I live in Fort Collins, and like the Fort Collins and the towns in this genral area (Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Windsor, Masonville, and Timnath are all sort of merged) better for riding area a lot better than the areas around Denver, Boulder and Golden. The frequency of bike lanes in the general Fort Collins area is about the same as those other places, but we don't have the same level traffic or agressive driver issues that I see to the south of here. Just 10 minutes by bicycle from your house, you can either be heading out onto the rolling prairie and riding through agricultural fields and tiny towns, or if you head west for 10-15 minutes you are climbing up into the foothills and even the mountains.
The local bike scene is well established, with plenty of online route maps, organized rides with local clubs 3-4 days each week. The organized rides range from slow recreational jaunts, to weekly time trials. I've never ridden with the racer types down in Boulder, but I know that I can't even dream of keeping up with the hammer-heads that race around here. Lots of former pro-racers in town, the LBSs are fantastic compared to many places that I have lived, and there are many decent bicycle repair shops too (that is all that they do...they don't sell bikes, just fix them).
In short, it is the best place to ride a bicycle that I have ever lived. But, like Boulder, you need a decent job to live here. This area is not as expensive as Boulder or Golden, but I don't know how anyone can afford rent and groceries without a decent-paying job or lots of roomates. Most people that lose their jobs here due to being layed off (big computer company town), have to move. They can't afford to stay here with lower-paying jobs.