Eh...

Introduction
Go to a community college first, then go to CSU! I pretty much chose CSU arbitrarily. I knew it was either going to be CU or CSU and, well, I went with CSU. The campus and town aren't as good looking as CU but the chicks are. And besides, it's cheaper than CU. It is cheaper to live in Fort Collins than in Boulder, too. The engineering school is pretty good at CSU, as well, though maybe not quite as good as CU. From what I hear, though, the professors and TA's are a lot more available to help you at CSU.

Campus Life and Social Life
If you are into the party scene, it seems like there is quite a bit to do, especially if you live in the dorms or are in greek life. There are a lot of intramural sports. The rec center is the best place in town to get a game of basketball. CU's rec center is pretty fucking nice, too, though. I didn't get too much into clubs but there are alot to choose from. I was in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and that was cool. Advertisement
Academics
I can't speak for any department but engineering. The engineering college has a good reputation, especially Civil. I would say that mechanical engineering is a pretty good program, but it is alot of work; engineering always is. Like I said, the professors and TA's are generally available to help; they're pretty good about that. Doug Hittle is by far the worst prof in the ME department. He doesn't give a shit about teaching, he just bribes all the students with A's.

Student Body
The typical student is white, age 19-23. If you're a chick, you're hot. If you're a chick, you're a horny skank. Most kids are from Colorado. Most everyone is pretty normal. There isn't a whole lot of diversity at the campus, though.

In Closing...
I say: go to school there.