Where To Elope in Colorado

The Best Places To Elope In Colorado

Oh Colorado, how could so much diverse beauty be wrapped up into one state? I love this place so much I put together a Where To Elope In Colorado guide. I might be biased when I say that Colorado is one of the BEST places in the world to elope.

The Rocky Mountains offer numerous terrains and landscapes to adventure around and get married on. You have the choice of hopping in the car and driving or roughing it up a 14er to your dream elopement. The list of epic locations is endless. The Rocky Mountains are in Denver’s backyard. There are 52 mountains that are over 14,000 ft (we lovingly call them 14ers). Four National Parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of Gunnison, and Mesa Verde. We boast over 340 days of sunshine a year, beat that Florida! No matter where you want to elope there’s plenty of places to elope in Colorado.

As a state with a collective love of all things outdoors, there are many opportunities to adventure on your elopement day. Hiking, camping, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and even sandboarding. You don’t have to be some crazy mountain pioneer to experience these things. This blog post is meant to help inspire your adventure wedding in Colorado or help you narrow down a certain region in the Centennial State. With so many beautiful places to choose from you might ask yourself, where the heck do I even start? Well here you go, let’s figure out where to elope in Colorado for your dream day!

Regions of Colorado

• The Great Plains Region (Eastern Colorado)
• The Rocky Mountain Region
• The Front Range Region
• Colorado Plateau Region

Notable Landmarks & National Parks

• Colorado National Monument
• Gunnison National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Rifle Falls State Park
• Chimney Rock National Monument
• Garden of the Gods

Alamosa

Okay so not *technically* Alamosa…But Great Sand Dunes National Park is the best, enough said. It’s like eloping in Morroco without leaving the U.S. Zapata Falls is close by too!

Aspen

Aspen..*insert Dumb & Dumber quote here* It is a magical place that is equally gorgeous in all seasons. If you want a colorful fall elopement, get hitched with Maroon Bells in the background. If you elope in the summer Devil’s Punch Bowl is great for jumping into after saying your vows

Breckenridge

Sapphire Point Overlook is a well-known elopement spot in the area. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean that it’ll be crowded. You can reserve a spot with a permit to have an intimate elopement. Lake Dillion is a great backdrop for your elopement too.

Boulder

You can’t do Boulder without the backdrop of the Flatirons in Chautauqua Park. In the summertime, the wildflowers come out to play. A little up further on the road is Lost Gulch Lookout which paints a beautiful panorama of the Rocky Mountains in the background.

If you’re looking for more of a hike, Lake Isabelle is a 3.5 mile trek. 

Buena Vista

Did you know you can hike four 14ers in one day? Yup, it’s possible. The Decalibron is monumental without putting in too much of a strenuous effort. (Update: because of poor trail etiquette the mountains are closed as it is private land. Hopefully, people will Leave Not Trace and respect the land so it opens back up!) Cottonwood hot springs are close by and great to jump in after doing some mountain trekking.

Cañon City

The Royal Gorge Train and Royal Gorge Bridge are the most desired spots to visit in the area. Take a helicopter tour or hop on a train to celebrate your elopement with a first-class dinner, then stop by Royal Gorge Region Hot Springs or Desert Reef Hotsprings to end your day.

Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods are easily accessible and iconic spots. You can elope in front of vibrant red rocks or one of the tallest mountains in all of Colorado. Nearby in Calhan is the Paint Mines, a unique spot in the middle of nowhere that makes you feel like you’re in outer space.

Cortez

Just 10 minutes from Cortez is Mesa Verde National Park. Visit the Cliff Palace Pueblos and exchange vows at Park Point Overlook. If you’re feeling extra cool and a hint of dorky, you could get married in 4 different states at once, the 4 corners are close by too.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte is the wildflower capital of Colorado. Need I say more? Which makes it a great backdrop for middle of the summer elopements. It also has one of the best ski resorts in the state.

Estes Park

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. There are so many views to be in awe of. Take a drive through Trail Ridge. You can head over Trail Ridge and explore Grandby or stay in Estes and experience one of the best mountain towns in the state (my humble opinion of course).

Ft. Collins

Where mountains meet farm town. Ft. Collins has great views from the foothills and plenty of awesome hikes. Horsetooth Reservoir is a 5-minute ride that requires no hike and all the rewards of an epic view. A Horsetooth reservoir elopement will be one for the books.

Gateway

Psst, want to know a secret? You can get all the Utah national park vibes without the crazy crowds. Gateway is on the edge of Western colorado before the Utah border.  

Glenwood Springs

Hanging Lake is a coveted tourist destination near Glenwood Springs. It’s gotten so crowded in the past few years that they’re going by a reservation system. Which is great for those who want an intimate experience. Glenwood Springs provides its relaxing hot springs and thrilling Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Grand Junction 

I feel like no one considers Grand Junction as a place to elope in Colorado, I’m here to tell you to reconsider. Colorado National Monument is in Grand Junction’s backyard.

Grand Mesa is a great place to explore.

Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will make your jaw drop with the canyons and views. Blue Mesa Reservoir is a long stretching reservoir that you can boat on and camp near. 

Rifle

Rifle Falls State Park looks like a mini version of Plitvice Lake National Park in Croatia. The best part about it, (besides the mesmerizing waterfall) is that it’s a .5 mile walk to see. Looking for more water? Harvey Gap and Rifle Gap State Park each have their own vast reservoirs to elope in or on, whatever floats your literal boat. 

