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Accommodations
Colorado accommodations range from rustic cabins to extravagant resorts. Resorts, spas, and dude ranches are destinations in themselves. Make reservations well ahead of the high season – winter in ski areas and summer in mountain resorts. Budget travelers may find off-season discounts. Self-contained destinations will be the most expensive and, in Colorado, include ski-in and ski village resort condos and hotels, small boutique and restored grande dame hotels in historic downtowns, and national park gateway communities like Estes Park and Durango. Lavish resorts and dude ranches are in a category by themselves. Dude ranches, in particular, operate on a multi-day, all-in American Plan basis, including lodging, food, and all activities. You will find attractive, inexpensive, well-run campgrounds throughout Colorado, as well as some good hostels in places like Denver. Chain motels may be bland but they are reliable.
Admission charges
Admission is usually charged at both private and public museums and attractions and national and state parks. As a rule, entrance fees are $10 or under per person, although very popular sites, such as Rocky Mountain National Park and special traveling exhibits at nationally known museums, may charge as much as $20. Museums often offer free or reduced entrance fees certain days or evenings.
Consider buying multisite passes for attractions in Denver, if available. Local visitor centers and state welcome centers can assist you with planning and many also offer discount coupons, with excellent deals on local attractions, hotels, and dining.
National Park Passes
Most parks charge an entrance fee, usually $10–25, which allows unrestricted vehicle entry for a car and up to four passengers for one week. If you plan on visiting several national parks on your vacation, or to return within a year, you should buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80). Passes are available at the entrance gate to national parks that charge admission or may be purchased online or by phone (tel: 888-ask-usgs.) If you wish to support a particular national park, buy your pass at the site, as the park will get to keep at least 80 percent of the fee. The pass offers access to all public lands managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation.
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Budgeting for your trip
The US remains a good buy for travelers, especially those traveling around by auto, where the main cost will be car rental, gas, lodging, and food, and you can search out bargains en route. You can save considerably if you camp, stay in budget motels, eat in hometown cafés like the locals, and purchase food direct from farm stands and farmers’ markets for picnics, easy to do in Colorado, one of the top ranching and agricultural states in the country. Boulder Farmers’ Market, for example, has an extraordinary selection of prepared foods, including wine.
Allow $80–100 a day for good-quality motels for two people; really memorable hotels and bed-and-breakfasts tend to run $125–175 per night and offer a good way to connect quickly with the local scene. .At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find an array of attractive, well-run campgrounds throughout Colorado for $16–25 a night; hostels are often a great budget choice in Colorado (there are excellent ones in Denver and Salida) and tend to run from $30–50, depending on whether you bunk in a dorm or have a private room. Reliable budget chain motels are in the $60–80 range (look for AAA discounts and online deals at chains like Best Western and La Quinta).
You can probably squeak by with $30 per day per person for food, if you stick to basic diners, cafés, markets, farm stands, food trucks, and inexpensive restaurants, especially ethnic ones, and make breakfast your main meal, eating more lightly for lunch and dinner, and avoiding alcohol. However, if the high-elevation Rocky Mountain air doesn’t get you high, you can always tour Colorado’s many fine microbreweries, wineries, and distilleries to enjoy free and low-cost tastings of Colorado microbrew ales, wines, and even whiskey (Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver).
Meals in better restaurants cost a lot more, but if you’re determined to visit a famous high-end establishment and don’t have the cash, book for lunch instead: you’ll find many dinner menu items at much lower prices
Budget $2.50–$3 per gallon for gas costs for your rental car; most economy vehicles get over 30 miles (48km) per gallon, but if you plump for the four-wheel-drive (a good idea on Colorado’s rugged backroads at any time of year, and vital on most roads in winter), you’ll likely get only around 20 miles (32km) per gallon. Inexpensive or free trams, light rail, buses, and other public transportation are available in Denver and other cities, such as Trinidad and Grand Junction, as well as ski resort towns.
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Camping
Most campgrounds in national and state parks and forests are now on a central reservation system (essential during peak summer season), with just a few campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Both www.recreation.gov and www.reserveamerica.com offer online campground reservations at public lands managed by 12 federal participating partners, including the USDA Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Archives & Records Administration. Colorado State Parks can be reserved by logging on to www.coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com; tel: 800-678-2267. Fees are charged for developed campsites; free dispersed camping is allowed in national forests. Permits are required for backcountry camping in parks.
Environmental ethics
Remember the old saying: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” The goal of low-impact/no-impact backpacking is to leave the area in the same condition as you found it, if not better. If you’re camping in the backcountry, don’t break branches, level the ground, or alter the landscape in any way. Make fires in designated places only. Otherwise, use a portable camping stove. When nature calls, answer with a trowel: dig a hole 6ins (15cm) deep and at least 200ft (60 meters) from water, campsites and trails. Take away all trash, including toilet paper. Ziplock bags and Dr. Bronner’s eco-friendly peppermint soap are a camper’s best friend.
Children
Two things about traveling with children: first, be prepared and second, don’t expect to cover too much ground – think quality not quantity. Take everything you need, along with a general first-aid kit, and wet wipes, and Ziplock baggies. Away from the Front Range and ski resort towns, Colorado is primarily a state of remote mountain towns, with limited supplies and often no nearby hospital. If you need baby formula, special foods, diapers, or medication, carry them with you.
