There is a reason Colorado is a desired spot for adventure elopements, its easy, beautiful, and full of adventure! But you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t already know this. So, you picked the area, but you don’t know where or how to make this happen, well I am here to help guide you through this journey. Step 1: Selecting the perfect Colorado Elopement Location.
Why Elope in Colorado
But before we begin let’s go over some basics, like why you should elope in Colorado. You choose to elope for a reason, whether it be because of the beautiful scenery or the ease in which you can tie the knot. For a full list of reasons to elope in Colorado check out this article. But here are some of the best reasons.
- Its dog friendly! With roughly 47% of the Colorado Rockies being National Forest land, you can take your dog on your adventure with you. And since you don’t technically need a witness, your fur babies can sign your certificate as your witness.
- Its super easy! Colorado is one of only 9 states in which you can self-solemnize, meaning you can make this as intimate as any wedding can get.
- Colorado offers beautiful scenery year round. You can find elopement activities and amazing locations regardless of the time of year.
- Epic Locations and views! With more than 50 peaks over 10,000 feet and 15 stunning mountain ranges, you can always find serene alpine lakes, peaceful meadows, and brilliant fall colors.
Colorado Elopement Locations
The location you pick should be something special to you, a location that you will remember for the rest of your lives. It’s important to ask yourself what you want.
- What type of scenery do you like the best? Small alpine lakes, flowing streams, breathtaking cliffs, peaceful meadows, etc.
- How many miles or how long are you willing to travel? This might make be more of a deciding factor than anything else.
- Are you feeling adventurous and want to hike in your wedding attire, or do you want to change at the location?
- Do you have anything else planned besides the ceremony? A reception, cocktail hour, meals, etc?
- Are you inviting anyone else or just you two? Check out this article on ways to include your family for your elopement.
- Are there any limiting factors in choosing your location? Fear of heights, mobility limitations, fear of exposure (cliffs), etc.
- What adventures are you envisioning for your Colorado elopement location?
Choosing a location can be difficult. There are so many beautiful places in Colorado to choose from that it can feel overwhelming at times. The biggest tip I have, to to choose someplace or activity that means something to you and your partner. For example, if you fell in love in a canoe on a lake, then look for a lake that you can elope at. Below are a few locations and venues to get you started choosing your Colorado elopement location.
San Juan Mountains, Colorado
These stunning arrays of ancient volcanic peaks cover southwest Colorado make for an intimate, romantic setting for your ceremony. In the summertime you can find beds of wildflowers and several alpine lakes, waterfalls, and off-road routes. However, if you are not prepared for an adventure this location might not be the right spot for you, 4×4 vehicle with high clearance is required for navigating many of the trails. The best location within the San Juan Mountains, are easily the Gold Mountain is a great spot to have a small ceremony with exquisite views of Ouray. This location is limited to about 40 people, which should be perfect if you want a little larger ceremony than a typical adventure elopement.
Aspen, Colorado
We have all heard about Aspen, Colorado, and its not all for the rich and famous. It is always a good choice, but depending on where you go (or your restrictions) you might be getting married with half of Colorado watching you. If you want a more traditional setting Maroon Bells Amphitheater (Reservations required) might be a perfect place, and probably one of my favorite places. Surrounded by mountain peaks and a glittering lakes, paired with iconic aspen trees and evergreen forests. The amphitheater is perfect if you want a small guest list or none. Reservations open one year in advance and go quickly, so get your butt over to Recreation.gov and reserve your site! Independence Pass and Twin Lakes, Colorado is another location where you can have a larger guest lists. This quaint area in a valley surrounded by stunning mountain peaks.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is probably one of my favorite places in Colorado (but this changes every few months the more I explore). It’s the perfect mix of alpine lakes, striking mountain peaks, and vast meadows that makes up the Colorado Rockies. Sapphire Point is a day use area that overlooks Dillon Reservoir that you can reserve for 2 hour blocks, perfect for a small ceremony. It can accommodate about 35 people, so if you are looking for some place that accommodates a larger guest list, this might be perfect. Windy Point Campground is also located on Dillon Reservoir, and could be the perfect setting off point for your canoeing adventure. You might be asking why a campground has made this list, but as it offers multiple ceremony sites and a reception pavilion, it’s perfect for a larger elopement. Make sure to make your reservations early, this location opens up their books six months in advance, and only available between May 18th and September 30 each year.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is only 45 minutes from Denver, making it the closet place in this list to the Denver Airport. And the perfect combination of mountain and city, which means, this an easy location to have a bigger guest list. They even have airport shuttles. Though Boulder is a bigger city itself, there are a few adventure locations that make it a perfect Colorado adventure elopement location. Sunrise Amphitheater (Reservations required) Lost Gulch is only a few minute drive from Boulder, with small overlook with amazing sunset. Chaqutauqua Park, can be busy at times, but since it is only a short hike in and absolutely beautiful, it’s worth mentioning.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is this tiny European-style mining town tucked into a canyon surrounded by 13,000 foot and over peaks. It is very popular in the winter with their iconic ski slopes, however it is also extremely beautiful in the summer months as well. A huge bonus, the gondola also runs in the summer, so you don’t have to hike up those steep slopes in your wedding attire. If you are looking for a small hike with beautiful views and a smaller ceremony, check out Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a short two mile hike out and back. However, since it is a shorter hike you are more likely to see a ton of people.
