The 5 Most Beautiful Places I Have Been in Colorado [PICTURES]

There are so many wonderful places in our state. I could come up with a list of a thousand spots that are spectacular, but instead I kept it to the "5 Most Beautiful Places I Have Been in Colorado."

5. Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, but I could just as easily chosen Winter Park or Keystone or Loveland Ski Area. The reason I chose Breckenridge specifically is because that is where my wife and I had our first date. I will never forget the two of standing at the top of Peak 8 together. The view is breathtaking.

4. Red Feather Lakes

Red Feather Lakes is one of our favorite places to go camping.  This is a picture of Dowdy Lake that my wife took just after sunset. It really is gorgeous place. I especially like Dowdy because of all the big rocks in the lake.

3. Laramie River Road

Laramie River Road is another great place to go camping. It features Chambers Lake,  Lost Lake, and Tunnel Campground. If you want to see moose or beaver in Colorado, this is the place to go. You can see from the picture above, it is a wonderful spot to see the leaves change colors.

2. Berthoud Pass

This is how you get to Winter Park from I-70. You have to travel up a road that twists like a pretzel. This picture was taken from a pull-off area at the top of Berthoud Pass. It's another one of those Colorado views that takes your breath away.

1. Trail Ridge Road

It might be one of the most beautiful awe-inspiring views on earth. The view from the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is stunning. I took this picture late in the summer, when it was already starting to turn brown again. Imagine how gorgeous it is in the early summer, when it's all green. It's definitely the most beautiful place I have been in Colorado.

Honorable Mention

Pawnee National Grassland

There's no trees. There's no mountains. It's just open prairie, but there is something very beautiful about Pawnee National Grassland. It almost made my top 5.