At Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD), transparency isn’t just a buzzword. It’s one of our foundational values. Alongside customer service, quality, accountability, trust and professionalism, it shapes how we operate and communicate every single day. With an upcoming budget hearing on November 18, we invite members of the community to attend. In this blog, we share more about what board meetings are like, as well as how public attendance at board meetings is an essential piece to our value of transparency. Our goal is simple: to make sure our customers and community members understand how we make decisions, where their money goes and how we’re planning for the future. From budgets to water quality, we believe that sharing information openly builds trust and strengthens the relationship we have with the people we serve.
TL;DR Summary
- Board meetings occur on the third Tuesday of the month and are open to the public. They are where our elected board members complete all of the official business of the board.
- To participate, you can attend and just listen or share a public comment during the section of the meeting set aside for the community to share. We have an upcoming budget hearing on November 18 and would love to see you there.
- Transparency is one of our five values, but public board meetings are not the only way we provide visibility into our operations. Another primary way we are transparent is through our wide variety of communication channels.
- As a Title 32 special district, we’re required by Colorado law to hold public board meetings, post meeting agendas and minutes and make documents available for public review.
What Is a Board Meeting and Why Does It Matter?
All official District business happens at our Board meetings. It’s where the Board of Directors reviews finances, discusses major projects, considers new policies and makes the decisions that keep high-quality, secure and reliable water flowing to our customers. Board members are not FCLWD staff. They are elected individuals who are paid a small stipend for their work, but are largely volunteering their time and expertise.
The Board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at our office located at 5150 Snead Drive in Fort Collins. These meetings are open to the public, and anyone is welcome to attend. We post agendas in advance and meeting minutes after the next month’s meeting when they are approved. You can find agendas and minutes on our website at fclwd.com/who-we-are/board-of-directors/board-meetings-and-calendar.
A typical meeting covers a wide variety of topics. At the September meeting, for example, the Board discussed proposed 2026 rates, reviewed the draft budget, heard updates on capital projects and approved actions related to water court filings and infrastructure planning. It’s where the real work happens—from long-term planning and bond discussions to everyday operational updates.
Get Involved: How to Share a Public Comment
Attending a public meeting can feel intimidating if you’ve never been to one before. To make things easier, here’s what the process looks like for anyone who wants to share feedback with the Board:
- Arrive a few minutes early. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.
- Wait for the public comment portion. Public comment typically happens near the beginning of the meeting.
- When it’s your turn, step up and share your thoughts. You’ll have up to three minutes to speak. Comments can be questions, ideas, feedback or simply something you’d like the Board to consider.
Remember, you don’t need to be an expert. Whether you have concerns about future rates, curiosity about a project or a perspective to share, your participation helps shape our work. We welcome respectful discussion and community input.
Upcoming Budget Hearing | November 18
Our next Board meeting on Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. will include a public budget hearing. The budget hearing is an essential opportunity for the community to participate in our budgeting process.
The Board will review the proposed 2026 budget. Community members are encouraged to review it and share comments during the hearing. After this discussion, the Board will consider feedback and announce the final budget approval at the December 9, 2025 meeting.
This year, we held our annual public rate hearing earlier than usual, on September 23, to provide even more time for the community to review proposed changes and ask questions. Holding these hearings earlier is part of our effort to make the process more transparent and accessible for everyone we serve.
How We Put Transparency Into Practice
Transparency isn’t just about meetings or hearings. It’s woven into everything we do. Our team works to share clear, factual information across all of our communication channels, so customers can engage with the District in whatever way works best for them.
That includes:
- Email updates and newsletters that share key District news, upcoming events and reminders.
- Print materials like billing inserts and postcards, which help ensure that all customers, including those who prefer paper communication, stay informed.
- Social media and blogs, where we share water-saving tips, project updates and behind-the-scenes looks at how the District operates.
- Op-eds and media outreach to help educate the broader community about important water topics.
- Website updates, including meeting minutes, rate details and water quality reports.
We also go beyond routine communication when projects could affect customers directly, such as during construction or seasonal conservation efforts. Our goal is always to be proactive, so residents know what’s happening and why.
Why Transparency Matters
As a Title 32 special district, FCLWD is guided by accountability to the people we serve. Every decision we make, whether it’s about rates, infrastructure or long-term planning, affects our customers. Being transparent about those decisions helps build trust, invites collaboration and ensures the community can see exactly how their District operates. Additionally, as a Title 32 special district, we’re actually required by Colorado law to hold public board meetings, post meeting agendas and minutes and make documents available for public review.
Join Us on November 18
We invite you to see transparency in action by joining us at our next Board meeting and public budget hearing. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 5150 Snead Drive in Fort Collins.
Whether you’d like to share a comment, listen in on the discussion or simply learn more about how your water district works, we hope to see you there.
Your participation helps us make better decisions and keeps our community informed, connected and confident in the water we deliver every day.
