Colorado’s mountain towns are destinations for hiking, biking, hot springs and more, but choose the right one and you’ll also tap into music scenes that are destinations in their own right.

Here are five places worth adding to any music fan’s bucket list. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes.

Aspen

Aspen is a small town with big city energy when it comes to live music, thanks to its mix of venues, festivals and sporting events that draw bands from around the country. Belly Up Aspen is the premiere club to catch a concert whether you’re a fan of EDM, country music, blues, indie rock or reggae. The historic Wheeler Opera House caters to fans of classical music and opera. And the festival season runs year-round with winter attractions like Palm Tree Music Festival and summer events like Up in the Sky Festival. In June, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival takes over the town with a plethora of events at indoor and outdoor venues, before its sister festival, JAS Labor Day Experience, pops up with a more traditional main stage festival experience in the fall. All that, plus free shows during ski season and summer make Aspen a must-visit for music lovers.

Buena Vista

Whether you’re a casual music fan or a hardcore festivarian, Buena Vista has the tunes to sonically satisfy. The town’s most high-profile venue is Meadow Creek, a sprawling 277-acre plot of land used as a festival grounds complete with the full destination camping experience. Previously the site of Billy Strings’ Renewal festival, in 2025, Meadow Creek hosts Pretty Lights for the two-day Yahn Dawn festival (June 27-28) and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard for a three-day event called Field of Vision (Aug. 15-17).

Downtown Buena Vista boasts several indoor venues, such as the Ivy Ballroom at the Surf Hotel and The Lariat, that host local and nationally touring bands across a variety of genres. When the weather is nice, fans can take in a concert at outdoor spaces like The Lawn (also at the Surf Hotel) and The Beach, located 6 miles south of town on the banks of the Arkansas River.

Dillon

First opened in the 1990s, the Dillon Amphitheater got a major upgrade in 2018 and has become the hallmark of the town’s summer music scene. It regularly attracts artists you might otherwise see on the lineup at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, including Alison Krauss & Union Station, Tash Sultana and Rainbow Kitten Surprise in the 2025 season. But with a roughly 3,600-person capacity – less than half that of Red Rocks – seeing those acts in Dillon promises to be a more intimate experience. And because it’s located on the shore of Lake Dillion, which is surrounded by peaks, the view isn’t bad either. Shows usually require a ticket, but not always, as bands play for free as part of the venue’s Monday music series.

Telluride

Telluride Bluegrass “festivarians” race to get a close spot to the stage during the annual “running of the tarps” on the first day of the 50th Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Town Park in Telluride, Colorado, on June 15, 2023. (Photo by William Woody/Special to The Denver Post)

Though it’s one of Colorado’s far-out enclaves, Telluride is a stop on nationally touring bands’ calendars because of the myriad festivals it hosts each summer. The box canyon comes alive with the sound of music for events like the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June, which has become a time-honored tradition for locals and artists alike over its 50-plus year history, and Telluride Jazz Festival in August, which includes a second line parade down Colorado Avenue every year. Free concerts on Wednesdays and Fridays in Mountain Village, which is just a short gondola ride away, keep the vibes rolling through the summer before the season concludes with the incomparable Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in September.

Even in the winter, though, fans are likely to catch an act they like at the historic Sheridan Opera House or local bars like The Alibi and O’Bannon’s Irish Pub. The ski resort also books local DJs to play at restaurants on the mountain, because dancing is the best way to stay warm – trust us.

Vail

Similarly to Dillon, the town of Vail boasts a state-of-the-art amphitheater that bands forgo radius clauses to perform at. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opened in 1987, and in July of that year, Willie Nelson was the first artist to christen the stage. The outdoor venue has grown from hosting six concerts in its first year to dozens, including acclaimed acts like O.A.R. and Melissa Etheridge, both of whom will be stopping by this summer after performances at Red Rocks. The amphitheater is also known for hosting dance performances and classical music, like the annual Bravo! Vail Music Festival.

Elsewhere in Vail, Shakedown Bar is a mainstay for live music with performers almost every night of the week, and Chasing Rabbits is the place to dance the night away to the tune of DJs. All the aforementioned venues book their calendars in the winter months, too, from après hour to late night.

Like a virus, desperation thrives in the unforgiving cold of Northern Minnesota in “Dead of Winter.”

The environment heightens the largely engrossing kidnapping thriller, which is in theaters this week.

Its principal characters are desperate — mostly desperate to survive. However, the primary figure, Emma Thompson’s Barb, is desperate to save the life of another.

Barb has returned to this largely uninhabited area to visit a lake that played a key role in the life she shared with her late husband.

“Ya HAD to pick the middle of nowhere,” she grumbles to herself before venturing outside for a task that later will become clear.

On the frozen-over body of water, as she’s about to accomplish what she came to do — Thompson reminding the viewer of her talents as a long tear eventually cascades down Barb’s face — she hears gunshots and voices. She hides behind her truck as a young woman is chased by a man who insists his next shot won’t miss if she does not return to him.

