Colorado.com Staff Writer

DFP Leaderboard: Article

<p>On Aug. 1, 2021, the state of Colorado turned 145 years old! To celebrate, we came up with a list of 145 purely Coloradan experiences for you — from diverse cultural experiences and historical sites to scenic drives and local eateries. </p>


145 Ways to Celebrate Colorado: Fall & Winter

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Roasting peppers spicing the air at Pueblo's Chile & Frijoles Festival

The beautiful Maroon Bells in early autumn

Bison at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Tubing in Winter Park

Cross-country skiing at Crested Butte Nordic Center

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<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/ways-celebrate-colorado-spring-summer">Find the other half of the list and explore ways to celebrate Colorado’s birthday in spring and summer</a></p>
<h2><strong>Fall</strong></h2>
<ul><li>Admire mountains streaked with golden aspen groves on the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/byways/peak-to-peak">Peak to Peak scenic byway</a>.</li>
<li>Soak up the sunset views from the historic <a href="https://www.colorado.com/amusement-parks/monarch-crest-scenic-tramway">Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/salida">Salida</a>.</li>
<li>Observe the Greater Sandhill Crane during the <a href="https://coloradocranes.org/">Yampa Valley Crane Festival</a> each September (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/steamboat-springs">Steamboat Springs</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/hayden">Hayden</a>).</li>
<li>Bray with delight at pack burro races during Miners’ Day celebrations in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/victor">Victor</a>, Rollinsville, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/south-fork">South Fork</a> and Frederick.</li>
<li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.denver.org/blog/post/hispanic-heritage-month/">Hispanic Heritage Month</a> (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) with fashion shows, musical performances, museums and more (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Denver">Denver</a>).</li>
<li>Listen for bugling elk as you hike amongst the fall colors of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/rocky-mountain-national-park-colorado">Rocky Mountain National Park</a>.</li>
<li>Get into the Halloween spirit by exploring some of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/haunted-colorado-hot-spots-ghost-hunters">Colorado’s mining ghost towns and most haunted sites</a>.</li>
<li>Sip your way through a tour of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/breweries/coors-brewery-tour">Coors Brewery</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/golden">Golden</a>).</li>
<li>Climb aboard a <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/complete-guide-colorado-train-trips">Colorado historical train</a> for a leaf-peeping trip like no other.</li>
<li>It’s <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/professional-sports-colorado">pro sports season</a>! Catch a <a href="https://www.colorado.com/professional/colorado-rockies">Rockies</a>, <a href="https://www.denverbroncos.com/">Broncos</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/professional/colorado-avalanche-hockey-club">Avalanche</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/professional/colorado-rapids-major-league-soccer-club">Rapids</a> or <a href="https://www.colorado.com/professional/denver-nuggets">Nuggets</a> game.</li>
<li>Explore the second-largest concentration of natural arches in North America at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/bureau-land-management/mcinnis-canyons-national-conservation-area-devils-canyon-blm">McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area</a> (near <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/grand-junction">Grand Junction</a>).</li>
<li>Get all gussied up for <a href="https://www.colorado.com/hotel/stanley-hotel">The Stanley Hotel</a>’s famous Shining Ball (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/estes-park">Estes Park</a>).</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/camping-colorado-basics">Camp</a> under explosively yellow aspens along <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-hidden-gem-last-dollar-road">Last Dollar Road</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/telluride">Telluride</a>).</li>
<li>Indulge in some good, clean, quirky fun at <a href="https://www.oldewash.com/">Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum</a> (Eaton).</li>
<li>Snack on apple-cider doughnuts (and pick fruit fresh from the trees) in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/penrose">Penrose</a>.</li>
<li>Eye colorful hot-air balloons at October’s <a href="https://animasvalleyballoonrally.com/">Animas Valley Balloon Rally</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/durango">Durango</a>).</li>
