The 2017 Downtown Plan is a collaborative, inspirational guide for budgets, projects, programs, investments, and regulations to keep Downtown vibrant and successful as the vital heart of Fort Collins, CO. The Plan describes a renewed vision, policy direction, and action items for the next 5-20 years to continue Downtown’s success.

This article summarizes some of the career highlights of Chris Duerksen and some of the reasons he received APAColorado’s 2017 Planning Leadership award. It describes his instrumental roles in the creation of the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, the creation of the Denver Gateway plan and zoning ordinance, the Sustainable Development Code Framework, and role as Managing Director of Clarion Associates.