Colorado’s Front Range communities, ski resort towns like Aspen in the Central Rockies, and Western Slope communities like Grand Junction and Durango have museums and activities geared toward families. Away from towns, make sure that mountains, backcountry areas, and parks are suitable for kids. Are there abandoned mine shafts, steep stairways and trails, cliffs, or other hazards? Is a lot of walking necessary? Are food, water, shelter, bathrooms, and other essentials available at the site? Everyone should be careful of dehydration in this high-elevation state by drinking plenty of water before and during outdoor activities and eating high-energy foods. Don’t push children beyond their limits. Rest often and allow for extra napping. Good advice for adults on vacation, too.
Climate
What to wear
With few exceptions, Western dress is informal and geared toward practical clothing for enjoying the outdoors. A pair of jeans or slacks, a polo or button-down shirt, and boots or shoes are appropriate at all but the fanciest places and events. Shorts and light shirts are suitable for most situations in the warmer months, though. Year round, be sure everyone wears sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, polarized eye protection, a broad-brimmed hat protecting the neck, layered clothing with sleeves and legs that can be rolled down as sun protection, and sturdy hiking sandals or boots that secure the foot for walking on rough ground – no flip-flops or flimsy shoes.
If you’re hiking, a thin, inner polypropylene sock and a thick, outer sock will help keep your feet dry and comfortable. Blisters or sore spots can develop quickly. Cover them with moleskin or surgical tape, available at most pharmacies or camping supply stores. Bring a warm cover-up and rain shell; even in summer, high country weather can be cool and suddenly rainy.
When to visit
Colorado is a popular four-season state for tourism. It spans a wide range of climate and life zones, but generally has sunny skies, low humidity, and limited precipitation. Climate varies widely with elevation. Climbing 1,000ft (300 meters) is equivalent to traveling 300 miles (500km) northward. Conditions atop the highest peaks are akin to those in the Arctic. There are even a few permanent ice fields like St. Mary’s Glacier, the southernmost glacier in North America.
Colorado enjoys 295 days of sunshine annually. The climate is semi-arid. Yearly precipitation ranges from 16ins (41cm) on the eastern plains and 14ins (36cm) in the Front Range to less than 10ins (25cm) on the Western Slope. Most rain falls in brief, intense thunderstorms during the summer season, when small streams, dry washes, and narrow canyons are prone to flash floods. Violent electrical storms are common on mountain peaks during summer afternoons. Nights in the mountains can be chilly even in July and August, and winds are often brisk, so bring a sweater or jacket. Snow, hail, and sleet are possible at the highest elevations at any time of year.
The spring thaw usually begins in March, though snow lingers well into July on the highest peaks and passes. Summer weather begins in late June or early July. Fall begins in September, a lovely period of sunny days, chilly nights, and spectacular colors on the Rockies’ forested slopes. Winter sets in by late November, though ski areas such as Arapahoe Basin and Loveland sometimes open as early as late October (with the aid of snow-making machines) and close in June.
Average high temperatures in summer reach 88°F (31°C) in Denver (elev. 5,280ft/1,609 meters), 94°F (34°C) in Grand Junction (elev. 4,586ft/1,398 meters), and 80°F (27°C) in Aspen (7,773ft/2,369m). Nights are crisp and pleasant, usually ranging from 45°F (7°C) to 65°F (18°C).
Winter is very chilly but often sunny, with average lows of 16°F (-9°C) in Denver and Grand Junction, and 6°F (-14°C) in Aspen. Annual snowfall in Denver is typically 45–65ins (114–65cm), though warm spells between storms reduce large accumulations. Annual snowfall in excess of 300ins (760cm) is common in the ski areas around Aspen. Winter storms roll into Colorado from the Pacific, lose moisture over the desert Southwest, and then dump piles of the light, dry powder for which the Rocky Mountains are famous.
Crime and safety
A few common-sense precautions will help keep you safe while traveling in Colorado. For starters, know where you are and where you’re going. Whether traveling on foot or by car, bring a map and plan your route in advance. Don’t be shy about asking for directions. Most people are happy to help
Don’t carry large sums of cash or wear flashy or expensive jewelry. Lock unattended cars, and keep your belongings in the trunk. If possible, travel with a companion, especially after dark.
Carry a cell phone. Few items are more useful if you are lost, have had an accident, need to report an emergency, or your car has broken down. However, don’t rely on GPS or cell phone service: in the mountains, many places have no signal.
If involved in a traffic accident, remain at the scene. It is illegal to leave. If you have no cell phone, or no signal, find a nearby telephone or ask a passing motorist to call the police, then wait for emergency vehicles to arrive.
Driving under the influence of alcohol carries stiff penalties, including fines and jail. Wearing seat belts is required. Children under four must be in a child’s safety seat.
Customs regulations
Everyone entering the United States must go through US Customs, often a time-consuming process. You may now bring in duty-free gifts worth up to $800 (American residents) or $100 (foreign travelers). Visitors over 18 may bring in 200 cigarettes, a reasonable amount of tobacco, 4.4lbs (2 kilos) of smoking tobacco, and 100 cigars; quantities permitted are higher for US residents. Those over 21 may bring in 1 US quart (1 liter) of alcohol. Travelers with more than $10,000 in US or foreign currency, traveler’s checks, or money orders must declare these upon entry. Among prohibited goods are meat or meat products, illegal drugs, firearms, seeds, plants, and fruits. For a breakdown of customs allowances, write to US Customs Service, PO Box 407, Washington, DC 20044; tel: 877-227-5511; www.cbp.gov.
