The 8 Can't-Miss Towns In Colorado
Nestled amidst mountains and perched on plateaus, Colorado towns have a propensity for enthralling scenery. But it isn't just about the eye-candy appeal; these magnetic settings provide a platform for four-season recreation, deep dives into the 19th-century mining era, and even deeper into the millennia-spanning Ancestral Pueblo cultures. Speaking of diving in, what Colorado lacks in coastlines and lakes, it often makes up for in soothing geothermal pools and/or refreshing mineral springs (though these should be more dipped in than dove, I suppose). Lastly, these spit-shined frontier communities ensure comfortable and entertaining stays, thanks to their destination-worthy downtown cores. So whatever your flavor, come summer or winter, these eight Colorado towns simply can't be missed.
Telluride
Telluride is quite a ride. Boxed in by the thirteen and fourteen thousanders of the San Juan Mountains, paired with a panoramic mountain village (literally called Mountain Village) via cable car, and boasting one of the best main streets in America, Telluride appeals to all types of tourists. Thanks to the Telluride Ski Resort, the multi-use alpine trails, the tubable San Miguel River, and the rugged network of peripheral roads, the stellar range of outdoor activities simply shifts with the seasons. At the same time, exploring the streets of this re-imagined Victorian mining town (now enshrined as a National Historic Landmark District), within constant view of the snow-capped mountains, is an adventure unto itself. Perhaps your visit will align with the restorative Telluride Yoga Festival (late June), the world-famous Telluride Film Festival (late Aug), the weekly farmers market, or any number of other recurring communal events. But otherwise, simply enjoy the string of corporate-free shops and lively eateries of legendary Colorado Avenue.
Leadville
Speaking of scenic and adventurous mountain towns (who am I kidding, this will not be the last Colorado town to match that description), Leadville always has something special up its sleeve. Saddled in the Sawatch Range at a dizzying elevation of 10,152 feet (surpassing the tallest summits of most other states), Leadville made history as the highest incorporated city on the continent, and earned the nicknames "Two Mile High City" and "Cloud City." Like Telluride, it also made a name for itself as a wealthy (and salacious) mining town, as is evidenced by the Victorian mansions and Tabor Opera House, but also Wild West saloons and defunct bordellos of the 70-block National Historic Landmark. But far from a has-been place, Leadville pushed itself to develop one of the leading adventure racing series on the planet - with regular runs and rides taking place April through November (including the one that kicked it all off, the Leadville Trail 100).
Estes Park
Before we get too far along, we have to acknowledge some of Colorado's four national parks. Fixed around North America's most iconic mountain range, and welcoming an excess of 4.5 million annual visitors, where better to start than Rocky Mountain National Park? And sitting just outside of the East Entrance, around the shore of a quaint alpine lake, where better to base out of than Estes Park? Locally, you've got family-friendly adventure parks, another aerial tramway, and a downtown core dense with coffee, sweet treats, art, and grub. At the same time, Estes Park marks the eastern terminus of the 48-mile Trail Ridge Road - the highest continuously paved road on the continent. Motor your way up to 12,000 feet, over the Continental Divide, for breathtaking views of the unique Alpine Tundra ecosystem within the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you lack your own wheels or would prefer to ogle at the views rather than mind the road, local companies operate shuttle tours.
Mancos
Though there's no disputing the grandeur of the Rockies, or any of its Coloradan subranges, the cultural significance of Mesa Verde National Park also cannot be overstated (and it's still a drop-dead gorgeous landscape). Here, the legacy of the Ancestral Puebloans is etched into the cliffs of the Colorado Plateau. Owing to its 600 cliff dwellings and 4,000+ other archeological sites representing 27 Pueblos and Tribes between the 6th and 12th centuries, Mesa Verde is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And thanks to its isolated, undeveloped location (save for our base town of choice), stargazers can also rejoice knowing that this is an International Dark Sky Park.
