Colorado is a beautiful blend of mountains, cities, snow, and sun. For that and many other reasons, it attracts 93.3 million visitors annually.
From delish cuisine and scenic scenery to kind and friendly people and much more, this state has something to offer for everyone. I loved to explore this destination with my family, and I know that you will too.
Of course, you’ll need some basic info and knowledge before you head out.
I have crafted this guide with a focus on the different aspects of the state, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll get into!
So, without any further ado, let’s begin exploring!

Table of Contents
Colorado Quick Facts
1. Statehood: Became 38th state on August 1, 1876
2. Nickname: The Centennial State and Colorful Colorado
3. Capital: Denver
4. Language: English is the predominant language; others include Spanish, German, and French.
5. Cuisine: Game, Trout, Green Chile, Craft Beer
6. Geography: Flat grass-covered plains, rolling hilly areas, and numerous mountain ranges and plateaus
7. National Parks & Monuments: 13 in total (4 national parks and 9 monuments)
8. Climate: Alpine, semi-arid and continental as well as desert climate
9. Inhabitants: 5,877,610 as of July 1, 2023
10. Governor: Jared Polis

Geographical Info
Colorado is located in the Southwestern region of the United States.
Colorado is bordered by Nebraska and Kansas to the east, Utah to the west, Wyoming to the north, and Oklahoma and New Mexico to the south.
Interesting to know: it’s one of the few states that have their boundaries defined by straight lines without any natural features.

Cities and Counties
Colorado has several major cities, the most popular of which are Denver – the Capital City, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins.
In total, Colorado has 64 counties; the most well-known ones include Denver County, EI Paso County, Boulder County, and Jefferson County.
Here is a short overview:
Denver County is home to Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city.
El Paso County includes Colorado Springs, known for its stunning mountain views, and nearby Pikes Peak.
Boulder County is home to Boulder, famous for its outdoor activities and the Flatirons rock formations.
Larimer County features Fort Collins and is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

National Parks and Monuments
Colorado has four beautiful national parks, each offering a unique experience for visitors.
These parks are home to some of the world’s most scenic and diverse sceneries. From snow-capped mountains to deep canyons shaped over millions of years, the scenery offers a one-of-a-kind vacation spot.
Though you can visit these parks year-round, spring, summer, and fall are considered the best times.
Spring is the birthing season of several mammals, summer offers more wildlife encounters, and fall is when you can spot elks in a group, as it’s a mating season.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Size: 265,807 acres
Highlights: This park is home to impressive peaks, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of hiking trails.
The Trail Ridge Road offers jaw-dropping views as it climbs over 12,000 feet. It is one of the highest paved roads in the U.S.
Wildlife like elk, moose, and bighorn sheep are abundant, especially during the fall rut season.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Size: 150,000 acres
Highlights: Known for its vast, towering sand dunes—the tallest in North America! This park is a unique desert landscape set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Visitors can try sandboarding, sledding down the dunes, or exploring Medano Creek during spring and summer. It’s also a designated Dark Sky Park, perfect for stargazing on clear nights.

Mesa Verde National Park
Size: 52,000 acres
Highlights: Step back in time at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the U.S.
You can explore ancient structures like Cliff Palace and Balcony House, which were built into sandstone cliffs over 800 years ago.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Size: Roughly 30,750 acres
Highlights: Carved over millions of years by the Gunnison River, this dramatic park has some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock formations in North America.
The canyon’s narrow walls drop nearly 2,000 feet. You can see some breathtaking views from viewpoints like the Painted Wall and Chasm View.

Must-Visit Places in Colorado
Aside from the national parks and monuments, Colorado also has plenty of other destinations to offer!
Colorado is a pretty outdoorsy and natural state, so hiking, winterspots, and watersports are the main attractions.
Also, the state is known to attract a lot of luxury travelers in some of their classy towns.
Here are a couple of spots you shouldn’t miss in Colorado!
Telluride
Telluride was named one of the best small towns in the USA, and I am not surprised.
Telluride offers great outdoor fun and adventure opportunities. It also cherishes its reputation for world-class skiing and a stunning ambiance. It is also an amazing place to visit for fall foliage.
It’s more like an off-the-beaten-path destination – and hiding out in Mountain Village is the perfect luxury escape!

Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is also known as Ski Town of USA,
This beautiful city has two exotic ski areas, over 150 natural springs, three Colorado State parks, rivers, lakes, and trail systems to offer!
Here, you can enjoy hiking and biking, and when tired, indulge in a massage or soak in a thermal pool.

Breckenridge
Hidden away beautifully in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is filled with energy and history.
Key highlights of the town are the Victorian-era architecture in the Historic District and the year-round festivities. Breckenridge also has thousands of acres of skiable terrain and a long ski season, making it one of the best winter tour destinations.
The craft beer scene in this town is also an attraction.

Aspen
Tucked between the four renowned ski spots, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands, Aspen is another destination worth visiting.
This is where all the celebrities go for their skiing vacation, so you might see one or the other on the slope!
Aspen has quality slopes for both pro and beginner skiers.
But that’s not all; the town also boasts lavish resorts, fine-dining restaurants, and a handful of tourist attractions.

Durango
Durango is a charming mountain town famous for its historic downtown and stunning natural surroundings.
It’s home to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. You can take scenic train rides through the San Juan Mountains.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing, especially at nearby Purgatory Resort. The Animas River flows right through town, perfect for rafting and fishing.

The Climate in Colorado
Colorado’s geography combines elevation, midlatitude, and continental interior.
This contributes to a pretty diverse climate. Here is what you need to know about the climate in the different topographical regions.

