October is one of my favorite months in the state of Colorado. The temperatures finally start to cool down a bit, you can go on a nice hike or take a run and not feel so hot halfway through. The color changes, I would dare to say, are some of the best in the country. If you got up to the mountains in the past few weeks you would have seen seas of golden aspen trees glowing across the mountainsides. Even in town, the trees are starting to turn pretty reds, yellows and oranges and the sun is setting just a bit earlier these days.
The great thing about the fall time in Colorado is all the great activities going on. Some of my favorite festivals are taking place this month that you can take the family to or have an adult day/night out with your spouse or a group of friends. Lots of locals are still around while they wait on ski season to begin so here are some fun city activities to check out this month:
Fright Festival – Every weekend in October at Elitch Gardens
· Everyone likes to have a scare during the Halloween season and the Fright Festival at Elitch’s is the perfect place to take the whole family for a spooky day or night adventure. During the day enjoy trick-or-treat trails for your kiddos and at night get ready to enter many haunted houses full of chilling surprises.
Denver Gorilla Run – Oct. 22nd at the Westin Westminster
· What better way to dress up then join 3,000 other people in a mass 5k run that benefits the gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo? The run begins at 11am with a Silverback after party right after the run is over. Cost is $99.95 that includes a full gorilla suit getting you all ready for Halloween.
Glow At The Gardens – Wednesday & Thursday, Oct 19, 20, 26 & 27 2016
· Look no further to find the perfect pumpkin than at the Pumpkin Festival put on by Denver Botanic Gardens. Search for the perfect jack o’lantern for carving amongst the thousands of pumpkins ready for the picking.
Lantern Fest – Oct. 15-16th at Colorado National Speedway
· You may already be too late to this festival if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet because this festival sells out every year. Join others at the Colorado Speedway and release lanterns into the brisk fall sky while enjoying some s’mores.
There are so many great things going on in the city this fall make sure to get out and enjoy a few!