Is there a fort somewhere in Fort Collins? If not, how did the city get its name?

The Choice City. The Napa of Beer. Fort Fun. FoCo. There's no shortage of nicknames for Fort Collins.

But why do we call it Fort Collins in the first place?

Fort Collins began as Camp Collins in 1862, named for the popular commander at Fort Laramie, Lt. Col. William O. Collins. Camp Collins served as a base for patrolling and protecting stage and emigrant trails.

On Aug. 20, 1864, Col. Collins issued Special Order Number One, calling for a "permanent post on the Cache la Poudre River." This moved the installation from a camp to a fort, which was ready for occupancy in October of 1864. Two and a half years later, the fort was ordered abandoned. The name stuck as civilians who had been allowed to settle on the military ground stayed and formed the nucleus of the fledgling town's population.

Will they ticket you if parked in the post office parking lot on Sat. night or Sun. afternoon while attending a Lincoln Center performance?

It's 6:57 p.m. You've got front row seats for The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center. The closest spot you find is at the Post Office at 301 Howes St. You pull in, grab your tickets and head for the door. You make it just in time, but as ballerinas pirouette across the stage you can't help but wonder if you'll have a ticket on your car.

The good news: You won't have a ticket.

The bad news: You might not have a car either.

The Post Office parking lot is federal property, for Fort Collins police won't issue a ticket. However, it's possible the folks at the Post Office could have it towed. Not saying they will, or have in the past, but it's possible.

My advice find another spot and enjoy the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy without a care. If you need some hints on good parking spots, here's a map the folks at the Lincoln Center put together.