JANUARY

Denver – National Western Stock Show (7th – 22nd January)

The National Western Stock Show will be celebrating its 111th show in Denver. The event is spread out over 16 days and 100 acres and is considered to be the second largest rodeo in the United States. The event will feature African-American Heritage Rodeo, Wild West shows as well as a preparation area open to the public, where visitors will be able to see over 15,000 livestock, including cattle, horses, sheep, yaks, llamas, bison and swine all being preened for judging. www.nationalwestern.com / www.denver.org

Breckenridge – Ullr Fest (11th – 14th January)

For over 50 years, the Breckenridge community has paid tribute to Ullr, the Norse God of Snow. Visitors are urged to grab a Viking helmet and join the town-wide snow dance, including the iconic main street parade, Ullr Ice Plunge and the unofficial world's longest ski shot. www.gobreck.com

Breckenridge – International Snow Sculpture Championships (24th January)

Snow carving in Breckenridge has become a local past-time with the International Snow Sculpture Championships attracting snow artists from across the globe to transform 20-ton blocks of snow into an outdoor art gallery. Teams of four artists are allowed 65 hours to sculpt across five days, with just 16 teams selected from the mass of 250 entries that are invited to compete each year. Over the same weekend, the Breckenridge Fire Arts Festival takes place – a fiery contrast of burning sculptures, pyrotechnical effects and other spark-filled attractions. www.gobreck.com

FEBRUARY

Aspen – Click in with Chris Davenport (6th – 10th February)

The Little Nell in Aspen will welcome back pro skier, Chris Davenport, for the 2nd annual Click-in with Chris Ski Camp this month. The camp includes deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals and exhilarating adventures with Chris – a professional big mountain skier with many adventure films to his name. www.thelittlenell.com/adventures/skiing-and-winter-adventures / www.aspensnowmass.com

Steamboat Springs – Winter Carnival (8th – 12th February)

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, one of the largest and oldest winter sports clubs in the U.S., hosts the 104th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival – the oldest continuing Winter Carnival west of the Mississippi. For several days, the entire town makes way for racing, ski jumping, a parade including Steamboat's skiing high school band (the only one in the USA) and a spectacular night show featuring the legendary Lighted Man and fireworks display. www.allsteamboat.com/events/steamboat_springs_winter_carnival.php / www.steamboatchamber.com

Cripple Creek – 10th Cripple Creek Ice Festival (10th – 19th February)

The Cripple Creek Ice Festival will be celebrating its 10th year in 2017. The festival's highlight includes watching ice sculptures being carved into beautiful works of art and the theme of the Ice Festival varies every year. Previous themes have seen Mythological Wonderland, Story Time, Under the Sea, a Rocky Mountain Wonderland and the Old West. The festival will also feature activities for children such as The Ice Maze, as well as craft and food vendors throughout the festival. www.visitcripplecreek.com/events/cripple-creek-ice-festival

Denver – Denver Restaurant Week (24th February – 5th March)

Denver Restaurant Week is a ten-day celebration of the culinary scene in The Mile High City. With more than 150 restaurants taking part, drink specials are also offered, allowing visitors to sample the best of the city at discounted prices.  Participating restaurants from across the state will offer a multi-course dinner for the fixed price of $60 for two, or $30 for one. www.denver.org/denver-restaurant-week

MARCH

Monte Vista – Monte Vista Crane Festival (10th – 12th March)

A mass migration of cranes travelling from their southern winter roosts to their northern summer residences has been taking place for centuries, and the town of Monte Vista has been welcoming these transient guests since the early 1980s. During this three-day event, experts provide talks on wildlife and photography workshops, as well as a birding movie and a craft fair. The highlight of the festival is the opportunity for close-up views of thousands of cranes at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge as they prance and display for each other, lift off en masse in the mornings, and return to their roosting spots at sunset. www.mvcranefest.org / www.cityofmontevista.com

Aspen – Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals (15th – 19th March)

