What to do in July in the Colorado country

Hiking a Colorado 14er, photo by Dana Meek

July in the Colorado country finds lots of cars with out-of-state plates as flatlanders head to the mountains to escape the heat. And there’s never more to do in the Colorado countryside than in the month of July. Here’s what to enjoy.

Flora & Fauna –The profusion of wildflowers continues in the Colorado countryside in July. You’ll see silvery wild sagebrush and spiky Yuccas in bloom in the pastures; purple Lupine lining dusty country roads; fields of delicate blue flax waving in the morning breezes: and tiny wild daisies in the most subtle shade of pink peeking out of rock outcroppings. The Gunnison-Crested Butte area, self-titled “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” features a monthly Wildflower Report so you can see everything the blooming countryside has to offer as it appears. Remember, picking wildflowers is illegal in Colorado, so bring your camera.

July is also the time to keep your eye out for elk and bear as they come further down the mountains to dine on lush fields and berry filled bushes. In July, cars pulled off to the side of the road usually signals rare wildlife sighting. Colorado campers in July should be sure to keep all food and trash away from your tent – some suggest toiletries and sweet-smelling products as well – to keep bear away. The Colorado Department of Wildlife has tips on how to safely view the countryside’s abundant wildlife.

Activities & Events – July in the Colorado country is ripe with festivals, parades and concerts as summer officially kicks off in the high country on the 4th. In Custer County Colorado, the 62nd Annual County Fair begins July 15th with 4H and FFA kids showing projects, Sunday morning Cowboy Church, a steak fry and livestock sale. The western fun continues with the Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club’s Stampede Rodeo, right next door to the fairgrounds. Later in the month in Chaffee County, the town of Buena Vista hosts its annual Collegiate Peaks Music Festival. From July 24th through 26th festival goers can enjoy 11 bands in the laid-back atmosphere that this part of Colorado is know for.

Beyond festivals, July is an excellent month to raft the Arkansas River during what fly fishermen have dubbed “the rubber hatch”. The water volume has subsided from the monstrous melt-off of June, yet there are still thrills to be had on the rapids. If you like to fish, July is the time to hike up to mountain lakes while the creeks and rivers are running high. Be sure to let someone know where you’ll be and when you expect to return as summer monsoon season can bring dangerous late afternoon storms.

Just for Kids – The Colorado country draws artists of every discipline and even the youngest can take part in the arts in July. In La Veta, in Huerfano County, from July 6 – 17, kids can enroll in “A World of Art” Children’s Art workshop. Every morning, participants create with a variety of media and the cost is an affordable $55. In Westcliffe, kids can learn stagecraft at Creativity Camp at the Historic Jones Theater also from July 6 – 17. Sponsored by the Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts, the camp is taught by resident theater students from colleges including Denver University.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to escape the summer crowds or join right in, July in the Colorado country is the time you’ll find just about anything you could hope for in a Rocky Mountain summer experience.