How to Find Cheap Hotels in Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins is a city of brewpubs, coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife, with many hotels and motels to accommodate visitors. One of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Fort Collins was also Number One on Money magazine's 2006 list of best places to live.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Valid credit card

Instructions

Locate Cheap Accommodations

1. Book rooms using the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site (see Resources below). You can also call [phone] to book. Expect moderate rates.

2. Choose accommodations near Colorado State University for low rates and convenient access to the downtown Fort Collins area.

3. Select lodgings away from Highway 287 and closer to the heart of the city for cheaper deals.

4. Check out Mulberry Street in downtown Fort Collins for cheap motels, hotels and inns within walking distance of Colorado State University and the Old Town historic district.

Prepare for Your Visit

1. Buy airplane tickets online and fly via Allegiant Air to the Fort Collins/Loveland Municipal Airport in nearby Loveland, Colorado.

2. Bicycle in and around Fort Collins as a safer alternative to driving for visitors unfamiliar with street layouts and Colorado's unpredictable weather conditions.

3. Consider visiting Fort Collins in autumn. Classes still are in session, the leaves are at their most colorful and the weather is crisp but still comfortable for cycling or walking around.

4. Pack for varied weather conditions and layer your clothing for efficiency, as Colorado weather is constantly changing.

5. Get maps and route information for the Fort Collins TransFort local bus system to plot your routes before you leave.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an online booking service to price your stay for different days.

• Prepare for your stay well in advance if you plan to visit Fort Collins during late spring or early summer, when families of college graduates flock to town to celebrate, or early fall, when families of college freshmen arrive and stay to get their new students settled into college life.

• You can purchase discount passes for TransFort, the Fort Collins local bus line, if you plan to use the bus system. Kids 17 and under ride free.

• Expect that even budget accommodations in Fort Collins may be more expensive than in areas outside Colorado, as the state's cost of living is high and tourism is a major source of income.

• Be aware, when cycling, that several areas in downtown Fort Collins are designated Dismount Zones or No Ride areas. Identifiable by local road signs, these areas include College Road between Laurel Street and Harmony Road, the Downtown Dismount Zone and the Colorado State University Plaza Dismount Zone.