NoCo Swing Dance @ Club Tico — Fri, Feb 27
The Gist: Beginner lesson, then social swing dancing (all levels).
Why It Matters: Hidden gem energy — you’ll leave with new friends (and maybe new knees).

Navajo Posole Cooking Class (Ginger and Baker) — Fri, Feb 27
The Gist: Teaching Kitchen night: posole + fry bread + you get the recipes.
Why It Matters: A real “do something” Friday — not just another bar stool.

Fort Collins Winter Brewfest — Sat, Feb 28
The Gist: Fort Collins Brewery Alliance’s winter tasting fest at The Drake Centre.
Why It Matters: This one hits the local sweet spot — you’ll recognize faces and breweries.

The Devil Makes Three — Sat, Feb 28
The Gist: Full-band night at the Aggie (yes, bring earplugs if you’re smart).
Why It Matters: Proper Saturday-night release valve — loud, rowdy, cathartic.

Little Shop of Physics Open House (CSU) — Sun, Mar 1
The Gist: Free, hands-on science festival for all ages at the Lory Student Center.

More details below!

Penelope Road with Benny G — Thu, Feb 26
Aggie Theatre, 8 p.m.
Link: https://www.axs.com/events/1206564/penelope-road-with-benny-g-tickets

City Council Regular Meeting — Tue, Mar 3
City Hall + Zoom, 6–10 p.m. (watch live or show up in person).
Link: https://www.fortcollins.gov/Events/2026-Events/2026-Q1/City-Council-Meetings/Mar.-3-2026-City-Council-Meeting

Margo Price @ Washington’s — Tue, Mar 3
One of those “go even if you’re tired” Tuesday shows (with Shannon McNally listed as special guest).
Link: https://www.margoprice.net/tour/

Ginger and Baker (Linden St.)
Yes, parking near Linden can feel like a personality test. Still: the building is pure Fort Collins, and it’s one of the few spots that can pull off “coffee + pastry” and “let’s take a cooking class” without feeling forced.
Link (Teaching Kitchen events): https://gingerandbaker.com/my-list-events/2026-02-27/?shortcode=42cf1b8c

Fast + fun + price-first. (Prices below are current best/starting round-trip finds pulled from KAYAK’s recent last-minute deals — they move fast, and budget fares can spike once bags/seats get added.)

Phoenix (PHX)
Airline: often Frontier at this price (others vary)
Round-trip price: from $88 (Fri, Feb 27 → Tue, Mar 3)
Departure window: Fri late-night (around 10:30pm)
Why this weekend: sunshine + patios + desert hikes = instant mood correction.

Salt Lake City (SLC)
Airline: Frontier showing the cheapest recent deal (United/Southwest/Delta usually pricier)
Round-trip price: from $120 (Fri, Feb 27 → Wed, Mar 4)
Departure window: Fri morning (around 7:00am)
Why this weekend: mountains on tap, zero planning required, home before you miss Colorado too much.

San Diego (SAN) (wildcard “beach brain” option)
Airline: Frontier showing the cheapest recent deal
Round-trip price: from $147 (Fri, Feb 27 → Mon, Mar 2)
Departure window: Fri early (around 6:00am)
Why this weekend: if you want one clean break from winter. Heads up: the cheapest return itineraries can get a little “airport adventure” (double-check total travel time before you commit).

Las Vegas (LAS)
Airline: Frontier popping up cheapest in the last-minute batch
Round-trip price: from $155 (Sat, Feb 28 → Tue, Mar 3)
Departure window: Sat morning (around 7:24am)
Why this weekend: maximum “reset” per hour traveled. You land and your brain immediately stops thinking about chores.

International pick: Cancún (CUN)
Airline: Frontier showing the cheapest recent nonstop deal
Round-trip price: from $249 (Sat, Feb 28 → Wed, Mar 4)
Departure window: Sat late morning (around 11:00am)
Why this weekend: a hard pivot from Colorado winter — direct flight, beach on arrival. (Passport required, obviously.)

The Poudre River Trail is about to become a full-on regional spine

Fort Collins has always had a quiet superpower: you can stitch together a day without touching your car. Not perfectly, not everywhere — but enough that people build their routines around it. School drop-offs by bike. A grocery run that doubles as a river walk. A “quick” ride that mysteriously ends at a brewery patio.

And this spring, that superpower is about to level up.

Larimer County just hit a major milestone on the final segment of the Poudre River Trail, installing a new bridge between Timnath and Windsor on January 20. It’s an 83-foot bridge, roughly 9 tons, and it’s a real marker that the last gap is finally getting bullied into submission. The county’s update is clear on the current vibe: the area is still an active construction zone — trail approaches, decking, fencing, vegetation restoration — and it’s not open yet. Respect the closures.

Here’s the headline: the Poudre River Trail is expected to open in late spring 2026, stretching about 45 miles from Bellvue to Greeley with a continuous connection through Laporte, Fort Collins, Timnath, and Windsor. Larimer County says a grand opening is anticipated in early summer.

Why should Fort Collins care (beyond “yay, more trail”)? Because this changes what feels normal.

A full Bellvue-to-Greeley connection isn’t just a weekend flex — it’s a legitimate regional corridor. It means longer car-free rides become a casual “sure, why not” option. It means Fort Collins keeps inching toward the kind of town where recreation and transportation blur together — which is basically our brand, whether we admit it or not.

It also means we’re going to feel the growing pains. More users means more speed differences, more crowded pinch points, more “whose side of the trail is this” debates. If we want the trail to stay fun, the etiquette has to keep up: predictable passing, leashes under control, bells used like grown-ups, and a little patience when families are out doing their thing.

Bottom line: this isn’t just a trail update — it’s a Fort Collins lifestyle update. The Poudre has always been part of our identity. Soon, it’s also going to be one of our best connectors.

Thursday (2/26): Start the week loud — Penelope Road at the Aggie.
Friday (2/27): Pick your vibe: hidden-gem swing dance at Club Tico or go full hands-on with the posole class.
Saturday (2/28): Brewfest in the afternoon, Devil Makes Three at night if you’ve still got juice.
Sunday (3/1): Take the family (or your inner 10-year-old) to Little Shop of Physics.
Tuesday (3/3): Civic or country-folk: City Council, or Margo Price at Washington’s.

Give two hours, actually help: There’s a free volunteer shift listed at the Food Bank for Larimer County on Fri, Feb 27 (2–4 p.m.).
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-blonder-group-volunteer-day-food-bank-tickets-1978830917543

Not your schedule? The Food Bank’s volunteer page is the best “plug in anytime” link to keep bookmarked.
https://foodbanklarimer.org/volunteer/

Brought to you by:

Mountain Ave + Trilby closures are in their villain era — if you’re heading anywhere on a schedule this week, add five minutes and take Laporte/Harmony without arguing with your map.

Brought to you by Summit Insurance — protecting your home, your weekend, and your peace of mind.

Looking to expand your crew? Check out NOCO Humane’s adoption roster — a great local resource for folks in Fort Collins and beyond. NOCO Humane+1

Meet Faith. I am a super happy and loving young puppy looking for a home. I would love to meet you.

Let’s get some smiles in!

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That’s the week. If you do only one thing: take someone to Little Shop of Physics, then let them pick the post-event treat (it’s the easiest win in town).

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