Spring in Colorado is like watching nature hit the refresh button. The snow melts, rivers rush, wildflowers pop, and the entire state turns into a hiker and biker’s paradise. From the Front Range to the Western Slope, there’s no shortage of trails begging to be explored.
Take the Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs—a stairway to lung-burning heaven. Or the Royal Arch Trail in Boulder, where a 3.5-mile round-trip rewards you with jaw-dropping views of the Flatirons. Up north, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space near Fort Collins offers 29 miles of hiking and biking trails. And down south? Garden of the Gods with its red rock formations practically demands an Instagram story (or five).
Cyclists can cruise along Cherry Creek Trail or tackle the challenging Monarch Crest Trail, which climbs above 11,000 feet and connects to a network of epic rides. Spring also reopens access to parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, where even short hikes like Bear Lake Loop are unforgettable.
But while the trails are thriving, many Coloradans feel their wallets aren’t. Residents are increasingly frustrated with rising costs of living and what they see as questionable government spending. Governor Jared Polis has faced growing criticism—from ballooning budgets to transportation projects that don’t seem to ease traffic. Coloradans love the outdoors, but they’d also love to stop holding their breath every time they pay their property taxes or fill up their gas tanks.
With one of the most spectacular outdoor backyards in America, Colorado doesn’t need a makeover—it needs better financial stewardship. Spring is here, and the trails are calling. Let’s just hope our bank accounts can survive the journey, too.
Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just trying to budget better, spring in Colorado is a season to embrace—with your boots laced and your eyes wide open.
