Best Small Towns in Colorado

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Last Updated on: 28th January 2022, 03:25 am

Salida

Salida is one of the most beautiful downtown districts in Chaffee County, Colorado. This statutory city is the most populous city in the county. Its name was derived from Spanish that is roughly translated to mean exit. This is because the community was founded over 100 years ago in 1880 at the upper end of the Royal Gorge. It’s a popular city among poets in the country as the Columbine Poets of Colorado often organize workshops and poetry contests.

Manitou Springs 

Manitou Springs is located in El Paso County, Colorado. It is best known for its natural mineral springs that are abundant throughout the city. Foreigners and tourists are most fascinated by the city’s beautiful cliffs, springs and local events. The city was founded in 1980 by the Historic Preservation Committee, and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Of the attractions in the city, some of the most exciting are the children’s playgrounds, the Creekside city park, the Barr Trail and the one-story shops. 

Aspen 

A popular ski resort in Colorado, Aspen is located in Pitkin County. The most popular city in the county, Aspen, is located in the Rocky Mountains’ Sawatch Range and was incorporated in 1881. It is quite a popular retreat center for many locals, foreigners and even celebrities. The city also holds the Winter X Games annually since 2002. Because of how popular the city is as a ski resort and a favorite option for second-home buyers, houses are quite expensive.

Leadville

Leadville city is the highest mountain town in Colorado. This beautiful mountain town has so many attractions for tourists. You can hike, bike, fish, and even kayak in the city. Leadville city is located in Lake County, and it was incorporated in February 1878 after it was founded by mine owners Horace Tabor and August Meyer in 1877. Mining began in the city in 1859 after a gold mine was discovered at the California Gulch, and in 1876, black sand was also discovered.

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Alamosa

The city of Alamosa was discovered in May 1878 and incorporated in August 1878. It is located in Alamosa County, and it is the most populous city in the county. Alamosa is the commercial hub of the county as well as the commercial center of San Luis Valley. This city is often referred to as the Gateway to Great Sand Dunes National Park, which makes the park easily accessible for people that visit the city. With its beautiful scenic views, Alamosa is heaven to nature lovers.

Estes Park 

Estes Park is located in northern Colorado, and it is home to wildlife and lots of nature. This beautiful city is known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, which is also near the Roosevelt National Forest. There is a lot to do in this city. It is best for lovers of nature as well as those who want a dose of adrenaline. It is also famous for its scenic views. The name Estes was given to the town by William Byers to pay respect to Joel Estes, the city’s first permanent resident. 

Pagosa Springs 

Just like its name implies, Pagosa Springs is a hotspot for hot springs and lots of sun. This city is located in the southwestern part of Colorado can be found at the feet of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains in Archuleta County. It was founded in 1891, and it is a popular vacation site for both locals and tourists. Pagosa Springs is quite refreshing because there are so many hot springs and relaxation spots. It is home to the world’s deepest hot spring. 

Crestone

Crestone was incorporated in 1902. It is located in Saguache County in Colorado. The city sprang up after the American Civil War. There were mining activities in the east and southern parts of the area, with gold being the most mined resource. The city of Crestone holds the Annual San Luis Valley Energy Fair, which involves ideas relating to energy and environmental sustainability. The city also has active wildlife. You can find Mule deers, and even Black bears in the city, especially at night. 

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Telluride

Telluride is also one of the most popular mining towns located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It is a very popular skiing town nowadays and especially in the summer, lots of tourists and even locals enjoy their vacation in the city. There are local events and lots of hiking to do in the town. The city is located in San Miguel County and was founded in 1878. The city used to mine gold, zinc, lead, and even silver.

Paonia 

Paonia is located in Delta County, Colorado. It was incorporated in September 1902 after settlement began in 1880. The city was first explored in 1853 by Captain John W. Gunnison, who was a member of the United States Army. Paonia is moderately cold in winter with relatively endurable weather during the summer. A Cherry Days Festival is held annually in the city every 4th of July with lots of activities, games, arts and crafts, and musical performances.

