Taking the GF (both 27) to colorado to hike and camp, I've been plenty she's never gone. We're coming from Iowa and plan on leaving the 4th of July. Hoping ppl will want to be done with the hoilday and go home

We have a tent and some basic camping supply's, axel fire grate beding, it's been a while since I've been camping let alone dispersed so any extra info or knolowege of anything in the areas or in general would be appreciated 🙏🏼 Also ganna have a few free days so seeing what the community suggests We have hiked the 10 mi chaple hill in picture rock michigan a few times and do hike regularly at home

Saturday were ganna stay in boulder, old college town plan on stocking up for camping

Sunday were traveling through twin lakes to Independence pass, and plan on staying at one if the dispersed sites on the road leading to aspen. Once we set up camp just hiking around the area and explore

-sun to wensday well be here.

Monday we plan on doing carter lake or further. Maybe do a shorter hike on top of it.

• what else would you recommend?

-I know we have to get a reservation for parking before hand, and we should plan on being there early in the morning

Tuesday is kinda a free day. We can do anything, give suggestions! The gf perfers staying in the wilderness but we are open for a 2 or 3 hour drive from around the aspen, Independence pass area.

Wensday we leave and go to estas park. Going the back way around through grandby up trail ridge road. This ganna take like 8ish hours but the veiws.

Taking a look at camping, it's very rare already so maybe dispersed but planned on a hotel for the rest

Thursday plan was emerald lake and the other lakes around there. Maybe something else.

Friday is our last day what do you suggest! Open to anything. And then the night out in the town.

Saturday were leaving early to head back to boulder and leave when we want.

So how does it look, what suggestions or info would you give. Trip advise, hikes and stays as well as the camping side with dispersed.

Thanks again!

We (from Switzerland) are traveling through the States this September.

One of our (hopefully scenic) driving stages is between “Glenwood Springs” and “Estes Park”. I would like to take the “Peak to Peak” highway (119/72).

Is the route still passable in mid-September (as swiss we are used to mountain roads, but I'm afraid we'll have West Coast car tires on our rental car) and where would be the best place to take a short break along the way to eat something, use a restroom or maybe even enjoy a view? We don't want to upset anyone and stop somewhere where tourists are less welcome.

Thank you :)

Making the move in a couple of months for family reasons but I have never even been to Colorado. What do I NEED to know? What will shock me? What laws are vastly different (already read up on gun laws cause jail doesn’t sound fun) What southern staple do I need to bring along so I don’t starve?

Any thoughts, jokes, advice, or funny anecdotes about moving from the south are welcome

Hello all, I’ll be visiting the Denver area for a 1 week vacation in February. Have any good tips? I’ve never been to CO and have never been on a winter vacation. I’m very well traveled however.

About me: Male Early 40s Single -I enjoy live music (rock/country/red dirt) and EDM -I drink and like to enjoy music but don’t/can’t smoke cannabis.

Looking for tips for the following:

Weather- I’d like to drive my 4x4 drive truck if possible. I’ll be driving from the Tulsa area. Flying is an option as well but I won’t have transportation while there of course.

Skiing/Snowboarding- I haven’t been skiing since I was a kid. I don’t mind paying for instruction

Where should I do all this? Closer the better to Denver but willing drive if it’s worth it.

Lodging- resort, hotel, AirB&B/VRBO?

Budget- the plan will dictate this to a certain extent. I’m middle class so exclusive/luxury type places like Aspen are likely out of the budget.?.?

Any tourist traps/scams I should watch out for?

Hi folks, We’re flying into DIA- can you give me your recommendations for the lowest cost car rental location?

Thank you!

My son (15) and I (42) will be traveling there in May or June with my aunt (74). We will be flying so I assume we’ll have to rent a vehicle to get around. My son is interested in going hiking. I’m thinking we’ll spend some days in Denver and some in Colorado Springs. I’d like to know what all there is to do in those areas and what places are worth going to see and hike. We’re from Louisiana so it’s safe to say we haven’t done any real hiking at all. I’m open to all suggestions and advice so we can plan.

