Colorado is home to many small towns with tons of charm and history. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best small towns in the state — each one offering its own unique vibe that’s sure to whet your appetite for adventure.
1. Estes Park
Estes Park is a small town with a lot to offer. Located near the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park is known for its breathtaking views and outdoor activities—you’ll find plenty of beautiful hiking trails and wildlife, along with many shops and restaurants.
2. Georgetown
Georgetown is a small town of 2,400 people on Colorado’s Front Range. It’s about 30 miles southeast of Boulder and just northwest of Denver. Georgetown was once home to an iron works and coal-mining operations, but now the city has become known for its historic buildings and the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for a place to raise your family or start a business, consider Georgetown’s small-town feel combined with access to larger cities like Denver and Boulder.
Georgetown is also close enough to several ski resorts that you can enjoy winter sports without having to travel into the mountains very far at all!
3. Durango
Durango is a great place to live in Colorado. It has a population of around 16,000 people and is located in Southwest Colorado. Durango has many things to offer including agriculture, tourism and mining. The city is known for its warm climate and beautiful outdoors. People who love the outdoors will enjoy hiking or biking in the mountains surrounding Durango. If you prefer indoor activities there are plenty of museums and art galleries to explore while visiting this small town in Colorado!
4. Telluride
For the outdoor enthusiast, Telluride is a fantastic place to live. With its proximity to the San Juan Mountains and 12,000 foot peaks that tower over town, it’s easy to spend your entire time in Telluride hiking, biking and climbing.
In addition to being an outdoor hub, Telluride is also known for its arts community. There are six galleries currently open in town which often host local artists’ work as well as touring artists who come through town on tour. If you’re looking for something other than skiing or hiking after work, you can find plenty of things going on at one of these galleries or at one of their special events like gallery crawls or openings held every weekend during the winter months.
A strong arts community means there are lots of live music options too! The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival happens every August with nationally renowned musicians performing alongside local talent throughout the weeklong festival (and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets early enough—or know someone who has—you’ll be treated by surprise performances from some pretty well-known names!)
5. Aspen
Aspen is a small town with a big reputation. If you’re looking for a place to live, work or play, Aspen is the perfect spot. For starters, it’s got one of the best arts and culture scenes in Colorado—with great restaurants, bars and shops along the main street of Main Street. If you like hiking and biking trails, you’ll find plenty here too—the Roaring Fork Valley boasts some of the best mountain biking trails in America.
6. Ouray
Ouray is a tiny town located in southwestern Colorado, just below the San Juan Mountains. It’s got everything you could want from a small mountain town: charming architecture, great food and drink (including beer!), and plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities.
The area’s most popular attraction is Ouray Ice Park—a natural ice rink that attracts skaters from all over the country during winters when temperatures drop below freezing. The park also offers live music performances, snowshoeing tours through nearby canyons, lessons on how to make ice sculptures with chainsaws…the list goes on!
If you’re looking for more traditional activities like hiking or skiing/snowboarding then check out nearby Telluride or Durango; both are only an hour away by car and offer endless options for winter recreation at any skill level.
7. Marble
Marble is a small town with a population of just under 2,000 people. It’s the perfect place for folks who love peace and quiet.
If you’re looking for a place to call home, then you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of homes for sale in the area. These homes range from affordable to luxury and can suit any budget or preference.
The best thing about living in Marble is that it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life – but still has all of the amenities you need without being too far away from civilization.
8. Crested Butte
Crested Butte is a small town with a big reputation. It’s known for its skiing, hiking and biking trails, as well as one of the best nightlife and dining scenes in Colorado. The town has just over 1,500 residents; however, this number increases significantly during ski season when visitors flock to the area to take advantage of its world-class slopes.
Crested Butte was founded in 1881 by miners hoping to strike it rich on gold deposits in nearby mountains (which they did). The town has several historic buildings that were built during this time period including two historic hotels dating back to 1890s: Hotel Colorado and Barclay Hotel & Bar.
9. Silverton
Silverton is a former mining town located in the San Juan Mountains, with a population of 1,350. It has become a popular tourist destination for people who want to explore the area’s natural beauty and enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, mountain biking and fly fishing in the summer months.
The town itself is an historic district that contains many buildings from its early days as a mining center dating back to 1883 when Silverton was originally founded by prospectors from New Mexico Territory. One notable structure is Our Lady of Mercy Church (pictured below), which was built between 1884 and 1887 using local sandstone blocks that were found on site.
10. Nederland
Nederland is a small town with a population of less than 3,000 people located on the western slope of Colorado. The economy of Nederland is based primarily on tourism and mining, which has led to its reputation as a place where people live their best lives. The area is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking and fishing.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best small towns in Colorado. You can start your search now by checking out our website for more information about each town. We also have a list of resources if you want to learn more about living in a rural area or simply need help deciding where to live next.
