Moving to Fort Collins?
Your Complete Guide.

About Fort Collins

Fort Collins is the kind of city that people move to expecting a nice college town and discover is, in fact, one of the most exceptional places to live in the entire United States. Consistently ranked among Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" and celebrated as one of America's top cities for outdoor enthusiasts, young professionals, and families alike, Fort Collins operates with the energy and infrastructure of a mid-size city while maintaining the warmth, walkability, and community connection of a small town.

Home to Colorado State University (CSU) — a major research university with over 35,000 students — Fort Collins has the intellectual energy, cultural programming, and economic momentum that only a major university town can generate. CSU's research programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, atmospheric science, and engineering have helped seed a remarkable cluster of technology companies, clean energy firms, and biotech startups that now form a significant portion of the city's economic base. Hewlett Packard has had a major presence in Fort Collins for decades. Intel, Broadcom, and a growing list of tech companies have facilities here as well.

Fort Collins is the undisputed craft beer capital of Colorado — a title it has held for decades and continues to defend with extraordinary enthusiasm. New Belgium Brewing (home of Fat Tire), Odell Brewing, Funkwerks, Equinox Brewing, and dozens of other craft breweries have made the city a pilgrimage destination for beer lovers from across the country. The culture around brewing here is thoughtful, community-focused, and deeply tied to Fort Collins' identity as a place that values quality, craft, and local pride. The annual Colorado Brews & BBQ and Great American Beer Festival draw visitors year-round.

Old Town Fort Collins

Old Town Fort Collins is one of Colorado's most celebrated urban districts — a beautifully preserved historic downtown with brick-paved streets, late 19th-century architecture, and a street-level energy that's genuinely hard to match anywhere in the state. The district served as the design inspiration for Disney's Main Street, U.S.A. — a fact that speaks to its extraordinary visual charm and sense of idealized American community.

Old Town's restaurant scene has evolved dramatically — James Beard-nominated chefs, acclaimed cocktail bars, rooftop patios, live music venues, and artisan food concepts all coexist within a few walkable blocks. The weekly Old Town Farmers Market, year-round community events, and the lively atmosphere created by CSU students, professionals, and families make Old Town feel genuinely alive at almost every hour of the day and evening.

Cache la Poudre River & Outdoor Life

The Cache la Poudre River — Colorado's only National Wild and Scenic River — runs right through Fort Collins and into the dramatic Poudre Canyon to the west. The canyon is a world-class destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking, with Class II through Class V rapids drawing paddlers from across the Rocky Mountain region. Fly fishing in the Poudre is legendary, and the canyon's hiking and cycling opportunities attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Fort Collins' trail system is exceptional — over 280 miles of paved and natural surface trails connect nearly every part of the city, making it one of America's most bikeable communities. The Poudre Trail runs 27 miles along the river through the city and into the canyon. Spring Creek Trail, Power Trail, and Fossil Creek Trail create a connected network that allows residents to commute by bike, run, or walk across the entire city without touching a road. Rocky Mountain National Park is just 45 minutes away, adding one of the world's greatest alpine destinations to Fort Collins' already extraordinary outdoor portfolio.

Fort Collins Neighborhoods