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Civic Assembly Case Study: Community-Led Problem Solving

Assistant City Manager

Rupa Venkatesh

City Manager

Kelly DiMartino

04-16-2026

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Agenda

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What problem are we trying to solve?

Potential Solution: Civic Assembly

Fort Collins Case Study

Lessons Learned

Q&A

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Problem we’re trying to solve

These slides provided courtesy of Healthy Democracy

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Representation

We don’t see ourselves �in our political system.

A Problem of

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We depend almost entirely on �self-selected volunteerism – �open in theory, �but restricted in practice.

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Participation in Civic Activities by Income

(US adults who took part in at least one civic/political activity

in the past 12 months)

Source: Pew Research Center, Sept. 2009, tinyurl.com/hdpresent6.

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Blame the individuals, �blame the systems – �in the end, it doesn’t matter.

The outcome is the same: �most people aren’t in it.

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Process

We don’t see a system �that’s built for us.

A Problem of

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We don’t see public decision making �as something we can all do.

It seems to require . . .

Comfort with rigid procedures

Special knowledge

This is the state we’re in right now, as an example: we once had a woman tell us she didn’t think she was qualified to participate in a deliberation on affordable housing, despite the fact that she had lived in subsidized housing most of her life. Who could be more qualified?
We once had a recent high school graduate tell us they didn’t think they were qualified to participate in a deliberation on education funding. That’s ridiculous. Who could be more qualified.
But, for most people, there is nothing about our current way of doing that things that makes us say to ourselves: oh sure, I could do that.
And isn’t that the whole point of a democracy – that nothing is required of us – no tests or applications or rare force of will just to participate. We shouldn’t need any of that. We have just as much a right to be policymakers – to help decide how the details of how we live together. Unfortunately, the architecture of our system does not tell us that.

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And most of us don’t see it as �something we even want to do.

It seems to involve . . .

Arguing, not collaboration

Lots of work, not much impact

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The Result

Very few of us will ever deeply participate in any public policy decision that affects us

at any point in our lives.

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No surprise – �this has consequences.

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Potential Solution: Civic Assemblies

These slides provided courtesy of Healthy Democracy

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A New Approach to Democracy

Civic Assemblies

(a.k.a., Citizens’ Assemblies, Policy Juries)

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In-Depth Deliberation

changes policymaking itself, prioritizing substantial time, �broad information, personal support, Delegate power & a new political architecture that fosters collaboration

Civic Assemblies Are Different

WHO

WHAT

HOW

Democratic Lottery

draws out brand new voices, creates a unique microcosm of the public & reduces barriers to participating fully

Decisions by Supermajority

help find creative common ground, while respecting difference & never forcing consensus

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Who’s in the Room

The Democratic Lottery

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Who’s in the Room

Steps of a Three-Stage Democratic Lottery

Set demographic categories & determine targets
Send invitation letters to 10,000-20,000 �randomly selected residential addresses (and �100+ distributed to folks without addresses)

Receive replies – typically ~3% response rate

Run open source representative random sampling algorithm to create 1,000 potential Assemblies, all of which satisfy demographic targets
Public lottery selection event to select one of these 1,000 Assemblies

Reselect replacements for folks who can’t make it
Select a group of alternates

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Who’s in the Room

Reducing Barriers to Participation

All Costs Covered: Panelists receive substantial stipends, plus travel costs, child/elder care, laptops, hotspots, etc.

Direct Panelist Support: one-on-one process onboarding, concierge, tech setup, other accommodations, and ongoing support

Comprehensive Language Access: translation, simultaneous interpretation, plus assistive aids & technologies

Preparation Parity: delay the flood of info (context, technical details, lived experience, etc.) until Panel is seated

Often, we know large sections of our communities are kept out of participating through invisible barriers -- time availability, costs, lack of familiarity and comfort with public meetings, and lack of information. This approach seeks to eliminate as many of those barriers as possible.
First, we cover the costs of participating -- everyone is paid an hourly wage for their time, reimbursed for travel costs, child/elder care, and provided with the equipment they need (laptops, hotspots, et cetera)
Second, support staff provide direct support to Panelists, helping ensure they feel personally welcome and comfortable with all elements of the process
Third, moderators use group process techniques to help balance participation and create a safe, welcoming environment
Lastly, we don’t assume people come to the table with any prior policy expertise. While we encourage folks to draw on their lived experiences, we also equip them with all the tools they need to complete the task at hand.

