Our top 5 personal favorite locations to elope in Colorado

Where do people even get married in Colorado? Colorado has to be one of the prettiest states to get married. Not only do we have some of the most iconic views, it is also one of the easiest states to get married in! We’ve traveled our home state extensively the last few years and we’ve rounded up 5 of our favorite areas for elopements. These areas are super underrated in our experience, and they offer some of the most unique locations for an elopement within the state. So if you’re looking for different options that offer more secluded, local options— you’re in the right place.

By the way this is 100% biased and our personal, professional opinion as Colorado elopement photographers.

Buena Vista

First up, we have Buena Vista. It’s only about 2.5 hours from the Denver Airport making it the perfect distance away from the busy areas in the front range. It’s a small mountain town located right smack in the middle of the state surrounded with BIG mountain views. Some of our favorite hikes and off-roading trails live here! This is such an underrated area and often gets overlooked as an elopement location (and a place to recreate in general). 

Why we love it:

• There are hot springs you can go to relax after a day of adventure
• You get easy access to epic views whether by hike or driving
• Charming small-town energy with cute coffee shops and breweries

Best season to elope here: Late spring (May) to early fall (October) are the best times for the most accessibility at different locations. 

Great for couples who: Want the mountain views without feeling like you’re too “off-grid.” You love the idea of having access to a cute town with tons of local shops and relaxing activities like hot springs but still get to some epic locations in nature to explore and exchange vows in. 

Random fact: Locals usually pronounce the town name differently (we don’t because we are spanish speakers) but that is one way you can tell who grew up in the area! 

Leadville

At 10,152 feet above sea level, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the U.S.—and it comes with some seriously epic scenery. This is definitely a town that has a hidden gem feel and it’s actually right next to Buena Vista. We spend tons of time camping, hiking and paddle-boarding here most summers because it is only 2 hours away from Denver. 

Why we love it:

• The town is so quirky and there’s cute little shops and restaurants to visit 
• Stunning mountain passes you can drive up like Independence Pass
• It’s a less traveled location compared to other towns in Colorado
• Fall in this area is INSANE

Best season: Summer (June) through early fall (mid-October). It starts snowing early in the season here because it is in high elevation and that causes many locations to not be accessible in the wintertime. Winter is also beautiful here though. 

Great for couples who: Want to have a local Colorado experience away from the crowds and touristy towns everyone goes to. You also want to stay close to the Denver Airport but still feel like you’re in a more secluded area. You want access to cool hikes and scenic drives.

The San Juan Mountains

We don’t want to say this is our top 1 but we really love the San Juan Mountains. It’s literally in the southwestern corner of Colorado and it feels like another world, with jagged peaks, winding mountain roads, and just jaw dropping elopement locations you can off-road or hike to. We spend a few weeks in the fall and summer here every year even though it’s about a 6 hour drive from Denver because it’s THAT great. 

Why we love it:

• Unbelievable scenery that rivals the Alps (seriously, Ouray is called the Switzerland of America)
• There are remote trails, ghost towns, and the bluest alpine lakes for a true adventure elopement
• Ridgway, Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride offer different vibes but they all have iconic views

Best season: Summer (June) and early fall (mid-October) for access to high mountain roads and wildflower fields. Winter is also great in Telluride since it’s a ski town. 

Great for couples who: Want a truly outdoorsy location where they can spend time exploring a large area hiking, off-roading, and taking scenic drives. You want to have access to bougie mountain towns and small towns too. All with some of the most unique views in the state that not many people know about. 

Explore more about eloping in the San Juan Mountains 

Crested Butte

It’s called the wildflower capital of Colorado for a reason…This mountain town is ideal for couples who want a relaxed day surrounded by color, meadows, and cozy local charm. We spend every July here because there is no way we are missing out on the fields of wildflowers. We are obsessed with them and you should be too!

Why we love it:

• The wildflowers are unreal in July 
• It’s located between a ton of mountains in a remote location with a cute town
• It’s small enough to explore a lot of without being overwhelmed 

Best season: Mid-summer (July) for wildflowers or Fall (late September) for golden aspens. Winter is also great if you’re into skiing or snowboarding. 

Great for couples who: Want to feel like their elopement is being filmed on a movie set or are really obsessed with fields of wildflowers and unique mountain ranges and meadows. You also want to be far enough from busy areas and want a break from big towns or cities. 

Explore more about eloping in Crested Butte

Idaho Springs 

This one is going to be the most random location on this list because it is 45 minutes away from Denver and it houses some of our favorite elopement locations for a Colorado elopement. You probably won’t find this on anyone else’s list of locations 🙂

Why we love it:

• It has accessible locations whether you want to hike or drive up.
• Easily accessible but still feels tucked away
• It’s a more “ locals” weekend area but is secluded during the work week!

Best season: Year round. It is always accessible! 

Great for couples who: Want beautiful views but don’t want to travel too far from Denver. You want options to take Day trips to other areas in Colorado as well. 

There are obviously tons of other locations that are going to be equally as awesome throughout the entire state, but these are just some of our favorites! If you’re looking for guidance on where to elope in Colorado and you are feeling overwhelmed by all the awesome options, part of our services (aside from photography and videography) include just that! We help couples like you narrow down and pick the perfect place for you to exchange your vows. If that sounds like something you’d like to explore, contact us and let’s make it happen! 

Otherwise, feel free to drop any questions in the comment section below!