Fort Collins is often ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S., but let’s be honest — no place is perfect. If you’re considering moving here, it’s important to know the challenges alongside the perks. These are 16 harsh truths about living in Fort Collins that most people don’t talk about.
1. Driving Habits & Traffic Surprises
Over 80% of people traveling downtown rely on cars, making Fort Collins a very car-dependent city. The average one-way commute is 20–23 minutes, slightly shorter than the national average, but traffic on I-25 is a constant headache. With nearly 1 million people living along the Fort Collins–Denver corridor, congestion is definitely an inconvenience.
2. Homelessness Downtown
Homelessness is visible downtown. Outreach Fort Collins assists hundreds of individuals each year, but resources are stretched thin. The Rescue Mission has space for only 89 men per night and turned away over 1,200 people in 2023. A new Homeless Center with 250 beds is on the way, but demand far outpaces supply.
3. Weather Whiplash
Fort Collins gets about 50 inches of snow a year and still boasts 250–300 sunny days. That mix makes the weather unpredictable. One week can bring heavy snowstorms, and the next, sunshine warm enough for golf.
4. Seasonal Property Maintenance
Living here comes with a list of seasonal chores: hail damage repairs, gutter cleaning, sprinkler winterization, furnace and AC checks, deck and fence staining, and of course, snow shoveling. Homeownership here requires constant upkeep.
5. Public Transportation Limitations
Only 1–2% of commuters use public transit. The MAX bus line runs just five miles, leaving most neighborhoods without reliable service. If you don’t drive, getting around can be tough.
6. Altitude Adjustment
At 5,003 feet above sea level, Fort Collins has that thin high altitude air. Many individuals experience altitude sickness, fatigue and an adjustment period to get used to the higher altitudes.
7. Growth & Crowds… but a Slowing City
While surrounding towns like Timnath, Windsor, Wellington, Berthoud and Severance are booming, Fort Collins’ growth slowed. Even so, the metro population is projected to reach 250,000 by 2050, putting pressure on infrastructure and water supplies.
8. Limited Retail Options
Beyond Old Town, retail is thin. Front Range Village is the main shopping center, while the Foothills Mall has stalled redevelopment plans. For major shopping, many residents head to Loveland (Centerra) or Denver.
9. Limited Late-Night Life
Most restaurants close by 9–10 PM, and bars typically shut down by 12–1 AM. CSU students bring nightlife energy, but outside of the school year, things get quiet.
10. CSU Plays by Its Own Rules
Because Colorado State University sits on state land, it isn’t bound by city ordinances. From installing digital billboards to controversial land trades, CSU at times makes decisions independently of Fort Collins’ city government.
11. Wildfire Risks in Fort Collins
Wildfires are a growing threat. The Cameron Peak Fire in 2020 burned nearly 209,000 acres, the largest in state history, and blanketed Fort Collins in smoke for weeks. Today, 77% of buildings in Fort Collins fall within wildfire risk zones, and Larimer County has over 80,000 properties facing at least some level of wildfire risk.
12. Water Scarcity & Rising Rates
Water is expensive and getting pricier. In 2025, the monthly water rate for 0–5,000 gallons jumped to $23.22 plus $4.58 per 1,000 gallons — more than double last year’s rate. Developers also pay tens of thousands per unit for water access.
13. Biking Culture Comes with Tensions
Fort Collins is a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community with 280 miles of protected bike lanes/trails. But high bike usage often creates friction between drivers and cyclists on shared roads.
14. Poudre River’s Dark Side
The Cache la Poudre River is scenic but prone to dangerous flooding. While not annual, its history of destructive floods is a reminder that living near the river comes with risk.
15. Outdoor Lifestyle Add-On Costs
Moving to Fort Collins for its amazing outdoor lifestyle comes with a price tag. Between the equipment, annual passes, prices to enjoy all that is Northern Colorado outdoor lifestyle isn’t a free ride.
16. Wildlife Conflicts in Fort Collins
I’ll never forget a comment from a client who moved here from Chicago. “I guess we are official Coloradoans… we saw a mountain lion today.” I’ve NEVER seen a mountain lion. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t surrounded by wildlife on a daily basis. From black bears meandering down in the city when they’re prepping for hibernation, to deer in midtown and your daily dose of birds of prey, wildlife is everywhere and you have to learn to live with them.
Fort Collins offers incredible quality of life, but these challenges are part of the package. Whether it’s rising water costs, wildfire risk, or the realities of traffic, understanding these harsh truths helps set realistic expectations.