12 Basecamp Fort Collins Essential traveler information
20 Discover Downtown Dine, play & stay
28 Outdoor Adventure Refreshing tonic for mind, body & spirit
34 Always Outside Find an adventure that’s right for you
the HIGHLIGHTS the SIGHTS
56 Liquid A rts Let the spirits take you
60 Music C ity All live music, all the time
66 Event Calendar Festivals & events
68 Appreciate the A rts Stages, galleries and around town
PAGE 48:
Cheers to the craft of beer!
Raise a glass, smile, taste, repeat
72 Welcome to Ram Country Colorado State University at the heart of the community
98 Event Destination Come together
102 Our Community Snapshot of the essentials
As you flip through this guide you’ll notice that many images are from visitors just like you! If you want to share your Fort Collins memories or point of view, be sure to use #OnlyInFoco, #LoveFortCollins and tag us at: @visitftcollins. Your #OnlyInFoco experience might just make it into the pages of future guides!
106 Fort Collins Talent Love what you do and where you do it
110 Maps Find your way around greater Fort Collins
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
REALTORS
Angie Spangler
Broker Associate
CLHMS, CRS, CNE, Green Cell: 970-402-6430
angiespangler@remax.net
Brian Lantis
Broker Associate
Cell: 970-799-9468
brianlantis@remax.net
FortCollinsRealEstateByAngie.com
• The Angie Spangler Team advocates for Sellers and Buyers working in their best interest.
• We have 24 years of experience in local, residential real estate sales representing a diverse range of clients and properties.
• We service all of Fort Collins and Northern Colorado providing clients with exemplary customer service & representation.
• Call today to find out how we can help you with your real estate needs.
Representing Sellers and Buyers in Northern Colorado since 2001!
Angie Spangler Team
The
Base Camp Fort Collins
MAKE FORT COLLINS YOUR BASE CAMP for mountain excursions and city charm. Trails, rivers, lakes and all the adventure and solitude that go with them are at your doorstep here. When it’s time to wind up, catch the Fort Collins buzz, an energy that drives people here to be open, active and friendly. Discover the sense of aliveness all around driven by an artistic, energetic spirit that just makes you want to get out and join in whatever is happening.
So picture yourself in Fort Collins—and then make it happen.
virtually yours
Check out visitfortcollins.com to plan your ideal excursion. Get ideas for:
Things to do—outdoor adventures, music, water activities, winter excursions, family fun, arts, shopping, foodie outings, itineraries and more Events—concerts, festivals, holidays, sports, performances Breweries—more than 25 breweries
Lodging—from hotels to cabins and even campgrounds
Stop in and see us!
Once you’re in town, we’re here to help! Talk to our travel concierges in the visitor center for ideas about how to make your experience extraordinary. Stop in to plan your fun and plot your itinerary.
Or if you are on the go, find helpful information and suggestions on things to do via visitfortcollins.com as well as our social media channels.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
FORT COLLINS WELCOME CENTER
Location, location, location!
Making your basecamp in Fort Collins puts you less than 2 hours from:
1. Cache la Poudre Canyon
2. Cheyenne, WY
3. Denver
FORT COLLINS, CO
8
4. Pawnee National Grasslands
5. Rocky Mountain National Park
6. Red Feather Lakes
7. Red Rocks Ampitheatre
8. Loveland Ski Area I-70
So make your basecamp here.
See the surrounding sights and come home to Fort Collins.
Mobile app-based transportation runs in Fort Collins and includes Lyft, Uber and zTrip. Need a ride?
Book a ride with Groome Transportation or Landline. Private car services include Fort Collins Limo, Fort Collins Charter 1 4 5 6 2 3
AT JUST OVER 60 MILES (97KM) of driving from Denver International Airport, it’s easy to arrive in Fort Collins. We’re right off I-25 and less than an hour from both I-80 and I-70.
DIRECT TO THE NORTHERN COLORADO REGIONAL AIRPORT TO AND FROM THE DENVER AIRPORT (DIA)
TEMPERATURE AVERAGES
How’s the weather?
Magnificent! That’s what makes Fort Collins such a perfect yearround destination.
Generally, it’s warm in the summer and sunny with afternoon showers that cool things off. Fall is magical, clear skies and cool, though it can snow in September. Layers are a must. We have days in January that are 30 degrees with snow and the next day 65 with sunshine. Spring is unpredictable.
Rain in the morning and clear skies in the afternoon or the other way around. March through May are the wettest months and that can fall as rain or snow.
THE SUN
Colorado boasts over 300 days of sunshine! And in the summer, expect 15 hours of daylight! Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, hats and a big water
bottle. Heat exhaustion and sunburn can happen quickly, so play it safe.
THE ELEVATION
We’re right at 5,000 feet above sea level and the further you go west the higher you get. Take it slow the first few days. If you feel nauseous or have a bad headache in the mountains, go to lower elevation. And stay hydrated!
Social media
Connect and share. We’d love to see your pictures and comments.
Bike-friendly town
GETTING AROUND TOWN on two wheels is a pleasure. And it’s easy with miles of bike lanes, paved trails and helpful signs.
The League of American Bicyclists has designated Fort Collins as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community, one of only 5 in the country.
Rent a bike from Recycled Cycles, Pedego, or The Gearage, or schedule a mountain bike tour with Front Range Ride Guides
Visitors can access and rent e-bikes and scooters through the Spin app.
SCAN to Download the Spin app:
#visitftcollins
#lovefortcollins
#visitfortcollins
PHOTO BY AUSTIN HANNON
MURAL ARTISTS: EMILY MOORE, JAHNA RAE-CHURCH, JULIO MENDOZA, KAYLEE BENDER-RANDOLPH.
You can take it with you!
TAKE A BIT OF FORT COLLINS home with you. You can use it here first—ball cap for sun protection, cooler for that picnic on the river, day pack for your hike. Fort Collins has lots of makers from artisan crafters to global companies creating products that people love. Shop around and find that perfect souvenir or gift.
TELLUS
401 Linden Street
Outdoor adventure clothing made to bring about a better planet, stronger communities & brighter future.
130A S. College Ave.
Large variety of the freshest, highestquality spices, blends, salts, extracts and peppers in the country.
AKINZ
15 Old Town Square, No. 132
Handcrafted products infused with adventurous goals and dreams. Tanks, tees, hoodies, beanies, trucker hats, leggings, dresses, accessories and more.
OTTER SHOP
151 W. Mountain Ave.
Connect with Otter brands, learn about company culture and see exclusive products available only in Fort Collins.
444 S. Link Ln.
Butter almond toffee handcrafted in small batches. Family-owned since 1976.
TOPO DESIGNS
130 S. College Ave.
High-quality, practical and stylish outdoor clothing and gear designed for the backcountry, cities and world travel.
324 Jefferson St.
Wristwatches built using original antique American pocket-watch movements, dials, and hands.
OLD TOWN SPICE
VORTIC WATCH COMPANY
VERN’S TOFFEE HOUSE
The Regional, a true taste of Fort Collins in a charming, inviting nook in Old Town. Sourcing from many local farms and small businesses in the community to bring you a delicious variety of unique, organic, and thoughtful dishes made with so much love, you can taste it!
Business Hours- 7 days a week
Sun – Thurs: 4 – 9pm Fri – Sat: 4 – 9:30 pm
Sat – Sun: 9:30 am – 2pm
Happy Hour every day: 4 – 5:30 pm
130 S Mason St. Fort Collins, CO. 80524 web: theregionalfood.com (970) 689-3508
eat local • drink local
PARTNERING PURVEYORS & LOCAL FARMS
Folks Farm, Forever Green Farm, Well Fed Farmstead, Belafonte Farm, Jodar Farm
Hazel Dell Farm, BC Honey Hives, High Point Bison, Happy Lucky’s Tea Bean Cycle Coffee Roasters, Life’s A Booch, And Many Local Breweries and Distilleries!
https://santafecraftsman.com/
Discover Downtown
SOAK IT UP! Friendly faces, bursts of flowers, splash pads, painted pianos, holiday lights, inviting alleyways and the hub itself—Old Town Square. Fort Collins has one of the most walkable downtown areas in America. It’s so charming that it inspired Disneyland’s MainStreet USA. Catch a ride on the 100-plus-year-old trolley from Old Town to City Park and back on weekends and holidays from May to September. The trolley has been operating for 40 years.
Old Town (as locals affectionately call the downtown area) includes a collection of great shops, eateries, open-air concert venues and plaza spaces. As you walk around and enjoy the tree-lined streets, charming flowers, and amazing public art all around, take in the open spaces and open minds that inspire a vibe that is uniquely Fort Collins.
Lodging in Old
Town
Book a stay at one of the most outstanding hotels in the country. Downtown Fort Collins boast two locations recently designated by Michelin Guides as One Key destinations. That's right! The Armstrong Hotel and the Elizabeth Hotel are among the
top hotels in America.
For a cozy, personal experience, check out the Edwards House or the unique boutique experience at Remington Flats
Public spaces
Old Town is bursting with public spaces to people (and dog) watch. In Old Town Square, get into the action at a creative play area or tickle some ivories at one of the many painted Pianos About Town. Nearby, on Oak Street Plaza, kids can run through the cascading water spouts, and shady trees provide a spot to sip coffee or enjoy lunch. It’s no wonder this is designated a Creative District of Colorado.
Shopping paradise
If you’re an avid shopper, you’ve arrived in a paradise… boutiques, one-of-kind shops, foodie flavors, souvenirs and on and on. Want to sample 50 kinds of olive oil? Got it. Try on some boutique fashions? Check. Unique outdoor gear? Yep. Colorado mountain souvenirs? Endless. Lavender soaps and creams? Delightful. And most of these shops are locally owned, so you just might be chatting with the proprietor at any time.
