Communication between CSU and City Blocked

Open honesty to the public and the city arose as an issue at the City Council meeting Mar. 20.

A proposal to build an on-campus stadium at Colorado State University and non-public  subcommittees of the stadium advisory board prompted great debate during the city council meeting Tuesday.

During the meeting, Fort Collins resident Anne Colwell voiced how she was disappointed that CSU has not been relaying all of the information regarding the new stadium proposal though she saw hope when the Center for Public Deliberation (CPD), an on-campus group holding public hearings on the proposed stadium became part of the proposal.

“We really want an open and honest process at CSU and I have become increasingly disappointed in my alma mater,” said Colwell, CSU 1996 alumnus. “I was really excited when the CPD was hired on to give a public input process, because I thought ‘oh great, everyone is going to have a voice.’ Unfortunately, it is a bit of an illusion that everything is going to be open and honest.”

President Tony Frank appointed Deputy City Manager Diane Jones to attend the stadium advisory committee meetings and subcommittees.

Jones explained how by open meetings law, the CSU board of directors meetings must be open to the public, though the stadium advisory committee meeting is open by choice, but does not include an open community comment section.

When asked about the stadium advisory subcommittee meeting, Jones refrained, saying that she has not asked permission of the board to share that information.

“I am trying to participate with the process that is outlined and keep with that process,” Jones said.

Councilmember Gerry Horak asked multiple questions to Jones regarding the block of communication.

“I am used to a spirit that is very open, meeting at a public time during public deliberations, on public facilities,” Horak said.

City Manager Darin Atteberry moved the issue forward by asking Jones to clear up communication between the stadium advisory committee and city council.


“If it is confidential, then we need to be clear about that,” Atteberry said. “If not, the expectation that the council and I and the public is that [Jones] would provide that information when asked.”

The next stadium advisory committee meeting is scheduled for March 29.