Elope in Colorado: A Full Guide

Elope in Colorado

I love that you have decided to plan an adventure elopement in Colorado. It’s one of the most beautiful states in the US. However you’re probably here because you don’t know where to start. This guide will give you all the details on how to elope in Colorado and find the location of your dreams. As your Colorado elopement photographer, I will also be your main resource for helping you plan the elopement of your dreams.

What’s included in this guide:

• Why you should elope in Colorado
• How to travel to Colorado
• When to elope in Colorado
• Best places to elope in Colorado
• How to legally get married in Colorado
• Where to stay in Colorado
• Activities to include in your elopement
• A full packing list for your Colorado elopement
• Meet your Colorado elopement photographer

Why You Should Elope In Colorado

Colorado is the perfect place to elope if you’re craving a one-of-a-kind, adventurous wedding surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty. From its towering peaks and alpine lakes to lush forests and wildflower-filled meadows, Colorado offers countless stunning backdrops for your vows. Colorado’s landscapes make every moment feel unforgettable and uniquely yours.

There’s endless locations to choose from throughout all of Colorado that will leave you speechless. The mountain towns have so much character and charm. Many make you feel as if you’ve been transported to a Swiss-German town in Europe. If you’re a couple that dreams of epic mountain adventures, then Colorado is the perfect place for you!

How to travel to Colorado

Flying into Colorado is easy with Denver International Airport as the main hub, offering plenty of connections. If you’d rather skip long drives, there are also smaller airports in places like Vail, Telluride, and Durango. They are perfect for getting you closer to your destination and straight into the heart of the mountains.

However driving through Colorado is far from boring. Everywhere is so scenic and beautiful.

When to elope in Colorado

Colorado is beautiful year round. However during the winter and early spring you won’t be able to access places higher in the mountains. Mountain passes are typically closed this time of the year too. Each season will have some pros and cons so it’s up to you to decide what you really want your day to look like. My personal favorite time is in the early fall around September or summer from late June through July. The weather is perfect for hiking, plus summer brings beautiful wildflowers throughout the mountains while fall brings golden yellow aspen trees.

Summer (June-August)

Most the roads should be open this time of the year to access the higher elevation locations in the mountains for hiking. The weather is beautiful to explore and everything is lush and green. The earlier is better as smoke from wildfires can sometimes fill the air in the later parts of summer. Wildflowers cover the mountain landscapes all over Colorado. You can see them even throughout August but late June through July is usually their peak season.

Fall (September-November)

The roads should all still be open through most of October. The weather is very comfortable and the fall colors are starting to appear in the aspens. It’s such a beautiful time of the year to explore Colorado. The earlier in the fall the better to have access to mountain hikes and mountain pass roads.

Winter (November-February)

The weather is colder at this time and snow typically fills the landscape. Hiking trails are typically closed especially in higher elevations. It’s a beautiful time to see Colorado if you like the winter scenes. Colorado is the perfect place if you love winter scenes with milder winter temperatures. Plus if you love winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing, it’s the perfect place for your winter elopement.

Spring (March-May)

The spring weather can be a little unpredictable. It could still be snowing, raining, or sunny. You might experience all four seasons in one day. However in late spring around May, Colorado is starting to turn lush green, the waterfalls are flowing heavy from all the snow melt, and wildlife is becoming more active. It’s a great time to explore with cooler temperatures and less crowds.

Best places to elope in Colorado

Colorado has an endless amount of options to choose from for breathtaking elopement locations. Whether you want to explore a national park, national forest, or discover epic hikes to alpine lakes in the wilderness. Colorado won’t disappoint. Below I’ve compiled a list of general locations for you to start getting ideas on some amazing options for you to elope. I won’t be going into extreme details for specific locations in each area but I will be sure to help you find those dreamy spots for your elopement.

1. Crested Butted

Crested Butte is one of my favorite places for elopements in Colorado. The wildflowers and mountain views are breathtaking. They have incredible off roading, mountain biking, and hiking trails to access many locations. The mountains will remind you of the Swiss Alps here and there’s so many hiking locations to explore for epic experiences.

Crested Butte also is a smaller town compared to some of the more popular places. This allows you to have a quieter feel to your elopement and enjoy the small town vibes more. If you’re looking for a fun adventurous elopement exploring the mountains with some of the best wildflower blooms in the state, then Crested Butte is for you.

2. Ouray + Silverton

Are you looking for a place that is full of epic adventures? Well you need to consider Ouray and Silverton for your elopement. These towns are located right next to one another. They are also far away from the popular destinations so they will be less busy. But don’t let that fool you. They are home to some of the most epic hiking locations in Colorado.

The San Juan Mountains offer some of the most epic and off the beaten path adventures in this area. If you’re a couple that wants a full on adventure with some epic hikes then I can’t recommend Ouray and Silverton enough. As a bonus they also get some amazing wildflower blooms at the right time of the year.

3. Rocky Mountain National Park

No list would be complete without Rocky Mountain National Park. This is one of the country’s most popular national parks for good reason. There’s so many breathtaking hikes, alpine lakes, and more. If you’re a national park lover this could be the perfect option for you.

The proximity to Denver also makes it great. It’s roughly an hour and a half away from the airport which makes it convenient for people traveling. However this national park draws in a ton of visitors during the summer and fall. So be prepared for the potential of having crowds around.

