Fort Collins is the most populous municipality of Larimer County, Colorado, and the county seat. The city of Fort Collins is in Northern Colorado. It is a vibrant home rule municipality filled with local eateries, boutiques, and pubs and has the honour of being home to Colorado State University.

The city of Fort Collins has a population of 169,810 people, and this was a 17.94% increase since 2010, according to the 2020 United States Census.

Fort Collins is the principal city of the Fort Collins, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and is one of the major cities in the Front Range Urban Corridor. Fort Collins is just 90km north of Denver, the state capital of Colorado, and the city is at the Cache La Poudre River.

Geography

Fort Collins is at the base of the Rocky Mountains foothills of the Northern Front Range. The city sits at an elevation of 1,519m above sea level. Some of its landmarks are the Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain, which dominate the city’s western skyline. In the 2020 United States Census, the town had 37,423 acres, including 807 acres of water.

History Of Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins was initially established as a military outpost of the United States Army in 1864. The outpost succeeded Camp Collins, the previous encampment on the Cache la Poudre River close to modern-day Laporte. The Indian Wars of the mid-1860s necessitated the erection of Camp Collins to protect the overland mail route. However, the camp was destroyed by a flood in June of 1864. The commander of the Fort pushed for a new site farther down from the river, and the 11th Ohio Volunteer Calvary initially operated the post, and they never had walls company. Settlers began arriving at the vicinity of the Fort shortly after. The civilian population led by Joseph Mason pushed for the relocation of the county seat from Laporte to Fort Collins, and their efforts became successful in 1868.

The establishment of an agricultural colony led to a population boom in Fort Collins in 1872. The town was incorporated the following year, in 1873. Although the city was negatively affected by the great depression, it recovered and experienced slow and steady growth in the early part of the twentieth century. After the second world war, the city’s population doubled, and old buildings were demolished to make way for modern developments. The doubling of enrollment at the Colorado State University in the 1960s made the institution the economic driving force of the city as businesses sprung up to cater to the students’ needs. The tail end of the 20th century brought new developments as the city expanded to the south with projects such as regional malls, further fuelling the growth of Fort Collins.

Modern-day Fort Collins

Modern-day Fort Collins is considered the cultural hub of the state of Colorado. The city is thriving thanks to economic growth fuelled by its good infrastructure, businesses, and the Colorado State University, a financial giant in the area.

Learning institutions in Fort Collins

The city of Fort Collins offers a wide variety of top schools where quality education is provided to all learners. The education system in Fort Collins caters to learners of all ages and education levels, making this city a great option if you are raising a family. Some of the schools in Fort Collins are;

  • Fort Collins High School
  • Liberty Common Charter School in Poudre School District
  • Fossil Ridge High School in Poudre School District
  • Ricks Centre for Gifted Children
  • Ridgeview Classical Charter Schools
  • Traut Core Elementary School
  • Zach Elementary School

Colorado also has highly raked colleges and Universities for those interested in pursuing higher studies and becoming top professionals in their respective fields. Some of the top colleges and universities in Fort Collins are;

  • Colorado State University. This institution is ranked 148th countrywide and offers excellent sustainability and environmental programs. The school boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of about 16:1, and the staff is friendly. The good social scene and many on and off-campus events mean that you will enjoy your experience at this institution.
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Institute of Business and Medical Careers
  • Aims Community College

Recreation In Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado, is a year-round destination with many attractions that draw both local visitors and visitors from across state lines. Some of the things you can do and visit in Fort Collins are;

  • Explore the old town. The old town is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved downtowns you will find anywhere in the country. The old town is where the original business centre of Fort Collins was located back in the 1860s. During the weekend, you will encounter street performers, and in the summer, live performances take place in the square. While in Old Town, you are never far away from a brewery; you should visit some of them, like Equinox Brewing and Pateros Creek Brewing Company, to sample the best Old Town offers.
  • Explore Colorado State University’s Campus. The campus has a rich history that matches that of Fort Collins itself. The campus features many engineering and architectural models from the 19th century, such as the Oval Drive, built from native materials.
  • Visit the Fort Collins Museum of Art
  • Visit Horsetooth Mountain and Reservoir to marvel at its beauty, swim in the reservoir or fish, scuba dive, or even enjoy boating in the scenic environment.
  • Go on an outdoor adventure on the many trails in the city, such as the Pineridge and Poudre River Trails.

Living And Working In Fort Collins

Fort Collins is widely touted as a good place to live thanks to its strong school district, employment opportunities, and recreational facilities. The most popular neighbourhoods in Fort Collins are;

  • Old Prospect
  • Warren Shores
  • Oakridge Village
  • Southridge Greens
  • Bucking Horse

The largest employers in Fort Collins are;

  • Colorado State University
  • Woodward
  • Otterbox
  • Broadcom
  • Larimer County