7 Things You Didn’t Know Were in Colorado

[Colorado Gator Farm. Photo: Kent Kanouse] Colorado’s gorgeous mountain scenery and world class skiing attract quite a bit of tourist attention. But there is more to Colorado than just snowcapped peaks. Check out these seven things you might not know were in Colorado.

Unusual things to do in Colorado

A state this varied features some unusual places to visit. From mysterious ruins and sand piles, to tiny villages and alligators. Take your time exploring and hit a few of these favorites.

1. Four Corners

Lady attempts all four.

Four Corners is the only spot in the United States where four states meet at a single point: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. A monument marks the spot, and if you stand strategically, you can be in all four states at once!

2. Sand Dunes

Medano Creek at the base of the Sand Dunes.

Nope, we’re not talking about the Sahara; we’re talking about Colorado. This state doesn’t just boast mountain peaks; it also boasts sand peaks. At the Great Sand Dunes National Park, situated in the easternmost parts of Alamosa and Saguache counties, you will find some of the largest sand dunes in North America, with the tallest, Star Dune, rising to an impressive 750 feet.

3. Anasazi Ruins

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde.

Colorado was once home to the ancient Anasazi civilization, a thriving Native American culture that emerged in the Four Corners region of the United States. The group lived in elaborate cliff structures complete with lift ladders, which afforded them protection from enemy attacks. Archeological evidence suggests that this culture emerged sometime in the 12th century BC and peaked between 600 and 1300 CE.

Today, remnants of the Anasazi civilization can be seen throughout Colorado. The largest and most impressive of these ruins are located in Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest archeological reserve in the United States. Over 600 unique cliff dwellings can be found in the park, including Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Canyons of the Ancients is another local site.

4. Dinosaur Quarry

Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry.

Situated in southwestern Colorado, the Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry is home to an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils and remains from the Jurassic Period. It’s speculated that an extreme drought in the area resulted in the mass death of dinosaurs and other vertebrates, and their remains were preserved in the sandstone bedrock. All in all, approximately 4,000 bones have been collected from the quarry.

5. Tiny Town

Tiny Town and Railroad. Photo: Ron McDonald

This miniature railway village close to Morrison, contains an entire mini village, totally constructed to scale. This Tiny Town was constructed by George Turner for his daughter and was first opened to the public in 1912. Today, it is arguably one of the state’s most unique tourist attractions.

6. Colorado Gator Farm

Colorado Gator Farm. Photo: Kent Kanouse

This unique farm offers visitors an up-close look at reptiles of all kinds. The Colorado Gators Reptile Park boasts a unique geothermal well that creates ponds and wetlands for alligators, and also provides a habitat for a number of different water birds and waterfowl. Highlights include the farm’s annual Gatorfest, held annually in the first weekend in August.

7. Ute Indian Museum

Ute Indian Museum in Montrose. Photo: Jeffrey Beall

This local history museum in Montrose, provides a fascinating look into the past of the Ute Indians, an indigenous people of the Great Basin region that formerly occupied large swaths of territory across Eastern Utah and Western Colorado, as well as parts of New Mexico and Wyoming. The Ute Indian Museum is situated on the 8.5-acre former homestead of homestead of Chief Ouray.

Do you know any unusual Colorado attractions? Please share them below.