Yesterday my friend Gail and I went to see "The Bucket List". I laughed and cried. We all have our bucket list even as young people. Some want to get married and have children and others want to make a million and travel the globe. When I got home, I started my bucket list. I have lots of places I'd like to visit during my lifetime. If Colorado is listed as one of your destinations not to miss, you may want to check it off by visiting in 2008 or 2009. The only problem is going to be how to narrow down where to visit during your time here. So, I've broken it down by seasons with a few suggestions.
Winter- What comes to mind? Probably skiing. There are 26 ski resorts in Colorado from tiny Ski Cooper, where my son learned to ski, to the grand daddy Vail with almost 5,300 ski-able acres. If you aren't a skier, try dog-sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing or another winter sport. If you are a cowboy or girl at heart, the National Western Stock Show is a Denver highlight during January. I've never seen so many kinds of chickens and rabbits. Who knew? Frisco's Gold Rush is in early February and Steamboat has the Annual Winter Carnival in its 94th year.
Spring- You'll find many a die hard rafter in one of our many rivers across the state. While the ride may require a wet suit, the water is the highest at this time of year. Spring skiing is usually great. While the snow may be a little mushy, lots of people ski in shorts. Fruita has the Fat Tire Festival and Mike the Headless Chicken Days, the Grand Valley has Spring Barrel Tasting and Salida and Buena Vista sponsor the National River Cleanup Greenup. Creede has the Silver Chef Competition at the Taste of Creede. If you love jazz, the Estes Park Jazz Fest and Grand Junction Art and Jazz Festival are both in May.
Summer- Late June and early July feature amazing wildflowers in the high country. I love to visit Yankee Boy Basin with my camera and brown bag lunch. I can spend all day enjoying the outdoors and amazing views of Colorado. For those bike riders, amazing riding places are available throughout the state. Many of the best ski areas in winter, become wonderful hosts for mountain biking activities. Ride the lift to the top and work your way down the trail on your favorite bike. Buena Vista has the BalloonaVista, Fort Collins hosts the Colorado Brewer's Festival now in its 18th year and Frisco will make your mouth water with the Colorado BBQ Challenge. You'll enjoy Music in the Mountains in Durango and the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo in Steamboat Springs.
Fall- Fall in Colorado makes me think of all the wonderful fall colors. There are special drives you can take to see some of the most amazing colors in nature. Estes Park has the Scottish and Irish Highlands Festival, Delta hosts the Blues Festival and Grand Junction has the 16th Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest. Glenwood Springs invites you to the 8th Annual Historic Ghost Walk at the Linwood Cemetery and Creede will tempt you with its Chocolate Tasting Festival. Denver sponsors the International Wine Festival and Taste of Colorado. There is never enough wine or chocolate!
I'm tired just thinking of all the great Colorado activities and I've only just scratched the surface. This doesn't include the amazing hiking trails, the fourteeners just waiting to be climbed, fantastic museums, national parks and shopping, shopping, shopping. Anytime of year is a great time to visit. And...if you decide to stay, give me a call and let's chat.
Other Resources:
Colorado Tourism Office
Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
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