Northern Colorado Financial Planning
Financial Advisor in Fort Collins, CO: Planning for Northern Colorado Families and Professionals
If you're looking for a financial advisor in Fort Collins, The Stellarix Group is a Denver-based team that works with Northern Colorado families, university and public employees, business owners, and retirees. We meet by secure video or at our Denver office. We handle investments, retirement income, insurance, and estate coordination together as one plan.
There are many financial choices to make. We aim to be one steady guide through them.
The Short Answer
What a Fort Collins Financial Advisor Should Coordinate
A good Fort Collins financial advisor looks at your whole financial life together. That includes employer retirement plans, Colorado state tax rules, investments, insurance, and estate documents. Many Northern Colorado households have savings spread across several plans and accounts. Planning helps show how each choice affects the others, and every household's situation is different.
Larimer County is one of the larger counties on the Front Range. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, its population was estimated at approximately 374,574 as of July 1, 2024, up from 359,066 in the 2020 Census (Census QuickFacts, accessed September 2026). Big local employers, including Colorado State University and public agencies, offer retirement plans that work differently from a typical private-sector 401(k).
If you live closer to the metro area, see our Denver financial advisor guide. If you commute along US-36, see our Boulder financial advisor page.
Common Planning Questions in Northern Colorado
- 1How do CSU's DCP, 403(b), and PERAPlus options fit together?
- 2Should a new public employee choose the PERA DB or DC plan?
- 3How might Colorado tax pension income and Social Security in retirement?
- 4How can a business owner plan for succession, family needs, and giving to charity?
Colorado at a Glance, 2026
Key Colorado Numbers for Northern Colorado Households
4.4%
Colorado flat individual income tax rate for 2026, per the Colorado Department of Revenue
$24,000
General pension and annuity subtraction limit for taxpayers age 65 and older
$20,000
General pension and annuity subtraction limit for ages 55 to 64
60 Days
Typical window for PERAChoice-eligible new hires to choose between the PERA DB and DC plans
Sources, as of September 28, 2026: Colorado DOR Individual Income Tax Guide; Colorado DOR Social Security, Pensions and Annuities; Colorado PERA plan choice. Special rules apply to PERA benefits and death benefits. Your eligibility depends on your own situation.
University and Public Employees
Coordinating CSU and Colorado PERA Retirement Plans
Colorado State University employees and other public-sector workers often have more than one retirement plan. CSU Human Resources says most employees take part in the university's Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) as their required plan. In limited cases, Colorado PERA applies instead. Voluntary plans are available on top of that. The table below summarizes each plan as the sponsors describe it. It is for education only and does not recommend any plan.
| Plan | Type | Planning Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| CSU Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) | Required for many CSU employees | How the account fits with your other savings and your future income needs |
| CSU 403(b) | Voluntary supplemental plan | How much to contribute, Roth vs. pre-tax choices, and beneficiary designations |
| PERA Defined Benefit Plan | Pension based on the plan formula | Choosing a benefit option, survivor needs, and Colorado's special subtraction rules for PERA benefits |
| PERA Defined Contribution Plan | Account-based plan for PERAChoice-eligible employees | A plan choice that is time-limited. Weigh flexibility against the lifetime income a pension provides |
| PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 | Voluntary supplemental plans | Contribution limits, withdrawal rules, and how 457 plans differ from 401(k) and 403(b) plans |
Sources, as of September 28, 2026: CSU HR Retirement; CSU Retirement for New Hires; PERAPlus 401(k)/457. The IRS lists a 2026 elective deferral limit of $24,500 for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans (IRS). Plan details and eligibility vary by employer, job classification, and hire date. Please confirm them with your plan administrator.
Our retirement planning approach looks at how these accounts may work together over time. Saving in more places can add flexibility, but it also adds complexity, fees, and rules to keep track of.
State Tax Considerations
How Colorado Tax Rules May Shape a Northern Colorado Plan
Colorado taxes income at one flat rate. It also offers subtractions that may lower state tax on some retirement income. The Colorado Department of Revenue says taxpayers 65 and older may generally subtract all Social Security benefits included in federal taxable income. Taxpayers age 55 to 64 may be able to subtract the full amount if their federal AGI is at or below $75,000 for single filers or $95,000 for joint filers. Above those limits, the general $20,000 cap applies (Colorado DOR, as of September 2026).
