Nelson Farm
By Jessica Carcoana · Updated September 2026
Nelson Farm covers part of the 240-acre dairy farm that John Nelson started in 1871 at what is now Lemay Avenue and Swallow Road, where his sandstone milk house from about 1880 still stands on the southwest corner, owned by the city since 1978. The subdivision that grew around it from the 1970s through the 1990s straddles Lemay between Drake Road and Horsetooth Road, mostly single-family homes on 0.12 to 0.25 acre lots, from about $520K to $1.1M. A homeowners association runs a pool and tennis courts on the east side, open late May through mid-September, and Boltz Middle School and Shepardson Elementary sit at the neighborhood's edges. Collindale Golf Course lies across Horsetooth Road, Edora Park and the Spring Creek Trail are about 1.5 miles north, Transfort Route 6 links Swallow Station and Horsetooth, and South College Avenue shopping is 1.5 miles west.
At a glance
Community Anchors
- Old Town Fort Collins (100+ restaurants, shops, breweries, events)
- Colorado State University campus and events
- New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing, 20+ craft breweries
- Horsetooth Reservoir (boating, swimming, fishing, rock climbing)
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (29 miles of trails)
- Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area (trails and wildlife)
- Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area (1,400 acres, 180+ bird species)
- Spring Creek Trail (7-mile paved urban trail)
- Poudre River Trail
- Power Trail (north-south bike corridor)
- Gardens on Spring Creek (community botanic garden)
- Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
- Lincoln Center (performing arts)
- Edora Park and Rolland Moore Park (major rec centers)
- Collindale Golf Course and Southridge Golf Course
- City Park (pool, playgrounds, tennis)
- 960+ acres of developed parks, 45+ miles of paved trails
Schedule a call with Jessica to discuss the Fort Collins market and homes in Nelson Farm.
Book a Meeting
Where it sits
Inside Fort Collins. Platted boundary.
Quick answersQuestions about Nelson Farm
Where is Nelson Farm?
Nelson Farm is in Fort Collins, about 2.7 miles southeast of the Fort Collins center. The map on this page shows its platted boundary from county records.
When was Nelson Farm built?
Homes in Nelson Farm were built between 1970 and 2000 (late 20th century / early 21st century). Builders on record include various builders.
Is there an HOA in Nelson Farm, and what does it cost?
Nelson Farm has a homeowners association. Its dues are not published; confirm the current figure with the association before you buy. Nelson Farm Homeowners Association (HOA site)
What amenities does Nelson Farm have?
Nelson Farm amenities include quiet residential enclave, proximity to South College shopping, mature landscaping, and neighborhood parks.
How big are the lots in Nelson Farm?
Typical lots in Nelson Farm run 0.12–0.25 acres.
Which schools are near Nelson Farm?
Schools near Nelson Farm include McGraw Elementary, Webber Middle School, and Fort Collins High School. Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
About how many homes are in Nelson Farm?
County parcel records show about 720 parcels in Nelson Farm.
How high is Nelson Farm?
Nelson Farm sits at about 4,960 feet above sea level.
Parks and Schools
- Nelson Farm Park
- Collindale Golf Course
- McGraw Elementary
- Webber Middle School
- Fort Collins High School
Verify school assignment by address with the district. Attendance boundaries do not follow neighborhood lines.
Commute and Access
- 1 minLemay Ave
- 2 minHorsetooth Rd
- 2 minDrake Rd
Transit in Fort Collins: Transfort MAX bus rapid transit (Mason Corridor, Downtown to South Transfer Center) · Transfort local bus routes throughout city · Bustang regional service to Denver (2+ hours) · Fort Collins bike share (FC Bikes) · 280+ miles of bike lanes and trails (Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community)
Resources
- Nelson Farm Homeowners Association (HOA site)Dues and documents
Other Neighborhoods in Fort Collins
About This Profile
This profile of Nelson Farm was researched in April 2026. It was last reviewed in September 2026. The price range comes from listed and recently sold homes in the neighborhood. Amenity coverage is strong, with several public sources confirming the list. Location verified at Lemay and Swallow; row's road and school entries corrected.
Data sourced from direct and indirect online resources. Details are subject to change over time as we continue to research this area.