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COLORADO

Natives and Nature

Colorado's Best

Whether you’re looking to ski the world-famous Rocky Mountains, explore the many cities and towns or enjoy breathtaking natural beauty, you’ll find your perfect adventure in Colorado. The state’s four distinct seasons, 300 days of annual sunshine and great vacation values make this the perfect time to plan a trip.

SUMMER

Nothing beats a sun-soaked day on the lake, and Grand County has some of Colorado’s best, including Grand Lake — the state’s largest natural body of water — Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Lake. Boating, fishing, sunbathing, kayaking and other watersports are just a few quintessential activities at these high-altitude oases. Home to the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River, Grand County also boasts rapids for whitewater paddlers, from thrilling Class IV and V currents in Gore Canyon Whitewater Park to mellow eddies near Kremmling.

FALL

In the autumn, aspens and other deciduous beauties cover Grand County’s mountainsides in vibrant shades of gold, red and orange — making the jaw-dropping views even more dramatic. Capture them by car on a drive to Berthoud Pass, by foot on a hike to Byers Peak Summit or by boat on Grand Lake or Lake Granby.

WINTER

When snow blankets Grand County, residents head outdoors for a bounty of frosty fun. Winter Park Resort and Ski Granby Ranch attract lovers of skiing, snowboarding, tubing and sledding from near and far, while cross-country skiers and snowshoers flock to pristine trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, State Forest State Park and other locales. Boaters are replaced by smiling ice fishers on Grand Lake, Wolford Mountain and Williams Fork reservoirs in Kremmling and other frozen bodies of water; and teams of strapping huskies pull dogsleds along powdery routes laden with postcard-worthy sights.

SPRING

Affordable off-season lodging rates, nonexistent crowds and plenty of opportunities to spend time in the peaceful outdoors make spring a worthy time to visit Grand County. Late April through early May is prime time for shore fishing on Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake and Gold Medal fly-fishing on the Colorado River.

Top Rated Attractions

Colorado is a year-round destination that piques the imagination and inspires the soul with its dramatic landscape and natural beauty. The state is nothing less than stunning, with a diversity that ranges from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills, rivers, streams, and high desert of the Colorado Plateau.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Just a few miles from the town of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. The soaring mountain peaks, alpine lakes and meadows, forests, and abundant wildlife showcase nature at its best. The park has more than 100 peaks over 10,000 feet, including Longs Peak, the highest in the park, at 14,259 feet.

Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns

The ski resort town of Vail is one of the best places to visit in Colorado in winter but it's also a pleasant place to enjoy at any time of year. When it comes to skiing, this is one of the top ski resorts in Colorado, with seemingly endless runs for all levels of skiers. The town at the base of the ski hill is postcard cute, with chalet-style restaurants, shops, and hotels that make you feel like you are in the heart of the Alps. This is a high-end resort with luxury hotels, fine dining, and designer stores.

Mesa Verde National Park

Regardless of whether or not you have seen cliff dwellings before, you will be blown away by Mesa Verde and the amount of access to the actual ruins that the park allows visitors. The park's centerpiece, Cliff Palace is one of the most impressive dwellings in the entire Southwest, with a dramatic setting and incredibly preserved ruins. Ranger-led tours, which run regularly during the summer high season, allow you to climb ladders right up into the heart of the dwelling. If you aren't up for that level of activity, you can get a full view of the site from a nearby overlook.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods, a registered National Natural Landmark, is a unique landscape of jagged stone towers and fins jutting up 300 feet from the earth, and giant balanced boulders and rock piles dotting the landscape, with distant mountains completing the scene. Fifteen miles of trails, most of which are short and easy, allow you to get up close to the dramatic rock formations and wander through the surreal scenery. The park is a popular area for rock climbing, but other activities in the park include road biking in designated biking lanes, mountain biking, horseback riding, and Jeep and Segway tours.

Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest

At 14,115 feet in elevation, Pikes Peak, in Pike National Forest, is one of the Southwest's famous "fourteeners," a reference to mountains that stand over 14,000 feet. The snow-capped peak is easily recognizable from the nearby town of Colorado Springs. This is one of the most visited mountains in the world, second only to Mt. Fuji. Unlike many mountain peaks that are inaccessible to the average person, you can drive to the summit of Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Highway, off highway 24, west of Colorado Springs. Travel time is about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a scenic 8.9-mile trip, with a round-trip time of just over three hours.

Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

In southern Colorado, the town of Durango has a lovely setting at the base of surrounding mountains. The historic downtown area has some well-restored, grand old buildings that function as hotels and restaurants. Some are done in southwestern décor, with an Old West feel.

San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway

A spectacular scenic drive stretches from the old mining town of Silverton, to the town of Ouray, along what is called the Million Dollar Highway. This is a 46-kilometer two-lane highway that hugs the mountainside in places and looks out over jaw-dropping cliffs and across valleys to inspiring mountain peaks. It is one of the most spectacular mountain drives in Colorado. If you have time, you can extend this into a longer route and drive the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. The Skyway is a full-day trip that you will want to do in good weather, but can be done in winter or summer.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a fabulous, rugged looking canyon, and it's remote enough that it has the feeling of being undiscovered. Steep cliff walls rise up from the Gunnison River, creating a narrow and dramatic canyon. The depth of the canyon is around 2,000 feet, with Gunnison Point and Chasm View at just over 1,800 feet and Warner Point at 2,722 feet.

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness showcases some of Colorado's most spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery and offers a chance to get out of your car and into nature. This area has six mountains over 14,000 feet, along with forests, alpine lakes, meadows, and 175 miles of trails to help you explore the terrain. Alternatively, you can enjoy the views on some of the scenic drives.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a unique sight in Colorado with a diverse landscape that most visitors are not expecting to find. The 750-foot Star Dune is startlingly high, particularly when you are considering climbing it, and the mountains in the distance create a stunning setting.

Travel to Colorado

AIRPORTS

Most folks arrive via Denver International Airport (DEN). The Denver Airport Train can get you to Denver Union without any hitches. For $9 you can get 24 hour access on any of the train and buses within the city, including the airport train. You can also take Uber or Lyft, from D.I.A. or Union Station, cheaper than taxis, which are also available.

SELF-DRIVING

You may also drive a car as this will allow you to tour around the best parts of the state. Winter it’s advised to get 4WD or at least front wheel with good tread on the tires. In summer any car will do, and if you need you can rent Jeeps or ATVs, at towns like Ouray and Buena Vista, for accessing nearby backcountry’s high-clearance 4×4 roads.

RAIL

In the Mile High City, moving on foot, bus and by train is easy to do. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates light rail and bus systems that allow Denver visitors to observe the neighborhoods without paying for car rentals or parking.

BUS

For those heading straight into the Rockies, shuttle buses go to the most popular resort towns daily, including Breckenridge, Vail and Steamboat Springs. The Bustang is one great, state-run option, offering a a modern, bathroom-equipped bus, which will take you as far as Glenwood Springs from Union Station, as well as north to Fort Collins, or south to Colorado Springs.

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