What to pack for Denver
What to Pack: Be Comfortable and Casual While Visiting DenverThe outdoor lifestyle in any season can dictate your choices when packing for Denver: put a pair of comfortable walking shoes and a couple of extra layers in your bag, and you’re ready for anything from city to trails.
Dressing up in Denver can mean putting on your best jeans. In other words, casual is the norm here, as locals prefer clothes with versatility as they like to go from an outdoor activity to drinks and dinner. You won’t be out of place wearing sandals, shorts, and a t-shirt at most restaurants for dinner in Denver. Even if it’s nice enough for shorts when the sun is out, bring a light jacket for later as the temperature drops quickly after sundown. There are some occasions when dressing up is appropriate in Denver, such as a night at the theater in the Denver Performing Arts Complex or dining at the Palace Arms in the Brown Palace Hotel.
General Style Tips
Rockmount Ranch Wear in the LoDo neighborhood is the place to go for a classic Western shirt. These snap-front shirts for both men and women (and little kids) come in plain colors, plaid, or covered in detailed embroidery.
The most common style in Denver and beyond in Colorado is casual outdoors, as if just coming off the trails. Standard attire in Denver is jeans or leggings, boots or sandals, a t-shirt or hoodie, and a ball cap.
The only time you see cowboy hats being worn around Denver is during the annual National Western Stock Show in January. Otherwise, these are rarely donned unless for costumes.
Prepare for the Weather
Colorado has four distinct four seasons so what you need to pack when coming here will depend on which season your visit occurs. There’s always that one guy wearing shorts and sandals in a snowstorm though, so be you!
Topo Designs has two stores at the airport - concourse B and concourse C - and their flagship store is in the RiNo neighborhood near downtown. You’ll find bags for the trail, jackets, tops and bottoms.
Also, what you pack will depend on what activities you plan to do during your visit.
In fall and winter, and maybe even early spring, a parka-style coat will come in handy and these are generally light enough to ball up and stuff in a bag when not in use.
If you are planning to hike in summer, bring a light-colored top and pants or shorts.
Getting Dressed Up
It’s becoming less and less common, but sometimes you do see men dressed up in a suit, cowboy boots, and a bolo tie. Women might wear a dress or skirt with cowboy boots and some colorful jewelry. Given how bulky cowboy boots are, consider this a nice-to-have rather than a must-have when packing.
There is no dress code for the Colorado Opera, the Colorado Symphony, or the theater, but that is where a long, sparkly dress and heels for women or even a tuxedo for men might be appropriate. Or, you can wear jeans and a nice top or sport coat and still fit right in.
Types of Shoes to Bring
Invest in good hiking socks. I have noticed a big difference in foot comfort by wearing thicker wicking socks when out on the trails.
It’s so tempting to walk on some of the trails in the foothills just west of Denver that you might find yourself on a hike without planning it. For many of these trails, you will be just fine in running shoes. There are some people who like to hike in sandals or slipper-like shoes, but ideally, you have something that is laced or clasped on with quality hiking socks and ankle support.
Bring some sort of closed-toe sports shoes and, if it’s summer, a pair of waterproof sandals like Tevas, can be comfortable and worn for light sport.
Equipment for Sports and Activities
It is common for people coming on a ski trip to Colorado to bring their own skis and boots, which can be costly extra baggage fees. For travelers who are just looking for a little day trip during their Denver visit, it is possible to rent the gear needed for just the time you are out and skip lugging it with you back and forth.
Depending on where you choose to go – Boulder, Estes Park, Morrison, or somewhere else–for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, or snowshoeing, you can rent the gear for a reasonable rate from REI or a local store.
Many bags these days are convertible with duffel bags that transform into backpacks and backpacks that double as messenger bags. If you have one of these, it could come in handy during your trip to Denver so you can go from business to leisure and have a backpack for carrying a water bottle, an energy bar, and your phone and keys while you’re out for a walk or mini-adventure.
The sun in Denver is bright – even in winter – so a pair of sunglasses and a hat with a brim will get lots of use when you’re outside.
What Not to Pack
Although the recreational use of marijuana is now legalized in more states, it is still not legal at the federal level which means you cannot bring it into Colorado from elsewhere or transport it across state lines when you depart. This also means that it is illegal to use marijuana on federal lands such as national parks or monuments. Instead, go to one of the marijuana-friendly (sometimes called 420-friendly) businesses in Denver where you can engage in some sort of activity or just eat and watch TV with others who are also out to get stoned.