Five Things to Do In: Southwest Colorado

The rugged landscape and bold spirit of Southwest Colorado create a vibrant atmosphere for travelers seeking an invigorating and enriching escape out West. Humans have lived in this part of the country for more than 10,000 years, and today the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute Indian tribes still populate it. From the mining ghosts towns perched high in the San Juan Mountains to the spectacular views from Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flattop mountain, Southwest Colorado opens up visitors to the region’s fascinating history while offering a magnificent natural backdrop. Environmental wonders and traces of a remarkable past seem to meld together here, creating the ideal heritage getaway. With Gunnison County only four hours from Denver and Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez just a stone's throw from the Four Corners area of Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, Southwest Colorado is also easily accessible to travelers.

Explore National Parks, Monuments and Forests.
You can’t travel far in Southwest Colorado without hitting a beautiful stretch of public land: there are six national parks, two national monuments and five national forests located within the region’s borders. Check out Mesa Verde National Park, Grand Mesa National Forest, Gunnison National Forest and Black Canyon National Park, to name a few. If you want to learn more about ancient times and land preservation while enjoying public spaces, Southwest Colorado is the perfect destination.

Unwind at the Hot Springs.
Looking for a way to soothe your spirit, mind and body? A visit to one of Southwestern Colorado’s five major hot springs areas should do the trick. The pool at Ouray Hot Springs will celebrate its 83rd birthday on the 4th of July. Ouray's 150-to-250-foot public pool contains more than one million gallons of crystal clear, natural hot springs water, free from the strong smell of sulfur typical of many hot springs, and also features several soaking sections at temperatures ranging from 96 to 106 degrees.

Immerse Yourself in Agri-tourism.
Farming and ranching are not only part of Southwest Colorado’s history, but an exciting and tasty part of the present as well. The region is known for its agri-tourism, and visitors can pick grapes, peaches and cherries, visit wineries and farmer's markets, and attend festivals, ranches and rodeos. The oldest rodeo in Colorado, Cattlemen’s Days, will take place from July 15 to 17, 2010, and feature a county fair, parade and horse shows.

Reminisce about America’s Old West.
The great American West lives on in Southwest Colorado with five National Historic Districts, the infamous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, mine tours and lots of museums. Just about every town in this historic region offers a museum chronicling their pioneering past. In 2008 Crested Butte was named one of the year’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Hit the Open Road.
One of the best ways to see Southwest Colorado is along one of the region’s seven beautiful and historic scenic byways. Venture through high mountain desert and atop alpine meadows, peer down from grand mesas, pass pine and aspen forests and wind your way through historic towns.

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Photos top to bottom: Twilight tipi, credit Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism. At Last Ranch, credit Delta County Tourism. Pool at Ouray Hot Springs, credit Ouray Chamber Resort Association. Cattlemen’s Days, credit Gunnison. Crested Butte National Register Historic District, credit Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism.