Michele Pullaro | Peacock Perch

Hello,

I am the owner of a small business in downtown Fort Collins: Peacock’s Perch 162 S. College Avenue, Fort Collins 80524. I have realized that asking for media involvement in the downtown activities is my/our only way to be heard. I am the only downtown business owner writing this letter. However, there are many businesses that are in the same situation or are struggling with similar issues resulting from the criminal activity in our area and I am actively trying to reach out to them for support.

**I am an individual (own/operate a continuously operating business with no employees) attempting to reach out to over 400 businesses listed in the Downtown Development Authorities directory.

Fort Collins is number 4 on the Top 10 list of Downtown Squares published this year by USA Today. My business is 1.5 blocks south of “The Square.” Frankly, I think that title should be revoked. The fear and terror that business owners feel day in and day out is relentless.

I feel like the crime rate was not taken into account when awarding this title. This may be in part because incidents rarely result in citations or proceedings. Police must spend valuable time documenting the information, only to issue minimal fines to offenders and release them from custody almost immediately.

My dream has become a nightmare! The City of Fort Collins is failing me, the 10 small business owners featured in my store as local artists, the 10+ small business owners across the country who sell their art/products in my store, my customers, our visitors, our citizens, our neighborhood, and there is no hope in sight.

I was almost forced to close my business due to repeated ordinance violations and retaliation from the homeless/transient population. I believe the previous business owner at this location (an optometrist) actually closed due to these issues.

I have relied on the ongoing support of the First District Police Department and they have given me as much as they can, however due to current regulations and system failures, their capabilities are limited.

I have also received engagement and support from the Downtown Development Authority. Also from Outreach. I have written to our District Council member Emily Francis but have not received a response. I have also contacted several other authority figures but without many responses and without solutions.

My store is located on the northeast corner of Oak and College.

According to police reports, there were 35 incidents at my location between January 1, 2024 and July 15, 2024. 24 of these incidents occurred between May 28th and 15 Julyth. Few of these incidents resulted in documented violations or trespassing. I have frequently reported mainly homeless/transient men who violated the no smoking zone downtown. These men come back to repeat the violation in revenge for not smoking and there is a chance they will not be prosecuted. They have also recruited “friends” to do the same and to “harass and intimidate” me through various means of disturbing the peace, noise, stalking and trespassing.

The incidents continue, according to police records at the address: 162 S. College Avenue, Fort Collins, Co. 80524.

These individuals have formed a network whose goal is to intimidate, harass and retaliate against me as a witness. I consider these activities to be organized crime and potentially a hate crime against women.

It is not possible for me to press charges or seek restraining orders for these violations as there are multiple people involved and I do not know their names. However, I have multiple witnesses, videos/audios and photographs of the violations and retaliation attempts by three of the men.

I have had to endure the emotional and financial burden of these ongoing problems and have lost business revenue.

I had to hire a private security company and install several surveillance cameras.

I do not feel safe and have frequently changed my business hours, driven different cars, parked in different places and hidden in my shop for hours because I am afraid of being surrounded by criminals lurking outside my shop.

I firmly believe it is time for Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins to open their eyes and hearts to the reality of struggling business owners in our downtown and recognize the nightmares that lurk in this so-called “one of the best cities.”

Please contact me and help me share my story.

Sincerely,

Michele Pullaro: Owner

Peacock perch

162 S. College Avenue,

Fort Collins, CO 80524

Cellphone number: 970-430-8762