Parking tip
On-street parking is available or choose from three parking garages where parking is just $1 per hour and the first hour is free! Plus, garage parking is free all day Sundays. Download the ParkMobile app or use the kiosks in the garages to pay for parking. The Remington St. Garage is located directly across from the Fort Collins Welcome Center, where we can answer questions or help you find fun places to go.
LINDEN AND WALNUT, DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
Downtown offers several lively options for kids, teens and families. Choose your own adventure and discover a new favorite.
1. Old Town Square Splash Pad: This sprayground is sure to delight all ages on a hot day.
2. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery: Science, music and amazement keep hands and minds busy.
3. Lee Martinez Farm: A city farm that offers PONY RIDES! Get ready to “git along” and welcome to the wild west lil’ pardner.
4. Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys: A true neighborhood toy store with a kids clothing shop and the Urban Blossom tween boutique.
5. Pinball Jones: An underground arcade with craft beer on tap (for 21+ kids) and a gazillion games for the whole family to play.
Stroll around Old Town
You never know what unexpected treat might be waiting for you in a quiet corner or under an Old World-style lamppost. You could spend the day or evening wandering through charming alleyways to see what you might discover…maybe a cozy tavern or a wall-sized mural featuring local and international artists.
You might find yourself on a flower-filled patio watching a street performer juggle fire or on a rooftop taking in an orange and red sky as the sun slips behind the foothills of the Rocky Mountains for the evening.
You can’t make a wrong turn. Wherever you wander, you’ll find music, art, cuisine and fun.
Winter warm-ups
Winter brings Santa’s Workshop, a pop-up skating rink and holiday themed music performances. The surrounding downtown transforms into a wonderland. Picture yourself strolling through a twinkling world of lighted trees with inviting shop windows and cozy restaurants. The shops downtown have extended retail hours through the holiday season and the hot sipping chocolate at Nuance Chocolate is a perfect way to enjoy the seasonally dipping temperatures and beauty of winter in Fort Collins.
Elegant dining, musical performances, theatrical events, and foodie and art walks keep Fort Collins bustling even in chilly weather.
$ @ERIKALMAC21
$ @BEN_KALYON
The Exchange
Old Town Square
Old Town Square Splash Pad
Fresh air
We love to linger outside on patios and rooftops. Check out The Exchange, a great family gathering place for all ages with a common area to enjoy tacos, ice cream, refreshing drinks, an arepa at Yellow Crunch and more. Relax a moment with the wide-open views on Illegal Pete’s rooftop, or the fountain patio at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, locally known as The Rio. Chill in Old Town Square with an ice cream cone or sundae from Ben & Jerry’s or stop in at one of the many other spots on the plaza.
Patio culture in Fort Collins isn’t just for your two-legged friends. Some businesses welcome well-behaved dog guests with a bowl of water.
After sundown
A vibrant energy buzzes here in the evening as bon vivants head out to see what the night might hold. The variety might amaze you. Wander through Old Town and down the bright and artsy alleyways to discover your next favorite place. You’ll love the sparkling tree lights in winter.
Grab a club and show your game at Old Town Putt in The Exchange or order a cocktail and take a seat on the back patio at Elliot's Martini Bar. Settle in for an evening of music at the innovative Magic Rat, in the luxurious Elizabeth Hotel where you can also take in the panoramic view at the rooftop Sunset Lounge
Make it a full evening with live music at The Aggie Theater, The Armory, Washington's, and Sound Bar. Or share a laugh at the Comedy Fort
Sit a moment in Old Town Square as you plan your next stop…maybe a patio like CooperSmith's or Union Bar & Soda Fountain or a cocktail lounge like Social or Ace Gillett's, which features live jazz.
Whatever you do, don’t miss an evening in Downtown Fort Collins.
SOUND BAR
$@CHIEFOJIH
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
PHOTO BY ALEX ROSZCO
OLD FIREHOUSE ALLEY
ACE GILLETTE'S
THE EXCHANGE
1. Catch a festival // Come on down and see what the buzz is all about. Many downtown festivals feature beer, bikes and bands.
2. Chill in Old Town Square // Hang out in the sun all year round at this central gathering place with a winter skate rink and summer splash park.
3. Check the haunts // Sign up for a tour with Fort Collins Tours, LLC, or Traces of the Past History Tours
4. Shop ‘til you drop // Discover a scintillating mix of unique shops and inviting rest stops.
5. Book a room // Settle into a boutique hotel or B&B right down where the action is.
For ideas, visit www.visitftcollins. com, and search downtown.
PHOTO BY JAMES RAY SPAHN
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
OLD TOWN SQUARE
OLD FIREHOUSE BOOKS
OLD TOWN SQUARE
WELCOME TO OUR BACKYARD PLAYGROUND. Discover a refreshing tonic for mind, body and spirit while floating a river, walking a trail, boating on a lake and so much more! Nearly 50 designated natural areas in and around Fort Collins await you from bird-filled wetlands to soaring peaks.
WHITEWATER RAFTING
Mad Dog, Pinball, Pineview Falls…just a few of the rapids you can run on the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado’s only nationally designated Wild & Scenic river. Sign up for a guided rafting trip or rent an inflatable kayak and get ready for an action-packed run from Class II family-friendly bumps to Class IV hold-onto-your-hat waves and drops. Whitewater companies book trips all year long for the season that typically starts in May and runs through Labor Day.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
We have single-track, lots of it, from rocky and technical to smooth
and flowy. Or pedal a mellow dirt road in the forest for a family outing. You’ll find endless terrain at Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Red Mountain Open Space, the Blue Sky Trail and in the Cache la Poudre Canyon.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Many of our outdoor staples serve double duty as temperatures drop. Hiking trails become snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing routes during the winter. When the temperature drops, Sheldon Lake at City Park becomes a crunchy, silvery landscape of ice fishing, skating and hockey. Or zip up to snow country near
PLAY NEARBY
Horsetooth Reservoir is minutes west of town. Go boating, rent a standup paddleboard, or swim at one of the designated beaches. Around the reservoir, find crags for rock climbing and trails for walking, running and mountain biking.
West of the reservoir is Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, and to the south, Blue Sky Trail.
Beginner?
Expert?
It’s all here waiting for you. Scan the QR Code below to locate guides and outfitters in the area.
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and Red Mountain Open Space offer hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails plus views of bison and prehistoric artifacts. Open to visitors from March through November.
Set out to explore the Cache la Poudre Canyo n for kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking and hunting.
Cameron Pass for a spectacular winter adventure. Choose a rolling trail or venture above tree line for some backcountry bowls. You can even ski or snowshoe into a yurt for a night or two.
How about lift-served snow tubing?
Beaver Meadows Resort near Red Feather Lakes has 12 tubing runs along with traditional pond skating and groomed crosscountry ski trails. Winter activities abound in Fort Collins, making it a welcoming, fourseason destination for adventurers.
CAMPING & PICNICKING
Brats sizzling on the grill, the river 20 feet away, kids tossing lures into that big hole, and the sweet pine air. Does it get any
better? Find a campsite or picnic spot as close as Horsetooth Reservoir or head out for an adventure up Cache la Poudre River Canyon or near Red Feather Lakes. Choose from primitive, hike-in campsites to full hookup, RV-ready pads. Check the maps beginning on page 40 to see these and other camping and picnicking areas.
HIKING & TRAIL RUNNING
It’s magic all year round here. For quick access, pop up to the trails around Horsetooth Reservoir. Have a little more time? Head up Cache la Poudre Canyon. And for the big day, hit the high trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
PHOTO COURTESY CIT Y OF FORT COLLNS
LIVING 5,003 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL
is just one of the many reasons worldclass athletes choose to train and compete in Fort Collins. But the altitude can catch up to you fast, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to acclimate, hydrate and slather on additional sunscreen.
ROCK CLIMBING
Chalk your hands and ease up the crags around Horsetooth Reservoir or up the Cache la Poudre River Canyon. Check out the world-class bouldering at Rotary Park and Piano Boulders or grab a rope for some top-rope climbing at Duncan’s Ridge at Horsetooth Reservoir. Ready for bigger stuff? Head up to Lumpy Ridge near Estes Park or even the high peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park.
FISHING & HUNTING
Make Fort Collins your base camp for a sportsperson’s paradise. Fish miles of streams, creeks and lakes and stalk big game such as elk, moose, deer and antelope in hundreds of square miles of public lands. Wet a fly with the guides at Liarflies and stop into the renowned St. Peter’s Fly Shop for supplies, advice and guiding. Or try a variety of types of fishing with Northern Colorado Fishing Outfitters. For extensive fishing and hunting information and licenses, search for Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
WILDLIFE WATCHING & NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
View and photograph abundant winged and fourlegged creatures—eagles, waterfowl, moose, elk, big horn sheep and deer. Focus your lens on world-class landscapes or zoom in on moose grazing in lush meadows. Capture that perfect sunset over snow-capped mountains. Never
Lory State Park: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/ Parks/lory
Roosevelt/Arapahoe National Forests: fs.usda.gov/main/arp/home
forget, these are wild animals. Do not approach or feed them and absolutely no selfies with them! If you capture any stunning outdoor shots, be sure to tag @visitftcollins on social media.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Embrace your inner dude with a horseback excursion. You have
lots of choices: a short trail ride, a chuckwagon dinner outing or a full-blown immersive adventure. Check in with Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, which offers the full range of experiences or Tattered Saddle Stables for beginner through advanced excursions or head to the high country at Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
1. Cache la Poudre River Canyon // Follow your passion: Whitewater rafting and kayaking, fishing, hiking, climbing, picnicking, camping, wildlife and more.
2. Horsetooth Reservoir // Water sports, hiking or mountain biking in the surrounding hills, plus bouldering opportunities are all found at and around the reservoir.
3. Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway // From scenic drive to adventure playground. You just have to go.
