Fort Collins Colorado Temple

The temple was announced by Thomas S. Monson on April 2, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Church |first=President Thomas S. Monson President of the |title=It’s Conference Once Again |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/its-conference-once-again?lang=eng&id=p7#p7 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} The temple is on the southeast corner of the intersection at Trilby Road and Timberline Road, across the street from one of the church's chapels in Fort Collins.Walker, Joseph (July 8, 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711125106/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700150251/Fort-Collins-LDS-temple-site-announced.html Fort Collins LDS temple site announced]. Published by Deseret News. Last accessed July 11, 2011 The {{convert|42,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}{{citation |url= https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/public-invited-tour-fort-collins-mormon-temple |title= Public Invited to Tour Fort Collins Mormon Temple |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= August 16, 2016 }} structure served the needs of more than 20,000 church members in Northern Colorado, Western Nebraska and Southern Wyoming at the time of its completion.Duff, Kathleen (April 3, 2011). "Temple to be built in Fort Collins". Published by Fort Collins Coloradoan.

The developers applied to rezone the land. 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."[http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/pdf/fossil-creek-doc.pdf Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan], City of Fort Collins, Colorado Due to an intergovernmental agreement between the Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins,[http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/pdf/iga-doc.pdf 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.

File:Fort Collins LDS Temple 2.jpg

In November 2011, the city planning board in Fort Collins recommended annexation and rezoning of the proposed temple site.[http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1016&sid=17947101 KSL article on city planning board recommendation] Work on the temple commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Ronald A. Rasband on August 24, 2013.Briggs, Austin (August 24, 2013). "[http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130824/NEWS01/308240021/Northern-Colorado-Mormons-break-ground-Fort-Collins-temple Northern Colorado Mormons break ground on Fort Collins temple]". Published by Fort Collins Coloradoan.Sterzer, Rachel (August 24, 2013). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20130827190253/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765636531/Elder-Rasband-breaks-ground-for-Fort-Collins-Colorado-Temple.html Elder Rasband breaks ground for Fort Collins Colorado Temple]". Deseret News

As construction progressed, the temple was vandalized on August 23, 2015, along with other places of worship in the local area.{{cite news |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635286/LDS-Church-releases-statement-after-vandals-damage-Fort-Collins-Temple-construction-site.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150827235125/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635286/LDS-Church-releases-statement-after-vandals-damage-Fort-Collins-Temple-construction-site.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 27, 2015 |title= LDS Church releases statement after vandals damage Fort Collins Temple construction site |last= Potter |first= Chelsea |date= August 25, 2015 |newspaper= Deseret News }}{{cite news |url= http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2015/08/24/vandals-damage-latter-day-church-construction-site-fort-collins/32290303/ |title= Vandals damage Fort Collins LDS temple construction site |last= de la Rosa |first= Katie |date= August 24, 2015 |newspaper= Coloradoan }} On August 26, 2015, a statue of the angel Moroni was put in place.{{citation |url= https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/angel-moroni-lifted-to-the-top-of-the-fort-collins-colorado-temple |title= Angel Moroni Lifted to the Top of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= August 27, 2015 }}

After construction was completed, a public open house was held from August 19 through September 10, 2016, excluding Sundays.{{citation |url= http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/open-house-and-dedication-dates-announced-fort-collins-colorado-temple |title= Open House and Dedication Dates Announced for Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Second temple in this western state |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= February 18, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=July 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The temple was dedicated by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the church's First Presidency on October 16, 2016.{{citation |url= https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/fort-collins-colorado-mormon-temple-dedicated |title= Fort Collins Colorado Temple Is Dedicated: 153rd Mormon temple in the world, second in Colorado |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= October 16, 2016 }}

The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. Designed by Architectural Nexus and Aaron Arbuckle,{{Cite web |date=2016-10-16 |title=Fort Collins Colorado Temple: A place of refuge |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2016/10/16/23214705/fort-collins-colorado-temple-a-place-of-refuge/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Church News |language=en}} its architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Fort Collins region and its spiritual significance to the church.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-09 |title=Fort Collins temple open house: A ‘wonderful experience’ for visitors, volunteers |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2016/10/8/23214678/fort-collins-temple-open-house-a-wonderful-experience-for-visitors-volunteers/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Church News |language=en}}

The temple sits on a 12.3-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features local trees and a stone fountain. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure is 112 feet tall, constructed with precast concrete. The exterior has art glass windows featuring a mountain flora motif inspired by the Rocky Mountains, with a color palette of blues, golds, and greens.

The interior features flooring with Spanish-influenced patterns, decorative painting in the same color palette as the exterior windows, with Spanish and mountain flora motifs, and art glass similar to that of the exterior. The temple also has an original oil painting wall mural which depicts the local landscape.

The temple includes two instruction rooms, three sealing rooms, and one baptistry, each arranged for ceremonial use. Symbolic elements are integrated into the design, providing deeper meaning to the temple's function and aesthetics.

The design uses elements representing the natural landscapes and heritage of Colorado, providing spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes the mountain flora motif used in the art glass windows, representative of the nearby Rocky Mountains, as well as the Spanish-inspired patterns in the flooring and decorative painting, which are a nod to the region’s history.

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/fort-collins-colorado-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The first president of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple was John S. Garrett, with the matron being Sandra G. Garrett. They served from 2016 to 2016.{{Cite web |title=Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} As of 2024, Wallace L. Stock is the president, with Jan E. Stock serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-24 |title=Learn about the new leaders of temples in Brazil and 6 U.S. states |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/2/24/23216688/new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-portland-spokane-twin-falls-feather-river-fort-collins-curitiba-br/#:~:text=Wallace%20Lavon%20Stock%20and%20Jan,Rhodes |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Church News |language=en}}

Following completion of the temple, a public open house was held from August 19-September 10, 2016 (excluding Sundays).{{Cite web |date=2016-08-16 |title=Photos of the LDS Fort Collins Colorado Temple released in advance of open house |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/8/16/20594155/photos-of-the-lds-fort-collins-colorado-temple-released-in-advance-of-open-house/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} During the open house, over 105,000 people visited the temple. The temple was dedicated by Dieter F. Uchtdorf on October 16, 2016, in three sessions.

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.{{Cite news |last=Farrier |first=Pat |date=Aug 16, 2016 |title=Peek inside the Fort Collins Mormon temple |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/money/business/2016/08/16/public-gets-first-look-new-mormon-temple/88823084/ |work=Coloradoan}}{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

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• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colorado

{{reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline|Fort Collins Colorado Temple}}
• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/fort-collins-colorado-temple?lang=eng Fort Collins Colorado Temple Official site]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/fort-collins-colorado-temple/ Fort Collins Colorado Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

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Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Colorado

Category:21st-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States

Category:Buildings and structures in Fort Collins, Colorado

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2016

Category:2016 in Christianity

Category:2016 establishments in Colorado