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Disabled travelers
The 1995 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) brought sweeping changes to facilities across America. Accommodations with five or more rooms must be useable by persons with disabilities (where possible). Older and smaller inns and lodges are often wheelchair accessible, but always ask. For the sight-impaired, many hotels provide special alarm clocks, captioned TV services, and security measures. To comply with ADA hearing-impaired requirements, many hotels have begun to follow special procedures; local agencies may provide TTY and interpretation services.
Check with the hotel when you make reservations to ascertain the degree to which the hotel complies with ADA guidelines. Ask specific questions about bathroom facilities, bed height, wheelchair space, and availability of services.
Many major attractions have wheelchairs for loan or rent; most national parks today also offer paved “barrier-free” or “accessible” trails. Some provide special visitor publications for disabled visitors and interpreters and visitor guides. The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (tel: 212-447-7284; www.sath.org) publishes a quarterly magazine on travel for the disabled.
Electricity
Standard electricity in North America is 110–115 volts, 60 cycles AC. An adapter is necessary for most appliances from overseas, with the exception of Japan.
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Embassies
Australia: 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20036, tel: 613-238-1040.
Canada: 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, tel: 202-682-1740.
Great Britain: 3100 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: 202-588-6500.
Ireland: 2234 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: 202-462-3939.
New Zealand: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: 202-328-4800.
Emergencies
Dial 911 (the operator will put you through to the police, ambulance, or fire services). The call is toll free anywhere in the US, including on cell phones. If you can’t get through, dial 0 for an operator. In national parks, it’s best to contact a ranger.
Abandoned Mines
Exercise caution around old buildings and abandoned mines. Structures may be unstable and the ground may be littered with broken glass, nails, and other debris. Mine shafts are particularly dangerous. Never enter a mine shaft or cave unless accompanied by a park ranger or other professional.
Etiquette
When traveling in Colorado, you’ll notice a big difference in tone among people who live in the fast-paced, highly developed, modern urban communities strung out along the Front Range, which feels very like California, where many residents are from; and the slower-paced, more tightly knit rural mountain communities and farm and ranch towns on the Western Slope, whose residents tend to be more conservative and courtly and polite in their manners.
The first rule of travel is to blend in and take your cue from local etiquette. This is particularly true should you happen to visit the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation, just south of Cortez, or the Four Corners Navajo Tribal Monument, where you’ll meet Navajo and Ute people. Indian reservations are sovereign lands, with their laws and moral code, and call for unique sensitivity and cultural awareness to avoid giving offense.
Follow all Indian regulations, and do not presume anything while on the reservation. Travel as lightly among people as you would on sensitive lands.
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Gay and lesbian travelers
GLBT travelers will find few problems traveling in Colorado, even in more far-flung rural areas or conservative Colorado Springs, home to Focus on the Family and other religious groups. This is, after all, a state that prides itself on its international sophistication and embrace of diversity and political correctness. For GLBT resources, check out the Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages (tel: 800-697-2812; www.glyp.com). In Colorado, contact Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Services (tel: 303-733-PRIDE (7743); www.glbtcolorado.org). PrideFest takes place in Denver in mid-June.
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Health and medical care
Insurance
It’s vital to have medical insurance when traveling. Although hospitals are obligated to provide emergency treatment to anyone who needs it, regardless of whether they do or don’t have insurance, you may have to prove you can pay for treatment of anything less than a life-threatening condition. Know what your policy covers, and have proof of the policy with you at all times, or be prepared to pay at the time service is rendered. Your travel insurance should cover both yourself and your belongings. Your own insurance company or travel agent can advise you on policies, but shop around since rates vary. Make sure you are covered for accidental death, emergency medical care, trip cancellation, and baggage or document loss.
Precautions
Altitude sickness: People traveling from sea level, no matter their fitness level, may feel uncharacteristically breathless at elevations as low as 6,000 or 7,000ft (1,800–2,100 meters). The sensation usually passes after a few days. Elevation sickness symptoms, including nausea, headache, vomiting, extreme fatigue, light-headedness, and shortness of breath, intensify over 10,000ft (3,000 meters). Although the symptoms may be mild at first, they can develop into a serious illness. Move to a lower elevation and try to acclimatize gradually.
Cactus: To avoid being pricked, stay on trails and wear long pants and sturdy boots.
Dehydration: Drink plenty of liquids and, if outdoors, carry liter bottles of water and salty,high-energy snacks to eat, even on a short hike. The rule of thumb in arid conditions is 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day. Don’t wait to get thirsty – start drinking as soon as you set out, but avoid drinking too much water on an empty stomach, as this can lead to hyponatremia, an electrolyte imbalance that can be just as dangerous as dehydration. One easy suggestion is to add a little raw sea salt to all your water to keep electrolytes balanced.
Drinking water: All water from natural sources must be purified before drinking. Giardia bacteria are found in streams throughout the West, even in crystal-clear water, and can cause severe cramps and diarrhea. The most popular purification methods are tablets or filters (both available from camping supply stores) or by boiling water for at least three minutes. You can also find water bottles with filters that do a good job.
Flash floods: Sudden downpours – even those falling miles away from your location– can fill canyons and dry river beds with a roaring torrent of water and mud that will sweep away everything in its path. Travelers should be especially careful during the summer “monsoon” season. Avoid hiking or driving in arroyos (dry gulches) or narrow slot canyons in canyon country, and never try to wade or drive across a flooded stream. If rain begins to fall, or you see rain clouds in the distance, move to higher ground. It’s impossible to outrun or even outdrive a flash flood. Take action before the water level begins to rise.
