LARIMER COUNTY
County Offices
200 W. Oak Street
Fort Collins 970-498-7000
www.larimer.org
Chamber of Commerce
225 South Meldrum
Fort Collins 970-482-3746
www.fortcollinschamber.com
Beautiful and expansive, Larimer County extends to the Continental Divide to encompass several mountain communities as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. Some of the state’s finest irrigated land combines with vast stretches of scenic ranch land, deep forests, and towering mountain peaks. More than half of the county is publicly owned and much of it is preserved in federal parks for unrivaled recreational opportunities.
Fort Collins has long served as the region’s powerhouse for health care, education, culture, and business, although rapid growth in Loveland in recent decades has created an impressive economic base and lovely new residential neighborhoods. Even the smaller towns in Larimer County are experiencing growth and expansion, as newcomers discover the treasures of small-town living within a reasonable commute from urban conveniences and employment centers.
Services
McKee Medical Center in Loveland and Poudre Valley Health System in Fort Collins anchor the state-of-the-art health-care facilities available in Larimer County. With more than 35 specialties, the latter is able to provide a caliber of care usually reserved for much larger cities. Nearly 2,000 health-care professionals rely on cutting-edge technologies and procedures. Specialized clinics abound, including the Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies.
Public education in Larimer County is enhanced by the influence of Colorado State University, creating a progressive learning environment from pre-kindergarten through graduate school and professional studies. The latest technology is well integrated into the classroom, resulting in Poudre School District being listed among eight “Model-Net” districts nationwide by the U.S. Department of Education.
Lifestyle
Several local performing groups provide outstanding symphony concerts, live-stage theatrical performances, and ballet concerts. Historic “Old Town” in Fort Collins is the scene of major events like the New West Fest and the free Concert Under the Stars series. Loveland is famous for its sculpture shows, while Estes Park draws thousands of visitors to the Scottish Highlands Festival. The resources of a major university enrich the region with world-renowned speakers, sporting events, colorful festivals, and performing arts events.
Recreational opportunities for residents of Larimer County range from first-rate local facilities for swimming, golf, tennis, racquetball, sports play, and social activities to some of Colorado’s most celebrated outdoor adventure destinations. Estes Park is renowned as a resort community at the gateway of Rocky Mountain National Park and the breathtaking beauty of alpine wilderness. Lakes, streams, reservoirs, foothills, deep woods, ski resorts, and rarified alpine splendor are waiting to be explored and enjoyed close to home. With a housing selection as varied and beautiful as the terrain, Larimer County presents a kaleidoscope of appealing options for city, country, or alpine living.
Berthoud
Municipal Offices
970-532-2643
www.berthoud.org
Chamber of Commerce
970-532-4200
www.berthoudcolorado.com
“The Garden Spot of Colorado” is a small but progressive community that cooperatively plans for growth and expansion while preserving the finest of rural settings. Nestled between the larger towns of Longmont and Loveland, Berthoud is home to thriving local businesses, a new community center, a local museum, and welcoming neighborhoods. Berthoud’s homespun image has all the charm of a Norman Rockwell painting—quiet streets shaded by towering cottonwoods. Well-kept, century-old classic homes blend with cozy bungalows in the heart of town, complemented by the master-planned subdivisions and newer construction scattered around the town’s periphery. Civic and social organizations along with abundant recreational programs and facilities add to the quality of life. Just beyond the front door lies the magnificence of Rocky Mountain National Park and world-class ski resorts.
Estes Park
Municipal Offices
970-586-5331
https://estespark.colorado.gov
Chamber of Commerce
970-480-7552
https://esteschamber.org
Serving as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the charming upscale village of Estes Park is one of Colorado’s premier small towns and a world-class vacation destination. Surrounding the town is Estes Valley, a paradise of rich wildlife for nature enthusiasts. Downtown Estes Park captures the attention of shoppers in delightful boutiques, displaying merchandise from collectibles to high fashion. Also downtown is the charming riverwalk beside the Big Thompson River. A strong arts community has resulted in a calendar filled with concerts, art shows, children’s and adult theatre productions, and cultural seminars. Athletes are drawn to this area for its challenging terrain. Preserving all the charm associated with a rustic Western town, Estes Park nevertheless provides many suburban conveniences from a medical center and library to a wide variety of professional services.
Fort Collins
Municipal Offices
970-221-6500
www.fcgov.com
Chamber of Commerce
970-482-3746
www.fortcollinschamber.com
Nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just 65 miles north of Denver, Fort Collins is the hub of Larimer County and a regional center for employment, health care, shopping, culture, and education. Newcomers will discover a town that preserves its Western heritage while it offers the services, amenities, and advantages of a sophisticated and modern metropolis. Within the city and surrounding the entire community is nature’s bounty, where mature trees and greenbelts harmonize with lakes and mountain vistas. Fort Collins continually garners accolades for quality of life, ranking among the best places in the nation for retiring, raising a family, or locating a business. Colorado State University is the city’s largest employer, serving a student population that has topped the 22,000 mark. Front Range Community College, Regis University, and an extension for the University of Phoenix complement a highly rated school system and opportunities for private education. The dynamic local economy boasts a number of major corporations. Four-season recreational opportunities are unparalleled in vast acres of Rocky Mountain National Park and other sites.
Loveland
Municipal Offices
970-962-2000
https://www.lovgov.org
Chamber of Commerce
970-667-6311
https://loveland.org
Rich in history, Loveland is a beautiful and progressive city that has experienced rapid growth in residential and business sectors in recent decades. Just 45 miles north of Denver, the city is known internationally for its Valentine Re-Mailing Program—offering the postmark of “Loveland.” Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on Highway 34, the community boasts a robust economy anchored in manufacturing, publishing, government, trade, and the arts. Computer-related industries, microelectronics, and biotechnology dominate the high-tech scene. As a national center for bronze sculpture, the community is a magnet for creative and artistic residents. Lovely neighborhoods, bustling shopping centers, community college campus extensions, and the close proximity of three major state universities add to the attraction for newcomers. As a gateway city to Rocky Mountain outdoor recreation destination, Loveland also offers easy access to regional ski resorts, Denver’s professional sports, and world-class cultural events. The community itself has developed urban and mountain parks, Lake Loveland beach, golf courses, tennis courts, sports fields, swimming pools, a trail system, and recreation centers for all ages.