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Road Genius makes it easy to find rental car offers in Fort Collins, Colorado. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Skip airport fees by collecting a car in town, or choose Denver International Airport for 24/7 pickup and a wider vehicle selection. We surface live rates from Enterprise, Hertz, Budget and others so you can rent a compact for campus trips or an SUV for Rocky Mountain National Park without breaking the bank.
| Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
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| Fort Collins City |
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| Denver International Airport (DEN) |
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| Loveland |
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Transport to Fort Collins from DEN: Options include Groome Transportation shuttle, Green Ride shuttle or Bustang bus service (limited schedule).
Fort Collins Regional Airport: This small airport has very limited commercial service and often no on-site rental cars.
On average, car rentals in Fort Collins cost around $67 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $36 per day.
Shop multiple pickup spots – run the numbers for Fort Collins city offices, nearby Loveland (15 mi/24 km south) and Denver Airport. Airport has bigger fleets but extra fees, while Loveland sometimes undercuts Fort Collins when the city is sold out.
Skip airport mark-ups – if your flight lands at DEN, grab a Groome or Green Ride shuttle to Fort Collins and collect a downtown car. Even with the shuttle fare you can come out ahead on week-long rentals.
Dodge CSU surge pricing – rates spike for move-in (late Aug), football Saturdays and graduation (May). Shift your pickup a day or two or choose another weekend to keep costs down.
Play with dates – midweek pickups/returns and late-October through November often price lower than summer or holiday weekends. A Tues-Tues rental can be cheaper than Fri-Mon.
Check weekly vs daily rates – local desks often discount 5-7 day bookings, so extending that 4-day trip by one day may drop the total.
Return to the same location – one-way drop fees from smaller Fort Collins branches can wipe out savings. Unless your route demands it, round-trip rentals are usually the budget win.
Fort Collins Parking:
Local Driving Regulations:
Seasonal Considerations:
Book a rental so you can reach mountain parks, riverside recreation, and nearby cities on your own schedule:
Rocky Mountain National Park – lakes, Trail Ridge Road, wildlife
Horsetooth Reservoir – boating coves, hiking trails, picnic areas
Poudre Canyon – river rafting, fishing pull-outs, campgrounds
Boulder – Pearl Street Mall, university campus, Flatirons
Is it necessary to have a car in Fort Collins?
You can walk or use public transit in downtown Fort Collins and on the CSU campus. However, you'll probably want a car to explore farther out. The city's bus system has limited hours and routes, so a rental car helps you reach natural areas, mountain destinations and other cities.
What type of vehicle is best for exploring around Fort Collins?
Any standard car will work fine for driving in the city year-round. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park or other mountain spots, think about getting an AWD/4WD vehicle, especially in the winter. An SUV gives you more room underneath to get to some recreation areas and handle snowy roads.
Where is the best place to park in Old Town (downtown)?
You can find affordable parking in several city garages, like the ones at Firehouse Alley, Civic Center and Mountain/Remington. They charge about $1 an hour and are free on Sundays and holidays. Street parking is usually free, but you can only park for 2 hours during business hours.
How do I handle toll roads with a rental car?
I-25 between Denver and Fort Collins has express toll lanes in some places. If you use these lanes, the rental company will charge the tolls to your credit card and add a service fee. The regular lanes are still free. To avoid extra charges, don't drive in the lanes that have toll signs.
Is it worth renting from Denver airport versus in Fort Collins?
If you fly into Denver International Airport, you'll find more car choices and better hours if you rent there. But you will have to drive 70 miles (113 km) to Fort Collins. If you're already in Fort Collins and need a car, renting locally means you won't have to go back to the airport. You should compare the total costs, including getting to the rental place, to decide what's best.
Are there any seasonal events that affect car rental availability?
Yes, it can be harder and more expensive to rent a car in Fort Collins during several events:
You should book far in advance if you're visiting during one of these events.
What about winter driving to the mountains?
If you drive to Rocky Mountain National Park or other mountain spots in the winter, you need to be prepared. The drive from Fort Collins to Estes Park (the entrance to RMNP) is mostly on good highways, but the weather in the mountains can change fast. We strongly recommend an AWD/4WD vehicle in the winter. Colorado has a Traction Law that requires you to have the right tires or a vehicle with AWD/4WD. This law is for certain mountain roads, like I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison. It is in effect from September 1 to May 31 and at any other time officials activate it.
Can I find one-way rentals from Fort Collins?
Yes, you can rent a car one-way from Fort Collins, but you won't find many options. The Denver airport has more choices for one-way rentals. You should check each rental company because their rules and fees are different. Most of the time, you'll pay an extra drop fee for a one-way rental unless there's a special offer.
Is parking difficult near Colorado State University?
It can be hard to find parking near CSU on weekdays when classes are happening. The university has visitor parking lots that you can pay to use, and you can find metered spots on some nearby streets. It's much easier to find parking in the evenings and on weekends. If you're staying somewhere else in the city, you might want to take the MAX transit line to get to campus.
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