Top 3 Motorcycle Rides in Colorado

Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Credit Union understands the lure of the open road. We offer motorcycle loans starting at 1.99% APR* to keep your payments as low as possible. That way your attention can be on riding and not how you’re going to be able to afford your bike.

Riding a new (or new to you) motorcycle while surrounded by Colorado’s beauty is something Midwesterners can only dream about. If you have an appreciation for history, beautiful mountain views, and great food, these three trips should fit the bill.

Begin the loop in Golden at 19th Avenue and 6th Avenue by heading left on the 19th. This will turn into Lariat Loop Road and Lookout Mountain Road. Your first stop is the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum and Grave. Admission is only $5.00 and you’ll see artifacts associated with “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s life and times between 1846 and 1917. There is also a gift shop with fudge, ice cream, and of course, buffalo burgers.

The Lookout Mountain Nature Center is a mere 3 minutes away. Here you may catch a glimpse of wildlife among the 134 acres dotted with ponderosa pines and meadows. Look out for an Abert’s squirrel, aka a “squabbit,” scrambling across the trail in front of you. Other highlights include panoramic views of the Denver metro area.

Head back down Lookout Mountain and take Highway 40 west until you hit I-70 West and then take Highway 74 into Evergreen. Here you’ll find a bar called the Little Bear that brings national acts, primarily rock n’ roll and Blues to this mountain community.

The next town you’ll hit is Morrison, home to Red Rocks and the Morrison Inn. If you haven’t sat on the deck of the Morrison Inn with a basket of chips, salsa, and a margarita, do yourself a favor and stop there. From Morrison, you can take C-470 back into Denver.

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When you leave Walsenburg, take CO 12, aka Highway of Legends.
You’ll see the Devil’s Stairway, a staggered rock wall where legend has it that the Devil came out from hell to survey the world, choosing the Cuchara Valley as his entrance. He would climb the steps and sit on the twin mountains, plotting how to make it his. God learned of this, and noticing the beauty of the mountains and valley, took it as his own. He forbade the Devil to ever enter the area again, but the Devil’s steps still stand.

Continue on to Cuchara, near the Spanish Peaks Wilderness area. Cuchara was home to a ski resort from 1981-2000 and many owners have tried to revive it through the years. Most of the infrastructure remains giving it a modern-day ghost town appeal. The gear shop is still packed with skis, helmets, and poles.

Be sure and stop at the Dog Bar in Cuchara and enjoy live music, pizza, and great people watching on the large outdoor patio.

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Take Highway 285 south and an hour outside of town you’ll pass by Staunton State Park, Colorado’s newest state park, established in 2013. You can rock climb, hike, fish, or just stare at the Elk Creek waterfall.

Ride another 40 minutes and you can check out South Park City, a restored 1880’s mining town.

Another hour down the road is Salida, Colorado. You need to refuel and Amica has great wood-fired pizza. We recommend the Michaelangelo with pesto, Italian sausage, caramelized onions, green chilies, goat cheese, and mozzarella.

If you’re in the mood for live music, stop at the Victoria Bar at 143 N F Street.

You’ll see 14ers Mt. Harvard and Mt. Antero from the road as you head to your final stop two and a half hours away in Ouray Colorado.

We recommend staying at Hot Springs Inn or River’s Edge Motel in Ouray, CO.

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Now that we’ve told you about the top 3 motorcycle rides in Colorado, rev your engine and take this state by storm. If you’re in the market for a motorcycle, stop in or call RMLEFCU at (303) 458-6660 and ask about our low-interest rates starting at 1.99% APR*.

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. With approved credit. Some restrictions may apply.