4. The Mishawaka // Grab a bite or beverage along the river and stay for the live music.
and
5. Poudre River Whitewater Park // Just north of Old Town, kayakers, tubers
fun hogs can splash in the river.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MISHAWAKA AMPITHEATER
PHOTO BY MAREKULIASZ
PEOPLE LIKE TO GET OUTDOORS HERE all year round. It’s a lifestyle thing. In town, enjoy a stroll around a lake or play in the river at the Poudre River Whitewater Park near College Avenue and East Vine Drive. Take the kids to a splash pad to cool down. And your four-legged friend is welcome at many places, too.
Make Fort Collins your basecamp. You’ll find adventure and solitude at the many open spaces, natural areas and parks. So get out and stay out…doors, that is. Discover your place in the sun. You’ll just feel better.
SO DOG-FRIENDLY
Fort Collins is a dog town. If you brought yours, here are a few things you should know. First, the leash law is in effect and enforced. Second, you’ll see bags available for waste pick up. And finally, let Rover rove at one of the four dog parks in town: Fossil Creek (south end), Twin Silo Park (south end), Spring Canyon (midtown), and Soft Gold (north end). And check the signs. Some trails prohibit dogs all together, some require dogs to be on a leash, and others are fine places to let them run wild and free.
DUNCAN'S RIDGE AT HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR
Horsetooth Falls
Outings inside the city
You don’t have to go far to find open space. There’s plenty of it right here in town. Search the Fort Collins Natural Areas Finder to pick your favorite spot.
Try out these excursions.
• Kayak in Old Town—Catch an eddy in the River District at the Poudre River Whitewater Park.
• Walk or pedal a paved trail—Explore the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area, Spring Creek Trail or the Poudre River Trail.
• Throw a disc—Choose from two 18-hole courses: Edora Park or Aggie Greens Disc Golf Course.
• Splish, splash—Jump into the City Park Outdoor Pool and float the lazy river or get doused by water spouts at Spring Canyon, Oak Street Plaza, Old Town Square, and Fossil Creek parks.
• Play a round of golf—Swing those sticks on three city courses… open almost year ‘round.
VISIT A GARDEN
Visit the lovely gounds at the Gardens on Spring Creek featuring a butterfly pavillion.
Stroll through hundreds of blooms at the Colorado State University Trial Gardens. Pack a lunch and discover exotic and native plants, flowers, and shrubbery growing side-by-side at the CSU Trial Gardens. Best of all, this botanical wonderland is free of charge.
EVERYONE GETS TO PLAY
Outdoor adventure and just plain fun is encouraged for everyone.
Miles of paved trails through various landscapes attract users of diverse mobility modes while Inspiration Playground at Spring Canyon Park is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and support braces, encouraging kids of all abilities to play and interact.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA
CSU FLOWER TRIAL GARDENS
Pedal on— chillers to thrillers
CHOOSE YOUR RIDE: steep and technical, smooth and flowy or somewhere in between. It’s a pedalers paradise out here. Mountain bike terrain is graded using a system similar to ski decents. Green dot for easy; Blue triangle for moderate; and Black diamond for difficult. All rides are part of a trail system and can be extended or modified.
EAST & WEST VALLEY TRAILS AND SOUTH
VALLEY LOOP
Charles A. Lory State Park
Recommended to park at Timber Group Picnic area.
EASY 6.9-mile (11.1km) loop. Rolling single track with few obstacles through beautiful meadows.
Gravel-road rides
RIST CANYON BOTTOMS
19 MILES (31KM)
Explore the Poudre River Trail and various dirt trails heading west to Rist Canyon with a break at Me Oh My Pie in Laporte. Head back into town via Bingham Hill.
CEMENT PLANT + TAFT DIRT
30 MILES (48KM)
Over 1,000 feet of climbing takes you through dirt roads, around past Ten Bears Winery and back to town.
GRAVEL GRACELAND RED FEATHER LOOP
47 MILES (76KM)
Get ready for 5,400 feet of climbing through breathtaking mountain country. Then stop into Red Feather Lakes for a cream soda or scoop of ice cream.
RUBY WASH—CHEYENNE RIM LOOP
Start at the Red Mountain Open Space trailhead.
MODERATE
12-mile (19.3km) nontechnical loop through astonishing scenery.
FOOTHILLS—MAXWELL LOOP
City of Fort Collins' Maxwell Natural Area and Larimer County Open Space. Park at Maxwell Natural Area parking lot.
u DIFFICULT 5.9-mile (9.5km) loop with an out-and-back start. Technical, single track with good flow and great views.
LOG ON TO GET GOING
Log onto mtbproject.com for trail information or download the MTB Project app for quick and easy access to rides both in and around Fort Collins. Or check out visitftcollins.com/cycle-fort-collins for road, mountain bike and gravel resources.
Enjoy anything from easier mountain-bike trails to chunky gravel to smooth roads. Gravel roads offer quiet, scenic terrain with little to no traffic, and the Fort Collins area is full of them.
Head to gravelgraceland.com to get more ideas in the region. Whitney and Zack Allison, owners of Bike Sports at bikesportsco.com, provided the gravel road content and offer gravel road tours.
PHOTO
COURTESY OF BIKE SPORTS CO
GRAVEL RIDES ARE THE BEST:
BLUE SKY TRAIL AT HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR
Happy trails— ambles to rambles
You could spend a lifetime getting to know the trails in and around Fort Collins. For hiking, trails are rated as Easy, Moderate or Difficult. These rankings typically are related to how much elevation you gain and lose and how technically difficult the trail is. While enjoying the backcountry, remember to leave only footprints and take only memories and photos so that those who follow after you can have the pristine experience that makes these mountains the beautiful refuge that they are.
HIKING ESSENTIALS
When you’re heading out, pay attention to the weather and trail conditions. A pleasant walk or ride in the hills can quickly turn into a difficult day when storms roll in, visibility drops and trails get muddy. Make a fair assessment of your abilities, be ready to turn back and take along appropriate clothing, gear and food for your outing. And don’t forget a water bottle.
GREYROCK SUMMIT
6.3-mile (10.1km) out-and-back or 7.1-mile (11.4km) loop
Cache la Poudre Canyon Hwy 14. Park at main parking lot. Popular trail with switchbacks to an exciting finish up Grey Rock. To make a loop, take the Grey Rock Meadows trail one direction. Trailhead is 18 miles (29km)/30 minutes from downtown.
DIFFICULT
HORSETOOTH FALLS AND HORSETOOTH ROCK
6.1-mile (9.8km) loop
COYOTE RIDGE TO RIMROCK OPEN SPACE OVERLOOK
4.1-mile (6.6km) out-and-back Coyote Ridge Natural Area. Foothills meets the plains. Gorgeous views to the west from the top of the trail. No dogs on this trail. Trailhead is 9.5 miles (15.3km)/20 minutes from downtown.
MODERATE
EASY
WELL GULCH NATURE
1.7-mile (2.7km) loop
Charles A. Lory State Park. Park at Eltuck Group Picnic Area. A little something for everyone on this self-guided tour through several ecosystems with information along the way. Trailhead is 12 miles (19.3km)/25 minutes from downtown.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Park at main parking lot. Pass a waterfall through woods and meadows on your way to the top of the iconic Horsetooth Rock. Trailhead is 12 miles (19.3km)/ 25 minutes from downtown.
TOWHEE LOOP
2.9-mile (4.7km) loop
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Park at the north parking lot. Hikers-only trail. Great views of mule deer and a variety of birds. This trail has an easy/ moderate rating. Trailhead is 29 miles (46.7km)/50 minutes from downtown.
POND AND RIVER MEANDER
0.3- to 3-mile (0.5-4.8km) loop options Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Park at any of three trailheads. Flat trails with loop options. More than 200 species of birds feed, nest and migrate through this area. Trailhead is 3.5 miles (5.6km)/10 minutes from downtown.
Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch
Find year-round family fun, from horseback rides to lift-served snow tubing to trout fishing. Plus an outrageous disc golf course.
Cameron Pass
Go for a hike.
Check out Diamond Peak and Noghu Crags. The fall colors are outrageous.
Drala Mountain Center
Red Feather Lakes area
In town, grab an ice cream cone and poke around the shops, then walk a trail, paddle a lake or tempt a rainbow trout.
Eagles Nest Open Space Home to nesting eagles with access for anglers and trails for hikers and equestrians.
Follow in the footsteps of the Dalai Lama to the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. Breathe and relax. Visitors are welcome.
Blue Ribbon Trout waters
Wild river, wild fish. Get ready. Flies and lures only. Catch and release.
Lake Agnes
A short hike rewards you with a simply gorgeous view of this lake surrounded by high peaks.
The Mishawaka Come for the deck over the river. Stay for the great food, concerts and local drafts.
Young Gulch Trail
Lovely walk near a mountain stream with bridged stream crossings.
Greyrock Trail
Moderate mountain hike through forest with a big finish if you go all the way to the top. Plan to spend most of the day.
Born to explore
MAPS AND GUIDES can only tell you so much about a place. They point you in the right direction and give you some idea of what might be a fit for you, but they are not the real thing. Pictures and maps can’t tell the whole story. You just have to go and explore for yourself!
FILL IT UP
Check your gas tank before you head up the Cache la Poudre Canyon. You can top off at Ted’s Place where Hwy 14 leaves Hwy 287. Options are few and far between after that.
Gateway Natural Area Primo pristine picnic spot with fishing, boat launch and hiking.
Fort Collins
Cache la Poudre River and Red Feather Lakes
The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area is designated by Congress as a place where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape that spans 45 miles of the river, starting at Ted's Place and running southeast. If you want the Wild & Scenic experience, turn west up Hwy 14 off Hwy 287 at Ted's Place and follow the designated scenic byway. Take a trip up to the Red Feather Lakes area while you're at it for extra mountain scenery and fun.
Drive time: Fort Collins to Cameron Pass— approximately 2 hours. Fort Collins to Red Feather Lakes— approximately 1 hour.
Scan the QR code for National Heritage Area information.
