Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

[ERIC FRITSCH]

Dear Kevin / Kendra,

 

I am following up on my previous messages, as I have not yet received a response. After yesterday’s wind event, three dead trees broke and fell, causing significant damage:

 

• One tree damaged the lattice on my neighbor’s fence, with half of the cottonwood now in his yard.
• Two trees crashed into my fence and are currently leaning against the top cap. I have not yet been able to fully assess the extent of the damage.

Thankfully, my family was not in the backyard at the time, and I am not aware of any injuries to neighbors. However, the risk of further property damage and personal injury is now imminent.

 

Residents are increasingly concerned about safety. Several neighbors have told me they no longer allow their pets in their backyards due to the likelihood of additional trees falling.

 

Given the escalating danger, I urge immediate action to address these hazardous trees before more damage or injury occurs. Please advise on the next steps and timeline for resolution.

 

See attached pictures.

 

 

Sincerely,
Eric Fritsch

 

 

On 12/16/2025 2:24 PM MST ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

Hi Kevin,

 

Good afternoon and Happy Holidays!

 

I'm wondering if Pleasant Valley Ditch Company has been able pin down some dates and hire a contractor to remove the dead standing trees. As I predicted last May, trees are starting to fall down especially during the high winds we've recently experienced. Additionally, we're expecting high winds tomorrow and our neighborhood's concerns are growing. Especially since Xcel Energy is expecting to cut power to the front range due to heightened fire risks associate with the high winds.

 

https://kdvr.com/news/local/be-ready-for-outages-xcel-says-power-shutoffs-likely-on-wednesday-for-high-winds/

 

If the winds are strong enough to blow down power lines, surely a dead standing Cottonwood tree would be no match. 

 

Please see the attached pictures from last week's wind damage.

 

** Note ** It appears someone already cleaned up the fallen trees and ran them through a chipper. Also, pay particular attention to the much larger tree leaning into someone's back yard. This tree has the bark blown completely off, so only the dead, rotting tree is exposed.

 

Thank you,

Eric Fritsch

 

 

 

On 10/23/2025 6:07 PM MDT Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

 

Wonderful news! Thanks Kevin!

 

Eric

On Oct 23, 2025, at 16:31, Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com> wrote:

Eric,

I just left the Pleasant Valley Lake and Canal Company Board meeting moments ago. I can say that our Superintendent was eagerly awaiting the end of the run season to commence work on this project. Our run season ended on 10/16.

 The timing for the project is coming into focus a little better now. We have hired a contractor to do the work; we are now just pinning down the specific dates. Once the dates are clear PVLCC will send out a flyer to the neighborhood letting neighbors know expected timing for the project.

 

 

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Interim Sr. Manager, Parks & Cemeteries

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwilliams@fcgov.com

 

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From: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 5:13 PM
To: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>
Cc: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>; Jeni Arndt <jar...@fcgov.com>; Kelly Ohlson <koh...@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

 

Thank you for the response, Kendra. 

On Oct 15, 2025, at 16:03, Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com> wrote:

Hi Eric,

 

Thanks for you email. This work has not been forgotten and we apologize for the delay. There has been a sizeable amount of staffing changes both at the City and at the Ditch Company that we’re working with this issue on. A big reason for waiting for the fall was to ensure that the ditch was done delivering water.

 

Let me connect with Kevin Williams to see where we are at and to see if we have a date scheduled for the work.

 

Thank you for your patience.

Best,

Kendra

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KENDRA BOOT
City Forester
City of Fort Collins
970-413-4335 mobile

 

 

 

From: ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 12:29 PM
To: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>
Cc: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>; Jeni Arndt <jar...@fcgov.com>; Kelly Ohlson <koh...@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

Hi again,

 

It's been over 2 months since I received a response on this. I'm assuming from the lack of response on this matter, this issue will not be resolved anytime soon. 

 

I truly believe there remains a safety issue in the ditch area (Pleasant Valley) due to the botched tree removal from the summer of 2024, leaving several tall dead standing cottonwood trees. Several are leaning towards home owner's yards. I reported this issue with the City of Fort Collins ticketing system in May of this year.

 

I pray the oncoming winter and the spring winds do not cause any dead trees to fall, causing property damage or personal injury.

