Colorado Free Travel Guides

Looking for a great idea for a family vacation? Colorado is the place. This colorful state offers unlimited possibilities for unforgettable things to see and do, and a Free Colorado Travel Brochure will help you plan. Bring the family together for skiing in the winter or exploring in the summer. Colorado is the perfect place to go for a western vacation.

A Colorado vacation is all about doing a wide variety of activities. Hiking in the mountains, tour a farmer’s market, take a scenic bike, and enjoy the relaxing effect of a soothing hot spring. Finding time to do all of your favorite activities may be a challenge. Many families visit year after year.

Start planning your next memorable family vacation or pleasant escape by requesting your free Colorado travel vacation guide.

Gordon's Guide

Check out vacations and adventure travel in Colorado Colorado Travel Deals

If you’re like most people, you may think Colorado is a seasonal destination.  You may be under the impression that winter in Colorado is nothing but constant heavy snow storms that hinder the states tourism industry.  This isn’t true at all.  Colorado is spectacular in the winter, and the cooler weather means fewer crowds and an abundance of travel deals for those willing to brave a few snow flakes.

A good resource to find Colorado travel deals is the states official tourism site, found at Colorado.com.  Local hotels, restaurants, and attractions all advertise some spectacular deals on the site for you to take advantage of.  For example, in January 2012 the Wildwood Inn and the Rocky Mountain Resorts are both offering “Buy 2 nights, get the 3rd night FREE” specials.  Getting your third night free cuts your hotel expenses by a third and makes nicer accommodations much more affordable.

In the winter time, ski and spa deals are abundant.  The naturally mountainous terrain of Colorado is home of some of the best ski slopes the nation has to offer.  By booking early or late, you can get amazing Colorado travel deals to enjoy your favorite winter activities.  If you’re able to plan your vacation in advance, booking during the off season will save you a ton of money on whitewater rafting excursions and zipline adventures.

Advance planning is the key to finding great Colorado travel deals.  Once you arrive, ask around at the counter of your hotel or at local restaurants to see if they have any coupons available for last minute activities.  Club membership cards and military ID’s can get you additional discounts at many of the most popular attractions the area has to offer.  Go explore one of the Nations best kept secrets!  Go explore Colorado!

Colorado Overview

Colorado, also known as the centennial state, is well known for it’s mountainous terrain, world-class skiing, and young, active population.  The state has been attracting outdoor enthusiasts with its wild beauty for decades.  It is the eighth largest state in the United States, and forms the North East quadrant of the 4-corners landmark.
 
Colorado is home to the highest paved road in North America.  The Road to Mt. Evan’s off of I-70 from Idaho Springs rises 14,258 feet above sea level.  Colorado also houses the highest suspension bridge in the world.  The bridge spans the Royal Gorge near Cannon City, at 1,053 feet above the ground.

The state of Colorado is home to more than 5 million people and is the 22nd most populous state in the Nation.  The state took third place in CNBC’s list of “Top States for Business for 2010”.  Agriculture and the United States military make up the largest portion of the economy in Colorado.  Colorado is also the largest producer of beer in the United States.

A whopping 37% of the state is classified as National Forest or National Park space.  An abundance of nesting and migrating birds find homes in these parks and forests, making Colorado a top destination for bird watchers.  Some notable native species include the Bald Eagle and the Sandhill Crane.

Colorado is a spectacular example of man existing peacefully with nature.  The state has worked hard to preserve it’s natural beauty and wilderness areas while providing tourists and citizens ample opportunities to enjoy the great out doors.  In Colorado, you really can have it all!

Places of Interest in Colorado

Colorado has an abundance of things to do and see throughout the year.  Tourists are treated to a barrage of seasonal activities as well as year round indulgences.  Any time you plan to visit Colorado is a good time for a fun filled vacation.

There are literally thousands of things to see and do in Colorado.  The state is rich in history and culture, and tourists won’t find it lacking in interesting places.  From museums to the opera to national forests, Colorado has something for everyone.

