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U.S. state
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Colorado is a state of wild contrasts. From the flat plains of the eastern portion of the state to some of the Rocky Mountains' highest peaks to the high desert and red rock country of the western reaches of the state, the landscape is incredibly varied, home to many diverse ecosystems and natural marvels, and supports a thriving hunting and outdoors culture that draws people from around the world.
The most populous part of the state, with the large metro capital-city of Denver and its many suburbs.
The sparsely populated and flat agricultural country of the eastern half of the state.
Follows the northern part of the Colorado Rockies, including the college town of Boulder and such well-known attractions as Rocky Mountain National Park.
Spectacular canyon-and-mesa country reminiscent of neighboring Utah and Colorado's most popular ski resorts.
The high country of the southern Rockies, home to the towering Sangre de Cristo Range and San Juan Mountains with their many ski resorts, with the broad, pleasant San Luis Valley between them.
A region rich in scenery, Old West history and Native American culture, home to the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, quiet, rugged mining ghost towns high in the mountains, and the sheer depths of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Near Mosca. Spectacular 2250 ft deep canyon of the Gunnison River.
Near Montrose. Extensive sand dunes up to 750 ft tall at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Near Cortez and Mancos. UNESCO World Heritage Site protects nearly 600 Ancestral Pueblan cliff dwellings.
Between Estes Park and Grand Lake. Park protects 265807 acre of pristine mountains along the Continental Divide of the Americas.
Near Salida. This canyon of the upper Arkansas River is popular for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Near Leadville. World War II mountain warfare training camp and facilities of the U.S. Army Tenth Mountain Division.
Near Dolores. Contains more than 6,000 archaeological sites, representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures.
Near Pagosa Springs. Ruins of an Ancestral Puebloan community of the Chaco Culture of 900-1100 CE.
Near Grand Junction. Rim Rock Drive and trail system through red sandstone pillars, arches and other strange rock formations that rise hundreds of feet above the Grand Valley.
Near Dinosaur. Massive bones of Jurassic era sauropods and allosauruses abound throughout this fossil-rich area. Also a great place for whitewater rafting.
Near Florissant. Yes, there really are petrified redwood trees in Colorado, preserved in a rain of volcanic ash during the Pleistocene Era. Up to 1,700 species have been found, making this one of the most diverse fossil beds in the world.
Near Cortez. Protects six Ancestral Puebloan villages spread over a 20-mile (32-km) expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Colorado-Utah border. Iconic to the monument are the multi-storied ruins.
Near Cortez. Undeveloped park protects an Ancestral Pueblan community, built between 1150 and 1300 AD.
Near Granada. Site of the World War II Granada Relocation Center, a Japanese-American incarceration camp.
Near La Junta. A restored adobe fur trading post from the 1840s. Learn about the authentic Old West history of traders, trappers and Native Americans, all of whom came to the fort to barter.
Near Eads. Another dark chapter in U.S. relations with Native Americans. In 1864, soldiers from the U.S. military attacked a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne and Arapaho along Big Sandy Creek, on the Eastern Plains. Out of a group of largely women, children and the elderly, 150 were killed.
Through Sedgwick County. This route was used by "49ers" on their westward march to the California gold fields from 1849 to 1859.
Winding through southwestern Colorado, this trade route first explored in 1776 leads from Santa Fe to Los Angeles.
Through Sedgwick County. Even though it was in operation for only 18 months from April 1860 to October 1861, and was shut down with the advent of the transcontinental telegraph, the Pony Express has become an indelible part of Wild West lore.
Through the southeastern Colorado. Trade route between Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the crest of the Rocky Mountains for 3100 mi from Canada to Mexico. Largely high alpine hiking in pristine wilderness areas. Trail never deviates more than 8 mi (13 km) from the Continental Divide.
Near Granby. Encompasses five reservoirs in the upper Colorado River Valley.
Near Gunnison. Encompasses three reservoirs on the Gunnison River.
Near Buena Vista. Recognized as one of the nation's most popular locations for whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Arkansas River - the most commercially rafted river in the world.
Home of one of the few remaining Chautauqua lecture halls (a National Historic Landmark), this recreation area abuts the jutting red sandstone crags of the Flatirons, a symbol of Boulder.
