What Fort Collins Is Known For (and Why It’s a Dog Lover’s Dream)

If you’ve ever strolled through Old Town, hiked the foothills with your pup, or sipped a beer on a dog-friendly patio, then you already know: Fort Collins is something special. Recently, I had the honor of contributing to Redfin’s article about what Fort Collins is known for, and I couldn’t agree more with their take—this town is packed with charm, community spirit, and outdoor adventures.

But let me add something they only touched on: Fort Collins is a paradise for pet people.

Where Dogs Are Treated Like Family

Here in Fort Collins, dogs don’t just tag along—they’re part of the plans! We’re home to some of the most fun, unique dog-friendly events in Colorado, including:

🐾 Tour de Corgi – Our beloved, costumed corgi parade through Old Town that draws dog lovers from all over the state. Yes, it’s just as adorable as it sounds. And YES, I am there every year! I can't get over how amazing this event is and I am really grateful to be a part of the fun. The costumes are incredible and so funny, I even do a photo booth here every once and a while in addition to my vendor booth.

Four corgis in costumes parade on a sunny pavement. One wears a yellow cape, another a purple hat, with a Colorado flag emblem centered.

Corgi in glasses and costume rides in a stroller labeled "Hogwarts Express" with "Platform 9¾" sign, on a sunny street.

🐾 Fire Hydrant 5K – A run/walk that benefits the Larimer Humane Society, where dogs and their people race together for a great cause.

People and dogs walking on a sunny path for a charity 5K. Sign reads "Fire Hydrant 5K & Expo, May 31, 2025, fh5k.org." Joyful atmosphere.

🐾 Top Dog at Odell Brewing – A tail-wagging competition held at one of Fort Collins’ favorite breweries. Cold beer, community vibes, and dogs—what’s not to love? Win this event and your dog is featured on a limited edition can of craft beer! How cool is that? Plus all the proceeds benefit local rescues!

🐾 Furbabies of the Rockies Calendar Contest – Hosted by yours truly, Furbaby Photography™, this annual contest and fundraiser raised over $5,600 for All Aboard Animal Rescue in 2024, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. I enjoyed doing this so much, I decided to do the contest every year! Now pet lovers from all over Northern Colorado can enter their adorable animals into the Furbabies of the Rockies calendar contest to raise money for a great cause. For 2025 the beneficiary is Animal Friends Alliance.

This girl was already so photogenic, but put her behind a lens that capture her action and spirit and she came alive! This is my most favorite picture from 2024!

This boy was crowned the 2025 Furbabies of the Rockies Cover King with an astounding 4,926 votes! Moose clearly commands a room with those striking eyes and adorable ears! This boy brought the fire to his professional photo session! Sassy corgis never disappoint, and this boy enjoyed himself running through puddles and trailblazing! We managed to capture a quiet moment of stillness using his beloved ball as bait. I am so happy with how this photo turned out!

Here’s how it works:

📸 1. Enter Your Pet

Submit your favorite photo of your pet (this year it's dogs or cats) along with a short bio. There’s usually a small donation to enter, which helps support local rescue animals. This year it is $20 to enter and it will go straight to Animal Friends Alliance.

🗳️ 2. Vote to Win

Once your pet is entered, share your pet’s page with friends and family to collect votes! Each vote is $1 and every dollar goes directly to Animal Friends Alliance to help save more animals. 💛

🏆 3. Win a Spot in the Calendar & Professional Photoshoot

The top 13 pets with the most votes will win a featured spot in next year’s Furbabies of the Rockies calendar:

12 pets will each be featured in a month.
1 grand prize winner gets the cover spot and a professional photo session with Furbaby Photography!

Even if your pet doesn’t make the top 13, there are bonus prizes every week to the pet with the most votes! Including a gift card to summit dog training, and a treat basket from Canine Candy Biscuits! Plus so much more!

🐶 Why Enter?

You support a local rescue helping hundreds of pets find loving homes.
Your pet gets the chance to be a star in the calendar and get a FREE PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT from Furbaby Photography.
It’s a fun way to celebrate the animal you love most.

💖 Let’s Save More Lives Together

The 2025 contest is coming soon (June 2025)! Stay tuned or visit our past contest page for a sneak peek:👉 GoGo Photo Contest – All Aboard Animal Rescue and purchase a calendar for 2025 here.

Larimer County Fair featuring The Canine Stars Held from August 1-5, 2025, in Loveland, CO, this fair features The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, showcasing rescued dogs performing agility and trick demonstrations. thecaninestars.com This is seriously so cool! And I cannot wait to see this doggy olympics! Not technically Fort Collins, but damn close.

Dog jumping into a pool of balls at a show with a trainer nearby, under a blue sky. Crowd in the background, and tent with text "the canine stars".

Dog Days at The Elizabeth Hotel

Throughout February 2025, The Elizabeth Hotel in Fort Collins hosted 'Dog Days,' featuring events like 'Drink with your Dog - Brewery Manners' and grooming preparation sessions. theelizabethcolorado.com. It's a great way to support local businesses and learn!

A Pet-Loving Town Deserves Pet-Loving Art

As the solo photographer behind Furbaby Photography™, I specialize in capturing heartfelt, joy-filled portraits of dogs, cats, horses, and the occasional exotic critter. Every session is designed to be a luxury, one-of-a-kind experience for you and your pet—from the moment we plan the shoot to the final artwork you’ll hang in your home.

Whether your furbaby is goofy and energetic or shy and soulful, my goal is to create timeless images that celebrate your unique bond. These aren’t just pictures—they’re memories you’ll treasure forever.

Open photo book with a blue-eyed puppy portrait and two outdoor images. Set on a wooden table with a glass vase in the background.

Three happy dogs pose outdoors against a vibrant yellow fall background, framed in rustic wood.

Two framed photos of a woman in a mustard sweater with a black and white dog, outdoors, with fall foliage background. She smiles fondly.

German Shepherd joyfully runs through water in a circular wooden frame. Background shows blurred autumn colors, creating a lively scene.

A framed photo of a Bernese Mountain Dog outdoors, set against a backdrop of autumn foliage. The dog looks happy and alert.

Ready to Celebrate Your Best Friend?

Fort Collins and Loveland offers the perfect backdrop for stunning pet portraits—sunset hikes, charming downtown nooks, grassy open fields, and cozy in-home snuggles. If you’re ready to treat your pet (and yourself!) to something special, I’d love to create something magical for you.

📸 Book your luxury pet photography experience today. Click here to get started or send me a message so we can start dreaming up your perfect session.

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And don’t forget to check out the full Redfin article to see why Fort Collins is one of Colorado’s most beloved places to live: What is Fort Collins, CO Known For?