April 2026 | March 2026 | February 2026
April 2026
Front Rangers: Name the Train!
Plans for the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail are continuing to take shape. The rail service, that would connect Pueblo to Fort Collins, is expected to launch as early as 2029 and offer a reliable, more enjoyable alternative to I-25 travel—giving riders the option to work, relax, or simply skip the stress of traffic. The project is advancing in phases with regional partners guiding development and approvals. Four potential names are in the running: Colorado Connector (“CoCo”), Colorado Ranger, Front Range Express Destinations (“FRED”), and RangeLink. Community members are invited to vote for their favorite and could win a seat on the inaugural ride, visit www.ridethefrontrange.com/namethetrain to cast your vote!.
Weld County leads as Colorado’s fastest-growing large county
Weld County is a growth leader on Colorado’s Front Range, recently surpassing Larimer County in population and continuing to widen its lead over Boulder. Weld recently posted a year-over-year population growth of 1.92%, reaching 378,426 residents. That puts the county ahead of Larimer County, at 377,292 residents, for the first time and further ahead of Boulder County, at 328,560. Weld’s growth rate also exceeded that of Douglas County, long one of the state’s fastest-growing, at about 1.6%, and well above Colorado’s overall growth rate of 0.4%. This surge is driven by relative affordability, abundant new housing, and a diversifying economy expanding beyond agriculture and energy into sectors like aerospace, life sciences, and technology. Expanding communities such as Greeley, Severance, Windsor, and southern Weld towns are attracting both residents and businesses.
Northern Colorado lands four in Top 10 State GDP
Northern Colorado continues to prove it’s a major force in the state’s economy, with four counties—Boulder, Weld, Larimer and Broomfield—all ranking among the Top 10 for 2024 real GDP. While Denver remains Colorado’s largest economic engine by a wide margin, the presence of multiple Northern Colorado counties in the Top 10 highlights the region’s influence along the Front Range. Boulder County leads the Northern Colorado group, followed closely by Weld, Larimer and Broomfield—each contributing to a diverse and resilient regional economy. Weld County, in particular, continues to gain momentum, with recent reporting noting its strong economic growth rate among Colorado counties in 2024.
March 2026
Fort Collins & Loveland Named Among the Best Places to Live in the West
Fort Collins and Loveland both earned standout spots in Livability’s list of the best places to live in the Western United States. In the latest ranking, Fort Collins claimed the No. 4 position, highlighting its strong quality of life and appeal as a vibrant Colorado community. Just a few spots behind, Loveland ranked No. 7 among the top western cities, underscoring its growing reputation as a desirable place to call home. Overall, the list showcased these Northern Colorado cities as among the region’s most attractive for residents seeking a mix of outdoor access, amenities, and community appeal Click here to read more.
IKEA Coming to Fort Collins
IKEA has officially chosen Fort Collins as the location for a new 64,000-square-foot store, marking the Swedish home furnishings retailer’s first full retail presence in Northern Colorado. The smaller-format store will be located at Front Range Village on Corbett Drive, taking over a former Urban Air space and offering around 3,200 items along with kitchen, bedroom and bathroom planning areas and the brand’s signature food offerings. The announcement follows IKEA’s decision to abandon plans for a store in Broomfield and comes as part of a broader expansion strategy that includes up to 10 new U.S. locations in 2026. Fort Collins officials noted the new store aligns with local retail demand and could help breathe new life into the shopping center. Click here to read more.
USA Today: Postcard Pizza named One of the Best Restaurants of 2026
Postcard Pizza, a Detroit-style pizza spot located inside Equinox Brewing in Fort Collins, has been recognized nationally as one of USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year for 2026, earning a spot on the publication’s list of the best restaurants in the country. Curated by local food experts, the list highlights standout eateries across the U.S., and Postcard Pizza’s creative menu, including specialty pies like banh mi and potato pesto, helped put this Northern Colorado favorite in the national spotlight. Visit postcard.pizza for location & hours.
February 2026
Finish line in sight for Poudre River Trail
Northern Colorado’s 45-mile Poudre River Trail — a decades-long vision dating back to the 1970s — is finally nearing completion with its last remaining segment set to be finished in early 2026. The long journey to connect the trail continuously from Bellvue through Fort Collins to Greeley has involved persistent collaboration among local governments, nonprofits and volunteers. The final mile between Timnath and Windsor represents the culmination of more than 50 years of planning, fundraising and construction, and will fulfill the original regional trail dream once it opens in the coming months. Visit poudretrail.org to explore and plan your next ride!
Colorado Ends 2025 With Stronger Job Market, Northern Colorado Counties Lead the Way
Colorado closed out 2025 with improving job numbers, as its unemployment rate dipped to 3.8% in December—remaining well below the national average of 4.4%. Northern Colorado showed particularly strong performance, with Boulder and Larimer counties posting the lowest local rates, followed closely by Broomfield. Click here to explore data from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
IRES 4th Quarter Report
Information and Real Estate Services (IRES) recently released their Q4 2025 MarketWatch Report. In Larimer County, the median sales price was $575,000 for Q4-2025, a 2% decrease year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 1.4%, coming in at 1,131. In Weld County, the median sales price was $509,995 for Q4-2025, a 1% decrease year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 0.2%, coming in at 1,210. In Boulder County, the median sales price was $822,500 for Q4-2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease. The number of closed sales was up 2.6%, coming in at 801.