At Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD), transparency is more than a value. It is a responsibility we take seriously. From decisions about water rates and infrastructure investments to everyday operations and community involvement, we believe customers should have access to information about how their water district is managed.
That’s why we communicate through multiple channels, hold public board meetings and make important District information available online. Whether you prefer receiving updates in your mailbox, reading emails or following along on social media, we want to make it easy to stay informed.
TL;DR Summary
- District business is conducted at public board meetings, and customers are welcome to attend or find meeting agendas and approved minutes online.
- FCLWD uses multiple communication channels to help customers access information in the ways that work best for them. Newsletters and billing inserts are available on our website, even if you missed the original communication.
- We strive to make our digital communications accessible to those using assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
- Transparency means making information accessible, decisions visible and opportunities for involvement available to everyone we serve. Your role in staying informed is to check our communications if/when you have questions.
Public Board Meetings: Transparency in Action
FCLWD is a Title 32 special district, which means we are a local government entity established under Colorado law to provide a specific public service. Because of this, we are subject to requirements for public meetings, notices, financial accountability and access to public records. Transparency is also one of our core values, alongside customer service, quality, accountability, trust and professionalism.
Our elected Board of Directors conducts official District business at meetings that are open to the public. These meetings provide an opportunity to see how decisions are made about issues such as water rates, budgets, infrastructure investments and long-term planning.
Regular board meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at our office, 5150 Snead Drive in Fort Collins, with occasional schedule changes and special meetings. Customers are welcome to attend, observe and participate during the public comment period.
Can’t attend? You can still follow along. Visit our Board Meetings and Calendar page to view meeting dates and access our Community by Diligent portal, where agendas and approved meeting minutes are available. This provides a way to review the topics being discussed and the actions taken by the Board, even if you cannot attend in person.
Staying Informed Beyond Board Meetings
Board meetings are just one way FCLWD shares information. Throughout the year, we communicate with customers about rates, billing, water quality, conservation, construction projects, system updates and other District business.
We use several communication channels to reach customers in the methods that work best for them:
- Website: FCLWD.com is our central hub for District information, including board materials, rates, projects, water quality reports, news and updates. Itās available 24/7, 365 and is the best way to access information on-demand.
- Quarterly newsletters: Delivered with customer bills, either by mail or email, with District news and educational information.
- Billing inserts: Distributed with customer paper bills to highlight timely announcements, reminders and opportunities to get involved.
- Social media: Updates through Facebook, Instagram and Nextdoor, including conservation tips, project information and service announcements.
- Blogs: A deeper dive with additional context and explanations of topics affecting our customers.
- Direct customer communications: Notices and updates when construction, water service interruptions or other issues may affect particular customers.
Importantly, you don’t have to keep every piece of mail or save every email to stay informed. Our District Updates page provides an archive of newsletters and billing inserts. If you receive paper bills, these materials arrive in the mail. If you receive electronic bills, they are delivered digitally. Either way, you can return to our website to find past communications whenever you need them.
Making Information Accessible to Everyone
Providing information is only part of transparency. That information also needs to be accessible. As a public entity, FCLWD is subject to Colorado’s digital accessibility requirements. We work to make our website and digital communications usable by people with disabilities, including those who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers.
This includes practices such as adding alternative text to images, organizing content for easier navigation and considering accessibility when preparing online documents and social media content. The goal is to help all customers access important District information, regardless of how they browse or read it.
Your Role in Staying Informed
We recognize that customers have different schedules, communication preferences and levels of interest in District business. That’s why we work to share information in multiple formats and make it available for future reference. At the same time, staying informed is a shared effort. While we cannot personally deliver every update to every customer, we work to ensure everyone has access to the same information and opportunities to participate.
We encourage you to explore our website, review District communications, keep your contact information current and attend a board meeting when a topic interests you. Transparency means making information accessible, decisions visible and opportunities for involvement available to everyone we serve.
For questions or help locating information, contact us at frontdesk@fclwd.com or (970) 226-3104.
