Colorado peaks

5,029 peaks

Highest peak

Mount Elbert

14,440 ft / 4,401 m

Most summited peak

Mount Elbert

300 summits

Most prominent peak

Mount Elbert

9,093 ft / 2,771 m prom

Colorado summits

10,947 summits

First Ascent Awards

1674 of 5,029 peaks 33%

Top climbing months

July 19%

August 19%

September 12%

Colorado mountains highlights

  • In summer months beware of near-daily afternoon thunderstorms up high. Best to start really early and plan to be off the top usually by 12-1pm at the latest.
  • Numerous mountain ranges, such as the Sawatch, Elk, San Juan, Sangre de Cristo, Mosquito, Ten Mile, and Front, contain a diverse collection of mountains worthy of exploration.
  • One of the most famous and popular peak challenges in the world, the Colorado 14ers Peak Challenge, permeates every aspect of Colorado culture
  • The highest peak in Colorado, Mount Elbert 14,440 ft, is the highest in the Rocky Mountains and 2nd highest in the contiguous United States
  • The Rocky Mountains reach their zenith in the heart of Colorado, with over 50 peaks reaching above 14,000 ft high.
"The area around this peak is a hidden gem. After hiking a few miles up the Lion Gulch trail, we decided to cut off and bushwhack up the gully to the southeast of the peak. Summit itself wasn’t that impressive, but some cliffs with amazing views of the Indian Peaks just before you get there. After the summit we post holed to our waists down the north side of the mountain to the Irvin Homestead, circa 1917. One of the best preserved ghost town homesteads from this era that I have seen. After that we walked past a couple less impressive homesteads and headed back. Awesome day" — LGH-Dan • Mar 29, 2020
"This one started out with a nice easy, wide trail, then progressed to a sketchy ice ascent, complete with a summit scramble in high winds. Just enough to get the adrenaline pumping!" — LGH-Dan • Jan 11, 2020
"Began at forest boundary on Boulder Rd at 9:20, reaching 10378 by 10:13, then 10715 at 12:10, and Martland at 2:05, and lastly Schoolmarm at 4:28. Slow going with snow on north slopes and on the ridgeline. " — xnatedawgx • Nov 9, 2019
"Began at forest boundary on Boulder Rd at 9:20, reaching 10378 by 10:13, then 10715 at 12:10, and Martland at 2:05, and lastly Schoolmarm at 4:28. Slow going with snow on north slopes and on the ridgeline. " — xnatedawgx • Nov 9, 2019
"Began at forest boundary on Boulder Rd at 9:20, reaching 10378 by 10:13, then 10715 at 12:10, and Martland at 2:05, and lastly Schoolmarm at 4:28. Slow going with snow on north slopes and on the ridgeline. " — xnatedawgx • Nov 9, 2019

Popular Colorado mountains