Ouray

The Million Dollar Highway can be quite the thrill as you drive through the “Switzerland of America.” Ouray is a beautiful small mountain town that’s a gateway to the San Juan Mountains. Let’s take a jeep tour and elope on one of the many gorgeous mountain passes. I say, elope in Ouray. (nice rhyming huh?)

Palisade

Ever tried a Palisade peach? They give Georgia a run for their money. Palisade apparently has some fertile land. It’s Colorado’s wine country. You could elope with wild horses at the Little Books Cliff Wild Horse Sanctuary. Or elope in a vineyard, Wine Country Inn.

Steamboat Springs

Rabbit Ears Pass boasts some of the most beautiful wildflowers during the summer. There are plenty of hiking elopements to do. No matter if it’s hot or cold out, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a definite place to visit.

Telluride

San Sophia Overlook is one of the most epic ski resorts to elope on in all of Colorado. In the summer the deck overlooks the town of Telluride down below. Just outside of town is Bridal Veils Falls (best to do it in the early summer, that’s when the falls are most prominent).

Mount Sneffels via Blue Lakes Trail is an unreal place to elope if you’re ready to hike a bit.

Twin Lakes

Near Leadville and Buena Vista, it’s an adorable mountain town to visit. Elope at Twin Lakes with a backdrop of mountains in the background.

Vail

White River National Forest runs around Vail. McCullough Gulch Trail is a great place to elope at. Boreas Pass is best for witnessing Colorado’s iconic fall colors. Into glamping? Eloping at the Collective Retreats would be pretty freakin’ awesome.

Mountain Passes to Elope On

• Loveland Pass
• Guanella Pass
• Independence Pass
• Corkscrew Pass
• Boreas Pass
• Rabbit Ears Pass

Mountain to Elope On In Colorado

• Pikes Peak
• Mount Evans
• Long’s Peak
• Hoosier Ridge
• Capital Peak
• Mount Elbert
• Pyramid Peak (at Crater Lake)
• Sangre De Cristo Mountains (at Stout Lake)

Different Seasons to Elope in Colorado 

Fall

The changing of colors and cooler weather are a huge plus for Colorado fall elopements. The summer crowds have dwindled and you have the freedom to roam.

Winter

It might be considered off-season in some ways, but slope season is in full effect. Colorado has a cold but gorgeous winter landscape. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t shine! If you’re a lover of outdoor winter sports this season might be ideal for you to elope in. Many mountain passes are closed, but a lot of the slopes are open for business.

Spring

Everything is coming to life, flowers begin to bloom, and more hikes become accessible.

Summer

This season hails some of the best weather but often the busiest times. There’s plenty of daylight. Peak wildflower season in Colorado runs from the middle of June to August. 

The Coolest Places to Stay in Colorado

• The Hygge Chalet and Sauna—Grant
• Little Red Treehouse—Lyons
• Holloway Cabin on Creek & Private Hot Springs—Buena Vista
• Snow Cross Tiny Home—Red Cliff 
• Canyon Hideout Bungalow—Cortez
• Creekside Glamping Teepee on Colorado Horse Ranch—Hudson
• 10th Mountain Division Hut
• Stargaze in a Yurt—Creede

What You Could Do During a Colorado Elopement

• Hike
• White Water Raft
• Kayak
• ATV
• Mountain Bike
• Take a Gondola to the top of a mountain
• Dip in some natural hot springs
• Ride in a helicopter
• Take a Jeep tour on a rugged mountain road
• Take a train through a canyon
• Horseback riding
• Fish
• Snowshoe
• Ski/Snowboard

How to Elope Legally in Colorado

Of course, I’m no legal expert or fit to give that kind of advice…BUT another awesome thing about Colorado is that you can self-solemnize. That means you and you don’t need an officiant, you can marry yourselves! Fun fact, your dog can be a witness and “sign” your marriage license. 

Here’s the sitch on how to legally get married in Colorado:

1. Go to the country clerk’s office in the county you’re getting married in. Bring a photo ID and cash (it costs $30 to get a license). You might have to make an appointment depending on the location.
2. Sign and complete the marriage license. Since Colorado is a self solemnizing state, you do not need a judge, officiant, or witness to sign. But there is an option for a witness if you want your pooch’s pawprints on your license!
3. File your license (make sure to make copies of it before you do). Bring it back to the county clerk’s office or mail it in within 63 days of signing. It must also be signed within 35 days of purchasing.

Consider Permits

With some of these locations in National Parks or other hot spots in the state, you might need a permit to elope there. Lucky for you, my elopement packages cover this expense and I take care of the application process for you!

Need some more inspiration for Colorado Elopement Locations? Check out the blogs below:

• Where to Elope in Vail, Estes Park, and Breckenridge
• Loveland Pass Elopement
• Aspen Elopement
• Great Sand Dunes National Park Vow Renewal
• Garden of the Gods Elopement
• Boulder Colorado Elopement

Colorful Colorado Packages

My Colorado packages start at $3,300 and include:

• Options of 4-Hour, 6-Hour, and 8-Hour Packages
• 100+ Page Elopement Planning Guide
• Unlimited Guidance & Consultation Calls
• Custom Timeline
• All Travel Fees and Expenses-Minus something extra like a helicopter ride 😉
• Vendor Recommendations
• Permits Assistance and Location Scouting of The Best Locations in Colorado
• Upgrade to 1:1 Vow Writing Consulting (pst did I mention I have a background in copywriting?)
• Discounted Photo Album Design Services (with creative and romantic storytelling of your gorgeous elopement)
• Gallery Slideshow
• 500+ Culled and Edited High-Resolution Photos
• Digital Gallery with Printing Rights
• Surprise Gift From Me