Born in Canada and now a Fort Collins resident, Zoelle Lane is a renter and young professional who works at Colorado State University. She works at Colorado State University, previously worked in nonprofits, and has experience administering grants and programs that support people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Lane is running for Fort Collins City Council in District 5, a majority-renter district.
Episode Summary
Host Nick Armstrong interviews District 5 candidate Zoelle Lane about affordability, housing, transit, small business support, and community wellbeing. Lane argues that Fort Collins must address housing affordability for renters and entry-level homebuyers, align zoning with transit corridors, and reduce permitting friction for mid- to high-density and mixed-use projects. She supports a phased local minimum-wage increase (including tipped workers) paired with time for small businesses to adapt and with city efforts to reduce other cost pressures.
On infrastructure, Lane cites District 5 transit gaps—particularly east-west service and bus frequency—and supports additional park-and-ride options beyond the CSU area to reduce congestion and improve safety for people walking and biking. On water and growth, she favors rainwater irrigation, xeriscaping in new developments, incentives for low-flow appliances, and caution on water-intensive data centers.
Lane discusses partnering with—but not over-relying on—nonprofits and arts organizations, and reallocating portions of city spending (e.g., consultancy budgets) toward local expertise and priorities. She supports state-level protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care and says a formal “sanctuary” label can signal community acceptance. She emphasizes broad voter participation and constructive campaigns, noting common goals across candidates even if tactics differ.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: Expand mid- to high-density and mixed-use zoning along key transit corridors; consider adjusted parking requirements; expedite permits for targeted housing types.
- Wages & Small Business: Pursue a multi-year local minimum-wage plan (including tipped workers) with ramp-up time and parallel efforts to lower other business costs.
- Transit in District 5: Address east-west bus gaps and frequency; explore additional park-and-ride locations; leverage free bus service to reduce congestion and improve safety.
- Water & Growth: Promote rainwater irrigation, xeriscaping, and incentives for low-flow appliances; scrutinize water-intensive data centers.
- Nonprofits & Arts: Strengthen city partnerships and funding while avoiding over-reliance; consider reallocating some budgets toward local expertise.
- Elections & Civic Culture: Support ranked-choice voting education and positive campaigning; encourage turnout for municipal measures and races.
Notable Quotes
- “I very quickly realized very few people actually make enough money to do those things.”
- “We need to expand zoning along key transit corridors.”
- “We’re not thriving if our vulnerable communities are not also thriving with us.”
- “We need to be getting really creative with non-drinking residential water usage.”
- “Even if you just fill out the ballot for the one thing you really care about…turn it in.”
Resources / Links
Candidate site: https://zoellelane.com/
Instagram: Zoelle for Fort Collins: https://www.instagram.com/zoelleforfc/
Animal Friends Alliance: https://www.savinganimalstoday.org/
Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/
Dear Fort Collins YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins
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