Colorado family-friendly travel guide

There are few surprises with the weather in Colorado. The state enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, so even if its snowy season, there’s bundles of sunshine.

Spring and summer are glorious, colour-filled seasons bursting with wildflower pinks, reds and yellows, as well as lush green landscapes where warm breezes rustle through tinkling aspen trees and tall prairie grasses. Long summer days create bursts of energy to get out and enjoy every moment of daylight.

Throughout spring and summer the mornings and evenings can still be quite cool. However, when it does get hot the weather can soar into the mid 30s. In July, average temperatures reach a high of 28 degrees Celsius and a low of 12 degrees Celsius.

Autumn is also filled with rich colours, when every imaginable shade of red, yellow and orange becomes a bright canopy to explore along scenic drives and hikes. Average temperatures in October reach a high of 17 degrees Celsius and a low of one degree Celsius.

In winter, the enchanting scene created by the first snowflakes whirling gently from the sky create the state’s signature fluffy snow, which awaits visitors for skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing and more. In January, average temperatures reach a high of five degrees Celsius and a low of -10 degrees Celsius.

All visitors from abroad who are planning to visit the USA must have a passport valid for at least six months longer than their intended stay in the US, unless they are exempted by country-specific agreements. For families travelling together, each member of the family must have his or her own passport, including infants and children.

More information here.

A US consular officer will issue a visa after determining that the applicant is eligible under a specific visa classification. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries and markets to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less when they meet all requirements. These visitors still are required to have a passport. Click here for additional information on the new data elements and ESTA system.

More information here.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major air hub and one of the country’s busiest facilities. It is very spread out, so make sure to give yourself some extra time to find your way around. If you do get to your gate extra early, then there are an array of art exhibits to peruse to help you pass the time.

There are currently no direct flights from Australia to Denver, however, multiple airlines fly from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne via Los Angeles International Airport, including United, Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Taxis and other transport, such as Uber and Lyft, are available throughout the state.

Buses are available in most major cities and the best public transport option as trains are quite limited. The main bus service within the region is Greyhound, with a network of fixed routes and its own terminal in most major cities. There is also a cross-state transportation bus service called Bustang.

Car rental is the best option for families to get around Colorado and will allow for exploring the beautiful national parks and scenery that are not easily accessible by public transport. Luckily, the car rental market is crowded and competitive, which means there are often great deals, especially if you hire for a extended length of time. Companies operating in Colorado include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty.

Let’s make it official: Colorado is an amazing place to eat and drink. With over 300 craft breweries, 100-plus wineries, over 90 distilleries and a growing list of award-winning chefs opening restaurants, your culinary Colorado vacation will be a rich one. And if you are after good old Americana, then quite a few mom-and-pop shops are still around for a more traditional feed. Some local delicacies include game dishes, Rocky Mountain oysters (the local name for bull’s testicles) and rainbow trout.

Colorado does farm-to-table cuisine better than just about anywhere else. Restaurants strive not only to source vegetables and meats from local farmers, but many are also starting to grow backyard gardens and purchase farmland to fill out their menus. From May through early October there are a variety of great weekly markets in towns such as Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Telluride and Vail.

Colorado’s southwest location means Mexican cuisine is also a major influence. The state has taken the best parts of this cuisine and made it its own, with the star being green chilli. This pork-filled stew, often smothered over burritos, is a must-taste for visitors.

The beer, wine, spirits and restaurants are just some of the reasons gourmands the world over are finding Colorado vacation ideas tastier than ever.

Whether you’re looking for the latest fashions or rare antiques, you’ll find it in Colorado’s unique shopping venues. From major shopping districts to exclusive boutiques, brand names to one-of-a-kind creations, Colorado offers great shopping all over the state.

A day of shopping can lead you from outlet malls to world-class stylish salons, where you’ll find jewellery, clothing, collectibles, art, historical memorabilia and souvenirs – just to start. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for everything you’ll be bringing back home on your Colorado shopping trip.

Tips are typically not included in prices. For sit-down service at a restaurant, a tip that is 15 to 20% of your bill is customary for good service. For counter-service restaurants, a small tip is not expected but often appreciated. It’s also customary to tip guide services, tour guides and outfitters a few dollars at the end of a successful excursion.

There is a simple answer to the question of what to wear on holiday in Colorado: clothes that you are comfortable in. Generally in the state, even in cities such as Denver, people dress casually and in clothes suitable for the activity, and call it ‘mountain chic’. There are stores for purchasing gear for all seasons in every corner of the state, so if you do forget something while packing, then you can always go shopping once you arrive.

Here are some basics to bring that will help you stay comfortable:

• Winter: warm, water-resistant coat or parka, hat, gloves, long underwear, snow pants and water-resistant boots
• Spring/autumn: T-shirts, rain jacket, fleece jacket, jeans and shorts
• Summer: light jacket, shorts, jeans, hiking pants, swimsuit and warm clothing for camping and mountain visits

Another important thing to remember is to always have a jumper or jacket with you. Weather in Colorado can change quickly so its best to be prepared.

Colorado locals live by the principle of Leave No Trace which aims to keep beautiful places looking their best for generations to come. Some simple ways to follow this principle while visiting include:

• Plan ahead to limit waste
• Know where to travel and camp to protect plants and wildlife
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimise impact from campfires
• Respect wildlife – don’t approach or feed them
• Be considerate of other visitors.

You may need an adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles and a power converter to change the voltage from (US) 110 volts to 220 volts for any electrical appliance from AU.

If you Google ‘Colorado’ then a photo of Maroon Bells will likely be the image that first comes up in your search results. An alpine lake is perfectly positioned to reflect the image of the Maroon Bells, two purple- and white-striped peaks, which claim the title of the most photographed mountains in North America. The idyllic display lures photographers with tripods trying to find new angles, fly-fishermen arcing their lines upon its placid waters and hikers humbled by the panorama.

Those who walk the trails that run around and between Garden of the Gods’ otherworldly red-rock figures search for geological formations in the shapes of kissing camels, cathedral spires, praying hands and sleeping giants, and a few that seem to teeter in gravity’s grip. The ochre sandstone spires in this natural rock garden are located at the foot of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.

The well-preserved Victorian-era town of Telluride – nestled at the foot of a box canyon – is a beguiling sight all on its own. But 100 metres above, the white spray of the state’s tallest waterfall plummets to the canyon’s depths, adding the final touch to a charming scene.

Crested Butte, dubbed the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, is the perfect place to fill up your Instagram account with a rainbow of colour. In July, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival brings crowds from all over the world and features guided hikes, garden tours and photography workshops.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park the backdrop of blue skies and snow-dusted peaks create a stunning vista in combination with the rolling sand dunes. It is truly a photographer’s dream and it is hard to understand their scale until up close.