COME TO LIFE 10 Enjoy Our Wildlife Few places in North America offer the bounty of wildlife-watching opportunities available in Colorado. Our mountains, forests, plains, rivers and mesas harbor 960 different species, luring binocular-toting guests into our natural spaces. Ensure at least a couple of them are part of your stay by following the birding trails — there are 54 of them! — known to harbor that elusive songbird or raptor you’ve been seeking. With nearly 400 different species of birds migrating through the state, there’s a winged creature to be spotted in every season. Another option is attending a wildlife festival with friends similarly in awe of an elk, moose or bighorn sheep to hear their bugles and see them prance and strut for their mates. Or spend a day casting your line: Fly-fishers, ice-fishers and pure rod-and-reelers will find plenty of options along 90,000 miles of rivers and more than 2,000 lakes. Those seeking a bigger catch will find it in our quiet spaces: 23 million acres of pretty pines, plentiful pocket meadows and pure-water ponds host excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing or simply viewing majestic animals in motion. Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area in Saguache Prevent unwanted animal encounters by properly disposing of trash, storing food in a bear-proof container or locked vehicle, and cleaning up any food scraps. Big Thompson River near Rocky Mountain National Park 22 1-800-COLORADO LUMENATI PRODUCTIONS; BRYAN MALTAIS
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 22
