Fort Collins Colorado Temple Wiki

Quick Facts

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Description

The Fort Collins Colorado Temple will serve approximately 44,000 members of the Church from northern Colorado and southern Wyoming.

History

The first Latter-day Saint congregation in Colorado was organized in January 1897,^[1]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Church Announces New Temples in Canada, Colorado and Idaho,” 2 Apr. 2011. one year after a mission was established in the area. Several Church immigrants settled communities in Conejos County, Manassa, Richfield, and Sanford. Today there are approximately 140,000 members residing in the state.

Announcement

Location Announced

The site for the temple was announced on 8 July 20111.^[3]Walker, Joseph (. “Fort Collins LDS temple site announced,” Deseret News, 8 July 2011. Last accessed July 11, 2011 The Temple will be built on the southeast corner of the intersection of Trilby Road and Timberline Road, church officials announced Friday.

The new temple site is across the street from an LDS meetinghouse in Fort Collins.

2011 September 6

The developers applied to rezone the land to accommodate a structure designed to service this tri-state region. The property was originally zoned to support only homes and neighborhood centers that, act “as a focal point for neighborhood activity,” and may include, “a grocery store or supermarket and other neighborhood oriented retail services.”^[4]Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan, City of Fort Collins, Colorado Due to an intergovermental agreement between the Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins,^[5]Larimer County and City of Fort Collins Intergovernmental Agreements, City of Fort Collins, Colorado the developer first pursued the rezoning through Larimer County, followed by an annexation and rezoning process through the City of Fort Collins.

On September 6, 2011, a land-use hearing was held at the Larimer County commissioners hearing room for the proposed site of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple. The property owners’ request for a four-lot plat to be reconfigured into three lots and for a residential restriction to be lifted was granted, clearing the way for potential approval of the temple. Some neighbors in the Westchase neighborhood wanted commissioners to deny the request and to stop plans for the temple due to traffic concerns. Others expressed worry over property values, displaced wildlife, and increased vehicle emissions.

Church spokesman Eric Adams noted that the impact on traffic would be minimal, as the temple does not draw large crowds at any one time. Worship is practiced in small groups spread out over the day with the largest room in the temple holding 50 people. The temple and meetinghouse across the street would operate on noncompeting schedules—the temple being used primarily on Fridays and Saturdays with modest use Tuesday through Thursday (closed Sundays and Mondays) and the meetinghouse being used primarily on Sundays with modest use on weekdays.^[6]Pat Ferrier, “Residents want Larimer County to block LDS temple,” The Coloradoan 26 Aug. 2011, 26 Aug. 2011 .

2011 September 14-Outreach Meeting

On September 14, 2011, a development review outreach neighborhood meeting was held in the Roundhouse Room of Fossil Ridge High School to discuss the development review process for the temple.

2011 September 20-Annexation Petition

On September 20, 2011, a petition was accepted by the Fort Collins City Council to initiate annexation proceedings for the proposed site of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple—an 18-acre parcel located east of S Timberline Rd and south of Trilby Rd. The requested zoning for the annexation is Urban Estate (U-E) where a Place of Worship is a permitted use. A single-family home currently occupies the property. City staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.

2011 October 3-Concept Review

On October 3, 2011, a representative of Landmark Engineering held a Conceptual Review meeting with the City. Preliminary documents reviewed at the meeting indicate that the single-level temple will be 26,600 square feet with a 100-foot spire and 274 parking spaces. A temple president residence is also planned for construction south of the temple.

2011 October 20-Annexation Hearing

On October 20, 2011, the Planning and Zoning Board held a hearing to receive public comment on the proposed annexation of the intended temple site. Following the hearing—where no public input was given—the Board unanimously recommended the ordinances to the City Council. This decision was later invalided, however, due to improper notification of the meeting to residents.

2011 November 3-Public Review

A second hearing was held on November 3, 2011, where several residents voiced concerns over the proposed development’s impact on traffic and on the environment including endangered species. Others expressed their support for the facility, which would beautify the area and not pose the perceived adverse effects.^[7]”Colo. LDS temple moving forward with city support,” KSL, 4 November 2011

2011 December 6-Annexation

On December 6, 2011, the temple site was annexed into the City of Fort Collins and zoned appropriately. The City Council held a Hearing and First Reading for the annexation ordinance on November 1, 2011. A Second Reading was held on November 15, which was made official on November 25. A Hearing and First Reading for the zoning ordinance was also held on November 15; the Second Reading was held on December 6.

