Moving to Fort Collins? A guide to the city

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Erin Udell with the Fort Collins Coloradoan newspaper just published a fantastic guide to exploring the city of Fort Collins, including neighborhoods, restaurants, jobs, housing, online guides, and more.  With the exception of some photos, I am re-printing Ms. Udell's article as it appeared in the Coloradoan online edition on June 29, 2021.  

Our family moved to Colorado from Nebraska nearly thirteen years ago, and Ms. Udell has captured much of what we have experienced firsthand in the Choice City.  Echoing what many of my out-of-state real estate buyers say, northern Colorado has changed our lifestyle.  From mountain biking on sunny 55 degree days in January, to stand up paddle boarding in Satanka Bay on the north end of Horsetooth Reservoir, to hiking above Horsetooth Falls to the sounds of woodpeckers and meadowlarks, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. 

Here is the article, in its entirety...

 

Moving to Fort Collins? A guide to neighborhoods, job hunting and enjoying life here
Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
 

Maybe it's for a new job or maybe it's to take a leap and try something new, but if you're reading this, you might be looking to move to Fort Collins. 

And you're not alone. The picturesque Northern Colorado city — and frequent "best of" list lander — is becoming increasingly known for its quality of life and has a steadily growing population to match.

It's large enough to have some big city amenities, but hasn't lost the small-town charm that sprinkles its quaint downtown blocks. While Old Town is perfect for a fancy date night among gleaming restaurants and sparkling storefronts, a short drive will take you to an array of no-frills eateries and watering holes fit for an unfussy college town. 

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You can often get from your doorstep to a hiking trail in a half hour. Or go entirely pedal-powered on the city's network of bike-friendly streets or bike trails.  

Known for its growing brewery scene, your cup runneth over with craft beer in the Choice City.  

Whether you're in the final stages of your Fort Collins research or just starting to looking into making it your adopted home, here's are some tips to make a smoother move.


Finding a place to live
Fort Collins' population has quadrupled in the past 50 years, steadily increasing decade-by-decade to an estimated 174,871 residents in 2020, according to the city. 

It's gone from a fledgling Army outpost to a flourishing western college town to a burgeoning city — attracting newcomers to the area with its charming downtown streets, vast network of trails and community feel.

"It's the quality of life," Brandon Wells said when asked what draws people to Fort Collins. 

"It's a beautiful place to live and has some of those core fundamental tenants — low crime rate, good schools — that tend to attract younger families," added Wells, president of Fort Collins real estate company The Group Inc. 

But with that desirability comes competition. 

Newcomers to the area, especially those who have moved here during the COVID-19 pandemic, have arrived to a swift and unforgiving housing market, according to Wells. 

"The demand has been so high that properties are moving off the market at a velocity we're not accustomed to," Wells said.

Median prices of detached single-family homes in Fort Collins have nearly doubled in seven years, going from $285,450 in 2014 to $498,750 as of March, according to earlier Coloradoan reports. 

Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fort Collins has increased an estimated 20% in that same time, according to the latest Colorado Multi-Family Housing Vacancy & Rental Survey. Fort Collins apartments with two bedrooms and one bathroom have seen an increase in median rent of 32% from 2014 to 2020. 

As of mid-2020, 24,351 apartment units were available, a 15% increase from 2014, according to the survey.

Because of high demand and a lower inventory, finding housing in Fort Collins can present a challenge to those not sure where to look. 


Get to know Fort Collins neighborhoods 
Whether you're looking for a Bed Bath & Beyond or a century-old dive bar bursting with character and beer memorabilia, Fort Collins has both — you just have to know where to look to find them. 

Start here, with this rundown of six distinct, and very different, areas of Fort Collins. 

Note: These are loosely defined areas in Fort Collins. Sections of the city not included in a selected area often take on some of the characteristics of its nearby defined areas.

 


Campus West
Boundaries: Roughly within the rectangle formed by Shields Street, Prospect Road, Overland Trail and Mulberry Street

Median single family home price in May 2021: $450,000

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The area directly west of Colorado State University’s main campus is a melting pot of decades-old strip malls, newer student housing, restaurant and retail developments, and a network of established neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and single-family homes largely built during Fort Collins’ population boom of the 1960s and 1970s.  

While it’s just a quick drive from Old Town’s bustling shops and restaurants, Campus West has a main drag all its own.

