Autumn's Alpine Glory: Colors & Craft

September paints Colorado in gold as aspen trees transform the highlands, providing a stunning backdrop for the month's festivities. Telluride Blues & Brews Festival combines soulful sounds with craft beer tastings at 8,750 feet, while Breckenridge's Oktoberfest brings Bavarian spirit to the Rockies. Down in Palisade, the Colorado Mountain Winefest celebrates the state's burgeoning wine region amidst the changing colors. Film buffs gather in Aspen for Filmfest, screening independent productions against a canvas of autumn colors. These September gatherings prove that fall might just be Colorado's most festive season.

MOST POPULAR EVENT:

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

- Basic Premise: Three-day festival combining blues music and craft beer tastings

- Location: Telluride Town Park, Telluride

- Host Organization: SBG Productions

- Info typically found at: tellurideblues.com

- Also: telluride.com/events

- Pro Tip: The Grand Tasting is just four hours - map out your must-try breweries beforehand, but don't miss the spontaneous blues jams that happen between brew tents.

5 CLOSEST TO DENVER:

1. Denver Food + Wine Festival

- Basic Premise: Week-long culinary celebration with tastings, demonstrations, and competitions

- Location: Various Denver locations

- Host Organization: Colorado Restaurant Foundation

- Info typically found at: denverfoodandwine.com

- Also: denver.org/events

- Pro Tip: The Grand Tasting has the longest lines at opening - arrive 90 minutes in when lines are shorter and chefs have hit their stride with presentations.

2. Denver Mineral, Fossil, & Gem Show

- Basic Premise: One of the largest mineral and fossil shows in the U.S.

- Location: National Western Complex, Denver

- Host Organization: Denver Show Committee

- Info typically found at: denvershow.org

- Also: denver.org/events

- Pro Tip: The UV mineral display room is incredible but often overlooked - visit mid-afternoon when your eyes can better adjust to see the fluorescent properties.

3. Oktoberfest Denver

- Basic Premise: German heritage celebration with beer, food, and music

- Location: Ballpark Neighborhood, Denver

- Host Organization: Denver Oktoberfest

- Info typically found at: thedenveroktoberfest.com

- Also: denver.org/events

- Pro Tip: The Stein Hoisting competition gets more entertaining as the day progresses - the 4 PM heat usually has the best combination of skill and entertainment value.

4. Colorado Mountain Oktoberfest

- Basic Premise: Traditional Bavarian festival with authentic food and music

- Location: Morrison

- Host Organization: Morrison Chamber of Commerce

- Info typically found at: morrisonchamber.com

- Also: town.morrison.co.us

- Pro Tip: The accordion players rotate between beer tents - follow them for the most authentic experience and spontaneous singing.

5. Golden Super Cruise

- Basic Premise: Classic car show and cruise along South Golden Road

- Location: Golden

- Host Organization: Golden Chamber of Commerce

- Info typically found at: goldenchamber.org

- Also: visitgolden.com

- Pro Tip: The best photos are at sunset when the cars cruise past the Table Mountain backdrop - position yourself near the Buffalo Rose for this perfect shot.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:

Fall Migration Bird Count

- Basic Premise: Citizen science project tracking bird migration patterns

- Location: Various Front Range locations

- Host Organization: Denver Field Ornithologists

- Info typically found at: dfobirds.org

- Also: denveraudubon.org

- Pro Tip: The hawk watching stations often have the most experienced birders - pair up with them to learn raptor identification tricks that aren't in field guides.