NORTHERN COLORADO
VisitFtCollins.com; @VisitFtCollins (IG); @VisitFortCollins (FB)—Fort Collins sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, about 60 miles north of Denver International Airport.
Fort Collins has a long and storied history. In 1862, Camp Collins was constructed by the ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry to protect travelers and settlers, but it was abandoned just a few years later. Colorado Central Railroad arrived in 1887, establishing Fort Collins as an agricultural center. A college was constructed there just two years later, eventually renaming itself to Colorado State University (CSU).
Today, Fort Collins is home to a variety of spaces ideally suited for hosting meetings and conferences. Located between Old Town Square and New Belgium Brewery on the north side of downtown is Block One Events. The venue has a guest capacity of 200 and features 4,102 square feet of space, including four outdoor patios. Drake Centre, centrally located within Fort Collins, can accommodate more than 475 people with its flexible spaces, including the 3,876-square-foot East Banquet Room; 3,266-square-foot West Banquet Room; 975-square-foot Tavern; and 1,176-square-foot Tavern Patio. Lincoln Center is a versatile multiuse property, featuring 79,000 square feet of space. It features the 1,187-seat Performance Hall, 226-seat Magnolia Theater, and five event spaces, including two indoor ballrooms, an outdoor terrace, and a rooftop deck, along with an art gallery and an outdoor sculpture garden. In addition to showcasing a beautiful view of the Rockies, Ranch Events Complex features an 18,000-square-foot North Exhibit Hall and 18,000-square-foot South Exhibit Hall; a conference center; an indoor arena, pavilions; and outdoor space. All areas are flexible, depending on the size and type of event.
Lodging options in Fort Collins range from mountain cabins and bed and breakfasts to hotels and motels. There are approximately 30 hotel and motel properties located throughout Fort Collins, as well as multiple cabins and bed and breakfasts. For meetings and events at CSU, attendees can choose from five hotels located conveniently.
Fort Collins’ proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides numerous outdoor opportunities, including state parks. Just west of the city, between Horsetooth Reservoir and the foothills, Lory State Park includes Arthur’s Rock Trail, Timber Trail, Well Gulch Nature Trail, Shoreline Trail, and Kimmons Trail—all suitable trails for exploring, walking, or cycling. Many of these trails lead to or provide scenic views of Horsetooth Reservoir, a top destination for swimming, kayaking, rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating.
Another unique local attraction near Fort Collins is Pawnee National Grasslands. The area encompasses 193,000 acres of public land and is ideal for wildlife watching and birding, as it is home to the state bird, the Lark Bunting, and other high-plains species.
Besides its mountain location and recreational opportunities, Fort Collins is known for its breweries. Fort Collins is home to more than 20 craft breweries, including the fourth-largest craft brewer in the United States, New Belgium Brewing Co.; and one of the largest breweries in the world, Anheuser-Busch. The city’s breweries account for 70 percent of the craft beer in all of Colorado and 7 percent of craft beer in the country.
Meeting planners can schedule time for group tours of most breweries. At Anheuser-Busch, visitors can learn how its beers are made and even see the world-famous Clydesdales. For a bit of Fort Collins history combined with their favorite beer, groups can schedule a visit to tasting rooms like the one at Odell Brewing Co., the first craft brewery to call Fort Collins home. Uniquely, visitors to Equinox Brewing’s tasting room not only can sip their many brews but also take the recipe home to try to recreate it themselves.
