Will be in Denver on business and wife and I want to spend a few extra days in the mountains. Looking for advice on a scenic area that is lower in elevation than the Summit County resorts because we are sensitive to altitude effects. Please offer suggestions for some scenic areas that aren't as high.
Thanks

Summit County ranges from 7,957 to 14,270 feet.

Some details here:

http://www.summitcove.com/area-info/summit-county/

Estes Park maybe? About 7,522 feet.

http://www.visitestespark.com/

Aspen is at about 7890 feet. A shuttle ride to very scenic Maroon Lake would put you at about 9580 feet. You could always overnight in Glenwood Springs, which is about an hour from Aspen, at 5761 feet if you need a lower elevation. The drive through Glenwood Canyon is scenic.

I have seen small oxygen canisters at the ski resorts. Maybe check REI too?

The areas you would be visiting are not much higher than Denver as the above posts point out. If you are in Denver for a couple of days and absolutely force yourself to drink water and stay hydrated, you may find your altitude problems alleviated and you will be able to handle the Summit County towns. You won't be going up the mountain to the higher elevations.
There is Boulder that is fun to visit.
Water is truly the antidote!!

The base at Beaver Creek is 7400, Vail (10 minutes closer) is 8,120.
In addition to the excellent advice of drinking water, stay away from alcohol and caffeine, which are both dehydrating and therefore compound the dehydrating effects of altitude.

The I-70 corridor would not be too bad. However, just about anything west of Denver will be higher. Can you tolerate a few hours at higher elevations? Drive to Glenwood Springs via I-70. You would have to climb both the tunnel at round 9,000 and Vail pass at 12,000 but then it is all downhill. GS is close to the same elevation of Denver. You could stay along the front range - Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, perhaps the Great Sand dunes National Park but that is so so in scenic value.

Water is no antidote. Nothing is other than adjustment over time. But, you do need to stay will hydrated for a host of reason.

The several days in Denver should allow acclimatization.


No one said "antidote" except you!! LOL
Your body's effort to cope with less oxygen than it's used to can cause changes to your electrolytes (salts) and your body's balance of fluid and salts. In fact, studies have found a direct inverse correlation between hydration and symptoms of altitude sickness. This means that it is extremely important to drink enough water and other fluids (but not alcohol) when traveling to high altitudes, especially because of the potential loss of fluids from your capillaries. Make sure to drink at least to 17 to 25 cups (four to six liters) a day to keep properly hydrated. If you begin to experience altitude sickness, make sure not to exercise because you will lose even more fluid this way.

Anyone can acclimatize (adapt) to pretty much any altitude if they give it enough time. It takes one to three days to acclimatize to any given altitude. If you give yourself enough time to adapt as you climb you should not get altitude sickness, especially if you are well hydrated. Altitude sickness arises when going too high to fast or stay up very high for too long. If you do develop altitude sickness and are not able to acclimatize, descend to a lower altitude.

I am sorry Gretchen, read the last line of YOUR posting on June 17, 4.24. And most of the other stuff you posted is bogus.

Beds have two sides. Suggest you use the other one tomorrow. LOL

The above is a medical site quote.