Denver, Colo. (February 12, 2025) – This summer, visitors to Colorado can experience a fresh side of the state with exciting new travel offerings. Several highly anticipated new lodging properties will open their doors including the Kosmos Stargazing Resort and Spa in the San Luis Valley and Kindred Resort in Keystone. For those who enjoy comfort in the outdoors, Colorado will unveil new glamping opportunities including stays in rail cars, grain bins, yurts, historic backcountry cabins and more.

New outdoor adventures abound by day including a new train offering, Via Ferrata climbing experience and cable car adventure, and by night with several exciting night skies experiences. Visitors can explore the state along 18 of the state’s EV Byways and through The Colorado Tourism Office’s new Accessible Travel Program. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, and upgrades to many of the state’s geothermal resorts alongside new wellness retreats, spas and experiences make Colorado the state of wellness.

Colorado also welcomes new immersive arts and cultural experiences, and the state is gearing up for the twin anniversaries of the nation turning 250 and the Centennial State, Colorado – turning 150 in 2026. And to indulge and celebrate after a day of Colorado exploring, exciting new dining and craft beverage concepts are springing up across the state including not-to-miss MICHELIN recognized restaurants and new James Beard nominees.

As visitors explore Colorado, they are encouraged to “Do Colorado Right” and embrace the state’s interpretation of responsible tourism — showing care not only for destinations but for visitors and the people who call Colorado home. Following is a sampling of what’s new and trending in Colorado for the summer season ahead. For more information and travel ideas, visit www.COLORADO.com.

New 2025 Lodging Offerings:

Sweet dreams are sure to be had after a day of adventuring with several exciting new lodging offerings across the state. Populus, the first carbon positive hotel in the U.S., opened in Denver’s Civic Center Park in late 2024 and serves as a skyline-defining architectural landmark and new benchmark for sustainable travel. Also in Denver, Urban Cowboy opened in late 2024 in the historic George Schleier Mansion in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood as the newest western outpost for the national hotel brand. Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs opened in late 2024 featuring the only immersive flight simulators at a hotel in the U.S. The 205-room Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge, Curio Collection by Hilton debuted in early 2025 along the base of Peak 9 in Breckenridge with two distinct dining experiences, gear valet, concierge services and more. The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar recently opened after a multi-year historic preservation project of the “KP Building” in downtown Montrose. Cañon City's historic Hotel St. Cloud will offer 36 renovated guest rooms slated to open in early 2025. Near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Kosmos Stargazing Resort and Spa is set to open in spring 2025 where guests will stay at one of 20 luxurious 'Telescope-Equipped' Villas, and enjoy the "Kosmos Stargazing Experience" at the on-site Planetarium & Observatory. Tumbling River Ranch, a historic luxury retreat high in Pike National Forest, is proud to announce its reopening in summer 2025 following a $7+ million renovation and joining Collective Retreats. In Glenwood Springs, Hotel 1888 is slated to open this summer as a new 16-room boutique hotel being built within the historic sandstone bathhouse located alongside the world’s largest hot springs pool. The Well Hotel & Taproom in Trinidad is set to open its renovated 12-room boutique hotel in 2025 that was originally a hotel in 1888. Limelight Boulder is slated to open in August 2025 as an all-electric community hub featuring 250 guest rooms, a ground-floor restaurant, an outdoor plaza, an event lawn and a second story “viewpoint deck” with unbeatable views of the Flatirons. Kindred Resort will open in Keystone in late summer 2025 with a 107-room hotel, 95 residences, a private club, three new restaurants and retail. White Elephant Aspen is set to debut in late fall 2025 bringing its inimitable mix of service, style and hospitality to Aspen.

New Glamping Experiences:

Glamping is an easy way to experience Colorado’s great outdoors while still enjoying many of the comforts of home, and there are some new spots to “not-so-rough it” in gorgeous parts of the state. Yonder Yurts offers new hard-sided yurts in Colorado’s State Forest State Park located in Gould. Each yurt is fully stocked with a full kitchen, cooktop, bunk beds and wood stoves. Riverside Colorado is a new eco-friendly lodging option located in the Poudre Canyon, just three miles from the iconic Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Options range from stylish fully-furnished canvas wall tents and cozy tiny homes to comfortable cabins and exclusive VIP quarters in the Lodge. The 1883 North London Mining Office (NoLo) recently opened as a backcountry hut in Alma featuring running water, flush toilet, shower and wifi. Summer events include history and gold panning workshops, burro hikes and more. Rustic Rook Resort near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers fully furnished glamping tents and new for summer 2025 will offer five upcycled grain bin villas with large windows featuring stunning views of the dunes and mountains. Arapaho Valley Ranch in Granby will offer 16 new glamping tents, four cabins and seven RV sites with two yurts on the way. The La Junta KOA is opening two more unique railcar lodging options, the Wonderful Waycar!, a caboose, and the Frontier Zephyr Vista-Dome, the first streamliner dome railcar in the country to be turned into stationary lodging.

