Colorado’s college life is bustling. With several universities boasting an enrollment over 30,000, there are plenty of students looking to entertain themselves in the Centennial State. It’s no surprise that college students in Colorado are interested in outdoor activities, so there is plenty of recreation among nature to be had here. Aside from that, there are local music venues, excellent restaurants, and breweries to check out. Here are the 14 best activities for college students in Colorado.
Hiking is a fun (and cheap!) activity that many Colorado students do, since many of the universities and colleges in the state are located near hiking trails. No matter what school you choose to go to in the colorful state, trails for all skill levels are likely accessible. When it comes to popular hiking spots, hit up the Flatirons in Boulder, near University of Colorado Boulder, or take on Horsetooth Mountain near Colorado State University.
Since parking on campus can be either expensive or crowded, many students in Colorado bike to and around campus. The three largest universities just so happen to be located in the three most bike-friendly cities in the state, which are Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins. Biking is easy in these cities with bike lanes on many streets and bike accessibility and public tools located on campus.
Just like many universities in America, college students in Colorado have pride for their sports teams, especially football. During football season, students deck out in school colors to cheer on their football team every home game. The biggest university stadiums in Colorado are the University of Colorado Boulder’s Folsom Field with a capacity of 53,613 and the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium with a capacity of 46,692.
The gym, or recreational center, is a hot spot on Colorado campuses. Colorado State University in Fort Collins has actually one of the most impressive recreational facilities out of all Colorado college campuses. Complete with a rock wall, aquatic sports center, 24,000-square-feet of cardio and weightlifting space, and even cameras for students to access how busy the gym is, this recreational center is more than your average gym.
No matter if you want to relax in the grass, study outdoors or play some ultimate Frisbee with friends, there are plenty of grassy spots on Colorado campuses that are sure to make for a relaxing and pleasurable outdoor experience. Students love lounging on outdoor campus areas. The Norlin quad on the campus of University of Colorado Boulder or the Oval at Colorado State are a couple student favorites for on-campus grassy lounging.
After a long study session or a practice for intramural sports, students build an appetite. Local restaurants on and near Colorado campuses are always frequented with students looking for a bite with friends. Head to the Hill if you are near the University of Colorado Boulder or check out the sweet restaurants off College Avenue across from Colorado State University to find some great local eateries.
Colorado is home to one of the most noteworthy music venues in the nation, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and many of the college towns in the state also host a variety of musical acts. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Colorado college kids love attending concerts. No matter if you attend a university choir performance, a free concert on campus or discover a local band at a small venue or dive bar, there is always some sort of musical performance to attend in Colorado college towns. Check out the Aggie Theatre near Colorado State University, or the numerous venues in Denver by the University of Colorado Denver.
The state of Colorado is full of outdoor places to go rock climbing. Many students find this activity a must during the warmer months. There are plenty of opportunities for students to learn how to rock climb on university campuses. Many of the recreational centers on campus have a rock climbing wall with instructors on site. At the University of Colorado Boulder, the Outdoor Program helps beginners get climbing, while the Alpine Club is a group of student climbers that regularly meet up to climb.
Colorado’s pristine winter full of immaculate snow is a perfect time for skiers and snowboarders. Before hitting the numerous ski resorts in Colorado, check out the student discounts offered at some resorts. There is even a ski pass offering access to numerous resorts just for college students called the Epic Local College Pass.
For students of drinking age, there are many bars near Colorado campuses, and even on campus, that are great for students to grab a local brew. Colorado is already known for incredible microbreweries, especially the college town of Fort Collins where Colorado State University is located. CSU even offers a major in craft beer brewing and has a campus bar called the Ramskeller.
Many of the universities in Colorado actually have museums on campus, and many offer free or discounted admission for college students. Check out the nearly four million artifacts found at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Museum of Natural History.
Caffeine ends up fueling students during midterms and finals week. All the coffee shops near Colorado campuses are usually buzzing with students cramming for exams or writing a 10-page paper. CSU students always seem to frequent the Alley Cat looking for a cozy study spot and a caffeine fix.
Every college town in Colorado seems to have some great shopping near campus. Head to Pearl Street in Boulder to find lots of students bustling around the popular shopping strip. Or take a short walk from campus at Colorado State University to find unique shops in Old Town Fort Collins.
For the sports lover and the college student, intramural sports is the activity of choice. All university campuses in Colorado seem to have an active intramural sport program. Organized sports vary from basketball to flag football to even water polo. Teams can either be for women or men or can be co-ed.
