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Fort Collins, CO

Frequently asked questions

Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 169,810 at the 2020 census, an increase of 17.94% since 2010. Fort Collins is the principal city of the Fort Collins, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a major city of the Front Range Urban Corridor. The city is the fourth most populous city in Colorado. Situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, Fort Collins is located 56 mi (90 km) north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Fort Collins is a midsize college town, home to Colorado State University and Front Range Community College's Larimer campus.

The Northern Arapaho were centered in the Cache la Poudre River Valley near present-day Fort Collins. Friday, who attended school in St. Louis, Missouri in his youth, was a leader of the band of Arapahos as well as an interpreter, negotiator, and peacemaker. He made friends of white settlers who moved into the area, but was pushed out of Colorado in the 1860s.

Fort Collins was founded as a military outpost of the United States Army in 1864. It succeeded a previous encampment, known as Camp Collins, on the Cache la Poudre River, near what is known today as Laporte. Camp Collins was erected during the Indian wars of the mid-1860s to protect the Overland mail route that had been recently relocated through the region. Travelers crossing the county on the Overland Trail would camp there, but a flood destroyed the camp in June 1864. Afterward, the commander of the fort wrote to the commandant of Fort Laramie in southeast Wyoming, Colonel William O. Collins, suggesting that a site several miles farther down the river would make a good location for the fort. The post was manned originally by two companies of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and never had walls.

Settlers began arriving in the vicinity of the fort nearly immediately. The fort was decommissioned in 1867. The original fort site is now adjacent to the present historic "Old Town" portion of the city. The first school and church opened in 1866, and the town was platted in 1867. The civilian population of Fort Collins, led by local businessman Joseph Mason, led an effort to relocate the county seat to Fort Collins from LaPorte, and they were successful in 1868.

The city's first population boom came in 1872, with the establishment of an agricultural colony. Hundreds of settlers arrived, developing lots just south of the original Old Town. Tension between new settlers and earlier inhabitants led to political divisions in the new town, which was incorporated in 1873. Although the Colorado Agricultural College was founded in 1870, the first classes were held in 1879.

Fort Collins is situated at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills of the northern Front Range, approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Denver, Colorado, and 45 miles (72 km) south of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Elevation is 4,982 ft (1,519 m) above sea level. Geographic landmarks include Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain—so named because of a tooth-shaped granite rock that dominates the city's western skyline. Longs Peak can also clearly be seen on a clear day to the southwest of the city.

The Cache La Poudre River and Spring Creek run through Fort Collins. At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 37,423 acres (151.444 km2) including 807 acres (3.265 km2) of water.

Fort Collins offers different programs regarding health and wellness as well as centers and facilities. Anytime Fitness is another chain with numerous locations in Colorado, Anytime Fitness provides 24/7 access to its facilities and various workout options. Life Time Fitness is known for its upscale amenities and comprehensive fitness offerings, Life Time Fitness has several locations in Colorado. The YMCA is offering fitness classes, gym equipment, swimming pools, and community programs. Orangetheory Fitness, with studios in various cities across Colorado, Orangetheory Fitness provides high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts in a group setting. The Oxford Club Spa is a downtown Denver spa offering a range of treatments and wellness services. The Spa at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club offers a variety of treatments in a stunning setting with views of the Garden of the Gods.

Top sites in Fort Collins, CO are Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, The Gardens on Spring Creek, and CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens.

Population: 170,924 (2024). ZIP codes: 80521–80528. Elevation: 5,003 ft (1,525 m). Area code: 970. Area: 37,423 acres (151.444 km2).

FAQs

Is Fort Collins a good place to live in Colorado?

Fort Collins is a city in Colorado with a population of 168,758. Fort Collins is in Larimer County and is one of the best places to live in Colorado. Living in Fort Collins offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Fort Collins there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Fort Collins and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Fort Collins are highly rated.

Is Fort Collins, CO expensive to live in?

Living in Fort Collins, CO is more expensive than the US average. According to a recent survey, the median value of houses in Fort Collins is $544900, which is significantly higher than the US average of $338100. Additionally, the cost of living for Fort Collins is 116.7 compared to the US average of 100, indicating that overall costs are higher than the national average. Therefore, it's important to factor these additional costs into your budget when considering living in Fort Collins.

Why is Fort Collins, CO so popular?

Fort Collins, Colorado, is a vibrant and charming city with a thriving arts and culture scene. The city is known for its craft breweries and lively music venues, which offer a unique blend of urban amenities and outdoor adventures. With its picturesque Old Town and abundance of hiking and biking trails, Fort Collins is a haven for those who appreciate nature’s beauty and city life’s excitement.

Sources

City of Fort Collins

Wikipedia

Niche

Best Places

Redfin

Anytime Fitness

Life Time Fitness

YMCA

Orangetheory Fitness

The Oxford Club Spa

The Spa at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

The Gardens on Spring Creek

CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens

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