Keeping Fort Collins Green
- Climate Wise, Business Smart:
:voluntary program that helps businesses reduce their bottom line and reduces the amount of greenhouse gases they omit.
- Colorado State University is the "green" university and leaders in global energy reduction research.
- Engines and Energy Conversion Lab
is world-renowned for its innovations in algae fuel research, invention of two stroke engines and clean burning stoves for third world countries.
- Environmental protection
The Fort Collins community has a strong commitment to the environment. Programs are in place that enhance and protect the area's land, water, and air.
- FortZED
Weird name, cool project. Fort (Fort Collins) ZED (zero energy district) will demonstrate new electric grid technologies. Phased construction and implementation begins in 2009.
- Green Energy Program:
City Utility program. Purchase clean, renewable energy and guarantee that your energy comes from the cleanest source available.
LEED Certification
- Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster
fosters collaboration and projects that have a global impact. Fort Collins is the go to region for smart grid technologies, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and cleaner and more efficient engines.
- PSD schools have won more than 30 awards for sustainable environmental design, pollution prevention, renewable energy, and energy efficiency: Energy and Design Awards (PDF 25 KB)
- Sustainable Living Fair
highlights sustainable living practices, renewable energy ideas, natural health, green building, alternative vehicles, organic agriculture, local economies and more.
Enjoying Nature in Fort Collins
- Adventure tours in Fort Collins consist of biking, hiking, and rafting guided and self-guided tours
- CSU's Oval is the sentimental heart of campus. It is lined by century old American elm trees. Many campus activities take place there year round.
- Enjoy Fort Collins's scenery at one of forty Natural Areas. Residents of Fort Collins value conservation of public lands so everyone has the chance to view nature as it should be, undisturbed.
- Go west! To Horsetooth Reservoir, where you can boat, rock climb, hike, bike or simply be.
- Grow your own vegetables, at the community garden at the Gardens on Spring Creek.
- Poudre River - The State's only designated "wild and scenic" river. The Poudre is clear, cold, fast and a dispenser of wisdom.
- Walk or bike on the 200+ miles of trails, both off and on streets
Feeling the Vibe
- Alleys in Downtown, take a short cut and see a new part of town, complete with lights, flowers and public art.
- Arts and culture thrive in Fort Collins. Open Stage Theater is three decades young, as is the City's performing arts center, the Lincoln Center. Hundreds of performances and exhibitions keep the community and visitors engaged and entertained. Discover the arts in Fort Collins.
- Bike-In theater bring your bike and blanket to attend one of the late summer movies at the New Belgium Brewing Company.
- Competitive Sports in Fort Collins are easy to find and attend. Colorado State University has many NCAA level sports including football, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and cross country. Just south of Fort Collins watch the minor league ice hockey team, the Colorado Eagles. For summer baseball action, check out the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League, the Fort Collins Foxes.
- Craft beers in Fort Collins are made from the tastiest water in Colorado. Five microbrews and one national brewery offer tours, tasting rooms, and good times to visitors wanting to learn more about the art and science behind beer making.
- CSU's Annual Flower Trial Garden connect with your inner green thumb. Bring your camera.
- CSU's home football games. Get in the community spirit with Game Day, rallies, Ram Town and tailgating. Go Rams!
- Did you know? Fort Collins's main street, College Avenue, and its neighboring off-shoot streets in Old Town, were inspiration for Disneyland's Main Street.
- Free high speed WiFi Downtown, wireless technology available all day in a square mile of Old Town-includes most comfy coffee shops. Coming soon... more free high speed WiFi locations across the city.
- Inspiration Playground - Be a kid again, at Spring Canyon Community Park-Colorado's first universally accessible playground.
- Kids in Fort Collins attend the Poudre School District, an award-winning, diverse, quality school system. More than 48% of our population has a college degree or higher. The public school system reflects that thirst for knowledge by offering a variety of programs for all.
- Local history and traditions abound in Fort Collins. Celebrate Fort Collins' birthday bash each August at the Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest. Take a historic Downtown tour, climb the foothills and see evidence of long-ago ocean life, or ride the trolley to City Park.
- Mason Corridor is a five mile north-south stretch of Fort Collins that will be retrofitted with energy efficient mass transit buses, continuous bike and pedestrian lanes and home to new transit-oriented development-connecting south Fort Collins and north Fort Collins like never before.
- Non-Profits number in the hundreds. Many residents feel recharged and rejuvenated by volunteering in the community.
- Old Town Square always a great place to catch a concert, people watch or enjoy a meal.
- Poudre Valley Health System, named a Top 100 Hospital for the past five years. With three campuses and a multitude of specialists and caring staff, you'll feel safe knowing the healthcare in Fort Collins is one of the best in the country.
- Shopping. We've got the usual convenient shops you see in other great towns, but there's so much more! Unique, local boutique shops, bookstores in coffee shops, gourmet food and wine, and a great outdoor sports shop-Jax.
Getting Around in Fort Collins
- Bicycling is big here! Fort Collins is an award-winning "Bicycle Friendly Town". We have a bicycle co-op, bike library, bike parking, bike lanes, Tour de Fat, and more!
- Downtown parking garages are safe, cheap, and located in the heart to Downtown Fort Collins. There's also plenty of street parking and bicycle parking.
- Fort Collins is conveniently located. We're an hour's drive to downtown Denver, to Denver International Airport, and less than hour from Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
- Public transportation is available in Fort Collins, with many routes and buses that run on bio-diesel or compressed natural gas.