Administered by Colorado Springs, the red rock pillars, arches and bluffs frame snow covered Pikes Peak in the distance. An easy hike, bike ride, or way to exhaust the memory on your digital camera.
Located in Morrison on the western edge of Denver, an outdoor concert venue with amazing natural beauty that provides a great view of Denver below. Visit the Rock and Roll Museum at the top of Red Rocks, eat in the restaurant, hike the red sandstone and scrub oak trails for their scenic beauty and wildlife.
Cañon City runs a theme park on the rim of this 1,250-ft (380-m) deep canyon, including the Royal Gorge Bridge, highest suspension bridge in the world. (Not for acrophobes).
In Colorado Springs. Built in 1962, this white spired building is considered a premier example of Modernist architecture. Designated a National Historic Landmark.
In Golden, close to the bristling microwave and communications towers of Denver's TV and radio stations, Buffalo Bill's final resting place is a strange blend of the Old and New West.
In Boulder. Popular free tour of the herbal tea factory, including the overpowering vapors of the spearmint room. Lots of hot tea and free samples.
Go on a real archeological dig of Pueblo peoples who lived near Mesa Verde National Park.
In downtown Denver. The single largest producer of coins in the world. Free tour, but be sure to go to their web site and book your reservations in advance.
Architect Daniel Libeskind designed the new wing of the museum, a thrusting ship-like prow of titanium and glass. Collections include work by Man Ray, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Philip Guston, as well as an important collection of Western art.
Considered an engineering feat for narrow gauge rail lines. Historic steam engine, open and closed cars, offering some fantastic views and a ride over a 100-foot-high trestle. A mine tour is also an option. Close to Denver with stations in Georgetown and Silver Plume.
One of the largest hot springs pool in the world. For more Colorado geothermal pools, see the Wikivoyage article, hot springs.
In downtown Denver. The History Colorado Center is a popular first stop for tourists to get acquainted with the state. Exhibits feature hands-on, interactive activities for families, like a ski jump simulator and storytelling "time machines" to push around a huge state map, combining artifacts with technology to highlight both fun and serious stories from Colorado's past.
In Burlington near the Kansas border. After being buried for decades inside its terminal in feed corn, this 100 year old carousel is still in working order and with its original paint.
Near Fairplay. Sadly, no Stan, Kyle, Kenny or Cartman from the eponymous TV cartoon series. But there are some seriously pretty mountains and scenery in this 10,000-ft (3,000-m) plateau.
In Pueblo. Rodeo, concerts, tigers, sea lions, fair rides and fair food.
By rail
By highway
By bus
By bicycle
The Adventure Cycling Association sponsors five long distance bicycle routes that pass through Colorado:
By foot
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Colorado Springs · International · COS
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Prominent research center at the foot of the Flatirons is home of the University of Colorado.
Founded as a placer mining camp, the "Mile-High City" is the state capital and the most populous city within 560 mi.
Colorado's second-most-populous city is a military, technical, and recreational complex at the foot of Pikes Peak.
Historic frontier town with scenic narrow-gauge railroad to Silverton in the San Juan Mountains.
This technology and recreation center is the home of Colorado State University.
The most populous city of western Colorado is the gateway to Colorado National Monument and Colorado's Wine Country.
Site of a historic agricultural colony on the South Platte River and home of the University of Northern Colorado.
Historic frontier town is the gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Historic city on the Arkansas River, once the border between the United States and Mexico.
Former gold mining camp turned international resort community.
Near Grand Junction. Viticultural area has some of the highest vineyards in the world.
Former coal ming town is now a mecca for skiing and mountain biking.
Historic town at the mouth of spectacular Glenwood Canyon has the world's largest hot spring pool and adventure park.
Near Idaho Springs. The highest paved highway in North America ascends this 14271 ft Front Range mountain overlooking Denver.
Near Leadville. This 4401.2 m summit is the highest point of the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada.
Near Colorado Springs. Both a cog railway and a toll road ascend to the 4302.31 m summit of "America's Mountain".
Hot springs and western-style ski resort at the foot of the Park Range.
Second largest ski resort in North America.
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