The Wonders of the Western Slope

Sep 28, 2011 by Kathryn Bass PhD

If you’re from Colorado, you probably live on the Front Range, the series of communities—including Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins—that bump up against the eastern-most foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

And whether you’re from Colorado or not, your idea of Colorado tourism probably mirrors that of Front Range residents, whose recreation destinations include the big ski resorts (Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Vail, Winter Park, etc.) and summer spots like Estes Park and Grand Lake. Maybe you’ve strayed as far as Aspen, Glenwood Springs or Salida, but by no means have you rolled down the other side of the Rockies. And that’s a crying shame because the Western Slope is as wealthy with raw beauty and downright fun as any of Colorado’s better-known destinations.

The Western Slope has almost everything—from natural wonders, stellar orchards and up-and-coming vineyards to a couple of great shoe stores. What it doesn’t have: crowds and sophistication. This last point is a blessing and a curse. Don’t look for fancy hotels on this side of the state, though there are a few nice places to stay and some very good restaurants. Instead, expect run-of-the-mill accommodations (or delightfully quirky ones)—along with affordability that trumps many of Colorado’s other tourism offerings.

If you’re going to truly embrace the Western Slope, you’ve got to have a sense of adventure and welcome its quirks. I’ve learned to love the feeling that I’ve stepped back in time to a place that hasn’t been shaped by tourism and our need to consume or commodify. The Western Slope feels like a true blend of regions; it has the grit and raw gorgeousness of the West, but it also possesses a comfortable, hard-working straight-forwardness that echoes of the Midwest I remember from my childhood.

So, if you’re ready to fly by the usual Colorado destinations and tour the Western Slope instead, here’s a quick list of ten experiences that are worth the trip:

1. Marvel at the sheer, imposing walls of the spectacularly deep and narrow Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
2. Celebrate what are reputedly the world’s best cobs at the Olathe Corn Festival.
3. Encounter red rock canyons and imposing monoliths at Colorado National Monument.
4. Bike through orchards and vineyards—and stop for the occasional taste—around Palisade.
5. Visit the Enstrom’s Factory & Store, where award-winning toffee and other treats take shape (and samples abound).
6. Stand at Land’s End on Grand Mesa, the biggest mesa in the world, and see all the way to Utah—or look down if you dare at the Colorado plateau, nearly a mile below your feet.
7. Soak in the hot springs pool in scenic Ouray, commonly known as the Switzerland of America.
8. Take the breathtaking drive past the Dallas Divide to Telluride, home of great skiing and a host of fun summer festivals.
9. Pick up a pair of comfortable, practical, beautiful shoes at Benges, a mainstay in downtown Grand Junction for nearly 100 years.
10. Whitewater raft or wander on foot through the rugged, fossil-rich terrain of Dinosaur National Monument.

If you have a favorite Western Slope spot to share, or a comment to add, please join the conversation going on in my MidChix group, Western Slope Wanderers!