Fort Collins

Set along the Cache la Poudre (poo-der) River on Colorado’s northern Front Range, Fort Collins sits roughly 60 miles north of Denver at about 5,000 feet, with the Rocky Mountain foothills and Horsetooth Reservoir shaping the city’s western skyline. Expect abundant sunshine, four distinct seasons, and quick jumps from downtown to canyon country.

Fort Collins’ preserved brick storefronts, cornices, and stone façades give Old Town its unmistakable sense of place. The core downtown blocks are protected as local and National Register historic districts, and Old Town Square functions as the lively plaza at the center, surrounded by shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Fort Collins is widely known for craft beer. Visit Fort Collins notes the city produces about 70% of Colorado’s craft beer, with 20+ breweries ranging from icons like New Belgium Brewing and Odell Brewing Co. to small, experimental taprooms. Food options run the gamut from casual patios to chef-driven kitchens, with dense clusters downtown and along major corridors.

This is a bike-forward city with paved greenways and easy trail access from town into the foothills. The upper Cache la Poudre, Colorado’s first National Wild and Scenic River, draws paddlers and anglers, while Horsetooth Reservoir and nearby state and national forest lands offer hiking, boating, and big views a short drive from downtown.

The Poudre is nicknamed the state’s “Trout Route,” reflecting prized fisheries. In town, you’ll find green corridors along the river and creeks; in the adjacent foothills, look for montane habitats of ponderosa pine and shrubland, with seasonal wildflowers and abundant birdlife.

From weekly happenings and festivals to gallery nights, the city maintains a busy event calendar, especially around Old Town and the CSU campus. Visitor info highlights distinct neighborhoods (Old Town/Downtown, Midtown, South Fort Collins) connected by transit like the MAX line and by bike paths.