Which town in CO Rockies?

[mmmomof2]

We'll be visiting some family around Denver in early to mid October. We thought the four of us (3 year old and a 9 month old) would enjoy going up to the mountains for a few nights. I realize snow is a real possibility, but it seems like the trees could still be brightly colored?

We just want to hang out at a nice family oriented resort (i.e. not a romantic inn), eat some pizza in town, and maybe go on a nice easy walk/hike around a pretty area. From looking on-line prices seem really reasonable since it's not quite ski season yet and not summer. There were places in Beaver Creek for under $150/nt!

We'd like to keep it under $200/nt. Any recs on towns?

[definitelyO]

it's definitely mud season and you should be able to get your pick of places. I love Steamboat - it's 3 hours from Denver. beautiful aspens - great low key family centric.

otherwise your standard front range resorts would be good - Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek. Closer to town is Idaho Springs very small... my aunt and uncles rent a house up near Mt. Evans on vrbo so I think there are rentals out there.

A beautiful drive would be over Kenosha Pass - just gorgeous if the aspens are at their peak!

[basilosaurus]

By the mid October, the aspens are pretty much gone at the higher elevations. I remember doing a hike in Vail on Oct 5 (no idea why I remember the date), and it was past the peak. If you're lucky, it's a late year, if not, you'll just see a lot of brown. Estes, being one of the highest, is likely to not be good for fall leaves.

The good thing about the mountains is you can go to a different elevation to change the seasons. So, you could stay in a mountain town but hike in the lower foothills. Golden Gate park has beautiful aspens.