EMBRACE ANALOG
Cell phone service can be spotty to downright nonexistent in the canyons. Try loading a map of the area on your phone or tablet and then follow the blue dot. Or stop by the Fort Collins Welcome Center for a paper map and directions.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
Rand-Gould cutoff
North Park
This is big-sky country with mountains all around. Come feel the space.
Get onto some gravel backroads through beautiful country with spectacular views and moose.
The big scenic drive-around
Leave early. Drive time is six hours and you’re going to want to stop, stretch and look around…a lot!
Drive up Hwy 34 west of Loveland into Rocky Mountain National Park then up and over Trail Ridge Road (open summer to early fall) to Granby. Head north on Hwy 125 to Walden and then turn east on Hwy 14 over Cameron Pass and down the Cache la Poudre Canyon. Can be done in reverse.
Moose Visitors Center
Talk to a ranger, buy maps and souvenirs, and learn about moose and the history of the region.
Cache La Poudre River and Canyon
Wild and Scenic says it all. See our detailed map to the left for this area.
Trail Ridge Road
With panoramic 360-degree views, TRR is the highest paved highway in the country. The road opens in early summer and closes in the fall.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa
Breathe deeply, relax and take a personal day at the hot springs.
Grand Lake
Quaint, lakeside town on the less visited west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Big Thompson Canyon
Gateway to the national park. Feel the excitement build as you wind your way up this classic canyon.
Rocky Mountain National Park
The true Rocky Mountain high is just an hour uphill from Fort Collins. Discover elk, big horn sheep, spectacular peaks, quiet lakes, inviting trails, and more.
Drive time: approximately 6 hours.
Lory State Park
Something for everyone. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, backpacking. Challenge: summit Arthur’s Rock.
Rotary Park
Bouldering hot spot and a scenic picnic area. Foothills Trail access, too.
Horsetooth Mountain
Open Space
North Boat Ramp and Satanka Cove
Cliff-lined, speed-restricted cove designated for SUPs and kayaks.
Swim and SUP beach Mountain views across the reservoir with SUP and kayak put ins.
Holiday Twin Drive-In
Chill after your funfilled day in a movie setting like no other.
A mountain bikers’ dream. Rollers through beautiful terrain.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Pick your flavor of fun. At the lake, hang out at a beach or try a standup paddle board or kayak. Bike, hike or saddle up for a seemingly endless system of trails in the state, county and city parks that surround the reservoir.
Maxwell Natural Area Trailhead
Quick access to the trail system on the edge of town. Climb to Rotary Park for the best view.
Boat launch and beach Main spot for launching power boats with a beach.
Bringing your two wheels?
Read our gravel, mountain and road bicycle guides here:
Rocky Mountain National Park
GLEN HAVEN
YOURAdventure BEGINS HERE
Whether you’re here for the weekend, for the season or with us for a while, let Wilbur’s Total Beverage welcome you to Fort Collins.
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Snowy Range Hike, fish and more in these beautiful mountains. Challenge: Climb Medicine Bow Peak.
Snowy Range Ski Area
Skip the traffic and head north for a day of family-friendly, affordable snow riding.
Discover Wyoming
Buffalo? Check. Old West sites? Check. World’s largest outdoor rodeo? Check. Head north on I-25 and stop at Terry Bison Ranch for a tour of the herd then head up to Cheyenne and get yourself a cowboy hat and boots. West from there is wild Wyoming country for picnicking and hiking. Explore the rolling foothills and the scenic peaks of the Snowy Range. Drive time: approximately 4.5 hours.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest
Around Estes Park Take a hike or horseback ride and grab a bite in this beautiful mountain setting.
Estes Park
Lily Lake & Twin Sisters Wander around the lake or challenge yourself to climb Twin Sisters Peaks above tree line.
Indian Peaks Wilderness Stop for a picnic and go for a hike among the dramatic peaks and mountain lakes.
Explore this fun mountain town with an interesting flavor of its own
Peak-to-Peak Highway
Follow this route from Estes Park south past Nederland into Clear Creek Canyon to I-70.
Do some time at the Old West prison that held violent and desperate outlaws.
Gowdy State Park
Discover a day of epic mountain biking, an archery course, fishing, hiking hunting and boating.
Vedauwoo
Wander and scramble among the fantastic rocks at this hiking and rock-climbing destination.
Cheyenne
Discover Wild-West history here in the New Old West. Outfit yourself in a new hat and boots for the world's largest outdoor rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Terry Bison Ranch Resort
Experience bison up close and personal on a bison train tour.
Eldora Ski Area
Drop in for a day-trip of alpine and nordic skiing.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Take in the sights at the year-round mountain destination for a variety of outdoor activities and fun.
Peak-to-Peak Highway
Tour the highlights of the Front Range on this scenic drive extraordinaire. Head up Hwy 34 to the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park by Estes Park. Stop for a stroll around Lily Lake as you head south on Hwy 7 and then picnic at Brainard Lake in the Indian Peaks. On the return, visit Boulder and Loveland. Drive time: approximately 4.5 hours.
Dress for success
Wear layers of clothing that you can put on and remove as needed. A rain shell is always a good idea as is a billed cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. And remember your water bottle.
A day in Denver
Drive an hour south on I-25 and you can dip into some big-city amenities such as the Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Denver Aquarium and Meow Wolf. Denver also fields a full roster of professional sports teams with fields and arenas right downtown. Add to your trip by heading west to catch a band under the stars at the unparalleled Red Rocks Amphitheater Drive time: approximately 1 hour to downtown Denver.
Downtown Aquarium
Discover 500 species of animals, the interactive Stingray Reef touch tank, Aquarium Restaurant and more.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Get your thrills and cool down with two amusement parks in one, right off of the highway.
Meow Wolf Denver—Convergence Station
Take a surreal walk through an art experience with many interactive rooms, other-worldly sculptures & a story arc.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
See the stars at this spectacular outdoor performance venue.
16th Street Mall
Stroll down this mile-long pedestrian promenade of shops, restaurants and entertainment.
Colorado State Capitol
Take a tour of the capitol. Free guided tours include a climb up the dome.
United States Mint at Denver
Discover the treasures of this historic building where coins are minted.
Denver Art Museum
Dive into the 12 resident collections and special exhibits.
Denver Zoo
Connect with the animals and spark your curiosity.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Delve into the wonders of the world through the exhibitions, planetarium and lectures.
Denver Botanic Gardens—York Street
Encounter a wide range of gardens and collections on 24 acres displaying plants from all corners of the world.
Empower Field at Mile High
Cheers, to the craft of beer
WELCOME TO THE CRAFT BEER CAPITAL OF COLORADO!
More than twenty breweries have beers for you to sample in taprooms and brewpubs as varied as the award-winning beers they serve. Take in the character of each venue as you settle in with a flight.
Thumb through the detailed descriptions and choose one that jumps out at you. Try that funky sour instead of that IPA to see if you might find a new favorite. And the folks behind the counter are always happy to help guide you on your quest.
When that glass first appears in front of you, don’t rush it. Take a moment to admire the color and inhale the rich aromas of hop and malt. Now, you’re ready to savor the flavor. Take a sip and let it linger on your palate. Cheers to the love of beer!
Many breweries also welcome your well-behaved furry friends. So leash them up and bring them along.
THE BREWERY EXPERIENCE
Drinking craft beer is great, but the experience is even better at the birthplace of the beer itself. Out in the sun, playing some games and grabbing a bite from a food truck or the brewery itself is a true slice of beer culture. Other days invite you to cozy in around a table for a nice chat. You can find it all in the breweries and taprooms of Fort Collins.
LIVE MUSIC
What could be a better way to relax at the end of the day than a cold beer and some local live music? Check the brewery websites to see who might be playing in the intimate setting of your selected brewery’s patio or tap room.
BY
RICHARD HARO
PHOTO
PHOTO BYLAURENDOWNEY
NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO
FLIGHT PLAN
When visiting a brewery many people opt for a beer sampling flight. Breweries will often supply a description sheet for their beer, which allows thirsty visitors to plan their taste journey.
TOURS
Do you want to dig in and see how the magic happens? Most breweries offer tours. Some are impromptu; others require a reservation. All are fun and interesting. Check the brewery's website for tour details and times or call before you go.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Many breweries offer kids food menus, games and room to play. Odell and New Belgium have green space and games. Or try CooperSmith’s patio near the splash pad in Old Town Square. Intersect Brewing caters to families, featuring a kids' area with foam floors, toys, books, a train set, corn hole, giant blocks, and more on their large patio
BIKES AND BEER
Bikes and beer just go together in Fort Collins. You can find breweries all over town and many are near bikeways and bike paths, so pedaling from one spot to another is easy and fun. If you need a bike, pick one up at one of the many local bike shops who offer rentals. Bike culture and beer culture collide at New Belgium Brewing Co., which sponsors the Tour de Fat bike parade and festival and at Equinox where they deliver kegs on a specially designed keg-bike. Try signing up for an "adventure on tap" with Beer & Bike Tours, www.beerandbiketours.com.
NAME: This is your first clue to the taste of the beer and sometimes a nod to the inspiration that drove it to be brewed.
DESCRIPTION: A few words about the type of beer and details about the flavors and finish of the brew.
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: A percentage measurement of how much alcohol is contained in the beer.
Classic Flight description sheet courtesy of Odell Brewing
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
The brew in front of you
Navigating the astounding variety of craft brew flavors is an adventure! Here are some clues to help you decipher what a beer might taste like.
COLOR
A fair number of beers are named after their color, and you can often make a good guess of a beer’s malt flavor just by knowing its name and seeing it in a glass.
LIGHT/PALE
FLAVORS: grainy, bread-like
STYLES: blonde ale, helles, Belgian-style
AMBER
FLAVORS: toasty, bread crust
STYLES: amber ale, amber lager
BROWN
FLAVORS: toast, roasted nuts, chocolate
STYLES: brown ale, Marzen, dopplebock
BLACK
FLAVORS: burnt toast, dark chocolate, coffee, espresso
STYLES: dry stout, robust porter, American black ale
REGIONAL STYLE
There are exceptions, but these geographic terms typically offer clues about a beer’s taste profile.
