As an outsider, Boulder is much "cooler" and more fun. Manitou to me is wall to wall kitsch--sorry.
I'd maybe go to Boulder for a day and then on up to RMNP. And even for your aged kids, I'd go to the Celestial Seasonings tour if you are in need of something to do.
I think we all may struggle with what Sylvia describes--my home town is so boring, etc. Well, not to someone coming in. It's still Boulder for my vote.

Hey, Tab--I was at Berkeley in the 60's!! LOL

I've been taking visitors all over Boulder the canyon yada yada for decades. Tabernash, please be specific about the fun things for teens that don't involve shopping or hiking (or dining).
And if I take one more lame trip to Celestial, mint room or no, or leanin' tree, or even NCAR...well, just shoot me.:)
I do like biking the creek path, as long as the patrols have chivvied the bums out of the underpasses...

Gretchen, I love it. Ha. Wild times on so many levels.

DD got a degree there recently, and will settle nearby. We like that area a lot.

It just sounds like You are tired of those things, sylvia.
But I won't even try to make a list.
I believe I mentioned Chautauqua activities & lodging earlier.

Teens. Performances at Chautauqua for them? Meh. Other activities there involve eating and hiking. Just saying, specifics other than those I listed? Not kidding, just going off 35 years of experience.

It's too bad you're so bored in Boulder that you can't see its attractions anymore.

To the OP, have you found lodging?

Tab, I merely asked you to elaborate; you didn't provide even 1 example. Boulder is a college town with a beautiful backdrop, yes. The OP asked for a choice between 2 towns for a brief stay with teens.
I voted for the Springs; it is touristy, but there's a reason for that. I think there are more and varied attractions and lodging opportunities. My reasons for my opinions are based on several decades in the area, and raising children (and later CU students) here.

Bored? No, but we are older. We have season tics to the Phil, go to the movies, bike the creek path, go up the canyon to Black Hawk, and trudge along to NCAR, breakfast at Chautauqua, and the tea tour with visitors. Again, I ask, what are your recommendations for teens?
Insulting me personally without offering specifics of your own does not help the OP.

I think most of us suggested a day in Boulder and then going up to RMNP. I think anyone could find enough to do in Boulder to fill that time. College towns are fun!! I STILL like it better than the Springs.
I also am an inveterate "field trip mom" and maybe wouldn't enjoy Celestial Seasonings 4 times a year, but it sure was fun for one. LOL

I'm not familiar with Boulder, but have been looking into it for a trip also with tween /teens. What I'm hearing here, though, is it's "cool" and that it offers activities found in many places around the state of Colo, i.e. biking and hiking.

I have been to Colo Springs a number of times. Some of it is kitschy, but vacation isn't necessarily about style points, particularly for kids. I wouldn't advise spending a ton of time there, but the Cave of the Winds and the Garden of the Gods are worth a visit.

This is in the shopping category, but in Boulder we always find stopping by "Into The Wind" and McGuckin's to be a great way to spend time, even if you come out empty handed. However, it's rare to come empty handed out of McGuckins!

No intentions of shooting anyone :), but I'll suggest NCAR as a good place to visit.

To the OP coming from the east I think Boulder vs. CO Springs is a no-lose choice. Ordinarily I'd recommend Boulder and then Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park and on to Aspen. But with the Ssprings the kids can go home having been to the top of the iconic Pikes Peak. Either way is good.

Gretchen, maybe we crossed paths Berkeley, '69. I was not a student, had already dropped out, but spent some time on campus tuning in, a particular eucalyptus grove I liked a lot. I was easy to recognize: big head of hair, unkempt beard, round glasses ... oh wait, that describes 60% of the male population!

I was there years earlier for one year of grad school--but yes,you had a lot of precursors!! LOL

The Bay of Pigs happened when I was there. The front page headlines that day was about coffeehouses, with the Cuban story below the fold line. They had their priorities!! LOL

Hah, that's funny, I can imagine it. I was still at home in New York City for Bay of Pigs. In Berkeley I remember a Blind Faith concert...

OP, I have not been there personally but if you decide on Boulder the Quality Inn & Suites Boulder Creek gets good reviews as decent lodging close to the mall. We were booked there in September 2013 to stay with friends visiting from North Carolina, then the floods came through. But I'd check that place out.

By now Sylia3 you should recognize that Tab doesn't like to be challenged. She has her opinions and they are facts.

I was wondering when you'd chime in, fmpden. Good to know you're still on my trail.

You have a trail??? And you think someone is interested in following it?? Such arrogance!

So, cincyguy1963, what are your thoughts on your trip? Have you found lodging? Have you decided on Boulder, as you mentioned above?

It was on the news this morning that a Boulder hotel, The Broker, had an explosion and everyone was evacuated. Don't book that hotel! ha Unless they are having a fire sale.

The CU site has info for visiting families, including detailed transportation tips:
http://www.colorado.edu/orientation/.../travel-campus

The CU site gives this URL for lodging & events in Boulder:
http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com

I have not determined a starting point. I have confirmed my Aspen lodging. I am still undecided and it seems to be 2 camps here. We have such a short window with 2 full days and one of those days will most likely be the RMNP.

Cincy, all but one poster recommend Boulder. Since you are going to Aspen, I would cut RMNP, because you can see as much there.

Take shorter day-trips from Boulder, like to Eldorado Canyon.

Wow. Bully much?
The high mountains of RMNP are in no way comparable to the Aspen area. "See as much there"?! Just not true.