Fort Collins Area Gay Resource Directory
Fort Collins Area
Fort Collins
Situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is home to fabulous recreational opportunities, diverse cultural attractions, a vibrant nightlife scene, and family fun galore. Experience world class whitewater rafting on the nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” Cache La Poudre River (the best whitewater rafting near Estes Park, Colorado), taste award winning beers at one of nine breweries, or explore the fanciful creatures at the Swetsville Zoo. Fort Collins prides itself on the plethora of restaurants, outdoor activities, a vibrant downtown and of course, our beer.
History of Fort Collins
Legend has it that in the early 1800s, French-Canadian fur traders were caught by a tremendous snowstorm. To lighten their load, they buried large amounts of gunpowder (“poudre” in French) in a hiding place (“cache”) along the banks of a river – the Cache la Poudre River, which runs through modern-day Fort Collins.
In 1862, Camp Collins was built by the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry to protect travelers and settlers along the Colorado branch of the Overland Trail. A flood in June 1864 sent the soldiers to higher ground near present-day Old Town. Less than three years later, the fort was abandoned.
By 1872, the former fort site had a small hotel, general store and post office, a mill, school and brick yard. The Colorado Central Railroad arrived in 1877, and Fort Collins became a thriving agricultural center. Colorado Agricultural & Mining College constructed its first classroom building, later called Old Main, in 1879, further establishing Fort Collins as the economic and cultural center of the region. The school was renamed Colorado State University in 1957.
Thanks to the efforts of local citizens and the city’s historic preservation program, modern-day visitors to Fort Collins can stroll back through time to the town’s earliest days in and around Old Town. The district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978; the majority of the buildings within Old Town are part of both national and locally designated historic districts, and Fort Collins was named a Preserve America city by the White House in 2005.
Fort Collins: the Napa Valley of Beer!
From the King of Beers to Fat Tire, Fort Collins is home to 11 award-winning craft breweries and one of the best known large breweries in the world, Anheuser Busch. Whether you are here for the day or here for the week, you will find just the thing to wet your whistle. Fort Collins produces 70% of Colorado’s craft beer and 7% of the US’s. Come find out why this is such a haven for brewers and beer drinkers alike.
Visit Anheuser Busch to learn how Budweiser is made, see the Clydesdales, and dive into the history of one of the longest running brewing companies in the country. Odell Brewing Company was the first microbrewery established in Fort Collins, and it is going strong today with award-winners like 90 Shilling and 5 Barrel. Visit their tasting room for some great beers, including a few experimental brews, and while you’re there pick up a t-shirt or two for your friends back home. Next, stop in to the Fort Collins Brewery to have some of their amazing seasonal brews or to get a bite to eat at the newly opened Gravity 1020 Restaurant.
If you’re in the mood for a little food with your beer, head over to CB & Potts or CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing for delicious homemade dishes, and even better beers. CooperSmith’s even make their own root beer! Lastly, “Follow your folly” over to New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of regional favorite Fat Tire Amber Ale, and experience the most unique brewery in the industry. Known as much for their commitment to the environment as their great beers, New Belgium has won awards for both! One step into their tasting room and you will know that fun is the name of the game; if you’re lucky, you might get to take a ride on the twisty slide at the end of your tour.
Equinox Brewing will give you the opportunity to not only taste the beer but take the recipe home to make your own. Equinox sits adjacent to Hops & Berries, a Fort Collins home brew store. Find everything you need to create your own specialty brew!
If you can’t decide which brewery to visit, try following the Foam on the Range Tour to get a taste of them all. Always designated a driver and drink responsibly!
Greeley
Greeley is located in Weld County and is 49 miles away from the city of Denver. The Cache la Poudre River runs through the northern portion of Greeley. The city is situated in an arid region, however back in 1980 the town was given the Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The vast irrigation system is the primary factor for the large number of trees. Greeley has been a primary center for agriculture in Northern Colorado. Residents and visitors enjoy the well-known Greeley Independence Stampede.
