Hello Friends,
I am planning a trip to Colorado with my parents, husband and kids (ages 11,8) for 1 week. Need help in deciding if we should do only Colorado Springs and Breckenridge OR go South West Colorado (Telluride, Ouray, Durango). Our main focus is soaking in the gorgeous scenery, sight seeing and less walking as my Mom had knee issues and has to use rest room frequently. Any guidance will be highly appreciated.

Thank you!

You can't go wrong with Telluride, Ouray, Durango.

Colorado Springs is just a big city these days. Trust me, I know.

Tough to beat a loop from Loveland/Fort Collins through Estes, RMNP, Grand Lake, North Park & Poudre Canyon and back to Ft. Collins. Although lodging at this point will be at a premium. I'm a bit removed on RMNP access.

Why would you think Colorado Springs would be a major part of a vacation trip? I don't get it, it's just a big city (second largest in the state), there's nothing special about it that I know of, and never much was. Air Force and some wacky megachurch headed by pervert Ted Haggard are claims to fame.

I like the SW itinerary, San Juan mountains are beautiful and lots ot see/do. Depends how you are getting there, though, if flying I suppose Breckenridge etc would be easier.

Hi. We have decided to fly to Montrose and then go to Telluride and Ouray. We have 1 week to see everything. I have only found two days of worth of stuff

Gondola in Telluride
Bridal Falls Telluride
Million Dollar Hwy
Box Canyon Falls
Cascade Falls park

Will have my parents with me who cant walk long distances. What else is worth seeing? Thanks a bunch!

Do you have seven full days on the ground? What time do you arrive and depart from Montrose? Where do you plan to stay?

The drive between Ridgway and Ouray is one of my favorite drives in the state.

En route to Ouray I suggest you stop in Ridgway, assuming your flight arrival allows you time to do so. Otherwise, you can easily visit Ridgway from Ouray the following day.

For ideas in Ridgway:
https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ridgway

Ouray doesn't have an abundance of good restaurants IMO, especially for breakfast. When we stay in Ouray, which is often, we always drive back to Ridgway (10 miles) for breakfast at Kate's Place.

Non-hiking activities in Ouray include organized jeep tours, soaking in the mineral hot springs, and taking in the gorgeous views. More here:
https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ouray

Durango, one of my favorite towns in CO is on the other side of Red Mountain/Molas/Coal Bank Pass (otherwise known as the Million Dollar Highway). Durango has a lot on offer including several lakes, a lovely downtown area and of course the main draw, The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway:

https://www.durangotrain.com/

https://www.durango.org/things-to-do/

Mesa Verde is also close to Durango so easy to visit as a day trip:

https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

If you drive across the pass, there are numerous places to stop including overlooks, a lake or two (Molas Lake comes to mind) picnic areas, and of course Silverton, which offers gold mine tours,

You might get some ideas here:
https://www.wanderingstus.com/drivin...dollar-highway

And here:
https://www.10best.com/interests/exp...ollar-highway/

We often spend five nights when we visit Durango (which is often, but we're hikers) and we've yet to run out of things to see and do.

With a little bit of research, you will find plenty to keep yourself busy for a week in this beautiful part of Colorado.

Thank you so much for your detailed info. Just started looking at Hotel/Air Bnb options for 6 adults and 2 kids with a kitchenette and everything seems sold out in Ouray and even surrounding areas.

I'm not really surprised. It's going to be another busy summer here in CO. Have you checked Ridgway and Durango?

I would go to Mesa Verde while in the area. Check for lodging in the park at Far View Lodge. Keep calling back as people often make reservations way ahead then cancel when they change plans

Hi - I see that you have opted not to go to Breckenridge this time, but I would highly recommend going there another time! We have visited many times and there are plenty of great things to see and do without a lot of walking. Especially if one is fine with some driving. We usually stay in Breckenridge, make a couple a trips thru RMNP, sometimes drive up Mount Evans - part way or all the way - and we usually do a full day loop to Maroon Bells Wilderness and back. That might be more than most people will want to do, but I can hardly wait to repeat this itinerary again sometime.

Btw, if you mom is comfortable using a walking stick kind of cane, I highly recommend using a Leki collapsible cane for times when she may want to lessen the stress on one knee or the other. I had total knee replacement several years ago and never use a cane any more unless I am going somewhere like this. Then I keep it on hand - just in case. Hope you have a great time!

Thank you Sapphire, will definitely consider it!

For entry RMNP is on a timed, advanced reservation system this summer. Caught a lot of people off guard this past weekend.