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What Happens �in the Room

Deliberation

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Policy topic & framing question chosen by convener �or, better yet, through a democratic process
Orientation to the art of group decision making –�collaboration, critical thinking & group awareness
Extensive learning phase – info & opinion landscape

Background presenters (independently selected)
Briefing materials, lived experience & community input

Deliberative work – through iterative small and large �groups guided by specially trained moderators
Policy recommendations in Delegates’ own words, delivered directly to decision makers – with supermajority agreement.

What Happens in the Room

The Deliberative Process

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Time intensive – often 40-100+ deliberative hours
Directed & governed by Delegates, as much as possible, rather than by contractors / City staff
Detailed process designs based on decades �of research on deliberative policymaking
Designed to weigh complex tradeoffs in service to the broader public good
Action-ready recommendations that are very often adopted by public authorities
Result in novel, community-driven, and durable policy solutions

What Happens in the Room

Unique Process Elements & Results

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Fort Collins Case Study: Former Hughes Stadium (land use issue)

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Background

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1968

2016

2019-2022

CSU Closes the 164-acre Hughes Stadium Site

2023

2021

City considers options for the site (Council considers rezoning the site for housing in Nov 2019)

Consider community input on activities for use of the site

Stadium opens for CSU football games

2022-2023

Citizens vote to rezone the site for “parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, wildlife rescue and restoration.” Council rezones property as “Public Open Lands”

City acquires the site from CSU

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Historic Site Context

1950

2017

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2019 Development Proposal - Feedback

Many drawings indicated a desire for “Public Open Lands” or POL across the entire site. �
Many other drawings indicated a preference for some development on the site with a protective naturalistic or open space buffer along the western edge of the site.

August 2019 Open House

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Citizen Initiated Ballot – April 2021

Shall the City enact an ordinance requiring the City Council of the City of Fort Collins to immediately rezone upon passage of the ordinance a 164.56-acre parcel of real property formerly home to the Hughes Stadium from the Transition District to the Public Open Lands District, and requiring the City to acquire the property at fair market value to use said property for parks, recreation, and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration, and further prohibiting the City from de-annexing, ceasing acquisition efforts or subsequently rezoning the property without voter approval of a separate initiative referred to the voters by City Council, and granting legal standing to any registered elector in the City to seek injunctive and/or declaratory relief in the courts related to City noncompliance with said ordinance?

28,492 Yes/For 68.61%�13,034 No/Against 31.39%

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What made this ripe for a civic assembly?

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Politically polarizing, long-standing community issue

Traditional engagement did not present a consensus opinion

Stakeholders were singularly focused

Clear purpose and authority from Elected Officials

“Silent Middle” existed – a large group of folks who aren’t on the extreme ends

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Invitations

Invitation postcards to 15K randomly �selected residential addresses.
Promotions via special interest groups, partners and the Native American Community/Tribal nations
Applications received online

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Demographic Representation

Council district
Income
Age
Educational Attainment
Housing Status

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Microcosm of Fort Collins community: Assembly Demographics

15,000 randomly selected households received invitations.
Assembly mirrors city's demographics based on 2023 census.
Some protected classes excluded from selection criteria (legal)

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Council District	% of FC pop.	% of all responses	% of CA (# of ppl)
1	16.7	19.4	15 (3)
2	16.7	13.3	15 (3)
3	16.7	10.3	5 (1)
4	16.7	20.9	15 (3)
5	16.7	18.6	25 (5)
6	16.7	17.5	25 (5)

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Microcosm of Fort Collins community: Assembly Demographics

