Partygoers riot in Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- Police said they used tear gas to break up a riot early Saturday morning after several people spilled into the streets near Colorado State University.

The crowd grew to about 1,500 people just after midnight, with people smashing bottles, uprooting signs, rocking cars and setting a small fire in a street one block from the CSU campus, police said.

Tear gas was used around 12:15 a.m., and the crowd dispersed within minutes, police said. No injuries were reported, and property damage was minimal.

Three people were arrested for rioting and obstructing police, and about a dozen noise citations were issued. Police said there might be more arrests and citations.

It wasn't clear if those arrested or suspected in the melee were students. Police didn't return a message Saturday.

Classes begin Monday at CSU, where the enrollment is expected to set a record this year. Preliminary estimates indicate the school is on track to surpass last year's record of 25,042 students.

"Freshman started moving into the dorms Thursday, and there have been a large number of students moving back to town the past couple of days," said CSU spokesman Brad Bohlander.

Bohlander said he was told about the incident, but said Fort Collins police were handling it.

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