At a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Larimer County on September 29, 2025, candidates for Fort Collins City Council fielded questions on growth, affordability, environmental policy, and the city’s role in addressing shifting federal and state dynamics. The two-hour discussion, held in City Council chambers, highlighted the diversity of experience among the candidates as well as sharp contrasts in philosophy over how the city should prepare for the future.
The field brought a wide range of backgrounds to the race. Chris Conway framed his candidacy around concerns of affordability, emphasizing the need for more housing and zoning reform. Susan Gutowsky drew on a long history of public service, beginning in 1979 on the Poudre School Board and continuing through six years on City Council. Daisy Montgomery spoke about her seven years in Fort Collins and more than a decade managing federal budgets, positioning herself as someone who understands the needs of small businesses. Joshua Fudge cited two decades as a budget and finance director, including service with Larimer County. Lance Smith pointed to his role as a utility finance director. Stephen Yurash, with a physics degree and a 38-year career at Intel, focused heavily on concerns about “excessive growth,” despite arguments from other candidates that the city’s population has actually been declining. Amy Hoeven introduced herself as a fourth-generation Coloradan and CSU graduate, highlighting her immigration advocacy work. Zoelle Lane emphasized the crisis of affordability, noting that as a renter, she has felt firsthand how difficult it is to live, buy a home, or raise a family in Fort Collins.
On the issue of growth, many of the candidates returned to affordability. Lane described the crisis bluntly: “people are priced out of homes,” and said the city must lessen restrictions on zoning near transit corridors. Conway also cited affordability as the defining issue, calling for easing permitting and zoning rules to allow for higher-density housing while protecting the environment. Gutowsky took a more cautious stance, opposing additional density out of concern for the city’s limited water resources. Montgomery questioned what “affordability” even means, pointing out that while Fort Collins’s population has stagnated, surrounding bedroom communities are growing—and capturing many of the jobs and revenues Fort Collins is losing. Fudge advocated for more density around transit areas, while Smith returned to fiscal stewardship, warning that the city’s reserves had dropped in just three years. Yurash elevated the national context, describing federal debt as a “ticking time bomb” and warning about high interest rates and material costs. Hoeven connected affordability to workforce development, saying the city must prepare residents for jobs that sustain families.
When the conversation turned to whether Fort Collins should consider banning single-use plastic water bottles, the candidates showed little appetite for an outright ban but offered a variety of perspectives. Gutowsky made her point with a prop: an aluminum water bottle she carried with her, saying the focus should be on individual choice rather than mandates that could create unintended consequences. Montgomery raised the issue of nonprofits that rely on bottled water to serve unhoused and vulnerable residents, suggesting a ban could harm essential community work. Conway argued that the city should provide better alternatives instead of restricting consumer choice. Lane agreed, but insisted corporations should carry more of the burden in finding replacements. Smith suggested replacements could be “reasonable” but resisted the idea of prohibition. Fudge worried voters are already skeptical of government overreach and would not welcome such a restriction. Yurash was opposed outright but suggested the city could explore recyclable, corn-based bottle options at the state level. Hoeven struck a cautious note, calling for further study of the economic impacts. Taken together, the responses reflected a common desire to reduce waste, but few candidates were willing to champion bans as the way to get there.
Candidates also spoke about how their personal and professional expertise set them apart. Yurash emphasized his position as an outsider who has not been employed in government. Hoeven described her long career in bringing people together across differences. Lane highlighted the significance of being the first renter to run, arguing she represents a large community of residents often unheard in city policy debates. Conway drew on his role as a teacher, telling the story of a friend priced out of Fort Collins who was forced to relocate to Greeley. Gutowsky emphasized her six years of hands-on experience in City Council, while Montgomery pointed to her record as a job creator and small business owner. Fudge underscored his ability to build partnerships across the community.
On diversity, equity, and inclusion, candidates were asked whether the city’s DEI program is meeting the needs of the Hispanic community. Fudge expressed hope that the work was more than “window dressing,” noting the emergence of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a positive sign. Smith stressed that DEI is important but acknowledged uncertainty over whether current efforts fully serve Hispanic residents. Yurash offered a personal anecdote about a Hispanic family renting from him. Hoeven praised the city’s ongoing commitment, while Lane argued that more must be done to improve language access and cultural accessibility. Gutowsky also highlighted language as a barrier and urged the city to help Hispanic residents participate more fully in civic life, including starting businesses. Montgomery criticized the city for not doing enough, pointing specifically to the lack of Spanish translation during City Council meetings.
The conversation shifted to healthcare when candidates were asked how they would respond if federal budget cuts reduced Medicaid access for local residents. Gutowsky called it a difficult problem, saying the city would have to lean more heavily on county services despite limited capacity. Lane highlighted the state’s study on single-payer healthcare. Hoeven focused on the disproportionate impact cuts would have on vulnerable populations, especially women and children. Yurash framed the issue as a matter of federal priorities, saying that the federal government must cut somewhere. Smith warned that the result would be a massive cost shift to states and argued that Fort Collins should lobby the state government to step in.
Federal funding cuts more broadly were another source of concern. Gutowsky said the bigger issue for city revenues is sales tax fluctuations, not Washington, and reiterated that the city manager has promised no layoffs. Montgomery said the economy is softening and suggested Fort Collins explore new revenue sources. Fudge worried the cuts would be “pretty profound” as recent federal programs expire, saying public safety, parks, and recreation must be preserved and employees given flexibility to “do more with less.” Smith tied the question back to climate goals, saying Fort Collins will need to rely more heavily on local funds. Yurash reiterated support for TABOR, warned against parking fees downtown, and said the city should avoid “pet projects.” Lane countered with a critique of Colorado’s tax system, saying billionaires in Vail pay at the same rate as low-income residents, which exacerbates local shortfalls.
In one of the evening’s lighter moments, candidates were asked to describe themselves in a single word. Conway chose thoughtful. Gutowsky said kind. Montgomery went with funny. Fudge echoed Conway with thoughtful. Smith described himself with integrity. Yurash answered with engineer. Hoeven picked courageous. Lane closed the round with earnest.
The forum ended where it began: on affordability. Lane called for intentional growth through rezoning, mixed-use development, and supply expansion, especially given Fort Collins’s huge renter population. Conway emphasized making it easier to build within city limits. Gutowsky urged caution, noting the city has grown less than one percent in recent years. Montgomery called for land banking and low-interest homebuyer loans. Fudge supported easing zoning restrictions and boosting supply. Smith said while rent stabilization is illegal in Colorado, the city could expand down payment assistance, reduce barriers for homeownership, and explore innovative land uses. Yurash rejected rent stabilization outright, warning that limited water resources already strain growth. Hoeven, pointing to fact that most District 1 residents are renters, advocated for neighborhood centers and the “15-minute city” model.
The evening underscored just how much is at stake in Fort Collins. From affordability and growth to equity and climate, the candidates offered voters a range of choices—not only in policy but in philosophy. As federal and state currents shift, the next City Council will face difficult decisions about how to adapt, advocate, and lead.
Click here to proceed to video of the event hosted on the the City’s YouTube.