Without a doubt, many travelers visit Colorado for its stunning mountain views and excellent winter sports. But visitors will also find many other types activities and attractions including natural attractions, outdoor pursuits, cultural activities, and historic places. On top of that, Colorado's plentiful produce, unique food items, vineyards, and microbreweries make dining a pleasure.
Colorado covers more than 104,000 square miles, making it the eighth largest state in the country. Its land is roughly divided into three regions: the Eastern plains, the mountains, and the Western plateaus. Almost 40 percent of Colorado's land lies in the Eastern plains, which gradually slope upwards to meet the Rocky Mountain foothills. Most of its land is level or gently rolling, with occasional hills and bluffs. Colorado's mountain ranges are among the most rugged in the country. State-wide, the average elevation is 6,800 feet above sea level, with more land above10,000 feet than any other state in the nation. Approaching the Utah border, the mountains transition to the Western plateau. This region features dramatic mesas, towering as high as 10,000 feet, and canyons cut into the land by melting snow that runs down from the mountains.
The state's geography has a large impact on its climate. Overall, Colorado's conditions are cool and dry. However, daily high and low temperatures vary greatly, as do temperatures from season to season. Summers on the Eastern plains are hot, often exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit as the maximum daily temperature. Rain and thunderstorms occur most often on the plains between April and September. In the mountain region, valleys reach high summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s (Fahrenheit), while the mountains themselves generally reach only the 50s and 60s. But even in the summertime, temperatures in the mountain region can fall below freezing on occasion. Although the mountains receive less precipitation in the summer, thunderstorms and snow, or even soft hail can occur. The Western plateaus vary in temperature, according to elevation. Below 5,500 feet, summer highs can reach more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; above 5,500 feet, temperatures are considerably cooler. In the Western plateaus, precipitation occurs more evenly throughout the year than the other two regions.
Winters in Colorado can be extreme. Lows in the Eastern plains usually plunge between zero and negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Its winters tend to be dry, with the exception of sporadic blizzards. Of course, in the mountain region, winter brings abundant snow. Cold air gets trapped in the valleys during winter, causing their average temperatures to be lower than in the higher elevations. Low temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit are common. Above the tree-line (11,500 feet above sea level), intrepid travelers contend with strong winds, which often reach between 50 and 100 miles per hour. The weather in the Western plateaus varies less, with colder and calmer conditions than the mountains.
The combination of Colorado's numerous mountains, long winters, and deep, powdery snow have long made it a favorite destination for winter sports. Aspen, Vail, and Telluride are the most popular draws, attracting throngs of people, including celebrities. But plenty of other deserving locales exist for those who prefer to avoid the crowd. Visitors can try any winter sport imaginable, including downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Or, let someone else do the work while you enjoy a dog sled ride, sleigh ride, or snowmobile tour.
Colorado's 8.3 million acres of public land provide ample recreational opportunities. Camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, hang gliding, and whitewater rafting are among the many outdoor activities visitors can enjoy. Truly adventurous travelers can explore wilderness areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Although they're often remote areas with few services, some of Colorado's most awe-inspiring mountains, canyons, and plateaus can be found there. Despite being far from either coast, Colorado is home to North America's tallest sand dunes. You can see them for yourself at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. To revel in the glorious fall colors of the aspen trees in the mountains, visit between early September and mid-October. Trees in the lower elevations show their most brilliant colors in October.
Those on the lookout for wildlife should head to Rocky Mountain National Park to see elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears. In the spring, birdwatchers from all corners of the globe descend on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to watch the annual migration of sandhill cranes. To see more animals, head to one of the state's excellent zoos, like the popular Denver Zoo, or Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.
The hot springs of Colorado are one of the state's most unique and relaxing natural features. Springs of hot mineral water bubble up from the ground at various locations throughout the state. Travelers may wish to stay at one of the spas or resorts built around a hot spring, like the historic Hot Springs Lodge and Pool in Glenwood Springs, which is a family favorite. The resort boasts the largest hot springs pool in the world. Or, go the more luxurious route at the Yampah Spa and Salon, which includes a cave sauna heated by natural vapors. Even if you don't want hot springs to be the focus of your trip, just by asking the locals, you may be able to find an undeveloped spring for a quick dip.
Golfers will love Colorado's many esteemed courses, creatively planned by some of the country's best designers. And with the state's high altitudes, the thinner air allows golf balls to travel farther and with less spin. This same principle also applies to other sports, like baseball. In locations with milder winter weather, like Denver, the Eastern plains, and Colorado Springs, players can tee off year-round.
For visitors who want to soak up some culture during their travels, Colorado's got plenty. Larger cities like Denver offer numerous and expanding arts venues. Denver's performing arts complex recently added a new opera house, showcasing both opera and ballet performances. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center also debuted its new FAC Modern Museum not long ago. Even in smaller towns and cities around the state, the arts thrive. Repertory theaters, art centers, and opera houses are among their offerings. Colorado is also home to one of the renowned Red Rocks concert amphitheater. Its stunning setting, carved into the mountains, and excellent natural acoustics make it popular with musicians and fans alike. There are also the state's excellent music festivals to keep in mind, when considering Colorado's music scene. For instance, the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival, in Steamboat Springs, lasts from early June to late August, putting on more than 70 events spanning numerous musical genres, including world rhythms. Cultural heritage events make for fun outings, too. The African-American community's annual Juneteenth Celebration, the Council Tree Pow Wow, or a Cinco de Mayo festival are just a few of the events travelers can enjoy.
Historical attractions abound as well. Whether you want to learn about dinosaurs, pay your respects at Buffalo Bill's grave, or watch a shoot-out in a true-to-life frontier town, Colorado has it. Fort museums, gold mine tours, and historic homes give visitors a look at life in days gone by. Don't miss Mesa Verde National Park, where you'll see ancient Puebloan homes carved into towering cliffs. And in a few old gold mining towns where gambling was popular, including the well-known Black Hawk and Cripple Creek, you can take in the old-time atmosphere and hit the slots at the same time.
Ready to be wined and dined? Drive through one of Colorado's wine-producing regions for a sample of its vintages. Depending on which area you visit, you'll find chardonnay, claret, merlot, cabernet franc, and even mead. Microbreweries dot the state as well, though you'll find more in Fort Collins than any other city. In the state's restaurants, you'll find ethnic fare, local specialties like buffalo, and five-star cuisine by renowned chefs.
While Colorado has certainly earned its reputation as one of the country's most picturesque states, words and photographs don't do justice to the sheer majesty of its landscapes. Whatever your reasons for visiting Colorado, you're sure to find more than you expected in this amazing and surprising state.
