Larimer County, CO Area Guide
Welcome to Larimer County, Colorado—where the majestic mountain surround us, Western history comes alive and the pioneer spirit infuses our character! The communities of Larimer County are rich in natural beauty, cultural diversity and possess a balance of cosmopolitan ideology with a community-oriented lifestyle. Larimer County residents enjoy an unmatched quality of life. In Larimer County, residents find all the conveniences and amenities of a big city, but without sacrificing the qualities that make our region unique. The beauty of our nature, wildlife and ecology are always just outside our doors in Larimer County, along with a boundless sense of adventure. For professionals, academics and the urban minded, our communities provide universities, high-tech companies, new housing developments, vibrant downtown lifestyles and an endless amount of cultural arts, events and nightlife hotspots. For residents who crave a more laid-back approach to life, small-town values or the privacy that nature provides, Larimer County’s quiet mountain villages, nature preserves and municipal initiatives to encourage conservation make our region the ideal place to relax and “get away from it all”. Larimer County is a “4-season” region, with year-round outdoor activities that range from hiking, skiing, biking and horseback riding to sailing, swimming and exploring our wealth of open space parks. From history, nature, wildlife and sports to culture and the arts, there’s a spectacular assortment of things to see, do and learn in Larimer County’s unique communities. To learn more about the communities, attractions, events and nature of Larimer County living, please visit:
Larimer County Visitor’s Index
https://www.larimerco.com/5visitors/index.htm
Estes Park Visitor’s & Convention Bureau
https://www.larimercountysar.org/Documents/Estes%20Park%20Colorado%20Come%20Catch%20the%20Glow%20Holiday%20Event.htm
Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau
https://www.loveland.org/
Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau
https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/
Fort Collins Conventions & Visitors Bureau
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
Boulder-Front Range Guide
https://www.colorado.com/Boulder.aspx
Denver Area Attractions
https://www.colorado.com/Denver.aspx
Colorado Tourism Bureau
https://www.colorado.com/
History
The area that is now known as Larimer County was originally populated by the Native American Utes, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, with French fur trappers coming to the area in the early part of the 19th century, after the land had come under United States control with the Louisiana Purchase. At that time, the region was organized under the provisions of the Missouri Territory. Unlike much of Colorado, Larimer County’s history is unique in that it was not centered on the mining industry; in fact, the mining boom of growth and expansion bypassed much of Larimer County, whose early economy was based almost completely in agriculture. The 1858 Treaty of Fort Laramie officially opened the land to non-Native settlement, and in 1861 Larimer County was created as one of the original 17 counties of the Colorado Territory. Irrigation was introduced to the region, expanding its agricultural stronghold. 1862 brought the Camp Collins United States Army outpost to the fledgling county, the genesis of what would eventually become the City of Fort Collins, which was incorporated in 1873 after the Army’s withdrawal. By 1877, the Colorado Central Railroad arrived in Larimer, extending its line north from Golden to Cheyenne with a stopover in nearby Longmont. In 1902, the Great Western Sugar Co. was established in Loveland, and sugar beet agriculture brought a second wave of agricultural expansion to Larimer County. During the 20th and into the 21st century, Larimer County has diversified its economy, bringing progress, expansion and growth to its communities, as well as a forward-thinking attitude towards nature, conservation, industry and social policy. To learn more about the history, cultural traditions, museums and national register of historic sights in Larimer County, please visit:
Larimer County History
https://www.historycolorado.org/oahp/larimer-county
St Vrain Historical Society
https://www.stvrainhistoricalsociety.org/index.html
National Register of Historic Places, Larimer County
https://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/co/Larimer/state2.html
Fort Collins Museum
https://www.fcmdsc.org
Colorado Railroad Museum
https://www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org/
Loveland State Amory
https://www.historicalarmory.com/
Enos Mills Homestead Cabin
https://www.enosmills.com/
Fort Vasquez State History Museum
https://www.historycolorado.org/museums/fort-vasquez-museum
Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater
https://rockymountainnationalpark.com/places/moraine_park_museum.html
Old Mill Park
https://www.stvrainhistoricalsociety.org/Old_Mill_Park.html
Colorado Historical Society
https://www.historycolorado.org/
Old Town Fort Collins
https://coloradoinfo.com/fortcollins/oldtown
The Callahan House
https://www.ci.longmont.co.us/callahan/index.htm
Hover Home
https://www.stvrainhistoricalsociety.org/Hover_Home.html
Agricultural Heritage Center
https://www.bouldercounty.org/play/culturalhistory/pages/agheritage.aspx
Old St. Stephen's Church
https://www.stvrainhistoricalsociety.org/old_St_Stephens.html
Doughtery Museum
https://www.bouldercounty.org/play/culturalhistory/pages/doughertymuseum.aspx
Parks and Recreation