Great Plains (Eastern Colorado)
Summers: Hot, with temperatures often reaching the 90s°F. Afternoon thunderstorms can provide brief relief.
Winters: Cold, with temperatures frequently falling below freezing. Snow can occur, but it’s often less frequent.
Rainfall: About 10 to 20 inches annually, mostly during the summer months.
Southern Rocky Mountains (Southern Colorado)
Summers: Mild and pleasant at lower elevations, with temperatures in the 70s°F. Higher elevations can be significantly cooler.
Winters: Cold, with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous areas. Temperatures often drop below freezing.
Rainfall: Varies greatly by elevation, averaging 30 to 40 inches annually, primarily as snow.
Middle Rocky Mountains (Central Colorado)
Summers: Warm at lower elevations and cooler at higher elevations, with temperatures typically in the 60s to 80s°F.
Winters: Cold, with significant snowfall in the mountains. Temperatures can drop below freezing.
Rainfall: Higher than in the plains, averaging about 20 to 30 inches per year.
Colorado Plateau (Western Colorado)
Summers: Hot, with daytime highs often exceeding 100°F in some areas, while nights can be cool.
Winters: Cold, with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.
Rainfall: Generally dry, with annual rainfall around 10 to 15 inches, mostly occurring during summer thunderstorms.
Wyoming Basin (Northern Colorado)
Summers: Hot, with temperatures typically in the 80s°F.
Winters: Cold, with temperatures often below freezing and occasional snowfall.
Rainfall: Low, around 10 to 15 inches annually, with most precipitation in the summer.

History & Culture in Colorado
Colorado is where the culture meets nature in the most beautiful setting.
The state’s cities were specifically built to exploit its mineral wealth. Over time, tourism contributed to Colorado’s outdoor recreation culture. This culture is mainly centered around boating, skiing, biking, and snowboarding.
Colorado is definitely a land of outdoorsy people. It has something to offer for everyone. You can find ski bums, fourth-generation ranchers, environmentalists, or cowboys.
American Tribes
Colorado used to be a land of Native American tribes.
Major tribes were Arapaho, Cheyenne, Utes, and Shoshones. They primarily lived on the plains at the foot of the Rockies.
European and Spanish Intervention
Later on, in the 1600s Europeans and Spanish explored Colorado but they didn’t form any settlements.
It wasn’t until the late 1700s and early 1800s that fur traders and trappers set up trading posts along the Rockies.
Pike’s Peak Gold Rush
In the 1870s, Gold was discovered in Colorado, leading to the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and the arrival of around 100,000 prospectors.
This was when Denver and multiple other mining towns came into being.
Wild West Period
This mining boom was followed by a rough Wild West period. However, the state found new life in the 1960s when European skiers discovered its mountainous terrain.

Safety
Colorado is a stunning destination to explore, with giant mountains, calm national parks, and exotic outdoor activities.
Though most of the state is considered safe, some cities, like Aurora and Pueblo do have increased crime activity.
Of course, it can also be a bit hard to get adjusted to the altitude and the climate.
By relying on certain safety tips, you can ensure a safe and sound trip:
- Stay hydrated and avoid any strenuous activity in your first few days to prevent altitude sickness.
- Colorado’s weather changes rapidly, so be sure to check the forecast before planning anything.
- Beware of bears, mountain lions, and moose when hiking.
- Go traveling in groups, especially to the off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Sun hits stronger at higher elevations, so ensure sun protection to avoid sunburns.
Human Trafficking
Unfortunately, Colorado has also been a site of human trafficking. They had record incidents reported in 2023. So, when there, ensure to stay vigilant and trust your instincts.
If you notice anything weird, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) right away.
Festivals & Celebrations
Boulder Creek Festival
When: May
Where: Boulder, Colorado
Why: Celebrating craftspeople, food vendors, live music, and carnival games at a street party.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
When: June
Where: Telluride, Colorado
Why: Celebrate summer with beautiful bluegrass music, stunning mountain views, and a friendly atmosphere.
Fat Tire Bike Week
When: June
Where: Crested Butte, Colorado
Why: Experience thrilling mountain biking, races, and social events dedicated to biking enthusiasts.
Aspen Music Festival
When: June–August
Where: Aspen, Colorado
Why: Enjoy classical music performances by renowned artists and students in a stunning mountain setting.
Telluride Film Festival
When: September
Where: Telluride, Colorado
Why: Have fun in the cinema with exclusive screenings, world premieres, and celebrity appearances in a picturesque mountain town.
Is Colorado Worth Visiting?
If you ask my personal opinion, you will hear me shouting YES.
Denver itself is another world inside the bounds of Colorado. But if that’s not your vibe, you have still got loads more to enjoy. Colorado is so full of beautiful towns in stunning mountain settings – it almost reminds me of my home (Austria).
The National Parks are stunning, and I am obsessed with all the scenic drives. Of course, it is picture-perfect in every single season.
Sadly, Colorado is pretty expensive. But it is money well spent for sure!

Conclusion
Long story short, Colorado is a mix of beautiful sceneries and fun outdoor activities. Everything from its friendly locals to the delish food adds to the destination’s charm.
So, enjoy the scenery of Telluride, have fun at the Steamboat Springs, or just wander around the beautiful and calm streets of Aspen. You won’t be able to get enough of the Instagrammable places in every corner!
Also, don’t forget to try out the local cuisine. Palisade peaches, Colorado-style green chili, and Rocky Mountain Oysters are some of the unique specialties that you must try.
Hope you found this info helpful and will have a beautiful time in Colorado!

About The Author
Sabrina is a 30 year old Air Force Wife and passionate travel blogger, currently based in New Mexico. She loves exploring the Southwest USA with her drone.
Sabrina’s mission is help travellers have an authentic, relaxed and instagrammable trip through the American Southwest.