Our friends at the Common Sense Institute (CSI) recently released an in-depth analysis of the Future of the Fort Collins MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). The report examines how slowing migration is reshaping Fort Collins’ economic outlook. As Colorado’s growth slows, Fort Collins MSA faces unique headwinds that could affect housing and workforce availability. This is an indicator that has been increasingly concerning for our talent supply, our educational system and our economy.
Click here to read the full Common Sense Institute (CSI) report
A few highlights that CSI called out that we all should consider:
- Net migration into the Fort Collins metro area is down 26% from pre-pandemic levels.
- By 2026, Weld County is projected to surpass Larimer County in population.
- Net migration is forecast to peak in 2027 and decline 42% by 2050.
- The local birth rate dropped from 10.3 per 1,000 residents in 2015 to 3 per 1,000 in 2025.
The CSI report also makes some observations about our housing market. While the data is important, additional context should be considered. I invite you to check out thoughts provided by Ryan Schaefer to help us all understand current market trends and impacts: Click Here for Ryan’s Full Analysis
Consider Ryan’s sage observation:
“As someone who has spent decades working in real estate in Northern Colorado, the real underlying story is that Weld County is the outlier amongst Colorado’s Front Range (really all of Colorado, with the exception of Grand Junction on a smaller scale). Weld County has a higher birth rate and more net migration, leading to more new household formation than Larimer County. Such population growth causes greater demand for goods and services, which bodes well in many respects for Weld County. “
Ryan’s comments also include the rallying cry we should all be leveraging: we must change processes, policies and cost structures if we want Fort Collins to continue to be an economically successful community that provides work, life and play solutions for all. Business-friendly needs to be front and center if we want to maintain the quality of life and opportunity that generations have created for us all.