Fort Collins is best known for being home to the Colorado State University, but it is also home to many scenic parks and cultural centers. It is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado, and is 5,000 feet above sea level. It is the largest city in Larimer County and the fourth largest city in Colorado by population.
Yesterday and Today
Fort Collins was originally founded as a military fort in 1864. It became incorporated as a town in 1873. The fort was decommissioned in 1867 and the original site is now adjacent to the “Old Town” area of the city. Fort Collins is now home to over 120,000 people, with a large percentage of the residents being affiliated with Colorado State University.
Economy
Fort Collins has a very strong economy, and was ranked 3rd in the Best-Performing City in 2011, Where America’s Jobs are Created and Sustained by the Milken Institute. It also ranked 5th in the Nation for Best Places for Businesses and Careers by Forbes Magazine, and the Top Colorado City for Job Growth.
Fort Collins has a median household income of $44,459 and a median family income of $59, 332. Over 5% of the families in Fort Collins and 14% of the total population are below the federal poverty line. The largest employers in Fort Collins are Colorado State University, Hewlett Packard, the Poudre Valley Health System and the Poudre School District. The reputation of the university has attracted many high-tech companies to the area, including Hewlett Packard and Intel.
Recreation
Fort Collins has over 600 acres of parks that include bike trails, golf courses, public swimming pools, an ice rink and a community center. Most of the cultural events focus on the student population, and the area has a thriving college music scene, six microbreweries and the Lincoln Center, which hosts the Fort Collins Symphony and various Broadway shows throughout the year.
