Pathways Past Poverty began in response to the October 2006 release of alarming Census Bureau statistics that showed a growing percentage of our Larimer County population living in poverty. Looking at this critical data, it became imperative to begin a community dialogue about what we need to do to be proactive and begin to turn this trend around before it became too large to effectively address.

As the organization focused on health and human services across our county, United Way was the logical choice to convene this conversation, in collaboration with Colorado State University, NCEDC, The Coloradoan, and other non-profit organizations. As a result of these partnerships the Pathways Past Poverty initiative was formed.

 

This vision has been adopted as the overarching vision for the people of Larimer County:

“We are an engaged community, cooperating to ensure that every individual has their basic needs met, has choices now and has opportunities to thrive, grow and live with dignity in the future.”

Click here to view Pathways Past Poverty's list of goals.

**UPDATE** New American Community Survey (ACS) data shows poverty is still higher in Larimer County than it was at the beginning of the decade. Click here to see new data for Fort Collins. Click here to see the 2008 ACS data release presentation for Fort Collins. Click here to see new data for Loveland.

 

View the results of the local, independent poverty study by Dr. Martin Shields, a Regional Economist and Matt Aronson, Ph.D. candidate at Colorado State University by clicking the links below.

Poverty Study Executive Summary

Poverty Study Full and Final Report