Deck builders in Fort Collins
From Old Town and the CSU neighborhoods to the foothills and the newer subdivisions toward I-25.
Fort Collins is the seat of Larimer County, with 169,810 residents at the 2020 census, and it sits at about 4,982 feet on the Cache la Poudre River. Horsetooth Rock and Horsetooth Reservoir define the west edge of town, and Colorado State University anchors the middle. That range of settings means deck projects here vary from replacing a small back porch to building a tall deck off a foothill walkout.
What Fort Collins homeowners usually ask for
- Replacing first-generation decks on 1970s to 1990s homes
- Decks off walkout basements on the west side
- Cable rail to keep foothill views open
- Pergolas on west-facing decks
Who issues the permit?
Inside city limits, the City of Fort Collins building department. Its deck guide requires a permit for attached decks, decks over 30 inches or larger than 200 square feet, front-door landings and most structural repairs, and work must be done by a contractor holding a city license or by the owner under a homeowner affidavit. Properties just outside the city, in unincorporated Larimer County, go through the county instead.
Old Town and historic properties
Exterior changes to designated landmarks and properties in historic districts are reviewed by the city's Historic Preservation office. A rear deck or patio on one of those houses may need that review in addition to a building permit, so mention it at the first visit.
Flood history
In late July 1997, 10 to 14 inches of rain fell over about 31 hours and Spring Creek flooded parts of the city, killing five people and flooding the CSU library. If your lot is near Spring Creek or the Poudre, ask whether it's in a mapped floodplain before designing.
Common questions
Do you cover all of Fort Collins?
Yes, every part of the city. Share your address and we'll pass your request to a contractor who works there.
Can the homeowner pull the deck permit in Fort Collins?
The city deck guide allows homeowner builders who submit a homeowner affidavit; otherwise the contractor needs a city license class that covers decks.
Deck services in Fort Collins
- New deck constructionAttached and freestanding decks laid out for your yard, set on piers that reach the depth Fort Collins and Larimer County ask for.
- Composite and PVC decksCapped composite and PVC boards for owners who would rather not re-stain under 300 days of high-altitude sun.
- Deck repair and replacementLoose ledgers, heaved piers, cupped boards and tired 1990s decks, repaired where it makes sense and replaced where it doesn't.
- Railings and cable railCable, aluminum, steel and wood guards that keep foothill views open and meet the city's spacing rules.
- Pergolas and shade coversPergolas, louvered covers and solid roofs that take the edge off a west-facing deck in July.
Nearby areas
Ready to talk through a new deck or a repair?
Call and we'll connect you with a contractor who works in your part of Northern Colorado.