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Hello Fort Collins! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free A1C testing for donors, bronze bison at the Smithsonian, and fly fishing film tour + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Uncovering undiagnosed blood sugar issues: Red Cross donors in Northern Colorado get free A1C testing this month plus a $15 Amazon card with donation. Data from 2025 found 1 in 5 had elevated levels — see what the data shows.

Indie beats big-box bet: In nearby Loveland, the newest record store PigStyle recently opened a block from downtown with a psychedelic pig logo, and owner Arjan Shaw is building the record bins by hand — read the full story.

From clay to colossal: Three bronze bison cast in Loveland by a Missouri artist are being installed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington today, part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration — see how they were made.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate 20 years of fly fishing films
• Design upcycled costumes and table read
• Craft a bouquet of wire flowers
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Turn it up, FoCo: When you want a show that actually sounds good without fighting for a view, Washington’s nails it—intimate room, crisp sound, balcony sightlines, and bars tucked outside the main space. Peek the calendar and pencil one in this week; future-you will thank present-you.

Steep your week: Fort Collins’ own Happy Lucky’s Teahouse has a “Great Wall of Tea” with 200+ loose‑leaf options, plus friendly Leafsters who actually help you find a new favorite. Swing by, sniff some jars, and bring home something cozy for the late‑winter evenings.

Local art, zero pretense: Trimble Court Artisans has packed Old Town with handmade goodness since 1971—50+ Colorado artists under one roof. Think pottery, jewelry, glass, and paintings you’ll want to adopt immediately. If you’ve been meaning to refresh a wall (or a mood), pop in and get inspired this week.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🏺 Bird Feeders & Open Studio Pottery Art Class @ Blue Moose Art Gallery | Friday (3/20) at 2:00 PM – Making backyard diplomacy easier, this pottery class lets you hand-build a bird feeder, or go rogue with 3 pounds of clay under Susie’s guidance. Pick your glaze, it gets fired off-site, and you swing by next week to collect. Ages 12 and up.

🍴 Fort Collins Foodie Walk @ Old Town Square | Friday (3/20) at 5:00 PM – Third Friday means free grazing across Downtown, a self-guided stroll where Fort Collins’ culinary shops ply you with seasonal samples, oddball pairings, and local goodness. It’s cardio with snacks, a little education, and zero reservations. Bring curiosity, stretchy waistbands, and a patient plus-one.

🎉 Timber Lark Grand Opening @ Timber Lark Welcome Home Center | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Take a field trip to Timber Lark’s grand opening in Fort Collins, where you can snoop through gorgeous new homes, then reward your research with complimentary bites from Jersey Cowboy. Bring your opinions, your shoe covers, and that friend who judges floor plans for sport.

🥚 Easter Egg Hunt @ Front Range Community College – Larimer Campus | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – Front Range Community College turns into a kid-powered treasure hunt with thousands of eggs and golden egg prizes. It’s free, but you must register and show the confirmation, then let the little ones sprint for glory while you supervise, coffee in hand. Bring a basket.

🎪 Salt, Sand, and Story: Tales from Oceania – Circus Student Showcase @ The Lincoln Center | Wednesday (3/25) at 7:00 PM – Skip the beach traffic and get your ocean fix at The Lincoln Center, where circus students, ages 5 and up, spin Oceania myths into aerial silks, lyra, acro yoga, and dance. Seas, stars, and story, no sunscreen required. Tickets hit the Lincoln Center site soon.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fort Collins report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 80°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 7 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West northwest wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

This house is wild

Set in Sanctuary at Fossil Lake Ranch on a 0.53-acre lot, this 5-bed, 5,012 sq ft ranch delivers single-level living. A Dacor kitchen with custom Milarc cabinetry, quartz, and a walk-in pantry and coffee bar stands out. Stone fireplace, covered patio with fire pit, and a finished lower level with media room, wet bar, and laundry impress.

Take a peek inside →