West Elizabeth Street, from Shields Street to just south of City Park Avenue, is lined with no-fuss bars and restaurants that largely cater to the casual college crowd – think a few pints of beer at quintessential Colorado bike bar Road 34, beer-ritas at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop or a quick chicken shawarma sandwich from the to-go window of legendary Lebanese favorite, Yum Yum Social.

 
A short bike ride south through the Brown Farm subdivision will take you to Intersect Brewing, a family-friendly spot with a sprawling back patio and weekly trivia and bingo nights. Or head in the other direction and pedal a mile north of Campus West and you’ll find yourself at City Park – home to grassy knolls fit for frolicking, a lake, a public outdoor pool, baseball fields, a city pottery studio and a weekly summer food truck rally.


What’s even better? The area’s proximity to the Fort Collins foothills leads to killer views and a shorter drive to all the hiking, biking, swimming, boating and paddling Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space have to offer. Just be sure to plan your trip on a weekday or early weekend morning to beat the crowds.

With an array of student-focused apartment complexes and smaller single-family homes-turned-rentals, Campus West would be a good option for young people planning to live with roommates or small families who want a little space to breathe.

Pro tip: If you’re looking to split a house with some roommates in Fort Collins, beware of the city's "U plus 2" occupancy ordinance, which prohibits more than three unrelated people from living together. While the polarizing ordinance particularly affects student-heavy areas like Campus West, it is enforced throughout the city.

Old Town
Boundaries: Roughly south of Cherry and Jefferson Streets, west of Stover Street, north of East Laurel and West Mulberry Street and east of Shields Street. 

Median single family home price in May 2021: $625,000

When Grace Marroquin and her wife, Nicole, were looking to move from Michigan to Fort Collins earlier this year, they threw themselves into researching the area and getting a feel for the city.

One of their biggest surprises when they officially made the move? Old Town.

"We literally watched YouTube videos to pick where to move to in (Colorado) and they didn’t even (do) Old Town justice," Marroquin told the Coloradoan, raving about the area's walkability, restaurants and shops.

fort collins old town

 
As its name implies, the area largely encompasses "old" Fort Collins — the city's historic downtown that oozes charm and boasts quaint brick blocks that hearken back to Fort Collins' pioneer town roots.

Old Town is packed with quirky gift shops, bars, eateries and businesses. Want to enjoy a cool Colorado summer night? There's truly nothing better than an ice cream cone or patio beer in the whimsically lighted Old Town Square.


A short walk away, you can also find The Exchange, a new open-air plaza packed with trendy shipping container breweries and restaurants where you can mingle from container to container with a drink in hand.

Music from donated, painted pianos that passer-by pianists occasionally play can often be hear wafting from Old Town's alleyways. The blast of freight train horns is also a common occurrence — railroad tracks have stitched Northern Colorado together for nearly 150 years and still stop traffic often, especially along Old Town's Mason Corridor. 

Even with the trains, Old Town has a one-of-a-kind vibe, which can come at a cost. It's a busy spot on weekends, so prepare to navigate through crowds. And if you're looking to live in the area, its quaint 800-square-foot bungalows largely do not come at quaint 800-square-foot bungalow prices. 

Whether you're looking to rent or buy, housing costs can really stack up in Old Town's network of sweet but sought-after streets. You'll really have to dig for an affordable rental, which will likely be a small basement apartment in a house or a unit in one of Old Town's older — and harder to find — multifamily complexes.  

Marroquin said she and her wife ended up renting an apartment on the northern edge of Old Town, and finding it took patience and resourcefulness.

If you can make it work, like Marroquin, enjoy your afternoon grocery strolls to the legendary Beaver's Market, hop on your bike to return a book at Old Town Library and enjoy the view of Fort Collins' restored streetcars, which chug along Mountain Avenue on Saturday and Sunday afternoons every summer. 


"We love it," Marroquin said. "It has a small-town feel, but is still large enough that it has everything you need within a couple miles. And everyone's so nice."

Pro-tip: If you're hanging out in Old Town on a weekend evening, don't be a hero and try to find street parking. Save yourself a headache and take cover in one of Old Town's pay-to-park garages.

Midtown
Boundaries: Roughly within the square formed by Prospect Road, Lemay Avenue,  Harmony Road and Shields Street.

Median single family home price in May 2021: $480,000

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Want in on the action in Fort Collins but don't feel like battling Old Town parking or sharing a bike lane with the youths of Campus West? 

Head to Midtown, a sprawling swath of Fort Collins that's home to the city's busiest retail stretch of South College Avenue — and all the bars, restaurants, breweries, shopping and amenities that come with it.

