Fort Collins Travel Guide

Situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, Fort Collins is the fifth most populous city in the state of Colorado. Located at a distance of 92 kilometers to the north of the state capital city of Denver, it is basically a large college town built around the Colorado State University. Founded as a military outpost of the U.S. Army in 1864 as Camp Collins during the Indian wars, the first school and church was opened in this area in 1866. The establishment of an agricultural colony brought around the first population boom in 1872 when hundreds of settlers arrived and developed lots to the south of the original Old Town. A number of elegant homes and commercial buildings subsequently sprang up on account of activities like stone-quarrying, sugar-beet farming and sheep slaughter houses. The Colorado Agricultural College was established during this period which eventually started classes in 1879.

Fort Collins subsequently experienced a slow and steady growth during the early part of the 20th century. World War II brought around another era of economic prosperity when old buildings were razed to make way for the new modern structures. Colorado State University’s enrollment boosted and doubled during the 1960s and which subsequently became the primary economic force by the end of the century. The late 20th century found the rapid expansion of the city skyline to the south which included several new developments including regional malls & shopping centers. Fort Collins continues to grow at a measured pace in the beginning of the 21st century facing competition from other regional developments in northern Colorado and local future growth debates. As of now, much of Fort Collins growth and culture is centered on the students of the Colorado State University along with a little mix of manufacturing and service related businesses operating within this region.