<li>Cheer on Ralphie (<a href="https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/schedule">University of Colorado Boulder</a>) or CAM the Ram (<a href="https://csurams.com/sports/football/schedule">Colorado State University</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a>) as they streak down the football field during halftime.</li>
<li>Honor Native American Heritage Month (November) by learning about the Ancestral Puebloan people at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/hidden-colorado-gem-hovenweep-national-monument">Hovenweep National Monument</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cortez">Cortez</a>) or by visiting the tragic site of the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/historic-sitelandmark/sand-creek-massacre-national-historic-site">Sand Creek Massacre</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/eads">Eads</a>), where history was forever changed.</li>
<li>Resist the temptation to sit on the artistic and architectural chairs of the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/art-museum/kirkland-museum-fine-decorative-art">Kirkland Institute of Fine &amp; Decorative Art</a>’s International Collection (Denver).</li>
<li>Contemplate <a href="https://www.colorado.com/historic-forts-homes/bishop-castle">Bishop Castle</a> — a massive sculpture built entirely by one man (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/rye">Rye</a>).</li>
<li>Taste your way through our many <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/wine-your-way-around-colorado">Colorado wineries</a> during the peak of grape-harvesting season (September and October).</li>
<li>Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the <a href="https://nathanyipfoundation.org/">Nathan Yip Foundation</a>’s annual luncheon and traditional Vietnamese mooncakes from <a href="https://vinhxuong.square.site/">Vinh Xuong Bakery</a> (Denver). </li>
<li>Get spicy and enter a frijole-spitting competition at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/pueblo">Pueblo</a>’s annual <a href="https://festival.pueblochamber.org/">Chile &amp; Frijoles Festival</a>.</li>
<li>Revel in our amazing fall weather as you cruise some of our <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/locally-loved-running-biking-destinations">locally loved running and cycling destinations</a>.</li>
<li>At <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthParkConeyIsland/">Coney Island Boardwalk</a>, wolf down a hot dog from a stand that looks like an actual hot dog (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/bailey">Bailey</a>).</li>
<li>Hop on a shuttle to view the country’s most photographed mountains: the snow-streaked <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/explore-maroon-bells-what-you-need-know">Maroon Bells</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/aspen">Aspen</a>).</li>
<li>Enjoy the autumn air and the good feeling of giving back with nature walks, educational events and clean-up get-togethers from <a href="http://www.roaringfork.org/">Roaring Fork Conservancy</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/basalt">Basalt</a>), <a href="https://www.14ers.org/">Colorado Fourteeners Initiative</a> (around the state) and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/ecotourism/walking-mountains-science-center">Walking Mountains Science Center</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/avon">Avon</a>).</li>
<li>Dash through <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/manitou-springs">Manitou Springs</a> with a decorated casket at the <a href="http://www.emmacrawfordfestival.com/">Emma Crawford Coffin Races</a>.</li>
<li>Get an up-close view of bison roaming the plains at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/hidden-colorado-gem-rocky-mountain-arsenal-national-wildlife-refuge">Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/commerce-city">Commerce City</a>) or at <a href="https://www.denver.org/listing/genesee-park/6826/">Genesee Mountain Park</a> (Golden).</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/5-inspiring-ways-horse-around-colorado">Horseback ride</a> through <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/plan-your-visit-browns-canyon-national-monument">Browns Canyon National Monument</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/buena-vista">Buena Vista</a>).</li>
<li>Survey the shack of Colorado-famous Baby Doe Tabor — an actor and the scandalous wife of a storied silver baron (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/leadville">Leadville</a>).</li>
<li>Nip hoppy concoctions at the <a href="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/">Great American Beer Festival</a> in October (Denver).</li>
<li>Decode the messages of whispering aspens at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-state-park-profile-golden-gate-canyon-state-park">Golden Gate Canyon State Park</a> (Golden).</li>
<li>Get lost in one of the state’s many corn mazes and Instagrammable pumpkin patches with our <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/explore-family-friendly-colorado-fall">family-friendly fall drive itineraries</a>.</li>
<li>Squeal at the gory films shown every October at the <a href="https://www.telluridehorrorshow.com/">Telluride Horror Show</a>.</li>
</ul>

