The Importance of Simple Vs Complicated Ballot Language for Voters
“Ballot questions are an important and empowering part of our democracy. But when voters can’t understand these questions, they are more likely to skip them and miss a chance to cast their vote, or misunderstand the question and vote against their own intent. “ —The Center for Civic Design
The Hughes 100% Natural Area ballot language and Ordinance are SIMPLE and SHORT, and easy for voters to understand, as it should be. A 100% Natural Areas designation comes with multiple GUARANTEES of thoughtful planning, existing funding (no additional taxes!), protection and preservation of land and wildlife, with LOW-impact, multi-use recreational activities. Just like the other Fort Collins Natural Areas.
In stark contrast, the City Council’s ballot measure does not come close to fully representing the long-winded, gap-riddled legalese in the associated Ordinance (the Ordinance legalese is what will actually become law). The City Council referred mish-mash ballot and Ordinance language is only conceptual. It’s LONG and not definitive. The language is exceedingly confusing and VAGUE, with ZERO GUARANTEES on any future development or site plan, or how much and what kind of development will actually occur on the Hughes land, or whether any protected wildlife habitat will exist at all (0 to 60 acres of natural areas could mean 0 acres). The ballot language uses fancy buzzwords, but the actual site and development plans for Hughes DO NOT EXIST in the City Council’s ballot language and Ordinance.
Also, a massive 40 acres of the Hughes land is unaccounted for in Council’s development concept, which could at any time be added to the dirt bike park or used for more large permanent buildings for the Raptor Center and Bird Conservancy’s zoo-like Office Campus, or just about anything else as long as the add-on is given a creative name. And, any extra acres from the stated acreage ranges that are not ultimately developed become a blank canvas for other kinds of development on the land.
The City Council’s purposely vague language around acreage ranges and actual site development is meant to confuse and disempower voters. Unfortunately, voter confusion ultimately supports the Council’s goal to undermine the citizen petition, since the ballot is essentially double-rigged in Council’s favor, should both measures lose.
See the difference between our simple ballot language vs their confusing ballot language for yourself below.
303 Proposed Citizen-Initiated Ordinance - Hughes Stadium Property
Ballot Language for Making the Hughes Site a 100% Natural Area
An ordinance modifying the citizen-initiated ordinance approved by the registered electors in April 2021, which required the City of Fort Collins to rezone, acquire, and use for specified purposes the approximately 165-acre parcel of real property formerly home to the Hughes Stadium, so as to require that the property be designated and used 100% as a City natural area.
______ Yes/For
______ No/Against
2H City Referred Ballot Question - Civic Assembly Recommendation
Ballot Question 2H
City-Referred Ordinance – Expressing Support for the Civic Assembly Recommendations for the Hughes Site and Adopting a Conceptual Framework for the Use and Management of the Hughes Site
Ordinance No. 141, 2025, Expressing Support for the Recommendations of the Civic Assembly and Adopting a Conceptual Framework for the Use and Management of the Hughes Stadium Site (the “Council-Adopted Ordinance”), was adopted by the City Council on September 2, 2025, and provides for the following City actions:
requiring multi-use development and management for the approximately 165-acre Hughes Site;
requiring the City to consult with Native American tribes and the Indigenous community throughout the process;
requiring site plans to feature native and xeric vegetation and a naturalistic architectural palette, and include the following new amenities for the Hughes Site:
a City natural area, up to 60 acres;
dedicated space and facilities for environmental education and wildlife conservation, to include wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, up to 30 acres;
a trail system throughout the site connected to nearby City natural areas and parks;
a City park with a community bike park up to 35 acres, a community gathering area and appropriate related facilities;
may include existing uses, such as disc golf and winter sledding; and
requiring the City to manage these uses over time as planning, design and funding allow, in accordance with regular City planning and review processes, and consistent with the Public Open Lands zoning.
Shall the Council-Adopted Ordinance for multi-use of the Hughes Site be approved?
_____Yes/For
_____No/Against
