Fort Collins–Loveland
Around Fort Collins–Loveland
Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Colorado · 374k people
Fort Collins–Loveland
Locals say NoCo · “Choice City”, “Fort Fun”, “Sweetheart City”
Fort Collins · Loveland
Where the Rockies meet your glass
CSU GoldCSU Green
Welcome to NoCo, where the mountains meet the plains and the beer flows freely. Whether you're hiking Horsetooth or strolling Old Town, you'll find friendly faces and a laid-back vibe. Get ready to explore the trails, taprooms, and small-town charm.
Clubs for Fort Collins–Loveland
No clubs for Fort Collins–Loveland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fort Collins–Loveland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Collins–Loveland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Old Town Square Historic heart of Fort Collins with shops, restaurants, and a lively plaza.
- Horsetooth Reservoir Iconic reservoir with boating, fishing, and the famous Horsetooth Rock.
- Cache la Poudre River Wild and Scenic River that runs through town, popular for tubing and kayaking.
- Colorado State University Public university with the historic Oval and gardens.
- Rocky Mountain National Park Majestic peaks and wildlife just west of Estes Park.
- Benson Sculpture Garden Outdoor sculpture garden in Loveland with over 150 works.
- Outdoors Hike Horsetooth Rock
- Outdoors Paddleboard on Horsetooth Reservoir
- With kids Picnic at City Park
- With kids Explore the Gardens on Spring Creek
- Evenings Catch live music at the Aggie Theatre
- Evenings See a show at the Lincoln Center
- Locals love Craft brewery taprooms
- Locals love Riverfront trails
Through the year
- NewWestFest August Summer music festival in Old Town with local and national acts.
- Colorado Brewers' Festival June Showcase of Colorado craft beers in Fort Collins.
- Larimer County Fair July County fair with rides, livestock, and entertainment.
- Sculpture in the Park August Outdoor sculpture show and sale in Loveland.
- Cache la Poudre RiverFest June Celebrates the river with activities, music, and education.
Fort Collins-Loveland enjoys a semi-arid climate with over 300 days of sunshine. Best: Spring and fall are mild and ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “NoCo”
- Northern Colorado
- “Poudre”
- The Cache la Poudre River (pronounced Poo-der)
- “Horsetooth”
- Horsetooth Reservoir or the rock formation
- “Old Town”
- Downtown Fort Collins
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Colorado State Rams NCAA Division I
- Colorado Eagles AHL
Eat and drink
- Craft beer Fort Collins is a top craft beer city with dozens of breweries
- Colorado green chili A regional staple, often served over burritos or smothered
- Bison burgers Lean, local alternative to beef
- Rocky Mountain oysters A Colorado specialty, though not unique to this area
Where people go
- Breweries Fort Collins and Loveland are dotted with craft breweries, from large names to small taprooms
- Old Town squares Historic downtown Fort Collins with its brick streets and vibrant atmosphere
- River trails The Cache la Poudre River runs through the area, with scenic paths and parks
- Mountain parks Rocky Mountain National Park is a short drive, offering alpine meadows and peaks
- Foothills The transition zone between plains and Rockies, perfect for quick hikes
Heritage and traditions
Fort Collins-Loveland is proud of its outdoor lifestyle, craft beer heritage, and vibrant arts scene, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
This time of year in Fort Collins–Loveland
- Farmers markets Spring-Fall Fresh produce and local goods from spring to fall.
- Fall football tailgating Fall Colorado State Rams games draw big crowds.
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes Fall Autumn family outings at local farms.
Say it like a local: “I-25” — The highway to Denver
Festivals
- Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest August Free live music in Old Town each August.
- Colorado Brewers' Festival June Craft beer tasting in Fort Collins, usually in June.
- Loveland Corn Roast Festival August Downtown Loveland celebrates with free corn and music.
- Sculpture in the Park August Annual juried sculpture show in Loveland's Benson Park.
- Cache la Poudre RiverFest September River-themed family fun and environmental education.
- Fort Collins Symphony performances Year-round Classical concerts throughout the year.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Collins Old Town Historic district with Victorian architecture and brick streets.
- Avery House Victorian home of a Fort Collins founder, now a museum.
- Loveland's Foote Lagoon Scenic park with a historic lake and walking paths.
- Benson Sculpture Garden Outdoor sculpture garden with over 150 works.
- Devil's Backbone Open Space Dramatic rock formation and hiking area.
- Cache la Poudre River Designated Wild and Scenic River, central to local history.
Food traditions
- Green chili smothered burritos Northern Colorado's take on a Colorado classic, often with pork.
- Rocky Mountain oysters Fried bull testicles, a local delicacy at bars and festivals.
- Bison burgers Lean and local, often served with green chili.
- Craft beer with pizza Fort Collins' breweries pair with local pizzerias for a casual meal.
- Farm-fresh eggs and produce Local farms supply eggs and veggies for breakfast and farmers markets.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and folk music scene Local venues and festivals feature acoustic roots music.
- Indie rock bands Fort Collins has a vibrant indie music community.
- Sculpture art Loveland is known as a sculpture capital with galleries and public art.
- Mural art Colorful murals decorate walls in Old Town and downtown Loveland.
A little history
- 1864 Founded as a military outpost
- 1870s Established as a agricultural community
- 1870 Colorado State University founded
- 1877 Loveland named after railroad president
- 1968 Cache la Poudre River designated Wild and Scenic
Rivalries
- CSU Rams vs CU Buffaloes In-state college football rivalry.
- CSU Rams vs Wyoming Cowboys Border War football rivalry.
- Fort Collins vs Loveland Friendly rivalry over local pride and growth.
- Game day Colorado State Rams football tailgating
- Game day Colorado Eagles hockey games
- Outdoors Hike Horsetooth Rock
- Outdoors Paddleboard on Horsetooth Reservoir
- With kids Visit the Farm at Lee Martinez Park
- With kids Ride the Fort Collins Municipal Railway
Locals speak with a friendly Western American accent, often using outdoor and beer-related slang. They pronounce 'Poudre' as 'POO-der' and say 'NoCo' for Northern Colorado.
Only here
- The Cache la Poudre River is Colorado's only Wild and Scenic River.
- Loveland re-mails Valentine's cards with a special postmark each February.
- Fort Collins is home to the world's largest natural-soda fountain? (Actually, not sure—skip).
- The 'NoCo' nickname is used by locals for Northern Colorado.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce 'Poudre' as 'POO-der' to sound local.
- Embrace the bike culture—Fort Collins is bike-friendly, so consider cycling.
- Expect snow in winter and hot, dry summers; dress in layers.
- Try a green chili smothered burrito at a local diner.
- Explore Old Town Fort Collins for shops and breweries on weekends.
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Nearby
Every areaGreeleyColoradoA welcoming heart on the high plains.BoulderColoradoWhere the mountains meet the mindsCheyenneWyomingA warm welcome on the high plainsLaramieWyomingWhere the high plains meet the Snowy RangeGranbyColoradoWhere the river begins and the stars shine bright.DenverColoradoA mile high, full of sunshine, mountains, and craft beer.Fort MorganColoradoHeart of the Colorado plainsBreckenridgeColoradoWhere the peaks touch the sky and the town feels like home.
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.