Fort Collins is an ice cream hub, with the cold and creamy treat positioned as a staple within our community. When strolling through Old Town, any turned corner comes with the possibility of running into an ice cream shop. That being said, competition has been tight. I conducted a poll of 71 participants, prompting them to submit their favorite ice cream shops. The top three were nothing short of expected: Walrus Ice Cream led the poll with 40.8% of the vote, followed by Edison’s at 16.9% and Ben & Jerry’s at 12.7%.
To make a good first impression and build loyal customers, ice cream shops have a lot to think about. In the survey, I also asked about the most important traits of an ice cream shop, and the participant consensus was that flavor variety (73%), quality (58.7%), and atmosphere (47.6%) are among the most essential.
The top-picked ice cream shop, Walrus Ice Cream, has also been voted “Best of CSU” for 30+ years.
Around since 1987 and locally owned by Lisa Paugh, Walrus Ice Cream has 29 constantly-changing flavors in its shop. They also have an option on their website to submit ideas for ice cream flavors that they don’t already have.
“The ice cream is just really good, and the vibe is really nice. The employees are also really nice,” North Thurman, a Colorado State University student, said.
Also voted as “Favorite Date Night Ice Cream Shop” in the survey I conducted, Walrus Ice Cream has nailed the aforementioned aspects that customers look for, with participants noting their high ice cream quality and fun atmosphere. This perfect swirl of attributes are what make it a Fort Collins favorite for a casual sweet treat or for spending time with a loved one.
The runner-up, Edison’s Ice Cream, is newer to Fort Collins, but became popular quickly, drawing long lines and raving online reviews.
Owned by Nate and Krisanna Frary, the business began as Edison’s Ice Cream Cart. After claiming and perfecting their 12 signature flavors, they expanded to sell pints for pickup, and later went on to open their Fort Collins ice cream parlor in 2025. If you look close enough, you might be able to spot the cute ice cream cart at events around Northern Colorado.
The nostalgic cart, allergen-friendly flavors, and energy-driven shop found a special place in the locals’ hearts after only being introduced to the city about a year ago.
“I think their flavors are really interesting. I think they’re very unique, and I think that’s a good part of their brand just because they don’t have the basic flavors”, Ashley Pak, a student at CSU, said.
Ben and Jerry’s, having been voted third place, is a global franchise with over 500 stores worldwide, according to their website.
Ben and Jerry’s started as a renovated gas station in Vermont in the late 1970s, along with a $12,000 investment and a dream. In 1979, they held their first Free Cone Day to celebrate their rapid success, and their business only grew from there.
Now, after becoming a franchise, they have hundreds of physical shops and also sell tubs of ice cream in stores.
Ben and Jerry’s is widely known for its large flavor selection and high-quality 13-step ice cream-making process.
In the survey I conducted, 33.3% of participants said they are only somewhat likely to try different ice cream flavors, so having popular, fan-favorite flavors is a big deal for customers who have yet to land on their favorite ice cream shop. Ben and Jerry’s has 98 flavors to choose from, knocking this requirement out of the park.
“I’m drawn to them compared to other ice cream places because I know their more-well-known name, but also because they have a flavor that I like there, so that’s kind of what draws me there,” Austin Tschohl, a Fort Collins resident, said.
Serving a town full of college students, Fort Collins’ ice cream shops have to cater to a broader customer base than their already diverse audience of children, teens, and parents. It’s clear that some of the most important factors, variety, atmosphere, and quality, help the most popular spots earn love from their audience.
