Happy Wednesday, Scouts. Welcome to Edition V of Scout & Tell.

A quick note before we get after it this week.

Tragedy at Tour De Fat this weekend. I’m not here to share the details, you can find that somewhere else. But we're also not going to pretend it didn’t happen either. Our hearts are with everyone touched by it.

This week's edition leans into history. Poudre Landmarks Foundation's 42nd annual Historic Homes Tour is back on September 12 and I went deep on all eight stops for this year’s tour.

More history: CSU and Wyoming renew the Border War, playing for the 118th time, Colorado's daylight saving bill is still stuck in the Senate, Ralph Steadman's originals land at CSU for the first time in 30 years and a Wellington ranch house proves land still beats square footage.

We will see you out there,

It took a horse, 14 days and a set of logs to move a grocery store from downtown Fort Collins to its current home on North Meldrum Street. 

Did you miss this story? Well, unless you're a fan of history, it happened a couple of years before your time. 

In 1906, Frank Collamer set the false-front store on logs and had a horse slowly pull it to its new home on N. Meldrum St., where it sits today. 

That kind of patient, physical devotion to a building is the thread running through this year's Historic Homes Tour.

Poudre Landmarks Foundation's 42nd annual Historic Homes Tour runs Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, there are eight stops spanning more than eight decades of Fort Collins architecture, from the 1879 Avery House to a 1962 University Acres ranch. 

Chris Ashby, Marketing and Communications for Poudre Landmarks, said in a city changing as fast as Fort Collins, it’s an honor to be able to glance into the past. 

“These houses are, if you will, marks along the timeline of Fort Collins.”

Tickets are available online at poudrelandmarks.org.

A Brief History of the Homes on Display this Year

The Avery House (1879) - 328 W. Mountain Ave.
Owned by the City of Fort Collins, managed by Poudre Landmarks Foundation

Franklin Avery platted the grid that became much of what we now consider Old Town and founded First National Bank before building this sandstone Victorian with his wife, Sara, in 1879. The family lived there for three generations before selling in 1962. Poudre Landmarks Foundation formed in 1972 largely to save it, then worked with the City of Fort Collins to purchase the home two years later for $79,000.

The Abel House (1962) - 713 Garfield St.
Owners: Mark and Lynn Kloss

Builder Donald L. Pierce, a World War II combat engineer, put up this University Acres ranch home in 1962. Its most notable residents, CSU biophysics professor Jack Abel and his wife Carolyn, lived there from 1967 to 1978. Carolyn became deeply involved in local education and civil rights advocacy, while she and Jack helped lead the fledgling Neighbor to Neighbor affordable housing nonprofit. Carolyn also pushed the Poudre School District to fund existing schools serving Hispanic students rather than spend bond money exclusively on new schools in mostly white neighborhoods.

Emma Malaby Grocery (1881) - 313 N. Meldrum St.
Owner: Historic Larimer County

One of Fort Collins' oldest wood-frame buildings, the Emma Malaby Grocery is the last surviving frame building from the Old Town "triangle" and one of only a handful of false-front stores left in town. It started life on North College Avenue as a photography studio, then became a millinery. After its 1906 move to Meldrum Street, it served as a neighborhood grocery for decades, eventually taking the name of Frank Collamer's daughter Emma, who ran it until 1943. Historic Larimer County now uses the building as its headquarters and a small museum.

Hanna House (1922) - 317 S. Loomis St.
Owners: Karen and Andrew McCorkle

This property was riginally built for Patrick Murphy, a Fort Collins tailor. However, this Craftsman bungalow and its best known owners were the Hannas. They were turkey ranchers who lived there from 1940 into the 1980s and ran the Hanna Turkey Store on Laporte Avenue. Hazel Hanna led the Larimer County Turkey Growers Association. A new barn-style outbuilding in the backyard nods to the turkey coop that once stood there.

