FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2026
Sale is part of the Library’s overall funding plan for the Southeast Community Center; expands NoCo Foundation’s philanthropic reach
[FORT COLLINS, Colo.] – Poudre River Public Library District is moving forward with the sale of its Council Tree Library property at 2733 Council Tree Ave, Suite 200, to the NoCo Foundation. The organizations are under contract and plan to finalize the sale later this year. The Library District will use proceeds from the sale of Council Tree Library as part of its funding for its portion of the Southeast Community Center project.
In May, the seven-member Library Board of Trustees unanimously voted to authorize Library District Executive Director, Diane Lapierre, to sign purchase and sale agreements to sell Council Tree Library.
“Securing the sale of Council Tree Library is a fiscally responsible decision ahead of the library’s eventual move to a new and larger space at the Southeast Community Center. We know how beloved Council Tree Library is in the community, and we’re excited to bring that same energy to the new location where we’ll be able to expand library services and programs for our community, including providing innovative makerspaces and meeting and study rooms,” said Poudre Libraries executive director Diane Lapierre.
“The NoCo Foundation’s move into the Council Tree Library location marks a pivotal moment in our growth as a community catalyst, convener, and civic hub. By joining one of Fort Collins’ most welcoming and well‑traveled public spaces, we’re positioning ourselves at the heart of everyday community life—exactly where a community foundation belongs,” said Kristin Todd, NoCo Foundation President & CEO.
After the sale is finalized, the Library District will lease back the Council Tree Library property from NoCo Foundation and continue library operations onsite until the move to the Southeast Community Center. This will allow for limited disruption to library service ahead of the new facility opening in 2028.
“This new building will be so much more than our next address, it will be a powerful expression of our belief that place matters. The spaces where people gather shape the connections they form, the ideas they share, and the change they create together. As we move into this new home, we see the opportunity to create a vibrant center of community energy—a place where collaboration comes naturally and where philanthropy can be experienced, not just discussed. This space will allow us to bring more partners together, host deeper conversations, and support initiatives that strengthen Northern Colorado. For us, this building represents an investment in the region’s future, a place designed to amplify our work, elevate community voices, and inspire the progress that happens when people come together with purpose,” said Todd.
“We are excited to welcome another mission‑driven organization into the Council Tree Library building, strengthening the connection between two community‑focused institutions and ensuring this space continues to serve Northern Colorado in meaningful ways,” said Lapierre.
Groundbreaking for the Southeast Community Center project is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026. When completed, the new facility will feature multi-use spaces for recreation, fitness, creativity, innovation, and intergenerational programs; a state-of-the-art public library; and both indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities. Learn more about the project and the new library at the OurCity Southeast Community Center webpage.
About Poudre Libraries
Poudre River Public Library District was established in 2006 by voter approval. The District’s shared resources serve more than 210,000 people across a vast 1,800 square-mile region in northern Larimer County, Colorado. Anchored by three libraries in Fort Collins and a robust Community Outreach Department, the District is dedicated to meeting diverse communities’ needs, interests, and priorities with exceptional opportunities for learning and personal enjoyment. In all its endeavors, the District aims to enrich the cultural, educational, and economic life of the growing area which it serves. For more information, explore the library website or call (970) 221-6740.
About the NoCo Foundation
The NoCo Foundation creates transformational community impact by inspiring philanthropy and engaging the region. As a thought leader, nonpartisan convener, and catalyst for local initiatives, the Foundation fosters collaboration and serves as a trusted steward for philanthropists and nonprofits. It has distributed more than $150 million in grants and manages over 620 charitable funds, offering donors strategic, local expertise to guide meaningful giving. Donations are tax‑deductible, and grants support public charities, schools, and churches in alignment with donor intent. With a fully local staff and board, the NoCo Foundation has proudly served Northern Colorado since 1975.
