11 Years of Car-Free Fun: Open Streets Returns Oct. 18!

Published on October 06, 2026

Community members enjoying Open Streets in 2025.

Contact: AnnMarie Kirkpatrick, Active Modes Specialist, akirkpatrick@FortCollins.gov

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The City of Fort Collins will host its 11th annual Open Streets event on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free community celebration will transform Laurel Street into a vibrant, car-free public space where residents and visitors can explore, connect and enjoy a variety of activities.

Event details:

Date: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Laurel Street from Mason Street to Shields Street
Cost: Free

The day will feature live music, interactive arts and cultural activities and interactive experiences led by local providers. An assortment of food and dessert trucks will line the route, offering a diverse selection of local flavors.

Open Streets is designed to promote safer, more accessible streets by encouraging active modes of transportation such as walking, biking and skating. Each year the route highlights key areas of the community. This year’s location on Laurel Street showcases a corridor that connects neighborhoods, downtown and Colorado State University (CSU) — underscoring the importance of shared public spaces.

“Open Streets offers numerous benefits, from fostering social cohesion to inspiring a fresh perspective on our built environment and promoting active transportation,” City of Fort Collins Active Modes Specialist AnnMarie Kirkpatrick said. “Events like these create a ripple effect of positive impacts by bringing the community together.”

By opening streets to people rather than vehicles, Open Streets invites residents to experience their city in a new way—fostering community, supporting active mobility and building a healthier, more sustainable Fort Collins.

For the most up-to-date information, visit: fortcollins.gov/OpenStreets.

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