Lake City 

Lake City, which is also sometimes called the Town of Lake City, is located in Hinsdale County in the San Juan Mountains. It was incorporated in September 1884. The Ute people used to live in the area, and they were mostly hunters and fishers. Mining began in the area, which allowed more people to settle in the area. The city has rich scenes and mineral resources. The city’s mountainous regions allows for tourism and many outdoor recreational activities.

Breckenridge 

Breckenridge, Colorado, is a popular destination among travelers and tourists. It is located in Summit County in Colorado and was established in November 1859. It was later incorporated in March 1880. The city is popular for its skis. The first ski trails were built in 1961. In winter, the city holds an international Snow Sculpture Championship as well as the Freeway Terrain Park. Apart from Skiing, tourists can also go on mountain riding, road biking, and fishing.

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Georgetown 

Georgetown, Colorado, is located in Clear Creek County. It was a site for mining silver and was established in 1859. It was later incorporated in 1885. Georgetown was nicknamed the Silver Queen of Colorado because of how rich it was in Silver. The town was founded by George and David Griffith and was named after George. It is one of the best towns to spend Christmas and other related holidays in Colorado. The town has a large lake on the Rocky Mountains that can be seen from the city’s highways.

Nederland 

The city of Nederland is located in Boulder County, Colorado. Located near Barker Meadow Reservoir, the city was incorporated in November 1885 after being established in 1874. It used to be a mining town with so many minerals like gold, silver, and tungsten. It legalized the use of marijuana in 2010, adding to its economic boom. NedFest and the Frozen Dead Festival are two of its most popular festivals held yearly. Its name was changed twice from Dayton to Browns Crossing and then to Nederland.

Crested Butte 

Located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Crested Butte is in Gunnison County. It was incorporated in July 1880. It was home to the Ute people, who were later displaced by American-Europeans and became a popular mining town. It is now popular for its many outdoor activities such as skiing, biking, and hiking. A popular destination for nature lovers, Crested Butte, is famously called ‘the last great Colorado ski town’. In summer, snowboarding and skiing is the most popular sport, while in winter, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking are the most popular.

Creede 

Creede is located in Mineral County Seat, Colorado. It was incorporated in May 1892. The town is quite famous for being home to the world’s largest fork after beating out the 35-foot-long fork in Missouri. It is quite a tourist attraction with its quirks. Named as one of the weirdest tourist attractions in Colorado, Creede is also the filing site for the 2013 movie, the Lone Ranger. It used to be a silver mining town, but is now a place for many outdoor activities such as fishing and backpacking.

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Canon City 

Canon city is known by tourists for its scenic views and the Arkansas River. It is located in Fremont County, Colorado. People began to settle in the town in 1860, and it was officially incorporated in April 1872. There are so many parks and recreation centers in the city, including Centennial Park, Magdalene Park, and Greydene Park. There are so many things to do outdoors in the city, from hiking to whitewater rafting.

Ouray 

Ouray is located in Ouray County in Colorado. It was incorporated in March 1884. It used to be a mining city and was founded by miners. The town is a fairly popular film site as it was the site of filming the 1968 movie, True Grit. It is one of the best places to live and to visit in Colorado, especially for a quiet time, regardless of whether it is for a short vacation or a very long stay.

Trinidad 

It is the most populous municipality in Las Animas County. Incorporated in December 1879, Trinidad was founded in 1862 after the discovery of gold and other minerals in the region. The city has a professional baseball team called Trinidad Triggers, leading to an increase in sporting activities such as baseball and soccer in the city. The marijuana industry in the city is also one of its major sources of revenue as it experienced a hike in 2015.

Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek is located in Teller County, Colorado. It is part of Colorado Springs. It was incorporated in June 1892. This city is home to a large theatre, the Butte Opera House. In winter, it holds an ice festival. There are many outdoor activities to do in the city that include skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and biking. It is also home to the Cripple Creek Heritage Center, which holds educational displays. There are tours in the city that shows real gold mines that were used in the 1800s. 

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