The 16 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado

By YPB TeamJul 5

Ski meccas, Victorian mining relics, box-canyon hideaways and hot-springs havens crowd this high-altitude lineup — world-famous resorts and off-the-radar gems all in one place. Which peak-framed town wins your vote?

1
Aspen
A glamorous ski resort town in the Elk Mountains known for world-class slopes and upscale culture.
1000pts
2
Telluride
A former mining town boxed in by dramatic peaks, famed for its ski resort and film festival.
943pts
3
Steamboat Springs
A ranching-and-skiing town known for its 'Champagne Powder' snow and hot springs.
877pts
4
Crested Butte
A remote, wildflower-filled town celebrated as the birthplace of mountain biking.
771pts
5
Vail
A purpose-built alpine village with one of North America's largest ski areas.
692pts
6
Breckenridge
A colorful Victorian-era mining town turned popular ski destination on the Blue River.
692pts
7
Buena Vista
A whitewater and hot-springs hub beneath the Collegiate Peaks.
600pts
8
Durango
A historic railroad town in the San Juan Mountains and gateway to Mesa Verde.
491pts
9
Pagosa Springs
A San Juan town home to some of the deepest geothermal hot springs on earth.
491pts
10
Ouray
A tiny box-canyon town nicknamed the 'Switzerland of America' for its dramatic setting.
491pts
11
Estes Park
The bustling eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
360pts
12
Glenwood Springs
A resort town built around the world's largest hot springs pool on the Colorado River.
360pts
13
Winter Park
A laid-back ski town close to Denver via a historic mountain rail line.
360pts
14
Silverton
A high-altitude former mining town at the end of a scenic narrow-gauge railway.
360pts
15
Manitou Springs
An artsy town at the foot of Pikes Peak known for its mineral springs.
360pts
16
Salida
A sunny Arkansas River town with a historic downtown and surrounding fourteeners.
0pts