Midtown’s southern border of Harmony Road is home to newer retail strips, big box stores and chain restaurants. Travel north on College Avenue and you can't miss Foothills, Fort Collins’ embattled mall and central Midtown anchor.

Despite a $313 million revitalization in recent years, the mall's fate has been shaky with more storefront vacancies and less visitation than expected. Still, the shopping center boasts big retailers like H&M, Nordstrom’s Rack and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

It's also home to a city-run gym and recreation hub, Foothills Activity Center, entertainment offerings like the Cinemark Movie Bistro and a sprinkling of new restaurants and modern multifamily housing that has filled in around it.

 
Travel further north through Midtown and you’ll see an array of grocery stores, coffee shops, drive-thrus and older strip malls with established local eateries like La Creperie & French Bakery, Tortillas Las 4 Americas and Music City Hot Chicken.

Don't feel like driving? Tackle Midtown on the MAX bus, a rapid transit line with a dozen stations and stops that largely fall within Midtown's boundaries. Plan your ride here.

Branched off from the hustle and bustle of Midtown’s main drag, you’ll find quiet established neighborhoods filled with single-family homes and family-friendly parks. Meadowlark, Village East, Scotch Pines, Willow Park and Warren Farms number among them.

Pro tip: Escape Midtown traffic by slipping onto the Spring Creek Trail, which cuts through the area’s northern reaches, or the Mason Trail, which runs parallel to College Avenue through Midtown. The Spring Creek Trail is a popular spot and follows the tree-lined curves of the picturesque Spring Creek. Make a day of it and bike or walk to the Gardens on Spring Creek, home to the city’s expansive botanical gardens and butterfly house. Or take it easy at Creekside Park or Spring Park before treating yourself to a blizzard at Midtown’s nostalgic Dairy Queen, 1805 S. College Ave. 

North Fort Collins
Boundaries: Generally north of Mulberry Street from Overland Trail to Interstate 25 

Median single family home price in May 2021: $470,000; $534,000 (northwest)

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Once home to sprawling farmland, empty industrial lots and sparse businesses along stretches like North College Avenue, the northern reaches of Fort Collins are on the up and up.

At the edge of north Fort Collins and Old Town, the city's burgeoning river district is becoming a hip new hangout with the recent addition of the Poudre River Whitewater Park — a summer haven for kayakers, tubers and the occasional weekend food truck.

Travel up North College Avenue and you'll find a mix of established and new businesses, including The Lyric, Fort Collins' only independent movie theater, at 1209 N. College Ave. The theater and events space offers a quirky respite from real life, where you can pop in for a movie and beer or plan your weekend around its array of live music or outdoor movie nights. 

Craft beer abounds in north Fort Collins with New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing, Snowbank Brewing, Horse & Dragon Brewing and Funkwerks spanning from the northern edge of Old Town to the no-frills industrial park further east. 

 
Tres Colonias — made up of the tidy rows of homes in the Alta Vista, Andersonville and Buckingham neighborhoods — still stand strong in north Fort Collins around East Lincoln Avenue and East Vine Drive.

As the longtime home to Fort Collins' Hispanic families and sugar beet farmers, history is around every corner there, including at The Romero House — or Museo del las Tres Colonias — and the city's new Sugar Beet Park, which features a large sugar beet play structure and a nod to the families that farmed the major Northern Colorado cash crop.

Travel further northeast and you'll find newer housing subdivisions replete with families and neighborhood parks. Looking to buy in Fort Collins? This area is a good bet with its decent inventory of single-family homes in neighborhoods like Waterglen, Storybrook and Maple Hill.

While tucked away from larger Fort Collins and its amenities, it has easy access to Interstate 25.

If you don't want to hop on a busy highway, head to Anheuser-Busch for a beer and basket of fish and chips instead. Though its Biergarten is still closed to the public due to COVID-19, the brewery typically boasts fun events like visits from the Budweiser Clydesdales and sparkling arrays of holiday lights each winter.

Pro tip: On the hunt for authentic Mexican food in Fort Collins? Look no further than North College Avenue, which is lined with an array of food trucks and taquerías. Also head to Pabre Pancho's, a family-owned Fort Collins fixture that has served up traditional Mexican fare — and the one-of-a-kind enchilada-stuffed burrito, the Paco Macho — since Nixon was president.

Southeast Fort Collins
Boundaries: Roughly within the square of Lemay Avenue, Prospect Road, Interstate 25 and Harmony Road.

