Collaborative community spirit translates to economic impact

Fort Collins leaders have joined forces to rally the community around Colorado State University football and in the process contribute to the economic viability of the region.

Colorado State University Athletics, the city of Fort Collins, the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled plans for "Game Day Fort Collins" and "Ram Town," during a news briefing in July.

"It's great for the local economy," said David May, president of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.

"Colorado State is an economic engine, and game weekends mean a lot to this town in terms of economic impact," said CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk, who spearheaded the project after observing a less-than-enthusiastic atmosphere on game days last season.

Athletics offers more to a community than entertainment, said Kowalczyk, citing a study showing that 25,000 people in the stadium generate $1.5 million for the local economy. "That's not chump change."

Engaging support

Throughout an eight-month process, a city spirit committee created a university-city plan to unite the community around CSU athletics. The result: a collaborative effort to engage businesses, families, and community members in supporting the Rams.

A new game-day website link, CSURAMS.com provides one-stop shopping for tickets, lodging, restaurants, and weekend activities in the area. Community pep rallies are planned, and the CSU pep band will march through Old Town in Fort Collins on Friday evenings before home games. Local businesses will display CSU flags and green and gold regalia. And Ram Town, a new, family-friendly, interactive area at Hughes Stadium, will open three hours before kickoff and include a play space for young Ram fans, food vendors, and corporate and individual tailgating sites.

Leveraging resources

"We have a natural, built-in group of people who have an affinity for Fort Collins and CSU ... By having them spend a day or a weekend here, it is good for them, good for CSU, and good for the local economy," said May.

This is about leveraging our resources, said Darin Atteberry, city manager for Fort Collins. "This is a great community with a great university. Our community expects we do these types of things together."

Ann Hutchison, executive vice president for the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, also is aware of how the University can help fill local coffers. "Each home football game has tremendous economic impact on our community."