5 days in Colorado
 

My boyfriend and I are planning on taking a trip to Colorado in early May (7th-11th), and I was looking for suggestions of where we should go. We'll be flying into Denver, but we plan on renting a car and driving outside of the city. We want to do outdoorsy activities and see some beautiful scenery, but we prefer to not have to drive more than a couple hours between places. I've never been to Colorado or anywhere in the west so any suggestions are appreciated!

May is becoming "mud season" in Colorado, past the peak of the ski season, but not yet into summer hiking, etc. However it can be really beautiful as the lower hills are starting to green up and there is still a lot of snow on the high peaks.

In fact a lot of snow can still be falling in early May, something to keep an eye on.

Two suggested routes for a short trip:
1) Denver - Boulder - Estes park and return. Boulder is a great town, and Estes Park will give access to the beautiful east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail Ridge Road, which crosses the Park, will still be closed in early May. However, many of the lower elevation trails should be snow-free and popular higher elevation trails will be packed down so you can walk on them (but no guarantees). From the car you will have lots of wildlife viewing opportunities and great views in all directions. You will be impressed.

2) Denver - Breckenridge - Aspen and return. Slightly farther drive up the busy I-70 corridor, but equally fantastic mountain scenery with a great number of things to do.

Check those out and see which ones resonate.

The new A line will be opening on April 22, 2016.
http://www.rtd-denver.com/a-line.shtml
If you are spending a night in Denver you could rent a car in downtown and avoid the toll roads around the airport.

You can EASILY get into Denver from the airport without going on a toll road.

..avoid the toll roads around the airport.....

Don't know why but recently folks seem to be overly concerned about toll roads in Denver.

There is only ONE toll road near the airport -north/south. The toll road is an exterior belt going about half way around Denver on the east side and north ending near Boulder. There are some tolled, reversible express lanes along north I-25 and to Boulder. But all easily avoid. You will not need the toll option offered by the car rental companies. So don't worry about toll roads around the airport - practically none.

At moment snow totals in mountains are well above average so if the tend continues there will be lots of snow in the mountains in early May. Outdoor activities in the mountains will be limited. Both Independence Pass (Leadville to Aspen) and Trail Ridge Road will be close. And, of course, it can snow. The first year we lived here, the only snow day for the local school district was May 7th. So pack your warm clothing.

I know early May is not an ideal time to go, but because of how his school break falls it's our only chance to take a trip. What are the temperatures usually like during this time? We get some pretty cold winters where we are from so I'm not too deterred by the cold. I just want to make sure there will be enough for us to do to make this trip worth it.

The probability is that day time temps should be 50s, 60,s and some 70s depending on elevation. Night time can still be 40ish or lower. BUT - and a big but - it can be very cold and snowy. There are lots of things to see and do but don't plan on hiking a fourteener. The hot springs in Glenwood Springs will be great. The ski areas - Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen will be in the charge over mood but should get great prices on lodging, restaurants, and clothing. And front range should be very nice - Denver/Boulder/Colorado Springs. Unless there was a snow the week before, our 500 miles of bike paths should be available. Just be flexible.

Should proofread - too lazy. It is change over mood from winter to summer.

fmpden is correct, there could be a huge snowstorm that covers the entire region. A lot of people have trouble imaging this in May, until they have lived here a few years. The snow melts in a few days, but if you are here at the time it can be a hassle.

Or, the snow could be only up in the mountains but not in the plains. Or, vice versa.

Or, it could be absolutely stunning blue sky the entire time. (This is perhaps most likely, but knock-on-wood, last year this was not the case).

Not intentionally giving you a non-answer, just saying why "springtime in the Rockies" means a lot of different things.

Odds are your goals beautiful scenery, short driving distances (couple of hours per day max), outdoorsy activities (hiking, mountain biking, cycling) will be met. Keep an eye on the weather and have several route options in mind.

As "youngsters" you might enjoy going to the Woodward facility at Copper Mountain for an afternoon.

http://www.woodwardatcopper.com/faci.../the-barn.html

Please note that May is not called mud season in the mountains for nothing. I lived in Summit County for several years and May is not pretty. Springtime in the Rockies really means from June on. Your best options would be the suggestion for Boulder, Estes Park area. Lots of activities and best chance for better weather.

A nice "loop" could be the Boulder, Estes Park, go through RMNP on Trail Ridge (assuming it is open), then down the west side to Silverthorne. A little trip up to Copper for Woodward and then back to Denver.

We were thinking about spending 2 nights in Estes Park area and two nights near Colorado Springs.

You might enjoy Denver proper more than the Springs.

Gretchen, the target to open Trail Ridge Road is always Memorial Day weekend. Sometimes when the snow pack is light there might make it a couple days earlier or sometimes miss the Memorial Day week. It would never be open as early as the first week of May or even the second.

There is nothing near Colorado Springs unless you are suggesting something in the mountains to the west.

We wanted to see Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak

Pike's Peak claims to be open year around - weather permitting. That is a major disclaimer. You will need to check closely to make sure it is open. The incline is a nice way to get to the top but don't the operation dates. I would rather do the incline than drive it in the winter.

I will repeat my statement--you might enjoy Denver more than what you are contemplating in CO Springs. Just my opinion.

Better info on Trail Ridge, but even a little backtracking foray into the mountains could be interesting.

In Boulder a fun tour is the Celestial Seasoning.

Those of us who live or spend a lot of time in Colorado seem to have a negative view of the Colorado Springs area. I visited years ago ( some 50 ) and loved it then, yet I have no desire to go again. However, if you are set on seeing Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak then do so. I imagine for many first time visitors it might still be enjoyable. It wouldn't be my first or even second choice but it's not my trip. Then again, I wouldn't spend much time in Denver either if I was looking for beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.

Historytraveler touches on an interesting point. And I agree with him. Not a big fan of Colorado Spring, Pikes Peak, or Estes Park either. These areas get a lot of tourist traffic. If that is all they see then they tend to hype it on travel sites because they have nothing else as a comparison. When in Colorado Spring you could throw in the Royal Gorge. I just think there are prettier areas of Colorado and I have had about 35 years to find them.