Median single family home price in May 2021: $548,000

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If you're a busy bee who wants to be a short drive from shopping and restaurants, as well as easy access to Interstate 25, let's talk about southeast Fort Collins.

Once a no-man's land, the area — especially the corridor along East Harmony Road — has grown tremendously in the last 20 years. 

While some parts of the city are largely home to single-family houses, southeast Fort Collins has a more diverse mix of apartment and condominium complexes, which are a quick jaunt to the buzzing shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment offerings of the area. 

The Shops at Rigden Farm have almost anything you could need, from a big King Soopers grocery store to a yoga studio, hair salon and popular spots like Krazy Karl's Pizza and William Oliver's Publick House. 

Along the East Harmony Road corridor, you'll find a spread of big box stores and chain restaurants, as well as the Cinemark Fort Collins movie theater and Front Range Village shopping center, which offers everything from a Lowe's Home Improvement to a public library branch.

 
While now home to vast amenities, signs of southeast Fort Collins' agricultural roots remain. Jessup Farm Artisan Village, located just south of Prospect Road along Timberline Road, boasts a network of trendy restaurants and shops that were built out of restored farm buildings from Fort Collins' historic Jessup Farm.

Look hard enough along buzzing Harmony Road and you'll see the nearly century-old Harmony School building as well as Harmony Cemetery, an established pioneer graveyard that once served the former Harmony farming community. 

Pro tip: Had your fill of shopping, dining and driving? Get back to southeast Fort Collins' roots by visiting Twin Silo Community Park, 5552-5564 Ziegler Road. It has everything from community gardens and pickleball courts to a BMX park and the city's tallest slide — which extends between two 48-foot-tall farm silos that were relocated to the park from Prospect and Timberline roads.

West Fort Collins
Boundaries: Roughly within the square of Shields Street, Overland Trail, Vine Drive and Harmony Road (minus the defined Campus West area)

Median single family home price in May 2021: $483,950 (southwest); $450,000 (midwest); $534,000 (northwest)

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Tucked against Fort Collins' foothills, the western-most stretches of the city often give off an established, and sometimes untouched, vibe. 

While home to several single-family housing subdivisions, west Fort Collins is also sprinkled with farmland that can make you feel like you're in the country. 

Past its northernmost stretches, you'll find the entrance to Laporte, a small riverside town that's minutes from Fort Collins and offers a notably slower pace. Head there for a slice of pie at Me Oh My or a beer and bluegrass show at The Swing Station. 

The further east you go in the area, the more you'll find more housing subdivisions, multifamily complexes and strip malls filled with different amenities. 

 
The further west you travel, the closer you are to the slower vibe of Overland Trail and — across it — Horsetooth Reservoir or Horsetooth Mountain Space. 

Pro tip: Flanked between the foothills and growing subdivisions of newer homes, you'll find The Holiday Twin Drive-In, Northern Colorado's last drive-in movie theater and biggest dose of nostalgia. Head there on a summer night for a double feature and hot dog from its old-fashioned concession stand.

Fort Collins rental resources
For renters, a good place to start is Neighbor to Neighbor's rental resource packet, which lists out dozens of apartment complexes and property management companies in Larimer County — running you through each one's lease terms, rent ranges and deposit, criminal background, credit and pet policies.

Neighbor to Neighbor also offers a community resource guide, a one-stop shop for educational and counseling services, employment help and training, and a guide to child care and after-school programs. 

If you need help with your first month of rent in Larimer County — and qualify through Neighbor to Neighbor — you can apply to the nonprofit's rent assistance program, which provides up to $750 to go toward first month's rent for homeless or near homeless households.

Finding a job in Fort Collins
If you're looking to secure a job before moving to Fort Collins, or want to better understand the labor landscape before deciding, head to Larimer County's bevy of online resources. 

Through the county, job seekers can find online assistance with career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, interview skills and information on different industries and occupations in the area. Dates for job fairs and hiring events are also posted on the county's website. 

Create a profile on Larimer County's online job board even if you're not a Larimer County resident yet, or set up a free phone or video conference appointment with a county career consultant to get questions answered in real time by a local job search expert.

What to know about living in Fort Collins 
Moving to a new city can be tough, especially if you don't know your way around or feel like the odd man out during conversations with new friends. 

There are so many Fort Collins tips and tricks to wrangle and, while we can't cover every area of interest, here are some to help you adjust to the city.

A Fort Collins decoder ring
If you hear these common words or phrases, here's what they mean.

