Fort Collins is a vibrant community of 125,740 nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver .

As a regional center for employment, shopping, and healthcare, Fort Collins offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a larger city. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year and low humidity, Fort Collins experiences pleasant weather year-round. There is always something happening in this community. From musical concerts and powerful plays, to food and beer tasting extravaganzas this place has it all. Indoor and outdoor activities are enjoyable in every season. Fort Collins was ranked No. 8 among medium-sized cities in the ePodunk College Town Index, 2002 which is easily seen when in Fort Collins for it is a welcoming and flourishing community. Learn more about Fort Collins – click here for a list of links to area organizations.

The population of Fort Collins is estimated at 125,740 including over 24,000 students at Colorado State University . Over the last ten years, the population has grown an average of three percent annually and is expected to continue at this rate well into the future. Fort Collins ' population is well educated, and, with an average median family income of $54,000, it is easy to enjoy the best of what Fort Collins has to offer. Click here for more information on demographics.

Fort Collins, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, low humidity, and moderate winters, enjoys a mild climate year-round. The area receives approximately 18 inches of rain and 55 inches of snow per year. The average high temperature during the summer months is 85 degrees. In the winter months, it is 42 degrees.

Fort Collins sits on the plains, located at the base of the Rocky Mountains . Just a few miles to the west are the beautiful Foothills that offer spectacular views of the city. Click here to view the current weather in Fort Collins.

Fort Collins began as an army camp along the banks of the Poudre River . In 1867, the camp was dismantled, and the army moved out of the area. Although the military was gone, a settlement remained. In 1873, the city of Fort Collins was founded. Over the years, Fort Collins has grown and changed, but you can still see reminders of the past in the Historic Old Town District and many other sites around the area. Click here to learn more about Fort Collins’ colorful history.

On September 28, 2004, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce officially turned 100! The Chamber celebrated with events, programs and opportunities especially in recognition of this monumental milestone. Click here to learn more about the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce’s history.

Fort Collins offers one of the best educational environments available in the United States . Poudre School District students exceeded the state average by 9 to 19 percentage points in the proficient and advanced categories for reading, writing, math, and science on the rigorous CSAP tests and scored above the state on the 11th-grade ACT assessment. There has been 11 new schools built since 1986 providing excellent learning environments for our youth.

Colorado State University gives students a tremendous range of educational opportunities from undergraduate to graduate and professional programs. Colorado State University was founded in 1870 as the state's only land grant institution. Today, over 70 undergraduate programs are offered in a curriculum that ranges from liberal arts to veterinary sciences. A variety of private schools located throughout Fort Collins allow for additional educational options.

CSU has over 24,000 students that come from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. In addition to being our largest employer, CSU adds a recreational and cultural flavor to Fort Collins that many communities twice our size cannot replicate. World-renown speakers, sporting events, and cultural celebrations all help to give Fort Collins a personality you will love.

State-supported Front Range Community College offers a college curriculum as well as programs in vocational and technical areas. Four thousand students attend the college in pursuit of the 22 associate of art degrees, 17 high school programs, and 25 occupational degrees. The Fort Collins campus is the second largest and most rapidly growing community college in the state. In 1997, Front Range completed a new library in conjunction with the city, a new student center, and a new classroom building. Furthermore, most classes offered at Front Range are designed to transfer to any university in the state. Click here for more information on education in Fort Collins.

Colorado has earned a worldwide reputation as an area that that offers an unparalleled lifestyle, and Fort Collins represents the very best of Colorado . Exciting recreation and sports activities, festivals, cultural activities, high-quality healthcare and great senior accommodations make Fort Collins a choice place to call home. Recently named Best Small Town in the West by Money Magazine, the community truly has something for everyone.

From activities for the extreme athlete to the leisurely weekend enthusiast, Fort Collins has it all. In town, residents take advantage of the nationally renowned park system with trails that offer scenic views of the Poudre River and the beautiful Rocky Mountains .

Golfers of all abilities love Fort Collins ' eight beautiful courses, and everyone will enjoy swimming, figure skating, or playing hockey at the popular EPIC Center . If you want to escape the city limits, your favorite ski resorts and cross-country trails are in your backyard, and summertime offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, and more. Trout fishing and whitewater rafting are popular activities on the nearby Cache la Poudre River .

