Colorado Elopement Locations

Colorado Elopement Locations

Table of Contents:
– Colorado overview & map
– How to elope in Colorado
– Elopement Permits in Colorado
– Southwestern Colorado Elopement Locations – The San Juans, Telluride and Ouray
– Central Colorado Elopement Locations: Aspen and Crested Butte
– Colorado National Park elopement locations: Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde & Colorado National Monument
– Summit County Elopement locations like Breckenridge and Loveland Pass
– Elopement Locations close to Denver: Boulder, Garden of the Gods, and Mt. Evans
– Rentable Elopement Locations in Colorado
– Microwedding Locations near Denver
– High Mountain Passes
– Lakes, Rivers and Waterfall elopement locations
– How I can help you with your Colorado Elopement

Colorado Elopement Location Information

Colorado has four iconic national parks, but hundreds of other trails, mountains, valleys and lakes. There is no shortage of amazing spots to elope in Colorado in every season. Summer days bring bright wildflowers to the highest mountain passes while fall aspens turn the hills gold. Winter brings some accessibility challenges, but there are still great places that don’t (or do!) require snowshoes. Spring is very unpredictable. For those who like rolling the dice between a sunny 70 degrees and a white out blizzard, April & May are great months for you!

Here is my Map of Colorado Elopement Locations:

Here is my custom map of Colorado elopement locations. Over 100 spots and growing! 90% of these have less than a five mile hike with most having no hike at all. This map is like a virtual tour of all of Colorado with color photos I’ve taken of each place. So you can see all the great spots without leaving your living room. If you’re planning from afar, this is a visual key to picking out the elopement spot that works for you. Details like what seasons and time of day are best for each location are included. It will help you plan your activities, accommodations, and your day’s itinerary. Lastly, it’s easy to have a great backup location picked out with this map in front of you. Having that Plan B in your back pocket will keep your planning stress-free!

Get the map & start planning your Colorado Elopement Photography with me!

Colorado Adventurers Welcome

Colorado is a popular state for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and many areas can become busy during peak season, afternoons and weekends. If privacy and exclusivity is important to you, let me help! I can advise you about which spots will work for you at certain times. It is ALWAYS best to plan your elopement on a weekday to maintain the most privacy and wilderness vibes. If you want to bring your family for part or all of your elopement or microwedding, read my guide on including your family in your elopement here.  

How to Get Married in Colorado

Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, which means you can marry your partner without an officiant. Aka.. your elopement ceremony can be as intimate as you like because you can sign your own marriage license and be legally married! You can have a friend officiate without that person being ordained by any service, since you’ll be signing your own marriage license anyway. My husband and I did this when we got married, and we loved it! Also, we signed literally on our friend’s backs since we didn’t have a table. Thanks, guys! 

Colorado Elopement permits

While some areas of Colorado require permits for elopements and other small gatherings & events, others are more flexible. However, ALL areas of Colorado should be treated with Leave No Trace principles. That means no confetti or rice. A leaf toss is a great alternative! Basically, leave the land as you found it. Many areas need advance notice, so it’s best to plan your elopement 30 days to 6 months in advance. These permits vary in cost from free to $400, which is still a whole lot cheaper than an entire wedding venue! I will help you find and apply for the right permit based on your location needs 🙂 The following locations currently require a permit or reservation to have any sort of ceremony:

• Sapphire point
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Maroon Bells Amphitheater
• Great Sand Dunes National Park – Your photographer must be permitted
• Dillon Marina
• Campgrounds, most County Parks and some City Parks
• State Parks
• Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks – Your photographer must hold a permit
• Horsetooth Reservoir and other Larimer County Parks
• Denver Mountain Parks including Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain and Echo Lake (if you have more than 5 people)
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison (sometimes.)
  

Colorado San Juans Elopement Locations

Two towns are the crown jewels of the San Juan Mountains in the southwest corner of Colorado. I’m talking about Telluride and Ouray, of course! These mountains are remote, large and in charge. It takes a good 6 to 7 hours to drive here from Denver, or more if you’re stopping along the way. Plan to stay for a few days at least. Epic lakes and off road trails are what a San Juans Elopement has in store for you. Ouray has no ski resorts, but makes up for it with its steamy hot springs. Telluride is the nicest town in a towering valley with waterfalls like Yosemite. Check out the two guides here to learn more about each location! June to September are the best months here.

Central Mountains Colorado Elopement Locations

This is where the state really gets good! Aspen, Colorado sits smack dab in the middle of the state’s mountain range. It’s well known for the Maroon Bells and the Maroon Bells Amphitheater, which you can use for your elopement. Read about eloping at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater here. But there is so much more to this central region! About 4 hours from Denver, Aspen is as high-end as it gets. You should choose an Aspen elopement location if you like forests, hiking or riding the gondola AND being pampered, wined & dined. Aspen’s neighbor, Crested Butte, is a more low key town on the other side of the mountain range. Gothic Road, Snodgrass mountain, and the waterfalls and lakes here are ideal. Some hikes above 10,000 feet are just to die for! And don’t forget Buena Vista – which literally means “good view”. These locations are best from July to September.

