Top 10 Best Places to Elope In colorado 2022

LAST UPDATED August 2, 2022

Couple with their marriage license and dog witness

So ya wanna elope and you’re wondering, where are some of the best places to elope in Colorado? Are you thinking of an epic mountain elopement? Sand dunes? Snow covered peaks? Icy lakes? Purple skies? Well get ready, because I’m about to give you the lowdown on all the best elopement locations in Colorado!

First off, let’s talk about why you want to elope in Colorado. One totally unique big draw – your puppies can be witnesses on your marriage certificate! If you think I’m kidding, I’ve got fantastic news for you, this is all for reals. Your fur babies can be official witnesses to your marriage, so bring them along on your adventure!

You can also self-solemnize in Colorado, meaning that you don’t need anyone except the two of you to make it official. That’s right – you can sign the marriage license yourselves and voila! You’re officially married!

The biggest and best draw of it all though, is Colorado’s natural majesty. It might be a bit cliche, and might sound a bit corny, but Colorado is truly MAGICAL. It’s got everything you could want. Whether it’s a cozy cabin elopement for 2 or a 20 mile hike up and down 14ers, Colorado has your back.

Same sex couple runs through the snow at their Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement

Before we get into the best places to elope, here are some things to consider as you start planning your Colorado elopement:

Pick a location! That’s where this list comes in handy! Let’s pick the perfect Colorado elopement location for you with some great ideas below.
Check for permits! Some places, like Rocky Mountain National Park, require permits for elopements, weddings, and even photography. Make sure you get the paperwork done ahead of time so you don’t have to stress about it later.
Weather: Colorado’s weather is quite the adventure in itself. Sure, we get 300 or so days with at least some sunshine, but we also get hail, blizzards, and all types of randomness throughout the year. If you have a specific destination in mind, it’s imperative you know how it’ll look and whether you can even get to it during certain times of the year. Some locations are best in the wintertime, while some are best in the summer. Let’s say for instance you want to get married amidst wildflowers, you aren’t going to want to get married 14,000 feet up in the middle of January. Want to get married on an ice covered lake? Sure, we got plenty of those but only during the winter, and some are only accessible with some serious snowshoeing or hiking.
Plan to get your marriage certificate within 30 days of the actual wedding! For a small fee, you can get your marriage certificate in a local city hall office. If you are traveling to get married in Colorado, you will need a Colorado certificate. Can’t bring that Wisconsin or New York paperwork. What you can bring with you, are those fur babies we talked about!
Check out my Colorado Elopement Packages & Guide for 2022 to learn even more about everything elopement related.

Ok, now that we’ve gotten through our checklist, let’s hop right on in to the best Colorado elopement locations!

Same sex couple celebrates at their Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement

Best Places to Elope in Colorado

1. Estes Park

Right before you head to Rocky Mountain National Park is a gem of a location called Estes Park. Estes is home to several lakes, hills, fantastic views, sunsets, animals, and a cute town. Whether you want to hang out by a lake, hike some epic trails, or rock climb, this area has it all. If you want to hit a lake, go to Mary’s Lake. It has a wonderful walking path all around it, and is surrounded by rising hills. You can even rock climb for your elopement. I once saw a meteor falling to earth during an elopement. Do you need another sign for the magic that awaits you?

This location is fantastic as a jumping off point for so many other adventures – whether it’s in Rocky Mountain National Park or Indian Peaks Wilderness, it’s just a quick ride away. You can also easily get to Breckenridge and hit a whole lot of ski resorts for some epic powder. Estes Park and the surrounding areas certainly make the list as one of the best places to elope in Colorado!

2. Indian Peaks Wilderness

Nestled among the hills and quieter than a lot of other popular elopement sites is Brainard Lake. To the West, mountains tower over the lake, and to the south you’ll find gentle rolling hills filled with lush green trees. There’s plenty of hiking, and nature all around. You can find sandy beaches, glaciers, hidden lakes, and endless adventure in Indian Peaks Wilderness. It’s one of my all time favorite spots. If you look below you’ll see a couple basking in Alpine glow. That’s when the sun just rises and showers snow covered mountain tops with an orange / red glow. An elopement at Indian Peaks Wilderness is truly magical and one of the best places to elope in Colorado. 10/10 Do recommend!

Couple at their Indian Peaks Wilderness elopement

Couple kisses at their Indian Peaks wilderness elopement

3. Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a stunning little ski town nestled in the mountains and on all the lists as one of the best places to elope in Colorado. It’s super close to a lot of gorgeous mountain ranges, trails, and adventure opportunities. You cannot go wrong here!

Whether it’s Sapphire Point, a famous and easy elopement spot overlooking Frisco and Dillon Lake, or a more secret spot nestled in the hills which only I know about😉 , your options are enormous.

