Where to photograph in CO

I am trying to make a collection of photographic locations in colorado. what are some of your favorite locations to shoot. well known or not. i appreciate your help.

I live in the southwest corner of Colorado, so am partial to areas such as:
The Ute Mountain Tribal Park,
Sand Canyon/Canyons of the Ancients Nat'l. Monument,
The San Juan Mountains area, which encompasses a huge alpine area roughly encircled by a series of highways known as the 'San Juan Skyway'.

For specific locations, check out 'Photographing the Southwest-CO & NM'.

Hi Josh: There's a question you're going to get lots of answers to. Since I'm the first one to answer I'll name the most iconic absolute favorites, even though they are over photographed, but there's a reason for it because they're picture perfect:

Maroon Bells
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park
Colorado National Monument
Hanging Lake
Garden of the Gods
Dallas Divide

I would think Rocky Mountain NP would be included in Cynthia's list as well.

don't forget Kebler Pass near Crested Butte, or the Crested Butte area in general. One of my personal favorite spots is Piney Lake, north of Vail on Red Sandstone Road

Also look at the Hot Spots for this forum. Here are some more that haven't been mentioned above...

Pawnee Buttes (if you can avoid the windmills)
The Flatirons
Mount Evans, including the Mt. Evans Wilderness and Mt. Goliath Natural Areas.
Indian Peaks Wilderness, especially around the Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Shrine Pass, especially Shrine Ridge

And, pretty much most of the rest of the state...

THE DUNES!!!!

The easier question is where not to photograph? Here's some more popular spots that haven't been mentioned:

Crystal Mill
Black Canyon
Mayflower Gulch
Paradise Divide
Dinosaur N.M.
North Clear Creek Falls
Yankee Boy Basin
Owl Creek Pass
Dream Lake in RMNP
Crestone Needle (rough 4WD road & a hike, though)

I think my favorite is finding a place that I've never visited and then exploring.

Of course I have places I go back to and Hovenweep is one of them, along with some of the others mentioned.

Grant

Where is North Clear Creek Falls. Is that the falls about 5 miles up US 40 from Empire? If it is, I believe that is called Coors Falls. If not, maybe you could give me some insight.

Thanks

Grant

Where is North Clear Creek Falls. Is that the falls about 5 miles up US 40 from Empire? If it is, I believe that is called Coors Falls. If not, maybe you could give me some insight.

Thanks

Why are you trying to make a collection? Why are you even asking? You could google it and come up with 200+ names that havent yet been mentioned. Or if you're looking for favorites, find a book by any of the pros here at NPN or others at your local bookstore, and start jotting down names. Or, you could do what ive done for the 3 years ive been here--just look at a map and start jotting down names that sound cool. To give you a meaningful response, you need to explain exactly what your purpose is, what your goal is.

stan

i have been in colorado for around 18 years now. i have close to 100 of my favorite places to visit and photograph. But the state is large and i know that i am missing quite a few. Another method that i have used is to go to google earth. i cruise around the state and find places that have been photographed often and put a mark on it. To be honest with you, my goal is to write a book. I know that there are several book out there already, but none are as comprehensive as i would like. At this point some of you are probably laughing at me and an unrealistic goal. That's fine. My goal for the end of the summer is to have one county done and pitch it along with a business plan. If someone else can write a book, why can't i. assuming i have the talent and persistence. Even if i don't get a book finished, i'm sure it will be a useful resource to someone out there.

Josh, North Clear Creek Falls is located south of Lake City, right along the highway. You can do a Google Image Search and find lots of pics.