City of Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board Award

October 20, 2026

Yesterday evening (10/20/2026), the City of Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board hosted their annual awards event. We are proud to announce that Foothills Gateway was awarded the Organization/Team Award! We are grateful to Linda Drees (family member and former FGI Board Member) for nominating Foothills Gateway for this award. Foothills Gateway is honor to be recognized by the City of Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board for the hard work and dedication our staff shows up with each day. Congratulations to all our dedicated staff and Board of Directors for the great work FGI does for our Larimer County community!  

See Linda’s nomination letter and a photograph of the award below.    

Foothills Gateway Inc, (FGI) was created in 1972. Since that time, it has evolved from serving people with IDD to now providing case management for people of all abilities. These include: Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Supported Living Services Waiver, Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver, Brain Injury Waiver, and Community Mental Health Supports Waiver.

They provide these services with a Person-Centered Approach. FGI was the first organization in Larimer County to adopt this critical focus on needs of an individual. FGI also provides several direct service options that are not funded through Medicaid. These direct services include transportation, family support services, adult respite, early childhood intervention and crisis response services. FGI is a nonprofit organization and has served the northern Colorado community since 1972.   FGI serves over 6,000 people and their families. Nearly 350 individuals and their families are currently on a waiting list to receive certain services/supports for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) from Foothills Gateway, Inc.  Funding for services and support comes from county, state, federal and private funds.

Skilled Case Managers document eligibility for services and then assist individuals and/or their families with developing a plan of action that includes getting connected with services and supports. Case Management actively coordinates and monitors service agencies contracting with FGI, individuals receiving services and individuals waiting for services. FGI has been critical to the engagement of people with disabilities in Larimer County.

FGI welcomed the many disability advocacy groups that have become part of the Larimer County community. FGI partners with some of these groups to conduct the annual legislator’s breakfast. This breakfast provides an opportunity for the public to dialogue with our legislators about issues of importance to the disability community.  FGI has been at the forefront of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Through person centered planning and implementation, the needs and wants of people with disabilities are put front and center.  This organization has been serving people with disabilities for over 50 years and is well deserving of the Organization/Team Award.