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Cup tour is the premier circuit for alpine skiing competition, with the inaugural season launched in January 1967. Aspen Snowmass is proud to be selected to host one of the most prestigious events on the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, the 2017 World Cup Finals. The long-time World Cup community was selected by the International Ski Federation and will bring both the men's and women's tour to Aspen. The Finals will be the first outside Europe in the last twenty years and the return of men's World Cup in Aspen for first time since 2001.                www.fis-ski.com / www.aspensnowmass.com

APRIL

Estes Park – 100 Years of Estes (17th April)

Estes Park's centennial falls on 17th April, when the community will celebrate the town's 100th anniversary and the spirit of Estes Park with events running throughout the year until December 2017. The town, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, is known for its scenic drives, national park and historic landmarks as well as the famous Stanley Hotel which inspired Stephen King to write his novel, The Shining, 40 years ago. www.visitestespark.com/estes-park-centennial

MAY

Denver – Cinco de Mayo (7th – 8th May)

Considered to be one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the USA, attracting more than 400,000 people each year, the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Denver commemorates the Mexican Army's defeat of the invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Today it is a celebration of Hispanic food and culture complete with Mariachi bands and music including Tejano-pop, salsa and folk dancing. www.cincodemayodenver.com / www.denver.org

Durango – Iron Horse Bicycle Classic (27th – 29th May)

The town of Durango has long been enthusiastic about cycling. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic was created after a young boy on his bike raced a steam-powered locomotive between Durango and Silverton in the 1880's as his brother was the brakeman. These days the train takes a shorter route, but with limited speed it truly is a race between man and machine. Since 1972 the challenge has evolved into an event that attracts 3,500 cyclists from across the world, all seeking the thrill of descending into Silverton before the train has arrived. Visitors can take the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway from May until September - the same journey through the San Juan Mountains that the miners and pioneers first travelled. www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com / www.durango.org

JUNE

Denver – Red Rocks Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series (June – September)

The Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a world-famous outdoor concert and recreation venue located approximately 30 minutes from Denver. The only naturally-occurring acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world, Red Rocks is recognised for its star-studded concert roster from June to September, natural acoustics and ambience, as well as its awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails. www.redrocksonline.com/concerts-events/calendar / www.denver.org

Breckenridge – Breck Bike Week (end June)

Breckenridge hosts some of the best backcountry trail biking in the state, and the annual Breck Bike Week festival each June is a great opportunity to take advantage of the trails and meet other cyclist enthusiasts. The week-long event celebrates cycling with guided group rides, demos, maintenance workshops and bike-in movies. www.gobreck.com/events/breck-bike-week

Frisco – Colorado BBQ Challenge (15th – 17th June)

The Colorado BBQ Challenge will feature approximately 70 barbecuers competing for awards a variety of categories, including best pork, ribs, brisket, barbecue sauce and desserts. Each team entering the challenge competes for the coveted Grand Champion title. The event will also feature children's activities, food sampling and demos, including a tour of the nearby Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey. www.townoffrisco.com/play/colorado-bbq-challenge/general-info

Telluride – Telluride Bluegrass Festival (15th – 18th June)

The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is held annually on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice which marks the start of Colorado's summer. The 44th annual festival will include blues sets from Peter Rowan, Chris Thile, and King of Telluride Sam Bush. The festival also features a wide selection of locally brewed beer, as well as food, workshops and family friendly activities. www.bluegrass.com / www.visittelluride.com

Salida – FIBArk (15th – 18th June)

FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) is considered to be “America's oldest and boldest white water festival”, which draws kayakers, stand-up paddlers and rafters to compete (and play) in the mighty Arkansas River. While white water is the draw, the city of Salida also showcases a variety of local activities, including live music, costumed cycling competitions and a parade. www.fibark.com  / www.salida.com

Spanish Peaks Country – Sonic Bloom (15th – 19th June)

The Sonic Bloom is a three-day camping festival featuring electronic music, dance, art and human performances. The intimate festival allows visitors to interact with live electronic artists and producers to contribute to the festival's music scene. www.sonicbloomfestival.com / www.spanishpeakscountry.com

Colorado Springs – Pikes Peak international Hill Climb (25th June 2017)