Frostbite: Symptoms of frostbite, which occurs when living tissue freezes, include numbness, pain, blistering, and whitening of the skin. The most immediate remedy is to put frostbitten skin against warm skin. Simply holding your hands for several minutes over another person’s frostbitten cheeks or nose may suffice. Otherwise, immerse frostbitten skin in warm (not hot!) water. Refreezing will cause even more damage, so get the victim into a warm environment as quickly as possible. Check other members of your party. If one person is hypothermic or frostbitten, others may be too.
Hypothermia: This occurs when the core body temperature falls below 95°F (35°C). At altitude, combinations of alcohol, cold, and thin air can produce hypothermia. Watch for drowsiness, disorientation, and sometimes increased urination. If possible get to a hospital; otherwise, blankets and extra clothing should be piled on for warmth. Don’t use hot water or electric heaters and don’t rub the skin. The elderly should be especially careful in extremely cold weather.
Lightning: In Colorado, lightning is the number one life-threatening weather hazard. In the past 10 years, there have been an average of three deaths and 15 injuries from lightning each year. Stay alert for fast-changing weather conditions. It doesn’t have to be raining where you are for lightning to be a threat. If driving, stay in your car. If you’re hiking, avoid being the tallest object in the area, and stay away from other tall objects, such as a small group of trees. If hiking in the mountains, go early in the day, before thunderstorms develop. Above tree line, there are few places to take cover. If you are in the mountains when a storm is moving in, descend from high points. If you can’t get away from an exposed area, make yourself as small as possible, crouching down or perching on a small rock with insulation such as a poncho or foam pad under you, your feet touching rock and your hands clasped around your knees or on all fours on the ground. Never seek shelter under a lone tree, in a shallow cave or under a rock overhang.
Sunburn: Even a very short time outdoors can result in sunburn, so protect yourself by applying a high-SPF sunscreen and wear polarized sunglasses. The elderly and the ill, small children, and people with fair skin should be especially careful. Excessive pain, redness, blistering, or numbness mean you need professional medical attention. Minor sunburn can be soothed by a cool bath.
Snakes and insects
Insects: Bees are abundant, which should concern only those allergic to the sting. Those with severe allergies should carry an EpiPen or other form of emergency treatment, especially if hiking in remote areas. The bite of a black widow spider or tarantula and the sting of a scorpion’s tail can pack a punch but is rarely a serious health threat to adults. Scorpions are nocturnal, so use flashlights and don’t walk barefoot. They often hide in recesses, dark corners, and wood piles and like to crawl into protected places, so shake out clothes or sleeping bags that have been on the ground and check your shoes before putting them on.
Snakes: Of the 25 species of snakes in Colorado, the Western rattlesnake and the massasauga are the only venomous species. The Western rattlesnake appears in most habitats throughout the state. The massasauga is limited to the southeastern grasslands. There are six basic ways to distinguish these two venomous snakes from their non-venomous relatives: 1) rattles at the end of the tail; 2) fangs in addition to their rows of teeth; 3) facial pits between the nostrils and eyes; 4) vertical and elliptical pupils that may look like thin lines in bright light (non-venomous snakes have round pupils); and 5) a broad triangular head and narrow neck. Only about 3 percent of people bitten by a rattlesnake die, and these are mainly small children. Walk in the open when possible, proceed with caution among rocks, sweep grassy areas with a long stick before entering, avoid dark or overgrown places where snakes might lurk, shake out bedding or clothing that has been lying on the ground, and wear sturdy hiking boots. Snakes often lie on roads at night because of the residual heat radiating from the pavement, so use a flashlight if walking on a paved road after dark. Keep your hands and feet where you can see them, and don’t let children poke under rocks or logs.
Snakebite kits are good psychological protection, but there is some question as to how effective they really are. The most useful snakebite kit consists of car keys and coins for calling a hospital. If bitten, try to remain calm so as not to increase circulation and spread the venom faster. Remove rings, watches, bracelets, and other articles that may constrict swelling below the bite area, if possible. Wash the wound with soap and water. Immobilize the bite area and keep it below the heart. Get to a hospital immediately – do not wait for the pain to become severe. The use of an approved anti-venom is the most effective treatment. Do not use a tourniquet, make an incision at the bite site, suck out the venom with your mouth, or pack the limb in ice.
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Internet
Many public libraries, copy centers, hotels, and airports offer wireless (wi-fi) email and internet access, either on their computers or your laptop. At Starbucks coffee houses, for example, you must first purchase a T-Mobile Hot Spot pass or Boingo Pass (currently about $10 a day), before being able to log on; many other coffee houses and restaurants offer free wi-fi as a customer incentive. The modems of many foreign laptops, handheld computers, and smartphones won’t work in the US. You may need to purchase a global modem before leaving home or a local PC-card modem once you arrive in the US. For more information, log on to www.teleadapt.com.
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Maps
Accurate maps are indispensable in Colorado, especially when leaving primary roads. Road maps can be found at bookstores, convenience stores, and gas stations. Free maps are also available by mail from state or regional tourism bureaus and in person at visitor centers, tourism offices, and state welcome centers. Free city, state, and regional maps as well as up-to-date road conditions and other valuable services are available to members of the Automobile Association of America (AAA; for more information, click here.)
Maps of national parks, forests, and other public lands are usually offered by the managing governmental agency. Good topographical maps of national parks and forests are available from Trails Illustrated, 212 Beaverbrook Canyon Road, Evergreen, CO 80439, tel: 303-670-3457 or toll-free 800-962-1643; www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/trails-illustrated-maps. These maps are often found in bookstores. Extremely detailed topographical maps are available from the US Geological Survey, PO Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, tel: 303-236-7477; www.usgs.gov/sales.html. Like maps from Trails Illustrated, USGS maps are often available in higher-end bookstores and shops that sell outdoor gear.
