Snowmass Village, the little mountain town I called home for the first time in Colorado, is one of my favorite places in the state. Snowmass Village may seem like a remote wilderness lodge, but it's really just nine miles from Aspen, where you can get everything from high-end Japanese cuisine to Italian fashion. However, the truth is that Snowmass Village has its own distinct character. In Snowmass Village, there is no need to go anywhere else. Beautiful mountains, delicious food, live music, festivals, and some of the world's best backcountry routes can all be found in this charming town. Don't miss out on the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies's free guided treks through the fields and wildflowers led by knowledgeable naturalists.

Palisade, a sleepy little town in western Colorado, is where a vibrant agricultural past and a promising future meet. Downtown Palisade, formerly known mostly for its surrounding small wineries and farms, is now home to various shops, bakeries, and restaurants, such as Pêche, a farm-to-table establishment led by one of Colorado's greatest young chefs, Matthew Chasseur (formerly the chef at Alinea in Chicago). More than that, Palisade is quickly becoming a popular spot for mountain bikers. Starting at the summit of Colorado's Grand Mesa, the Palisade Plunge winds its way down to the hamlet of Palisade on a mountain bike. After ten years of planning, building, and many millions of dollars, The Plunge finally opened in 2021.

Even while Telluride is well-known among Coloradans and may become busy in the summer, visitors who come at the proper time (early or late summer) will immediately learn what makes this town one of the greatest in Colorado. Telluride has the feel of a Western mining town, with a super mario bros touch of hippie nostalgia. Its historic center is full of independent businesses rather than national chains, and its summer music festival culture is unparalleled. The area is home to the breathtaking and humbling box canyon and Bridal Veil Falls. Nothing beats a hot summer day in San Miguel, Colorado, when you can float down the river on an inner tube or set up a lawn chair in Town Park for a bluegrass music.

Located on the Colorado–Utah state line, the Dinosaur National Monument provides the inspiration for the name of this little ranching town in the state's northwestern corner. The park, home to dinosaur fossils, rock art, and miles of hiking and bike trails, is within easy driving distance of town, making it one of its best features. The quarry exhibit hall in Jensen, Utah is where you'll find the majority of the dinosaur bones, however Colorado's side of the park boasts the better canyon and river vistas. Upon waking up on Brontosaurus Boulevard (the main road of Dinosaur), proceed east for two miles to the Canyon Visitor Center, the point of origin for the majority of the park's hiking trails. Whitewater rafting, stargazing at the International Dark Sky Park, and a picturesque drive along Harpers Corner Road with views of the Green and Yampa rivers are among popular activities in the region.