Fort Collins

Fort Collins enjoys a national reputation as a community where the American dream comes true. Residents are part of a thriving city that still maintains the heart of a small community that cares.  From high-tech business campuses to flower-lined alleyways to thriving locally-owned businesses, positivity abounds.

Colorado State University adds to the diversity of the community and creates numerous cultural and educational opportunities. It has well-respected men's and women's sports programs. Fort Collins boasts a vibrant arts scene - how many cities have colorful painted pianos dotting the area, upon which anyone can happily entertain themself and others? Or how many cities have alleyways so well painted, lit, and landscaped that they are photo-worthy in their downtown areas? How about a downtown whitewater park created for kayakers, tubers? Residents can choose from an array of performing arts offerings, including small theaters, live music venues, symphonies, ballet, choral groups, an opera company and traveling national shows at the city-owned Lincoln Center. In addition to the outdoor beauty and cultural offerings, the people of Fort Collins can partake in countless unique restaurants, pubs, breweries, and distilleries. 

Visitors are welcome at the city’s many award-winning breweries and distilleries for tours and tastings; start at one and you’ll have the choice from almost a dozen of which to visit next. Each summer, Fort Collins plays host to large festivals, including Tour de Fat and Taste of Fort Collins. Small music venues abound and multiple locations offer free outdoor summer concerts. Fort Collins is home to over 40 city parks scattered throughout the town. An extensive bike path system provides miles of paved trails popular with local bicyclists, runners and walkers. You'd be challenged to find a spot around town that isn't served by a well-cared-for trail or sidewalk. Whether spring, summer, fall or winter, there are plenty of fun options for the whole family. Farmers’ markets are popular year-round and countless restaurants take pride in serving locally sourced products.

The attractive mild climate, simple lifestyle, outdoor recreation, entertainment and top-tier health care facilities attract many people to the area. The city’s central “Old Town” was even the inspiration for Main Street USA in Disneyland. Fort Collins regularly makes numerous "Best of Lists" and one visit will show you why.

Population: 166,069 (2020 estimate) 
Elevation:  5,003’ and covering a land area of 55.83 square miles
Climate: Nearly 300 days of sunshine per year and 14.5 inches of precipitation. Summer humidity averages out to around 30%
Geography: 50 miles north of Denver, 42 miles east of Rocky Mountain National Park
Median family income: $70,528

Poudre School District serves 27,000+ students in over 50 schools.There are several private, specialized, and charter schools.

In Fort Collins, there are 50 parks, multiple public and private tennis courts, six golf courses (and  more within easy driving distance), multiple ballfields, and even a few pools. For boaters, there are three area lakes that accommodate most types of watercraft, including Horsetooth State Park, situated on one of the largest reservoirs and boating centers in the state. Fort Collins is 30 minutes from the perfect getaway of Poudre Canyon - which features Colorado's only National Wild and Scenic River. Take a drive, raft the whitewater, hike one of the trails, picnic or camp in one of the designated spots. The city is only a few hours drive to the heart of ski country. Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail and Steamboat Springs can be reached in around three hours. For Skiing a little closer to home, Eldora ski area is just over an hour's drive, and Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, and Loveland Ski Area are about a 2-hour drive. The Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado  Rockies, Colorado Rapids and Colorado Rapids Women play their home games in Denver, about an hour's drive away. 

Denver International Airport is just over an hour away and it is fifth busiest airport in the United States. This modern facility is also the largest airport in the U.S. based upon total area.

University of Colorado Health (formerly Poudre Valley Health System) serves residents in Northern Colorado,  Wyoming and Nebraska. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities and has attracted some of the country’s finest physicians. Banner Health constructed a new hospital in 2015, which will also serves Kaiser Permanente patients.

Major employers include University of Colorado Health, Banner Health, Poudre School District, Hewlett-Packard, Avago Technologies, Woodward, Qualfon, OtterBox, New Belgium Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch, Intel, Electronic Data Systems, and Tolmar. There are over 20 Fortune 500 companies that have a  presence in Larimer County.