Classic Colorado Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Style
Nobody captures what Christmas magic is like at the base of the Rockies, like the country band Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. They lyrics to this song pain the best portrait of a Colorado Christmas. All along the Rockies, early in the morning after a fresh blanket of snow, silence fills the air. Nature gives the best peace.
From Telluride to Boulder down below
The closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere
Is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow…
I remember Christmases when I was just a boy
In the morning I would run to see the tree.
And the carolers on the hillside sang their songs of Christmas joy
Well, I always thought they sang them just for me…
But all along the Rockies you can feel it in the air
From Telluride to Boulder down below
The closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere
Is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow.
Christmas at the Capitol
If you drive to Colorado’s capital in December, be sure to stop take a drive through downtown. The Light Parade in Denver is among many families’ list of traditions. Don’t forget our fury friends. Animals, on the top of your list? Stop by the Zoo and feed a few festive animals. (We wouldn’t want another Madagascar on our hands!) Above all, at the heart of most holidays is food. A favorite past time, in the Rocky Mountain state, is going to Hammonds Candy factory downtown. There you can watch and learn how the factory workers make candy canes. Actually, sampling them is really the favorite part. Who doesn’t find taffy and candy pulls satisfying? Plus, Hammonds still sells traditional ribbon candy. That’s a treasure near to impossible to find.
Red n’Green in Colorado Springs
If you loved the Polar Express, then you should head down to the Springs. Below Pikes Peak, Santa thrives at a small, themed park called the “North Pole.” The small village is packed with Christmas rides, elves, and craft boutiques, but the best way to get there is on (you guessed it) the Polar Express (a train experience somewhat like the movie, Polar Express).
Breckenridge Classic Christmas
If you’re going to travel in the future holiday seasons, stop by Breckenridge. Not only do you get the snow-covered beautiful Rockies, lights and cottage feel, but there are tons of activities. First off is the Ullr Fest, which originated in Norway. The Norwegian’s tradition of celebrating Ullr, the Norwegian god of snow, fit right into Breckenridge’s ski town. The festival includes a ski parade, competitions and aerial tricks demonstrated by ski school instructors.
Skiing not your thing? Then check out the world-renowned International Snow Sculpture Championships. This snow sculpting competition includes 16 teams from around the world. They descend on Colorado to hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow. The result is intricate works of art. If that’s not enough, you’ll be impressed by the rules. The artists are only allowed to use hand tools, and the competition lasts five days (totaling around 96 hours). So, if you’re in Breckenridge around January, come see the outdoor gallery of art.
- Carving Week: January 24-28, 2022
- Viewing Week: January 28-30, 2022
What Are Your Traditions?
Across the country, from home to home, Christmas looks similar and different. What does Christmas look like where you’re from? What traditions do you fill your heart with joy? Comment below, like the article, and share it. Let’s create a holiday thread across the world and have a Merry Christmas from Colorado!
“Christmas is not an external event at all but a piece of [your] home that [you] carries in [your] heart.”
~Freya Stark
