NEWS

Keys to Community

Wildfire Preparedness

Community mailer | 9/11/2026

Wildfire behavior

Everything is fuel: forests, trees, shrubs, grasses, fences, and structures.

Wind: the main connector and driver – can determine speed, intensity, and extent of fire spread. Wind can currently carry embers 3 to 5 miles from flame source. The hotter the conditions, the easier for wind to spread fire through fuel.

Home/Property hardening and fire preparation

The most important step you can take is to make your structures and the surrounding 10 feet ember-proof. Then, continue to thin vegetation and remove fuels around property.

The more community members are engaged in fuel and hazard reduction efforts, the lower the risk!

Resources

Planning your exit

Be Ember Aware

PDF for handouts

Rural considerations

Wildfire: Preparing Ranch and Farm

Evacuation and preparedness

Individuals with assistance needs or who are part of a vulnerable population can register with their fire department ahead of time.

Regardless of the number of evacuation routes available in your community, being prepared with a go bag and leaving early can help reduce road congestion.

Wildfire evacuation checklist PDF

Wildfire evacuation

NOCO Alert: Emergency alerts

LETA encourages residents to use the NOCOAlert website as the primary spot to get information about the emergency alert system, view the interactive alert map, and get additional details regarding specific alerts.

Watch Duty

Other mailer resources

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Larimer County will provide a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with a disability who need assistance, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship to the County or fundamentally alter services. Services can be arranged with at least seven (7) business days' notice. Please email accessibility@larimer.org or call 970-498-5967 or Relay Colorado 711. "Walk-in" requests for auxiliary aids and services will be honored to the extent possible but may be unavailable if advance notice is not provided.

Videos for emergency preparedness for disabilities

Emergency preparedness videos and resources

Help Carry CommuniKeys Into 2027

Angela Hollingsworth

Communication. Participation. Belonging.

This year, we have built more opportunities for autistic adults and their caregivers to explore, learn, contribute, and connect. Now we are asking for your help to carry that work into 2027.

Choose one way to help this week and share one opportunity with someone you know. A donation, unused outdoor gear, an introduction, or a conversation with your community group can make a difference.

Around 20 students. More than 50 supported sessions.

Adaptive cycling participant at a CommuniKeys pilot outing in Fort Collins.

Through October 2026, CommuniKeys activities have included three adaptive cycling pilots, a completed archery series with Colorado Youth Outdoors, hiking, climbing, gardening, food preparation, and community gatherings.

Students and caregivers learn alongside one another, exploring interests and finding the supports that make participation possible. Continuing this work requires dependable funding for staff time, preparation, equipment, supplies, and community partnerships.

Give through Colorado Gives

CommuniKeys is now approved on Colorado Gives. You can make a one-time gift or choose monthly giving to help sustain communication access, sensory accessibility, purposeful movement, and meaningful community participation.

Make a gift through Colorado Gives

Your unused outdoor gear can open new doors

Through The Gearage’s Consignment for a Cause, eligible outdoor gear can be sold to benefit CommuniKeys. When an item sells, the proceeds remaining after the shop’s commission and applicable fees support our outdoor equipment needs.

Gather clean, functional gear with all necessary parts. Think snowshoes, ski equipment, backpacks, outdoor clothing, and other adventure gear. Visit The Gearage at 142 Remington Street in Fort Collins. Staff evaluate items based on condition, season, and inventory.

Tell staff: “I’m contributing this gear through Consignment for a Cause to benefit CommuniKeys.” Before leaving, confirm that accepted items are credited to the CommuniKeys fundraising account. If staff cannot locate it, contact Angela before completing the drop-off.

Check The Gearage’s current consignment guidelines before bringing items in.

Come celebrate with us

Join our Fall Celebration & Chili/Stew Cook-Off on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 1–4 p.m. at the CommuniKeys Hub, 584 W Douglas Road, Fort Collins.

Come for food, bingo, music, karaoke, and a silent auction. Bring a favorite recipe or simply enjoy the afternoon. Cooking is optional.

RSVP for the Fall Celebration

You can also help build our silent auction. Contribute a gift certificate, new item, artwork, service, or experience, or ask a favorite business, club, or community group to contribute.

Please arrange auction donations by November 8. Email Angela with a description, estimated value, restrictions or expiration dates, and preferred donor name. We will coordinate delivery or pickup. If an item will be available later, please contact us first. Watch for the bidding link as the celebration approaches.

