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Each issue contains beautiful period photographs of snowcapped mountains, forests, mountain valleys, ranch country, ski areas and popular vacation destinations. The colorful photography captures the beauty of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West more than 50 years ago.
ISSUES INCLUDED:
MAY/JUNE 1970
This spring and early-summer issue explores the scenery, destinations and outdoor attractions of the Rocky Mountain region. Its cover features a spectacular snowcapped mountain rising above a bright meadow and aspen forest.
The issue contains regional travel and outdoor features accompanied by impressive photographs of mountains, forests, valleys and other Western landscapes. Its colorful scenery photography provides a wonderful look at Rocky Mountain travel and tourism during 1970.
JULY/AUGUST 1970 – ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
This special anniversary issue celebrates summer in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. The cover presents an expansive green mountain valley with grazing livestock, thick evergreen forests and rugged snow-covered peaks in the distance.
The issue explores the region’s summer scenery, recreation, communities and travel destinations. Numerous color photographs highlight mountain roads, parks, ranch country, forests and the wide-open landscapes of the American West.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1970 – OLYMPIC offer ISSUE
This is an especially interesting winter issue published during Colorado’s campaign to host the 1976 Winter Olympics. The dramatic cover shows a skier in midair and carries a special “Olympic offer” banner.
The issue presents Colorado as a leading winter-sports destination, with material related to skiing, mountain recreation, resort country and the state’s Olympic ambitions. Its striking winter photography includes snowy peaks, ski slopes and colorful scenes from the Rocky Mountains.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1971 – “THE LONG CHASE”
This winter issue features skiing and other forms of snow-country recreation throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Its action-filled cover includes downhill skiing, ski jumping and snow vehicles set against a mountain background.
The magazine celebrates winter travel, recreation and the dramatic snow-covered landscapes of Colorado and the surrounding states. Scenic color photographs capture mountain resorts, deep snow, rugged peaks and the excitement of a Rocky Mountain winter during the early 1970s.
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Colorful Colorado: Rocky Mountain West was a beautifully illustrated regional publication covering Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. It was a general-interest travel and scenic magazine published by Colorado Magazine, Inc. in Denver.
The magazine promoted the scenery, communities, history, outdoor recreation and vacation attractions of the greater Rocky Mountain region. It is especially notable for its large, colorful scenic photographs documenting the mountains and Western landscape during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
These magazines offer an appealing combination of vintage Western travel, outdoor recreation, early ski culture and beautiful period photography. They would make an excellent addition to a collection of Colorado history, Rocky Mountain memorabilia, vintage travel publications, skiing collectibles or Western Americana.
CONDITION
These are original vintage magazines showing age and handling wear. The covers display edge wear, corner wear, creasing and attached mailing labels. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
The magazines are being sold together as the four-issue lot shown.
The Colorado Magazine was established in 1923 by the State Historical Society of Colorado. Published in Denver, it featured carefully researched articles about Colorado’s pioneers, Native peoples, mining camps, railroads, ranching, historic communities and important events of the American West. Original issues are now collectible historical references, valued for their period photographs and detailed accounts of Colorado’s past. The original series continued through 1980.
Colorful Colorado / Rocky Mountain West was a prominent regional bimonthly and monthly magazine published from 1965 to 1980. Produced by Colorado Magazine, Inc. based out of Denver, it served as a vivid showcase of the travel, geography, nature, and history of Colorado and its surrounding states.Name Changes & EvolutionThroughout its fifteen-year run, the publication adapted its name several times to reflect expanding regional coverage and target audiences: [1]
- 1965: Debuted under the simple title Colorful Colorado.
- 1966: Expanded to Colorful Colorado and Rocky Mountain Outdoors.
- 1967–1970s: Transitioned through variations including Colorful Colorado Rocky Mountain West, Colorful Colorado-New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Rocky Mountain West, and ultimately Colorful Rocky Mountain West Colorado. [1, 2]
Editorial Focus & ContentThe magazine focused heavily on the American West, offering readers a mix of paid subscriptions and newsstand copies. It was well-known for its striking color and black-and-white photography, scenic calendars, and feature stories on: [1, 2, 3]
- Travel & Geography: Detailed guides and road trips spanning Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.
- Western History & Lore: Explored local legends, historical landmarks, ghost towns, and regional history.
- Nature & Outdoor Recreation: Articles covering the natural wilderness and outdoor seasonal activities. [1, 2, 3]
Final Years & Archive StatusBy the late 1970s, the magazine faced steep competition from newer lifestyle publications. Around 1980, the publication was officially absorbed by the Denver-based Rocky Mountain Magazine (which itself ran from 1979–1982 and won a National Magazine Award). [1, 2]Today, physical copies of the magazine remain highly sought after by vintage collectors. A comprehensive, one-linear-foot archival collection documenting the magazine\'s issue history from 1966 to 1980 is permanently preserved at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. [1, 2]