Media
Magazines
Several Colorado lifestyle magazines are worth checking out for their regional articles on interesting destinations and local people, as well as restaurant listings and a calendar of events: 5280: Denver’s Mile-High Magazine, Zone 4: Living in the High Country West, Aspen Magazine, Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazine, Mountain Living Magazine, and Telluride Magazine.
Newspapers
In this rapidly expanding era of electronic publishing and free information on the worldwide web, print media has undergone a massive contraction. Yet most communities still publish print editions of newspapers, as well as electronic editions, and the opinions and endorsements of columnists and editorial boards continue to play an important role in community life. Colorado’s top newspaper is the Denver Post. Other Colorado newspapers include the Aspen Daily News, the Boulder Daily Camera, Colorado Springs Gazette, the Colorado Tribune in Pueblo, The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction, the Durango Herald, the Estes Park Trail Gazette, the Telluride Daily Planet, and Vail Daily. High Country News, headquartered in Paonia, is an award-winning environmental journal.
Television
All of the main TV broadcast networks have affiliates in Denver and Colorado Springs/Pueblo on the most populous Front Range. On the Western Slope, in Durango and Grand Junction and in Montrose, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and Fort Collins, satellite broadcasts from Denver or Albuquerque can be found. In addition, a large selection of cable/satellite channels and pay-per-view stations is available on most TV lineups.
Money
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs)
ATMs are the most convenient way to access cash and are widely available throughout the state. They are usually found at banks, shopping malls, supermarkets, service stations, convenience stores, and hotels. Debit cards may also be used at grocery stores and gas stations, much as credit cards are. Many stores offer free cashback with a debit card purchase.
Credit Cards
These are very much part of daily life in the US. They can be used to pay for pretty much anything, and it is common for car rental agencies and hotels to take an imprint of your card as a deposit. Rental companies may oblige you to pay a large deposit in cash if you do not have a card.
You can also use your credit card to withdraw cash from ATMs. Before you leave home, make sure you know your PIN (personal identification number) and find out which ATM system will accept your card (or charge you less, for example for taking out foreign currency if your card was issued at a bank outside the US.) The most widely accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and Discovery.
Money may be sent or received by wire at any Western Union office (tel: 800-325-6000), American Express Money Gram office (tel: 800-543-4080) and even online through services like Paypal.
Currency
The basic unit of American currency, the dollar ($1), is equal to 100 cents. There are four coins, each worth less than a dollar: a penny or 1 cent (1¢), a nickel or 5 cents (5¢), a dime or 10 cents (10¢), and a quarter or 25 cents (25¢).
There are several denominations of paper money: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Each bill is the same color, size, and shape; be sure to check the dollar amount on the face of the bill.
It is advisable to arrive with at least $100 in cash (in small bills) to pay for ground transportation and other incidentals.
Traveler’s checks
Foreign visitors may want to carry US dollar traveler’s checks, since exchanging foreign currency – whether as cash or checks – can be problematic. A growing number of banks offer exchange facilities, but this practice is not universal. Most shops, restaurants, and other establishments accept traveler’s checks in US dollars and will give change in cash. Alternatively, checks can be converted into cash at the bank. Alternatively, you may want to carry a preloaded debit card in dollar currency, available at UK post offices, for example.
O
Opening hours
Standard hours for business offices are Monday–Friday 9am–5pm. Many banks open a little earlier, usually 8.30am; a few open on Saturday morning. Post offices are usually open Monday–Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 8am–noon. Most stores and shopping centers are open weekends and evenings.
Public Holidays
On public holidays, post offices, banks, most government offices and a large number of shops and restaurants are closed. Public transport usually runs less frequently.
New Year’s Day: January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday: The third Monday in January
Presidents Day: The third Monday in February
Good Friday: March/April – date varies
Easter Sunday: March/April – date varies
El Cinco de Mayo: May 5
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Election Day: The Tuesday in the first full week of November during presidential election years
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25
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Photography
Although most people are now using digital cameras or smartphones to take photos, film is still widely available throughout the US, should you need it – typically at big box stores like Walmart and Best Buy, which also offer rapid development or conversion of digital to paper prints. Colorado, in particular, is spectacularly photogenic. Some of the most rewarding photography is of mountain vistas and lakes in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells and the red rock country around Grand Mesa. Seek out wildlife events such as the elk rut in Rocky, sandhill cranes wintering in San Luis Valley or prairie chicken dances in Comanche National Grasslands. Old mining towns in the Central and Southern Rockies make particularly haunting subject matter. Everywhere in Colorado, you’ll find unique and colorful festivals and sporting events. Photography workshops are held throughout Colorado. One of the more spectacular locations is Crested Butte, which offers photography workshops during its summer Wildflower Festival. Several well-known photographers live in the old town and maintain galleries there.
Postal services
Even the most remote towns are served by the US Postal Service. Smaller post offices tend to be limited to business hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm), although central, big-city branches may have extended weekday and weekend hours.
Stamps are sold at all post offices. They are also sold at some convenience stores, filling stations, hotels, and transportation terminals, usually from vending machines, as well as online.
