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Fort Stories
True stories. Brave Voices. Strong Communities.
Dogs and Other Tails
Let’s be honest — animals have better stories than we do.
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The loyal ones.
The ridiculous ones.
The ones that broke your heart.
The one that stared you down on a trail and made you rethink your place in the food chain.
This month at Fort Stories, we’re handing the mic to stories of fur, feathers, claws, and chaos.
Pets. Wildlife. Close calls. Deep bonds.
If an animal changed you—even a little—we want that story.
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Short. True. Told by you. Up to 7 Minutes.
Join us for a night of true personal stories about:
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– The dog you still talk about
– The pet who taught you something you didn’t expect
– Wildlife encounters that were magical… or slightly terrifying
– The moment an animal saw you more clearly than any person ever has
Whether it’s hilarious, tender, or unbelievable—if it’s true, it belongs here.
Two featured storytellers + open mic
Bring a story. Or just come listen.
Cash gifts appreciated but not necessary!
Date: Sunday, June 28th, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Visit Fort Collins, 7 Old Town Square
Call for Storytellers
Got a story about a dog… or something wilder?
We’re looking for storytellers for the next Fort Stories: Dogs and Other Tails
I’m looking for 2 people who have an incredible story about an animal—wild and otherwise—who are open to being one of our featured storytellers and willing to be coached. Not a lot of time commitment but an opportunity to make a great story even better.
Email me mary@sideporchstories.com
And the best thing of all! This night is a fundraiser for The Street Dog Coalition, whose mission is to provide free veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness.
We hope to have stories from a volunteer from the organization and one or two of their clients. You’ll also be able to talk to their representatives and maybe even find a volunteer opportunity!
All proceeds will go to The Street Dog Coalition.
Click this link and find out more about what they do.
Introducing The Flash Story Lab!
This is our 3rd Fort Stories event, and the first time we’ll be doing The Flash Story Lab. Come with a story idea, and let’s figure it out in 30 minutes. It’s fun, challenging, and just a bit chaotic. It’s also FREE!!!
Most stories people tell aren’t stories—they’re just updates or anecdotes.
“I went hiking—it was beautiful.”
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“Halfway up the trail, I realized I wasn’t going to make it down the same person.”
We’re going to fix that in 30 minutes. Just show up at 6:00 and take a seat.
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