FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 5, 2026 — The American Heart Association will unveil Colorado’s first Mobile Hands-Only CPR Kiosk on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, giving anyone who walks through the door the chance to learn a lifesaving skill in just minutes. The public is invited to the 2:00 p.m. unveiling, which includes a speaking program, ribbon-cutting, refreshments and educational tabling.
The free, self-guided kiosk will remain on-site at the museum for one year following the launch, giving Fort Collins residents and visitors ongoing access to hands-on CPR training. It teaches the two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The kiosk includes a training mannequin and an interactive touchscreen that gives real-time feedback on chest compression depth, rate and hand placement.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside hospitals in the U.S. each year, and 90% are fatal. Immediate Hands-Only CPR from a bystander can significantly improve a victim’s chance of survival, yet 70% of people say they don’t feel prepared to help.
“When someone’s heart stops, the people nearby are their best chance at survival,” said Stephanie Clark, executive director, American Heart Association Denver. “This kiosk puts that power in more hands across Northern Colorado. In just a few minutes, a museum visit can turn a bystander into a lifesaver.”
The kiosk supports the American Heart Association’s national goal to double cardiac arrest survival by 2030 as part of its Nation of Lifesavers initiative. The initiative is about turning bystanders into lifesavers, so that in a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival and provide CPR.
BNSF Railway’s support made Colorado’s first Mobile Hands-Only CPR Kiosk possible, reflecting a shared commitment to positively impact lives in the communities BNSF serves while encouraging everyone to learn CPR.
The Aug. 12 program will feature American Heart Association leadership and staff, BNSF Railway representatives, Poudre Fire Authority, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery leadership, and cardiac arrest survivor Dr. Doug Mercer, who will share his firsthand story of why learning Hands-Only CPR saves lives. Attendees can try the kiosk themselves following the ribbon-cutting.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Cost: Free and open to the public
To learn more about Hands-Only CPR, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) is an accredited interactive and immersive museum featuring hands-on and collections-based exhibits that tell the stories of Northern Colorado and beyond. Developed as a partnership between the City of Fort Collins’ history museum and the nonprofit Discovery Science Center, FCMoD has hosted more than 1 million visitors since opening at its current location in 2012.
The museum’s exhibits gallery features long-term exhibits on science, agriculture, astronomy, First Peoples, wild lands, and more, while the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater is Northern Colorado’s only 360-degree immersive theater. The Archive & Collections is home to more than 40,000 three-dimensional objects and more than 400,000 archival records, including historical photos and documents. To learn more, visit fcmod.org.
For Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Quermann, Jennifer.quermann@heart.org,
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
