20. Colorado

I feel like I’ve seen Colorado listed as number 1 for a lot of people, and I get it, but I don’t really get it.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Much of Colorado to me feels like textbook pretty, and that is what goes into making it an incredible state. But part of it for me also makes it not be a hidden gem like many states higher, so it gets slightly ruined by how many people are there. “Oh, have you seen the most incredible place in the world? It’s in Colorado” I’m sure plenty of people say. Yes, much of Colorado is beatiful, but it’s not in the way that makes itself stand out like pretty much every state above it. I feel like Colorado is the favorite state of people who have only been to 5 states.

The other thing about Colorado that drags it down is just how ugly the eastern part of the state is. This is the part that borders Kansas and Nebraska, and you may remember just how long ago those states were on this list. It’s flat, it’s brown, there’s hardly any trees. And a lot of it’s got this awful stink due to all the feed lots. And I think it wouldn’t matter so much if it weren’t that nearly every major population center is located in this part of the state. All these cities are right at the edge of the mountains, but that’s not “in the mountains” is it? Denver has wonderful views and great scenery only 20 minutes outside of town, but the city itself is pretty ugly.

Glenwood Canyon

Okay, okay, I’ll stop being so negative for a state that makes it all the way to number 20. So much of Colorado is absolutely gorgeous. And much of the state is varied in the environments, so you don’t just get your basic rocky mountain peaks. It’s got the Great Sand Dunes surrounded by mountains. These absolutely stunning gorges and bluffs that line the Colorado River at the part where it still actually has water. And it has more towns at high elevations than any other state in the country. You might get some severe altitude sickness like some of my family did in Vail, but it’s kinda worth it to feel like you’re in a city on top of the world.

Colorado is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t quite scratch the same itch that a lot of these states higher do with their mountain ranges. Maybe it is because the area is so popular, and it’s where all the rich people go to ski that kinda makes me dismiss it a little. But still I would hop at any chance for a visit and be among the highest Rocky Mountain peaks!