I love Colorado, and if you’re reading this blog, chances are you love it too.
According to Colorado.com, Colorado is on its eighth consecutive year of record-setting growth in tourism. And if that tells you anything, it’s that Colorado is one of the top destinations in the United States not far behind states like New York and California.
The state of Colorado has been on a steady incline of tourism since the recession in 2009 and we show no signs of stopping.
Now, enough with the statistics.
Why visit Colorado?
Anyone who ventures to this state will find that its residents have a rather odd, but wonderfully unique pride for their state, especially if they are a native. I’ve actually had people say before, “No one loves their state like Colorado people love Colorado. It’s weird.”
While true, how could you not love this state? We have gorgeous plains with Pronghorn’s freely grazing in the distance beneath blue skies and white clouds, towering mountains that boast some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country, and a tourism office that is constantly working to make this a preferred destination for anyone looking for a true vacation.
Now it’s 2019, and we’re going for the 9th consecutive year of record-setting tourism growth. Below, I’m going to tell you why you should visit Colorado in 2019.
8 Great Regions to Choose From
You’ll notice that on this blog, I am categorizing my posts by region. And the regions I am using have been thoughtfully named by the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO).
Each region is broken up into what makes that part of the state unique, making it easier for you to navigate what kind of experience you would like to have here.
Visit Colorado’s website to see how the regions have been broken up and what kind of experiences you can have in each unique region.
Rafting & Kayaking
Most people wouldn’t think of Colorado as a state known for water activities, but we have some of the best whitewater rafting in the nation. Not to mention, we have lakes scattered across the state that are perfect for still-water kayaking.
Whether its a reservoir or a river, there is a lot of fun to be had out on the glacier lakes. And you’ll be able to bundle all that up into a serious weekend getaway if you add camping and fishing to the mix.
Prime Fishing
Speaking of fishing, Colorado has amazing fishing, which I can’t compare to another state. But in Colorado, you can fish for Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, Nothern Pike, Bass, and a variety of other little fishies that are perfecting for grilling later.
Fly fishermen and spin fishermen flock to this state just to enjoy the fishing here! And you can pretty much fish anywhere there is a body of water if you have CO fishing license that is. For me, I prefer river fishing.
Camping in Gorgeous Areas
Colorado camping is a huge deal here in the state of Colorado. Whether it’s tent, RV, or van camping, you can literally park your adventurous self anywhere and have nature as your backdrop.
Do your Google searches right and you’ll find a location to plop down and enjoy the outdoors essentially anywhere in the state. This year, I have a list of places I plan to go.
If you plan to go camping in Colorado this year, I highly suggest checking out my blog on where to go, here.
Hot Springs That Can’t be Beat
I’m telling you right now, there are hot springs all over this state, and there isn’t a single one to complain about. If you want to enjoy the serenity of desert plains and feel like you’re off the grid, there’s a hot springs for that. Want to be deep in the mountains? There is a hot springs for that too.
You can enjoy a good soak in mineral and sulfur waters practically anywhere in the state and at a low cost. If you need help selecting one, here are four you can choose from.
Snowboarding & Skiing
It’s definitely not a sport for everyone *ahem me ahem*. Hey, at least I gave it a shot!
Like the hot springs, it seems you can find a decent slope to shred wherever you venture to when the winter months roll around. Breckenridge, Keystone, Aspen, Buena Vista, Leadville, literally, everywhere.
Awesome City Life
If you’re not a big outdoors person, there is still much to be said about big cities like Denver and Colorado Springs. Experience the wild nightlife, bustling businesses, shopping out the wazoo, and unique restaurants you can’t find anywhere else.
If you’ve been on the road for a while and want to get a little closer to urban life as a refresher, Colorado has that too.
There’s Still More to Colorado
These are just a few things that should get you inspired to visit Colorado this year. If you would like to see more of my adventures in Colorado to help you plan your trip, go here. I still have many places in this state to mark off my list.