GERMAN | lager with complex malt character and floral hops
BELGIAN | fruity, spicy ales or sour beers
ENGLISH | pale ales, porters and stouts with earthy hops
AMERICAN | hop-forward beers with pine, citrus and resin
BELGO-AMERICAN | fruity/spicy Belgian yeast with American hops
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
Special ingredients range in intensity, but there is usually an expectation that the brewer will aim to strike a balance.
FOOD: chocolate, coffee, breakfast cereal
FRUIT: raspberry, peach, cherry, orange
SPICES: cinnamon, ginger, cumin, cardamom
The "Not to be Missed" List is designated on the map by the pint glass icon.
1. Breckenridge Brewery 1020 E. Lincoln Ave.
2. CooperSmith’s 5 Old Town Square
3. Funkwerks 1900 E. Lincoln Ave. Unit B
4. Gilded Goat 3500 S. College Ave. #194
5. Gilded Goat 132 W. Mountain Ave.
6. Horse & Dragon Brewing Co. 124 Racquette Dr.
H7. The Jessup Farm Barrel House 1921 Jessup Dr.
8. New Belgium Brewing Co. 500 Linden St.
9. Odell Brewing Co. 800 E. Lincoln Ave.
10. Peculier Ales 1831 E. Mulberry St.
11. Zwei Brewing Co. 4612 S. Mason St. #120
HPlot your own taproom tour. Grab a friend and sample your way through Colorado’s Craft Beer Capital.
12. Beerwerks Fort Collins 225 N. Lemay Ave. #1
13. DC Oakes Brewhouse and Eatery 3581 E. Harmony Rd. #110 14. Equinox 133 Remington St. 15. Hello Brew Company 405 Linden St.
Intersect Brewing 2160 W. Drake Rd. #A-1
Konstruct Brewing 3027 E. Harmony Rd., Suite #2
Maxline Brewing 2724 McClelland Dr. #190
Mythmaker Brewing Company 1035 S. Taft Hill Rd.
20. Obstacle Brewing and Grill 4613 S. Mason St. Ste D1
21. Prost Brewing Co. 1510 S. College Ave
22. Purpose Brewing and Cellars 4025 S. Mason St. Unit C
23. Rally King Brewing 1624 S. Lemay Ave. #4
24. Ramskeller Pub & Grub 1101 Center Ave.
25. Salt Road Brewing Co. 321 Old Firehouse Alley
26. Stodgy Brewing 1802 Laporte Ave.
27. Verboten Brewing 1611 S. College Ave.
If you want to taste a variety of brews without traveling about, belly up at one of Fort Collins’ tap rooms. Each one has its own personality, but all serve up a sampling that is sure to please.
28. FoCo Beer Collective 225 Pine St. Craft beer, seltzer and nonalcoholic beverages from near and far
29. The Mayor of Old Town 632 S. Mason St. 100 beers on tap
30. Otto Pint
1100 Oakridge Dr. 20 beers on tap
31. Tap and Handle
307 S. College Ave.
74 rotating taps of ales, lagers and more
YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU
Did you find just the right beer? The one that you want to sip later or that you want your friends at home to try?
Most breweries offer some form of beer-to-go—bottles, cans, growlers and crowlers. So carry some out for later!
ALES ferment at warmer temperatures and often present more yeast-derived flavors (fruity, sometimes spicy) in their flavor profile.
LAGERS ferment at cooler temperatures and create a much “cleaner” beer, which allows you to taste the malt and hops more explicitly.
Liquid Arts
FORT COLLINS IS WORLD FAMOUS FOR ITS CRAFT BEER , but our craftiness doesn’t stop there. We have a long list of local creations to choose from.
If you have a penchant for caffeine from a bean, Fort Collins offers many locally roasted ways to espresso yourself. The Bean Cycle, Harbinger, Lima Coffee, Bindle Coffee and Wander Coffee (try their Visit Fort Collins blend) are just a few favorites. For those who like their spot of tea, Happy Lucky’s Teahouse (home of a special Visit Fort Collins tea), The Spice & Tea Exchange and the Ku Cha House of Tea serve up a world of flavors in inviting community spaces. For an alcohol alternative, try out a kava bar, like Roots and Leaves Kavas and Teas, with locations in Old Town and near campus.
If you want to “Branch Out,” don’t miss the cider of the same name made at Scrumpy’s Hard Cider and Pub. For a tasty, healthful treat full of probiotics and other good stuff, drink kombucha from Life’s a Buch, and Wild and Free Fermented Tea. They source ingredients locally, and you can find their products at stores in the area.
When specialty spirits call your name, you’ll find excellent elixirs at any one of our local distilleries, such as Elevation 5003, Mobb Mountain, NOCO Distillery, Old Elk, Old Town Distilling, Gnebriated Gnome and Seed & Spirit
For an easy-to-speak experience in craft cocktails, descend the stairs to Social in Old Town, named 2023's Best Speakeasy in the country by Yelp reviewers.
If the fruit of the vine calls, raise a glass at wine bars in the area like The Emporium, Cafe Vino, and Taste and Savor Wine Bar. To visit a winery, stop into Ten Bears Winery in Laporte or Blendings at the Hillside Vineyard Odell Brewing runs The OBC Wine Project to explore unique flavor profiles.
And, of course, no sampling of Fort Collins’ craft creations would be complete without sipping or nibbling chocolate roasted at Nuance Chocolate, right in the heart of downtown. Selected as one of the 10 best bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers in the United States by USA Today, their sipping chocolate is not to be missed.
$ @LIMACOFFEEROASTERS
RAISE A GLASS OF VINO AT RARE ITALIAN
LOCAL AND DELICIOUS DRINK CHOICES AT CAFE VINO
LIMA COFFEE ROASTERS
$ @RAREITALIAN
$ @CAFEVINOFOCO
Old Town
WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING
to get cozy for a fireside show, take in sunny sounds at a brewery, explore emerging talent at a quirky club, or rock out to a band that turns it up to 11, Fort Collins has you covered. With a plethora of exciting concerts and a vibrant local music scene, the Choice City is a haven for musicians and music lovers alike.
BY COURTNEY NICHOLSON-PAINE $ @CNPHOTOS_WILDERNESSGEMS
CHANNELING YOUR INSPIRATION
Musiccity
NIGHTLIFE IN A MUSIC CITY
From indie to bluegrass, jazz to hip hop, and just about everything in between, you are sure to find something you enjoy. You’ll love our variety of music venues where you could discover your next favorite local band (try Surfside 7 or Sound Bar), then check The Aggie or Washington’s concert calendars to see which of your favorite touring acts are passing through town. Tune in to KRFC 88.9 Radio Fort Collins or KCSU 90.5 FM to find out what’s going on with the local music scene straight from the source. Or search for "FoCoMA" on Spotify to find locally curated playlists.
Ready to make some music during your stay in Fort Collins? Hit the stage at one of the city’s popular open mic nights (check out The Fox Den: No Waste Cafe & Roastery, The Lyric, Lucky Joe’s, or Avogadro’s Number), stop by Higher Ground Studios to rent a fully equipped rehearsal room for a quick session, take part in musician-focused programs at The Music District, or find one of the many Pianos About Town for an impromptu experience. The Elizabeth Hotel even offers an instrument lending library for guests!
For a deep dive, visit the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery to learn about the science and technology of sound along with the history of the local music scene. Plus, you can build your own brass instrument and play guitars, drums, marimbas, keyboards and even a theremin.
MUSIC SHOPS
Looking to add a new instrument to your collection or just hunting for some hard-to-find vinyl? Swing by Music Go Round or Boomer Music Company to check out an impressive selection of new and used instruments, then stop in Driver 8 Records, Bizarre Bazaar, Little Horse Vintage, or All Sales Vinyl to find the best local (and beyond) records.
Summer CONCERT SERIES
Bring your lawn chair, your rhythm and your love of music to these free outdoor performances.
Scan the QR code above for up-to-date information about live music, concerts and festivals.
SUNDAYS
Mishawaka Concert Series
Select Sundays, June through October, 1-4:30pm. www.themishawaka.com
TUESDAYS
FOCO Food Truck Rally
May-Sept. 5:30 to dusk. www.focofoodtruckrally.com
WEDNESDAYS
Lagoon Concert Series
CSU Lory Student Center west lawn, June 11-July 23, 6:30-8:30pm. Food trucks, interactive booths. www.lagoonseries.com
THURSDAYS
Bohemian Nights
Thursday Night Live
Old Town Square May 29-September 4, evenings. www.bohemiannights.org/ Thursday-night-live
Sounds of Summer Concert Series
Courtyard at Front Range Village, Summer, 6:30-8:30pm. www.frontrangevillage. shopkimco.com/events
FRIDAYS
Music on the Lawn at Foothills June through September, 6-8pm. www.shopfoothills.com/events
New Belgium Brewing Friday Live Music series
New Belgium Brewing April - October, 5-7pm. www.newbelgium.com
Frolic AT A FESTIVAL
FoCoMX
April 18-19
30+ venues and 350+ bands. www.focoma.org/focomx
Taste of Fort Collins
June 7-8
Washington Park. 20+ bands, plus local food and drink. www.tasteoffortcollins.com
Bluebird Festival
Dates to be announced
Washington's and The Armory www.bluebirdmusicfestival.org
PHOTO BY DAVE CHO
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF FORT COLLINS
Fort Collins hosts three multi-day events featuring performances from national talent as well as showcasing local artists.
MIKE CLARK & THE SUGAR SOUNDS AT THE AGGIE
SAJA BUTLER
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT CITY PARK
KATYA GRASSO
JUSTIN ROTH
STATE-OF-THE-ART MUSIC HALLS TO outdoor stages to intimate rooms attract national acts and host home-grown performers. The diversity of venues matches the variety of the music played.