The Poudre: This is short for the Cache la Poudre River (pronounced cash la pood-er). Fort Collins was founded as a Civil War-era Army outpost along the banks of the river in what is now present-day Laporte. The river is lined with mountain homes, cabins and hiking trails. It’s also your go-to local spot if you want to try whitewater rafting, fly fishing or — once the river is at safe levels — tubing.

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The Mish: Speaking of the Poudre River, you’ll probably hear references to “the Mish,” which is short for Mishawaka Amphitheater. Located on the river’s banks up the Poudre Canyon Highway, Mishawaka Amphitheater is a legendary concert venue and restaurant. The rustic space dates back to 1916, when it was homesteaded by a Fort Collins music shop owner and built as a mountain retreat and dance hall. More than a century later, the Mish still remains a mountain music retreat and boasts a slate of outdoor shows every summer. You don’t have to attend a concert to enjoy it, though. Take a leisurely drive up the Poudre Canyon and stop at The Mish for an afternoon burger and beer on its patio overlooking the rushing river. 

Horsetooth: If you keep hearing mentions of a horse's tooth — and you're not hanging around a lot of equine dentists — they're likely references to Horsetooth Mountain or Horsetooth Reservoir. The two spots are super popular options for outdoor recreation just west of Fort Collins. The trek to Horsetooth Mountain — as well as the easier Horsetooth Falls route — is a bucket list hike for Northern Coloradans. Horsetooth Reservoir is a favorite for summer boaters, beach-goers, kayakers and paddle boarders. If you want to get out on the reservoir without breaking the bank, try renting a kayak, hydrobike, canoe or paddle board at the Inlet Bay Marina. Also be prepared to pay a $9 entrance fee to get into the Larimer County land. If you're ready to commit, you can also shell out $90 for an annual pass that will also get you into Larimer County's Carter Lake.

Fourteener: Coloradans wear fourteeners, or 14ers, like badges of honor, so what are they? Fourteener is short for a mountain that's peak elevation is at least 14,000 feet. Colorado has 54 of them, and brave hikers and climbers take to them each year to tick another off their list. Do so at your own risk, though. Climbing to such high elevations can lead to altitude sickness, especially for people not used to such heights. If you want to start planning your first fourteener adventure, start here with the Coloradoan's list of five beginner fourteeners as well as these 10 tips from an expert.

NewWestFest: Each nonpandemic summer, Old Town Fort Collins is typically booked solid with weekend events and an array of festivals. None of them really compare in size or scope, however, to Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest. The behemoth festival — often called simply NewWestFest — typically takes over Old Town for a weekend of free live music, activities and vendors in late August. While the COVID-19 pandemic canceled last year's event, festival organizer Bohemian Nights is tentatively planning a pared-down in-person festival for 2021. To keep up with the status of Fort Collins' other summer festivals, check out the Coloradoan's ever-evolving festival tracker.

Choice City: If you read references to "the Choice City" or see it on various business signs throughout town, that's just one of the many attempted nicknames for Fort Collins that actually stuck. The origins of the nickname itself are iffy, but possibly come from Fort Collins' "safe" location in the state during the Cold War, given its distance from Denver and any fallout from a potential nuclear attack on the major city.

fort collins old town

Online communities to join
If you're looking to get questions answered about Fort Collins — good mechanic recommendations or tips before tubing the Poudre River — head to public online groups like the Fort Collins subreddit or the Fort Collins Question and Answer Site on Facebook. 

If you're curious about more serious things, like police activity on your street or a power outage affecting your neighborhood, try Fort Collins Neighborhood Watch instead. The Facebook group is open to the public and run by the Coloradoan in partnership with city and school agencies and Fort Collins Police Services.

A fun Facebook group, "You Know You Grew up In Fort Collins, Colo. If You Remember..." is your one stop shop for old photo and memories from longtime residents as they reminisce about what Fort Collins used to look like.

Of course, if you want to really immerse yourself in your new home, get a digital subscription to the Coloradoan. During our special offer, you can access our steady stream of Fort Collins news for just $1 for your first six months. Not only will you be staying up to date on all things Fort Collins, you'll be supporting local news. A win-win!

A history lesson
Want to dive into the history of your adopted home? Binge the Coloradoan's local history podcast, "The Way it Was," which takes on topics from the bright and cheery — and dark and dreary — chapters of Fort Collins' past.

