As summer turns to fall, you may be looking for ways to savor summer’s end and see more of our beautiful state. Thankfully, the best of Colorado is just a hop and a skip away from our Shea Homes® Colorado communities, perfectly poised between urban connection and rustic retreat. Celebrate the changing seasons at these five Colorado festivals and events.
The Denver Food + Wine Festival deliciously kicks off the September festival season, with events beginning Sept. 7 and finishing with the Grand Tasting on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Festival celebrates the Denver region’s culinary innovations through curated tastings from more than 40 local restaurants — with more than 700 types of wine, spirits, and beer to top it off. A bonus: You’re sure to feel good about your ticket purchase as all proceeds from the events benefit the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, a group that supports culinary workers’ mental and physical health while training the next generation of young chefs. All events take place on the downtown Denver Auraria campus and you can buy tickets online to lock in the best price.
If enjoying cold beer and live music surrounded by majestic mountains sounds like paradise, then Steamboat OktoberWest is the festival for you! This one-day festival on Sept. 10 will showcase over 30 Colorado breweries, local food, and live music at the Wildhorse Marketplace at the base of Quarry Mountain. Steamboat Springs is about a three-hour drive from our Colorado communities, with a route passing through stunning canyons and between soaring peaks like Grays Peak and Mt. Evans. VIP ticket-holders will receive a special commemorative beer stein, so gas up your car and get to sipping!
You’ll find pumpkins, hay bales, and fall food galore at Boulder Fall Fest! The weekend of Sept. 16-18, the 1300 block of Pearl Street in downtown Boulder will be dedicated to celebrating autumn’s arrival. Check out seasonal food, drinks like beer, wine, and margaritas, kids’ activities aplenty, and dozens of local Front Range artisans at the Firefly Handmade Market.
If you’re itching for a fall road trip, check out the Telluride Blues and Brews Fest the weekend of Sept. 16-18. Set in a box canyon among forested Rocky Mountain peaks, Telluride Blues and Brews is a multi-stage celebration of blues music and craft beer — with a little soul, funk, jazz, and even stand-up comedy thrown in for good measure. From free morning yoga to late-night club shows, Telluride Blues and Brews will keep you engaged and entertained all day. Did we mention the five tasting sessions from 21 breweries for all the hoppy, malty goodness? The fest is kid-friendly, too: You’ll find special kid activities throughout each festival day and free gondola rides from the town of Telluride to Mountain Village.
Heading south from our Colorado communities you’ll find the charming city of Pueblo, where chilis and regional delicacies are the stars at the Pueblo Chili and Frijoles Festival from Sept. 23-25. The festival will host local food vendors and cooking competitions, live music and entertainment, and a farmers’ market — all celebrating the chilis for which Pueblo is deservedly famous. Wander through the stalls to the rich and spicy aroma of fresh peppers roasting over open flames in a metal barrel — fall in Colorado at its finest.
Colorado offers a rich bounty of fall festivals and events for the whole family, from the Pueblo desert to the far west Telluride mountain peaks. No matter whether you’re venturing down the street or driving across our beloved mountains, your Shea home will always be your perfect place to return to. Check out our available homes here — you’ll be glad you did.