affordability, and shoring up the local economy with small-business support. Drawing on 13 years as a federal program manager and work as a disability advocate and small-business owner, Daisy outlines a more coordinated, transparent city government, backs the Halligan Reservoir project, and shares ideas on housing affordability—including employer accountability, land banking, and first-time buyer support. She also discusses inclusion and safety for LGBTQIA+ and disabled residents, and how ranked-choice voting shapes a candid, issues-first campaign.

Highlights

• Fix District 1 gaps: bike/sidewalk/ADA access, safer routes, local amenities
• Small business: explore low-interest city loan fund; reduce “death by a thousand cuts” regs
• Climate & costs: meet goals without overburdening residents and shops; prioritize water security (Halligan)
• Housing: push large employers on wages/land banking; aid first-time buyers
• Government access: fewer websites, clear dashboards, plain-language, short-form updates

Resources / Links

• Candidate website: https://www.daisyforfoco.com/
• Show notes for this episode: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/09/a-closer-look-at-city-council-candidate-daisy-montgomery-in-district-1/
• Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

Kendra Boot Interview

In this episode of Dear Fort Collins, host Nick Armstrong talks with City Forester Kendra Boot about how trees shape the health, beauty, and livability of our city. From maintaining 60,000 public trees to planning for future canopy growth, Kendra explains the strategies behind Fort Collins’ urban forest. She also shares how residents can get involved through programs like the Urban Forest Ambassadors and highlights new initiatives such as the City Park Arboretum.

Resources / Links

• Fort Collins Forestry website: https://www.fcgov.com/forestry
• Show notes and more: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/09/the-urban-forest-strategic-plan-with-city-forester-kendra-boot/