Fort Collins

Fort Collins is a vibrant city of about 170,000 in the north central region of Colorado, located 59 miles north of Denver on the Cache La Poudre River at the eastern edge of the Front Range foothills. It is the seat of Larimer County and home to Colorado State University, a major research institution. Fort Collins is renowned for its exceptionally bicycle-friendly infrastructure, thriving craft beer scene, and well-preserved historic downtown.

Old Town is the historic heart of the city, centered on College Avenue and Mountain Avenue. It features a vast collection of early 20th-century buildings and historical monuments, with a pedestrian-friendly layout of shops, restaurants, and outdoor gathering spaces. The Colorado State University campus extends through the center of the city, giving Fort Collins a youthful, energetic atmosphere. The big white "A" on the mountain west of town stands for Aggies, a relic from when CSU was Colorado Agricultural College.

Fort Collins enjoys a semi-arid climate with over 300 days of sunshine annually. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures in the 80s-90s°F, while winters are cold with occasional snow. Spring and fall are pleasant shoulder seasons. The city's many parks, trails, and proximity to the Rocky Mountains make it an excellent base for outdoor recreation year-round.

By Plane

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport, with shuttle services to Fort Collins available through Landline and Groome. The cheapest option is taking the Bustang bus combined with RTD's A Line train to Union Station, then connecting to Fort Collins. Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL), 4900 Earhart Rd, ☏ +1 970-962-2850, serves the area but currently has no domestic flights as of November 2024. The Groome and Landline DIA shuttles also stop at this location.

By Train

The nearest train station is Denver Union Station, served by Amtrak's California Zephyr. Amtrak operates a throughway bus from Denver through Fort Collins, but it only runs biweekly. The Bustang North Line from Denver Union Station is a more frequent and affordable option.

By Car / Road

Fort Collins is accessible via I-25 from the north and south. From Denver, the drive is approximately 65 miles north (about 1 hour). From Cheyenne, Wyoming, it is about 40 miles south on I-25. From Boulder, take US-287 north through Loveland. Roads are well-maintained interstate and highway quality.

Public transit is provided by Transfort, with most routes running Monday-Saturday 5AM-8PM. The MAX BRT route runs every 20 minutes. As of October 2024, all Transfort services are free. There are four main transit hubs: Downtown Transit Center, CSU Transit Center, South Transit Center, and Harmony Transfer Center.

Fort Collins is exceptionally bicycle-friendly with numerous paved trails and designated bike lanes. Biking can often be faster than driving, particularly during rush hour. Bike rentals are available at Recycled Cycles ($30/day), The Gearage, and through Spin ride-share e-bikes and scooters found throughout the city. Guests at the Armstrong Hotel receive free bikes during their stay. The Fort Collins Bike Coop offers the most affordable parts and repairs.

• Historic Old Town Fort Collins — Shops, restaurants, an outdoor mall, and historic buildings centered east of College Avenue between Mountain Avenue and Walnut Street. Free parking structures available; secure bike parking in the Mason Street garage

• Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMOD), 408 Mason Ct, ☏ +1 970-221-6738, Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, closed Monday — Exhibits on local history, ecology, and live animals with a planetarium. Adults $12.50, juniors/students/seniors $9.50, children 0-2 free

• Colorado State University, ☏ +1 970-491-6444 — Internationally recognized campus worth exploring

• Fort Collins Municipal Railway Trolley Depot, 1501 W Oak St, ☏ +1 970 224-5372, May-Sep Sat/Sun/holidays noon-5PM — Ride the historic trolley down Mountain Avenue. Adults $2, seniors & children $1, under 3 free

• Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Cir, Loveland, ☏ +1-970-619-4111 — National acts, sports events, and home to the Colorado Eagles hockey team

• Center for Fine Art Photography, 321 Maple St, ☏ +1 970-224-1010

• The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, 600 N Sherwood St, ☏ +1 970-221-6665 — Small agricultural children's museum with farm animals

• Brewery tours — Fort Collins is home to award-winning breweries including New Belgium Brewing (500 Linden St, ☏ +1 970-221-0524), Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins Brewery, CooperSmith's Pub and Brewery, and Big Horn Brewing. Also visit the Anheuser Busch outpost with Clydesdales

• Horsetooth Reservoir, 4200 W County Rd 38 E, ☏ +1 970-498-5610 — Climbing, boating, hiking, bouldering, and mountain biking (season or day pass required)

• Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), 1801 Riverside Ave, ☏ +1 970-221-6683 — Public pool and ice rink

• Colorado State Rams sports, 951 W Plum St, ☏ +1 970-491-7267 — NCAA Division I athletics at Canvas Stadium (football) and Moby Arena (basketball/volleyball)

• Walk or bike the extensive trail system throughout the city

• Visit galleries and attend events in Old Town Square

Fort Collins has a diverse and growing food scene with options for every budget.

• Budget: The Egg & I, multiple locations — Popular breakfast and lunch spot with hearty portions
• Budget: Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing, 140 S. College Ave — Brewpub with good pub fare and house-brewed beers
• Mid-range: Jay's Bistro, 135 W Olive St — Contemporary American cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Entrées $15-30
• Mid-range: Bisetti's Restaurant, 120 S. College Ave — Italian restaurant and a local institution since 1977. Pastas and entrées $14-28
• Splurge: The Melting Pot, 145 W. Olive St — Fondue dining experience with multiple courses. Prix fixe menus from approximately $45/person

Fort Collins is a craft beer capital with more than 20 breweries in the city. New Belgium Brewing (Fat Tire), Odell Brewing, and the Fort Collins Brewery are among the most famous. CooperSmith's Pub and Brewery in Old Town combines food and house-brewed ales. The Anheuser Busch brewery offers tours and the chance to see the famous Clydesdales. Coffee shops are abundant throughout the city, with The Equator Coffee and Wild Boar Coffee popular local favorites.

• Budget: Fort Collins Hostel, 215 N. Meldrum St — Clean, affordable hostel in the heart of downtown. Dorm beds from approximately $35/night.
• Mid-range: The Armstrong Hotel, 259 S. College Ave — Historic boutique hotel in the center of Old Town with complimentary bikes for guests. Rates from approximately $160/night.
• Mid-range: Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Rd — Full-service hotel near CSU campus. Rates from approximately $150/night.
• Upscale/Heritage: The Elizabeth Hotel, 111 E. Mountain Ave — Autograph Collection boutique hotel in Old Town with rooftop bar and artisan amenities. Rates from approximately $220/night.

Old Town Fort Collins offers a wide selection of locally owned shops, boutiques, and specialty stores in a charming historic setting. The city is known for its craft beer culture, with many breweries offering merchandise. Outdoor gear shops cater to the active lifestyle of residents. The Old Town area also features an outdoor mall with seasonal events and farmers markets.

• Rocky Mountain National Park (75 miles west, ~1.5 hr via US-34) — Spectacular mountain scenery, alpine tundra, and wildlife
• Denver (65 miles south, ~1 hr via I-25) — Colorado's capital with world-class museums, dining, and Red Rocks
• Boulder (55 miles south, ~1 hr) — University town with Pearl Street Mall and Flatirons hiking
• Cheyenne, Wyoming (40 miles north, ~40 min via I-25) — Rodeo capital with frontier history
• Horsetooth Mountain (8 miles west, ~15 min) — Popular hiking and rock climbing with panoramic views
• Loveland (12 miles south, ~20 min via I-25) — Art community with Benson Sculpture Garden and nearby Chimney Park