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DFP 4-Pack: Body

<h2><strong>Winter</strong></h2>
<ul><li>Honor Black History Month (February) by exploring the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/history-museums/black-american-west-museum-heritage-center">Black American West Museum &amp; Heritage Center</a> (Denver) and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/history-museums/fort-garland-museum-cultural-center">Fort Garland Museum &amp; Cultural Center</a>, where you can learn about Colorado's Buffalo Soldiers, some of the country's first national park rangers!</li>
<li>Watch professional ice sculptors chisel their frozen magic at December’s <a href="https://berthoudmainstreet.org/berthoudsnowfest/">Berthoud Snowfest &amp; Colorado Snow Sculpting Competition</a>.</li>
<li>Wander the multi-hued striated canyons at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/hikingwalking/paint-mines-interpretive-park">Paint Mines Interpretive Park</a> (Calhan).</li>
<li>Tour the stunning <a href="https://www.colorado.com/museums/miramont-castle-museum-and-manitou-springs-historical-society">Miramont</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/lodge/glen-eyrie">Glen Eyrie</a> castles (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/colorado-springs">Colorado Springs</a>).</li>
<li>Explore <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ridgway">Ridgway</a>, the charming mountain town where the Grammy Awards are made by hand and 1969’s “True Grit” was filmed.</li>
<li>Warm up with <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorados-best-spicy-food">spicy dishes and drinks from Colorado restaurants</a> — think everything from hamburgers smothered in Pueblo green chiles to ghost-pepper-spiked hot cocoa. </li>
<li>Take in a sunrise on the eastern plains as the <a href="https://m12studio.org/last-chance-module-array/">Last Chance Module Array</a> casts artistic shadows on the prairie.</li>
<li>Celebrate Women’s History Month (March) by learning about some of Colorado’s coolest feminists at <a href="/denver/center-for-colorado-women's-history">Center for Colorado Women's History</a> (Byers-Evans House Museum) (Denver).</li>
<li>Find hidden speakeasies at <a href="https://bandgcdenver.com/">B&amp;GC</a> (Denver), <a href="https://www.colorado.com/bar-grill/social">Social</a> (Fort Collins) and <a href="https://bookcaseandbarber.com/">The Bookcase &amp; Barber</a> (Durango).</li>
<li>Get schooled in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-ski-school-learn-ski-snowboard-colorado">alpine skiing and snowboarding</a> at powder havens across the state, including many that offer adaptive and accessible lessons.</li>
<li>Layer up and wander the eye-catching <a href="https://denverzoo.org/things-to-do/">Denver Zoo Lights</a> or <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light">Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light</a>.</li>
<li>Whoop for your fave contestants at skijoring contests — where cowboys on horses pull skiers through snowy obstacle courses — in Leadville and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/silverton">Silverton</a>.</li>
<li>Sip over-the-top hot chocolate at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/locally-sourced/bird-jim">Bird &amp; Jim</a> (Estes Park) or <a href="https://www.colorado.com/hotel/little-nell">The Little Nell</a> (Aspen).</li>
<li>Pose for a photo on the mile-high step of the golden-domed <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-history-colorado-state-capitol-denver">Colorado State Capitol</a> (Denver).</li>
<li>Climb glacial-blue cliffs nestled in a natural gorge at the world-famous <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/ouray-colorados-ice-climbing-capital">Ouray Ice Park</a>.</li>
<li>Tour the <a href="https://icecores.org/">National Ice Core Lab</a>, which houses ice cores from the glaciated regions of the world (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/lakewood">Lakewood</a>).</li>
<li>Visit a living-history farm at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/museums/littleton-museum">Littleton Museum</a> and say “hi” to the resident barn animals.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/how-hygge-your-colorado-vacation-winter">Get your hygge on</a> with a spa day (massages, wraps and more) at a cozy mountain resort.</li>
<li>Snap photos of the petrified wood stumps at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/national-monument/florissant-fossil-beds-national-monument">Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument</a>.</li>
<li>Backcountry ski to a <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-hut-trips-cross-country-skiing-snowshoeing">10th Mountain Division Hut</a> — and learn<a href="https://colorado.com/articles/how-recreate-responsibly-colorados-backcountry-winter"> safety tips</a> before you go!</li>