Barb had encountered this man, referred to as Camo Jacket (Marc Menchaca), at his cabin while seeking directions to the lake amid the wintry conditions, so she soon ventures back there in the hope of discovering what foul business is afoot. Looking through a window, she sees the young woman, Leah (Laurel Marsden), restrained in the basement.

Arriving next is Purple Lady (Judy Greer), the short-tempered wife of Camo Jacket. She confirms with him that the abduction of Leah went as planned — he assures her that, yes, the girl was where his wife said she’d be — and scolds him for drinking during this all-important endeavor.

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What Purple Lady wants from Leah becomes clear over time. First, though, Purple Lady becomes aware of Barb’s involvement, setting into motion what becomes a shifting game of cat and mouse. Purple Lady and Barb try to outsmart each other, the action shifting between the cabin and the lake.

Working from a screenplay by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, Irish filmmaker Brian Kirk serves up a taut affair, one with enough, but not too much, tension. “Dead of Winter” makes you hold your breath occasionally but largely lets you take in that brutally cold air.

It makes you want to see more big-screen work from Kirk, whose credits include 2019’s “21 Bridges” and myriad TV series episodes, including three first-season installments of “Game of Thrones” and, more recently, three servings of the solid British series “The Day of the Jackal,” available in these parts on Peacock.

The film’s largest flaw is that Jacobson-Larson, Leeb and Kirk make next to no effort to develop Leah into a character. She feels too important to the story to be nothing more than Purple Lady’s prize. Furthermore, the kidnapper does make a claim about Leah that seems ripe for exploration, but we don’t get that.

Conversely, the character of Barb is nicely fleshed out, with renowned actress Thompson (“Howard’s End,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Nanny McPhee”), as you’d expect, nuanced in her portrayal of this determined woman who tiptoes into the realm of the unlikely action hero. (In flashbacks that inform the character, Barb is portrayed as a young woman by Thompson’s daughter, Gaia Wise, and the resemblance is unmistakable.)

While movie and TV veteran Greer (“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Stick”) is solid, Menchaca (“The Outsider,” “Ozark”) turns in the other standout performance. Without giving away too much, Camo Jacket doesn’t exactly have the time of his life as the events of “Dead of Winter” unfold, and Menchaca conveys his struggle skillfully.

(A quick digression: Did the writers and directors think of the movie reviewers who would have to write “Purple Lady” and “Camo Jacket” repeatedly? They couldn’t have just been, say, Jennifer and Steve?)

A few gripes aside, “Dead of Winter” is a well-executed enterprise. It’s modest in ambitious, sure, but Kirk and Co. likely had a relatively small budget, and, if that’s a correct assumption, they’ve made the most of it.

Unfortunately, as summer has just given way to fall, it’s a harsh reminder that, for many of us, a cold winter is coming.

‘Dead of Winter’

Where: Theaters.

When: Sept. 26.

Rated: R for violence and language.

Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes.

Stars (of four): 2.5.

By Beth Dooley, The Minnesota Star Tribune

Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce, but it does a whole lot more.

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A good salsa will complement and catapult the most ordinary dish with sweet, tangy, fiery depth and zest. It’s a delicious way to dispatch a seasonal bounty of fresh herbs, veggies and fruit, and is great in just about anything, regardless of the culture or country of a particular dish. Fresh tomato salsa adds zing to panzanella; sweet corn salsa lifts chicken salad; roast pepper-tomato salsa sparks buttery sautéed shrimp.

Chiles are the star of any salsa, providing a stunning range of flavor and heat. The level of spiciness is really up to the salsa maker, so feel free to experiment and choose chiles you like.

Generally, the smaller the chile the hotter it will be. Green chiles taste grassier, red chiles are sweeter and fruitier. Dried chiles, like grapes and raisins, are quite different from fresh; their flavors are more concentrated, and they’re often dried over a fire to infuse them with a smoky taste. Look for dried chiles that are soft and pliable, indicating that they are relatively fresh. To tamp down the heat level in any chile, remove the seeds. Be sure to wear gloves and do not touch your eyes or lips. The residual oil on your fingers can burn sensitive skin.

Chiles are relatively interchangeable so feel free to swap one for another. In desperation I’ve substituted a generous pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder, but the resulting salsa never tastes as good as when I use fresh.

Fresh salsas will keep for several days in the refrigerator; cooked salsa can be frozen for months. They’re also a source of creativity — the cook’s playground — and a delicious way to capture summer’s flavors in a jar.

Fresh Tomato Salsa (Salsa Fresca)

Makes 2 cups.

It’s tomato season, and salsa fresca is a great way to enjoy such ripe sweetness. Lime juice bumps up the flavor; choose chiles with heat you like best. This is your classic salsa for chips, and it’s great on turkey burgers, too. From Beth Dooley.

¼ c. minced onion
1 lb. fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 to 3 jalapeño chiles, to taste
⅓ cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice, or more to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Put all of the ingredients into a medium bowl and toss to combine. Cover and allow the flavors to meld for 1 hour. This will store in a covered dish in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Fire-Roasted Tomato Salsa

Makes 2 cups.

