Colorado for Under $1,000: How to Plan an Epic Week

Renting a Car and Keeping Colorado for Under $1,000

Once you have reached your desired resort town, renting a car is the easiest way to reach the ski resort(s), national parks, or other remote mountain areas. It usually costs about $40–$70 a day, but on weekends the price might be higher, especially in busy mountain towns.

If you choose to rent a car, you should be aware that extra fees might include insurance, tolls, and return conditions. It helps to review the contract before signing, so nothing surprises you later.

A helpful way to cut expenses is to rent a car only for the days you plan to visit national parks or nearby attractions. Many visitors spend their first 2–3 days exploring Denver or Boulder without a car, and rent only for hiking days. Choosing a compact car also saves fuel, which is essential on long mountain routes. However, if you're planning on driving over mountain passes in the winter, you'll need a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Coatt Effective Public Transport

In most cities in Colorado, you can easily get around by public transportation. If you plan to stay in Denver, it has an extensive RTD network that includes buses and light rail trains, covering most of the city and nearby areas.

RTD works well for museum days, markets, city walks, and even trips to the airport or the central neighborhoods. Many travelers choose it to save money and avoid parking stress.
If you need to travel beyond Denver, you can use the Bustang bus, which connects the city with Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and even Grand Junction.

Shuttles and Local Services

Mountain towns sometimes offer shuttles to trailheads, especially during peak season. These rides usually have fixed prices and let you avoid parking fees. Unfortunately, they don’t run continuously, but when available, they are a convenient way to save time and money.
If you check the shuttle schedules in advance, it will help you plan hiking days more comfortably. In many popular towns, shuttles let you skip steep mountain driving and reduce fuel use.

Where to Stay Overnight

Lodging is usually the most expensive part of a trip. Denver and Colorado Springs have budget hotels and motels with basic rooms for around $80–$110. During festivals and big sports events, the price will be higher, so early booking usually pays off. Boulder tends to be more expensive, but nearby small towns offer cheaper rooms.

Hostels are also a good option. You’ll find them in Denver, Boulder, Breckenridge, and Estes Park.
If you like the outdoors, you can consider camping. State-run campsites cost about $20–$40, and you can camp for free in some national forest areas.

For travelers keeping their budget tight, a practical approach is choosing one “base town” instead of moving every night. This helps save money and avoid repeated parking fees. Many visitors combine 3–4 motel nights with 1–2 camping nights. This usually lowers the weekly lodging cost by $80–$120 but still offers comfort. Booking at least two weeks ahead also helps avoid sudden price jumps.

Budget-Friendly Food Options

Colorado has plenty of places where you can eat, but prices jump depending on the city and season.
Breakfast in a cafe usually costs around $10–$12, lunch $12–$15, dinner $15–$20. You can save money by mixing simple store-bought food with low-cost cafes. For example, buy basic breakfast items in a grocery store, choose affordable diners for lunch, and keep dinners light or shared. With this system, most people spend around $20–$28 per day on food.

Food halls in Denver and Fort Collins are also a nice option, because they offer several inexpensive local meals in one place.

Free or Low-Cost Nature Spots and Activities

Colorado is famous for its landscapes, and a lot of places cost very little or nothing at all, so it’s easy to enjoy several spots without going over budget.

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is one of the most popular parks and is totally free. Red Rocks Park is also open to the public at no charge. Boulder has many free trails, including the

Flatirons with great views of the city.

Rocky Mountain National Park charges $15 per person or $30 per vehicle. State parks usually cost $10–$15 per car. If you want to save money, you can visit parks early in the morning, look for free-entry days, and share transport costs if you’re traveling with someone else.
Peak to Peak Highway and Trail Ridge Road are the best options for driving. Typically, you will pay only for gas.

A simple way to balance your spending is to combine one paid park visit with several free outdoor spots. Scenic drives usually offer hours of views without paying for extra tickets. If you choose hiking areas that are close to each other, it also helps avoid unnecessary fuel use, which many travelers overlook.

A Simple 7-Day Plan - Colorado for Under $1,000

Here’s a tentative seven-day travel plan that includes several cities, parks, and nature areas while keeping the budget in check:

Day 1 — Denver.

Spend your first day exploring Denver. You can walk through the downtown area, visit Union Station, and enjoy the riverfront paths along the South Platte River. These areas are easy to navigate and full of cafes, small shops, and local markets.
Day 2 — Golden and Lookout Mountain.
Here you can visit scenic overlooks and take short trails; from Lookout Mountain, take in panoramic views of Denver and the surrounding landscape.

Day 3 — Boulder.

In Boulder, you can spend time on Pearl Street, which is a lively pedestrian area with street performers, boutiques, and coffee shops. If you want to add some light activity, the Flatirons offer trails with great views.

Day 4 — Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here you can focus on nature. It’s a good idea to choose from several easy trails with beautiful alpine scenery, lakes, and sweeping mountain views. Popular stops include Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and short loops near the main road.

Day 5 — Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods.

Visit Colorado Springs and spend time in the Garden of the Gods, known for its massive red rock formations. There are short walking paths, viewpoints, and plenty of places for photos. After that, you can check out local markets or small shops in town.

Day 6 — Manitou Springs.

In this small town, you can explore local stores, try the natural mineral springs, and enjoy peaceful walks.

Day 7 — Museums or light nature areas.

On your final day, you can choose a simple plan based on your energy levels. For example, visit the Denver Art Museum, which sometimes offers reduced or special-rate tickets.

Even a well-planned trip can bring small, unplanned moments. These might include paying for parking near popular spots, taking a toll road you didn’t expect, or grabbing a warmer layer when the weather changes suddenly. Every traveler handles these things differently. Some people prefer a bit of flexibility along the way, so they occasionally use local services that make it easy to get extra cash in Colorado without disrupting their plans. This helps them stay focused on enjoying the trip rather than the small logistical details that pop up. Others prefer a strict budget, track their expenses closely, and plan most payments in advance.

Simple Tips for Saving Money

To avoid unnecessary hassles during your trip, be sure to plan the following things in advance:

• Check the weather and local alerts before hiking
• Bring reusable water bottles
• Avoid peak-time driving in the mountains
• Book lodging early

Compare transport options instead of choosing the first available one
A week in Colorado does not have to be expensive. When you plan your transportation, lodging, food, and activities, you can enjoy both the cities and the mountains without going over a $1,000 budget. Wise choices and awareness of potential extra costs make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

By Latoria Williams