Scouting Locations in Colorado
Colorado is a state where breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences come together. From towering mountain peaks and historic Western towns to high desert, open prairie, and modern cityscapes, Colorado offers an extraordinary range of locations and visual environments — all within one state.
Welcome to Colorful Colorado
Colorado offers filmmakers a remarkable range of locations within one unforgettable state. From the rugged mining towns and wide open plains of the eastern front range to the dramatic alpine peaks of the Rocky Mountains, its landscapes can support everything from period dramas and Westerns to adventure films, television series, music videos, and national commercials.
Productions can move from the vibrant streets and modern architecture of Denver to the red sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods, the sweeping dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park, or the high country surrounding Aspen, Telluride, and Vail. Historic rail lines, mountain communities, dense evergreen forests, clear lakes, and expansive ranchland add even more visual variety.
Colorado also offers strong production value through its accessible locations, distinctive natural light, established creative community, and diverse terrain. A single project can capture intimate small town character, vast Western scale, and spectacular mountain scenery without leaving the state.
For filmmakers, Colorado is more than a scenic backdrop. It is a flexible and cinematic production landscape capable of portraying the American West, the great outdoors, and countless stories in between.
Here are some of the extraordinary locations found in Colorado:
Rocky Mountain High — Snow-Capped Peaks and Glaciers
Colorado has 58 named peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, along with 27 world-renowned ski areas and four-star resorts.
Colorado’s legendary mountain country provides some of the most recognizable scenery in the American West. From world-class ski resorts to rugged mountain communities, locations include Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Copper Mountain, Monarch Mountain, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, Purgatory, Durango, and Wolf Creek.
Historic, Authentic Western Towns
Historic downtowns, Victorian architecture, old mining buildings, railroad towns, weathered barns, working ranches, and winding mountain roads provide an authentic Western character.
Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Crested Butte, Leadville, and dozens of smaller communities offer distinctive looks and personalities — from rugged mining towns to sophisticated mountain resorts.
Southwestern Colorado
In southwestern Colorado, the landscape takes on an entirely different character.
The dramatic San Juan Mountains rise above deep valleys, historic mining communities, and remote backcountry roads. Traveling farther south and west, the mountains gradually give way to high desert, red rock, sandstone cliffs, mesas, and expansive Western horizons.
Mesa Verde and Cortez are home to Mesa Verde National Park, featuring some of the most remarkable and well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the world. These ancient dwellings are tucked securely into the sandstone cliff walls, creating a truly unique visual setting.
Durango is also home to the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a steam-powered railroad that travels through spectacular mountain scenery.
The Eastern Plains
Beyond the mountains lies another Colorado.
Wide-open prairie, agricultural land, working ranches, grain elevators, small towns, dirt roads, and endless skies create a completely different visual world.
For filmmakers looking for classic Americana, rural landscapes, working agricultural communities, or expansive horizons, Colorado’s Eastern Plains provide an authentic setting far removed from the mountain country.
Colorado’s Cities
Colorado also offers a broad selection of urban, suburban, and metropolitan environments.
Denver provides skyscrapers and modern architecture, historic neighborhoods, industrial areas, contemporary interiors, and a metropolitan skyline framed by the Rocky Mountains.
Denver’s tallest building rises approximately 714 feet and stands 56 stories high. The city also offers a variety of contemporary hotels, office buildings, residential developments, and distinctive architectural locations.
Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, and other communities offer additional urban, suburban, college-town, industrial, and small-town looks.