About Susan Gutowsky
A bit about me…
I was first appointed to City Council on January 15, 2019 and then elected in April, 2019 to represent the residents of District 1, where I have resided since moving to Fort Collins 46 years ago. I was re-elected in 2021 and have been serving District 1 since that time. I love the vibrancy, diversity and rich culture of my district.
My husband, Wayne, and I have raised our two children in Fort Collins. Both attended PSD schools—Riffenburgh, Lesher and Fort Collins High School—and have gone on to enjoy successful careers. We also have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Our family loves calling Fort Collins home!
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, including a year of study in Spain at the University of Madrid. I proudly hold a master’s degree from Colorado State University and am a member of the Alumni Association and an enthusiastic supporter of everything Rams. I enjoyed a 34-year career as a public school teacher--26 of those years teaching middle school in the Poudre School District. After retiring, I served two consecutive terms as a Director on the Poudre School District Board of Education before joining the Fort Collins City Council.
Over the years, I have kept myself busy serving in various volunteer capacities. I was on the Project Smile Board for several years and especially enjoyed volunteering at the vision and dental screenings. I also dedicated my time to the NoCo Humane Society, working with community outreach and fundraising. I worked as a judge for the Larimer County Elections Centers for a number of years but had to take a hiatus when I joined the City Council. The most exciting thing about this experience was watching young first-time voters exercise their civic right to cast their ballots! I currently serve on the executive board of the Museo de Las Tres Colonias. The mission of the Museo is to interpret the early history of the sugar beet industry in Fort Collins and to celebrate the rich Hispanic culture in our community.
In my role as a Councilmember, I am a liaison to the Senior Advisory Board where I am focused on the needs of our seniors, a group that is often considered invisible in our community. I also serve on the Downtown Development Authority Board, helping to steward the care and beautification of our beloved Old Town. In addition, I serve on the Poudre Fire Authority Board, the Behavioral Health Policy Council and the Art in Public Places Board. I love the kaleidoscope of experiences that comprise the work that I do on City Council. I thrive on opportunities to tackle complex issues, ask questions, consider multiple sides of an issue and genuinely listen to our stakeholders as we work together to find solutions to important issues. I believe my two terms on City Council have given me the depth of experience and the wisdom to serve District 1 and the rest of Fort Collins for the next four years.
~Susan Gutowsky