Fort Collins

Fort Collins is a college town at the base of the Rockies, home to Colorado State University, a strong bike culture, and a downtown that draws tourists and students alike, which means the streets can feel busy but also watched—police and outreach workers both know the regular spots. The average household income here runs around $100,000, a number that makes the gap for anyone without stable housing feel even sharper. Larimer County's point-in-time count identified 972 people experiencing homelessness in January 2023, and that number has likely grown since given rising rents. Catholic Charities of Larimer County runs a shelter and day services downtown, while Homeward Alliance coordinates outreach, mail services, and housing navigation across the city. The Murphy Center brings together multiple agencies under one roof so you don't have to run all over town for food stamps, ID help, or medical referrals. Winters get cold here, colder than people expect from Colorado's sunny reputation, so know where the warming shelters are before you need them. You're not invisible here, and you don't have to figure out every next step alone today—just the next one.