employer is Colorado State University,
Colorado’s land grant university and a
leading research institution in the fields of
infectious disease, atmospheric science and
clean energy technologies, attracting high
achieving students in the sciences. Fort
Collins is also home to a diverse mix of
manufacturing, high-tech, and service-re-lated businesses. The historic downtown
hosts a number of festivals each year and
cultivates healthy arts and culture, music and
dining scenes. A number of thriving microbreweries call Fort Collins home, including
New Belgium Brewing, and the Colorado
Brewer’s Festival is held here each June. The
Colorado Marathon, an annual run along
the Poudre Valley, ends in downtown Fort
Collins. The area attracts a diverse spectrum
of residents who enjoy the outdoors, recreational activities and the city’s entertainment
and cultural options. Money magazine has
repeatedly named Fort Collins among the
top ten best places to live in the country.
Photo by Dick Knapp/Dick’s Photography
Courtesy of the City of Loveland
The second most populous city in Larimer County after Fort Collins, Loveland is a business hub for northern Colorado and has received numerous awards in recognition of its
livability. Founded in 1877 along the newly built Colorado Central Railroad, the town was
primarily agricultural up until the 1950s. The economy later diversified with a number of
manufacturing companies and the arrival of the Medical Center of the Rockies. Its location
in the foothills and proximity to the Rocky Mountains make Loveland an attractive base for
active residents who love the outdoors. Recreational opportunities abound. The city also has
several shopping centers, including the Outlets at Loveland. Loveland has a large community of artists, with more than 300 pieces of public art on view around the city. An annual
sculpture exhibition attracts artists and artwork from around the United States each summer.
Loveland is also known for its popular Valentine Re-Mailing Program, in which people from
around the world send their valentines to Loveland to be hand-stamped with a special verse
and postal cancellation before being re-mailed to their intended recipients.
Early development in Windsor centered on farming and the arrival of the railroad. The
scenic setting that attracted early residents continues to appeal today, with views of Longs
Peak and other mountains to the west throughout most of the town. Windsor’s central
location near larger population centers in Northern Colorado and its close proximity to
I- 25 have fueled extensive growth in the last few decades. Wind energy business Vestas
operates a turbine factory and several related companies in the area. Windsor’s abundant
outdoor space provides outstanding recreational opportunities. The Cache la Poudre River
runs right through the town, and features a bicycle and pedestrian trail along its banks.
Windsor Lake, a small reservoir with a 2.25-mile bike path, is a popular fishing spot. Residents enjoy access to 25 parks totaling more than 200 acres. The city also hosts summer
concerts, the Windsor Fine Arts Festival each August, and an annual Labor Day weekend
Harvest Festival, with a parade, hot air balloon rides, and a carnival.