 

Thank you and good day,

 

Eric Fritsch

 

CC: jar...@fcgov.com ; koh...@fcgov.com

 

 

 

On 10/10/2025 7:55 AM MDT ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

Hi Kevin and Kendra,

 

Following up again on the status of the tree situation behind my house. Do I need to escalate this to the city administration office? Windy season is upon us and I foresee falling trees this winter and spring. Some of these trees are leaning into people's yards which could cause structural damage or even possibly injure someone if they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

 

Thanks!

Eric

 

On 08/05/2025 7:19 PM MDT Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

 

Hi. Thought I would send you a picture of branches starting to break off. Hanging high in the tree. Could fall at any time. 

 

Thanks,

 

Eric

<image001.jpg>

 

On Jul 3, 2025, at 09:21, Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com> wrote:

Eric,

Thank you for your patience.  Kendra and I have made it past all the discussions about the issue, who's property, who's responsible for the next steps, etc. I am also on the Pleasant Valley Lake and Canal (PVLCC) board and have spoken to the President about the plan for the tree removals. I just left him a voicemail asking for clarification. A plan was discussed, but the timeframe was not finalized. We are meeting on Wednesday, July 9th regarding another issue. If I don't hear of a definite timeframe for the project by then, I will confirm one at that meeting and report back to you and Kendra.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Interim Sr. Manager, Parks & Cemeteries

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwilliams@fcgov.com

 

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From: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 7:25 PM
To: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>
Cc: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

 

Update?

On Jun 25, 2025, at 07:08, ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

Hi Kevin,

 

Just wondering where you're at with this. Did you and Kendra meet up to discuss a firm plan to get these trees removed? FYI - I'm starting to see some larger branches beginning to break off and some are dangling from overhead. It probably didn't help any with those high winds we recently experienced.

 

Thanks again!

Eric

On 06/06/2025 2:44 PM MDT ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

Hi Kevin,

 

Thank you for the follow-up. I appreciate the efforts being taken to address this issue.

 

Eric

On 06/06/2025 2:12 PM MDT Kevin Williams <kwil...@fcgov.com> wrote:

 

 

Eric,

 

Kendra asked me to reach out to you today regarding City of Fort Collins case number 88417.

 

I am on the PVLCC Board, and work for Parks as well.

 

The Board and our Superintendent met last week and this issue was on our agenda. We discussed the need to get these dead trees removed from the property.

 

I was asked by the rest of the Board to speak to Kendra one more time before we (PVLCC) came up with a firm plan or timeline for the work to be done. I have proposed a meeting with Kendra to get my final questions answered, then I can start working with PVLCC to firm up a plan.

 

As Kendra said previously, thank you for your continued patience with this issue.

 

 

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Sr. Supervisor, Parks Department 

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwil...@fcgov.com 

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From: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2025 6:24 PM
To: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

Hey Eric,

 

Thanks for following up. My coworkers and I were able to get out there yesterday morning to assess the PVLC trees. The trees will need to be removed and the PVLC Board are meeting this evening to discuss next steps. We will follow up with next steps soon.

 

Thank you for your patience and concern.

Best,

Kendra

 

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2025 6:19:28 PM
To: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

 

Hi, Kendra. Can I get an update on this, please?

On May 22, 2025, at 14:48, Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com> wrote:

Will do Eric, thanks!

 

I may be able to get out there tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

Much appreciated,

Kendra

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KENDRA BOOT
City Forester
City of Fort Collins
970-413-4335 mobile

 

 

 

From: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2025 2:45 PM
To: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: City of Fort Collins case number 88417

 

Thank uou. You can call me at +13072861837 if you have questions 

 

On May 22, 2025, at 14:42, Kendra Boot <accessfo...@fcgov.com> wrote:

 

Hi Eric,   Thank you for reaching out. I will take a look at the Pleasant Valley Ditch behind your home and follow-up.    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Stay tuned, Kendra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KENDRA BOOT City Forester, Forestry Division City of Fort Collins 413 S. Bryan Avenue 970-221-6361 office Use this link to add notes to the case: https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=2248161&id=150 Original Request Last year, the Pleasant Valley Ditch Company removed several trees in the ditch behind our house and through the entire neighborhood. In the processes of removing the trees, they put some kind of poison on the tree stumps. Unfortunately, the trees they decided to keep have died (probably from the poison) and are now a safety hazard. Now we have dead trees that are leaning into people's yards that could cause property damage, severely injure or kill anyone who may be hit if one of these trees decides to fall due to a wind gust or the rotting of the tree. I know the trees are dead because there are no leaves and the bark is literally falling off some of the trees. These are all cottonwood trees and some are fairly large. This is a serious safety concern not only for me and my family, but for other neighbors that have expressed the same concern.

