Colorado's Best Towns

From natural hot springs to world-class ski and mountain bike trails, these small towns in Colorado offer something for every type of traveler.


CREDIT: KRBLOKHIN/GETTY IMAGES

The New Yorks and San Franciscos of the world tend to get all the credit — and visitors — but it's often a state's small towns that offer a true feel for the place. In Colorado, for example, some of the best parts of the state can be found well outside large cities like Denver and Colorado Springs.

It's in Colorado's best small towns that you'll find the state's notorious mountain views, mining-era downtowns, cowboy and ranching culture, and of course, plenty of outdoor activities — from skiing and hiking to fishing and whitewater rafting.

So, when you're ready to see a different side of the destination, give this list a peek to find a small town that checks all the boxes for a dreamy Colorado adventure.

Salida
Two and a half hours south of Denver will put you in Salida, a small town that sits in the heart of the Sawatch Range. It's a great place to challenge yourself to hike a 14,000-foot mountain (the area has plenty), bike the Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain trail systems, or do like the locals do and hang by the shady shores of the Arkansas River, which runs through town. No matter what adventure you end up on, you'll want to wrap up your day on the Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub patio with a well-deserved slice and beer.

Paonia
The climate in Colorado tends to be dry, but this little agricultural haven produces some of the state's best tree-ripened fruits — apricots, cherries, peaches, pears — and hosts a fall Ciderfest that celebrates all things apple with boot-stomping music and food. If local fruit doesn't get you excited, head to the town's well-regarded Creative District, an area full of shops, artist studios, and galleries, or visit one of the local wineries.   TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE OTHER EIGHT (8) TOWNS IN COLORADO, CLICK HERE...

NOTE:  It is perfectly legal to smoke marijuana in Colorado...  even tourists from another State...

Monarch Butterfly

Just as the air begins to cool and the days become that much shorter, the iconic monarch butterflies make their arrival along the California coast.

By the thousands, the tiny little creatures bat their vibrant orange and black wings in unison as they find refuge from the cold for their long winter break. And it turns out, they choose many of the same destinations we do for our winter vacations.

This fall/winter may be the most important time yet to go see the butterflies and do all you can to help protect them for future generations.

Where the Butterflies Come From
According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, there are two distinct populations of monarch butterflies in the U.S. — those living east of the Rockies and those living to the west. While those living to the east typically migrate to Mexico for the winter, those living to the west migrate to the coast of central and southern California.

"Migration is not an uncommon phenomenon," the department explains. "In October, as colder weather approaches, the butterflies instinctively know they must fly south to escape the freezing temperatures. Some have to fly over 1,000 miles. The journey is hazardous and many never make it. By November, most are sheltering in trees stretching from the San Francisco Bay Area south to San Diego."  READ MORE