CHECK THE LINE-UPS AT THESE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES FOR NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ACTS.
Aggie Theatre
204 S. College Ave.
Music venue featuring national and regional acts in downtown Fort Collins.
Lincoln Center
417 W. Magnolia St.
Professional entertainers, touring Broadway shows, and A-list comedians in a large theatre setting in downtown Fort Collins.
Magic Rat
111 Chestnut St.
Refined, off-beat music venue with great food and drink in the Elizabeth Hotel downtown.
Mishawaka Amphitheatre
13714 Poudre Canyon Rd.
Idyllic setting in the Cache la Poudre Canyon supports local and travelling performers.
Sound Bar
254 Linden Street
Entertainment venue with a full bar and food menu in downtown Fort Collins.
The Armory
314 E. Mountain Ave.
Intimate environment with state-of-the-art acoustics set downtown in the historic Fort Collins Armory.
Washington’s
132 Laporte Ave.
Venue equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and a balcony option features national bands in downtown Fort Collins.
Fort Collins offers plenty of places to take in some live entertainment. Start by checking out the weekly concert series list on page 61. For live jazz, head underground to Ace Gillett’s or to the rooftop Sunset Lounge Rooftop Bar at the Elizabeth Hotel. Catch a local favorite at Avogadro’s Number, Surfside 7, Island Grill or Paddler’s Pub. For a lovely evening on the lawn, look into the offerings at the Gardens on Spring Creek or the Foote Lagoon on the CSU campus. Stop into the Lyric Cinema Café for a snack, a movie and some local music. And for a good laugh, drop into The Comedy Fort
MISHAWAKA AMPHITHEATRE
PHOTO BY ALEX ROSKO
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE IN OLD TOWN SQUARE
POUDRE VALLEY PLAYBOYS
Calendar of Events
MARCH:
Great Plates of Downtown
Downtown Fort Collins
Sharin' O' The Green 5K New Belgium Brewery
APRIL:
Earth Day Celebration
Civic Center Park
FoCoMX
Music festival with multiple venues around Fort Collins
Horsetooth Half
Marathon
Holiday Twin Drive-In / New Belgium Brewery
Kids in the Park
Twin Silo Park
Spring Boutique Crawl
Around town
MAY:
Global Sounds
Old Town Square
JUNE:
Taste of Fort Collins
Civic Center Park
JULY:
Independance Day
Community Celebration
Multiple events. City Park Fireworks at dusk
FoCo Fondo
New Belgium Brewery
Drums Along the Rockies Canvas Stadium
AUGUST:
Choice City Running Festival Civic Center Park
Peach Festival
Civic Center Park and Washington Park
Poudre RiverFest Odell Brewery
Tour de Fat
Bicycle parade and festival
SEPTEMBER:
Fall Boutique Crawl Around town
Historic Homes Tour Around Fort Collins
Northern Colorado
Mountain Bike Festival
Lory State Park
Rist Canyon
Mountain Festival
Rist Canyon Firehouse One
Tour de Farms
Stodgy Brewing
OCTOBER
CSU Homecoming 5k
CSU Oval
Tiny Tot Halloween
Downtown Fort Collins
Tour de Corgi
Downtown Fort Collins
Treatsylvania The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
Pumpkins on Parade
The Gardens at Spring Creek
NOVEMBER:
Downtown Holiday
Lighting Ceremony
Downtown Fort Collins
DECEMBER
Garden of Lights Gardens on Spring Creek
NoCo Winter Wonderland
Colorado Youth Outdoors
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
TOUR DE FAT BICYCLE PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Throughout the year
THE Lincoln Center
One of Colorado’s great performing arts centers features indoor & outdoor theaters, art galleries, meeting spaces and a sculpture garden.
Charity foot races
Year-round. From the scenic Horsetooth Half Marathon to the gorgeous Colorado Half and Full Marathons to popular weekend 5 and 10Ks.
Farmers Markets
Year round. Local growers and makers at weekend and weekday markets scattered around town. Hit the Winter Farmers Market at Foothills, too.
Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk ™
Scan for the most up-to-date information about festivals and Fort Collins events.
Outdoor Movie Nights
Catch a movie at Lyric Cinema Cafe, Ben & Jerry’s CineCream Night—Old Town Square, CSU Canvas Stadium, or at Fort Collins very own drive-in, the Holiday Twin
On the first Friday of every month, Old Town’s finest galleries, museums and art-minded shops stay open from 6-9pm for this free self-guided walking tour. The Fort Collins Welcome Center hosts artists, too. www.downtownfortcollins.com
Fort Collins Foodie Walk ™
On the third Friday of every month, many culinary shops in Old Town open their doors with interactive showcases, seasonal flavors and exciting taste experiences from 5-8pm, at no charge. www.downtownfortcollins.com
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
PHOTO BY PHOCO
A
Appreciate the arts
VIBRANT AND DYNAMIC arts community
thrives in Fort Collins where town and scenic landscapes inspire artists living and working here. Not content to be a passive player, the city transforms utility boxes into murals and alleys into colorful works of art.
Come see why the historic buildings, spaces and streets of town have been certified as the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District by the State of Colorado.
As you move around town, keep an eye out. You might spot some art.
WALLS OF ART
Why have a blank wall when you can have art? The Fort Collins Mural Project collaborates with local artists, businesses, and art lovers to promote contemporary art in public spaces. Their work helps to empower emerging local artists, beautify the city of Fort Collins, and build community through art. Learn more at www.fcmuralproject.org.
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN
Share music and local art around one of the colorful pianos at 20 locations in summer and six in winter. Fifty-seven artists have painted more than 400 donated pianos since the start of the collaboration in 2010. Previously painted pianos can be viewed at the bottom of the Mitchell Block downtown.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FORT COLLINS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
PHOTO BY EMILY ZAYNARD
PINE STREET
DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS
ART THAT WELCOMES
Many of the pieces also tell a story about the history of Fort Collins or stories of Fort Collins' earliest settlers. Fort Collins art also brings our attention to important things like our alleyways and businesses. For instance, this painted grain tank will help you find the Fort Collins Welcome Center!
TRANSFORMING CABINETS
Discover bright, colorful murals in unexpected places as part of the Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. First envisioned as a way to reduce graffiti, more than 400 transformer cabinets have become canvases for local artists and nonprofit groups through this collaboration of the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power.
DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS
Scan QR code to see recent Art in Public places, meet Transformer Cabinet and Piano artists and see their current projects.
PHOTO COURTESY THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MURAL BY CHRIS BATES
$ @MIGHTYFINEARTIST
PHOTO BY COOPERSMITH'S
ART IS EVERYWHERE
Drop into one (or more!) of the many private galleries or The Museum of Art Fort Collins featuring a diverse showing of traveling exhibitions and the work of local and regional artists.
You can also enjoy viewing free of charge! On campus at Colorado State University, stop into Gregory Allicar Museum of Art to view the permanent collections or a current exhibition. Or check out Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising to learn about people and their textiles, dress and interior furnishings. The newly renovated Center for Creativity galleries are open to the public in historic Library Park.
Blue Moose Art Gallery offers a wide variety of local art for viewing and for purchase, along with classes of various mediums, on the south side of Fort Collins.
Get into the act yourself at Pinot’s Palette or Painting with a Twist where you sip wine while you paint under the direction of an artist. Or dig in on a DIY project at Board & Brush workshop.
The Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures
This museum showcases international folk art to inspire visitors to learn more about world cultures, people, art, and history in order to promote cultural understanding and peace.
ON STAGE
Catch a performance at one of the Lincoln Center stages where national and local acts play the main stage and local troupes, such as OpenStage and Debut Theatre, perform in the more intimate theater. Or check out the schedule at Bas Bleu Theatre, a beloved venue that was reclaimed as a performance space from a historic machine shop. On the classical end, Fort Collins enjoys an opera company, Fort Collins Symphony and a ballet troupe.
PHOTO COURTESY LINCOLN CENTER
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FORT COLLINS –COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT OFFICE
$ @GLOBALVILLAGEMUSEUM
FIND JUST WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR and many surprises, too, at stores throughout Fort Collins.
Quaint boutiques, historic architecture, and unique shops line the streets of Old Town Fort Collins.
In Midtown Fort Collins, explore the Foothills Mall with all the amenities of bigcity shopping, plus a collection of locally owned shops. Midtown is a great place to find stores selling outdoor gear and clothing for outdoor adventures, along with bike shops.
Cruise the five-mile Harmony corridor to find a wide array of restaurants, movie theaters, big box stores, locally owned gems, and Front Range Village, which boasts the city’s largest collection of retailers in a walkable state-ofthe-art lifestyle shopping center.
Fort Collins supports a thriving community of artisans and local craftsmen. Find their unique creations at vendors throughout town and at open-air markets.
SHOPPING DOWNTOWN
THE WELSH RABBIT CHEESE SHOP
Mellisa
and Joe Basta Tellus Outdoor
WE LAUNCHED TELLUS OUTDOOR in 2022. We are dedicated to creating sustainable, high-quality outdoor clothing and accessories made with recycled and organic materials. Our gear is designed for performance—breathable, moisturewicking, and lightweight.
We’re proud to be part of a community that shares our passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship. Customers appreciate our durable, eco-friendly products and our unwavering commitment to giving back.
As former Peace Corps volunteers, we donate 100 percent of net profits to environmental initiatives through our “GiveBack100” pledge. This mission reflects Fort Collins’ dedication to sustainability, making it the perfect home for
For a current list of shopping options, scan this QR code.
Mellisa and Joe’s Local Favorites
Favorite
Favorite
Favorite
Favorite Under-the-radar activity:
Tellus.
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
THE CUPBOARD
CLOTHES PONY & DANDELION TOYS
Favorite Walk or hike Greyrock Summit Trail followed by lunch at the Mishawaka
Bike ride Poudre Trail—Bellvue to Old Town
Drive Bingham Hill over to Centennial Road (N Co Road 23).
