Hey gang - I am wondering if you all can give me recommendations for places to stay in Colorado this summer (I like a good value and live on a budget). We plan on staying somewhere in Denver for 3-4 nights to see the Avett Brothers for 3 nights at Red Rocks.

From there, I'd like my wife and I to head west or north from there to head into the Rockies - basically somewhere loosely on the way for us to drive back to Sioux Falls South Dakota, where we live.

So any Denver recommendations? (Also feel free to add restaurants, breweries)

Any Rocky Mountain recommendation (that don't break the bank)?

Thanks!

Also no kids with us - just the wife and I

Denver- try the Mint. And the Coors Brewery in Golden has a fun tour. Beau Jo's Pizza in Idaho Springs is a family favorite of ours.
If you run down to Colorado Springs, we like Garden of the Gods and Focus on the Family.

In the mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park is a winner. Grand Lake on the west side of the park is more budget conscious than Estes Park, but both are worth looking at. There are several trails in the park that can be spectacular. Beaver Creek is a real nice spot, golf course, mountain biking, etc, and you can stay in Avon for more cost effective lodging.

Go to Grand Lake and use that as a launching point for RMNP, Colorado River rafting, etc.

Also tons of national forest land not technically in the NP on that side.

Denver has a HUGE homeless problem. I'd suggest researching it before you decide to stay and where to stay in Denver for 3 nights. Several of the more hip parts of town are now pretty unsafe and filled w lots of people taking dumps on the street and crazies talking to themselves etc. Instead of staying in Denver, I'd suggest something outside of Denver closer to RRA like Evergreen, Conifer, Morrison, Golden, etc. Otherwise youre in prime TX bus drop off land in COD.

If you're headed up there to SD, the only part of the state that isn't completely out of the way will be things north of Denver off 25 or things off 40.

Grand Lake is a great suggestion. It'll be far more reasonably priced than Estes. Vail and Avon will be pricey at that point and are totally out of the way. That's prime summer season for them.

Headed to Denver all of next week!