Laporte is a rural town, appealing to remote workers and adventurers
Laporte is a rural town on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Once a significant stop on 19th-century trade routes, it's now a gateway to nature and the larger city of Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University and big businesses like Anheuser-Busch. "There are way more jobs in Fort Collins, but if you work from home or just love being outdoors, you'd want to live in Laporte," says associate broker Mark Valdez, who grew up in the area and works for Berkshire Hathaway Rocky Mountain Realtors. "West of Laporte is mostly protected forest, so there's tons of amazing things you can do." Residents also live near the Horsetooth Reservoir, a popular boating, fishing and swimming area on the other side of the river. The CAP Index Crime Score in Laporte is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Rolling terrain and river paths invite outdoor adventure
On the Cache la Poudre River, Lions Open Space has a day-use area for picnicking and water sports such as fishing, tubing and kayaking. A segment of the Poudre River Trail offers a spot to walk, jog and bike along the water en route to a nearby nine-hole disc golf course or Butterfly Woods Natural Area, a habitat for rare butterfly species. Fort Collins/Lakeside KOA Holiday is a campground just south of Laporte for a close-to-home vacation. Further afield, the countless trails include plenty of horseback riding, like the 30 miles of hilly terrain at Lory State Park, roughly 6 miles away. Horsetooth Reservoir is deep and spacious enough for sailing, and Rotary Park, on the reservoir's eastern side, is a go-to for bouldering. About 15 minutes away, Fort Collins has plenty of parks with playgrounds and athletic facilities.
Everything from townhomes to million-dollar ranches
Ranch-style homes and custom builds have a foothold in Laporte. Single-family homes are dominant, though the town has some townhouses, condos and manufactured homes. Lot sizes range widely, from less than 8,000 square feet to more than 35 acres. Even homes close to the center of town can be on a quarter of an acre or more. Properties on multiple acres may be zoned for horses and built for hobby farming, with fully fenced land, stables and established gardens. Some back up to national forest or are surrounded by a pastoral setting while still being just minutes from conveniences in Laporte or Fort Collins. The median sale price in Laporte is $650,000. Comparatively, in Fort Collins, it's $560,000.
Where locals go for cinnamon rolls, coffee, pizza and supplies
Vern's Place has been in Laporte since 1946, when it operated as a roadside cafe and gas station. The restaurant serves hearty American fare for breakfast and dinner and is known for its oversized cinnamon rolls. Me Oh My Coffee and Pie Laporte is another popular spot for its specialty drinks and baked goods, as well as its lunch and breakfast options. Laporte Pizza is a go-to for Italian classics, including calzones and subs. Swing Station is a local bar that stays open until 2 a.m. and hosts live music nights. Retailers include a local hardware, animal feed and art supply store. Overland Foods is the pit stop for groceries. Fort Collins, around 6 miles away, has casual to fine dining and a wide range of shops, including national brands at Foothills Mall and niche boutiques within the city's historic downtown.
Elementary to high schools all earn B ratings or better
Students attend the Poudre School District, which participates in school choice. Cache la Poudre Elementary School and Cache la Poudre Middle School are in town, 200 feet away from each other. The elementary school earns a B rating on Niche; the middle school is an International Baccalaureate World School, scoring a B-plus. From there, students typically filter into Poudre High School, which also scores a B-plus.
Highway and bus routes link to CSU and downtown
U.S. Route 287 passes through Laporte, a route to Fort Collins to the southeast and Laramie, Wyoming, to the northwest. Transfort provides free bus services into Fort Collins, including Downtown Transit Center and Colorado State University (CSU) Transit Center, both central hubs for Transfort buses leading through the city and to CSU campuses.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