Colorado is a nature enthusiast’s dream, and Larimer County’s open-air beauty is known as the “Gateway to the Rockies”. Envision 32,000 acres of pristine open space, conservation easements, recreational facilities and nature preserves to relax, play in, explore and enjoy, and you will have imagined Larimer County! Our crown jewels are without a doubt the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, which make the residents of Larimer communities buffeted by beauty on all sides. Adjacent to Larimer County is the Boulder Valley, where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains at the foot of Flagstaff Mountain, just east of the continental divide. We are also flanked by the Eldorado Canyon and the iconic stone slabs of the Flatirons. The Boulder Creek tributary of the South Platte River flows through the nearby City of Boulder. All of these natural gems converge to create a county that is truly “four-seasons”—our outdoor activities rotate with the seasons, creating an endless amount of sports and recreation available year-round. Skiing, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, equestrian sports, swimming, sailing, kayaking and canoeing are just a few of the more popular regional activities. For those who crave the breathtaking, the daring and the unique, try wilderness excursions, geocaching, hot air balloon flights, glider tours or ziplining. Boulder Creek Path, Arapahoe Ridge Park, Boulder Reservoir, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Flagstaff Mountain and Summit Nature Center, White Rocks Nature Preserve and Cottonwood Hot Springs are among some of the most popular outdoor destinations. To learn more about Larimer County’s great outdoors and what it has to offer you, please visit:
Larimer County Natural Resources
https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/
Colorado State Parks
https://www.parks.state.co.us/
Colorado Waterfalls
https://www.colorado.com/Waterfalls.aspx
Rocky Mountain National Park
https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Horsetooth Reservoir
https://www.visitftcollins.com/horsetooth-reservoir
Cottonwood Hot Springs
https://www.cottonwood-hot-springs.com/hotsprings/
White Rocks Nature Preserve
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3038&Itemid=1035
St. Vrain Greenway Trail System
https://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/greenwaylist.htm#stvrain
Flagstaff Mountain and Summit Nature Center
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2838&Itemid=1016
Boulder Reservoir/ Marfell Lake
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1267&Itemid=3684
Wonderland Lake, Trailhead & Foothills Nature Center
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3790&Itemid=1035
Discovery Trail and Poudre River National Recreation Trail
https://www.rivers.gov/wsr-cache-la-poudre.html
Boulder Creek Path
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9608&Itemid=3170
South Platte Trail
https://www.rivertrailonline.org/
Arapahoe Ridge Park
https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9558&Itemid=3170
Saint Vrain State Park
https://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/StVrain/Pages/StVrainHome.aspx
Eldorado Canyon State Park
https://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/eldoradocanyon/Pages/EldoradoCanyonHome.aspx
Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway
https://byways.org/explore/byways/2113
Big Thompson Canyon
https://coloradoinfo.com/estespark/bigthompsoncanyon
Boyd Lake State Park Bike Trails
https://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/BoydLake/Trails/Pages/BoydLakeTrails.aspx
Longs Peak Campground
https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Twin Sisters Peak Trail
https://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=64
Calypso Cascades
https://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=12
Sports and Activities
Larimer County Area Golf Ranges
https://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/searchresults.aspx?coursekeyword=&coursecity=Estes+park&coursestate=CO&coursename=&coursezip=&within=40&p=1
Fort Collins Outdoor Activity Guide
https://www.visitftcollins.com/outdoor-recreation
Eldora Mountain Resort Skiing
https://www.eldora.com
East Valley Horse Trail
https://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Lory/Trails/Pages/LoryTrails.aspx
Alps Boulder Canyon Inn Skiing
https://www.alpsinn.com
Boyd Lake State Park Cross Country Ski Trails
https://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/BoydLake/Trails/Pages/BoydLakeTrails.aspx
Zipline Tours
https://coloradoinfo.com/activities/zipline
Mile High Gliding Tours
https://www.milehighgliding.com/
Colorado Geocache
https://www.geocaching.com/local/default.aspx?state_id=6
Sunflower Farm
https://www.sunflowerfarminfo.com/
Mile-Hi Skydiving
https://www.mile-hi-skydiving.com/
Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights
https://www.hotairballoonridescolorado.com/
Attractions and Activities
A broad-based world-view makes the artistic and cultural side of Larimer County a dynamic place to enjoy the more urbane side of living. The downtown areas of our communities are hubs of activity, commerce, nightlife and culture. Family events, live music, cultural exhibits, art showings and scheduled performances add to Larimer County’s metropolitan atmosphere, while public art and outdoor courtyards contribute to the rural charm that makes our region one of a kind. For music, performance and art the Fort Collins Symphony, OpenStage Theatre and Company, Opera Fort Collins, Foothills Pops Band, Canyon Concert Ballet, Larimer Chorale, Youth Orchestra of the Rockies, and the Fort Collins Children's Theatre are local favorites. But make no mistake; shopping and dining are serious business in Larimer County, too! Many of our local restaurants are supplied by farmer’s markets, neighborhood agriculture, and local microbreweries which keep our plates full of inimitable food, organic produce and hand-crafted comfort meals. Larimer County shoppers have a bounty of choice, from the boutiques and businesses of our community downtowns—like Anthology Book Co., Lyric Cinema & Café and Old Firehouse Books—to Larimer Square retailers, the historic Pearl Street Mall and open-air Twenty Ninth Street shopping and restaurant communities of nearby Boulder, the Promenade Shops at Centerra and the Outlets at Loveland.