For reasonably quick delivery within the US at a modest price, ask for Priority Mail, which usually reaches its destination within two or three days. For overnight deliveries, try Express Mail or one of several domestic and international courier services:
FedEx, tel: 800-238-5355
DHL, tel: 800-345-2727
United Parcel Service (UPS), tel: 800-742-5877
Poste Restante
Visitors can receive mail at post offices if it is addressed to them, care of “General Delivery,” followed by the city name and (very important) the zip code. You must pick up this mail in person within a week or two of its arrival and will be asked to show a valid driver’s license, passport, or some other form of picture identification.
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Religious services
Colorado is one of the least religious states in the US. In a poll conducted in 2016, only one-third of Coloradans described themselves as religious. Of those who do, most define themselves as Christian, mostly Protestant but with a fair number of Evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics. Far fewer define themselves as Jewish or Muslim, and 15 percent state no religious preference at all. Colorado Springs is home to a number of conservative religious groups, including Focus on the Family, an activist anti-abortion group. Two well-known churches may be visited in the area: the Cadet Chapel on the US Air Force Academy, known for its interesting modern architecture; and Chapel on the Rock, an historic Roman Catholic church on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat Center near Allenspark. An Easter Sunrise service at Red Rocks Amphitheater is a popular annual event, attended by thousands.
Boulder is a center of alternative health and spirituality and home of Naropa University, a well-regarded Tibetan Buddhist educational institution that includes meditation and other spiritual practices in its curriculum. Theravadan and Zen Buddhist meditation centers and retreats in the mountains that are associated with Naropa are very popular. Well-known international teachers of Buddhism and Tibetan lamas are frequently in residence at centers in Boulder and Front Range communities, and also in Crestone in the San Luis Valley.
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Shopping
Colorado shopping runs the gamut. In the rapidly expanding Denver Metro Area, along I-25, and towns like Grand Junction, off I-70, you’ll find the usual big-box stores in rather nondescript malls, of which 16th Street Mall, Cherry Creek Mall, and Larimer Square in Denver are by far the swankiest and most memorable. At high-end resorts in Aspen, Vail, Steamboat, and elsewhere, you’ll find exclusive designer boutiques selling knickknacks and fine art for those with deep pockets. Pearl Street Mall, an attractive outdoor pedestrian-only street mall in downtown Boulder, has a mix of quirky shops selling ethical and ethnic gear to suit the city’s mainly green residents, along with fun and hip restaurants and street entertainment. A popular farmers’ market is nearby. Most enjoyable are the funky boutiques and galleries selling one-of-a-kind arts and crafts in former mining cabins and brick buildings in old mining towns like Salida, Creede, Ouray, Crested Butte, Paonia, Durango, and Telluride in the Central and Southern Rockies, and historic downtown Grand Junction in the Colorado River valley, where you may score an antique, a Western souvenir, a quirky teapot, some silver jewelry, or perhaps a piece of beautiful woven fiber art.
Spectator sports
Coloradans enjoy spectator sports – from major league football, basketball, baseball, and hockey to auto racing and horse and dog racing. The National Football League Denver Broncos (www.denverbroncos.com) play September to December at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The National Baseball League Colorado Rockies (www.rockies.mlb.com) play April to October at Coors Field. The National Basketball Association Denver Nuggets (www.nba.com/nuggets) play at the Pepsi Center. And the Stanley Cup−winning Colorado Avalanche ice hockey team play at the Pepsi Center. Auto racing is popular at a number of tracks in Colorado, including Pikes Peak International Raceway in the shadow of the famous Pikes Peaks. There are also tracks in Morrison, Erie, Fort Morgan, Pueblo, Denver, Commerce City, and Olathe. Horse and dog racing take place on tracks in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Commerce City.
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Tax
Like most states, Colorado levies a flat sales tax on goods and services. It varies from city to city but is a lot lower than in many states. The combined sales tax rate in Denver is 7.65 percent, 4 percent on food and liquor, and 7.25 percent on auto rentals of less than 30 days and 10.75 percent lodger’s tax; in the rest of the state, sales tax is just under 3 percent.
Telephones
In this era of cell phones, you’ll find fewer public telephones in hotel lobbies, restaurants, drug stores, garages, roadside kiosks, convenience stores, and other locations. The cost of making a local call from a payphone for three minutes is 25–50 cents; 800 numbers are free. To make a long-distance call from a payphone, use either a prepaid calling card, available in airports, post offices, and a few other outlets, or your credit card, which you can use at any phone: dial 800-CALLATT, key in your credit card number, and wait to be connected. In many areas, local calls have now changed to a 10-digit calling system, using the area code. The main area codes in Colorado are as follows: Denver Metro Area, including Boulder – 303 and 720; Southeastern Colorado, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo – 719; the rest of the state is 970.
Watch out for in-room connection charges, especially in more upmarket hotels; it’s cheaper to use the payphone in the lobby. Ditto: Wi-fi internet connections in your room: wireless is frequently free in many hotel lobbies but there is a charge for it in guest rooms, so inquire ahead.
Dialing abroad
To dial abroad (Canada follows the US system), first dial the international access code 011, then the country code. If using a US phone credit card, dial the company’s access number below, then 01, then the country code.
Sprint, tel: 10333
AT&T, tel: 10288.
Country codes:
Australia: 61
Austria: 43
Belgium: 32
Brazil: 55
Denmark: 45
France: 33
Germany: 49
Greece: 30
Hong Kong: 852
Israel: 972
Italy: 39
Japan: 81
Korea: 82
Netherlands: 31
New Zealand: 64
Norway: 47
Singapore: 65
South Africa: 27
Spain 34
Sweden: 46
Switzerland: 41
United Kingdom: 44
Western Union (tel: 800-325-6000) can arrange money transfers. Check online (www.westernunion.com) or a phone directory or call information for numbers of local offices.