There is no better place than Fort Collins for spectator sports. Colorado State University fans delight in watching the popular Ram football, basketball, and volleyball teams. A short drive to Denver puts you in the seats of a Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, or Denver Nuggets game. The annual Greeley Independence Stampede and Rodeo in Greeley and the nationally acclaimed Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming are popular summer day trips.

As a regional center for medicine, Fort Collins is home to thousands of general practitioners and specialists of every kind. Poudre Valley Heath System is Fort Collins ' full-service medical center. With 37 specialties, the hospital is able to provide the quality of care often found only in larger cities. Nearly 2000 health care professionals give patients personalized care using the most up-to-date technologies and procedures. Fort Collins supports a variety of specialized clinics for all types of patient needs including the Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies and the Family Medicine Center . Click here for more information on the Poudre Valley Health Care System.

Cultural events and festivals abound in Fort Collins . Local performing groups include Canyon Concert Ballet, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and the OpenStage Theatre Company. In addition to local groups, nationally acclaimed shows and musicians often perform in Fort Collins . The Historic Old Town District is home to numerous events including the annual New West Fest in August and the free Concert Under the Stars summer series. Fort Collins supports several area museums as well. A favorite of tourists and locals alike is the Sweatsville Zoo, a sculpture park of over 100 pieces made entirely from scrap metal. Click here for a comprehensive community calendar.

Seniors will find excellent amenities designed to suit their specific needs in Fort Collins . Housing choices are numerous, and a variety of programs offer employment, volunteer, and educational opportunities. The City of Fort Collins runs numerous activities through its Senior Center . Programs include arts and crafts, fitness, computer training, and outdoor recreation. Day trips to popular destinations in Northern Colorado are also done through the Center. Click here to learn about the Fort Collins Senior Center.

The Fort Collins housing market is on fire! Fort Collins ranks as the 16th hottest housing market in the United States . The average selling price for a home in Fort Collins has increased an average of 8 percent each year over the past five years, making Fort Collins real estate a great investment. Residential Property taxes are some of the lowest in the country, and our mild climate reduces the number of both heating and cooling days. For renters, over 600 apartment units have been built in the past year. If you are buying or renting, Fort Collins is one of the best choices in terms of quality, variety, and return on investment. For more information on real estate click here, for new home information click here, or for apartment information click here.

Fort Collins has a strong economy, and the community is anxious to make you a part of it. If you are starting a company or looking for a great job, odds are Fort Collins is the perfect choice for you.

In addition to career opportunities, the area offers exciting shopping and dining and has an excellent balance of unique local shops and prominent national chains. Fort Collins is regarded as the regional employment and retail center for Northern Colorado, Southern Wyoming, and Western Nebraska . To access a national job database and Fort Collins’ top employers click here or to access the Chamber’s Membership Directory click here.

Fort Collins has several major employers help fuel our economic growth and stability. Colorado State University, Poudre School District, Hewlett Packard, Poudre Valley Health System, Eastman Kodak, Larimer County, Agilent Technologies, City of Fort Collins, Celestica Colorado, LSI Logic, Advanced Energy Industries, Anheuser Busch, Woodward Governor and Waterpik are some of the largest employers in the area.

A variety of choices make Fort Collins a great place to shop. The Foothills Fashion Mall, with over 100 nationwide retailers and local stores and a tempting food court, offers a variety of exciting shops. Historic downtown Fort Collins boasts local specialty stores and restaurants in an outdoor pedestrian mall. Several neighborhood centers are scattered throughout the town, making quick stops convenient wherever you may be. Click here to access the Chamber’s Membership Directory and search for retail outlets.

With more restaurants per capita than most cities in the nation, Fort Collins offers a tantalizing selection of places to satisfy your appetite. From spicy Mexican to delicious Italian and exotic Vietnamese, you can try a different cuisine every day. And don't forget to try a great hamburger and a beer from one of the local microbreweries. Fort Collins ' local restaurants, combined with nationwide chains, provide endless choices of different styles of food to satisfy everyone's cravings. Click here to access the Chamber’s Membership Directory and search for dining establishments.

Learn More