Thanks Mabella, I really appreciate the information.

Well, we are leaving in about a week and I am getting very excited! We are landing in Denver then driving to Minturn for 3 nights. Will spend 4th of July in Winterpark and then go over the Trail Ridge Road for 2 nights in Estes Park, heading for lunch in Boulder and then back to the airport. Any tips on what to see in the Minturn area? Best scenic routes to drive? Are there any wildfires in the area we need to be aware of? Favorite restaurants? Thanks for all the information you have already given me. It really helped to define the route.

Your drive from Winterpark to Estes will be a long one, time it so you can have lunch on the way or take snacks. We took about 3 hours with stops from Grand Lake to Estes.
In Boulder "The Med" wasrecommended to us, and we were happy with the choice.
In RMNP, we did an amazing hike to Lake Haiyaha and I highly reccomend it if that's your thing. Enjoy your trip!

In Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Lodge is awesome for a meal and a visit. In Winter Park, Devil's Thumb Ranch is amazing. Also, in Winter Park, great pizza at Hernando's.

Thanks for the information MoBro and Marbella. I will be sure to check those places out.

Also, in Boulder, Chautauqua Park is beautiful. Their Dining Hall has great food and a view of the flatirons.