New Summer Adventures:

Adventure is part of Colorado’s DNA, and 2025 welcomes several new offerings to get the adrenaline pumping for all. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad officially added a new 3.5-hour evening round trip excursion, Highline Express to its 2025 schedule following a successful trial run last year. Basecamp Ouray will offer adventurers the new chance to independently explore the exclusive Gold Mountain Via Ferrata on an unguided tour. The Mighty Argo Cable Car in Idaho Springs will take riders 1.2 miles from the Argo Mill up Rosa Gulch to the mountain top Argo Landing, which will feature pedestrian plazas, viewing decks, an observation trestle, creative food and beverage options, an amphitheater and more to open in late 2025. Eighteen of the state’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways (more than any other state) are now available for electric-vehicle summer roadtripping with Dinosaur Diamond Scenic & Historic Byway designated as the state’s newest EV Byway in February 2025. The Colorado Tourism Office has partnered with Wheel The World on a new Accessible Travel Program to amplify accessible travel across Colorado. By June 2025, over 100 accessible tourism sites across five destinations in Colorado (with more being added) will be promoted to travelers with disabilities, including accommodations, attractions and experiences.

Colorado After Dark:

Colorado is now home to 12 International Dark Sky Parks and six International Dark Sky Communities, including Brown’s Canyon National Monument that was designated in December 2024 and the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area and the Town of Paonia that were designated in fall of 2024. In early 2025, the Colorado State Parks Dark Sky Certification program was launched, and 12 state parks across the state will work with DarkSky Colorado to implement strategies that reduce light pollution, protect Colorado’s stunning night skies and advance efforts in achieving International Dark Sky Place (IDSP) certification. Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night is a self-guided stargazing tour that connects several Colorado locations known for their night skies and incredible stargazing opportunities. Near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Kosmos Stargazing Resort and Spa is set to open in early 2025 where guests will stay at one of 20 luxurious 'Telescope-Equipped' Villas, and enjoy the "Kosmos Stargazing Experience" at the on-site Planetarium & Observatory. AstroTours.org offers immersive stargazing tours that allow locals and visitors alike to experience the magic of Colorado’s star-filled skies, away from light pollution and with the guidance of expert astronomers.

Healing Waters and The State of Wellness and Longevity:

In Colorado, wellness isn’t just a trend, it is a lifestyle. Celebrating 10 years, the award-winning Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop offers America’s most relaxing road trip through eight top soaking destinations. The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs is undergoing an expansion to double the number of hotel rooms and add 20 new hot springs pools along with a new geothermal spa, a geothermal greenhouse and a greenhouse-to-table restaurant to be completed in 2025. Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs will unveil a transformative pool expansion in summer 2025, adding four new pools and a spacious deck to the historic hot springs facility. Iron Mountain Hot Springs will celebrate its 10^th anniversary this summer and add a variety of new pools ranging in temperatures from 55℉-104℉ and multiple saunas to its WorldSprings section throughout the year. Combine Colorado’s reputation for craft beer with wellness, and you get a beer spa. Oakwell Beer Spa is expanding this spring with a second location in Highlands Ranch. The Bohemian Bier Spa of Glenwood Springs will open in June 2025 offering a unique and relaxing experience that combines the benefits of a traditional spa with the therapeutic advantages of beer. Three Forks Ranch, located on the Colorado/Wyoming border, is the newest addition to the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association and recently launched a new state-of-the-art spa, fitness and wellness facility staffed by a team of Mayo Clinic trained and certified wellness coaches.