2011 October 15-Neighborhood Meeting

On October 15, 2012, the City of Fort Collins Current Planning Division facilitated a neighborhood meeting to discuss the potential development plan for the Fort Collins Colorado Temple. Although a formal application for the temple had not yet been submitted, the proposed building was reportedly 30,000 square feet with roughly 280 parking spaces. The developer’s consulting team presented preliminary site plans and gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a dialogue with the team. The official rendering of the temple was released to the public in conjunction with the meeting.

2011 February 21-Planning and Zoning Approval

On February 21, 2013, the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved plans for the Fort Collins Colorado Temple, following a public hearing. Concerns expressed by those in attendance included the height of the steeple and the additional traffic, though it was explained that the temple is designed for small groups participating in religious training and sacred ceremonies.

Plans call for a 30,389-square-foot temple rising 112 feet to the top of the angel Moroni statue. One resident asked that the steeple be lowered to 100 feet, but it was explained that the steeple had already been lowered to its lowest height for visibility throughout the 16-acre site, that steeple height is exempt from the height limit, and that other landmark buildings in the city are taller. The Church did agree to turn off lighting of the steeple and angel Moroni statue by 10:00 p.m. and to widen Timberline Road, adding turn lanes and a sidewalk.

Several Westchase residents expressed their support for the project, which is less intrusive than another high-density residential development and adds to the “rich culture” of the neighborhood.^[8]Pat Ferrier, “LDS temple gets go-ahead from Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board,” The Coloradoan 21 Feb. 2013, 22 Feb. 2013 .

Groundbreaking Announced

On 15 August 2013 the Church has announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fort Collins Colorado Temple to be held on Saturday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m.

Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony was broadcast to Latter-day Saint meetinghouses in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. A choir of 45 Church members from Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley sang for the event.

2015 August 23-Vandalism

As construction progressed, the temple was vandalized on August 23, 2015, along with other places of worship in the local area.^[12]Potter, Chelsea (August 25, 2015). “LDS Church releases statement after vandals damage Fort Collins Temple construction site“. Deseret News.^[13]de la Rosa, Katie (August 24, 2015). “Vandals damage Fort Collins LDS temple construction site“. Coloradoan.

Open House/Dedication Announced

18 February 2016 saw the announcement of the open house, cultural celebration and dedication dates for the Fort Collins Colorado Temple.

The free public open house for the Fort Collins Temple will begin on Friday, August 19, and go through Saturday, September 10, 2016, except for the Sundays of August 21 and 28 and September 4.

The cultural celebration will be held Saturday, October 15, and the temple will be dedicated the next day on Sunday, October 16, in three sessions, 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The dedication will be broadcast to members of the Church in Colorado and in the Fort Collins Temple district; the three-hour block of meetings will be cancelled for that Sunday.

Open House

Cultural Celebration

On 15 Saturday October 2016, the day before the temple dedication, Church leaders enjoyed a performance by young Latter-day Saints who presented through song and dance the history of the Church in Colorado and Wyoming. The cultural celebration was held at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Colorado State University.

President Uchtdorf reminded the youth that they are an ensign to the nation and a light to the world. He exhorted, “Therefore, make the values of the temple the focus of your life. Take on the shine of the life of Christ, and harmony will be among you. Unity will be among you and you will be a majestic example of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”^[16]”Fort Collins Colorado Temple Is Dedicated,“ Newsroom, 16 October 2016

Dedication

Dedicatory Order

Details

Location

Exterior

Symbolism

Inscription

Cornerstone

Spires and Finial

Spires

Moroni

[moroni option]

Interior

Baptistry

Initiatory Spaces

Instruction Rooms

Celestial Room

Sealing Room

Contractors

Architect

Project Manager

[without additional version]

text

General Contractor

Other Contractor

Region

TEMPLES IN UTAH _{by county}

Box Elder	1	Brigham City
Cache	2	Logan · Smithfield
Carbon	1	Price
Davis	3	Bountiful · Layton · Syracuse
Iron	1	Cedar City
Salt Lake	6	Draper · Jordan River · Oquirrh Mountain · Salt Lake · Taylorsville · West Jordan
San Juan	1	Monticello
Sanpete	2	Ephraim · Manti
Tooele	1	Deseret Peak
Uintah	1	Vernal
Utah	9	Lehi · Lindon · Mount Timpanogos · Orem · Payson · Provo Rock Canyon · Provo City Center · Saratoga Springs · Spanish Fork
Wasatch	1	Heber Valley
Washington	2	Red Cliffs · St. George
Weber	1	Ogden

Total: 32

Sources and Citations

Last updated on: 13 September 2025