Colorado Holiday & Tourism Guide

Most flights to Colorado on major airline carriers either arrive in Denver or Colorado Springs. Since both of these cities are at a lower elevation than the rest of the state, it behooves you to spend at least a day in these locations in order to acclimate. In Denver, you can explore the former hangouts of beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg, or take a short ride to Boulder and walk through the historic pearl Street Mall, which is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. In Colorado Springs, visit Pike's Peak, which inspired the song "America the Beautiful." You also can check out the Olympic Training Center. If you are arriving in Colorado Springs in July, be sure to attend the Pikes Peak Rodeo.

State fairs are a popular Colorado activity. The largest is held in Pueblo during the month of August. Don't miss the Barn Tours, which are presented by an agricultural education company. The tours are quite entertaining and provide interesting and humorous trivia about the different types of animals.

Forget Cannes. There are plenty of film festivals in Colorado. The people are less pretentious and the surroundings are more beautiful. Films on the Rocks takes place at Red Rocks, a spectacular outdoor amphitheater that is located near Denver. Other film festivals take place in Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge.

A visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park provides a fascinating hiking experience. As the elevation in the park changes, so does the vegetation. For example, on the lower foothills, you will find an abundance of ponderosa pine and juniper. As you climb higher, the area is characterized by its columbine, which is Colorado's state flower. Rocky Mountain State Park also has an Artist in Residence program. From June to September, artists are invited to stay at the mountain and practice their crafts. This can make an excellent July 4 holiday visit.

Colorado is famous for its ski areas. Each resort has its unique qualities. Some are highly developed, such as Aspen, Vail, Copper and Steamboat, and others have a more classic ambiance, such as Loveland and Ski Cooper. If you happen to be around Loveland during Valentine's Day and have been thinking about either getting married or renewing your vows, consider taking part in Loveland's Mountain Matrimony event, which is a wedding and vow-renewal ceremony that takes place on the mountain. If you're visiting during Christmas, consider Breckenridge. The skiing is great, and the town turns into a charming Victorian village. Breckenridge is a former mining town that also is rich in history. There are also a variety of free museums and historic events.