Colorado Holiday Guide - UK English 2025
Saddle Up for the Original Wild West
2025-05-08 06:35:15
Dream of experiencing America’s Wild West? Colorado is the state to do it — with a rugged and romantic history of grand adventure and exploration.
Native American Sites
We can’t discuss Colorado’s true roots without remembering our original inhabitants. Many sites and museums will have your imagination floating back in time to the first and most-fascinating human experiences in Colorado, including those at Mesa Verde National Park, Chimney Rock National Monument and the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose.
Horse Riding
Dramatic backdrops and winding trails make Colorado the perfect place to ride on a trusty horse. Stables and outfitters offer quick day rides and full multiday adventures, where every ride is an unforgettable trip into the backcountry and a taste of Colorado’s famous cowboy lifestyle.
Dude Ranches
Our dude ranches offer vacation experiences that range from upscale, romantic resort-like properties to rustic, working ranches where guests can take part in everyday experiences like herding cattle or gathering fresh eggs. While each of our 30-plus dude ranches are different, you can count on them all being incredibly family friendly and having activity-rich schedules for everyone in your party.
Western Wear
Visitors can get the look of the local cowboys, from boots to hats, at several beloved stores throughout the state, including Rockmount Ranch Wear (inventor of the snap-button Western shirt seen in countless movies) in Denver, F.M. Light & Sons in Steamboat Springs, Goodman’s in Pagosa Springs, Greeley Hat Works in Greeley and High Country Western Wear in Arvada.
Ghost Towns
Colorado’s mining boom put the state on the map as one of the most lucrative places to be in the late 1800s. Promises of riches brought workers in droves as newcomers quickly assembled in towns near metal-laden landscapes on grassy meadows and rocky hillsides. Some of these towns — like Breckenridge, Leadville and Idaho Springs — remain some of Colorado’s top destinations. Some of the not-so-lucky faded into some of the coolest ghost towns in America, which visitors can explore on their own.
Rodeos
Colorado’s Western history comes to life at rodeos throughout the state, where traditional affairs such as bull riding and livestock competitions are often paired with contemporary festivities, including concerts from countrymusic artists, dog shows and unique contests (think craft beer and ski jumping). Plan your trip around the most famous rodeo gathering: the National Western Stock Show, held each January in Denver.
Dinosaur Fossils
Going even further back in time, the land now known as Colorado was once roamed by mighty stegosauruses, triceratops and other dinosaur giants. There are several palaeontological sites and museums across Colorado where you can see fossils, including Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument near Cripple Creek.
Visit a Museum
Nearly everywhere in Colorado, there’s a museum focused on outlaws, pioneers, gold mining, frontier forts, railroad relics, cowboy memorabilia or Native American traditions. The History Colorado Center in Denver offers a taste of all of the above and much more.
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