Colorado is a year-round destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers of all levels. Unlike many states in the U.S., Colorado’s high tourist season is during the winter months. Visitors booking flights to Colorado during this time have a soft-spot for skiing, snow-boarding and cold-weather sports. But there is more to Colorado than bunny slopes and black diamonds. Colorado’s vast parkland provides an opportunity for tourists to go mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, white water rafting or just enjoy some rest and relaxation at one of its many top-rated resorts.

The western part of the state comprises beautiful remote desert canyons and the archeological remnants of the cliff cities left by an ancient civilization at Mesa Verde National Park, a stark contrast to the alpine wonders that attract most visitors to Colorado. Insider travel tip: Take an extra suitcase with you on your Colorado flight – you’ll need it if you’re staying in Vail. Vail is best known as one of the top ski destinations in America. But if you need a break from the slopes, head straight to Vail's town center where the shopping is exquisite.

No matter what your reason for booking flights to Colorado, you’re sure to leave the state with memories of spacious skies and purple mountains majesty.

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Colorado Climate

Colorado averages 296 sunny days a year. There isn’t much precipitation in the lower elevations, but huge amounts of snow in the mountains. Most visitors booking Colorado flights take advantage of the winter months when snow falls heavy in the mountains.Winter starts in late November. In Denver and Colorado Springs, summer days are hot and dry and the evenings mild. Summer comes to the mountains in June, and the warm weather lasts until mid-September. Winter hits around mid-November, though snowstorms can start in the mountains in September.The climate from one area to another can be dramatically different due to the difference in elevation and the orientation of mountain ranges and valleys.

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When to Fly to Colorado

Peak Season:

Summer, Memorial Day to Labor Day, is the peak season with lots of crowds and high rates. The ski resorts peak again in winter, and they are as crowded in July as they are in February. Book Colorado flights and accommodations early if you plan to travel during the peak season. Most of the resorts book up fast and budget and economy travel is hard to find.

Off Season:

The closest you will come to off season are the fall and spring seasons. Cheap flights to Colorado can usually be purchased during these times, right after and before the winter ski rush.

The best time to visit is mid-September through October as the weather usually stays warm.

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Getting Around Colorado

Denver is a transportation hub for Colorado, both for entering and leaving the state and for finding transportation to other Colorado destinations. You can rely on public transportation during your stay in Denver. Taxis and shuttles are also available in other large cities and towns. To help you get around the state, there are commuter airlines and shuttle buses from the Denver airport. You can pick up other Colorado flights at the Denver airport, or one of the smaller airports around the state. Amtrak has a couple of routes through the state, and some say the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in the southwest isn’t to be missed.

A world-renowned destination for cyclists, interstate highway shoulders are open to cyclists (except in urban areas). The mountain roads are more demanding, and one of the most popular and challenging routes is the Million Dollar Highway.

 

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Colorado Insider Information

  • The Rocky Mountains of Colorado contain some of the greatest skiing to be had anywhere in North America. Most popular of all resorts is Aspen, with access to four main ski areas. Even if you’re not a ski-bunny though, consider booking Colorado flights to Aspen in the summertime, when a host of activities can be enjoyed against a spectacular backdrop.  The Independence Pass that connects Aspen to Denver is only open in the summer months and is an unmissable drive with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
  • Colorado’s capital, Denver is known as the “Mile High City” as it is situated at an altitude of 5,280ft above sea level. It is also the location in which more US money is made than anywhere else worldwide, thanks to the Denver Mint. The Mint is open for tours, which can be booked, free of charge, from the reservation center on Colfax Avenue.
  • The Royal GorgeBridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world. Located across the gorge in Canon City, the bridge is a quarter of a mile long with a main span of 880ft. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in the surrounding area also houses the world’s steepest incline railway, an aerial tram, a skycoaster and the silver rock railway.
  • Colorado Springs is the state’s second city and home to the “Garden of the Gods”. The public park is filled with giant red sandstone “hogsback” formations, so called because they resemble the backs of pigs. The park is popular with rock climbers as well as sightseers.
  • Colorado was once lucrative for the gold rush and the fur trade. Though both occupations have died out, you can still find out about the trades at some excellent museums in the state. The Argo Gold Mine and Mill in Idaho Springs holds tours of the Argo tunnel and mine as well as lessons in gold panning. Fort Vasquez Museum in Platteville is the site of an 1835 fur-trading fort, where exhibitions interpret the fur-trade era.

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Colorado Airports

Flights to Colorado arrive and depart from four major airports. Major airports in Colorado include:

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS)

Walker Field Airport (GJT) (Grand Junction)

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Approx flight times

New York City to Denver:
4 hr 14 mins
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In-flight Reading

Selected Poems

Allen GinsbergA collection of poems by the famous Beat author of Howl – who lived in Boulder, Colorado.

The Tie that Binds

Kent HarufA novel that tells the life story of Edith Goodnough, an 80-year-old resident of Holt County, Colorado. The book gives a fascinating insight to a life spent farming the state.

The Bandini Quartet

John FanteFour novels that look at the life of an American-Italian, Bandini, who escapes Colorado for Los Angeles.

Colorado: Yesterday and Today

Joseph Collier and Grant CollierA photographer in his own right, the great-great-grandson of one of the state’s pioneer photographers presents Colorado’s history with old and new photographs and accompanying stories and details.

Travel Tips

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Embassies and Consulates Abroad
Trip Planning
Airport Amusements
Timing Your Trip

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Contributors to this guide: Word Travels, World Airport Guide, Cheapflights

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Wordtravels.com

Destination guides to countries and cities worldwide www.wordtravels.com

World Airport Guides

Guide to more than 200 airports around the world www.worldairportguide.com

Cheapflights.com

Cheap airline tickets to domestic and worldwide destinations www.cheapflights.com