Living in Fort Collins

Fort Collins is the largest city in Northern Colorado, with about 171,000 people according to the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate. It sits right where the plains meet the foothills, so you get a real city with Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park a short drive west of town.

Old Town is the heart of it all. It's walkable, full of locally owned restaurants and shops, and home to some of the best known breweries in the state, including New Belgium and Odell. Colorado State University sits just southwest of downtown and is the area's largest employer, with UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital close behind. The Cache la Poudre River runs along the north side of Old Town, and the Poudre River and Spring Creek trails make it easy to get around on a bike.

Housing covers a lot of ground here. You'll find century old bungalows near Old Town, established neighborhoods from the 1970s through the 2000s across the south and west parts of the city, and newer communities like Sonders near Richards Lake. Most of the city is served by Poudre School District, though a few areas on the southeast side fall in Thompson School District, so it's worth checking the boundary for any home you're serious about.