However if you are dreaming of eloping in RMNP don’t let that stop you. There’s ways to help avoid the crowds and still explore the incredible mountain locations it has to offer.

4. Buena Vista + Leadville

Buena Vista and Leadville are located close to one another and offer some incredible off roading and hiking trails to explore. They both have a small mountain town charm to them. If you’re looking to stay away from busy tourists areas and keep the small town charm this is it. With it being located further away from Denver it sees less traffic.

But there still are so many stunning locations to explore for your elopement. So don’t let the fact that it’s not as busy fool you.

5. Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a popular area roughly two hours from Denver. The area is full of beautiful mountain views and a popular ski town in the winter. This area is more known for it’s larger weddings but we can find beautiful locations if we decide to hike into locations.

Breckenridge also offers a handful of intimate wedding venue options for those looking to include some guests into their wedding day. If you want an area that has more options for restaurants, hotels, and other amenities than Breckenridge could be perfect for you.

6. Vail

Vail is a beautiful mountain town and ski area located roughly two hours from Denver. It’s a very popular destination for travelers with tons of restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more. Vail offers many venue options if you want a more intimate wedding location. However Vail also has hiking trails to explore for your elopement.

During the winter you can use the gondolas to explore into the mountains as well. Vail would be the perfect option for couples looking for a variety of options of amenities as well as nature for their elopement day.

7. Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is conveniently only an hour south of Denver. Well known for it’s iconic location Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is the perfect spot for your elopement with gorgeous red rock formations surrounding the park and mountain peaks off in the distance. It’s completely free to get married here and the park has multiple designated ceremony locations to accommodate up to 40 guests.

There’s a handful of other locations to explore in the area as well like Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and more. It’s a great spot if you’re looking to stay close to town and include guests into your elopement day.

8. Aspen

Aspen is easily one of the most well known towns in all of Colorado. It’s a gorgeous mountain town with some of the most stunning views. Aspen offers some of the best restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more. It’s well known for being an expensive area. So if you want a higher end elopement this could be the perfect location.

Aspen also offers some of the best hiking and off roading in the state. With perhaps one of the most iconic locations in all of Colorado, The Maroon Bells, you won’t be disappointed with your elopement experience in Aspen.

How to legally get married in Colorado

Colorado is one of the easiest states for elopers—no officiant or witnesses required! You simply:

1. Visit any County Clerk’s office (e.g., Denver, El Paso, Boulder) with your partner during business hours, bring photo IDs, Social Security numbers, and pay the $30 license fee.
2. Fill out the paperwork together and receive your marriage license on the spot—it’s valid immediately, with no waiting period.
3. After your ceremony, sign the license yourselves (you can self‑solemnize), then return it in person or by mail within the required timeframe. You can also have your dogs sign your marriage license if you wish.

That’s it! You’re officially married. Colorado’s elopement-friendly laws make it easy to focus on what truly matters—your adventure and each other.

Where to stay in Colorado

When eloping in Colorado, you’ll find plenty of amazing places to stay, whether you want a cozy Airbnb cabin tucked into the forest or a luxury hotel with mountain views. Many couples love booking a unique Airbnb — think A-frames, rustic log cabins, or modern tiny homes — for a more private, personal experience close to trailheads and secluded spots. Hotels and lodges in towns like Estes Park, Aspen, or Telluride offer a little more luxury and convenience, with spas, fine dining, and easy access to adventure. Whether you want a romantic retreat or a stylish suite, Colorado has accommodations to suit every couple’s style and vibe.

Activities to include in your elopement

Here’s a full list of options Colorado has to offer to include on your elopement day or the days surrounding it:

• Backpacking deep into the mountains
• Rock climbing
• Hiking the many trails
• Photography
• Chase waterfalls
• Search for wildlife
• Mountain biking
• Geocaching
• Fishing
• Horseback riding
• Swimming
• Boating/rafting
• Golfing
• Picnic in the valley
• Skydiving
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Helicopter ride
• Spa day
• Anything unique to your relationship

A full packing list for your Colorado elopement

You’re going to need to be prepared for your adventurous Colorado elopement. Even during the summer months it can be cool exploring the mountains and weather conditions can vary. Here’s a list of items you should pack.

• Passport, driver’s license, and other ID you need
• Light puffy jacket, rain jacket, and lightweight layered clothing
• Hiking boots and plenty of socks
• Water bottle
• Snacks for flight
• Headlamps
• Sentimental items for your elopement
• Vow books
• Wedding rings
• Light gloves
• Dress pants, suit jacket, belt, pocket square, and anything you want to wear
• Wedding dress, earrings, necklace, leggings for under dress
• Marriage license (if applicable)
• Bathing suits
• Light gloves/hand warmers

Meet your Colorado elopement photographer

Hey I’m Marcus, your Colorado elopement photographer! I’ll be your go to resource for when you elope in Colorado. The first time I explored Colorado I was in awe. Every location we went to took my breath away with its beauty.

I learned so many tips and tricks on how to make an unforgettable experience here. There’s so many incredible locations including ones that are hidden from all the crowds. I’ll help you plan an adventure of a lifetime and come prepared with back up plans as well just in case that crazy weather happens. If you’re ready to plan your dream elopement contact me here or fill out the inquiry form below.

If you’re looking for more information about eloping, checkout these blogs below.

How To Elope in Hawaii, How To Elope in Scotland, How To Elope in Glacier National Park, and How To Elope in Iceland