State · Montanhas Rochosas

Colorado

Colorado has the ski resorts of Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain Park, the sandstone villages of Mesa Verde and Denver, the gateway to the Rockies.

In the photo: Maroon Bells

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The state

Get to know Colorado

Colorado is in the western United States, cut north to south by the Rocky Mountains, with more than 50 peaks above 4,250 m. The capital and largest city is Denver, at about 1,600 m elevation, at the foot of the mountains.

Aspen, Snowmass Village, Vail and Breckenridge are the state's best-known ski resorts, with a season from December to April. In summer, the same towns offer hiking, mountain biking and, near Aspen, the Maroon Bells lake.

Denver has the Red Rocks natural amphitheater among red rock formations, and Boulder sits by the Flatirons rock formations. Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, crossed by Trail Ridge Road, a road that reaches over 3,700 m elevation.

In the southwest, Durango has the steam train that climbs the mountains to Silverton, and Cortez is the base for Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with stone villages built into the cliffs by the ancestral Pueblo peoples. On the plateau, mountain trout and green chile reflect the influence of neighboring New Mexico.

When to go

For skiing, December to April. For hiking, parks and Mesa Verde, June to September, when mountain roads are usually open; Trail Ridge Road typically opens from late May through October. In September, aspen leaves turn yellow. Because of the altitude, the sun is strong by day and nights are cold even in summer.

Getting there

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest in the region. Connections from Brazil usually require a stop in another U.S. city. Confirm before you buy. Aspen (ASE), Eagle County (EGE), near Vail, and Durango (DRO) have regional airports. By car, Vail is about two hours from Denver via I-70, and Aspen about four hours, depending on snow.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Colorado

Which ski resort to choose in Colorado?

Vail has one of the largest ski areas in the country; Aspen and Snowmass combine four mountains on a single pass; Breckenridge has an old mining town next to the slopes. All three are a few hours from Denver.

Is Colorado's altitude harmful?

Some people experience headache, fatigue and shortness of breath in the first days, especially above 2,500 m. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol on the first day and ascending slowly help.

How to visit Mesa Verde?

The main villages, such as Cliff Palace, can only be visited with park rangers, on guided tours with tickets purchased in advance, from spring to fall. Road overlooks show the cliff dwellings without descending to them.

Do you need a reservation for Rocky Mountain Park?

In summer and early fall, the park often requires a timed-entry reservation in addition to the park pass: check before you go. Those who enter very early may not need one.

Tap a state to see its destinations. Limites: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (domínio público). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.