From Polarization to Possibility: Fort Collins Brings a New Kind of Democracy to Life

Reflections from the First Weekend of the City's Inaugural Civic Assembly

Apr 24, 2025

Photo Credits: City of Fort Collins

In a bold effort to reimagine local democracy, the City of Fort Collins convened its first-ever Civic Assembly last weekend. Twenty residents—selected by Civic Lottery to reflect the city's full diversity—came together to deliberate on one of Fort Collins’ most divisive questions: the future of 164 acres of public land.

Even after just one weekend (with a second to come in May), the depth of engagement and emerging sense of shared purpose amongst Delegates is inspiring. While the question at hand—what to do with 164 acres of land—might seem modest from a national vantage point, it’s been a deeply contested issue locally, carrying years of unresolved tension and community debate.

If we can imagine a future where citizens and residents lead deliberation not just in one city, but in counties, states, and across the nation—we might just rediscover what democracy can be.

Read on for reflections, resources, and press coverage. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The project is a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins, Healthy Democracy, the Center for Public Deliberation, American Public Trust, and Local Policy Lab.

What It Felt Like Inside the Room

By day two, the civic energy was undeniable. You could feel it—the spark of purpose, connection, and possibility.

Twenty residents had stepped into a new role. No longer just neighbors or community members—they had become Delegates, charged with deliberating on one of the city’s most polarized and longstanding challenges.

What struck me most was how quickly they transformed—not just in title, but in presence. They moved with intention and care. Their conversations were grounded in curiosity, mutual respect, and a growing sense of shared responsibility. They weren’t speaking only for themselves, but on behalf of their neighbors, their city, and the broader public.

And all of this began to take shape in just 10 hours together—listening deeply, engaging with presenters from across the spectrum, and beginning to explore possible directions.

I’ve been part of many assemblies, but each time the moment arrives—the “drop in,” when participants truly step into their role—it still catches me. It’s contagious. And it gives me profound hope.

Because it reminds me of something we’re rarely told: we are not hopelessly divided. We are not doomed to culture wars and zero-sum politics. When people are given time, structure, and real support to engage meaningfully, they show up. They listen deeply. They become lay experts. They build from common ground—not through watered-down compromise, but through creative processes that draw on our differences as a resource.

This isn’t a theory—it’s been proven. And it has happened again and again in cities, counties, states, and nations across the globe, in Citizens’ Assemblies commissioned by forward-thinking government leaders who trusted the public.

”It's an honor to have a say. I feel a sense of pride that whatever goes [on the site] is something I helped out with, and I'm really looking forward to that feeling.” - Assembly Delegate

In that room on 222 Laporte Ave in Fort Collins, it became clear: when the problem is in front of us—not between us—we talk honestly. We disagree constructively. And we rediscover something too often missing in public life: trust.

This work speaks directly to why American Public Trust exists and we’re proud to be part of the team supporting this first Civic Assembly in Fort Collins. It reaffirms our commitment to helping leaders in cities, counties, and states bring the promise of deliberative democracy to life—especially where stakes are high and polarization runs deep.

We’re looking forward with enthusiasm to the Assembly’s second weekend. If you’re curious, we invite you to follow along via livestream—or even join us in person. There’s nothing quite like being in the room.

Reflections from Delegates:

“I'm honored to be a part of a group that is truly dedicated to making a change — this is the first time in my life that I've been given this opportunity and I'm soaking it up.”
"Part of the reason I'm so grateful for this experience is because this is the purest form of democracy. And, you know, it's good to be reminded that it's still alive — and maybe we're not in as much trouble as we're being told we are."
“I don't know the political affiliations or beliefs of any person in this room because it didn't come up. It's not important.”
"The inner workings of the group have been purely democratic, and I have a lot of admiration for the collective respect for that process that I've seen in the room."
"I'm so grateful because we truly are all different — different walks of life, ages, preferences, genders — some even declining to identify as a gender, and things like that. We're all different, which means we're represented. And the one thing — well, the two things — that we have in common in that room are that we're motivated to make a change, and, as far as I can tell, we're all good people.

Join us to Witness the Closing Weekend in Fort Collins

Are you a community leader, elected official, or civil servant curious to learn more? A limited number of visitor spaces are still available to observe the conclusion of Civic Assembly in action on May 3rd and 4th.

Get in touch if you’d like to learn more.

In the News

Learn More

Briefing Call on the Assembly with New America

Quick Facts on the Fort Collins Civic Assembly

The Issue: In 2023, the City of Fort Collins acquired the 164 acre Hughes Stadium site after voters approved a ballot measure rezoning it as “Public Open Lands” for parks, recreation, and conservation. The future of this land remains a contentious public issue. In 2024, the City Council voted 3-2 to commission a Civic Assembly to help determine the site’s future. The Assembly will present its recommendations to the City Council, Mayor, and City Staff who have committed to respond publicly and to integrate the results into their decision making on the future of the site.

Key Features

20 Assembly Members selected by democratic lottery (sortition), to form a cross-section of the community based on age, educational attainment, location of residents, and other factors – representing all walks of life.
4 days of in-depth learning and deliberation in April and May 2025, where Delegates hear from all sides of the issue
Integrated community engagement. The Assembly directly builds on previous public input and stakeholder engagement
Policy impact. Fort Collins City Council has committed to publicly receive, review, and respond to the Assembly’s recommendations.
Accessibility, including stipends and expense reimbursements, to make sure all Delegates can meaningfully participate.
Vision for the City, County, Region and Beyond to apply Assemblies to additional pressing issues and explore their potential to continue solving tough public problems.

A Blueprint for Renewing Democracy in Communities Across the U.S. The Fort Collins Assembly is part of a growing movement proving that deliberative democracy can rebuild trust in an era of deep political polarization. By empowering everyday people to engage in collaborative problem-solving, these Assemblies demonstrate a better way to "do" politics and democracy. A growing coalition of organizations envisions Northern Colorado and the state as leaders in this approach—integrating assemblies as regular, institutionalized mechanisms for tackling tough issues and fostering democratic renewal.