What's on in Colorado: April

Mid-April, four days · Boulder

Conference on World Affairs

Four days of panels across CU Boulder featuring journalists, scientists, and policy people in moderated debates. Free and open to the public since 1948.

Cultural

Mid-April · Boulder

Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival

Costumed kids march down Pearl Street to wake up the tulips. About 15,000 bulbs planted along the mall, all in bloom for the parade.

Seasonal

Mid-April · Breckenridge

Imperial Challenge

Multi-sport event from the rec center up to Imperial Bowl: bike to Peak 8, then skin and ski to the summit. Costume division gets the loudest cheers.

Outdoor · Photo: EcoNaturalist.com on Unsplash

Closing weekend, late April · Breckenridge

Spring Fever Closing Weekend Breckenridge

Breckenridge Resort's spring closing. Pond skim at Peak 8, free concerts in the base area, and Memorial-style lift lines on the last Saturday.

Ski · Photo: EcoNaturalist.com on Unsplash

Early April · Copper Mountain

Copper Cardboard Derby

Build a sled from cardboard, duct tape, and paint, then race it down Center Village at Copper. Costumes mandatory; the wreckage is the entertainment.

Ski · Photo: Glade Optics on Unsplash

Closing weekend, mid-April · Copper Mountain

Sunsation at Copper Mountain

Copper's closing weekend with a pond skim, downhill costume parade, and a free concert at Center Village. Last chair Sunday afternoon.

Ski · Photo: Glade Optics on Unsplash

Last Sunday of April · Denver

Cherry Creek Sneak

Sunday morning road race through the Cherry Creek neighborhood. Five distances from 1.5 to 10 miles; about 6,500 finishers.

Sports

Early April · Denver

Colorado Rockies Opening Day

A 50,000-person LoDo block party, regardless of the team's record. Denver effectively takes the afternoon off.

Sports

Mid-April · Denver

Doors Open Denver

A weekend of free, behind-the-scenes access to architecturally notable buildings around the city — bell towers, courthouses, hidden penthouses. Reservations book up fast.

Cultural

April 20 · Denver

Mile High 420 Festival

Free festival in Civic Center Park with a hip-hop headliner at 4:20pm. About 50,000 attendees.

Cultural

Late April · Fruita

Fruita Fat Tire Festival

The Western Slope's mountain biking tribe descends on Fruita for guided rides through the Kokopelli and 18 Road trail systems, plus a downtown street party. The unofficial start of high-desert riding season.

Outdoor · Photo: brian pelton on Unsplash

Last Saturday of April · Fruita

Fruita Vintage Iron Car Show

About 200 pre-1979 vehicles fill Fruita's Civic Center Park lawn. Awards announced at 3pm.

Cultural · Photo: Jameson Berrios on Unsplash

Easter Sunday · Morrison

Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks

Nondenominational service held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre since 1947. Doors open around 4:30am; the sun comes up behind the choir at roughly 6:15. Bring a blanket and a coat.

Cultural · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Late April · Morrison

Lotus & Friends Red Rocks

One of the earliest shows of the Red Rocks season. Instrumental electronic-jam with a rotating support bill.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Closing weekend, mid-April · Vail

Spring Back to Vail

Vail Mountain's closing weekend. Pond skim at Golden Peak Saturday, free concert on the deck, then last chair Sunday.

Ski

Early April, four days · Vail

Taste of Vail

Wine and food festival staged across the Vail Village. The Mountaintop Picnic at the top of Eagle Bahn is the signature ticket.

Food & drink