These rules may change the answers to questions like when to take withdrawals or whether a Roth conversion makes sense. The results depend on your full tax picture. We work with your CPA and do not give definitive tax advice. To learn more, read our tax planning guide.
- AMatch retirement withdrawals to your age and the subtraction limits you qualify for.
- BFor married couples, review each spouse's subtraction eligibility separately.
- CLook at the timing of charitable gifts along with federal and state tax rules. See our charitable giving guide.
- DWhen you sell a business or real estate, work with your attorney and CPA before the sale closes.
Who We Serve
Planning Services for Northern Colorado Clients
Multi-Generational Families
Investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning coordinated in one plan. We work alongside your attorney. To compare document options, see Colorado wills vs. trusts.
Business Owners
Planning for stock options, private stock, real estate, and business succession. We aim to keep taxes in view. Outcomes depend on the market and deal terms.
Pre-Retirees and Retirees
Planning for retirement income, pension choices, and risk. The goal is to help you understand trade-offs, such as spending more now vs. keeping more for later.
Families With Special Needs
Special needs planning with Melissa Lang, CLU, ChSNC, CLTC. We coordinate with attorneys to help protect your loved one's eligibility for benefits.
Charitably Inclined Households
Legacy and giving strategies, such as donor-advised funds and charitable trusts. Each option has its own costs, rules, and limits on how much control you keep.
Risk and Insurance Planning
Reviews of life, disability, and long-term care coverage, coordinated with your overall plan. Coverage depends on underwriting and the policy's terms.
Working Together
How Our Denver Team Serves Fort Collins Clients
The Stellarix Group does not have a Fort Collins office. Northern Colorado clients work with us by secure video and phone, or in person at 2000 S Colorado Blvd, Tower 2, Ste 800, Denver. We also serve clients in all 50 states. Our team holds CFP®, CFA, ChFC, CLU, CIMA®, AIF®, CLTC®, ChSNC, and LUTCF credentials and has over a century of combined experience. It includes Ryan Griffin, CFP®; Haley Gray, CFP®, AIF®; Bryan Andersen, CFA; Tom Moody, MBA, CIMA®; and Tom Mueller, ChFC.
We offer financial planning, advisory, and insurance services through MML Investors Services, LLC (MassMutual). Read more about our fee-based financial planning model and what the fiduciary standard means.
Introductory Conversation
We talk about your goals, how we are paid, and whether we are a good fit. You can meet by video or at our Denver office.
Discovery and Documents
You share plan statements, benefit summaries, tax returns, and estate documents through our secure tools.
Coordinated Recommendations
We present planning options and their trade-offs, working with your CPA and attorney where needed.
Ongoing Reviews
We check in regularly as tax rules, benefits, and family circumstances change.
Questions
Fort Collins Financial Advisor FAQ
Do You Have a Fort Collins Office?
No. Our office is in Denver. Northern Colorado clients meet with us by secure video, by phone, or in person in Denver.
How Much Does It Cost to Work With a Financial Advisor?
It depends on the services you choose. We are a fee-based firm and do not post specific fees online. We explain the costs and how we are paid in your first conversation, before you commit to anything.
Is $100,000 Enough to Work With a Financial Advisor?
It may be. It depends on how complex your situation is and which services you need. We do not publish account minimums. A short conversation is the easiest way to find out whether we are a good fit.
What Is a Red Flag for a Financial Advisor?
Red flags include not explaining how they are paid, promising returns, pushing you to decide quickly, and not disclosing conflicts of interest. You can look up any professional on FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC's adviser search. Ask any advisor, including us, how their conflicts are managed.
Is a CPA Better Than a Financial Advisor?
Neither is better. They do different jobs. A CPA focuses on tax preparation and tax compliance. A financial advisor looks at investments, retirement, insurance, and estate planning together. Our team works with your CPA and attorney rather than replacing them.
Do You Only Recommend MassMutual Products?
We offer services through MML Investors Services, LLC. We explain which products and providers are available to you and how we are paid for each. Affiliated products can create conflicts of interest, and we describe those conflicts openly so you can make an informed choice.
One Star to Guide the Way
Start a Conversation About Your Northern Colorado Plan
Whether you are choosing between CSU and PERA plans, getting ready to retire, or planning for the next generation, our Denver-based team is ready to talk it through with you by video or in person.
2000 S Colorado Blvd, Tower 2, Ste 800, Denver, CO 80222