Credit card processing and merchant services in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins lists an 8.30% combined sales tax, taxes food for home consumption at a reduced 2.25% city rate and adds a 3% lodging tax, so many registers need more than one rate.
Fort Collins runs its own Sales Tax Division, and the city lists its current combined rate as 8.30%: 4.35% for the city, 1.05% for Larimer County and 2.90% for the state. A $50 sale carries $4.15 in tax. Older rate charts from the city show lower figures, so if your POS was set up years ago, compare it with the city's current list.
Groceries are where a single rate stops working. The city taxes food for home consumption at 2.25% instead of its 4.35% general rate. A market or convenience store selling groceries next to general merchandise needs separate tax settings for each kind of item. Ask the Sales Tax Division how the state and county shares apply to grocery items before you build those settings.
Overnight stays carry more. The city lists a total accommodations tax of 11.30%, which includes a 3.00% city lodging tax on top of the sales tax. A $180 night comes to $20.34 in tax.
About 171,500 people lived in Fort Collins in July 2025, by the Census Bureau's estimate. Colorado's own rules sit on top of the city's: a credit card surcharge is limited to 2% or your actual merchant discount fee and can't touch debit, and stores that take payment in person generally must accept cash. Our Colorado page has the sources, and the Aurora page shows how rates work in a city that spans three counties.
Getting two or three rates right at one counter is a POS setup job, and our POS terminals page covers the hardware. To see what you pay per card today, send us a statement for a free statement review.
Rules that matter in Fort Collins
Separate rates for groceries and lodging
Fort Collins lists a combined sales tax rate of 8.30%, made up of 4.35% for the city, 1.05% for Larimer County and 2.90% for the state. The city's tax on food for home consumption is 2.25%, and the total tax on accommodations is 11.30%, including a 3.00% city lodging tax.
If you sell more than one kind of item, set up each rate in your POS and confirm the details with the city's Sales Tax Division.
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Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Fort Collins?
The city lists 8.30% as its current combined rate: 4.35% for Fort Collins, 1.05% for Larimer County and 2.90% for the state. Food for home consumption and lodging are taxed differently, so check the city's rate list for the items you sell.
How are groceries taxed in Fort Collins?
The city taxes food for home consumption at 2.25%, below its 4.35% general rate. If you sell groceries alongside other goods, give them their own tax setting in your POS, and ask the city's Sales Tax Division how the state and county shares apply to them.
What tax applies to lodging in Fort Collins?
The city lists a total accommodations tax of 11.30%, which includes a 3.00% city lodging tax added to the sales tax. On a $180 room night, that's $20.34. Make sure your booking system and front-desk terminal both use the lodging total rather than the general rate.
Is a credit card surcharge worth it for a Fort Collins store?
It depends on how your customers pay. Colorado bars surcharges on debit cards, cash, checks and gift card redemptions, so only credit card sales count, and the fee is capped at 2% or your actual merchant discount fee. If most of your volume is debit, a lower processing rate saves more. Our dual pricing and surcharging guide compares the options.
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Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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