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Hey Fort Collins, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Drones aiding first responders, a brewery dog etiquette class, and a Swedish-American folk fusion concert + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fort Collins protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Real-time scene awareness arrives: Poudre Fire Authority has launched a drone response program in Fort Collins, using three 40 mph drones with thermal imaging to spot hot spots in fires and locate patients faster — get all the details.

Infrastructure and housing plans advance: Fort Collins and Longmont won state transit grants, part of $13.3 million statewide, backing affordable housing upgrades and a Longmont transit hub with bus bays, bike parking, and mixed-use plans — see what’s funded and planned.

Make a lifesaving difference: Columbine Health Systems and Garth Englund Blood Center are hosting March blood drives in Fort Collins, Windsor, and Loveland from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., helping Northern Colorado neighbors — learn how you can help.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Experience Swedish-American folk fusion concert
• Sculpt bird feeders or your own creation
• Learn beekeeping with hands-on hive inspections

🫶 We got your back

Lunch hero, unlocked: Fort Collins-worthy sammies without the decision fatigue, Snack Attack Specialty Sandwiches & Brews serves handcrafted sandwiches, wraps, and salads with a wide lineup of local drafts. Keep it in your back pocket for busy weeks when you crave big flavor, low fuss, and an easy, neighborly hang.

Slide into the weekend: Whether you’re ushering kiddos down the silo slide, chasing a quick pickleball game, or letting the pup romp, Twin Silo Park keeps the south side buzzing. Spin around the BMX track, wander the community gardens, and call it fresh-air therapy you’ll actually keep.

Playtime, upgraded: Sister-owned and full of Fort Collins fun, Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys gathers puzzles, games, science kits, wooden classics, books, baby gifts, and colorful kids’ gear in one cheerful spot. Ideal for cabin-fever days, it sparks fresh imagination and serves up smile-worthy surprises.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🖼 Under Pressure: 2026 National Printmaking Exhibition @ The Lincoln Center Art Gallery | Wednesday (3/11) at 1:00 PM – Whether you know your intaglio from your elbow, the Lincoln Center Art Gallery is hosting Under Pressure, a nationally juried Mo’Print show of 41 works, selected by Johnny Plastini. Real prints, real craft, and yes, it’s free, because sometimes paper beats pixels.

🍷 Mallory Graham @ The OBC Wine Project | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from IPA duty and slip into OBC Wine Project for a free Mallory Graham set, courtesy of the Mishawaka crew. It’s first-come and standing room only, which is just fine when your hands are full of pinot, patience, and neighborhood gossip.

🐶 Brewery Dog Etiquette Class @ New Belgium Brewing – Fort Collins (Fort Collins, CO) | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Leash up your four-legged regular and head to New Belgium for a free crash course in brewery manners. Think relaxed table stays, polite human greetings, and leash walking while you nurse a pint. It is free, but register now, spots vanish faster than pretzels.

🎷 Crescent City Connection @ Magic Rat Live Music | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – Shake off winter and head to Magic Rat for Crescent City Connection’s return, a hot blast of New Orleans funk, free on a Friday. Expect tight grooves, sweaty smiles, and the kind of dance-floor therapy your chiropractor might quietly approve.

🎉 Timber Lark Grand Opening @ Timber Lark Welcome Home Center | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re actually house hunting or just enjoy judging countertops, swing by Timber Lark’s grand opening in Fort Collins to tour shiny new homes and snoop with permission. Jersey Cowboy is slinging complimentary bites, while supplies last, so bring opinions, curiosity, and an appetite.

🏛 Hwaiteu Dei Curator Tour @ Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – White Day at the gallery means a little gracious payback, with a curator-led stroll through Letters from the Heart led by Sarah Watson. Expect K-pop on the speakers, White Day sweets, and free entry, RSVP encouraged, donations appreciated, with tales of love and longing.

🎍 Bonsai Club @ Fossil Creek Nursery | Saturday (3/14) at 3:30 PM – This free bonsai meet-up at Fossil Creek Nursery is where tiny trees, big opinions, and zero gatekeeping mingle. Swap tool tips, troubleshoot tricky cuts, or scope it out before the basics class. Bring your prized juniper or your scraggly project, both get equal love.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fort Collins report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 72°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 0%

Partly sunny. High near 72, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. West wind 2 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 33, with temperatures rising to around 35 overnight. Northwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 1%

Sunny, with a high near 60. West northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Colorado but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This Kechter Farm stunner blends timeless elegance with easy main-level living, featuring wide-plank floors, vaulted ceilings, and a marble-surround fireplace. A chef’s kitchen shines with a quartz island, custom cabinetry, and Wolf appliances. The spa-caliber primary suite impresses. Outside, a tiered patio with outdoor kitchen, water feature, and linear gas fireplace sets the mood. Tandem 3-car garage with epoxy floors.

Take a peek inside →