ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Fort Collins.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$53/hr
Fort Collins, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,527
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,925
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Fort Collins
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 108.5
Monthly Margin
+2,701/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,120
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$110,240
Tax estimate: 4.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Fort Collins
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Fort Collins's GSA rates and cost of living index of 108.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$85.78
Based on 36 hours in CO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,088
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,800
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$511
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,577
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,498
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,997
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$133,994
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,577
per week
Taxes
$511
per week
Total Gross: $3,088 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado
$1,400
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,237
Your stipend covers rent with $2,237 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: Moderate
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Fort Collins
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Fort Collins. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Colorado
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Colorado Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Fort Collins
- UCHealth
- Banner Health
- Poudre Valley Hospital
Other Specialties in Fort Collins
ER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$46/hr
Very HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighNICU
~$52/hr
HighPICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther Colorado Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Aurora
~$54/hr ICU
COL: 115.5
Colorado Springs
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 98.2
Denver
~$54/hr ICU
COL: 128.7
Durango
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 108.5
Grand Junction
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 95.5
Greeley
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Fort Collins?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Fort Collins earn approximately $53/hr in taxable wages ($2,120/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,527. Annual potential is $110,240 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Fort Collins?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Fort Collins are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Fort Collins affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Fort Collins is 108.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,701/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Colorado assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Colorado specifically: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Fort Collins without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Fort Collins hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fort Collins that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UCHealth, Banner Health, Poudre Valley Hospital. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Fort Collins actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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