9 Eclectic Small Towns In Colorado
Ceremoniously admitted on August 1, 1876, as America's 38th state, Colorado is an arresting, doubly landlocked state in the American West, apportioning the Four Corners region with Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Centennial State leaves an indelible mark on every out-of-towner by virtue of its heterogeneous topography depicted by the imposing Rocky Mountains, the grass-covered Colorado Eastern Plains, mesas, high desert lands, deep canyons, and the Colorado Plateau. Although Colorado's best-rated destinations, such as Aspen, Colorado Springs, and the state capital, Denver, are top tourist preferences, the eclectic towns promise hypnotic experiences for every holidaymaker who retreats to these closely linked communities.
Mancos
A tranquil Montezuma County town, Mancos sits along US Route 160 Highway in the Mancos River Valley, approx. 18 miles from the county seat, Cortez, and 27 miles from Durango. The commercial heart of East Montezuma County, Mancos is reputed for its closeness to popular spots such as the Mesa Verde National Park, Four Corners Monument, and Mancos State Park.
In the past few years, Mancos has progressively changed into an ‘art colony’ with the Mancos Creative District spanning several blocks in the Downtown and comprising many late 1800s buildings, art galleries like Artisans of Mancos, and the 1910-built Mancos Opera House. Each year, the town hosts amusing events like a balloon festival in September, the Labor Day weekend motorcycle rally, and Mancos Days in the concluding weekend of July.
Durango
Durango, labeled after its homonymous Mexican city, is the La Plata County administrative center situated at the La Plata Mountains' foothills in the prosperous Animas River Valley. Sightseers touring this frontier mining town settled by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company should stroll the streets of the Main Avenue Historic District and browse boutiques like Animas Trading Co., art galleries like Studio & Gallery, and dining establishments like Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen.
Board the heritage Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a splendid ride from Durango to Silverton via mountains, forests, and deserted mines. Seasonal events like the Snowdown Festival in January and the Durango Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival in April must not be missed, besides the town's alternative attractions, such as the Mesa Verde National Park, Purgatory Ski Resort, and The Colorado Trail.
Gunnison
Christened as a tribute to Captain John Williams Gunnison, the area's foremost European-American explorer, Gunnison is located along the Gunnison River in Gunnison County between the Sawatch Range and Elk Mountains. Apart from housing the Western State Colorado University's main campus, Gunnison offers vacationists plethoric open-air activities against an enchanting Rocky Mountain backdrop.
Learn about the region's yesteryears at Gunnison Pioneer Museum; hike the nearby Tomichi State Wildlife Area, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Sapinero State Wildlife Area; ski at the Monarch Ski Area and Crested Butte Mountain Resort; and view clear night skies through state-of-the-art telescopes at the Gunnison Valley Observatory.
Telluride
San Miguel County's most populous town and government seat, Telluride, is set on the western flanks of the San Juan Mountains in an 8,750-high, secluded spot in Southwest Colorado. Thrill-seekers on a jaunt to this bygone silver mining camp by the San Miguel River get to participate in plentiful recreation activities during both summer and winter seasons.
Enveloping a substantial portion of Telluride's developed area is the Telluride Historic District, with many well-maintained 19th-century structures filling the town's prime business street, Colorado Avenue. Supplementarily, the Telluride Historical Museum's eclectic artifact collections, the Sheridan Opera House, and the Downtown’s unnumerable boutiques like Hook, art galleries like Gold Mountain Gallery, and eateries like The Butcher & The Baker Café are worth admiring.
Crested Butte
The hillside community of Crested Butte, situated on the western side of the Slate River Valley in north-central Gunnison County, is unique for having two sobriquets: The Wildflower Capital of Colorado in the warm season and The Last Great Colorado Ski Town in the snow season. A one-time coal mining town, Crested Butte has, over the years, transformed into an outdoor lover's haven and a most enviable tourist destination for well-to-do folks thanks to the first-class downhill skiing and snowboarding facilities of the Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Furthermore, you can traverse the multiple hiking trails managed by the Crested Butte Land Trust, the Nordic Center's ice-skating rink, and cross-country skiing trails, and attend any of the yearly festivals, such as the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival in July and the Crested Butte International Film Festival in September.
Manitou Springs
Founded as a scenic health resort in 1872, Manitou Springs, located in western El Paso County at Pikes Peak's base, is widely known for its stupefying surroundings and abundant natural mineral springs. Deemed one of the nation's most extensive National Historic Districts, the Manitou Springs Historic District has countless Victorian-era properties, churches like the First Congregational Church, hotels like the Cliff House Hotel, and museums like the Miramont Castle House Museum.
Likewise, take note of interesting sites such as the Manitou Springs Incline, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, in addition to attending annual festivities like the Commonwheel Arts & Crafts Festival, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and Soda Springs Park’s summer concert series.
Ouray
Ouray, named for the Ute tribe chief, occupies a precipitous valley at an altitude of 7,792 ft in the San Juan Mountains, around 40 miles south of Montrose. Called the ‘Switzerland of America,’ this Ouray County shire town is Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Capital, enticing adrenaline junkies with ample leisure-time activities such as ice climbing, off-roading in four-wheel drive expeditions to the San Juan Mountains, hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.
Ouray’s National Register-listed Main Street is crammed with several late 19th-century buildings, including the Beaumont Hotel, the Ouray City Hall & Walsh Library, and the Ouray County Historical Society & Museum housed in the erstwhile St. Joseph's Miners' Hospital building. Addedly, go for a drive along the Million Dollar Highway, discover the uncounted waterfalls and the Ouray Hot Springs, and embark on a trek to the Yankee Boy Basin in the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Salida
Chaffee County’s seat, this beautiful Central Colorado town is set at the nucleus of the Rockies, flanked by the Sawatch Range, Mosquito Range (locally called Arkansas Hills), and Methodist Mountain. Serving as the Upper Arkansas Valley's service, supply, and tourist hub, Salida is an adventure tourism mecca offering limitless recreational activities suitable for holidaymakers of all ages.
Participate in world-class rafting at The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, survey the Browns Canyon National Monument, ski at the Monarch Mountain Ski Area, and visit the Downtown’s souvenir stores like “F” Street Five and Dime, art galleries like The Bork & Watkins Gallery, and cozy restaurants like Boathouse Cantina.
Steamboat Springs
Nicknamed Ski Town USA and informally called The Boat, this administrative capital of Northwestern Colorado’s Routt County is located by the US Route 40 Highway in the Upper Yampa River valley, immediately west of the Rabbit Ears Mountain Pass and the Continental Divide. Being the key town of the Steamboat Springs Micropolitan Statistical Area and an acclaimed alpine ski resort destination, Steamboat Springs supports the exalted Steamboat Ski Resort on Mount Werner, which extends over 2,965 acres and comprises 297 named trails classified for beginner-level, intermediate, and advanced skiers.
While in town, ride the Steamboat Gondola to witness unparalleled scenery, explore Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs and the Tread of Pioneers Museum, watch the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra perform, and attend the annual Yampa River Festival on the first weekend of June.
From the therapeutic Ouray Hot Springs to the unrivaled skiing trails of the Steamboat Ski Resort, each of the photographic small towns in the nation’s 21st most populous and 8th most extensive state illustrates their inherent cuteness and cultural tapestry. Whether you wish to lay eyes on the magnificent Rockies, iconic mining-era downtowns, vibrant community events, or get involved in oodles of out-of-doors activities, these eclectic Colorado towns tick all the boxes.
