Fort Collins council appoints Anne Nelson to fill vacant District 6 seat after interviews and public comments

The Fort Collins City Council on the night of its special meeting appointed Anne Nelson to the vacant District 6 seat, voting 5-1 to adopt Resolution 2026-008.

Nelson, who told council she has long roots in District 6 and experience on the Housing Catalyst board and local advisory committees, was chosen after a work session of interviews with five applicants and a period of public comment. Council member Picnotaro moved to appoint Nelson; Council member Fudge seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll: Frances — yes; Hoven — no; Patty — yes; Fudge — yes; Pinotaro — yes; Conway — yes. The motion passed 5-1 and Mayor Francis adjourned the meeting.

The appointment followed roughly two hours of interviews in which every applicant emphasized housing affordability as the city’s top challenge. In her interview, Nelson said the city is “about 1,000 units behind” on its affordable-housing goal and warned that the shortfall represents a substantial construction gap if per-unit costs are considered. She described her professional experience as an architect and her work with Housing Catalyst as preparation for the technical and policy work the council does.

Other finalists framed the same issue from different perspectives. Liana Warren, who introduced her work as a program manager for a state weatherization and energy program, said the city is facing “a constant stream of cutbacks” and told council that Fort Collins had "lost out on $22,400,000 for our EV plans," a funding loss she tied to constraints on local transportation and charging infrastructure. Kat Steele urged streamlining permitting and providing templates for accessory dwelling units and said, "as a queer transgender member of the community, I would like to represent the LGBTQ residents of Fort Collins." Ted Shepherd emphasized tax-credit financing, land-banking and small-lot solutions, and Emily Gallachot highlighted code changes, renter protections and equity considerations.

Public commenters largely urged council to select candidates they had endorsed; eight residents spoke during the specific-item comment period. Supporters who rose during public comment emphasized finalists’ technical experience, community service, and ability to work with staff and stakeholders.

Mayor Francis and several council members praised the quality of all five applicants and framed the appointment as a difficult choice among qualified finalists. Council members cited District 6’s mix of neighborhoods — from Old Town and Mountain Avenue to mobile home parks — and said the new appointee will immediately face housing, infrastructure and transport policy decisions.

Resolution 2026-008 appointing Anne Nelson was approved on the motion by Picnotaro and second by Fudge; the council then adjourned. The resolution text and any administrative steps to seat Nelson will be processed by city staff as required.