Start with an interest you share

You do not have to explain everything CommuniKeys does. Share a program that connects with your interests or the people you know, then help us make an introduction.

Adaptive cycling: Share our pilot recap with a cyclist, bike shop, or riding club. Help us find suitable equipment, informed sourcing, adaptive cycling expertise, or financial support.

Read what we learned from three adaptive cycling pilots

Gardening and food: Connect Seed to Salsa with gardeners, cooks, food businesses, or a garden club interested in accessible tools, supplies, food preparation, and future learning opportunities.

Explore Seed to Salsa

Outdoor learning: Introduce us to potential supporters, instructors, equipment resources, or hosts for supported outdoor experiences.

Explore our programs

Arts and community: An arts organization, music group, pottery studio, ballet group, or business could contribute auction tickets, share our campaign, explore sponsorship, or discuss a welcoming activity.

Explore ways to partner

Interested in supporting a particular program? Contact Angela to discuss current needs and a suitable sponsorship.

You bring the connection. We can help with the message.

Angela can provide printed handouts, digital materials, short program descriptions, or a custom message for the person or group you want to approach. Share who you are approaching, what you would like to ask for, and when you need the materials.

Contact Angela

More ways to help

Become a monthly Keyholder. Recurring gifts help sustain the people, preparation, and resources behind our programming.

Give once or monthly through Colorado Gives

Link your King Soopers Shopper’s Card. In your digital account’s Community Rewards settings, search for CommuniKeys or organization number BE510. Eligible shopping supports us at no additional cost to you.

Visit King Soopers Community Rewards

Save the date for our Panda Express fundraiser on December 1. Order online using fundraiser code 9019498, and share the fundraiser page with friends and family.

View and share the Panda Express fundraiser

Help us shape what comes next

What would students like to explore? What would make participation easier or more useful for caregivers? Do you know a place, person, or program we should connect with?

Keep sharing interests, barriers, and ideas. Whether you participate, contribute, share a link, or make an introduction, you help strengthen this community.

See upcoming activities

Angela Hollingsworth, Executive Director, CommuniKeys

executive.director@communikeys.org | 970-596-3057

Adaptive Cycling: What We Learned From Three Pilot Rides

Angela Hollingsworth

Adaptive Cycling: What We Learned From Three Pilot Rides

In September and October 2026, CommuniKeys completed three adaptive cycling pilot outings in Fort Collins. Participants and their caregivers explored different bicycles, practiced skills, and helped us understand what it will take to make cycling a regular part of community life.

Adaptive cycling participant at a Fort Collins pilot outing

Watch our adaptive cycling pilot video (4× speed)

Why we started

Our goal is not simply to organize bike rides. We want autistic adults and their caregivers or communication partners to build the shared knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to enjoy riding together beyond CommuniKeys outings.

What the pilots taught us

We worked with the City of Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) program and borrowed a recumbent bicycle through Spin. These partnerships made the pilots possible. They also highlighted a major challenge: the selection of suitable adaptive bicycles available locally is limited. Fit, steering configuration, balance, motor planning, and individual comfort matter. A bicycle that works well for one participant may be a poor match for another.

At the Walk and Wheel Skills Hub, participants practiced identifying signs, following roadway directions, and using hand signals. These were opportunities to learn together, observe what equipment worked, and identify where more practice and professional guidance are needed.

CommuniKeys adaptive cycling pilot with the City of Fort Collins ARO program

What comes next

For 2027 we are developing a Community Mobility Program with repeated small-group rides and opportunities for participants to try equipment before choosing a suitable configuration. We also hope to invite the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) to Fort Collins for a dedicated equipment exploration and skills day, with professional input from occupational and physical therapy partners.

Building a four-bike fleet

CommuniKeys is seeking funding and local cycling partners to help us acquire an initial fleet of four appropriate adaptive bicycles. We are looking at new and secondhand options and want informed advice about equipment selection, sourcing, and upkeep. Equipment purchases will be guided by what we have learned from participants and by qualified professional input.

How to help

Businesses and community members can help by sponsoring equipment, connecting us with adaptive cycling expertise, or helping locate suitable secondhand bicycles. Contact executive.director@communikeys.org to discuss a partnership.