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🌱 Meet the Fort Collins Safeway “Bowtie Guy” still working after 50 years

Fort Collins, Colorado Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hi there, Fort Collins! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Meet the Fort Collins Safeway “Bowtie Guy” still working after 50 years
  • What CSU’s massive new veterinary hospital means for Fort Collins pet care
  • More Colorado students, fewer overall: what’s changing at CSU Fort Collins?

Also on today's calendar: Civil War Roundtable and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Fort Collins Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Fort Collins Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Record-breaking temperatures, with a high of 88 and low of 48 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 83, low: 49.
  • Monday: Record-breaking heat, with a high of 91 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fort Collins Safeway worker – "Bowtie Guy" – honored for 50 years of service (9news.com) — A beloved Safeway employee known as the “Bowtie Guy” is being celebrated for 50 years of greeting shoppers at the Harmony Road store in Fort Collins. Tony Espinoza, who also taught Spanish at Poudre High School for four decades, says the friendships he’s built with customers keep him coming back, even after briefly considering retirement.
   

2. CSU celebrates grand opening of new Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex (colostate.edu) — Colorado State University has opened its new 213,000-square-foot Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex in Fort Collins, expanding clinical services and veterinary student training. The $230 million facility adds more exam rooms, emergency and specialty care, and modern classrooms, with remaining clinical spaces set to open in phases by year’s end.
   

3. CSU System reports fall enrollment trends and gains in student success (colostate.edu) — CSU’s Fort Collins campus is welcoming more Colorado undergraduates this fall, including higher numbers of rural and first-generation students, even as total enrollment dips slightly after record recent graduating classes. Leaders say stronger graduation rates and targeted growth in key colleges, including Veterinary Medicine and Engineering, show progress in access and student success for local families.
   

4. Take a ‘Knowledge Break' to learn about the region's active transportation options (colostate.edu) — Larimer County is inviting Fort Collins residents to a free “Knowledge Break” session on Oct. 8 at the county building on West Oak Street to explore active transportation options. Attendees can learn about regional trails, micromobility programs, and safe routes to school, either in person or via Zoom, with light refreshments and information for commuters, parents, and casual riders alike.
   

5. Fort Collins chef pleads guilty to assault charge from February arrest (coloradoan.com) — A Fort Collins chef and co-owner of Bistro Nautile has been sentenced to probation and community service after pleading guilty to third-degree assault in Larimer County. The case stems from a February incident at a northeast Fort Collins home that drew a SWAT response, and the restaurateur says he’s focusing on accountability and community work while continuing his role in the local dining scene.
   

📸 Around Fort Collins

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Collins

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday October 3
  • Josh Gondelman →
    The Comedy Fort, 167 N College Ave, Fort Collins
    8:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Fort Collins Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I recently wrote about why I don’t “xeriscape,” or at least why I don’t love what it has come to mean in so many yards: remove the lawn, cover everything in rock, and add a few plants.
    So here’s what I’ve been doing instead. This fall I’ve been removing sod from client yards and turning those spaces into habitat. I’m building… (Nextdoor Old Prospect)
  • Bathroom Demo & Junk Removal - Local & Reliable
    Sharing a recent job where I removed a built-in tub, plumbing, and all demo debris, then hauled everything away so the space was ready for the next… (Nextdoor Timberridge)
  • Kohl's posted a job opening for Part Time Store Cleaning & Operations Associate in Fort Collins. Apply here.
  • Colorado Early Colleges posted a job opening for Spanish Teacher in Fort Collins. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Collins here.

Ok Fort Collins! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Fort Collins

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Fort Collins

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.