What to know about Colorado
It’s my first time in Colorado. When my plane lands. I wait patiently at arrivals for my cousin to pick me up. I am visiting my cousin Anna for a few days, but right away, I notice a few surprising things about Colorado you should know before you go.
1.) Higher elevation makes it hard to breathe
On my very first hike in Colorado I was having trouble talking and walking because I was so out of breath. At first, I was concerned that I might be sick, until my cousin told me that we are at a much higher elevation than I am used to. For this reason, staying extra hydrated is important so drinks lots of water.
2.) Legal weed shops
Colorado was the first state to legalize weed, so it’s not surprising that I find entire shops dedicated to it. Coming from North Carolina, I was surprised, however, to see entire weed shops for the first time. In some other states, Marijuana is a serious drug, but not in Colorado. Just be sure you don’t accidentally take some with you on the plane. TSA will confiscate it right away.
3.) You are more likely to get sunburned
My skin is sensitive. I bring sunscreen everywhere I go,, and thank goodness I did. Although Colorado is known for snowy weather, you are more likely to get sunburned here than in Florida. This is because of the higher elevation Colorado sits at. Since you are higher up, the sun’s rays are more potent.
4.) It’s a driving distance
When I reached where my cousin lived, I realized something about Colorado. Everything is far from each other. Living in a big city like Chicago, it’s easy to forget that not every city can is accessible through public transportation. Even though Denver is a large city you can access everything through public transit. If you are visiting you will need to rent a car, or in my case find a family member willing to drive you.
5.) Outdoor recreation culture
While talking with locals in Colorado, it’s strange if someone doesn’t at least like one of the three: skiing, camping, or hiking. Outdoor recreation is a big part of Colorado culture; once you see the mountains, you will know why. You might change your mind if you aren’t into outdoorsy things after staying in Colorado for a while. Don’t believe me just look at the clothes in Colorado. People dress like they are ready for an adventure at any point.
6.) There is a ton of traffic around Denver
While Colorado might be laid back, the traffic is not. More and more people are moving to Denver each year, and the infrastructure cannot keep up. A drive that should only take two hours can take five just from sitting in traffic. Be sure to check the drive time before you head out somewhere. Rule of thumb is typically the earlier you leave the less traffic.
7.) The air is extremely dry
Much of Colorado’s terrain is desert-like. This surprised me because all I have seen of Colorado are snow-capped mountains and lush forests. The weather, especially in the summer, is dry. I drank much more water than expected and was constantly thirsty throughout my trip.
8.) The wildfires make the sun red
I screamed out, “There is a blood moon”, and quickly grabbed my camera. After a few minutes of shooting my uncle came out and corrected me that the sun looked red because of the wildfires. Due to Colorado’s dry climate, wildfires are a problem.
9.) No air-conditioning no problem
In North Carolina, where I grew up, no one would could imagine a life without central air-conditioning. The 80% humidity and temperatures over 100 degress make summers unbearable outside unless you are at the beach. While staying at my cousin’s home in Colorado my aunt left the screen door and window partially open. They don’t run the air-conditioning at all in the summer. The breeze from the open window cooled the entire house. It felt perfect.
10.) The grass looks like a sea of brown
When you first arrive in Colorado, the welcome sign says “Welcome to Colorful Colorado”. Well, brown is a color. While driving from the airport DEN to Colorado Springs I saw the fields of brown grasses, ranches, and cattle ranges.
Well, that skims the surface of what to know about Colorado before visiting. My visit to Colorado was incredible, I hope you enjoy yours too.
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