Romero Property (1927) - 425 10th St.
Owner: City of Fort Collins

This house, one of the few adobe buildings left in Fort Collins, was built by John Romero for his family after he and Inez settled in Fort Collins. John served as an interpreter and notary for the Hispanic community and organized children's welfare fundraisers alongside other prominent local advocates, including Lee Martinez and Jovita Vallecillo Lobato. The home is now the Museo de las Tres Colonias, dedicated to Hispanic history and sugar beet workers of all backgrounds.

Foltz Property (1898) - 600 Mathews St.
Owners: Susan and Doug Naffziger

Architect Montezuma Fuller designed this Queen Anne cottage for deputy postmaster and marble worker Andrew J. Starlin in 1898. The Slockett and Foltz families filled it with music for nearly 80 years. The Naffzigers spent more than four years rehabilitating the house and lifting it out of the floodplain, work that earned them a 2025 Friend of Preservation Award.

The Wiggen House (1961) - 924 E. Lake St.
Owners: Peri Drucker and Brian Herzog

This home, also in University Acres, once belonged to Lyle and Evelyn Wiggen for 27 years while they ran Bonded Adjusting Service, a local collection agency. The current owners renovated the home last year while keeping its mid-century roots intact.

Fort Collins Water Works (1883) - 2005 N. Overland Trail
Owner: City of Fort Collins, managed by Poudre Landmarks Foundation

After a strong of downtown fires convinced voters the town needed a better water system, this Gothic Revival pump house was completed in 1883. Water diverted from the Cache la Poudre River flowed to a reservoir behind the pump house, where two turbines powered four pumps which sent water into Fort Collins. It served the city until 1905, when a new water system took over.

“That facility really changed what Fort Collins was, by bringing in water for fire more than anything,” Ashby said of the Water Works Building.

Tickets are available online at poudrelandmarks.org and some local retailers around town.

ALERT! SOMETHING AFFORDABLE IN NORTHERN COLORADO.

Sure, this will need some work, but this week's pick is proof that land still beats square footage sometimes. This three-bed, one-bath ranch on over half an acre in Wellington has no HOA, no metro district, and just enough breathing room to actually use a yard.

Built in 1950, it's a come-as-you-are kind of place with plenty of space to make it your own.

TLDR: 3 bed / 1 bath, 784 sqft, 0.52 acre lot, built 1950, $399,000. Contact: Jamie Miller, Beau Maison Realty, (970) 294-7703

Meet Kiwi! At 4.4 pounds she is still mostly kitten, and she has already figured out that attention is the good stuff. She loves being fussed over and welcomes cuddles, which makes her a straightforward fit for anyone who wants a lap occupant.

Kiwi is available for adoption at the Larimer Campus in Loveland, with a $125 adoption fee. Find out more about this little one at the NoCo Humane website.

Rotary Club of Windsor

The Rotary Club of Windsor has been chartered since 1986, with the motto, “Service Above All”. Their mission is to focus on the needs of the youth and people in the community. This chapter meets at the Windsor Exchange (217 5th St Windsor, CO 80550) on the first and third Thursday of the month at noon for lunch. 

🌽 Sweet Corn Rolls Into Windsor: Tuxedo Corn Company brings fresh Olathe sweet corn to 4355 N Fairgrounds Ave, 10–11:30am. Details here

🎨 Make Your Own Sign: Pinspiration Loveland hosts a stencil art and quote sign workshop with 100+ stencils to choose from, 6–8pm. Details here

🦠 Gut Check: Larimer County brings a free workshop on digestion, immunity, and the microbiome to Berthoud Community Library, 6–7:30pm. Details here

🎵 Trivia Every Thursday: Rigby's Roadhouse in Livermore runs Music Trivia Night with Syd, 6pm, winner takes $20 off their tab. Details here

🎸 Live at Konstruct: Front Range Revival plays Konstruct Brewing on Harmony, 6:30–8:30pm. Details here

🎙️ Tell Us a Story: The Lyric's monthly Story Swap returns to the Tiki Lounge at 6:30pm sharp — this month's theme is Facing The Music. Details here

