Okay, have narrowed the potential times down that we can travel to Colorado.

Hope to see Ouray/Mesa Verde area
& will be in Breckenridge, as well.

Not sure if we'll have time for Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park or not. (have seen it before, however)

If you could choose between July some time
vs. October, which time do you think would be nicer?

Originally, I hoped for prime time leaf changing time, but I'm guessing if we go in October, we'll be too late? (for any colors in the mtns?)

If we go in July...when would be your preference for wildflowers & temps? (and to have snow on the mtns still)

If you've been both times, please DO share your favorite one. Thanks so much!

If you go the first week in October, you should still be able to see leaves in color, but it always depends on the weather for the season too.

October is really iffy for leaf viewing. You might be too late. July, on the other hand, will be beautiful in the mountains. I'd go then if I had the choice.

I'd pick July as well. October not only may be too late for leaf peeping, you may run into snow, especially in RMNP. While it'll be hot in Mesa Verde in July (and more crowded), it will still be beautiful - and it's a perfect time to visit Ouray and Breck.

I agree that October is too late - there will be snow in the upper mountains (some of the ski resorts start opening in October). Also, stuff in the towns will be closed, and I think Trail Ridge Rd. is closed after Labor Day.

July, on the other hand, will be gorgeous, and the wildflowers will be out in force. Especially this year, because we've had so much snow, I'm guessing that the higher-up hiking trails won't be passable until July anyway. The downside is that it will be hot at Mesa Verde in July, but for all other purposes, July is better.

We have spent more than ten summers vacationing in Colorado. We learned that Colorado is a great summer vacation with our family because of the unlimited activity opportunities and the low cost. We found the best time to go was in the middle of July for comfortable temperatures and also because a lot of summer activities don't become available until after the 4th of July. (One summer we spent the 4th of July on the Lake with fireworks and gently falling snow...after that year, we always went after the 4th)

We always stayed in Dillon, Colorado. Right on I-70, located in the middle of Keystone, Frisco and Breckenridge. There is a beautiful Resevoir in Dillon right in the middle of the mountains. Keystone, Frisco and Breckenridge are each less than 15 minutes away. There are plenty of Condos available with Lake views at very reasonable prices.

Dillon is also centrally located for easy day trips to Copper Mountain, Vail, Leadville, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, the Royal Gorge and Estes Park.
Special places we found (off the beaten path) were Turqoise Lake (near Leadville) and Cataract Lake (near Green Mountain Resevoir)

The mountains still have snow caps, and lots of opportunities for snow play over mountain passes...especially fun areas are the tops of Loveland Pass (where ski bums are still skiing the A-Basin in July), Rabbit Ear Pass on the way to Steamboat Springs and the top of Independence Pass (which is only open in the summer months)on the way to Aspen.

Activities are endless and very reasonable in price. Bicycle riding or rollerblading between Dillon and Breckenridge (there is a apecial paved pathways between the two towns), horseback riding up into mountain meadows outside Frisco, a gorgeous walk along the Snake River outside the Keystone resort, tubing down the Yampe River in Steamboat, Alpine Slides down the mountain in Breckenridge, Ski lift rides to the top of mountains in Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail, Baby Doe's Silver Mine and the old bars in Leadville, hikes (not strenous)up Swan Mountain in Dillon where you can see the whole Valley and Resevoir. There is also a music festival in Breckenridge every summer in the middle of July with lots of concerts and plenty of shopping in every town (Dillon has a huge Outlet Mall). We also always rented a pontoon on the Dillon Resevoir for an easy afternoon tooling around the Lake (which extends from Dillon all the way to Breckenridge).

Tons of wildflowers everywhere, even at the top of Independence pass popping out from the snow.

I would choose the middle of July...if you want mountain color in the Fall...go to the White Mountains in New England...summer is the best in Colorado. Now I'm homesick to go there again.

Wow! Thanks for all the ideas & terrific help. Hmmm...so July wins the vote.

Funny 'cos I know colors are more in the East, but since I live in coastal Calif...
the colors offered in the mtns seem like LOTS to us! And we love to hear the elk bugling, which I'm guessing will be scarce in mid-summer due to all the tourists? (the elk, I mean...
I know the bugling won't be happening)

I also had heard that weather can be at its best sometimes in late Sept/ealy October. If we could get to mtns by 1st wknd in Oct (Oct 7th) still do you think too late for colors?

If July, you say mid-July. Would July 9th be on the early side it seems, if you mention snow over July 4th? I only ask as that's my mom & my bday week.

However, we could push it off for a week or two for flowers, as long as you don't think it would be too, too hot there then. Not sure how much is air-conditioned in the mtns? And, my 83-yr old mom will already be contending w/high altitude acclimation, I'm sure.

Thanks again!!

In the mountains (as opposed to Mesa Verde), it will be "hot," which means maybe up to a high of 80, or possibly 85. But that's in the sun in the middle of the day. We have never needed air conditioning in the mountains. In fact, be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket for the evenings - it will cool quickly once the sun sets.

You'll see elk in Rocky Mountain National Park for sure. And unless you're planning on doing backcountry hiking, you probably won't see them too many other places.

Weather in Denver in early Oct is nice... but the mountains are a different story. As another posted stated, you could run into snow. In July, you'll see snow, but you won't get snow.

And it won't be too hot in the mountains in July. Summer mountain temperatures are typically 20 degrees cooler than Denver. I'd say average temps in the mountains in July are comfortable 70s.

We travelled in Colorado during the second half of September and the aspen were beautiful.Paul

I recommend going in July. The aspen viewing could be iffy if you don't arrive until Oct 7th. The weather and flowers will be wonderful early in July. It will be quite warm in Denver, but the mountains will be a different story. Temps are usually very pleasant in the low 70's, but with intense sun at 10,000 ft. it will seem warmer during the day. During the evening or if you are in the shade it will be cooler. Mountain temperatures can also change rapidly, so wearing layers is the best way to be prepared and wear a hat.

Breckenridge is fun but busy on the 4th of July weekend with a large art festival and a good, old-fashioned parade on the 4th. They also have a free, outdoor concert in the evening with surprisingly good fireworks -dress warmly for that and take a blanket.