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as “the race to the clouds” is the second oldest auto race in the USA, consisting a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns, ending at the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes. An official Fan Fest takes place ahead of the race on 23rd June, where visitors can see the top qualifying cars and motorcycles, as well as have the opportunity to meet the drivers. Pikes Peak was used in Paul Walker's final film, Furious 7 (2015), posing as the Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan. The frenzied chase along the beautiful yet treacherous mountain roads was filmed on Highway 50 around Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass, 70 miles west of Colorado Springs.                            www.ppihc.com / www.visitCOS.com

JULY

Denver – Cherry Arts Festival (1st – 3rd July)

The Cherry Arts Festival is considered to be Colorado's signature cultural event and a nationally top-ranked celebration of the arts. Highlights of the festival include 200 of the nation's top visual artists, curated exhibits, performances, culinary arts and activities for the whole family. Admission to the Cherry Arts Festival is free and open to the public. www.cherrycreekartsfestival.org / www.denver.org

Crested Butte – Wildflower Festival (mid-July)

The annual Wildflower Festival takes place every year in mid-July, when the largest amount of flower varieties are expected to be in bloom. The festival features over 200 different activities and events, including hikes and walks with wildflower experts, as well as art workshops, bird watching, photography classes, botany and conservation medicinal workshops.                     www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com / www.visitcrestedbutte.com

AUGUST

Colorado – National Parks Free Entrance Days (August)

Colorado's National Parks celebrate “America's best idea” with free entrance and family friendly activities as summer draws to a close. The national park units participating are Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mesa Verde National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks-state.htm

Crested Butte – Crested Butte Festival of the Arts (4th – 6th August)

As one of the oldest events in the state, the town of Crested Butte draws artists, photographers and crafts enthusiasts from around the United States.  Crested Butte Festival of the Arts will feature open-air arts, crafts and live music with visitors also being able to explore Crested Butte's National Historic District with one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants set against the backdrop of the Elk Mountain Range. www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com / www.visitcrestedbutte.com

Loveland – Arise Music Festival (4th – 7th August)

The Arise Music Festival features three days of music, yoga and workshops. Surrounded by national forest, the festival takes place at Sunrise Ranch amongst sweeping vistas and beautiful meadows. The landscape is the perfect setting for festival-goers to be inspired by music, as well as connecting with Loveland's beautiful nature. www.musicfestivalwizard.com/festivals/arise-music-festival-2017 / www.visitlovelandco.org

Buena Vista – Gold Rush Days (12th – 13th August)

Gold Rush Days pays tribute to the era of panning for gold through storytelling and mountain-man music from Harry Harpoon. The event will also feature lake kayaking, games and a beer garden, as well as over 100 vendors and various food offerings.                                           www.buenavistacolorado.org/buena-vista-gold-rush-days / www.buenavistacolorado.org

Lyons – Folks Festival (18th – 20th August)

Set in the culture-rich mountain town of Lyons, the Folks Festival celebrates song and story with music from morning until 10pm nightly as song-writing workshops take place throughout the day. The festival has featured folk talent such as Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring a swimsuit to take a refreshing dip in the St. Vrain River, located steps away from the festival. www.bluegrass.com/folks / www.lyonscolorado.com

Manitou Springs – Pikes Peak Marathon (19th – 20th August)

Pikes Peak Marathon, labelled as “America's ultimate challenge”, is considered the most difficult of all marathons in the USA. Notorious for its strenuous course that winds up to an altitude of 14,000 feet, the Pikes Peak Marathon is the third longest running marathon in the United States, behind Boston and Yonkers. Pikes Peak Marathon is also noted for being the first marathon to allow female runners and have a female finisher in 1959. www.pikespeakmarathon.org / www.manitousprings.org

Pueblo – Colorado State Fair & Rodeo (25th August – 4th September)

The Colorado State Fair is an 11-day event often referred to the “best family-friendly party in the Rocky Mountain Region”. The fair features everything from classic rodeo events, livestock competitions including pig racing and cow-milking contests, to shows of wild and exotic birds, horse shows and concerts. www.coloradostatefair.com / www.pueblo.org

SEPTEMBER

Denver – Colorado Crush (mid-September)

