Bike Fort Collins

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Cate.

YGR has learned that the cyclist killed in Monday’s crash was Cate Withrow, a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, wife, friend, and teacher at Boltz Middle School in Fort Collins.

According to her biography on the Boltz Middle School website, Withrow taught seventh grade science, math and health, and was a cross country coach. She and her husband, Rick Morgan, also a longtime member of the Northern Colorado cycling community, returned to Fort Collins about 10 years ago, where they raised their two daughters.

Before becoming a teacher, Withrow worked as a nurse practitioner after earning degrees in biology and nursing. A former Boltz student, she attended Fort Collins High School, competed in track at the University of Arizona, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder and later earned a master’s degree in nursing from Seattle University. Outside the classroom, she enjoyed running, hiking, skiing and cooking.

According to Fort Collins Police Services, the crash occurred about 6:20 p.m. Monday at the signalized intersection of East Mulberry Street and Whedbee Street. Police said Withrow was riding south on Whedbee Street, crossing Mulberry Street, when she was involved in a collision with the driver of a semi truck working on the construction project. The driver remained at the scene, and the department’s Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling (CRASH) Team is investigating the circumstances. No citations or charges have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Our thoughts are with Rick, their two daughters, Cate’s family, friends, students, colleagues and everyone whose lives she touched.

Bike Fort Collins placed a ghost bike near the crash scene on Tuesday.

This post was made with permission from the family.

The 45-mile paved Poudre River Trail from Bellvue to Greeley is completed and open to the public after more than 50 years. See link to video tour below ⬇️

📸 Miles Blumhardt/The Coloradoan