Figuring out your ideal commute to and from class, work, activities, and whatever else keeps you busy during your time at Colorado State doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Apart from typical driving-and-parking options, CSU and Fort Collins offer lots of alternative methods of transportation that will get you exactly where you need to go.
#1. Driving, parking and carpooling
Any student, regardless of year or student type, is allowed to bring their personal vehicle to Colorado State. Payment is required for any cars parked on campus, either with a parking permit or by pay-to-park spaces. Carpooling is a great way to minimize parking costs, conserve gas and reduce traffic.
#2. Walking
Fort Collins and the CSU campus are both pedestrian-friendly areas that are safe and beautiful to walk through. From separated trails to bike/scooter dismount zones to well-maintained sidewalks and walking paths, there are so many details that make walking to class, to work, or to an event enjoyable. Walking gets you some additional exercise, contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and gives you the opportunity to really take in the beautiful scenery of northern Colorado step by step.
#3. Biking and boarding
If Fort Collins is known for anything, it’s biking. As one of only five Platinum Bicycle Friendly Universities in the country, Colorado State offers more than 17,000 bike-parking spaces on campus, along with secure, covered bike storage, on-campus repair at the Spoke, free educational opportunities, and, of course, numerous bike lanes/trails to explore Fort Collins from. Biking is an excellent way to simplify your commute to class or work, cut back on your carbon footprint, and save a few bucks along the way.
Many students at CSU like to longboard or skateboard to class, and our campus is well suited for the board life, too. You’ll find board racks outside many buildings on campus, and the Spoke even offers maintenance and repair support for boards.
#4. Rentable e-scooters and e-bikes
Spin e-bikes and e-scooters offer a flexible, affordable way to get to class in a speedy fashion or just to explore Fort Collins with your friends or family. These rentable bikes and scooters are located throughout campus and Fort Collins, and are accessible through the Spin app on your Apple or Android device.
#5. Buses and shuttles
Several bus and shuttle systems service the CSU campus, along with local and regional areas. They are a great solution for covering longer distances, staying out of the weather, or just having another alternative, accessible way of getting around. For on-campus service, check out Around the Horn. When you need to get around the Fort Collins area, Transfort and MAX will get you there. If you’re a commuter student, need to get to the airport, or just want to explore more of northern Colorado, you’ll find lots of route options on Flex, the Poudre Express, Bustang, and Groome. As an added bonus, CSU students ride for free on Transfort, MAX, Flex, and the Poudre Express when they use their RamCard.
#6. Inclusive and accessible transportation
Colorado State is committed to making our campus and our community accessible to everyone. Many buildings on campus are equipped with automatic doors and elevators, and ramp access and permitted ADA parking are available across campus as well. Wide sidewalks and paved paths run through our mostly flat campus, and online map resources are available to help students find accessible parking, building entrances with door-openers, and preferred pathways. For more information about accessible transportation, visit the Student Disability Center and Parking and Transportation Services.
