8 Colorado Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Colorado is dominated by towering mountains and dense pine forests, with a myriad of friendly small towns scattered throughout. There are the ski resorts in Telluride and the astonishing landscapes around Durango. Steamboat Springs provides opportunities for warm relaxation. Those drawn to artsy enclaves will find inspiration in Manitou Springs. Beyond the wondrous scenery, Colorado has small towns with unmatched friendliness. Their people are as open and welcoming as the surrounding peaks.

Morrison

You've heard of college towns, but what about concert towns? Morrison sits near Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the most famous outdoor music venues in the United States, known for its natural rock formations and concert history. Many a rockstar and crooning wonder have performed here, and as such, the town constantly has this upbeat energy and sense of excitement, even on its quietest days.

Dinosaur Ridge is also nearby and is one of the best preserved examples of dinosaur history and activity in North America. When you need a bite to eat, the Morrison Inn provides an excellent selection of Mexican food and drink. Sundance Sensations is just down the road from there, and offers a variety of beautiful clothing, gemstones, jewelry, and oddities for you or for loved ones back home.

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is located in northwestern Colorado's Yampa Valley, near Mount Werner and the Park Range; it's a prime example of old Western Colorado. This town has an easy feel to it, the sort that makes one wish to take a stroll down main street and admire historic and vintage buildings. With its powder snow, this area is a prime location for snow sport enthusiasts, housing visitors coming to the Howelsen Hill Ski Area for a snow day.

The Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival blends these grounded cowboy traditions with the high energy of skiing. Yampa River Botanic Park is a beautiful walking park full of flowers and art for everyone to enjoy. After a long day of excitement, visitors can find rest at the Legacy Vacation Resort, with its striking architecture and large windows that capture the atmosphere of the area perfectly.

Telluride

Telluride is located deep within the San Juan Mountains. No matter where you are, rocky outcrops and tall peaks festooned with conifers stretch into the sky. The general air of friendliness is palpable, mixing with a very distinct western sophistication to give the town a distinct atmosphere. Snow sport enthusiasts often make the pilgrimage here in order to stay at the Telluride Ski Resort, which boasts of beautiful slopes without the crowds. Hikers and nature enthusiasts also frequent this town in order to journey up the mountain and visit the beautiful Bridal Veil and Bear Creek Falls. For the music enthusiasts, there's the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, when locals and traveling musicians alike will light the streets with song.

Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is the epitome of that artsy, laid back Colorado so many love. The main streets are filled with galleries and shops selling hand-made works. Perhaps it has something to do with the location. Pikes Peak dominates the sky over the town, and just up the road, the Garden of the Gods sits, both enticing visitors to wander through nature and take in the moment.

The Commonwheel Arts Festival is a perfect example of this artist's heart, bringing together and lifting up local artists for over 50 years. If you find you need to sit for a spell and have something to drink, the Miramont Castle Museum and the Queen's Parlour Tea Room is an amazing 1895 chateau that welcomes locals and visitors, providing both educational lectures and a bevy of leafy brews.

Durango

This is the little town that could. Durango is a lively little place that makes a point to honor its past as it looks to the future. Full of Victorian architecture, it houses a myriad of adventures for locals and visitors. As part of the Durango & Silverton Railroad, trains are an everyday part of history here. The Narrow Gauge Railway and Museum is an amazing place to both explore train history and ride some of the historic steam locomotives that once rumbled en masse through the mountainsides and valleys.

There is also the Powerhouse, a converted power generation station that is now an interactive learning center for adults and kids alike to learn about energy. The San Juan National Forest, which cradles the area, is a beautiful retreat for those that want a day of hiking or a night of camping out in the pines. In the summer, the Animas River Days is a celebration of the Animas River and the life that comes with it. The event is full of excitement, river surfing and kayaking and a beautiful river parade among the highlights.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte is often referred to as the "Last Great Colorado Ski Town." Sitting in the Elk Mountains, this town is full of bright 1800s buildings that house galleries, independent shops, and restaurants. The Crested Butte Nordic Center, a nonprofit focused on bringing people into the great outdoors, welcomes winter sport enthusiasts and amateurs alike.

If summer is your preferred season, then the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival will dazzle you with its array of blooms and grasses. The Trailhead Children's Museum is a local favorite that invites neighborhood and visiting children to come and explore its halls. Paragon Gallery, located in old city hall, uplifts local artists and showcases their works for sale.

Silverton

Silverton is set deep in the San Juan Mountains. A historic mining town, the beautiful buildings, friendly residents, and calendar full of festivity welcomes anyone at any time of year. This little patch of settled mountain wilderness is on what is known as the Million Dollar Highway, a driving route that winds through the awe inspiring terrain of rugged Colorado.

San Juan County Historical Society Mining Heritage Center is an excellent first stop to learn all about the town and the surrounding area, featuring historic artifacts, lectures, and rotating showcases. There are plenty of outdoor trails to explore, like the Ice Lakes Trail that will lead hikers up the mountains and to the shores of clear alpine lakes. If you are visiting in winter, the Skijoring is a raucous event where skiers are tied to horses and pulled through obstacle courses in a wild display of speed, skill, and jovial madness.

Ouray

Ouray has a certain quintessential character of small-town Americana. Sitting at the far other end of the Million Dollar Highway, it offers rest and rehabilitation with its famous Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Man-made pools are fed by naturally heated and mineral-rich water, providing blissful relaxation in the shadows of towering mountain peaks.

Local history is proudly displayed at the Ouray County Museum, which is housed in an 1880s mining hospital. History and theater buffs alike will enjoy the Wright Opera House, which offers both tours and shows throughout the year. In the winter, the town hosts its Ouray Ice Festival, a spirited celebration of ice climbing that is globally recognized by the sport community at large.

Mountain Hospitality Across Colorado

These small towns that pepper the mountains of Colorado and call such rugged landscapes home are full of rich character and distinct personalities, but the one thing that unites them is their open arms. Whether you're looking for a wintery thrill racing down a snowy slope or reclining as you watch wildflowers dance on a mountain breeze, these little pockets of western hospitality are ready to welcome you on your next journey through the state.