Small towns are arguably the backbone of not just Colorado, but the United States as a whole. (Amen? Amen.) While we love the history and friendly residents that make small towns what they are, we also adore just how beautiful these places can be, which is why we are rounding up 11 of our favorite postcard-worthy communities:
- Palisade
Flickr/Loco Steve Oh, Palisade… there are no words for you and your juicy peaches, 2,700 locals, and vineyards! As if there wasn’t enough to do around your city limits, you are also surrounded by the most spectacular of canyons and plateaus, like the Book Cliffs (pictured).
- Durango
Flickr/Ron Cogswell Okay, so Durango may not be as small as the other towns on our list (with a population of nearly 18,000), but it is quite possibly the most picturesque, thanks to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and several nearby National Parks.
- Creede
Flickr/Jane Nearing Though it may be small (with a population of less than 300), the mountain town of Creede is mighty with its surrounding landscape, historic downtown area, and lots of mom and pop restaurants and one-of-a-kind boutiques!
- Ouray
Flickr/Steven Martin Think you are looking at a postcard of Switzerland? Think again! Nicknamed the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is home to 1,000 residents, relaxing hot springs, tasty breweries and restaurants, and a fascinating mining history.
- Silverton
Wikimedia Commons Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Durango, Silverton is another former mining town with historic buildings that pop amidst the lush mountain background. (Totally postcard-worthy, right?)
- Burlington
Flickr/Matthew Ragan Does this picture make you think you jumped into a time machine and headed back to the old west? Good, it should! Welcome to Burlington, which is located near the Colorado/Kansas border and offers such wholesome goodness as the must-visit Old Town and historic Kit Carson Carousel.
- Frederick
Town of Frederick, CO Facebook Is it just me or does this picture look more like a watercolor painting than a snapshot? Either way, the small town of Frederick (located just north of Denver) is a beauty, thanks to its charming downtown area and community events like the Frederick in Flight hot air balloon festival!
- Manitou Springs
Flickr/Jasperdo It may be located just to the west of Colorado Springs, but Manitou Springs seems like it is a million miles away from it all, with such gems as the Miramont Castle, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, train tours, and hot springs.
- Glenwood Springs
Flickr/Bryce Bradford Set against Lookout Mountain, Glenwood Springs is quite possibly one of the most unique towns in all of Colorado. Why? Because it houses such natural features as Hanging Lake (pictured), Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, and Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail, of course!
- Dinosaur
Flickr/Patrick Emerson Who says the desert isn’t beautiful? The small, northwestern town of Dinosaur (which, if you didn’t already guess, is home to the iconic Dinosaur National Monument) begs to differ!
- Calhan
Flickr/Bryce Bradford Last but certainly not least is the town of Calhan; an Eastern Plains town that is not only down the road from Colorado Springs, but home to great food and antiquing, AND the colorful Paint Mines Interpretive Park! (Who else is ready to take a colorful hike amidst these historic Native American canvases?!)
For Colorado towns that are so pretty they’re spooky, click on 11 Spooky Small Towns In Colorado That Could Be Right Out Of A Horror Movie.
Flickr/Loco Steve
Oh, Palisade… there are no words for you and your juicy peaches, 2,700 locals, and vineyards! As if there wasn’t enough to do around your city limits, you are also surrounded by the most spectacular of canyons and plateaus, like the Book Cliffs (pictured).
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
Okay, so Durango may not be as small as the other towns on our list (with a population of nearly 18,000), but it is quite possibly the most picturesque, thanks to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and several nearby National Parks.
Flickr/Jane Nearing
Though it may be small (with a population of less than 300), the mountain town of Creede is mighty with its surrounding landscape, historic downtown area, and lots of mom and pop restaurants and one-of-a-kind boutiques!
Flickr/Steven Martin
Think you are looking at a postcard of Switzerland? Think again! Nicknamed the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is home to 1,000 residents, relaxing hot springs, tasty breweries and restaurants, and a fascinating mining history.
Wikimedia Commons
Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Durango, Silverton is another former mining town with historic buildings that pop amidst the lush mountain background. (Totally postcard-worthy, right?)
Flickr/Matthew Ragan
Does this picture make you think you jumped into a time machine and headed back to the old west? Good, it should! Welcome to Burlington, which is located near the Colorado/Kansas border and offers such wholesome goodness as the must-visit Old Town and historic Kit Carson Carousel.
Town of Frederick, CO Facebook
Is it just me or does this picture look more like a watercolor painting than a snapshot? Either way, the small town of Frederick (located just north of Denver) is a beauty, thanks to its charming downtown area and community events like the Frederick in Flight hot air balloon festival!
Flickr/Jasperdo
It may be located just to the west of Colorado Springs, but Manitou Springs seems like it is a million miles away from it all, with such gems as the Miramont Castle, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, train tours, and hot springs.
Flickr/Bryce Bradford
Set against Lookout Mountain, Glenwood Springs is quite possibly one of the most unique towns in all of Colorado. Why? Because it houses such natural features as Hanging Lake (pictured), Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, and Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail, of course!
Flickr/Patrick Emerson
Who says the desert isn’t beautiful? The small, northwestern town of Dinosaur (which, if you didn’t already guess, is home to the iconic Dinosaur National Monument) begs to differ!
Last but certainly not least is the town of Calhan; an Eastern Plains town that is not only down the road from Colorado Springs, but home to great food and antiquing, AND the colorful Paint Mines Interpretive Park! (Who else is ready to take a colorful hike amidst these historic Native American canvases?!)
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