Creating a livable Larimer County

April 2026

Thanks and gratitude to our Mission and Newsletter Sponsor

The Gallery at Fort Collins is our Mission Sponsor and our Newsletter Sponsor. The Gallery is deeply committed to fostering a thriving and connected community for older adults - just like we are. Their sponsorship helps us continue providing meaningful programs, services and resources that enrich lives and promote independence for older adults. Thank you, The Gallery at Fort Collins, for supporting our mission!

Learn more about The Gallery at Fort Collins

Meet our new Executive Director

PAFC is pleased to welcome Kristy Wygmans as its new Executive Director. Kristy brings more than a decade of experience in aging, health, and community systems, along with a strong track record of aligning partners, securing resources, and turning community priorities into meaningful outcomes.

Kristy began her work in aging with the Foundation on Aging for Larimer County (which became the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities), supporting programs focused on health access, financial stability, and social connection. She later expanded her impact through roles in hospice care, higher education, and regional initiatives, strengthening collaboration and systems of support across the community.

Known for her relationship-driven approach, Kristy has worked across nonprofit, healthcare, government, and business sectors to improve quality of life and promote dignity and independence as people age. A longtime Fort Collins community leader, she is deeply committed to advancing a more connected, supportive, and livable Larimer County, and looks forward to building on PAFC’s strong foundation in partnership with the community.

Kristy can be reached at ed@pafclarimer.org.

We welcome Kristy with joy and gratitude!

Community Invitation: Prominent national guest speaker coming to PAFC on May 6th

The public is invited to hear Adrian Chernoff (adrianchernoff.com) on Wednesday, May 6th at PAFC's board and steering committee meeting.

It’s not too often that PAFC guest presenters are highly regarded national keynote speakers as Adrian Chernoff, with business acumen and experience at Walt Disney, NASA, Johnson and Johnson, General Motors and more. Adrian will present on how his company, Ojje in Boulder, might help organizations in Northern Colorado better share information on what for-profit and non-profit organizations do and build collaborative initiatives to refer their resources to the general public with focus on helping the lives of older adults.

Adrian holds 91 patents and has been honored with 20 awards.

Everyone is invited to hear this informative presentation. There is no cost.

Date: Wednesday May 6th

Time: 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Location:

Elderhaus Adult Day Program

Large dining/conference room

6813 S. College Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Intergenerational Game Night on April 1st

PAFC recently co-sponsored Intergenerational (Board) Game Night hosted by CSU’s Healthy Aging Club (formerly Gerontology Club). Columbine Health Systems CSU Center for Healthy Aging graciously allowed us to use their beautiful facility.

Participants included 40 community members aged 18-87 years old.

At the event’s outset, Dr. Allyson Brothers, CSU’s advisor to the Healthy Aging Club, announced, “It is with deepest sadness that we inform you that Kirsten Hartman, long-time PAFC community volunteer and major advocate for building bridges across generations, passed away yesterday morning.

"Kirsten co-founded The Fort Collins Toys, Games and Puzzles Library which loaned many games to us this evening. Kirsten also is the inspiration behind events such as Intergenerational Game Night. On behalf of CSU’s Healthy Aging Club and all who knew, respected and loved Kirsten, we are remembering her, celebrating her life and honoring Kirsten by playing games tonight.”

This Game Night, like its predecessors, was a total success and PAFC thanks The CSU Healthy Aging Club for hosting it.

(See our tribute to Kirsten Hartman below.)

CSU Healthy Aging Club Current Leaders (R-L)

Dr. Allyson Brothers, Club Advisor

Kaylee Giese (Freshman Sophomore Engagement Officer)

Kayla Radovich (President of Community Outreach)

Keira Kohlmann (Secretary),

Maya Jones (Outgoing Officer)

PAFC Secretary and Board Member JoAnn Herkenhoff (R) participated in a variety of fun games.

PAFC Board Member Wendy Abbott (L) and daughter Reece played UNO with the Reid family.

Walta Ruff community member (2nd from Left) kindly provided delicious refreshments for everyone.

Ever wonder about aging and your gut? Join us on May 14th for a highly relevant Lunch and Learn on gut health and aging.

Click here to join our Lunch and Learn on May 14th

Did you miss April's Lunch & Learn? We had a special presentation by Marissa Volpe, Associate State Director for Livable Communities, AARP Colorado

Larimer County is part of AARP's network of age-friendly communities. Learn about the livability index, all the resources that AARP offers, and a discussion on what lights up Larimer County.

Click on the video below to watch Marissa's information presentation.

Around Town with Tech Buddies

Our Tech Buddies program is getting all around Larimer County. Next week they are at Loveland's SilverLeaf community and later in May they will assist the residents at Skyline Mobile Home Park. We are growing our team to meet the demand for tech assistance. If you'd like to join our group that's improving lives for older adults, contact Cheryl at info@pafclarimer.org.

Tech volunteer Gail Bush (left) assists a community member at the Fort Collins Senior Center.

AARP Colorado's Marissa Volpe (left) visited our Tech Buddies clinic at Harmony Library. Next to Marissa is Kristy Wygmans, PAFC's new executive director, and Cheryl Noble, Tech Buddies coordinator. Behind Cheryl is tech volunteer Ian Nelson with a community member wanting to transfer phone photos to her computer.

In Memory of Kirsten Hartman

by Bonnie Shetler

I recently lost a good friend, colleague, teammate. A week ago on a Wednesday Kirsten and I were sitting next to each other at our monthly women’s gathering, sharing thoughts on the current state of national affairs. The next day she suffered a brain aneurism and was airlifted to Anschutz Medical Center. After a few hope-raising rallies, she died during the early hours of the following Tuesday.

I have experienced several personal losses in the past few months and Kirsten’s death has finally given me pause to consider how much I take meaningful relationships for granted until they are gone. The empty hole she leaves behind is so much bigger than I would have imagined had I taken time to consider. I didn’t take time to consider since I have 4 years on her and she was was a healthy and strong presence in so many of our lives.

I first met Kirsten sometime in the mid 1990’s when she moved to Fort Collins and was starting her own private practice as a care manager. I had my own counseling practice which focused on issues of late life. We both had joined a group of like-minded professionals--The ElderCare Network--with the common goal of educating the community about challenges and resources related to aging. It was a very active, committed group and Kirsten, of course, dove right in and quickly became a leader in creating opportunities for local families to learn about caregiving.

Continue reading about Kirsten here

Kirsten's Celebration of Life

Sunday, May 10, 3–4pm

Foothills Unitarian Church, Sanctuary

1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526

You can join the service remotely via Zoom HERE

Thank you Kirsten for being a champion for older adults. You brought compassion, joy and love to everything you did. Your aliveness is deeply missed.

Click here for information on her Celebration of Life

Support PAFC Today

www.PAFCLarimer.org

970-310-4900

info@pafclarimer.org