[Kevin Williams]

Eric,

I appreciate the follow-up email. I am thankful nobody was injured with yesterday's wind event and am disappointed to see property damage. I was at the monthly PVLCC board meeting yesterday afternoon. This item was discussed at length as it has been frustrating from the company's point of view as well. Our contractor has failed on giving us a date for action. I will call the ditch Superintendent immediately to get his new plan of action. As this is a PVLCC issue, I will have the Superintendent call you directly with next steps.

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Interim Sr. Manager, Parks & Cemeteries

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwilliams@fcgov.com

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From: ERIC FRITSCH <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2025 9:27 AM
To: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>
Cc: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>; Jeni Arndt <jar...@fcgov.com>; Kelly Ohlson <koh...@fcgov.com>; Emily Francis <efra...@fortcollins.gov>; michael...@colostate.edu <michael...@colostate.edu>; she...@co.larimer.co.us <she...@co.larimer.co.us>; jkef...@larimer.org <jkef...@larimer.org>

[Eric Fritsch]

Thank you, Kevin

What do you recommend I do about the trees on my fence?

Eric

[Kevin Williams]

Eric,

I spoke to the Superintendent. He will be out tomorrow to remove debris and assess damage. I will also email you separately with his direct phone number. He welcomes a chance to talk with you to "make things right" if there are fence repairs needed.

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Interim Sr. Manager, Parks & Cemeteries

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwilliams@fcgov.com

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From: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2025 3:30 PM
To: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>

[Kelly Ohlson]

Thank you. Please keep us informed moving forward.   Kelly O.

Kelly Ohlson

City Councilmember, District 5

City of Fort Collins, CO

970-493-7225

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With limited exceptions, emails and any files transmitted with them are subject to public disclosure under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). To promote transparency, emails will be visible in an online archive, unless the sender puts #PRIVATE in the subject line of the email. However, the City of Fort Collins can’t guarantee that any email to or from Council will remain private.

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From: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2025 3:58 PM
To: Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>

Cc: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>; Jeni Arndt <jar...@fcgov.com>; Kelly Ohlson <koh...@fcgov.com>; Emily Francis <efra...@fortcollins.gov>; michael...@colostate.edu <michael...@colostate.edu>; she...@co.larimer.co.us <she...@co.larimer.co.us>; jkef...@larimer.org <jkef...@larimer.org>

[Kevin Williams]

Eric,

The Superintendent removed downed debris today. He also spoke to a neighbor that had some fence/lattice damage. PVLCC will cover the cost of the repairs of the fence. The repairs will be done in a reasonable timeframe. I assume the next few weeks.

Stay tuned for a an update for contractor work in the area.

Thank you,

 

………………… 

Kevin Williams, CPRP

Interim Sr. Manager, Parks & Cemeteries

City of Fort Collins  

413 S. Bryan Avenue 

970-221-6293 office 

970-213-5317 mobile 

kwilliams@fcgov.com

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From: Kelly Ohlson <koh...@fcgov.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2025 4:58 PM
To: Kevin Williams <KWIL...@fcgov.com>; Eric Fritsch <eric.f...@comcast.net>
Cc: Kendra Boot <kb...@fcgov.com>; Jeni Arndt <jar...@fcgov.com>; Emily Francis <efra...@fortcollins.gov>; michael...@colostate.edu <michael...@colostate.edu>; she...@co.larimer.co.us <she...@co.larimer.co.us>; jkef...@larimer.org <jkef...@larimer.org>

[Eric Fritsch]

Thanks Kevin!

Jim also mentioned he’s aiming at the beginning of January to get a contractor to remove the remaining dead standing trees. Can you also confirm this?

Thanks again!

Eric

[John Kefalas]

👍 Happy Holidays All.

	John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org