A day here can start off in a cabin, overlooking the sunrise glistening off of snow-capped mountains. Then we could adventure forth on an epic trail, seeing fantastic sites, avoiding the crowds. Creating memories that will last a lifetime. We reach a summit overlooking the world, you say your “I Do’s.” We’ll have a blast and laugh like crazy while you two celebrate. We cap it all off with a perfect evening in Breck, eating and drinking and being super merry. What isn’t to love??

Couple laughs at their Brekenridge Colorado elopement

Couple at their Brekenridge Colorado elopement

4. Boulder

Just next to and outside Boulder are a lot of excellent options with stunning views. I kid you not, you wouldn’t know it looking at the photos below, but Boulder is right next door! That’s what makes Boulder such an awesome place. You have parks, hills, trails, mountains, and it can be a jumping off spot for a lot more elopement locations further into the mountains.

Colorado is a magical place for its flexibility. You can have stunning locations just outside a city, and isolated mountain ranges further in. The options are limitless and that’s why I highly recommend coming out here for your elopement.

Couple kisses at their Boulder Colorado Elopement

Couple says vows at their Boulder Colorado elopement

5. Garden of the Gods

Colorado is known for its red rocks jutting out of the ground to create a stunning backdrop. If you want to elope surrounded by these gorgeous red rocky formations, a Garden of the Gods elopement must be on your list of best places to elope in Colorado. Located between Denver and Colorado Springs, it’s easy to get to. The walks in the park are fairly easy, without much elevation. While it’s teeming with people, planning ahead can make for a romantic and easy location that will amaze everyone who sees your photos.

And if you work with me, I know all the good spots away from the crowds. So we can get you some isolation and privacy while you celebrate your happiest moment. Check out this guide for more on eloping at Garden of the Gods!

Couple plays at their Garden of the Gods elopement

Couple celebrates at their Garden of the Gods Elopement

6. Great Sand Dunes National Park

WOOWOWOWOW. So much of Colorado is stunning, but the Sand Dunes are one of the most stunning locations you can imagine. The dunes rise from the ground and fill the skyline with their rolling hills. It’s such a blast hanging out there. You can go hiking, take a 4X4 and explore, you can star-gaze, you can rent sleds and sled down the dunes. There are so many activities and possibilities while enjoying one of America’s coolest spots.

I can’t recommend this location enough. It’s just out of this world. And nearby are some other stunning locations, so you can hop from one spot to the next and just enjoy an epic adventure.

Couple and their dog at their Great Sand Dunes National Park elopement

7. Aspen

Some of the most iconic locations in Colorado are indeed in Aspen. The most photographed mountains in Colorado are right at Maroon Bells. If you go to Maroon Bells, you can reserve the amphitheater just for yourselves so that you can have a beautiful place with the stunning mountains behind you. It’s one of the most scenic locations in all of Colorado, and one of the best elopement venues anywhere. You can find more of how you can get married at Maroon Bells here. But you don’t have to stop there. Aspen is home to stunning mountain ranges that can be explored all year round, including during the winter. Why not grab your skis or snowboard and get married on the slopes?

8. Telluride

Telluride is legendary for so many reasons, and one of the best? It is absolutely stunning!! I’m talking soaring mountains, with blue skies, and perfect snow. Speaking of soaring, did you know you can take a helicopter ride to the mountaintops, far away from everyone else? Or snowmobile out into the iconic mountain range that’s featured on the Coors beer cans? When the summer comes by, you can go for some epic hikes that feature alpine lakes, wildflowers, waterfalls, and some of the best sweeping vistas in all of America!

9. Crested Butte

Crested Butte is home to some of the country’s best wildflowers and mountain-bike trails. People come from all over the country to mountain-bike at Crested Butte. While mountain biking is best in the summer, the area is an adventure paradise all year round. With lots of gorgeous lakes, mountain ranges, trails, waterfalls and hikes – you just can’t go wrong. Crested butte is one of the best places to elope at in Colorado. Check out this stunning elopement where a couple did a sunrise hike with epic mountain views, and then went mountain-biking with their dog for sunset.

10. Steamboat

Steamboat has the best hot springs in all of Colorado. Nestled in the snow-covered mountains you’ll find yourself soaking in the hot water wondering how you got so lucky. When you are done soaking, you can enjoy the snow-capped mountains in the winter, or go for a hike in the warmer months. The options are just as endless in this paradise.

11. My Secret Stunning Locations

There are so many beautiful places to elope in Colorado. I’ve listed some of my favorite areas, but I also have some secret ones for you. Elopement locations others don’t know about because I’ve spent hours and hours searching for the perfect elopement spots in Colorado. If you want a Colorado photographer who knows all the best secret locations, reach out and let me know!

Meet the Best Colorado Elopement Photographer for You

Colorado Elopement Photographer stands next to a Jeep

Hi there! I’m Adam, and my favorite thing in the world is helping couples just like you plan their perfect Colorado elopement. Whatever your ideal day looks like, I’m here to help you make it happen.

If you’re ready to start planning or just have some questions to decide which elopement package is right for you, I’d love to hear from you.

I want that epic photography!