Explore Ridgway, Colorado

Snugged into the Uncompahgre Valley in western Colorado is the postcard-perfect little town of Ridgway, home to around 1,000 residents and one of the sweetest getaways in the entire state.

The scenery begs for superlatives, with the San Juan mountain range to the south jutting into the bluest of skies and the Cimarron peaks commanding a Standing O. Hill and vale are covered with pine and aspen, and cottonwoods dot the stream banks in the lower regions. And it’s all illuminated by an average of 300 sunshiny days each year.

Get the picture? It’s downright beautiful. But Ridgway is more than meets the eye, with a community that supports not only ranchers and farmers and other land stewards but also artists of all stripes. Studios and galleries provide outlet for painters, sculptors, artisans, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, photographers, weavers – if it’s beautiful, you’ll find it here.

There’s also an energetic musical force in town, with a popular concert series. And Sherbino Theater offers music, film showings and other cultural fare. Shopping is just as varied, with one-of-a-kind treasures and souvenirs ready to go home with you.

For history buffs, Ridgway has a colorful past. It was founded in the last decade of the 19th century to be headquarters for the Rio Grand Southern Narrow Gauge Railroad, which services the gold and silver mines as well as the farmers and ranchers of the area. A museum holds relics of those bygone glory days. And the area’s incredibly idyllic setting made it the perfect backdrop for 1969’s “True Grit,” for which John Wayne won the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn.

While you’re soaking up the atmosphere, consider soaking up some of Ridgway’s food and drink as well. There are numerous renowned restaurants as well as a local brewery and distillery.

Accommodations to fit every budget and need are available in Ridgway and nearby Ouray, and the area is a great place to pitch a tent and get to know Mother Nature on a first-name basis.

Four seasons present endless possibilities for outdoor recreation, but a quick inventory shows the 1,000-acre reservoir at Ridgway State Park just a couple of miles from town. Fishing is great there and on the Uncompahgre, and the reservoir park is also an ideal place for camping, boating, waterskiing, wind surfing, picnicking, hiking and biking.

If a good soaking sounds good, Orvis Hot Springs offers several pools outside and one indoors. There’s also rodeo, golf, motorcycle and off-road tours, rafting, kayaking, hunting, birding, skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, scenic drives… Oh, the things you’ll do in Ridgway!

Events

40 Under Forty: Boulder Valley & Northern Colorado

Sep 27

375 Meadowlark Drive, Berthoud, CO

Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado 40 Under Forty recognizes 40 emerging business leaders in each region (80 total), u

Okaidja Afroso: Jaku Mumor

Sep 27

2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO

Okaidja Afroso journeys to the U.S. from his home in Ghana, West Africa to bring a powerful experience that draws inspir

SKSF 12th Annual “Boots, Buckles, & Chuckles” Night of Comedy Fundraiser

Sep 30

13071 Bass Pro Drive, Colorado Springs, CO

Introducing the “Boots, Buckles, and Chuckles” Night of Comedy fundraiser for Special Kids Special Families!

The Colorado Springs Marathon, Half, 5K, Kids K

Sep 30

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO

Come celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of the Colorado Springs Marathon presented by Centura Health on Saturday, Septemb

Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile

Sep 30

2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO

Love in Exile features an improvisatory supergroup composed of brilliant minds Vijay Iver, Arooj Aftab and Shahzad Izmai

Spiritually Speaking: Talk and Gallery-style Psychic Medium Reading

Oct 01

2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora, CO

An intriguing 60-minute Talk with Chicago-based Author, Emmy-award winning journalist, and Spiritual Humorist, Jenniffer

Walk to Defeat ALS®

Oct 08

Sloan’s Lake Park, 2199 Stuart St. Denver, CO

Join the movement at The Denver Walk to Defeat ALS taking place on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at Sloan’s Lake Park, CO

Food Fight for Reproductive Rights at The Block Distilling Co.

Oct 11

1840 W. Oxford Ave, Englewood, CO

Join us on October 11, 2023, for our annual elite culinary competition featuring Denver’s talented chefs and barte

Samara Joy

Oct 15

2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO

Grammy-winning rising star Samara Joy tours following the release of her newest album, Linger Awhile. Samara comes from

Spellbound – Halloween Concert

Oct 18

2908 S Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO

Join us (if you dare) for this magical and spooktacular evening of live classical and popular Halloween favorites. From