Brainard Lake and Lake Isabelle
This area is the perfect place for those with adventurous hearts. Located near(ish) Nederland, Colorado this area is littered with small to medium sized lakes. Brainard Lake is located right at the trail head, and depending on how far you want to hike, Lake Isabelle or even Blue Lake can be worth the trek. All Trails does label these hikes as challenging to moderate, and roughly six to seven miles round trip. Just be sure to get your parking pass here before you go.
Garden of the Gods
This small park in Colorado Springs is the perfect merge of urban and wilderness. Even though this is not technically within the mountains of Colorado, it has amazing views of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain. A huge plus, there are no permits required and it’s free to elope here! You have six locations to choose from, making it super easy to find a location that fits your needs.
Adventurous things to do while you elope in Colorado
Regardless of your adventure of choice, you can find it in Colorado. Considering you are choosing a beautiful Colorado elopement location, you are probably also looking for some fun activities you can incorporate into your day. So here are some options to make your wedding day, one you will never forget.
Off-Roading
As mentioned above, the best place to do this would be in be the San Juan Mountains, and these top off-roading trails in the San Juans have suggestions for all levels. If you are worried about hiking around with your wedding dress, and love off-roading, consider doing this.
Hiking Elopements in Colorado
This is Colorado, you can hike pretty much anywhere. Just be aware of your own limits and the limits of your guests. If you are the couple who can tackle a 14-er in one day and love the challenge of a strenuous hike, then let’s look into some epic hikes. Otherwise, smaller hikes through meadows or less extreme mountain peaks can easily be done. Here are some locations that might strike your interest:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Aspen, Colorado
- Crested Butte
- Telluride, Colorado
- Granby, Colorado
- Vail, Colorado
- Let’s face it, anywhere in this state.
Colorado Water Sports
Name a water based sport you can’t do in Colorado, I dare you. Let me guess, you said sailing… well you would be wrong. You can basically do anything in Colorado, Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle boarding, tubing. And getting out on the lakes of Colorado can give you a unique perspective with stunning views. Just think, you make your grand entrance as a newly wedded couple in a canoe, that would make your wedding one to remember.
If this is your jam, then locations such as Dillon Reservoir in Breckenridge, Colorado might be the perfect spot for you. A day on the lake aired with a ceremony at Sapphire Point and a canoe adventure, count me in!
Rock Climbing
Colorado is known for some epic climbs and are known to attract adventures seekers of all kinds. The best places to find epic rock climbing adventures are in Boulder, Estes Park, and Colorado Springs.
Regardless of your Colorado elopement location or what you choose to do on your big day. You will not regret it. Colorado is the state of adventure, and is perfect for the adventurous couple looking to add something a little special to their big day. The hardest decision will be to choose what activity to do where, because you cannot do it all. Trust me I have tried. There are multiple locations that will accommodate an intimate ceremony with just the two of you (and your photographer) to a larger ceremony. It’s fully customizable to fit your needs, you can even have your dog sign as your witness.
