It’s Friday, Fort Collins! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: West Nile risk warning, a newly opened boutique hotel, and a true crime murder mystery dinner + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old) -- see what it covers.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Weekend plans are packed: This weekend will bring a local food Taste, ballet at Lincoln Theatre, The Spitfire Grill, Conservation Gardens Fair, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds at The Gardens on Spring Creek, tickets $50 -- see all the event details.
Health officials sound alarm: Larimer County officials warned Wednesday of West Nile risk as mosquito season begins. Last year’s 53 cases were the most since 2013, and increased trapping and testing are underway -- learn more about the risk.
A new kind of stay: The Buxton Hotel opened in Fort Collins after a historic renovation, transforming a former Best Western near CSU into a 69-room boutique with wellness features and plans for local partnerships -- read more about the opening.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan -- see how it works.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Brows that behave: Been penciling like it's a part-time job? At NaturaLines Brow & Training Studio, owner-artist Mary Ritcherson uses nano strokes, ombre powder and combo techniques to deliver believable, low-maintenance brows... plus microneedling if your skin wants a glow-up. Give future-you a few extra minutes of sleep.
Freshen up your walls: Whether your living room needs a conversation piece or that blank wall is begging for personality, One Bad Apple Fine Arts can dream up custom murals, portraits, sculptures, even bespoke furniture. Ping them with an idea, they’ll translate it into something original that actually feels Fort Collins.
Skate, play, repeat: Fort Collins’ evergreen antidote to doomscrolling, Rollerland Skate Center pairs a smooth 12,000-square-foot floor, live DJ sessions, an arcade, and a laser maze, so you can trade couch time for laps, laughs, and mild bragging rights. Text a friend, then actually go.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Incogni gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background. *Remove my data →
The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both — 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and up to 6% in a category you pick. No annual fee, and there's a $200 bonus after $1,000 in spending in the first 90 days. *Worth a look →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town this weekendOur favorite events this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌸 Blooming Makers Market 2026 @ Bath Garden Center | Saturday (6/13) at 9:00 AM – Bath Garden Center turns into a seasonal makers market with local artists selling artwork, quality goods, and giftable finds. Wander the blooms, chat with the makers, and pretend you did not need another handmade mug, candle, or succulent.
🐇 Alice in Wonderland @ The Lincoln Center Art Gallery | Saturday (6/13) at 6:00 PM – Think you know your Wonderland? Canyon Concert Ballet spins Alice at Fort Collins' Lincoln Center with twirling tea parties, sly Cheshire grins, and choreography sharp enough to please your inner critic, your grandkids, and your knees, which will appreciate watching others do the jumping.
🕵 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery @ Fort Collins Marriott | Saturday (6/13) – Think you can spot a liar before dessert? This award-winning interactive true crime murder mystery dinner turns the whole room into suspects and sleuths, with laughs, surprise twists, and courses you can actually enjoy while side-eyeing your neighbor. Trust no one, refill your wine, repeat.
🌿 Wild Plant Connection: Plant Meditation & Medicinal Plant Walk @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary | Sunday (6/14) at 10:00 AM – Think you know the weeds by Lee Martinez Park? Clinical herbalist Brita LaTona leads an intuitive plant meditation and medicinal walk to spot Front Range healers, learn their actions, and pick up simple remedies, then brag that your dandelions are basically a neighborhood pharmacy.
🏳 Fort Collins Pride Ride @ Trek Bicycle Fort Collins | Sunday (6/14) at 11:00 AM – Grab your bike and roll with FoCo’s Pride Ride, a chill cruise under 10 miles that celebrates our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, allies, and all the fabulous in between. No spandex heroics, just bells, smiles, and the kind of community vibe that actually lasts.
🐶 Custom Art Event: Paint Your Pet @ Painting with a Twist | Sunday (6/14) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats turning your pet’s latest chaos into art, then hanging it like you meant to all along. This laid-back workshop walks you from blank canvas to a frame-worthy portrait of your furry tyrant, you relax, chat with neighbors, and leave with your custom masterpiece.
🎭 OpenStage Theatre & Company’s Midsummer Celebration Annual Fundraiser @ Center for Creativity | Sunday (6/14) at 3:00 PM – OpenStage is throwing its Midsummer Celebration, a fundraiser to keep the lights on, with live performances and art, music, games, and merry mischief, plus live and silent auctions, and plenty of local food and drink. Basically summer camp for theater nerds, only with better wine. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — The Fort Collins report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 90. North northwest wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West northwest wind 5 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 51°F — Precip: 4%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. This house is wildThis stunning custom ranch in Scenic Ranch Estates spans 5 private acres with sweeping Colorado views, just 10 minutes from Old Town. Rich ebonized hickory floors, exposed beams, and a stone fireplace set the tone, while the gourmet kitchen, newly finished basement, covered patio, garden beds, and oversized 3-car garage add serious style and function.
Take a peek inside → |
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