Located just 15 minutes outside of the park, there are lots of reasons to visit Mancos, aka "Gateway to Mesa Verde." But save a little time to explore the town on the bookends of your excursion. Mancos has an adorable Creative District where its 150 resident artists manage the eight galleries, historic opera house (still a performing arts venue), and cutesy boutiques of this authentic, mural-lined, delightfully weathered Western strip.
Manitou Springs
This next can't-miss destination also lays claim to expressive rock formations and Indigenous cliff dwellings, plus a series of natural mineral springs after which this scenic resort town takes its name. Manitou Springs sits immediately west of Colorado Springs, within the red rocks and arid-green forests of the Pikes Peak Region. Watch the sun dance with the sandstone fins at Garden of the Gods, admire the 13th-century Manitou Cliff Dwellings, delve into the subterranean wonders at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, or indulge in any of the other outdoor adventures that Manitou Springs affords. And whenever you're in need of a refreshment, make for one of the seven naturally carbonated springs in the heart of town. Because of the varying concentrations of minerals throughout the cavernous aquifers, each public fountain has its own unique taste. So reusable cup in hand, you can participate in the centuries-long therapeutic tradition.
Steamboat Springs
Drinking from nourishing mineral springs is one thing, but soaking in geothermal pools ups the ante even further. This time, the springs in Steamboat Springs refer to the town's collections of hot springs, be it the Old Town Hot Springs - easily accessible in the heart of town, Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs - hidden up a rugged mountain road, or any of the roughly 150 pools in the broader area. Such a soak comes in handy after a chilly day's worth of quad-blasting runs at the 3,000-acre Steamboat Ski Resort or Howelsen Hill (i.e., Colorado's oldest continuously operating ski area). Likewise, come fair-weather season, there's no better way to relax after ripping down those same adrenaline-inducing slopes and/or adjacent trails on a mountain bike. But hey, there's no rule saying that the hot springs have to be earned in sweat. They can also complement a weekend of shopping at Steamboat Springs' nearly 250 shops, galleries, and outfitters, dining at any of its 100+ restaurants, and lounging at its array of fancy lodges, homey B&Bs, or rustic cabins.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte, aka the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," is yet another of The Centennial State's top-tier mountain towns. Start by getting acquainted with the vibrant downtown core. Here, colorful and historic Old-West buildings pop against the Elk Mountains (be they green in the summer, gold in the fall, or white in the winter), and from mid-to-late summer, beautiful flowers (somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 species) not only blanket the landscape, but fill the flowerpots of the streets and windowsills. Hikers and bikers will love the 150+ summer trails of the Gunnison Valley, while winter warriors can hit the slopes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. And if that still doesn't scratch your outdoor itch, the third of Colorado's national parks, the immense Black Canyon of the Gunnison, offers a half-day side trip that you won't want to miss.
Ouray
This list has heavily prioritized open-air adventures, so it's only fitting that we end right next door to where we began, in the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado." While that's a big statement for a small town (i.e., sub 1,000 residents) to make within a state replete with beautiful playgrounds, Ouray has the receipts to back it up. Sat in a natural bowl, surrounded by the red-hued, striated San Juan Mountains, this stunning alpine town is a mecca for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing (both the rock and ice varieties), as well as some epic scenic drives (be it the all encompassing San Juan Skyway Loop, or the infamous Million Dollar Highway through to Silverton). Rounding out its profile, Ouray has its own share of hot springs, waterfalls, and wildflowers, and its own stake in 19th century mining history, which can be tapped into at the Bachelor Syracuse Mine, surrounding Ghost Towns, two era-specific museums (i.e. Ouray County Historical Museum and the Ouray Alchemist Museum), and the opulent and still-operating Wright Opera House.
Parting Thoughts
The perennial Centennial State marries the early American West with substantially older Native American roots with unfathomably older geologic foundations. So the towns of today stand not only on the shoulders of literal giants, but along an ever-unfolding cultural timeline. These eight Colorado communities are can't-miss destinations because of the way they fuse modern amenities with historical structures, and provide access to a lifetime's worth of natural attractions for both the high-octane thrill seeker and lazy Sunday vacationer.