Fax machines are available at most hotels and motels. Public libraries, printers, copy shops, stationers, and office-supply shops may also have them, as well as some convenience stores.
Time zones
The continental US is divided into four time zones. From east to west, later to earlier, they are Eastern Standard Time, Central Standard Time, Mountain Standard Time, and Pacific Standard Time, each separated by one hour. Colorado is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. On the first Sunday in April, Coloradans set the clock ahead one hour in observation of daylight savings time. On the last Sunday in October, the clock is moved back one hour to return to standard time.
Tipping
Service workers in US restaurants are paid rock-bottom wages, with the expectation that they will make most of their income from tips, which have to be declared for tax purposes. Tipping is left to your discretion – gratuities are not automatically added to the bill – but unless you receive very poor service you are expected to tip. The standard tip in the US is 15–20 percent before tax for waiters, taxi drivers, bartenders, barbers, and hairdressers. Porters and bellmen usually get $1 per bag; chambermaids in upscale hotels are usually tipped several dollars a day after the first night’s stay.
Tourist information
The state tourism office, www.colorado.com, has in-depth online information about visiting Colorado, including sections on arranging travel to Colorado from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, and Japan. The website has feature articles on special-interest tours, from microbreweries and wineries to visiting and staying on farms and ranches, connecting with the art scene, volunteer opportunities for environmental cleanup, and taking part in sports and other special events.
Colorado Welcome Centers are located at the state line. They are staffed by volunteers who can give you maps, brochures, discount coupon books, and general advice on your stay and have restrooms, water, snack vending machines, and often hot coffee. Most communities have visitor centers that offer information and trip planning. When visiting national parks, be sure to stop at the visitor center or ranger station first. Rangers there can help you get the most out of your time in the park. Colorado has 25 spectacular scenic and historic drives designated by the government as scenic byways. Check out www.byways.org to find out more.
Tourist offices
Alamosa Visitor Information Center
Cole Park, Alamosa, CO 81101; tel: 800-BLU-SKYS; www.alamosa.org
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
425 Rio Grande Place, Aspen, CO 81611; tel: 970-925-1940; www.aspenchamber.org
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
14305 E. Alameda, Ste 300, Aurora, CO 80014; tel: 303-344-1500; www.aurorachamber.org
Beaver Creek Ski Area
210 Offerson Rd c301, Avon, CO 81620; tel: (970) 754-4636; www.beavercreek.com
Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau
2440 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302; tel: 303-442-2911; www.bouldercoloradousa.com
Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce
111 Ski Hill Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424; tel: 888.251. www.gobreck.com
Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
343 Highway 24 S, Buena Vista, CO 81211; tel: 719-395-6612 or 800-311-0605
Buttermilk Ski Area
PO Box 1248, Aspen, CO 81612; tel: 970-923-1227 or 800-525-6200; www.aspensnowmass.com/our-mountains/buttermilk
Cañon City Chamber of Commerce
403 Royal Gorge Boulevard, Cañon City, CO 81215; tel: 719-275-2331 or 800-876-7922; www.canoncity.com
Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
420 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104; tel: 303-688-4597 or 866-441-8508; www.castlerock.org
Central City Visitors Center
141 Nevada, Central City, CO 80427; tel: 303-582-5251; www.colorado.gov/pacific/centralcity
Colorado Springs Visitors Bureau
104 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; tel: 719-635-7506 or 800-368-4748; www.visitcos.com
Colorado Tourism
1672 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO 80203; tel: 303-832-6171 or 800-265-6723; www.colorado.com
Cortez Chamber of Commerce
928 E. Main Street, Cortez, CO 81321; tel: 970-565-3414; www.cortezchamber.com
Craig Chamber of Commerce and Moffat County Visitor Center
360 E. Victory Way, Craig, CO 81625; tel: 970-824-5689 or 800-864-4405; www.craig-chamber.com
Creede-Mineral Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 580, Creede, CO 81130; tel: 719-658-2374 or 800-327-2102; www.creede.com
Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1288, Crested Butte, CO 81224; tel: 970-349-6438; www.cbchamber.com
Cripple Creek and Victor Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 650, Cripple Creek, CO 80813; tel: 719-689-5877; www.ccvchamber.com
Delta County Visitor Bureau
PO Box 753, Delta, CO 81416; tel: 970-874-9532; www.deltacountycolorado.com
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street, Denver, CO 80202; tel: 303-534-8500; www.denverchamber.org
Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Denver)
1555 California Street, Ste 300, Denver CO 80210; tel: 303-892-1112 or 800-233-6837; www.denver.org
Durango Chamber of Commerce
111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81302; tel: 970-247-0312 or 800-463-8726; www.durango.org
Estes Park Convention and Visitors Bureau
500 Big Thompson Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517; tel: 970-577-9900 or 800-44-ESTES; www.visitestespark.com
Evergreen Chamber of Commerce
30480 Stagecoach Blvd., Evergreen, CO 80439; tel: 303-674-3412; www.evergreenchamber.org
Fort Collins Visitors Bureau
19 Old Town Square, Ste 137, Fort Collins, CO 80524; tel: 970-232-3840 or 800-274-3678
Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce
802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; tel: 970-945-6589; www.glenwoodchamber.com
Golden Chamber of Commerce
1010 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80402; tel: 303-279-3113; www.goldenchamber.org
Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce
14700 US 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447; tel: 970-627-3402 or 800-531-1019; www.grandlakechamber.com
