Fort Collins city manager, lawyer and judge get pay raises for 2025

The Fort Collins City Council approved raises ranging from 5% to 10% for his three direct reports earlier this month as well as a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police.

The council’s direct reports are the city manager, city attorney, and chief justice.

Regionally, there has been an “interesting competitive move,” said Teresa Roche, the city’s human resources manager. Salary ranges for these types of jobs have changed and there is an emerging practice of granting retention bonuses, notably in Greeley and Longmont.

Recommendations for increases take into account both market analysis and performance, she said.

Council members had nothing but compliments for all three.

“We are on the right track and everyone, as always, can improve,” said Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis.

“Fort Collins is still held in high esteem, and I think a lot of that is due to these three people and the incredible work they do,” said council member Tricia Canonico.

“It’s not just a love fest. We’re having real discussions,” council member Kelly Ohlson said of the review process. “I’m a tough evaluator and I’m just really happy with how all three of them performed.”

What is the salary of the Fort Collins city manager?

City Manager Kelly DiMartino will receive a 5% raise in 2025, putting her at a salary of $330,736.

Compared to benchmark cities regionally, this salary is above the 75th percentile and below the 90th percentile for expected salaries for 2025, according to data presented to the council. Reference cities include Loveland, Greeley, Boulder, Longmont and some of the Denver metro suburbs.

“When we do this, sometimes we talk to the public about the importance of these salaries,” said board member Julie Pignataro. “I want to talk about the magnitude of these jobs,” noting the thousands of city employees DiMartino oversees.

“What I would like to highlight publicly is how you do your job with such humility and calm, steady leadership,” Mayor Jeni Arndt said, highlighting the city’s $930 million budget.

“You don’t walk around town like the biggest CEO in town, but you’re certainly part of it,” Arndt said. “We are the fourth largest city in Colorado.”

What is the salary of the Fort Collins city attorney?

City Attorney Carrie Daggett received a 10 percent raise to bring her salary to $265,369.

Compared to regional benchmark cities, this salary is exactly at the 50th percentile.

“Yes, that percentage seems higher,” Pignataro said. “A lot of this stuff is based on regional wages, which really took a big step forward last year.”

In his comments, Olson said he appreciated Daggett’s passion for city government.

What is the salary of the Chief Justice of Fort Collins?

Chief Justice Jill Hueser received a 9% salary increase, bringing her to $218,141.

Compared to regional benchmark cities, this salary is just below the 75th percentile.

“We’re really fortunate to have a chief judge who is really focused on alternative sentencing options and some pretty innovative restorative practices,” said council member Melanie Potyondy. “Our judge is implementing measures that serve as a sample and model for many other Colorado communities.”

Salaries for these three employees were among the top 20 in city government, according to 2024 city data. Other leadership roles in this group include police chief, utilities director, CFO, Executive Broadband Director, Human Resources Director and some deputy roles.

According to the data, nine jobs had a base salary of $200,000 or more. Only the city manager’s salary exceeded $300,000.

Across the organization, the 2025-2026 city budget proposes a 4% increase in the current salary base in 2025, which will be used for merit increases.

Fort Collins police and city sign collective bargaining agreement

Also Dec. 3, the board approved a three-year contract with Northern Colorado Lodge 3 of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The biggest change increases the city’s retirement contributions. Deputy City Manager Tyler Marr noted that members of the collective bargaining unit do not participate in Social Security benefits.

The changes also allow for increased pay time deferral, increased allowances for clothing and boots, increased military leave time, increased pay for certain training assignments and expanded benefits of “worked vacation” to a greater number of employees.

The FOP approved the deal with 89 percent of the vote, Marr said. The council approved it unanimously.

The changes will cost an additional $710,000 over the life of the three-year contract, according to city documents. Retirement contributions will account for more than $608,000 of that amount.

The city has engaged in collective bargaining with police since voters passed a city code change in 2004 that gives that right to Fort Collins Police Department officers, dispatchers and some supervisors.

During the meeting, several advocates for the Connexion Workers Coalition spoke during public comment to advocate for the city’s recognition of the new union. Some argued that the city was going against its values by being willing to negotiate with police employees while refusing to engage with Connexion employees.

They also said that as the council considers rewarding DiMartino for his work with the city, it should also consider recognizing the union.

City’s Travis Storin leaves role

Travis Storin, who has served as the city’s chief financial officer since 2020, resigned from the city after accepting the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer at United Power.

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving areas north and east of Denver, from Arvada to Longmont and from Commerce City to Greeley. It also serves parts of Gilpin and Jefferson counties.