Fort Collins, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 24-42(a) of the Fort Collins Municipal Code makes it the duty of the owner of real property adjacent to a sidewalk, curb and gutter to keep them in repair so they do not endanger the public. Section 24-42(b) extends that duty to any parkway strip between the property line and a local or collector street, which the owner must keep in mulch, grass, trees, annuals or perennials, though the City remains responsible for trimming and replacing parkway trees. Section 24-42(c) adds that an owner adjacent to a required pedestrian/bicycle path must keep its paved surface from endangering the public.

Enforcement runs through Section 24-44: when the City Council decides a sidewalk, curb or gutter needs repair to protect the public, it can order the adjacent owner to fix it by ordinance; if the repair costs less than $300, the City Engineer can issue that order without a Council vote. The order is mailed to the owner by certified mail, and the owner has 30 days to complete the work. Under Section 24-45, if the owner misses that 30-day window, the City Council directs the City Engineer to perform the work, and Section 24-48 lets the City Council assess the actual cost, plus an added 10 percent for engineering and incidentals, as a lien against the property, collected through the Larimer County Treasurer at 6 percent annual interest under Section 24-48. The City Engineer separately inspects sidewalks, curbs and gutters citywide and reports needed repairs to Council under Section 24-43.