Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public land-grant research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 1870, it is the flagship institution of the Colorado State University System. The university offers a broad range of undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees across eight colleges, including programs in engineering, business, natural sciences, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Classified among institutions with very high research activity, Colorado State University-Fort Collins supports extensive research initiatives and community engagement. Its setting in northern Colorado attracts students interested in environmental studies, agricultural sciences, outdoor recreation, and applied research, as well as those seeking a comprehensive public university experience in a midsize city.

Colorado State University-Fort Collins was founded in 1870 as Colorado Agricultural College under the Morrill Act, establishing it as the state’s land-grant institution. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, the college opened its doors to students in 1879, with Elijah Evan Edwards serving as its first president. In its early years, the institution focused on agriculture, mechanic arts, and military training, reflecting its land-grant mission. Over the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Colorado State University-Fort Collins expanded its curriculum and facilities, broadening beyond agriculture into liberal arts, sciences, and engineering. The school underwent several name changes before adopting the name Colorado State University in 1957. During the post–World War II era, enrollment grew significantly, and research activity increased. Today, Colorado State University-Fort Collins is recognized as a major public research university, with extensive academic programs and a strong commitment to teaching, research, and public service.