We are planning on doing the Rocky Mountain national park 1 day and doing garden of the gods one day. Other than that we aren’t sure what would be fun with young kids and adults. Kids will be 3.5 and 10 months and there will be 5 adults in the group

Howdy! I’m trying to plan a trip for my girlfriend and I for the end of May-early June, and on this trip I’m planning on proposing! We are both in our early twenties and enjoy hiking and being outdoors, but still want to be in an area with good nightlife. Are there any must see places to pop the question? Also, is it possible to see snow? We are from Texas and I’m sure it would be cool.

My friends and I have been in Colorado for a few days now. The last place on our itinerary is Rocky Mountains, but we’re afraid we won’t find parking tomorrow morning and the drive is over 2.5 hours for us. We understand there is limited parking available during the winter. Does anyone know if the park stays full during this time?

Going to Glenwood Springs for a couple days between Christmas and New Year's and trying to decide where to soak. Traveling via train and not renting a car, considering either the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort or the Iron Mountain Hot Springs? Any strong feelings one way or another from you fine folks?

Hello everyone! Me and my girlfriend are going to Colorado Springs in a few weeks(late December) and I was just wondering what I should expect and how to not be an annoying tourist. I don’t really have much experience driving in snow and I’ll be in all-weathers, so I was wondering about how much snow there usually is? The vehicle will be heavy with all wheel drive if that helps. We’ll be going up through I-25 to Colorado Springs. Also, what the heck do you do around snow plows besides stay out of their way? I have never seen one before so I’m not sure what the etiquette is around them lol. Tip of the hat and a good day? I also won’t be messing with any mountain or sledding or anything I have no business being up there. Anyways any help is much appreciated for this Texan thank yall so much! Please let me know if any of yall want Texas vacation advice.

Taking a trip Christmas 2025 and need opinions/thoughts to help decide on where to stay.

These are the places we’re looking into: Breckenridge, Winter Park, Granby, Estes Park.

We want a town that has a good Christmas vibe, a cute downtown, nice view, sledding, ice skating, not big on skiing so it’s not important, good eats, kids friendly things to do. Driving in from DIA. That’s pretty much the gist.

Which one would you choose? Has best/worst roads? Pro/cons? Anything to help narrow it down further.

Edit: I have the CO 511 app and occasionally check it to get an idea of road conditions around this time of year.

So Colorado is a popular destination for tourists and newcomers alike, and as a result of that popularity, you’ll often hear locals complaining about the ubiquity (and the subsequent congestion) of outsiders, specifically from states like California and Texas. I imagine that Midwesterners writ large have also gained a reputation among Coloradans.

On this note, as residents of a very transient state, I am curious to hear from locals, what opinions do Coloradans have of Oregonians?

My boyfriend and I are planning a 3-day trip to Colorado (around Dec 20 -Dec25).Any recommendations on which city would be the best to visit?

Me and my daughter are flying into Denver on the 20th of December and spending 9 days before leaving on December 28th to head back home. My original plan was to try and do some traveling around. I want to check out Breckenridge, Crested Butte, and Salida. I also want to check out Buena Vista and potentially Fairplay. Unfortunately, I have heard from locals, read my own info, and watched some videos of past "explorers" in CO in the winter time around those same areas, and it seems like that's a horrible idea for me to try and attempt. Especially because I'm inexperienced in driving in the snow. So, I have narrowed it down to Breckenridge for this trip. I've gotten some feedback for areas to book an Airbnb if I choose not to book in Breckenridge because of the prices. I've heard Frisco and Silverthorne. I need feedback about these 2 spots. I definitely want to do the tourist activities with my daughter such as snow tubing, sledding, dog sledding (if possible), dining out, shopping, and seeing the quaint downtown areas with the local shops decorated with stunning views. I have no interest in skiing unless it's super convenient. If anyone had any feedback about Frisc and/Silverthorne and why it would potentially be better for me to book our Airbnb in either of those spots, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks in advance:)