The Colorado State Capitol in Denver is heavily decorated with Beulah Red marble, which gives it it’s characteristic look.   It took a total of six years, from 1894 until 1900, to install all of the marble inside the building.  All of the Beulah Red marble in the world went into the states Capitol building, making it both irreplaceable and impressive.

The Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, Colorado houses more than 30 skeletons and life restorations of dinosaurs.  The Center offers tours throughout the day, where visitors can see a working paleontology lab with researchers in the process of uncovering and restoring real dinosaur fossils.

Speaking of dinosaurs, the state even has a town named Dinosaur, home of Dinosaur National Monument.  Visitors to the monument can explore the rolling hills and discover real fragments of dinosaur skeletons.  Parking is $10 and tickets to the monument cost $20 per person.

If dinosaurs don’t interest you, maybe gold will.  The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour in Silverton, Colorado runs from mid-May through Columbus day.  Visitors to the mine can ride a real mine train ⅓ of a mile into Galena Mountain.  The tour costs $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $9 for children.  Kids aged 4 and under are free.  The tour also includes gold panning.

Whether you come to see the sights, relive the past, or find your fortune, Colorado has hundreds of places of interest.  With so many things to see and do, you’ll never be bored in Colorado!

Parks and Activities in Colorado

Colorado is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.  The state offers year-round outdoor adventures and activities.  Colorado averages 300 days of sunshine, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.  There are four national parks, five national monuments and 42 state parks in Colorado, which provide ample recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike.

Colorado has 54 mountain peaks that are over 14,000 feet high.  Perhaps the most famous of these is Pike’s Peak, which at 14,110 feet above sea level is the 31st highest peak in Colorado.  Of the peaks, it is the farthest East, which has contributed to its note able status as it was the first large peak encountered by explorers, pioneers, and people traveling west for the Gold Rush.  Half a million people visit the summit each year.  It can be reached via road or rail.

One of the most popular activities in Colorado is the phenomenal winter skiing.  People from all over the country flock to the frozen mountain sides of Colorado for what many consider the best ski slopes in the United States.  Aspen is such a popular place to ski that it has almost become a household name.  The ski area has more than 320 runs and a world-class reputation that draws skiers from around the world.

Once the snow melts and the weather warms up, adventure seekers take the states many rivers for whitewater rafting.  Raft down the Arkansas River or test yourself on the whitewater rapids of Clear Creek.  Dozens of rafting companies, such as Raft Masters based in Canon City, Colorado offer single and multi-day rafting packages.  Whitewater rafting is an adrenaline pumping way of seeing the natural beauty of Colorado.

No matter when you visit Colorado you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities to try.  The changing seasons constantly give life to new adventure opportunities.

Getting to Colorado

There are many ways you could find yourself in Colorado.  The state is easily accessible by air, automobile, and even train.  It’s somewhat central location makes it convenient to reach no matter where you live.

Colorado’s intricate network of highways and roads make traveling to and throughout the state easy.  Two major interstates bisect the state;  I-70 runs East to West and I-25 runs North to South.  Many roads include scenic views and there are plenty of rest stops along the way to refuel both your car and body.  There are 25 scenic and historic byways throughout the state to make getting around even more enjoyable.

If traveling by car in the winter, be sure to keep an eye on the weather.  Since Colorado has an abundance of mountainous peaks and the highest cumulative elevation in the United States, they get a significant amount of snow in the winter that can make traveling by car difficult and dangerous.  Always check local travel conditions before traveling in the winter.

Traveling to and from Colorado by air is exceptionally easy.  Most major airlines service the Denver International Airport, which is the states largest airport.  Smaller local airports are located  throughout the state to make traveling even easier.  Denver International Airport is one of the worlds busiest and most efficient airports, serving thousands of passengers daily.

Colorado has a significant network of railways throughout the state.  Tracks that were once used to transport gold and silver from the mines are now used to transport passengers.  Amtrak operates most of the railways in Colorado, and passengers who choose to travel by train are rewarded with stunning views and comfortable travel.

Regardless of how you choose to get to and around Colorado, the states careful planning has made it fast and easy to travel throughout the state.