🎶 Three Bands at the Aggie: Max Mackey Band plays with Christine Alice and Shannon Glynn Band, 7pm, doors at 6, all ages. Details & tickets

🧘 Breathwork and Reiki: Breathwork with lee hosts a "Letting Go" session at Wildfire Arts Center of Berthoud, 7–9pm — note this one's already full. Details here

🎩 Magic and Ice Cream: Magician Dan Jasperson brings sleight of hand to the Exchange with Little Man Ice Cream, 7:30pm, free. Details here

💃 Salsa the Night Away: Scrumpy's runs free salsa lessons every Thursday, 7:30–11pm, with wristbands for happy hour pricing all night. Details here

🎤 Rock at the Fox: Squash headlines with Words of Mouth and Huck N' Pray, 8pm, doors at 7:30, all ages. Details & tickets

Friday

🪨 Lichens 101: Rocky Mountain Conservancy runs a full-day class on lichen biology at Fall River Visitor Center in Estes Park, 9am–3pm, with classroom and field sessions. Details & tickets

🌲 Log Out, Go Outside: Tangletree Forest Therapy guides a forest bathing session at Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park, 10am–1pm. Details here

🪵 Art in Wood: Marquetry: Evolution of Art in Wood is up at the Loveland Museum, 11am–7pm, running through Sept 26. Details here

🌳 Keep Your Trees Alive: CSU Extension's Alison O'Connor talks watering, mulch, and species selection at Council Tree Library, noon–1pm, free. Details here

🎛️ Music Meets the Dome: More Than Physics performs Domatic under 360-degree visuals at the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater, doors 5:30, show at 6. Details & tickets

♠️ Free Poker, Every Friday: Timnath Beerwerks Fort Collins teams up with Rocky Mountain Poker Venues, 6pm, 21+, first come first served. Details here

🖼️ First Friday Art Walk: Downtown Fort Collins galleries and shops open up for a free self-guided walk, 6–9pm. Details here

🍽️ Dinner With Strangers: Foodies + New Friends books a table at a different local restaurant each week, 7pm, four to six people max. Details & tickets

🍹 Ladies Night at Wicked: DJ Nigey spins with drink specials and a "Girl Dinner" menu from Cactus Grille, 8pm, 21+. Details here

🎸 Local Rock Takeover: Hostage Situation headlines the Aggie with CHOMP, Sink Me!, and Lotuz, 8pm, doors at 7, all ages. Details & tickets

🎤 Dizzy Wright at the Moxi: Hip-hop headliner kicks off the weekend in downtown Greeley, 7:30pm. Details & tickets

🔊 Reggaeton at the Arcade: Ultimo Perreo brings Santa Kimex, Ian Roger and more to Stella's Pinball Arcade and Lounge, 9pm. Details and tickets

Saturday

🎈 Balloons Over Eastman Park: Windsor Harvest Festival launches hot-air balloons at 6:30–8am, free to watch, weather permitting. Details here

🥕 Windsor's Market Day: The Windsor Farmers Market fills Boardwalk Park with vendor booths and live entertainment, 8am–12:30pm. Details here

🌽 Greeley's Weekly Market: Local produce, flowers and live music take over 7th Street in downtown Greeley, 8am–noon. Details here

🍅 Market in the Park: The Severance Farmer's Market runs at Blue Spruce Park, 9am–1pm, every Saturday through Oct 10. Details here

🧘 Yoga in the Park: Nurtured Roots hosts beginner-friendly yoga at City Park Field 3, 9–10am, $10 drop-in. Details & tickets

🗿 New Sculpture Unveiled: The Windsor Arts Commission and local artists unveil this year's Sculpture on Loan at Boardwalk Park, 9–11am. Details here

🍺 Six Years and Counting: Stodgy Brewing Company throws its 6th anniversary party, 11am–10pm. Details here

