 Fort Collins, population 127,000, is a large city at the northernmost end of the Denver metro corridor. Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins caters to a youthful crowd, with a number of outdoor recreation outfitters and a skate park among the attractions. About 600 acres of city parks and thousands more of protected natural areas help to integrate nature into the urban landscape. Visitors to Fort Collins have ready access to several different kinds of terrain. Rocky Mountain National Park is a short drive to the southwest, and the surrounding forested mountains and wilderness areas are also open to the public. Several lakes, reservoirs, and the Cache la Poudre River provide entertainment for water sports enthusiasts. Finally, the grasslands of the Great Plains stretch out to the east, enticing bird watchers and those interested in pioneer and Native American history. |