From the rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the gleaming skyscrapers of Denver, Colorado is a state of grand proportions. The Centennial State is drenched in more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a true year-round destination. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in the warmer months, then gear up for world-class skiing in the winter.

Things to do

Rocky Mountain National Park is studded with rugged granite peaks, many more than 4,000 metres tall. Scenic trails wind through the park and lead to cobalt-blue lakes and wildflower-filled meadows. Wildlife encounters get you up close with moose, black bears, elk and bighorn sheep. After dark, the inky black skies offer some of the best stargazing in the United States.

Blue skies and lashings of powder make Colorado a snow sports mecca. Breckenridge offers groomed slopes, award-winning terrain parks and a lively apres ski scene, while Vail is synonymous with alpine luxury. Sprawling Aspen is made up of four standalone resorts and Steamboat offers some of the best glade skiing in the state.

Rugged canyons, towering mesas and crystalline natural springs await in Southern Colorado. In addition to cinematic desert scenery, Mesa Verde National Park showcases the legacy of the Ancestral Puebloans. Guided tours of Cliff Palace take visitors into a centuries-old Native American village carved into the side of a rocky overhang.

Denver is an upbeat city fuelled by a lively arts and cultural scene. Walkable neighbourhoods such as River North (RiNo) are filled with hip bars and restaurants housed in repurposed warehouses. Lower Downtown (LoDo) charms visitors with its historic architecture and fantastic shopping, while affluent Cherry Creek features tree-lined streets and trendy cafes. Just outside the city is Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the most iconic live music destinations in the world.

Getting around

An excellent network of national and interstate highways makes travelling around Colorado by car easy. Major cities such as Denver and Boulder are well-serviced by public transport. The state is serviced by several airports, including Denver International and Colorado Springs.