Sunny capital Denver is where to start, but beyond the arts,
craft breweries and mountain views lies a state that has visitors reaching for superlatives
Once, they came for the gold. Fortunately, Colorado’s treasures tend to be a little more accessible these days. Some are drawn to the buzz of Denver, the staggering mountain vistas and sheer variety of Colorado’s awe-inspiring national parks. Others will thrill for the white rapids and virgin powder snow. And that’s even before you get to the horse ranches, historic Native American culture and ghostly, abandoned mining towns. But whatever brings you here you can be sure of a few things: great views, delicious food, a fabulous local brew – and that famously laid-back Colorado welcome.
The good news is it has never been easier to visit. British Airways flies direct from London to Denver, and the state is well served with regional airports. British Airways Holidays has a fantastic range of holiday options from central three-star hotels and luxury resorts to fly-drive packages that allow you to make the most of your time and see the full state.
Downtown in Denver
They call it the “Mile High City” thanks to its elevation, and with 300 days of sunshine a year, life is lived outdoors. It’s also easy to get around: a 37-minute train ride from Denver International Airport takes you straight to Union Station, a hub that offers a stylish mix of independent bars and shops. You can walk, too – downtown areas such as Dairy Block, Larimer Square and 16th Street Mall, a mile-long promenade packed with shops and restaurants, are all pedestrianised (although 16th Street Mall has a free bus if you fancy a breather).
It’s a combination that naturally lends itself to street art: most famous is the much-loved 40ft blue bear, but you’ll spot it everywhere. Denver’s devotion to the arts has also led to the development of seven arts districts, home to a mix of world-class museums and galleries. Just 30 minutes from downtown is the spectacular Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which has hosted the likes of Louis Armstrong and U2, well worth a visit even without a show. Of course with a climate like Denver’s, there’s also plenty of sport. With six professional sports teams based in the city, you’re sure to catch a game all year round.
It’s probably equally unsurprising that Denver – and Colorado as a whole – should have evolved into one of the best places in the world to get a beer, with more than 400 breweries state-wide. Combined with a thriving multicultural food scene, this has become one of America’s top foodie destinations.
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Then there are the views. Few cities can boast a horizon as spectacular as the Rocky Mountains – an awe-inspiring reminder that Denver is your gateway to the West.
Go west
America is the land of superlatives and Colorado can more than hold its own, with four national parks, nine national monuments, seven historic railroads, 28 world-class ski resorts and 58 peaks topping a whopping 14,000ft. There’s also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The challenge, then, is what to choose: the Rockies to the north, or the lesser known but no less mighty Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the west. Head south, and you can explore towering dunes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park or uncover the past at the Mesa Verde National Park, famed for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. And dotted along the way are countless beautiful lakes, hot springs and heritage towns.
The landscape makes Colorado what it is, and there is plenty of life outside Denver, from Fort Collins, the craft beer capital, to the charming heart sculpture-laced streets of Loveland. Up in the mountains, near Aspen, is Snowmass, home to the largest vertical descent of any resort in North America and part of the “Power of Four” ski mountaineering race. (It also has the most ski-in/ski-outs in the US, if you’re less keen on competing.)
What unites all of these is Coloradans’ pride in the landscape, and a passion to sustain it for generations to come, as embodied by the Care for Colorado principles: “Know before you go, lead with kindness and care, respect the beautiful landscape and leave it as you found it.”
Book with confidence
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All bookings with British Airways Holidays are Atol-protected, and you are guaranteed a full, fast refund should your holiday be affected by major travel restrictions. Similarly, should British Airways Holidays be unable to fulfil your holiday, you can expect a full refund within 14 days.
British Airways Holidays has committed to extra safety measures, with all partners including hotel and car hire companies required to pass extensive health, fire and safety checklists. It also offers a 24-hour helpline should things go wrong, and if the unexpected happens, it will prioritise getting you home as soon as possible.
And if you are looking to bring treasures back with you, there’s a luggage allowance of 23kg per person. If only panning for gold had been so reliable.
DRIVING AMBITION
From historic dwellings to the giddy heights, a British Airways Holidays fly-drive package with Avis sets you up for the perfect Colorado road trip.
Here are three of the best:
The Trail of the ancients
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America’s only archaeological national scenic byway offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with 5,000 archaeological sites at Mesa Verde National Park alone, including 600 Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Peak to Peak Highway
Sure it’s beautiful, particularly in autumn, yet it can also be… eerie. Journey through the peaks, past deserted mining towns until you come to the Stanley Hotel, inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining and its movie adaptation.
Trail Ridge Road
Head straight through the Rockies, past the Continental Divide (12,183ft) ending in Grand Lake. This is the highest continuously paved road in North America: expect magnificent views.
STAY A WHILE
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At the heart of the Mile High City’s business district and one short block from 16th Street Mall, the Grand Hyatt will keep you on your toes, with a jogging track, tennis court, indoor pool and free gym.
Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge
Nestled in one of the coziest Rocky Mountain ski villages, Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge has spacious studios and villa rentals and proximity to top ski trails at Peak 9 and the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort AND Spa
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With sweeping views from the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, the upscale Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa is home to snow sports in winter; and fly fishing, river rafting and 4×4 rides in summer.
Sheraton denver downtown hotel
Centrally located in the buzzy 16th Street Mall shopping and nightlife district next to the light rail, highlights at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel include a heated rooftop pool and 5,000 sq ft fitness studio.
Book your 2023 holiday to Denver and Colorado at ba.com/denver-colorado
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