7 Most Memorable Small Towns in Colorado
From its bold blue skies to its golden plains and red desert rocks, there is a reason this state’s slogan is "Colorful Colorado."
When America celebrated its first hundred years of independence in 1876, it was also the moment when Colorado joined the Union. You might not find it surprising then that the state wears the moniker "The Centennial State" in reference to this historical event.
In Colorado, you can find its well-known capital, Denver, a city every flyer has passed through at least once. You also have the Rocky Mountains carving through the state.
Colorado's landscape is a mix of everything: mountains, deserts, and forests. It is a place where the beauty of nature is always on full display, morphing with each season. These 7 locations are some of the most memorable small towns in Colorado.
Mancos
After you come to Mancos, you will leave with lasting memories containing centuries of North American history.
Right at the town’s doorstep is a UNESCO site, the Mesa Verde National Park. Within its boundaries, the park is home to desert landscapes intermingled with canyons and mesa summits.
The park is famous for its exceptional preservation of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. It protects nearly 5,000 archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, making it one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North America.
Among these cliff-side abodes, the Cliff Palace is a standout. It is known as being the park's largest and most immaculately conserved site.
The downtown core of Mancos is not massive, but what is there is packed with history. Numerous structures within the village carry both State and National Historic Register demarcations, demonstrating Mancos' dedication to honoring its past through preservation.
One of those iconic buildings is the Bauer Bank Building. With its construction dating back to 1905, this landmark stands as a testament to Mancos’ storied past when cowboys and gold rushes shaped the country during the Old West era.
Telluride
Visitors coming through Colorado wanting beauty with a side of seclusion should consider Telluride. The town is tucked away in the San Juan Mountains, in a canyon with only one way in and out.
Almost entirely surrounded by the dramatic slopes of mountain ranges, people in town get a beautiful view to wake up to.
Telluride is home to its one-of-a-kind free gondola system, serving as a unique public transit method. It links Telluride and Mountain Village, offering not just functional travel, but also captivating views of the hillsides and valleys.
Perched on the rim of Telluride's canyon, Bridal Veil Falls claims its fame as Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall with a drop of 365 feet. More than just an awesome sight to see, this natural marvel turns into an ice-climbing adventure when winter comes.
Every year, the famous Telluride Film Festival comes to the humble town – earning its spot as one of America's most distinguished film events. It is a magnetic draw for cinephiles and A-listers alike, giving something special to the town’s cultural identity.
Leadville
Looking for Leadville? Look up, way up. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the whole of the United States, found way up at 10,152 feet above sea level.
Amid the clamor of Colorado's Silver Boom in the 19th century, Leadville was born in the middle of the rush for riches.When you leave Leadville, you will remember this long mine history, and you will also remember the historic buildings that still stand.
If you are in Leadville, look for the Tabor Opera House, which stands out with its lavish architecture and designs. The inside is gorgeous, with its high ceiling and grand staircase, reflecting the opulent age of the Silver Rush.
Only around five blocks north, wander to the Delaware Hotel. The bold, brick structure is an iconic hotel in Leadville, with Victorian-era ambiance and décor, and antique-filled rooms.
You know that expression “When in Rome?” Well, when in Leadville, learn about mining. The Healy House is a gorgeous 19th-century home-turned-museum teaching about the town’s Victorian era and mining history. You will leave Leadville with an appreciation for the foundations that built this Colorado town.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is called the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" for a good reason.
When warm weather comes in, the area around the town is vibrant as wildflowers bloom and paint the region with their colors. Every July, the town holds the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, showing off this natural spectacle.
If you cannot visit in summer, come for the skiing in winter. The Crested Butte Mountain Resort stands as a premier skiing destination in the region.
It appeals to all; from those taking their first plunge into skiing, right through to seasoned snow enthusiasts. For the bravest out there, it is also known for some of its extreme in-bounds terrain.
During the coal rush in the 19th century, Crested Butte experienced a surge of miners, leaving behind buildings that give the town a dignified, aged feel.
Sitting on Elk Avenue, the Kochevar Building holds the title of Crested Butte's longest-standing structure, built back in the 1880s. Over the years, the building has donned several hats, having been a saloon and a pool hall amongst various other roles.
Aspen
In the world of Colorado's ski culture, ignoring Aspen would be a kind of sacrilege.
A once quiet and undisturbed mining town, it underwent a transformation in the 60s and 70s that saw its identity shift into a hot spot for celebrities.
Today, when you walk through downtown Aspen, all around you every luxury brand store worth remembering is accounted for.
If that sort of thing is not for you, Aspen has exceptional skiing and snowboarding. You can pick between a big collection of hills including Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. So, book a few days when you visit to see them all.
To get some great photos, check out Maroon Bells, two photo-ready peaks in the Elk Mountains. The mountains mirror the crystal-clear water below, framing the valley in a truly breathtaking way.
If you feel like a festival, grab your calendar and get planning because Aspen has a lot of them. One of the best is the Aspen Film Festival, usually held in September. You can see a collection of independent and innovative films from all over the world.
Ouray
Some towns have mountains as a backdrop. Ouray has the mountains as a next-door neighbor. The edges of towns have rising peaks pressing in, so the grandeur of the Rockies is just a step away.
Because of the proximity of the mountains, the town has earned the nickname the "Switzerland of America.”
One of the most stunning places to see nearby is Box Cañon Falls. The highlight here is a waterfall that takes a 285-foot plunge right into the canyon.
Ouray is considered one of the best places to ice climb in the entire country. If this sounds up your alley, the Ouray Ice Park has over a mile of ice-climbing terrain all within a gorgeous gorge as your background.
Do you know what sounds nice after climbing the freezing edges of ice? A hot spring. Ouray is home to several natural hot springs, including the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. These thermal springs have been a popular destination for relaxation and healing for over a century.
Manitou Springs
Founded back in the 1870s amongst the Pikes Peak region, Manitou Springs quickly attracted visitors after natural mineral springs were discovered by settlers. It did not take long for the town to become a popular resort destination.
While the town does not have big thermal springs anymore, it does have natural mineral springs throughout town intended for drinking. These springs are free, and each water source has a different taste because of the different minerals.
The town itself has retained an aged charm, with restored Victorian structures lining the downtown area, like its Manitou Springs Historic District.
One of the finest buildings in town is the Briarhurst Manor, built back in 1876. It is known for its pink sandstone exterior and its intricate woodwork. While it used to be home to one of the founders of Manitou Springs, nowadays it lends out a historical dining experience.
The famous Pikes Peak Cog Railway starts its journey from Manitou Springs. It is the highest cog railway in existence, escorting travelers straight to the apex of Pikes Peak.
In Conclusion
If you love skiing, there are towns like Aspen and Crested Butte. If you love history, you have Mancos and Leadville.
All of these towns are very different attractions but they all exist in a single state, showing the depth and quality to explore in Colorado.
So, grab your skis, your camera, and some warm clothes if it's the winter. You are going to need them all. When you come back from visiting Colorado, you will have a lifetime of memories.
