Alternative Modes of Transportation

Walking

Look at the trail map of Fort Collins to see if there are trails you can take to get to and from campus.

Biking

The CSU campus is a pedestrian and bike-friendly campus. Fewer than half of the students bring a car to campus, but 80% register a bike. Check out the Biking page for maps and tips for biking around Fort Collins and CSU. The Off Campus Life office also has resources for where to rent and buy bicycles.

You must register your bike with the CSU Police Department if you’re riding or parking on campus. They have a good resource page about lost and found, bicycle safety, and ways to pay for bicycle traffic violations. You can get a ticket for not following bicycle traffic laws, which are generally the same as other vehicle rules–ride on the right side of the road, signal for turns, stop at stop-signs, etc.

Bike safety tips

As a bicyclist, it is always important to adhere to these common bike safety tips:

  • Bicycles are considered vehicles in Colorado state law.
  • Obey all traffic signs, including stop signs.
  • Make sure you’re going the correct way on a one-way road.
  • If biking at night, wear at least one headlight and display at least one rear reflector.
  • Make sure to dismount in a dismount zone.
  • Be visible at night: wearing bright colored clothes or clothes with reflective tape can increase your visibility when biking at night.
  • Register your bike through CSUPD.
  • It is highly recommended that you wear a helmet.

Public Transportation

On Campus

CSU Transit Center: The local bus system, Transfort, has a hub on campus on the north side of the Lory Student Center. Their help-desk is staffed from 8 to 5pm every weekday. They can help you figure out the bus system and provide bus schedules. For more information, call 970-221-6620.

Campus Shuttle: Around the Horn is a free campus shuttle. It runs a fixed route every ten minutes between 13 stops around the north and east sides of campus.

Off Campus

City Buses: Students can ride Transfort, the Fort Collins public bus system, for free simply by scanning their CSU ID card at the top of the stairs on the bus. Learn more about the Transfort bus system.

The MAX: The MAX Bus Rapid Transit runs north-south along the Mason St/College Avenue corridor, facilitating transportation between historic Old Town and southern Fort Collins in under 20 minutes. MAX runs Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to midnight (with buses every 10 minutes) and Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  See the bus route and times here.

Bus to Denver: The Bustang is a bus that runs Monday through Friday, taking you from Fort Collins to Denver for $10 one way, and even to the mountains as far as Glenwood Springs for a low price.

Other Options for Cars

Zip Car: Students with a valid drivers license may purchase a $25 annual membership with Zip Car, an on-demand car-sharing service that charges discounted rates to students 18 and older. Rates start at $7.50/hour or $69/day.

Carpooling: Carpooling is when you share a car with someone else going to the same destination. Explore various carpool options to see if they work for you.