Aptly called ‘Colorful Colorado’, the best-known Rocky Mountain state is home to a startling array of landscapes ranging from deserts and plains to prominent peaks, plateaus, canyons and red rock country. Just as diverse are its lovely cities and towns, as the traditionally rural state with its frontier heritage and mentality also contains progressive college communities and cosmopolitan enclaves.
Set in the Western United States, Colorado is divided almost in two by the rugged Rocky Mountains that run down the middle. While the west contains yet more mountains, many of which tower over 14,000 feet in height, the east is home to the High Plains and their patchwork of prairies and farms.
Most of the Centennial State’s population lives on the eastern edge of the Rockies in a region known as the ‘Front Range’. Here you’ll not only find its two largest cities – Denver and Colorado Springs – but the vibrant college towns of Boulder and Fort Collins; both of which boast thriving arts, culture and nightlife scenes and awesome outdoor activities.
Known as ‘Mile-High City’, the state’s capital Denver has a wealth of fine art galleries and museums with the fast-growing metropolis acting as an important economic and cultural centre. Colorado Springs is also well worth visiting for its cowboy and pioneer historic sites and proximity to the beautiful Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods rock formations.
Due to its scenic splendor, Colorado attracts lots of outdoor aficionados with incredible hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing being on offer. In addition, both skiers and snowboarders flock to the popular resort towns of Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail each winter.
Not to be missed are the stunning landscapes of both Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great Sand Dunes national parks while Mesa Verde protects some of the most impressive Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the US. If all that wasn’t enough, Colorado also has some fantastic vineyards and wineries for you to try out.
Map of Colorado
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