Theatre, Culture and the Arts
Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra
https://www.fcsymphony.org/
Opera Fort Collins
https://www.operafortcollins.org/
Canyon Concert Ballet
https://www.ccballet.org/
Larimer Chorale
https://www.fortnet.org/lc/
Youth Orchestra of the Rockies
https://www.fortnet.org/YOR/
OpenStage Theatre and Company
https://www.openstage.com/
Foothills Pops Band
https://www.fortnet.org/POPS/
Fort Collins Children's Theatre
https://www.fortcollinschildrenstheatre.org/
Fort Collis Museum of Art
https://www.ftcma.org
Aggie Theatre
https://www.aggietheatre.com
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA)
https://www.bmoca.org/
Images of Rocky Mountain National Park Gallery
https://www.imagesofrmnp.com
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
https://boulderphil.org/
Longmont Chorale
https://www.longmontchorale.org/
Boulder Symphony Orchestra
https://bouldersymphony.org/
Lincoln Center
https://www.fcgov.com
Boulder Theater
https://www.bouldertheater.com/
Longmont Symphony Orchestra
https://longmontsymphony.org/
Boulder Ballet
https://www.boulderballet.org/
Dairy Center for the Arts
https://thedairy.org/
Shopping, Dining, Leisure and Attractions
Downtown Boulder Shopping Guide
https://www.boulderdowntown.com/shopping
Colorado Shopping
https://www.colorado.com/Shopping.aspx
Ft. Collins Shopping Guide
https://www.visitftcollins.com/things-do/shopping
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Ft. Collins Area Restaurant Guide
https://www.visitftcollins.com/dining-nightlife
Shopping and Dining in Loveland
https://www.loveland.org/ShopEatExplore/index.php
Colorado Dining Guide
https://www.colorado.com/Eat.aspx
Anheuser Busch Brewery
https://www.budweisertours.com/toursFTC.htm
Larimer Square
https://www.larimersquare.com/
Lyric Cinema & Cafe
https://www.lyriccinemacafe.com
Anthology Book Co.
https://www.anthologybookcompany.com
The Outlets at Loveland
https://www.outletsatloveland.com/
Old Firehouse Books
https://www.oldfirehousebooks.com
Pearl Street Mall
https://www.boulderdowntown.com/visit/history-of-pearl-street
Twenty Ninth Street
https://www.twentyninthstreet.com/
Downtown Longmont
https://www.downtownlongmont.com/
Promenade Shops at Centerra
https://www.thepromenadeshopsatcenterra.com/
Events
Festivals and special events in Larimer County offer the opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors and come together as friends. In addition to the many fine lectures, performances and workshops scheduled year-round, there are a number of festivals and events available to our residents, including the Scottish Highlands Festival, Larimer County Fair & Rodeo, Flatirons Mineral Club Annual Gem & Mineral Show, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Chautauqua Silent Film Series, Colorado Marathon, and the Applewood Arts Festival. To learn more about the events, activities and festivals of Larimer County, please visit:
Larimer County Fair & Rodeo
https://larimercountyfair.org/
Scottish Highlands Festival
https://www.scotfest.com/Scottish_Festival/Home.html
Boulder International Film Festival
https://www.biff1.com/
The Ranch Events Complex
https://www.treventscomplex.com/
Boulder International Fringe Festival
https://www.boulderfringe.com/
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
https://www.coloradoshakes.org/
The International Film Series
https://www.internationalfilmseries.com/
Boulder Creek Festival
https://www.bceproductions.com/boulder-creek-festival/
Colorado Chautauqua
https://www.chautauqua.com/upcoming_events.php
Flatirons Mineral Club Annual Gem & Mineral Show
https://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc/fmcshow.htm
Chautauqua Silent Film Series
https://www.chautauqua.com/silent_film_series.php
Applewood Arts Festival
https://www.applewoodartsandcrafts.com/events/loveland.php
Colorado Marathon
https://www.ftcollinsmarathon.com/
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