Key priorities for Tricia Canonico
Union: Canonico says economic opportunity must be taken on together. Caninco’s bike infrastructure proposal is part of a strategy
Equity: Canonico is defending renters and mobile home residents through code enforcement.
Innovation: Canonico wants to streamline regulations for entrepreneurs and promote local business growth.
By Luke Purvis
The Ramspondents
“Fort Collins can’t afford to choose between climate action, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. We have to do all three together if we want a city where everyone can thrive.”
District 3 city council member Tricia Canonico is a candidate running for mayor. For her, it’s about ensuring the city adapts to the realities it is going through while continuing to grow. Canonico stresses that climate goals and economic health are not conflicting.
“When Fort Collins shows up at the state and federal level, we’re not just advocating for cleaner air,” she said. “We're making the case that climate action creates jobs and keeps our community healthy.”
Her plans include expanding free transit, investing in bike infrastructure and supporting the passenger rail service between Fort Collins and Denver 2029. Canonico said she supports financing through the city’s EPIC homes loan program to help households afford energy efficiency upgrades and replace outdated mobile homes. She argues for Fort Collins to diversify its housing stock by embracing accessory dwelling units for funding more multi-unit housing options.
“When we expand housing choices, we reduce sprawl, we reduce car trips and we create affordability,” she said. “That's climate action and equity at the same time.”
Protecting renters and mobile home residents remains a priority for Canonico. She said she plans to make code enforcement stronger and explore resident-owned models.
Canonico has served on many nonprofit boards such as The Family Center and leading Moms Demand Action. During the pandemic, she founded Visa NoCo Frontline where she connected restaurants with healthcare workers around Fort Collins.
“Community Building is where I've always started. It's about creating solutions that bring people together,” she said.
Canonico stresses that climate goals and economic health are not conflicting. She has leadership roles as vice president of Colorado Communities for Climate Action and is one of 39 local officials on the EPAs Local Government Advisory Committee. She argues Fort Collins must diversify its housing stock by embracing accessory dwelling units for funding more multi-unit housing options.
“When we expand housing choices, we reduce sprawl, we reduce car trips and we create affordability,” she said. “That's climate action and equity at the same time.” Protecting renters and mobile home residents remains a top priority for Canonico. She said she plans to make code enforcement stronger and explore resident-owned models.
What does Canonico see in Small Businesses and Innovation? She sees Fort Collins economy as an opportunity where small businesses and CSU partnerships intersect. Canonico has proposed a city-backed food incubator, which cites local success stories like Taco Stop.
“It shouldn’t take years of red tape for a great idea to be a perfect business,” she said. “By making it easier, we create an opportunity and keep innovation local”
Canonico advocates for narrowing roads while combining education with enforcement to respond to rising traffic facilities. She calls for more robust digital platforms so residents can submit ideas and vote on priorities. A big need for Fort Collins is addressing traffic safety and transparency in government.
“We have to meet people where they are. That means not just in town halls but classrooms online or in person… or outside the neighborhoods," she said.
Every piece of the Canonico platform connects back to the central idea: Fort Collins can't treat climate, housing and economic opportunity as separate silos. As the city prepares for its next mayor, Canonico is betting that her integrated vision reasons with voters looking for pragmatism and leadership.
“If we solve these issues, we’ll fall short. If we tackle them together, Fort Collins can be a model for what a resilient thriving city looks like,” she said.
Luke Purvis is a CSU Journalism and Media Communication student. He hopes to gain as much knowledge as possible so that he can come prepared when he graduates.