Rainbow Lake near Telluride (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

Rainbow Lake near Telluride (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

The mountainous state of Colorado has multiple activities for every season. One can ski in the winter, kayak in the summer, and enjoy fresh meadows in the spring. There is no shortage of outdoor activities in this Midwestern state.

The name Colorado, having Spanish origins, means “colored red.” In addition, Colorado is also referred to as “Colorful Colorado” for its scenery, mountains, and plains.

According to the Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado is the eighth-largest state in the U.S., with “more than 100,000 total square miles.” Colorado is home to more than 1,000 rocky mountain peaks, making its Rocky Mountain National Park a popular tourist attraction. In addition, Colorado’s rich Native American background gives tourists the chance to see Native American culture firsthand.

Train Tours

Colorado offers various types of train tours, including those that mainly focus on the scenery of Colorado’s countryside and themed tours that highlight a particular aspect of Colorado culture or landscape.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

Colorado Wine Train – If you’re seeking a culinary adventure, you can book a ticket on theColorado Wine Train. According to the Colorado Tourism Office, nearly “100,000 passengers” embark on this culinary and wine tasting journey each year along the Arkansas River deep within the granite cliffs of the Royal Gorge. Passengers can enjoy various types of cuisine and wine from March to December while viewing spectacular scenery.

Georgetown Loop Railroad – The Georgetown Loop Railroad, located in Georgetown, Colorado, takes passengers across the Devil’s Gate Bridge and through the Rocky Mountains. Silver mine tours are also available.

Pike’s Peak Cog Railway – This railway takes passengers up 14,110 feet, making it the world’s highest cog railway. Tourists can view aspen and pine forests as they embark on a scenic tour of Pike’s Peak. This tour is suitable for travelers of all ages.

Colorado in the Summer

While Colorado is famous for its winter season and abundance of winter activities, there are also many activities tourists can enjoy in the summer. Colorado’s vast natural environment provides for numerous hiking trails, cycling routes, and campgrounds. The summer traveler can also enjoy kayaking, horseback riding, golf, and caving.

Farmer’s Markets – Farmer’s markets are one way for tourists to get a taste of Colorado, but these markets are not only for buying locally grown fruits and vegetables. They also offer live entertainment and fun-filled events.Summer Concerts – During the summer months, many Colorado cities host outdoor concerts catering to a variety of musical tastes. Music lovers bring their blankets and often go barefoot in the grass as they listen to some of their favorite tunes. A variety of musical styles are offered, including jazz, rock and roll, classical, and southwestern music.

Winter Recreation

Wide-open mountainsides are the norm in Telluride (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

Wide-open mountainsides are the norm in Telluride (Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office)

Colorado is a prime location for skiers and snowboarders throughout the winter months. There are slopes for all skill levels and many ski resorts offer lessons.

A variety of resorts are available for those seeking a winter sport vacation. Local governments operate low-traffic minor ski hills for the skier looking for scenic routes with few other skiers.

However, skiing and snowboarding is not the only way to enjoy Colorado’s winter season. One can cross country ski through backcountry trails which “lead to snow-covered valleys and peaceful stands of evergreen and aspen trees, with chirping birds and your footsteps as the only sounds you’ll hear,” commented the Colorado Tourism Office. In addition, the winter tourist can ice skate, ride in a horse-drawn sled, or go snowmobiling.