Also be sure to check in weekly for Coloradoan columnist Barbara Fleming's latest history column. After writing hundreds of columns for the Coloradoan, I once asked Fleming — while researching a story about her life — if she was afraid of ever running out of column topics. She gave me a resounding "no," guaranteeing you're in for plenty more historical lookbacks from Fleming.

Some food recommendations
The Coloradoan rounds up new Fort Collins restaurants monthly, but if you're looking to try classic spots in the city, here are a few recommendations:

Stopping in Old Town? Cinnamon rolls at the Silver Grill Cafe — Fort Collins' oldest restaurant — is a must. A short walk up Linden Street will take you to longtime Mexican favorite El Burrito, and further down Mountain Avenue you'll find The Rio, another Mexican restaurant known for its margaritas.

fort collins restaurants

Feeling fancy? Hit up The Regional for its happy hour or venture down Mountain Avenue to cozy neighborhood spot, little on mountain. If you're looking for Old Town watering holes, try The Town Pump, a tiny dive bar that's been on South College Avenue for more than a century and teems with kitschy character as a result. Or head underground to Ace Gillett's Supper Club & Lounge or to Social — two different downtown cocktail bars — if you're looking for a speakeasy vibe.

Near CSU's main campus, try out unpretentious lunch spots like The Colorado Room, which serves up plates of tasty sliders and poutine; Avogadro's Number, a local favorite known for its expansive menu, live music offerings and picturesque back patio; and Saigon Grill III, a must-stop for steaming bowls of pho. 

Far from the maddening Old Town crowds, head to Midtown for gems like The Fox and the Crow cheese shop and bistro; Cafe Mexicali, a Tex-Mex favorite among the college crowd; and Totally 80's Pizza, a wacky yet one-of-a-kind pizza shop that's part 1980s museum.

For an unfussy atmosphere in south Fort Collins, head to DC Oakes Brewhouse and Eatery for burgers and beers or Sally's Kitchen — located in a Timberline Road gas station — for some Chinese food to rave about.

The start of your social calendar 
As in-person events reemerge amid loosened COVID-19 restrictions, get out and enjoy all that the Fort Collins area has to offer. The Choice City — you know what that means because you read this guide, yay! — boasts endless activities, events and festivals to try. Here are some you must mark down.

Find a festival: See Fort Collins through its various summer festivals, including food and music festival Taste of Fort Collins, live music behemoth Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, the cute-as-can-be Fort Collins Peach Festival and the wacky and weird New Belgium bike parade, Tour de Fat. All of these typically take place each summer, so be sure to get them on your schedule this season.

Take a trolley ride: If Old Town Fort Collins couldn't get any cuter, just hang out on Mountain Avenue each summer weekend. A pair of restored streetcars — both of which were used when Fort Collins had an active streetcar system — regularly chug from City Park up Mountain Avenue from 12 to 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday from May through September.

Catch a concert: I told you all about concerts at Mishawaka Amphiteatre, but if you're looking to hear some tunes without heading out of town, try some free summer concert series like the Lagoon Summer Concert Series, Thursday Night Live or the FoCoMX Drive and Jive series at The Holiday Twin Drive-In. 

Head out on a hike: You officially know what a fourteener is. If you're wanting to work up to one, though, start out easy with some of these recommended hikes in Northern Colorado. If you're looking for something for the family, try these five family-friendly hikes. And if you've been in Fort Collins for a bit and are already burnt out on hiking Horsetooth Mountain, take a whack at these.

Await Old Town's holiday lights: Each winter, Old Town Fort Collins turns into a snowglobe when thousands of LED lights are strung around its tree-lined blocks and illuminated nightly. The tradition of decorating Old Town with holiday lights dates back to the 1920s and has since become a beloved market of the holiday season. The lights are typically turned on during a lighting ceremony in November and stay up in Old Town through Valentine's Day. 

fort collins old town

Cover, Old Town, Poudre Fishing and Horsetooth Photos courtesy of Bethany Baker.  Odell Brewing Concert and Brass Band Photos courtesy of Tanya Fabian. Trolley, Foothills Mall and Waltzing Kangaroo Photo courtesy of Austin Humphreys.  Rigden Farm Photo courtesy of Eliot Foust

 

Reach out to me to discuss your move into or out of Northern Colorado.  

James Sack, REALTOR®  

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

1109 Oak Park Drive | Fort Collins, CO 80525

C: (970) 217-9705  |  O: (970) 223-6500  |  E: James.Sack@coloradohomes.com  |  W: www.JamesSack.com

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