Brewery Hello Brew, our next-door neighbor at Tellus
Paddleboarding at Horsetooth Reservoir in Satanka Cove
FORT COLLINS IS FOR LOVERS, lovers of delectable food and drink, that is. From national restaurant favorites to locally grown and creatively prepared menu options, foodies have their pick of palate-pleasing plates.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch at one of Fort Collins’ favorites such as Silver Grill Cafe, Rainbow Restaurant or Rise! A Breakfast Place
Noontime noshers find nourishment at Spoons, Snack Attack Specialty Sandwiches & Brews, Comet Chicken or Union
For upscale, midday meals take a seat at The Emporium or Ginger and Baker. If you're vegetarian or vegan, Tasty Harmony serves plant-based creations for lunch and dinner.
Kick off your evening at The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop or Simmer. Go big with traditional fare at The Moot House, Sonny Lubick Steakhouse and Austin’s American Grill. Love seafood? Have a seat at Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar, Bistro Nautile
and JAWS sushi
Italian food lovers choose Nick's Restaurant and Bar and Rare Italian. Pizza favorites come out of the ovens at Beau Jo’s, Slyce Pizza, Panhandler’s Pizza, Krazy Karl's Pizza and Sports Bar and otto Pint, among others.
For your sweet tooth, sample some treats from Nuance Chocolate, La Crêperie & French Bakery and Vern’s Toffee House
Java junkies, get your fix at Mugs Coffee Lounge, Butterfly Café and Howling Cow Café. Tea and cultural experiences are brewed up at Happy Lucky’s Teahouse, Ku Cha House of Tea, and the Spice and Tea Exchange
Good Things are served here
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF FORT COLLINS
THE WALTZING KANGAROO
THE WELSH RABBIT CHEESE SHOP
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WALTZING KANGAROO
Ty Fulcher
Social and Union Bar & Soda Fountain
I STARTED WORKING IN the hospitality industry at age 14 and I dreamed about owning and operating my own place one day.
My first business, a speakeasy called Social, was created through experiences I have had in the industry, places I have traveled, and passion to introduce people to the amazing world of distilled spirits.
Five years later I launched Union Bar & Soda Fountain, a modern take on the American classic.
Both have been very successful and an absolute blast to develop and see grow.
For a current list of dining options, scan this QR code.
Favorite cocktails
Social (of course) also Ace Gillett’s Lounge and The Whisk(e)y
Favorite Dinner and Appetizers
Rare Italian and Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Favorite Steak Dinner
The Whiskey Still
Favorite weekend routine
Coffee and conversation at The Neighbor followed by brunch at Union Bar & Soda Fountain
SONNY LUBICK STEAKHOUSE
THE MOOT HOUSE
Celebrating 50 Years!
DISCOVER THE PERFECT LODGING fit for your visit to Fort Collins. Relax into a charming B&B in a historic home or settle yourself into a refreshing full-service hotel, some with meeting and conference amenities. Try something a little different, such as a boutique hotel or an out-ofthe-way guest ranch for some Western flavor. If you long to immerse yourself in Colorado's natural beauty, book a cabin or campsite in the mountains.
Whatever area of Fort Collins you choose—south end, mid-town, near the university, or Old Town Fort Collins— you’ll find lovely hotels, motels and B&Bs awaiting you.
“Fort Collins is like a comfy bed. It fits and it just feels right.”
$ @THEARMSTRONGHOTEL
PHOTO BY STACEY GRANT
PHOTO COURTESY CANDLEWOOD SUITES
RIVERSIDE COLORADO
THE ARMSTRONG HOTEL
CANDLEWOOD SUITES
Annie and Doug Cross
Remington Flats Hotel
OUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL, entertaining and creating memorable moments for friends and family is what inspired us to purchase Remington Flats in 2016. We are committed to treating our guests to an authentic local experience in whimsical, charming surroundings.
We want everyone to feel at home and embraced by the nuanced details found in every studio.
We personally manage every aspect of Remington Flats and work hard every day to provide each guest with an outstanding hospitality experience.
One of our favorite things is our “Where the Locals Go” boards in every room where we provide our recommended favorite eats, adventures, and go-to spots.
For a current list of lodging options, scan this QR code.
Annie and Doug’s Local Favorites
Favorite cocktail Big Tex margarita
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Favorite patio
Odell Brewing Co.
Favorite Old Town shopping
Perennial Gardner
Favorite walk
Remington Street to the CSU trial gardens in the summer
Favorite night spot
Social
Favorite treat stop
Walrus Ice Cream
Favorite under-the-radar place
Gift shop at Ace Hardware
LAKESIDE KOA HOLIDAY
THE EDWARDS HOUSE INN
VISITORS TO FORT COLLINS experience a sense of belonging, as our city thrives on the rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives that make up its population. We're rooted at the foot of the Rocky Mountains on a landscape that creates space for everyone to tell their story and grow.
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, an art aficionado, a foodie, or someone seeking a laid-back atmosphere, you'll find your people here. Fort Collins is a place to discover common ground and is home to various events, festivals and activities designed to bring people together.
Rooted and Connected
PHOTO BY NAVI PHOTO
PHOTO BY JESSIC PERKINS
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
LAS 4 AMERICAS
FORT COLLINS PRIDE
Alejandra Sullivan FoCo Fondo
I HAVE BEEN WORKING AT CSU for about 6 years. I am an avid gravel cyclist and I love exploring outside in and around Fort Collins, which is a gem with a small-town feel and endless opportunities to build community.
The FoCo Fondo is a gravel-bike race by the people for the people. Being a part of the leadership team and the lead of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) initiative makes the event have a different meaning for me. I have a personal mission to ensure riders of every race and ethnicity feel valued, affirmed and welcomed in the event and Fort Collins.
For more information about community and inclusion in Fort Collins, scan this QR code.
Alejandra’s Local Favorites
Favorite cocktail
Midnight Express, Elliot’s Martini Bar
Favorite relaxing patio
Equinox Brewery
Favorite gravel-road ride
The Dairy Loop, right off Morning Fresh Dairy
Favorite around-town bike ride
West on Poudre River Trail past the Butterfly Woods Natural Area and along the bridges
Favorite treat stop and peoplewatching spot
Explorado Bakery in Old Town Square
Favorite out-of-town spot
Estes Park, breweries and downtown shops
Favorite under-the-radar activity
Going to Jim’s Wings
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PHOTO BY RICHARD HARO
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
STREET ART PAINTING
KENNEDY MOUNTAIN CAMPUS VIA FERRATA
WE CALL OUR TOWN FORT FUN for a reason! Spend your days out and about on trails, at the river or lakes, or on the golf links. Take the family to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery or The Farm at Lee Martinez Park Wander through local art galleries or see a live performance at The Lincoln Center. During the summer months, try tubing at the Poudre River Whitewater Park, swimming at the City Park Pool, or grab a ride on Car 21, a restored streetcar operated by the Fort Collins Trolley Come afternoon and evening, relax at a brewery, pub or local eatery. At night, hang with the locals listening to a favorite area band or national act.
Your hardest decision is choosing among all the great possibilities for an unforgettable day!
OPEN Spaces
PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
PHOTO BY MAISY GARDINER $ @MOUNTAINWHITEWATER
CACHE LA POUDRE CANYON
Bob Klein A Wanderlust Adventure
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY BROUGHT ME to Fort Collins and I started guiding on the Poudre River in 1993 and worked as manager at A Wanderlust Adventure for 20 years.
My wife, Paula, and I met while working at Wanderlust and we bought the company in 2020. We have a 6-year-old boy, Bridger, and a 4-year-old girl, Phoebe. Fort Collins is a great place to raise our family, and we enjoy all the outdoor recreation and fun family events.
A Wanderlust Adventure has been offering half-day beginner to advanced whitewater-rafting trips since 1982. Our meeting area at Vern’s Place in Laporte offers its homestyle cooking and scrumptious cinnamon rolls.
For a current list of activity providers, scan this QR code.
bob’s Local Favorites
Favorite place to paddleboard Horsetooth Reservoir
Favorite hiking destination Arthur’s Rock in Lory State Park
Favorite mountain-bike trails East and South Valley trails in Lory State Park
Favorite family bike ride Poudre River Trail from Bellvue to Fort Collins
Favorite Getaway Red Feather Lakes
Favorite Patio, Burger and Beer Vern’s Place, Laporte
PHOTO BY JULIE SABIN
PHOTO BY STEVE GLASS
SUNDANCE TRAIL GUEST RANCH
CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
Event destination
FORT COLLINS SHINES as a meetings and events destination for conferences, staff retreats, athletic events, weddings and more. It’s a place where business happens and memories are made.
ACCESS
Fort Collins is 60 miles (97km) from Denver International Airport. Catch a shuttle or rent a car to make the easy drive yourself. We’re located just west of I-25, 40 miles (96km) to I-80 and an hour to I-70. You can also book a trip to and from the Northern Colorado Regional Airport via Landline
FACILITIES
FRIENDLY FACES AND PLACES
Time and time again we hear attendees and event planners alike talk about how friendly everyone is to visitors. It’s what we do; it’s who we are.
EASY TO GET AROUND
Public transportation, including bike sharing, will get you most places that you want to go. Fort Collins is also easy to navigate by car. You can always schedule a ride with Uber, Lyft or zTrip, too.
THE EXTRAS
Take your pick between intimate settings, small and large meeting rooms, banquet rooms, full-service hotels, stages with theater seating or idyllic mountain retreats. The perfect facility is here for your group.
LODGING
Fort Collins offers a variety of locations to fit your meeting or event lodging needs including boutique hotels, full- and limited-service hotels and a mountain campus. Check out the lodging listings on page 86.
When you’re here for a gathering, be sure to make time to dip into the local culture or get outdoors. Fort Collins makes it easy to create lifelong memories.
FUN, FUN, FUN
Just thumbing through this guide should give an idea of what you’re in for when you plan to have your event here—activities that help bring people together, good food and entertainment.
