Colorado: The Trip That Checked Off So Much of The List #8 #9 #11 #12 #13 #14 #19 #37

(40 Under 40 Highlights: Denver, the Rockies, Red Rocks, and everything in between)

Some trips are fun.

Some trips are memorable.

And then there are the rare ones that feel like they belong in your life story forever.

Colorado has always been that place for us.

It’s breathtakingly beautiful, full of energy and charm, and somehow manages to feel wild and welcoming at the same time. We love Denver, we love the mountains, and my husband is a die hard Broncos fan, so its always on our list to go back usually tied to a milestone birthday.

This year was the milestone.

Derek was turning 40, and we decided: let’s do it properly. Not just a football weekend, but a full Colorado adventure, exploring everything this incredible state has to offer.

And along the way, I checked off so many items from my 40 Under 40 list.

#19: Incredible Seats at a Broncos Game

Our trip started in Denver with the main event: a Broncos game at Empower Field.

And because it was Derek’s 40th, we went big.

We splurged on seats just five rows up from the field, the kind of view where you feel like you’re almost part of the game. We were close enough to wave at the players… and they waved back. We made it onto the jumbo screen, and the entire experience felt completely surreal in the best way.

We also scored VIP tailgating tickets, which was another unforgettable highlight. We met legacy players, cheerleaders, and even Miles the mascot himself.

The energy, the crowd, the once in a lifetime excitement… it was everything. We've had an incredible season and winning this home game was everything.

#13 Denver Magic: A Custom Cowboy Hat

Denver isn’t just sports, it’s such a vibrant city for exploring, shopping, and soaking up that western cool charm.

One of the coolest experiences I’ve always wanted to do was get a custom cowboy hat made. So I finally did it.

At Gem Hats, I designed my dream hat from scratch: a light coloured, flat brimmed style that actually fit my head properly (who knew that was possible?).

I added a braided horsehair band, silk, feathers, and all the beautiful finishes. I could have easily walked out with a thousand dollar hat if I let myself, but I managed to show some restraint (even though the pearl band was very tempting).

For the final touch, I had it custom burned with the Colorado mountains and the word Denver underneath.

I love it so much. It hangs proudly in our home until the next adventure, and I get compliments every single time I wear it.

#12: Hiking Garden of the Gods

Next came one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited: Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

This park is famous for its towering red sandstone formations, dramatically rising out of the earth against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. It’s so extraordinary that part of the park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

Photos truly don’t do it justice.

Walking through it felt unreal, like being inside a painting. The scale, the colours, the way the light hits the rocks… it honestly felt magical.

We even stayed at the Garden of the Gods Resort, which was such a treat, giving major Yellowstone vibes with constant mountain views right outside our window.

I could have hiked there every day and never gotten bored.

#8 and #9: Rocky Mountain National Park Adventures

If Garden of the Gods felt magical, Rocky Mountain National Park felt legendary.

We tackled two major list items here through hiking, exploring, and pushing ourselves at altitude.

We hiked from Bear Lake to Dream Lake and up to Emerald Lake, about 6 km round trip, surrounded by alpine peaks and frozen blue water.

It wasn’t the hardest hike we’ve ever done in terms of terrain, but the elevation made it an entirely different experience.

At the top, we reached over 10,200 feet, nearly two miles above sea level.

The air is thinner, your energy disappears faster, and even talking while walking feels like work. We had to move slowly and intentionally, and we even carried extra oxygen just in case.

It was challenging, breathtaking, and one of the most rewarding hikes I’ve ever done.

#14: A Scenic Train Ride Through the Rockies

Next, we headed toward one of Colorado’s most iconic experiences: the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

This historic narrow gauge railway takes you through the mountains on trestle bridges, winding through views that feel straight out of a movie. It’s a step back into Colorado’s mining era and one of the most scenic, memorable ways to see the Rockies.

We enjoyed lunch and drinks onboard while watching the landscape roll past, keeping our eyes peeled for mountain goats along the cliffs.

It was pure joy.

#11: Exploring Red Rocks Amphitheatre

No Colorado trip is complete without a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

This place is world famous for a reason: a natural open air amphitheatre framed by massive sandstone monoliths, sitting at over 6,450 feet above sea level.

Even walking to the top had me winded, and we’d already spent a week acclimatizing!

We wandered the trails, explored the venue, and watched a plein air artist painting the red rocks in real time.

It’s absolutely on our bucket list to return someday for a concert.

#37: Watching a Sunrise Somewhere Special

One of the quietest moments of this busy on-the-go trip came early one morning.

I woke up at 4am, bundled up with a coffee in hand, to watch the sun rise over the Rocky Mountains.

It was freezing, incredibly windy, and my coffee went cold almost immediately… but it was worth every second.

Watching the first light spill over the peaks was one of those moments that makes you feel small in the best way.

Just you, the mountains, and a brand new day. Something about watching a sunrise is so special and yet something I pretty much never do, prioritize or make time for, so I was glad I checked this one off on this trip.

A Colorado Trip I’ll Never Forget

This trip wasn’t just a vacation.

It was celebration, adventure, and a reminder of how much life is meant to be explored.

From football dreams and cowboy hats to alpine lakes, red rock trails, mountain trains, and sunrise skies… Colorado gave us everything.

And I left feeling so grateful to be living out these big, bold moments on The List.

One trip. So many checkmarks. So many memories.

Colorado, we’ll be back. 🤍🏔️