FoCo in 15 Minutes | School Closures, Passenger Rail to Denver, Utility Increases & Summer Events

Welcome to Living in Fort Collins — The Podcast, your weekly insider look at what’s happening across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado — from growth and development to housing, business, infrastructure, and local events shaping the region.This week in Fort Collins & Northern Colorado:🏫 PSD Moves Forward With Potential School Closures — Poudre School District officially adopted new policies guiding a major consolidation effort that could close anywhere from 2 to 10+ schools beginning in 2027–28 due to declining enrollment and excess capacity. 💵 Colorado Workers Still Among Highest Paid in the U.S. — New labor data shows Colorado hourly workers now average nearly $40/hour, ranking 8th nationally, though the state’s competitive advantage is narrowing as other states catch up. 🏦 PNC Expands Northern Colorado Presence — Following its acquisition of FirstBank Holding Co., PNC named new regional executives for Northern Colorado and Boulder, signaling continued banking and lending shifts across the region. 🚴 Fort Collins Launches “Summer Moves” Challenge — The city joined a regional initiative encouraging residents to walk, bike, roll, and use transit throughout the summer, reinforcing Fort Collins’ outdoor-first and bike-friendly culture. 🚆 Passenger Rail to Denver Targets 2029 Launch — The proposed Colorado Connector rail service would bring direct train service from Fort Collins to Denver Union Station with three daily round trips and estimated fares around $14 each way. 📍 Debate Intensifies Over Rail Station Location — Council remains divided between the proposed Drake Road station site and alternative Old Town/Vine corridor options, with major implications for future development and property values. 💧 Major Utility Rate Increases Coming — Staff projected steep increases to water, wastewater, stormwater, and electric bills beginning in 2027 as the city addresses aging infrastructure and the Halligan Reservoir expansion project. 💰 Fort Collins Facing ~$15.5M Budget Shortfall — City officials are weighing roughly $20M in reductions amid slowing sales tax growth, economic uncertainty, and rising operational costs. ⏱️ Passenger Rail Decisions Coming Fast — A resolution supporting the Drake station concept is expected back before council in mid-June ahead of a possible November ballot measure. ⚽ Aggies FC Women’s Soccer vs. Colorado Pride — June 3🎉 Loveland Heart Improvement Plan Block Party — June 5⚔️ Colorado Medieval Festival — June 5–7🎶 Bohemian Nights at Old Town Square — Thursdays🌸 CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden — Open Daily📲 Thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Northern Colorado?My team and I help clients make confident, well-informed real estate decisions with both data and boots-on-the-ground insight across Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.Patrick Soukup📞 970-893-3533📧 [email protected]🌐 soukuprealestate.com