If you have traveled to different parts of Colorado, you have probably noticed that each corner of the state is significantly different from the other. Take, for example, the Eastern Plains vs. the Western Slope, whose differences can be seen in these nine undeniable things:
- Weather
Flickr/Bryce Bradford Weather conditions are night and day from one side of the state to the other! As an Eastern Plains native, I can attest to the crazy spring and summer storms that sent us running for the basement (tornadoes and golf ball-sized hail in particular), whereas the mountains and Western Slope almost never experience tornadoes or damaging winds. On the flip side, the Slope is prone to a lot more snowfall come winter, thanks to its higher elevation and close proximity to the Continental Divide.
- Peaches vs. Melons
Flickr/Fred Bauder Everyone knows that the best peaches come from Palisade (in western Colorado), but did you know that the Melon Capital of the World is in Rocky Ford (in southeast Colorado)? Now you do!
- The slope brings the wine…
Flickr/Don Graham In addition to making some of the best wine in America, the Western Slope produces large amounts of hay, thanks to their higher river and creek valleys.
- …but the Plains have the beef.
Flickr/Jill /Blue Moonbeam Studio It isn’t just beef, but also wheat, corn, beets, and more!
- Mountains
Flickr/faungg’s photos This one is obvious: The Slope has them but the Plains do not (though you can see Pike’s Peak on really clear mornings from my parent’s back window).
- Blue vs. Red
Joe St. George Facebook We try to stay away from politics, so all we will say is that the Slope tends to vote blue and the Plains usually vote red.
- Canyons and plateaus…
Flickr/Jan Arendtsz They define the landscape of Western Colorado.
- …vs. plains and valleys.
Flickr/John Fowler Eastern Colorado has a much more level landscape.
- Finally (and arguably the most notable), the variety of attractions.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell In my opinion, Western Colorado has more popular attractions (see: Mesa Verde, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Four Corners), whereas the Eastern Plains have hidden and often overlooked gems (Picketwire Canyon, the old Kit Carson County Carousel, and Pawnee Buttes).
What other traits do you feel define Eastern and Western Colorado? Share your suggestions in the comments below!
Flickr/Bryce Bradford
Weather conditions are night and day from one side of the state to the other! As an Eastern Plains native, I can attest to the crazy spring and summer storms that sent us running for the basement (tornadoes and golf ball-sized hail in particular), whereas the mountains and Western Slope almost never experience tornadoes or damaging winds. On the flip side, the Slope is prone to a lot more snowfall come winter, thanks to its higher elevation and close proximity to the Continental Divide.
Flickr/Fred Bauder
Everyone knows that the best peaches come from Palisade (in western Colorado), but did you know that the Melon Capital of the World is in Rocky Ford (in southeast Colorado)? Now you do!
Flickr/Don Graham
In addition to making some of the best wine in America, the Western Slope produces large amounts of hay, thanks to their higher river and creek valleys.
Flickr/Jill /Blue Moonbeam Studio
It isn’t just beef, but also wheat, corn, beets, and more!
Flickr/faungg’s photos
This one is obvious: The Slope has them but the Plains do not (though you can see Pike’s Peak on really clear mornings from my parent’s back window).
Joe St. George Facebook
We try to stay away from politics, so all we will say is that the Slope tends to vote blue and the Plains usually vote red.
Flickr/Jan Arendtsz
They define the landscape of Western Colorado.
Flickr/John Fowler
Eastern Colorado has a much more level landscape.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
In my opinion, Western Colorado has more popular attractions (see: Mesa Verde, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Four Corners), whereas the Eastern Plains have hidden and often overlooked gems (Picketwire Canyon, the old Kit Carson County Carousel, and Pawnee Buttes).
Discover another often overlooked side of Colorado by reading our previous article: Here Are The 5 Reasons You Should Never Overlook The Colorado Desert.
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