Immersive Arts, History and Culture:

History, arts and culture are immersive experiences in Colorado, and there are several new offerings to ignite the senses. The America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission is gearing up for the twin anniversaries of the nation turning 250 and the Centennial State, Colorado turning 150 in 2026. Beginning in 2025 and continuing through 2026, the commemoration offers many ways for residents and visitors to participate, including signature public initiatives, educational programs and community-led events across the state. The Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs will welcome its first full summer being open and playing host to the nation's top touring acts. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Jazz Kissa, Wobble HiFi will open this year as the first listening bar in Fort Collins featuring a high-fidelity sound system and extensive vinyl collection, as well as a curated and rotating list of craft beverages. The Bunk House Lodge in Breckenridge is expected to be added to the Colorado State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2025, as it has stood as a haven for the gay community for more than 50 years, and offers a unique LGBTQ+-celebratory lodging experience. Abstract Adventures brings creative recreation to Colorado’s outdoors in 2025 with unique guided hike and paint tours designed to inspire and connect. Recognized as one of the first free outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the nation, Art on the Corner in Grand Junction celebrates its 40th anniversary, features over 100 permanent sculptures from artists across the country and welcomes 22 new sculptures in the temporary collection this year. The Fort Collins Mural Project (FCMP) collaborates with underrepresented and emerging local artists and businesses to promote contemporary art in public spaces in the city. In 2025, the organization’s 10^th year in operation, FCMP’s 100^th mural will be installed in Fort Collins. The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and will be hosting special attractions including “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces” exhibition opening in June. 2025 welcomes some notable anniversaries including: Garden of The Gods Rock Ledge Ranch celebrates its 150th anniversary in Colorado Springs; the Edwin Carter Museum celebrates its 150th anniversary in Breckenridge; The Aspen Institute celebrates its 75th anniversary; the Creede Repertory Theatre celebrates its 60th anniversary.

New Summer Events:

The inaugural Denver Jazz Fest (April 3–6, 2025) will establish Denver as a major jazz destination.

Denver’s second annual Outside Festival (May 31-June 1, 2025) will feature headliner music, adventure films, thought-provoking speakers, immersive experiences and the latest outdoor gear. Empower Field at Mile High will host one blockbuster night showcasing two of Denver’s most popular bands. The Lumineers will be touring for The Automatic World Tour headlining Empower Field at Mile High for the first time and will be joined for one night only by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (August 2, 2025). The Broadmoor Golf Club will host the 2025 U.S. Senior Open Championship (June 25-29, 2025). Snowmass celebrates 50 years of the iconic Snowmass Balloon Festival (September 12-14, 2025).

Destination Dupes:

One of 2025’s biggest travel trends is the destination dupe, where travelers seek to avoid over-visited and pricey places in favor of more affordable locations with a similar vibe. Swap hiking in the Swiss Alps for the San Juan Mountains complete with full service hut to hut hikes and a visit to Ouray, the “Switzerland of America.” Swap the onsens of Japan for the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. Swap the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert for North America’s tallest sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Skip the Grand Canyon and go canyoneering, rock climbing or hiking in Colorado National Monument (Colorado’s unofficial National Park) or visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with the steepest canyon cliffs, oldest rock and craggiest spires in North America. Swap Arches National Park in Utah for the second largest concentration of arches in the world in Rattlesnake Canyon near Grand Junction.

Apres Adventure Eats and Craft Libations:

The MICHELIN Guide expanded to the Centennial State as Colorado became the guide's eighth destination in North America in 2023. Colorado has a rich culinary heritage that includes both established, notable chefs and innovative up-and-comers. The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Colorado selection was revealed in September 2024 adding Denver’s Alma Fonda Fina to the exclusive list of MICHELIN-Starred restaurants and Denver’s MAKfam as a new Bib Gourmand. The full selection, including Green Stars and Recommended eateries, totals 46 restaurants with 15 cuisine types represented. Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker (The Wolf's Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others) won the 2024 James Beard "Outstanding Restaurateur" award, and Breckenridge's Matt Vawter (Rootstalk and Radicato) won "Best Chef" for the mountain region. In January 2025, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 semifinalists that includes 13 Colorado chefs, bakers, bartenders and restaurants. Additionally, chefs across the state are turning out exciting new flavors and concepts, perfect for imbibing after a day of adventure. Frasca Hospitality Group and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail opened Tavernetta Vail in late 2024. Yuki Aspen, a new concept by Chef Matsuhisa Nobu, will open this winter in Aspen and offer a global fusion of flavors set against a sleek, modern dining room design. Johnny & Kasie Curiel, owners of MICHELIN-starred Alma Fonda Fina, are planning a springtime opening for their next concept, Alteño.

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ABOUT COLORADO: Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine and 28 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments, 26 scenic and historic byways and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800 COLORADO. Follow Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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