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Hello Fort Collins! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: First romance bookstore opens, I-25 express lane tolling begins, and St. Pat’s parade returns + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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.
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📰 In the news
Laying groundwork for affordability: Fort Collins purchased two more acres at 1900 Laporte Avenue for its Affordable Housing Land Bank, aiming to redevelop the site and secure future homes as demand grows, officials said — read the full story.
What drivers should know: North I-25 express lane tolling between Fort Collins and Berthoud will begin April 7, with time-of-day pricing and higher rates without a transponder to repay the $900 million project — see how pricing will work.
Friendship sparked by books: Two friends opened Cherry On Top, Fort Collins’ first romance bookstore, with a grand opening over Valentine’s Day weekend at 119 East Mountain Avenue. Both kept their full-time jobs — read the full story.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Fort Collins pie fix: Ginger and Baker serves slices you think about mid-meeting, from tart Cherry and classic Double Crust Apple to the legendary Quadruple Coconut Cream Pie. At the Market & Bakery, you’ll find morale-lifting desserts that travel well… and disappear fast.
Make someone’s day: If your kitchen table needs a color boost (or your apology needs extra petals), Paul Wood Florist turns seasonal stems into fresh, thoughtful arrangements with Fort Collins flair, perfect for birthdays, drop-ins, or when the snow finally melts.
Send it this week: Whetstone Climbing keeps Fort Collins moving with 23,000+ square feet of rope and bouldering terrain, yoga and fitness space, and a cozy cafe pouring local brews, perfect for post-session debriefs. Friendly crews, solid routes, and plenty of plastic to pull.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
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 →
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 →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
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📆 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.
🐾 Adoption Event @ PetSmart Fort Collins | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Every Saturday in March, Animal Friends Alliance turns the PetSmart on South College into a cuddle gauntlet of adoptable pups and kittens. Get pre-approved if you want first dibs that first hour, otherwise wander in late morning, meet the candidates, pretend you resisted.
🧚 Fairy Gardening Class @ Bath Garden Center & Nursery | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Play in the dirt like a kid, minus the backache, at a beginner-friendly Fairy Gardening Class at Bath Garden Center & Nursery on Prospect. They supply the container, soil, plants, and decor, and you bring curiosity, reading glasses, and $50. Seats vanish, so register early.
🎉 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.
☘ Old Town St. Pat’s Parade & Celebration @ Old Town Fort Collins | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Old Town is turning shamrock green again as the St. Pat’s Parade and Celebration makes its return. Expect floats, bagpipes, and neighborly cheer, the kind you can sip. Feeling festive and mildly competitive? Round up the crew, and get that float application in.
🐹 Guinea Pig Painting Class Fundraiser @ Cavies and Canines Animal Rescue | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Whether your artistic peak was a PTA poster or you channel Bob Ross, this Fort Collins guinea pig painting class is a fundraiser, no experience necessary. All ages, $40, two sessions. Donate at tinyurl.com/CCAR-Donate to snag a seat, include attendee names, and preferred session.
🥏 Discs for Dogs @ New Belgium Brewing | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – If tossing plastic at New Belgium sounds like your kind of cardio, this pop-up 21-hole doubles benefit raises funds for Big Bones Dog Rescue, and dogs are invited on leashes. Beginner friendly, prizes for fun, disc and beverage token for the first 120, so pre-register.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fort Collins report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 56°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 56. West northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. West wind 0 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 8 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
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Take a peek inside →
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