Hilton Fort Collins
Fun AND TEAM-BUILDING
Here are a few suggestions to help you and your team take it up a notch.
Cook together—Develop project-management and communication skills as you whip up a tasty treat under the guidance of a chef at Ginger and Baker, The Cooking Studio and Farm Fusion
Escape together—Participants work as a team at ConTRAPtions Escape Rooms or Time Emporium Escape Rooms—building relationships and problem-solving skills while having fun.
Paddle together—When six or eight people are paddling a raft, if you don’t stroke together, you don’t get down the river. Book your fun for mid-May through Labor Day.
Tour together—Hop on a two-wheeler and pedal from one brewery to the next. Beer and Bike Tours is your best bet for brewery hopping on two wheels and Front Range Ride Guides provides epic mountain bike tours. Discover some of the best local food and libations with Old Town Food Tours
Create together—Get together at Pinot’s Palette studio to paint under the direction of an artist and the influence of a bartender, or mix it up with a variety of creative options at Blue Moose Art Gallery
BLUE MOOSE GALLERY
WHITEWATER RAFTING WITH A WANDERLUST ADVENTURE
OLD TOWN FOOD TOUR
THE BIG “I DO”
Beautiful memories are made at venues in and around Fort Collins. For a range of wedding services, check out the Fort Collins Wedding Association
• Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch
Idyllic mountain setting with lodging, activities and food onsite.
• Block One Events
Beautiful location on the Cache la Poudre River in Old Town.
• Drake Centre
Flexible space options and convenient mid-town location.
• Edwards House
Premium accommodations and personalized service in Old Town Fort Collins.
• The Elizabeth Hotel
Landmark venue with terrace and live-music options.
• Fort Collins Country Club
Private, pristine location with impressive views.
• The Mishawaka
Cache la Poudre Canyon riverside venue with historic dance hall.
• Rist Canyon Inn
Historic farmhouse set among golden pastures and a creek.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTHA JAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY
$ @THEELIZABETHCO
MAGIC RAT AT THE ELIZABETH HOTEL
RIST CANYON INN
A Development by Brinkman
La Piadina
Snapshot of community essentials
FORT COLLINS IS ON A ROLL. As you travel around town, you'll see new building projects, street infrastructure updates, well-kept parks and planters filled with flowers, public art and so much more. And underneath it all is a solid infrastructure of great healthcare, strong schools, and a vibrant business community.
EDUCATION
A great town needs great schools and Poudre School District delivers with a combination of high-performing neighborhood schools and a menu of choice programs including bilingual immersion, International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning, STEM and more. Many students opt to continue their education at Front Range Community College Larimer Campus which offers nationally accredited classes. Attending students may earn Associates of Arts or Associates of Science degrees.
Owned and led by its members, the Chamber is a champion and catalyst organization for its 1,200 members.
Member businesses are of all sizes and types ranging from sole proprietors to large multinational corporations and from locally owned retailers to internationally renowned high-tech firms.
In 2021, the Chamber earned the prestigious 5-star accreditation for the third time, putting it in the top tier of chambers in the United States and one of two 5-star-accredited chambers in Colorado.
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF FORT COLLINS
FORT COLLINS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The City of Fort Collins and the Colorado State University campus are consistent recipients of the Platinum Level Bicyclist Friendly Award from the League of American Bicyclists.
IMPORTANT EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Fire, Medical, Police Emergency
Colorado Road Conditions
Colorado State Patrol
Fort Collins Police
Larimer County Sheriff
Poudre Fire Authority
Poudre Valley Hospital
RELOCATION RESOURCES
970-224-3027
970-221-6540
970-498-5100
970-416-2892
970-495-7000
Colorado State University is consistently ranked as a top-tier university in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of “America’s Best Colleges and Universities.” It is also one of the core economic and cultural drivers in Fort Collins. Read more about what CSU offers on page 72.
HEALTH CARE CENTRAL
Perhaps you’re visiting Fort Collins for the cutting-edge, comprehensive healthcare that thrives here. The largest provider is UCHealth, which operates Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies and many associated clinics. Banner Health operates the Fort Collins Medical Center in the southeast corner of town and several outpatient clinics. Kaiser Permanente also has a medical facility in southeast Fort Collins. Large and small animal health care excels here, too, anchored by CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
SENIOR CARE AND HOUSING
Seniors find a continuum of care here from independent-living to assisted-living to skilled-nursing facilities. Columbine Health Systems, a locally owned network, provides care through the full spectrum of housing options along with rehabilitative care. Morningstar Senior Living offers assisted-living and memory-care options in a new facility in Downtown Fort Collins.
TALENT AND RETENTION
Fort Collins thrives on a talented workforce. That’s why agencies are working together to sustain the NoCo Works Strategy. Committed to supporting NoCo employers in attracting, retaining and growing their workforce, NoCo Works aims to streamline access to resources and services, minimize duplication of efforts, elevate best practices and rally support for existing efforts.
Here’s a list of need-to-know numbers to help answer any questions you may have about living in Fort Collins.
AmeriGas (propane)
CenturyLink, Internet & Cable
City of Fort Collins
City of Fort Collins Utilities
Environmental Services
Ewing Landscape Materials
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Fort Collins Connexion
Community Broadband
Housing Catalyst
Larimer County Vehicle Licensing
Larimer Humane Society
Neighborhood Services
Northern Colorado Regional Airport
Platte River Power Authority
Poudre River Public Library District
Poudre School District
Poudre Valley Rural Electric
(Outside city limits)
Ram Waste Systems, Inc.
(Trash removal & recycling)
Republic Services of Northern Colorado
Trash Removal & Recycling
Social Sustainability Office
Thompson School District
Transfort Bus Service
United States Post Office
Waste Management
Trash Removal & Recycling
Xcel Energy Natural Gas
Xfinity Internet & Cable
DISCOVER NATURE’S PALETTE
Love what you do and where you do it
MINUTES AWAY FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, we climb an entirely different corporate ladder in northern Colorado.
Opportunities are abundant for professionals in bioscience, aerospace, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and more. With a median age of 36 and 33 percent of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the Fort Collins area is supported by an experienced, educated, and engaged workforce that benefits from the region’s robust job market.
Employers and employees leverage various talent-centered resources, including Education Pathways to Employment, Sector Partnerships, and Work-Based Learning Initiatives. Learn more about these programs and become part of this vibrant workforce at www.fortcollinschamber.com.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Join one of the fastest-growing industries in northern Colorado. Careers range from production to marketing to HR at manufacturing companies of all sizes.
BIOSCIENCE
Groundbreaking cures and preventative measures are developed here, home to nine federal science, research, and engineering facilities, including the Centers for Disease Control. At the heart of northern Colorado is Colorado State University, a leader in bioscience education.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Local artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators are employed by some of the most dynamic companies in fields such as literary, performing, and visual arts, design, production, and education.
ENERGY
This region is nationally recognized for its employment in traditional fuels and clean energy, providing a comprehensive portfolio that includes oil and natural gas, bioenergy, wind and solar, and cutting-edge energy research. The CO-WY Engine, led by Innosphere Ventures, will drive the development and commercialization of innovative solutions that support communities to monitor, mitigate, and adapt to climate impacts.
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
A leading producer of meat, cheese, and brews, northern Colorado is an agricultural
powerhouse, serving as home to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a growing industry across the region.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is part of the local culture. Our healthcare facilities focus on education, research, and both preventive and diagnostic treatment across a variety of traditional and innovative disciplines.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The region boasts a significant concentration of tech employers and intellectual property production, making it a hotspot for technology jobs, incubators, and innovation.
Greater Fort Collins Area: Official Visitors Map
Downtown Fort Collins and CSU Campus
Welcome to Magpies
Local favorite, Magpies, has moved—not far though, only 2 blocks north of their original store on South Mason. The space is no less magical, maybe more so since it’s one open space where everyone can gather and visit without the barrier of walls. The outside appears to be ordinary, but inside is an enchanted shop full of goodies and soul that is unlike any boutique you’ve ever seen! In April 2016, Amy Goodhart, took a giant leap and gave life to Magpies in midtown Fort Collins and midtown is where is they’ll stay!
“This area of Fort Collins is growing and evolving into a destination for shopping, coffee and a laid-back atmosphere that is exciting and we love it here!” she beams.
Magpies is, as one customer said, “the Fort Collins version of Cheers for women!”
“We have gifts you won’t see anywhere else in town and that’s a great thing,” Goodhart
says, “but our mission at Magpies is to say ‘yes’ as often as we can to serve our “fellow magpies” by creating community in everything we do. We are delighted that the gifts, projects, and just about everything we do here is a part of supporting community in connecting to family, friends, and loved ones. In central Illinois, where I grew up, we ‘visit’! We really care and connect. We take off our Facebook face and have a real talk. That is the place we are creating!”
One of the things that they celebrate is repurposing all kinds of things. “The Early Bird” section, similar to the old “Who gives a scrap,” is where you can find just about any art supply that you need. This is the reuse, recycled, recreate space where they make use of all the donations they receive and vintage goodies like old zippers, old books and even furniture.
You’ll find all kinds of vintage treasures hiding
amongst their items in the front of the new shop with gifts and home decor. It’s so nice to see the mix of old and new. One stroll through and you are taken back in time. It’s quite the journey. Not only is Amy there most days, but you’ll also run into Vicki Paul who joined the Magpies crew a few years ago. She has creativity pouring out of her soul. She is the queen of all things vintage, unique displays, loves old dominoes and anything with tiny drawers. Without her (and so many others) we would not be the Magpies that we are today.”
Amy and Vicki together are quite the team. They laugh just about all the time and it’s infectious. Once you arrive, it’s hard to leave. Many members of the Magpies community visit every day for the creativity, laughter and connection. Amy shares “Some people call Magpies their ‘happy place!’ That’s my biggest joy. That’s what makes my heart happy.”