National Parks in Colorado Elopement Locations

Only 1 of Colorado’s 4 national parks is known for its mountain peaks: Rocky Mountain National Park, of course! Spread over alpine tundra between the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, this is a hiker’s paradise. However, strict regulations limit you to just 12 ceremony locations within the park. YES, you can use the park for elopement photos. Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP features the steepest canyon walls. This remote area has both unique views and clear skies for stargazing. Either the North or South rims are great for camping and adventurous couples! Great Sand Dunes National Park is a playground for the child-at-heart. The massive dunes are as fun to play in as they are easy on the eyes. Mesa Verde in southwest Colorado is a sacred place for ancestral peoples. But the National Monument in western Colorado is more beautiful and easier to elope in!

Summit County & Breckenridge Elopement Locations

Summit County, Colorado is home to one of the biggest elopement destinations in all of Colorado: Breckenridge. But there’s so much more to this amazing County! Most locations are in that sweet spot between just 1.5 to 3 hours drive from Denver. It’s relative closeness to the airport and epic high mountain passes make it a great place to plan a Colorado elopement. Check out the full guide below for information on popular spots like Loveland Pass, Blue Lakes, Sapphire Point, Vail Pass and so much more! June to early October is prime time in this area.

Denver, Colorado Elopement Locations

Believe it or not, there are tons of great spots to elope close to Denver & Boulder while still getting that surrounded-by-nature feeling! The well known spots are Sunrise Amphitheater, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and Roxborough State Park, and these places are amazing! I also know of some spots on Flagstaff, Lookout, and Genesee mountains and three different canyons. The Table Mesas and St Mary’s Glacier are gems if you don’t mind a hike. Guanella Pass is just around 1 hour’s drive from Denver and offers great mountain views.

Elopement Locations Close To Denver

Rentable Elopement Locations near Denver

If you have more than 8 guests, I highly recommend looking into renting one of the following park pavilions:
– Mountain Pavilion at Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood
– Eagle Eye Shelter in Mt. Falcon Park, Jefferson County
– Stromberg Pavilion in Conifer’s James Newton Park
– Stone House in Lakewood, City of Lakewood
– Genesee Mountain Pavilion in Jefferson County
– Lyons Overlook Deck in Roxborough State Park
– Panorama Point in Golden Gate Canyon State Park
– Windy point campground pavilion
– Dillon Marina Pavilion, town of Dillon

Microwedding Locations in Colorado

If you need an indoor option for your elopement, intimate wedding or microwedding, I’ve got you! While I don’t take bookings with over 15 guests, I hope this resource is helpful for you. These locations are spread out in Colorado up to 3 hours drive from Denver.

• Chief Hosa Lodge
• Juniper Mountain House
• Treehaus Colorado
• Oxford Road Farm
• The Fresh Herb Company
• Tigiwon Community House
• AA Barn
• O’Connor Pavilion
• St Albans Chapel
• The Rock Room at Red Rocks
• Lory State Park & Horsetooth Reservoir
• Julia’s Deck
• The Lodge at Breckenridge

High Mountain Pass Elopements

If you want big panoramic views above the tree line, consider eloping on a Colorado mountain pass. Some of these passes have paved road access year round, but others are seasonal and are only open June-September. I’ve got a big list and can help you find the pass and the access that’s right for you. The payoff for these high elevation elopement spots is huge, as you can often be completely alone with miles and miles of epic vistas and views of the rockies and the continental divide. If you want a truly iconic Colorado Elopement – this is the way to go!! Look into Loveland Pass, Independence Pass, Kenosha Pass, Hoosier, Cottonwood Pass, Vail Pass, Shrine Pass, Berthoud Pass and more.

Lakes, Rivers & Waterfall Elopement Locations

Spread across the entire state, there are pockets of lakes, raging rivers and epic waterfalls everywhere. Many lake locations require a hike, but these vary in length and adventurousness, so there is always something that suits you! It’s easy to see why these sparkling lakes and glacial cols have a lot of draw. Can you imagine exchanging vows with your person in front of a huge waterfall, or on the edge of  a lake at dawn, or rowing a canoe out to an island? 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide of where to elope in Colorado, whether you live here already or are dreaming about starting your marriage adventure here. If you have questions about any of these locations or are ready to start the conversation about making me your Colorado Elopement Photographer and guide, don’t hesitate to get in touch! I’d love to help dream up, plan, and put the logistics in place so you get to just show up and have the time of your life! 

I offer half day, full day, 1.5 day and 2 day elopement photography in Colorado, the National Parks and the wild lands outside of them. See my pricing and package details here. I would love to chat with you and help see if an elopement with me is what you’ve been dreaming of. No matter which of the horseshoe bend elopement locations speak to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch below!