The heartbeat of Fort Collins

of people and the landscape

is a dynamic crossroads

The Fort Collins Crossing Interpretive Trail

Welcome to Fort Collins … the way we were.

People have come to this area for over 12,000 years. Ever since the close of the last Ice Age, many people have made their homes here.

Why? Why do people come, why do they stay, why do they keep coming back?

… it’s a difficult environment in many ways, dry, even harsh.

At first blush, it’s a bit of a mystery. This area is not blessed with obvious abundance …

are what shaped the community we see today.

Yet … the very challenges and opportunities afforded by this place where mountains, plains, and river come together

Throughout this long period of time, people have found ways to solve the puzzle of challenge and opportunity …

… in many different ways …

… but always with a knack for changing with the times, working with what we have, and finding new ways forward.

This is the dynamic crossroads of Fort Collins: where people and landscape meet, shaping our past and calling us into the future.

Message: Themes, Subthemes, and Storylines

Theme:

The heartbeat of Fort Collins is a dynamic crossroads of people and the landscape.

Message: Themes, Subthemes, and Storylines

Subthemes:

The Peoples The LandWays

ofLife

Message: Themes, Subthemes, and Storylines

Subtheme 1: The Peoples

Over time, many peoples have made their homes on this land.

• Indigenous peoples (12,000 yrs. ago to present)

• Early Euro-American settlers

• Waves of ethnic groups (Hispanics, Germans, etc.)

• Now, everyone!

Message: Themes, Subthemes, and Storylines

Subtheme 2: The Land

The nature of the environment provides opportunities and challenges to those who chose to live here.

• Mountains

• The High Plains

• The Poudre River

• Water Rules All

• Climate

• Inspires an ethic of stewardship

Message: Themes, Subthemes, and Storylines

Subtheme 3: Ways of Life

The unique combination of people and landscape has inspired a dynamic, constantly-evolving search for ways of making a living that sustain both.

• Indigenous lifeways

• Early agriculture (ranching & farming)

• Small business becomes large business

• Cutting-edge entrepreneurship

• CSU connections

• Green energy for the future

Coming Full Circle …

You are part of the story too …

take it home with you …

and come back to see what happens next!