This classic salsa is a chunky, fiery mix of tomatoes, onions and chiles. Ladle it over quesadillas and eggs cooked sunny-side up. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for about 5 days. From Beth Dooley.

1 lb. Roma tomatoes
2 to 3 large Ancho chiles
1 onion, peeled
Coarse salt, to taste

Directions

Start a grill or preheat the broiler. Place the whole tomatoes, chiles and onion on the grill or under the broiler to char, about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping occasionally. The tomatoes should be tender and juicy, the chiles charred and wrinkled, the onion darkened and soft. Place the chiles in a plastic bag and allow them to steam for about 10 minutes. Remove and slip off their skins. Remove the seeds and stems.

Place the charred tomatoes, onion and chiles on a chopping board and dice. Transfer to a bowl, add the salt, and mash with a fork; taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm, room temperature or cold.

Sweet Corn Salsa

Makes about 2 cups.

Sweet, tangy and fiery, this salsa makes the best of corn season. It’s great over grilled fish. If you have cooked corn from last night’s dinner, add it to the mix. The salsa can be stored in a covered container for about 3 days. From Beth Dooley.

Extra-virgin olive oil
2 c. corn kernels (cut from 2 cobs of sweet corn)
1 red tomato, diced
1 small red jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
½ tsp. ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Film a skillet with the oil and set over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to turn golden, about 6 minutes. Toss in the tomato, jalapeño and garlic and cook until the tomato is very tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a medium bowl. Stir in the lime juice and cumin, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until the flavors have married, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Beth Dooley is the author of “The Perennial Kitchen.” Find her at bethdooleyskitchen.com.

©2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

When the plan for Gophers stud safety Koi Perich to play more offensive snaps ramped up during preseason, P.J. Fleck placed a caveat on the possibilities. The head coach repeated it this week.

“I said this from the start: We will do as much as Koi shows he can do,” Fleck said Tuesday on his KFAN radio show. “That is the head coach’s job. Popular, not popular. You show me you can do more, we will do more. You show me it’s too much, we’ll pull off.”

Coming off a poor performance in the 27-14 loss to California two weeks ago, it will be interesting to see how much Perich plays on offense — and as a punt or kick returner — in the Big Ten opener against Rutgers at 11 a.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.

In Berkeley, Calif., on Sept. 13, Perich tried to pick up a bouncing punt and muffed it. Cal recovered it at the 8-yard line and scored a touchdown three plays later for a 24-14 lead with less than seven minutes left. Earlier in the game, he also made a fair catch on a punt at the 3-yard line and took a sack while attempting to throw on a trick play, which set back an offensive drive.

Perich went against nonnegotiable rules on punt returns, including fair catching inside the 8-yard line and fielding a ball on the ground. “Hot and low, let it go,” Fleck said.

It was by far the most difficult game in the true sophomore’s young career. To show how quickly a fate can flip, just before the muffed punt, Perich was in position to intercept a pass and possibly return it for a touchdown, but linebacker Emmanuel Karmo batted it down.

“We had him doing a lot in that game. I mean a lot,” Fleck said on the radio. “Maybe we were a little more complex on defense than maybe we should have been. Maybe there were some things in the return game that maybe I shouldn’t have given him, but we also have to execute.”

A year ago, Perich likely picks that pass off against Cal. That’s how charmed he was with five total interceptions en route to being named first team All-Big Ten. It also set up All-American buzz to start 2025.

“He made plenty of mistakes last year, but they are covered up by a lot of plays,” Fleck said in his weekly news conference Monday. “I loved Koi’s response. It’s hard to be that level of a player and have that level of attention. You are not ever going to play perfect. There is a realistic piece of what you are going to play. You are going to make mistakes.”

For the first time in a non-blowout this year, Perich gave way to Logan Loya for a punt return midway though the Cal game, but Perich came back afterward. If Perich doesn’t end up handling punts returns against Rutgers, Loya is the likely the next man up.

Perich has averaged 8.5 yards across six punt returns this year compared to 9.4 on 20 returns in 2024. He is averaging 22.5 yards on two kick returns, up from 19.6 on 16 returns a year ago.

Perich has not had an expansive role on offense so far this season; the U didn’t need him to do much in the first two nonconference games. He had seven snaps in the season opener against Buffalo, four versus Northwestern State in Week 2 and then three against Cal, per Pro Football Focus.

On the season, he has one catch in each game for a total three for 55 yards.

On defense, Perich has played 130 total snaps this year, but he also struggled on that side of the ball against Cal, with three missed tackles and allowing six receptions on seven targets for 63 yards, per PFF.

“He is practicing his tail off,” defensive coordinator and safeties coach Danny Collins said Wednesday. “… He’s flying around. He’s picking off balls. He’s Koi. I think when you’re young guy like that and you make mistakes for the first time. Outside, the world is falling. It’s not. He’s made a couple of mistakes. He’s going to respond.”

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