COLORADO Tarantula Fest near La Junta 2 BRYANOUTWEST; SEAN MCMULLEN/COLORADO SNAKE HUNTERS Tarantula Fest Sundance Heads to Boulder Sundance Film Festival is coming to Boulder in 2027 — stay tuned for indie premieres, filmmaker spotlights and a whole new way to experience cinema in the Rockies. Each September, hundreds of male tarantulas traverse Comanche National Grassland near La Junta in search of a mate. Their epic journey inspired the creation of Tarantula Fest, a lively celebration of the region’s most surprising seasonal travelers. The phenomenon has drawn visitors from near and far for the chance to see the eight-legged critters up close. Alongside this natural spectacle, the festival includes a costume-filled parade, an education pavilion, contests, food trucks, live entertainment, face-painting, vendors selling spidery swag and, of course, tarantula tours. Make the most of it: As you explore the area, cruise down Hwy. 50 to stop at the numerous farm stands for fresh produce — including Palisade peaches — one of Colorado’s sweetest seasonal treats. COLORADO . COM 63
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 63
