Fall in Colorado is one of the most glorious and colorful times of the year. Cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, harvest bounty and waves of golden quaking aspens lighting up the mountain sides are just a few of the reasons.
The colorful state of Colorado plays host to countless unexpected ways to experience the changing of the seasons for drivers, hikers, riders, climbers, paddlers and anglers. This fall welcomes the return of many festivals that were put on-hold in 2020 as well as new events to celebrate the season. Colorado’s local flavors can also be tasted through a variety of harvest, food and craft libations events and experiences.
- The Mountains and Mesas Liquid Arts Passport provides more than $150 worth of discounts at 20 or more wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries on the Western Slope from Grand Junction and Palisade to Montrose, Durango and Cortez. There are 5- and 90-day passports available.
- The West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA) spreads through Delta county on the Western Slope of Colorado. It boasts of some of the highest vineyards in North America and some of the best Colorado wine and cider from nine stops along the route. A Wine Trail, Aug. 6-8, features tours, pairings and dinners.
- Lake City Silver Street Supper: A Farm to Fork Experience, Aug. 14 invites guests to be seated on Lake City’s historic Silver Street while Chef Jesse Winston prepares a four-course meal, featuring ingredients from Western Slope farmers and artisans, complete with paired wines from Palisade’s Colorado Cellars, the state’s oldest, largest and most-awarded winery.
- Tour de Farms, Sept. 19 is an annual bicycle charity fundraiser that includes a fun and festive 35-40 mile, half-day ride that begins and ends in Fort Collins. It features a combination of paved and gravel roads, along with two or three stops at local area farms. Each farm stop features light tastings and refreshments along with a few words from each farm owner or representative.
- Paonia covers all the festival bases at its annual Mountain Harvest Festival, Sept. 23–26 with live concerts, farmers’ markets, beer and wine tastings, a chili cook-off, arts and crafts and farm tours
- Guests taste the pride of Pueblo at the Chile & Frijoles Festival, Sept. 24–26 featuring a special, intensely flavorful variety of green chile. Served smoking on a stick, chopped and tucked into a quesadilla or sprinkled in salsa, it’s the star of this show. Cooking competitions, live music, dancing, arts and crafts and a farmers’ market round out the festivities.
- The Cedaredge Applefest, Oct. 1-3 has been celebrating area fruit growers annually since 1977, commemorating the fall harvest and rich agricultural heritage of the area. The event brings together local businesses, apple orchards, artists, musicians and at least 160 vendors.
- The 25th Annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous, rooted in camaraderie and tradition, takes place on Oct. 2, in Salida against a backdrop of beautiful fall views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River. Festival goers can enjoy samples from 50 Colorado breweries, food and live music.
- The Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, Oct. 8-10, brings together some of the finest distillers to share their talents, fun times, artisan snacks and quality spirits. The Breckenridge community turns into a distilling mecca with one-of-a-kind experiences planned throughout the weekend.