1. Fee Free Days in Rocky Mountain National Park
Extending a popular program, the National Park Service will not charge entrance fees on the following dates in 2012:
January 14-16
April 21-29 (National Park Week)
June 9
September 29
November 10-12.
2. Frozen Dead Guy Days, March 2-4
This 3-day party celebrates Nederland’s only frozen resident. Yep, it’s a long story, but locals flock here for the look-alike contest, art exhibits, and Colorado’s only coffin race. And beer. frozendeadguydays.org
3. Boulder Creek Festival, May 26-28
Enjoy local microbrews, organic food, art, and music. More than 500 vendors attend, promoting sustainable living, the arts, and one of the wildest fundraisers ever, a rubber ducky river race. bceproductions.com
4. Greeley Stampede, June 22-July 4*
Cowboy culture, bull riding, and concerts headline this rocking festival.
5. Fireworks, July 4
Tough call: Grand Lake, which claims Colorado’s largest display, or Boulder, where locals hike to the top of the Flatirons for unparalleled vistas?
6. Rooftop Rodeo, July 10-15*
Estes Park goes cowboy for this week of parades, racing, and bull riding.
7. Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 20-29*
This year’s cowboy-palooza features pro rodeo, a Brad Paisley concert, and hundreds of exhibits and food stations. cfdrodeo.com
8. RockyGrass, July 27-29*
Listen to classic and up-and-coming folk bands at this Lyons festival.
9. Pro Cycling Challenge, August 20-26
After pros finish the Tour de France, they come to Colorado for America’s biggest road cycling race. Watch for Levi Leipheimer, who won last year, plus the Schlecks and Cadel Evans. The race visits Boulder and Denver on its last two days. usaprocyclingchallenge.com
10. Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, September 6-9
Sponsored by Guinness, this mix of Highland games, Celtic concerts, dances, and filling food is an annual favorite in Estes Park. scotfest.com
