Future of Hughes Stadium Site

The City of Fort Collins has completed the purchase of the former Hughes Stadium property from Colorado State University following a citizen-initiated ballot measure passed in April 2021.

Closing occurred on June 30 with the City paying $12.5 million for the 164-acre parcel.

The 2021 ballot measure required the City to rezone the Hughes site as “Public Open Lands” and also directed the City to attempt to acquire the property at fair market value for uses including parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration.

After voters approved the ballot measure, the Hughes property was rezoned in May 2021 and the City began efforts to acquire the land in 2022.

There are currently no plans for further use or changes to the property. The City conducted initial engagement on the future of the Hughes site in late 2022, soliciting early feedback on how the community might like to see the property used.

City staff expect to begin working with City Council in 2024 to determine next steps.

The City issued bonds in March 2023 that raised $8.5 million for the purchase, with the remaining $4 million coming from the City’s general fund and Natural Areas.

The full text of the April 2021 ballot measure is below:

“Shall the City enact an ordinance requiring the City Council of the City of Fort Collins to immediately rezone upon passage of the ordinance a 164.56-acre parcel of real property formerly home to the Hughes Stadium from the Transition District to the Public Open Lands District, and requiring the City to acquire the property at fair market value to use said property for parks, recreation, and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration, and further prohibiting the City from de- annexing, ceasing acquisition efforts or subsequently rezoning the property without voter approval of a separate initiative referred to the voters by City Council, and granting legal standing to any registered elector in the City to seek injunctive and/or declaratory relief in the courts related to City noncompliance with said ordinance?”

City Council reviewed community feedback and discussed next steps on the project at a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Please find links to the Council Work Session materials below, including a video recording of the discussion.

• Hughes Considerations Agenda Item Summary.pdf (External link)(External link)(0.06 MB)
• Kearns and West Engagement Report.pdf (External link)(External link)(6.31 MB)
• Boards and Commissions Minutes Excerpts.pdf (External link)(External link)(6.78 MB)
• Hughes Considerations Presentation.pdf (External link)(External link)(4.60 MB)
• City Council Work Session Materials Page: March 14, 2023(External link)(External link)

Engagement Goals

In 2022, the City solicited public input into future land use scenarios for Hughes. The City held focus groups and asked for continued input on this site to supplement the feedback received from the community to date. This input was shared with City Council in the form of future land use scenarios that balance priorities and needs in early 2023.

What the City Heard

Here are the high level themes that the City heard during those engagement efforts, all of which will be considered as the City develops scenarios for potential use of the Hughes site:

• Protect the views of the foothills for the site and surrounding neighborhood.
• Create space that the community can use for recreation and enjoyment of natural space, with limited development.
• Consider environmental protections and buffers for wildlife, water, and native plant species.
• Maintain access to nearby natural areas, such as the Maxwell Natural Area.
• Increase trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The City appreciates community members who provided valuable input on the process so far. The City is incorporating the feedback received through past engagement and surveys (e.g., the City's recent community survey, the 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan(External link), and outreach conducted during prior Hughes development efforts).