Where Fort Collins Hid Its Wild Side
Uncover the city’s colorful past on this 75-minute guided walk through Old Town. Explore the darker chapters of Fort Collins’ history—from brothels to bootleggers—with a costumed guide leading the way.
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$27 USD
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Ages 18 +
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1 hour 15 minutes
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Colorado, Colorado
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Fort Collins
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- Bootleggers & Brothels; Old Town History; Costumed Guide; Tantalizing Tales; Adults-Only Tour; Historic Landmarks; Walking Route; Rain Or Shine
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- Local guide in period costume, walking tour of Old Town, historical commentary and storytelling.
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- Comfortable walking shoes, light jacket, camera, and curiosity.
Forbidden Fort Collins History Tour Features
Sins of the City Tour
Hear stories of scandal, crime, and redemption that shaped Fort Collins’ early years.
Old Town’s Hidden Past
Visit the sites of saloons, jails, and bordellos that once defined the city’s rough frontier spirit.
Costumed Storytellers
Step back in time as your guide, dressed in period attire, brings history’s most infamous characters to life.
Forbidden Fort Collins History Tour Details
- Highlights
- Description
- Itinerary
- Price & Availability
- Food & Drink
- Instructions
- Restrictions
- Transportation
Highlights
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Bootleggers & Brothels
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Old Town History
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Costumed Guide
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Tantalizing Tales
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Adults-Only Tour
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Historic Landmarks
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Walking Route
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Rain Or Shine
Description
Discover the untold stories of Fort Collins on this lively adults-only walking tour through historic Old Town. Led by a costumed guide, this 75-minute experience reveals the scandalous, fascinating, and sometimes shocking history that shaped the city’s early days.
Wander the same streets where bootleggers once ran liquor, brothels flourished in back alleys, and saloons echoed with laughter and intrigue. Hear the story of Fort Collins’ most famous madame, visit the site of the first saloon, and learn about the city’s earliest murder—and the jail that held the culprit.
Along the way, your guide paints vivid portraits of outlaws, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who made this frontier town thrive despite its vices. You’ll see beautifully preserved Victorian buildings and hidden corners of Old Town rarely noticed by passersby.
More intriguing than spooky, this tour is perfect for adults who enjoy true stories, local history, and a dash of forbidden flair. Tours operate year-round, rain or shine, offering a fresh perspective on Fort Collins after dark.
Itinerary
3:45 PM — Check in at Old Town Square fountainn4:00 PM — Meet your costumed guide and group introductionn4:10 PM — Walk to the site of Fort Collins’ first saloonn4:25 PM — Visit historic jail and murder-site locationn4:45 PM — Explore red-light district and madame’s residencen5:00 PM — Conclude tour near original City Hall with closing storiesn5:15 PM — Q&A and optional photos with your guide
Price & Availability
$27 per person (Ages 18 +). Adult content; ID may be requested. Tours run rain or shine. Private bookings available for groups of six or more.
Food & Drink
No food or drinks included. Nearby restaurants and bars available before or after tour.
Instructions
Check in 10 minutes early at Old Town Square near fountain between Cira Ltd and Thamel Import Gifts. Tours depart promptly.
Restrictions
Ages 18 + only. Includes stairs and about one mile of walking. Operates in most weather.
Transportation
No transportation included; walking tour only.



