Fort Collins to Seize El Palomino Motel Site in November
The city will take control of the contaminated property starting November 3 through an eminent domain order.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Property Crime
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The Fort Collins Urban Renewal Authority is set to take possession of the 36-room El Palomino Motel site at 1220 N. College Ave. on November 3. This follows a court order issued on October 2 allowing the agency to use eminent domain to address blight at the location.
Why it matters
The agency aims to mitigate significant public health and safety concerns at the site, which include asbestos, methamphetamine contamination, and unsafe building conditions. The property has been identified as a nuisance that requires immediate intervention to reduce local blight.
The Urban Renewal Authority must pay a mandatory $800,000 deposit to owner Globok LLC to proceed with immediate possession. A commission will later determine the market value of the motel property.
The players
Fort Collins Urban Renewal Authority
This local agency is responsible for identifying blighted properties and managing urban redevelopment projects within the city.
Kara E. Clark
She is the District Court Judge who authorized the city to take immediate possession of the motel through eminent domain.
Globok LLC
This is the property owner currently holding title to the El Palomino Motel site.
The details
After taking control of the property, the agency plans to secure the site by boarding up windows and installing fencing. The facility remains contaminated with methamphetamine, asbestos, and groundwater issues, complicating the cleanup process.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: District Court Judge Kara E. Clark signed the order for possession.
November 3, 2026: The Urban Renewal Authority expects to pay the deposit and secure the property.
January 1, 2027: Building demolition is restricted from occurring before this date.
2027: A hearing will be held to finalize just compensation for the property owner.
Legal Context
The city's use of the Fifth Amendment eminent domain power follows a pattern set by previous urban renewal projects in the area. This legal mechanism allows local authorities to acquire private property for public safety when negotiations for purchase fail.
Residents and local businesses may see increased security measures, such as fencing, at the 1220 N. College Ave. site starting in November. The city's action serves to address long-standing safety concerns regarding the contaminated structures in the area.
The takeaway
The city is prioritizing public safety by clearing high-risk, contaminated properties that have long stood as nuisances. Property owners involved in eminent domain disputes should monitor upcoming court deadlines to understand their rights to compensation.
What happens next
A hearing scheduled for 2027 will establish the final compensation amount for the property owners following the city's takeover.
Further reading
For more background on regional legal issues, visit the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Coloradoan.
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