🥘 Ope, It's the Midwest Olympics: Purpose Brewing runs a Euchre tournament and casserole competition with cash prizes, noon–6pm. Details here

📚 Meet the Illustrators: Jen Xu and Kate Rhodes sign Haven and the Fallen Giants at Old Firehouse Books, 1–2pm. Details here

🍄 Spore Swap: Orion's Apothecary hosts its first-Saturday mycology meetup in Loveland, 2–4pm — bring spores, agar, swabs or prints to gift or trade. Details here

🎨 Dot by Dot: The Artisan Shop & Studio teaches beginner dot painting in Loveland, 2:30–4:30pm, $35, ages 10+. Details & tickets

☕ Pour a Rosetta: Lima Coffee Roasters runs a hands-on latte art workshop at its Midtown roastery, 2:30–4:30pm. Details & tickets

🎵 Afternoon Set: The Pourboys play Konstruct Brewing, 3–5pm. Details here

🎪 StreetFest in Berthoud: Wildfire Community Arts Center throws its free annual party with live music, food trucks, art activities and a silent auction, 4–9pm — bring a chair. Details here

🤘 Heavy Night at Sound Bar: The Browning headlines with The Crimson Armada, Blind Equation and Deadlands, 5pm. Details here

🎆 Concert, Drones and Fireworks: Windsor Harvest Festival's street dance at Boardwalk Park features a Bonnie Raitt tribute and Aubrey Dale, 6–9pm, then a drone show over the lake. Details here

🖌️ Art Walk in Berthoud: Colorful exhibits and live demonstrations line Main Street in historic downtown Berthoud. Details here

🎸 More Local Rock: Congress The Band closes out the weekend at the Aggie with Treewell and Sunkissd, 8pm. Details here

🤠 Outlaw Country: Nashville songwriter Ward Davis plays the Moxi Theater in Greeley, 8pm. Details here

Sunday

🎈 Balloons, Round Two: Windsor Harvest Festival's balloon launch returns to Eastman Park, 6:30–8am. Details here

🐶 Pugs in the Park: Fort Collins Pug Play Group meets at 5821 S. Lemay Ave at 9am — pugs, pug mixes, and pug friends all welcome. Details here

🥧 200 Booths and a Pie Contest: Windsor Main Park hosts Harvest Festival vendors, a beer garden, petting zoo, and sets from Stuck on Vinyl and Colorado Swing, 9am–5pm. Details here

🥬 Loveland's Sunday Market: Fresh produce, handmade goods and live music at Fairgrounds Park, 9am–1pm, with SNAP and Double Up accepted. Details here

🚴 Cycle, Lift, Sip: CycleBar and Pursuit run their summer series finale at New Belgium, 9:30am — wear purple for the Crossroads Safe House donation. Details & tickets

💪 Free Barre at Odell: barre3 Fort Collins brings a free 45-minute pop-up class to Odell Brewing, 10am, ages 18+. Details & tickets

🛁 Sound Bath, In the Water: Aquis Wellness Arts floats you in a 94-degree therapy pool while crystal bowls ring underwater, 10am–noon. Details & tickets

🥕 Fort Collins' Weekly Market: The Fort Collins Farmers Market runs 10am–2pm at Harmony and Lemay, through Nov 8. Details here

✍️ Workshop for the Rest of Us: Wolverine Farm's monthly anti-MFA writing group meets first Sundays, 1–4pm — submit work, read, discuss. Details here

🎵 Free Up the Canyon: Montana Sand plays the Mishawaka Amphitheatre's Sunday Summer Series at 2pm, free. Details here

🎺 Free Concert in Old Town: Midnight Hour Band NOCO plays Old Town Square 2–4:30pm, then Stevie Rave On takes the stage at 5 for a Motown disco funk set. Details here

🎻 Singer-Songwriter Sunday: Joe Crookston plays The Comedy Fort, 5pm, doors at 4. Details & ticketsWe read every submission and feature the best of them right here, free, every week.