Colorado Crush is a cultural block party in the trendy River North (RiNo) Art District of Denver, celebrating art and the pillars of hip-hop culture with more than 70 locally and nationally recognised urban, street and graffiti artists. The festival is centred on empowering artists' creativity and the event is committed to reflecting and diversifying the urban landscape with the unique voice of the community. www.coloradocrush.org  / www.denver.org

Vail – Vail Jazz Party (1st – 5th September)

The Vail Jazz Party features over 35 headliners that join together to play in group performances, multi-artist jam sessions and inspiring multimedia tributes to jazz legends. In 2017, the Vail Jazz Party will feature a House Band with John Clayton, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Cunliffe and Lewis Nash. www.vailjazz.org / www.visitvailvalley.com

Denver – A Taste of Colorado (2nd – 4th September)

A Taste of Colorado draws more than 500,000 visitors annually. Five entertainment stages include national, local and ethnic music across a variety of genres. Visitors can also try local culinary delights from more than 50 of Colorado's favourite food establishments. The festival will also feature more than 275 marketplace artisans and vendors, as well as educational programmes promoting the diverse cultural and Western heritage of the region. The event is free and open to the public. www.atasteofcolorado.com  / www.denver.org

Palisade – Colorado Mountain Winefest (14th – 17th September)

The Colorado Mountain Winefest is the Centennial State's oldest and largest wine festival with more than four dozen wineries for visitors to sample. The festival also features live jazz music, food, chef demos, bike rides and golf, all in Colorado's scenic wine countryside.             www.coloradowinefest.com / www.visitpalisade.com

Pagosa Springs – ColorFest Weekend (15th – 17th September)

ColorFest Weekend features hot air balloons, music, food, beer and wine from across the state. The weekend hosts two mass balloon ascensions, an evening balloon glow, battle of the brews, an extensive selection of live music, as well as Pagosa's Passport to Wine and Food event featuring the best foods of the region. www.colorado.com/events/colorfest-weekend / www.visitpagosasprings.com

Telluride – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival (15th – 17th September)

The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is a three-day celebration of live music and microbrews held at Telluride Town Park, in the valley of stunning 13,000-foot mountain peaks. The festival offers an eclectic mix of live blues, funk, jam, rock, gospel and soul performances, as well as some of the best microbreweries in the country. www.tellurideblues.com / www.visittelluride.com

OCTOBER

Denver – Great American Beer Festival (5th – 7th October)

The Great American Beer Festival is known to offer more beer than any other beer festival in the world, according to the Business Book of World Records. The festival offers more than 2,700 different kinds of beer – both locally brewed and internationally sourced – from Colorado's Avery Brewing Company to Dunkel and Shwarbier varieties from Germany. The festival also features the judging of over 84 categories of beer, top food tasting, a cuisine competition and a silent disco. www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com / www.denver.org

NOVEMBER

Denver – Denver Film Festival (early November)

Hosted by the Denver Film Society, the Denver Film Festival is a 12-day event featuring international screenings, red-carpet premieres and award ceremonies, such as the prestigious Krzysztof Kieslowski Award for Best Feature Film, the Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary and the achievement-based John Cassavetes Award. www.denverfilmfestival.denverfilm.org / www.denver.org 

Denver – Denver Arts Week (4th – 12th November)

The annual Denver Arts Week is an eight-day celebration of all things art in The Mile High City. The programme, presented by VISIT DENVER, features more than 300 events at a variety of art galleries, museums, theatres and concert halls. Many of the exhibitions, galleries and museums offer a discounted rate running throughout the week. www.denver.org/denver-arts-week / www.denver.org

DECEMBER

Durango – Polar Express (throughout December)

Based on the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, the story of a child's Christmas Eve journey comes alive on board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ train. Leaving Durango station for the North Pole, or rather Silverton in this case, the carriages on the historic steam train are brought to life through the chefs, hobo, conductor, the Hero Boy, Bill, Santa and the elves, while passengers enjoy hot chocolate with a reading of The Polar Express. www.durangotrain.com / www.durango.org

Further information can be found at www.colorado.com

Consumer social media handles www.facebook.com/coloradoukireland & www.twitter.com/coloradoukeire

-ends-

For further press information contact:

• Polly Beech polly@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6359
• Sarah Barnett sarah@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6378
• Paula Peralta paula@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6383