Fort Collins sits at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills in Larimer County, about 65 miles north of Denver. Colorado State University is the city's largest employer and cultural anchor, lending the city a youthful, progressive character. The craft beer industry — led by New Belgium Brewing (makers of Fat Tire) and Odell Brewing — has become an economic engine and tourist draw, with dozens of breweries and taprooms lining the streets. Old Town Fort Collins, a charming downtown district that reportedly inspired Disneyland's Main Street USA, features independent shops, restaurants, and the historic Lyric Cinema. The city's extensive network of bike trails and greenways, including the Spring Creek and Poudre River trails, makes cycling a genuine transportation option, not just recreation. Neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Town North, and the Harmony corridor offer different lifestyles — Midtown is affordable and central, Old Town North draws young professionals, and the Harmony Road area has the bulk of newer commercial and residential development. The Poudre School District is well-regarded. I-25 connects Fort Collins to Loveland, Longmont, and Denver to the south, though the commute to Denver can exceed 90 minutes during peak hours.