Earlier this summer I decided I wanted to visit the beautiful state of Colorado for Christmas. Myself and my daughter (She will be 7 in January) will be flying into Denver on Dec. 20th and heading back home to NC on Dec. 28th. I really would love to have a white Christmas, even though I know that's not guaranteed. I'm under the impression there's a good chance in the Breckenridge area. We want to go snow tubing, sledding, ride a mountain coaster (if possible), take strolls through the downtown shops, dine out frequently, and see all of the Christmas festivities. I still have not booked an Airbnb because I'm not 100% sure of where to stay. I would love to travel around while we are in your lovely state. I ultimately would love to visit Buena Vista, Breckenridge, Salida, and if possible Crested Butte. My question to anyone who can PLEASE help me is, where would be an ideal central location for us to stay and be able to still travel to the places I would like to see? I'm thinking Fairplay but I'm not sure. I'm not experienced driving in the snow, but I am experienced in driving through the mountains. I will have an AWD/4WD SUV rental. I don't want to stay anywhere that is well off the beaten path just for the safety of me and my daughter. I would greatly appreciate anyone's feedback. I've been trying to decide where to book our Airbnb now for 3 weeks and I need to book ASAP. Prices are going up and places are getting booked up quickly. I have no idea where to stay.. PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks in advance.

My wife and I are taking our honeymoon in Ouray in a couple of weeks and could use some suggestions. We had a lot of hiking planned, but unfortunately she broke her wrist, so now we can only do a little bit of non-strenuous hiking while we’re there.

We enjoy scenic drives, ghost towns and other spooky things like that, good food, and we’d still like to do some easy hikes.

We’re willing to travel anywhere close, we’re just staying in Ouray. We’ve never been outside of Denver, so we’re open to pretty much anything in the mountains.

Hi, Is it good time to visit Colorado during thanksgiving weekend? Based on my research I understand that it would be snowing in the area and most of the points would be closed.

Hello everyone,

We are a family of four (Mom, a 4-year-old daughter, Dad, and Grandma) visiting from Florida over Thanksgiving weekend. We’re flying into Denver and want to take our little one to experience snow for the first time. We’ll be renting a 4x4 vehicle and would love some local recommendations for family-friendly spots and must-see attractions.

We’re not into skiing, but we’re open to snow tubing or other fun winter activities. Since we’re traveling on a budget, we’re looking for affordable options unless there’s something truly worth the splurge.

Thanks so much for any tips! We’re excited and can’t wait to explore your beautiful state.

Best,

Hi all

We're heading to Colorado for a 3 week vacation next summer. We've got teenagers and so require 2 rooms for our 5 night/4 day stay in Denver.

We're struggling to find a hotel suitable that either has twin beds in some rooms or doesn't charge $50 a night parking (for our rental car) or doesn't risk having the car broken into...

We ideally want to be within 20-30 min drive of:

• Wings over the Rockies
• Museum of Nature & Science
• Denver Cat Company
• Meow Wolf
• Putt Shack (or similar)

We've looked at Cherry Creek and this is coming in at $2907 (inc parking) at Moxy, so we're wondering if there is something maybe a bit further out of town that will be a little cheaper, maybe self-parking on site, but in a relatively safe neighbourhood.

Thanks in advance

Hey guys, I’m heading to Colorado and will be about 30 minutes west of Colorado Springs in Woodland Park. I’ve already checked out Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak, so I’m looking for some new adventures.

Any recommendations for easy hikes, gondola rides, or unique, offbeat spots? I’d love to find some quirky, fun stuff to do within an hour’s drive. Chill bars and coffee shops where I could journal and have a good coffee/beer would be awesome. Also – any good small businesses that sell handmade postcards/art/etc.?

