Explore Colorado

Even life-long residents can agree that in Colorado, there are always new experiences to be had. Between world-class destinations and services for hiking, camping, rock climbing, white water rafting, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, and more, it’s impossible to ignore the possibility of adventure.

In an attempt to contextualize the overwhelming amount of Colorado outdoor fun, here are a few key numbers to know. Within the state, there are:

• 2 National Grasslands
• 4 National Parks
• 8 National Monuments
• 11 National Forests
• 32 Ski resorts
• 2,600 Ski runs
• 2,624 Mountains over 11,000 feet in elevation
• 39,000 Miles of hiking trails
• 44,000 Acres of downhill ski terrain
• 14,500,000 Acres of National Forest Land

When it comes to top ski destinations in the contiguous US, Colorado is always near the top of the list. Benefitting from light, fluffy powder, and 32 operating ski resorts, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Your options are as varied as the terrain. If you’re into no-frills skiing, you’ll find plenty to celebrate at A-Basin, Monarch, Wolf Creek, and Loveland. If you enjoy the fancy resort experience, head to Vail, Aspen, Telluride, or Beaver Creek. There are also hidden gems like Purgatory, Ski Cooper, Crested Butte, Powderhorn, and Eldora.

If you’re a veteran skier or rider looking for an extra challenge, head to Silverton Mountain or check out Bluebird Backcountry, the nation’s first in-bounds backcountry ski area. Whatever your flavor, Colorado’s got it.

Between blue skies, four seasons, and low humidity, the weather in Colorado can generally be considered pretty darn good.

With many cities receiving hundreds of days of sunshine and major ski resorts averaging 300 inches of snow a year, the weather in Colorado caters to most.

Even though most of the state is in a semi-arid environment, it’s easy to escape the summer heat by adventuring higher into the alpine or jumping into a cool Rocky Mountain stream. Additionally, at night, even the warmest places tend to cool off thanks to a combination of elevation, wind, and a lack of humidity.

Similar to the festivals, an amazing variety of food and drink-related events exist in Colorado. From the country’s largest annual beer festival to the Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival, there’s a gathering for every palette and lifestyle.

Best of all, you don’t have to wait for an organized celebration to experience the state’s quality food and drink. With some of the best Mexican restaurants on this side of the border, an annual harvest of Palisade peaches, and unique cookeries popping up everywhere, you never quite know what your next bite of the Rocky Mountains is going to taste like.

If you need something to wash that down, have no fear, Colorado is home to more distilleries and breweries than we can count. Plus, there is a burgeoning coffee and tea culture with local operations producing high-quality products all over the state.

Check out the 14 best restaurants in Colorado.

With a pronounced fitness culture and multiple major sports teams, Colorado is a great place to live and breathe an athletic lifestyle. In the capital alone, Denverites can see professional-level football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. Additionally, many options exist to join a wide variety of adult leagues.

In the Front Range, college athletics are also incredibly competitive. Colorado State, the University of Denver, and the University of Colorado consistently field high-ranking sports teams. If rodeo is your thing, stock shows, and competitions each summer in cities like Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Elizabeth, offer plenty of fun.

Colorado’s numerous festivals are another huge perk of living in the state. There are dozens of world-class events set against stunning natural beauty and tons of unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Zeroing in on the best festivities in Colorado is a tough task, but we recommend Salida’s FibArk for outdoor sports lovers, Telluride Bluegrass Festival for music fans, and you can't miss a concert experience at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If you’re looking for a wild day of events, culture, food, and fun all at once, never miss an opportunity to attend Nederland’s Frozen Dead Guy Days.