New year weekend means one thing: low-stress plans, warm food, and one good reason to leave the house.

Four headline picks (headline + 1 teaser + link):

More details below!

1) Ginger and Baker
Comfort-forward spot when you want “nice” without making it a whole thing. Bonus: they host classes and events.
Why this week: New-year reset energy without feeling restrictive.
Link: https://gingerandbaker.com Visit Fort Collins

2) Odell Brewing Co.
FoCo staple. Big space. Easy meet-up energy.
Why this week: perfect “one drink + catch up” venue after an afternoon event.
Link: https://www.odellbrewing.com

3) Choice City Butcher & Deli
Old Town comfort food that hits the spot when it’s cold and you want it fast.
Why this week: ideal post-walk meal (or take it home and disappear).
Link: https://choicecitybutcher.com

January in Fort Collins isn’t about big launches or packed calendars. It’s about space.

After the holidays clear out and CSU settles back into routine, the city slows down in a way longtime residents recognize immediately. Old Town feels calmer mid-morning. Coffee shops are busy but not rushed. Trails around Horsetooth and along the Poudre get used by the same familiar faces — dog walkers, runners, parents squeezing in daylight before dinner.

This is the season when FoCo feels most like a home instead of a destination.

Local businesses notice it too. Restaurants lean into comfort menus. Breweries feel more conversational than crowded. Indoor spots — bakeries, bookstores, music rooms, workshops — become the places people actually linger. Not to check something off a list, but to sit, talk, and warm up.

If summer is when Fort Collins shows off, winter is when it settles in.

And that’s the opportunity this weekend: don’t overplan it. Pick one simple outing. Walk Old Town without an agenda. Meet someone you haven’t seen since before the holidays. Do one thing that makes January feel intentional instead of something to “get through.”

That’s FoCo at its best — when nothing big is happening, and it’s still worth leaving the house. (Just be careful walking!)

👨‍👩‍👧 ^{Family-Friendly}

🍸 Adults & Nightlife

CYCLEJAM 2026 (Aggie Theatre)

Improv Comedy Night (The Well)

Magic Rat Live Music (The Elizabeth Hotel)

🆓 Free & Low-Cost Picks

A solid new-year reminder: the best “community” stuff usually looks boring until you see the results. CSU’s community winter gear drive hit record participation across dozens of drop sites—exactly the kind of quiet, practical help that matters when temperatures drop and families are stretched. If you’re looking for a simple January goal, take the hint: pick one local effort, contribute once, and move on with your life—consistency beats grand plans.Source Collegiate

Brought to you by:

Freeze-thaw weekends create the sneaky stuff: slick sidewalks, frozen hoses, and small leaks you don’t notice until Monday. Do a 2-minute walk-around before bed.

Brought to you by Summit Insurance — protecting your home, your weekend, and your peace of mind.

Looking to expand your crew? Check out NOCO Humane’s adoption roster — a great local resource for folks in Fort Collins and beyond. NOCO Humane+1

Meet Sky! She is a happy and sweet girl who can be shy with new people but warms up quickly. She has a history of barking at other dogs and being a pushy player so would do best in a home as the only dog. She will need an in shelter meet and greet with any dogs in the home to make sure we are a good fit. While she can be shy, her previous family said she did well living next to the park. She is house trained, good in the car, good with cats, loves to cuddle and can't wait to meet you!

It’s the new year! Who has kept their resolutions so far?

FoCo Konnx exists for one reason: you get a good weekend without doing research. Pick one plan, lock it in, and stop scrolling.

Forward this to a FoCo friend who always says “we should do something” and never picks!

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💬 Know someone making a difference in Fort Collins? Nominate them → Submit your nomination