Gunnison−Crested Butte Tourism
PO Box 314, Gunnison, CO 81230; tel: 877-213-5357; www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com
Lake City Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 430, Lake City, CO 81235; tel: 970-944-2527 or 800-569-1874; www.lakecity.com
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
1667 Cole Boulevard, Bldg 19, Ste 400, Lakewood, CO 80401; tel: 303-233-5555; www.westchamber.org
Leadville Chamber of Commerce
809 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461; tel: 719-486-3900 or 888-532-3845; www.leadvilleusa.com
Loveland Chamber of Commerce
5400 Stonecreek Circle, Loveland, CO 80538; tel: 970-667-6311; www.loveland.org
Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce
354 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829; tel: 719-685-5089 or 800-642-2567; www.manitousprings.org
Mesa Verde Country Visitor Information Bureau
928 E. Main Street, Cortez, CO 81321; tel: 970-565-8227 or 800-530-2998
Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce
947 1st Avenue, Monte Vista, CO 81144; tel: 719-852-2731; www.monte-vista.org
Montrose Visitor and Convention Bureau
107 S. Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; tel: 970-497-8558 or 855-497-8558; www.visitmontrose.com
Monument Chamber of Commerce
300 Highway 105, Monument, CO 80132; tel: 719-481-3282; www.trilakeschamber.com
Ouray Visitors Bureau
1230 Main Street, Ouray, CO 81427; tel: 970-325-4746 or 800-228-1876; www.ouraycolorado.com
Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 787, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147; tel: 970-264-2360 or 800-252-2204; www.pagosachamber.com
Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
302 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81002; tel: 719-542-1704 or 800-233-3446; www.pueblochamber.org
Silverton Chamber of Commerce
414 Greene Street, Silverton, CO 81433; tel: 970-387-5654 or 800-752-4494; www.silvertoncolorado.com
Snowmass Village Resort Association
130 Kearns Road, Snowmass Village, CO 81615; tel: 970-923-2000 or 866-352-1763; http://gosnowmass.com
South Fork Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1030, South Fork, CO 81154; tel: 719-873-5512 or 800-571-0881; www.southfork.org
Sterling Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1683, Sterling, CO 80751; tel: 970-522-5070 or 866-522-5070
Summit Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 5450, Frisco, CO 80443; tel: 970-668-2051; www.summitchamber.org
Telluride Visitor Services
PO Box 653, Telluride, CO 81435; tel: 970-728-3041 or 888-605-2578; www.visittelluride.com
Vail Valley Tourism Bureau
101 Fawcett Road, Ste 240, Vail, CO 81657; tel: 970-476-1000; www.visitvailvalley.com
Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 3236, Winter Park, CO 80482; tel: 970-726-4221 or 800-903-7275; www.playwinterpark.com
Tour operators and travel agents
Even if you are planning on doing the driving yourself, you may want to hook up with a local tour operator to let someone else show you around for a few days. You can locate a US tour operator by checking listings on the websites of the US Tour Operator Association – USTOA (www.ustoa.com) and the National Tour Association (www.ntaonline.com), or by contacting the visitor center at your destination for official listings. In Colorado, contact Tour Colorado (tel: 888-311-TOUR; www.tourcolorado.org).
Top tour operators serving all of the US include Tauck Tours (tel: 800-788-7885; www.tauck.com), Abercrombie and Kent (tel: 888-611-4711; www.abercrombiekent.com), both of which specialize in luxury tours. The Smithsonian Institution (tel: 855-330-1542; www.smithsonianjourneys.org) offers educational tours to sites of archeological, historical, and scientific interest, such as Mesa Verde National Park, guided by authorities in the field.
Specialty tour operators offer guided trips tailored to your interests, from walking tours of historic downtowns and gold mines to balloon trips and visits to the state’s numerous wineries and microbreweries. Outfitters offer guided trips of the outdoors. The possibilities in outdoorsy Colorado are virtually limitless, including fishing, hunting, river rafting, horseback riding, skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and Jeep touring. Heritage and agricultural tourism are growing in popularity in Colorado, including tours of archeological sites on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation with native guides, learning ranch and farm skills from cowboys and farmers on the Western Slope, and taking part in paleontological digs near Dinosaur National Monument.
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Visas and passports
A machine-readable passport, a passport-sized photograph (note: the size required in Britain is different from that in a US passport), a visitor’s visa, proof of intent to leave the US after your visit, and (depending upon your country of origin) an international vaccination certificate are required of most foreign nationals for entry into the US.
Visitors from the UK staying less than 90 days no longer need a visa as part of the visa waiver program (VWP); however, it is compulsory for non-US residents from VWP countries to submit information about themselves online to the Department of Homeland Security and register via the website of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) (www.esta.us/travel_authorization.html) to be pre-approved for travel to the US at least three days before they travel.
Vaccination certificate requirements vary, but proof of immunization against smallpox or cholera may be necessary.
US citizens traveling by air between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a current passport: a birth certificate and photo ID are no longer valid proof.
Up-to-date details on entry requirements and machine-readable passports may be found on the US State Department’s website: www.travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit.html.
Any non-US citizen wanting to extend their stay should contact US Immigration and Naturalization Service at 425 I Street, Washington DC 20536; tel: 202-501-4444 or 888-407-4747
Weights and Measures
Despite efforts to convert to metric, the US still uses the Imperial System of weights and measures.