Events worth travelling to Colarado for this season

Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, credit Matt Inden

Elk Fest – 1-2 October

The beautifully haunting bugle of a bull elk is unmistakable, and every October spectators head to Estes Park to experience the phenomenon. The elk gather there, at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, to show off for their ladies during the start of the rutting (breeding) season. At Elk Fest, visitors can learn about these beasts’ behaviour, observe them in their natural habitat, participate in a bugling contest and see performances by American Indians. This year, The YMCA of The Rockies is also offering an Elk Ecology Class in which participants enjoy hands-on activities to learn about elk biology, herding dynamics, habitat requirements for survival and seasonal behaviour changes.

 

Great American Beer Festival – 6-8 October 

Celebrating 40 years in 2022, the Great American Beer Festival will be showcasing 500 of America’s best breweries and more than 2,000 beers to sample. Pairings match independent craft breweries and acclaimed chefs from across the country whilst more than 10,000 beers will be judged in the USA premier beer competition. Tickets are already sold out for 7 and 8 October with availability still for the opening day, 6 October.

First Annual Tarantula Fest – 8 October

Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado. While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it’s actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland. The mating season starts once the temperatures cool at night, which is typically around the start of September. The first annual Tarantula Fest will be held in La Junta Saturday, October 8, and will include guided tarantula tours, an educational pavilion and much more.

Denver Arts Week – 4-12 November

Denver Arts Week celebrates The Mile High City's arts and culture scene with hundreds of events around the city. Explore vibrant art districts, outdoor sculptures, indulge in the performing arts, be inspired at literary events and even buy some art of your own. One of the week’s highlights is Saturday Night at the Museums on Nov. 5, when many of Denver’s top cultural institutions will be open for free from 5-10 p.m. – a great opportunity for families to explore all the city has to offer!

Source: COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE: www.colorado.com