Hi everybody! My friends and I are taking a week long trip to Denver and Breckenridge in December! We’re open to any suggestions/ advice, must have places to visit, and fun things to do! I want to note that we’re all Floridians that have no experience in the snow so any beginner activities are appreciated! We’re also huge foodies!! Thank you so much to everyone in advance!

A friend and I are thinking of going up to Colorado around spring time. We know nothing about the beautiful state, just seen nice videos/pics. We’re looking for any advice/tips available that will help us make the most of the trip. We are both amateur photographers and want to get good pics while connecting with nature. What are the best places/parks to visit? And what city should we stay in? I’m most familiar/comfortable with Hampton Inn but if anyone has airbnb rec’s that may be cheaper. And with all that, what Airport we should fly into? We are coming from Central Florida, so anything we need to know about Colorado, like the weather, safety, etc? Of course we will try to do our own research as well, but any help would be appreciated, Thank You! And thank you mods for allowing me to post.

I currently live in the Springs along with most of my loved ones, but lately I've been feeling I want to move to a small town where everyone knows each other and it's a small, tight knit community

Does such a place exist near the Springs, or anywhere in Colorado? Are there cheap apartments there, or at least a house with a cheap mortgage?

Hi all!

Thanks to the admins for letting me join.

I'm planning a trip out to CO in mid Feb with some friends. I've been before and stayed at a hostel near Keystone, unfortunately they were shut down.

Wondering if you have any recommendations, places to avoid, inside scoop of any kind. I know roads out there can be a gamble. We will have a 4X4 Truck. I would like to avoid any possibility of not being able to get up to the mountain.

Any help is appreciated!

Hello everyone!

I am an off grid electrician and I have just accepted a fantastic job in Longmont, CO.

I am trying to figure out if it is going to make more sense for my personal happiness to live in FOCO or Longmont.

I have a ton of family in Fruita/GJ but I have never been to Longmont or FOCO.

Anyone who cares to help, I truly appreciate (and YES OF COURSE I AM GOING TO COME VISIT I AM LOOKING FOR THE INSIDE SCOOP HERE GANG).

A little about me:

-I love hiking/camping

-I love training Jiu Jitsu!

-I love Organic Food and access to health food stores/farmer markets.

-I am 30 years old

-I love Live Music

From what I have seen, most folks lean towards FOCO because they simply enjoy the town more, but the Longmont fans tend to bring up the act that its a little quiter, and a little easier to navigate in terms of traffic and parking and whatnot. Cost of living seems to be something Longmont has as well.

Anyways,

I truly look forward to hearing your input.

And for any Jiu Jitsu assassins out here, which place has the best No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Classes?

I have already pretty much decided I will be training at 10th Planet Longmont!

Me and a group of friend are going to Fair Play,CO on October 25-29. I’m trying to see if there any we can do while we there drinking/hunting/swimming/ partying anything honestly. We are a mixed group of M/f and also is there anything I should stay away from

First, thanks to the moderators for letting me post. Second, my wife and I are talking about starting to take month long vacations in Colorado, probably in July or July into August. We're in Texas and it's been pretty hot, and humid here for several summers. I know we can't be gone the whole summer but a month would help. Anyway, were older, retired and always stay in hotels, motels, or lodges while on vacation. Never done the vrbo or airbnb stuff but looking into it for a month long stay. We plan on staying just a week next summer for our first trip to try out our plan before expanding to a full month. We like to go to National and State Parks for leisurely walks, not long strenuous hikes. We also go to historical sites when available. We've recently been to Rocky Mtn NP and Durango to ride the train. I've been looking at four cites to try all this out - Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Frisco, and Silverthorne. I know everyone probably has their favorite so let me know why you like the ones I mentioned, or give a shout out to some other vacation spots that you love. Thanks.