History
The city is situated on the former location of the Overland Trail station of Latham, which was constructed in 1862. It was given the name in tribute to Milton S. Latham, a former senator from the state of California. Due to being situated at the convergence of the South Platte River and the Cache la Poudre River it was one of the most prominent and active stations for the Overland Trail. The city was established as the “Union Colony.” It was created by Nathan C. Meeker, a newspaper reporter formerly located in New York City. The town was a utopian experiment which was supposed to be guided by high moral standards. It was renamed Greeley as a tribute to Horace Greeley who had served as Meeker’s editor while he was writing for the New York Tribune. Greeley is known for making the phrase “Go West Young Man” famous.
Activities
The region provides numerous locations for fishing such as Seeley Lake, Glenmere Park and Riverside Park. Hiking and bicycle riding opportunities can be found at the Poudre River Trail Corridor. The Colorado Cattle Company & Guest Ranch offers visitors the chance to live on a active cattle ranch. Riding lessons, performing cattle work, fishing, roping lessons and other activities are offered.
Longmont
Longmont is the perfect blend of small-town charm, cultural experiences and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Whether you go for the day or for a long weekend, there is plenty to see. Wander among the city’s delightful mix of shops, restaurants and galleries in historic downtown — take in the view of Longs Peak from Golden Ponds and hike the St. Vrain Greenway or any of the area’s elaborate trail system. Hang out at the local breweries, the museum or the fabulous events around town. There is always something to do in Longmont.
Things to do in Longmont
Downtown is the city’s top spot, offering a range of restaurants, galleries and shops. Family events, a farmers’ market, a summer artwalk and live music are also a part of the urban atmosphere. The history of Longmont is very much alive at the Dougherty Museum and at several Victorian homes and old cabins and mills, all part of the nationally registered historic district.
Additionally, exhibit galleries, public art and an outdoor courtyard are yours to explore at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, south of town. Tower of Compassion is Longmont’s most unique cultural symbol. The Kanemoto families donated this pagoda, a symbol of compassion, to the city in 1972.
In addition to historic and cultural highlights, Longmont maintains more than 1,500 acres of parks and open space and is privy to Boulder County’s extensive hiking and biking trails. There are three spectacular public golf courses, and nearby Union Reservoir is popular for windsurfing, fishing and camping. Two popular Colorado craft breweries (Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewery) hold fun events throughout the year, and a couple more are set to open soon.
Pop over to Longmont’s innovative “urbanist” Prospect neighborhood, where local shops and offices mix with apartments, townhomes and live/work lofts and a community park in a walkable, friendly community. Visit on Monday nights from April to October for Prospect Eats, where food trucks gather for a community-wide food fest.
Loveland
Loveland is 45 miles N of Denver, Colorado. Part of the surrounding Fort Collins – Loveland metro area, Loveland is home to some 50,608 residents.
Loveland History
Loveland was founded in 1877. The community was named in honor of the president of the Colorado Central Railroad, William A.H. Loveland. Agriculture was the primary occupation in this area until the first half of the 20th century. Sugar beets and sour cherries were grown in this region. However, a series of droughts destroyed the cherry orchards in Loveland. Manufacturing facilities arrived in the city in the later part of the 20th century. According to an Allbusiness study in 2006, Loveland was the 8th best metro area for women entrepreneurs in the country.
Things To Do In Loveland
While in Loveland, you can visit the historic site of Fort Vasquez, which was once the trading center for Native Americans. The Loveland Museum & Gallery showcases exhibits on local history and also has an art gallery. Each August, during Sculpture in the Park, Loveland’s surprisingly large community of local sculptors (about 200) converges in Benson Park to sell their work. A month later the town hosts the nation’s largest exhibit of prehistoric arrowheads at the Stone Age Fair.
There’s plenty to do outside here. Just like Fort Collins, Loveland is near the foothills and rivers, so natural pleasures from biking to fishing are close at hand. The Lake Loveland Swim Beach is popular with families during the summer months. A step inside the Loveland Museum/Gallery will bring you close to this town’s history; period rooms and changing exhibits, plus educational classes and an art gallery round out its offerings.