<li>Ring in the Lunar New Year with the <a href="https://www.cscci.org/">Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute</a>.</li>
<li>Lace up some skates and glide on <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-outdoor-ice-skating-rinks">outdoor ice-skating rinks</a> at Denver International Airport, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/evergreen">Evergreen</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/idaho-springs">Idaho Springs</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/beaver-creek">Beaver Creek</a>.</li>
<li>Listen to the sounds of whinnies and hooves crunching through snow on a <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/sleigh-rides-colorado">sleigh ride</a> before tucking into meals, snacks and ciders.</li>
<li>Toboggan down a frosty hill at <a href="https://www.aspensnowmass.com/plan-your-stay/winter-activities/tubing">The Meadows at Elk Camp</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/snowmass">Snowmass</a>) or <a href="https://www.telluride.com/play/activities/sledding/">Firecracker Hill</a> (Telluride), or snow tube at resorts like <a href="https://www.colorado.com/skiing-snowboarding/winter-park-resort">Winter Park</a>. </li>
<li>Hit that corduroy while learning to cross-country ski or snowshoe at one of our <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-nordic-centers-snowshoeing-more">20-plus Nordic centers</a>, many of which offer adaptable lessons.</li>
<li>Toss back some winter cheer on the world’s largest Shotski at <a href="https://gobreck.com/event/ullr-fest/">Breckenridge Ullr Fest</a> in December.</li>
<li>Marvel at artifacts from the Ice Age at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/history-museums/wray-museum">Wray Museum</a>.</li>
<li>Find inspiration in world-class art at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/art-museums/ar-mitchell-museum-western-art">A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/trinidad">Trinidad</a>), <a href="https://www.colorado.com/art-museums/chapungu-sculpture-park-centerra">Chapungu Sculpture Park</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/loveland">Loveland</a>) and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/art-museums/museo-de-las-americas">Museo de las Americas</a> (Denver).</li>
<li>Visit Santa’s workshop at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/amusementwater-park/north-pole-home-santas-workshop">North Pole, Colorado</a>, at the base of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/pikes-peak-things-see-do">Pikes Peak</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cascade">Cascade</a>).</li>
<li>Devour holiday dishes like latkes from <a href="https://www.latkelove.com/">Latke Love</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/littleton">Littleton</a>), peanut stew from <a href="https://africangrilllakewood.com/">African Grill and Bar</a> (Lakewood) or tamales from <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/tamalesfromheaven/home?authuser=0">Tamales from Heaven</a> (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/evans">Evans</a>).</li>
<li>Book a cozy <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-cabins-winter">winter cabin</a> where you can soak in a hot tub while the snow falls, read next to a crackling fire or take in mountain views while you roast s'mores.</li>
<li>Sip a whiskey warmup at distilleries like <a href="https://www.colorado.com/distilleries/rising-sun-distillery">Rising Sun Distillery</a> (Denver) and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/motel/marble-distilling-co-the-distillery-inn">Marble Distilling Co</a>. (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/carbondale">Carbondale</a>).</li>
<li>Get in on one of Colorado’s weirdest festivals by “celebrating” the cryopreservation of Bredo Morstoel at Estes Park’s <a href="https://frozendeadguydays.org/">Frozen Dead Guy Days</a>.</li>
<li>Pull out your fanciest duds for an elegant afternoon of high tea at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/hotel/brown-palace-hotel-and-spa">The Brown Palace Hotel &amp; Spa</a> (Denver) or The Queen's Parlour Tea Room at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/museums/miramont-castle-museum-and-manitou-springs-historical-society">Miramont Castle</a> (Manitou Springs).</li>
<li>Pick up souvenirs emblazoned with our beloved Colorado “C” on it — maybe a beanie and some woolen socks?</li>
<li>Embrace your inner penguin and support Special Olympics Colorado with <a href="https://specialolympicsco.org/plunge/">polar plunges across the state</a>.</li>
</ul><h2><strong>Want More?</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/winter">Check out more winter adventures</a><br /><a href="https://www.colorado.com/fall">“Fall” in love with autumn in the Centennial State</a> </p>