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Age Range	% of FC pop.	% of all responses	% of Civic Assembly (# of ppl)
16-24	28.2	6.1	25 (5)
25-34	20.8	19.8	20 (4)
35-44	14.8	21.7	20 (4)
45-54	11	18.6	15 (3)
55-64	11	14.8	5 (1)
65-74	8.6	11.8	5 (1)
74+	5.7	7.2	10 (2)

Housing Status	% of FC pop.	% of all responses	% of CA (# of ppl)
Own	57.7	65.4	55 (11)
Rent	42.7	33.8	40 (8)
Unhoused	0.2	0.8	5 (1)

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Microcosm of Fort Collins community: Assembly Demographics

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Educational Attainment	% of FC pop	% of all responses	% of CA (# of ppl)
Some schooling; no diploma	5.2	2.3	10 (2)
High school diploma or equivalent	15.7	2.7	10 (2)
Some college or Associate’s degree	31.9	14.1	25 (5)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	47.2	81.0	55 (11)

Household Income (per yr)	% of FC pop	% of all responses	% of CA (# of ppl)
<$25k	9.5	7.2	15 (3)
$25k-$49,999	12.8	12.5	10 (2)
$50k-$99,999	25.8	26.2	25 (5)
$100k-$199,999	32.9	39.9	35 (7)
>$200k	19.0	14.1	15 (3)

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Information Committee

Community Guides

Organized and conducted conversations in their community. Data from these conversations was compiled into a report and provided to the Assembly

Coordinated through CSU’s CPD
16+ Community Guides
Selected through an application process
Guides could opt-in for compensation and meeting support
Applications open Dec. 16 – Jan. 20
Training sessions February 5 & 12

Tasked with reviewing and compiling information from all sources to be provided to the Assembly.

Helps to ensure neutral, unbiased and organized information
Committee comprised of:
(4) Community Guides
(4) Community Members
(4) B&C Representatives

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Civic Assembly Question

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“Informed by the diverse needs of our community, what use of the Hughes site will contribute most effectively to Fort Collins’ long-term vitality and meet the requirements outlined in the 2021 ballot measure?”

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Process

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Civic Assembly Recommendations

Super Majority Outcomes Included:�

Property should be utilized for multiple uses
Indigenous consultation, support and opportunities should be included
Natural habitats should be restored throughout the development, as possible
Outdoor education and interpretation should�be included
Community gathering space(s)
Minimize light pollution
Include trail connections to Maxwell and Pineridge
City will consult with land use experts, planners, architects and designers for the optimal location of site features

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Timeline

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1

2

5

4

6

7

2021

Citizen initiated ballot measure passes

June 2023

April – May 2025

May 27, 2025

Jul 8

Aug 19/Sept 2

City acquires site from CSU

Council Work Session: Civic Assembly presents recommendations

Council Work Session

Council approves recommendations and Ballot Referral

Civic Assembly convenes over two weekends

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3

Aug 2024

Council approves use of a civic assembly

Nov 4, 2025

2H City Referred Ballot Question Approved with a 68% vote

(Competing Citizen-Initiated measure fails at 46%)

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Budget & Resources

$150k – City Council �$49k – Private Foundations �

Stipends provided:

$24/hr at 21 hours = $504
Transportation, Food, Child & Elder Care reimbursements

Core Project Team

4 – City Staff
4 – Healthy Democracy
2 – Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation
1 – Local Policy Lab
1 – American Public Trust�

Additional day of help

7 – CPD students (small group moderators)
1 – Bard University
1 – FIDE North America

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Lessons Learned

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Assemblies are time and labor intensive

Impact of advocacy groups/external community discussion

Clear communication strategies are key

Partnerships are key

Sort out legal issues early

Should not be the only engagement tool

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Kelly DiMartino –kdimartino@fortcollins.gov

Rupa Venkatesh – rvenkatesh@fortcollins.gov, (561) 289-6176

Linn Davis – Healthy Democracy, (503) 334-9455, info@healthydemocracy.org

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Questions?

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