March in Colorado is when winter and spring engage in their annual dance, and the state’s festival scene perfectly captures this transitional energy. The Burton US Open in Vail brings the world’s elite snowboarders for heart-stopping competitions, while down in Nederland, the infamously unique Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates one of Colorado’s strangest claims to fame with coffin races and frozen t-shirt contests. Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade paints the city green, bringing Celtic spirit to the Mile High City. Meanwhile, craft beer enthusiasts celebrate Colorado Craft Beer Week, exploring the state’s hoppy heritage through special releases and events. As the month winds down, Breckenridge’s Spring Beer Festival offers a perfect excuse to enjoy the warming weather with a cold brew in hand, all while surrounded by snow-capped peaks. March proves that Colorado does seasonal transitions with style and a healthy dose of quirkiness.
MOST POPULAR EVENT:
Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships
– Basic Premise: Premier professional snowboarding competition featuring world’s top athletes in halfpipe and slopestyle events
– Location: Vail Mountain, Vail
– Host Organization: Burton Snowboards/Vail Resorts
– Info typically found at: burtonusopen.com
– Also: vail.com/events
– Pro Tip: Stand near the middle of the halfpipe for finals – you’ll catch both the amplitude of the first hit and technical aspects of the middle section combinations. The rider’s right side typically has less crowds.
5 CLOSEST TO DENVER:
1. Mile High Beer Festival
– Basic Premise: Celebration of Colorado craft brewing featuring 100+ breweries
– Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
– Host Organization: Two Parts
– Info typically found at: milehighbeerfestival.com
– Also: denver.org/events
– Pro Tip: Use the provided event app to mark your must-try beers and create a tasting route – the most popular breweries often run out of their special releases halfway through the session.
2. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
– Basic Premise: One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the western U.S.
– Location: Downtown Denver (LoDo)
– Host Organization: Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
– Info typically found at: denverstpatricksdayparade.com
– Also: denver.org/events
– Pro Tip: The floats near the end of the parade are often more elaborate and have more giveaways since they’ve saved their supplies for the full route.
3. Frozen Dead Guy Days
– Basic Premise: Quirky festival celebrating a cryogenically frozen man with coffin races and frozen t-shirt contests
– Location: Nederland
– Host Organization: Nederland Chamber of Commerce
– Info typically found at: frozendeadguydays.org
– Also: nederlandchamber.org
– Pro Tip: The coffin races are the highlight – watch from the hill above the course to see both the speed runs and (more entertaining) crashes while avoiding the splash zone.
4. Colorado Craft Beer Week
– Basic Premise: Statewide celebration of craft brewing with special releases and events
– Location: Various Denver Metro locations
– Host Organization: Colorado Brewers Guild
– Info typically found at: coloradobeer.org
– Also: denver.org/events
– Pro Tip: The collaboration beers between breweries are unique to this week – prioritize these tastings as they won’t be available again.
5. Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival
– Basic Premise: Outdoor beer festival featuring live music and Colorado breweries
– Location: Main Street, Breckenridge
– Host Organization: Team Player Productions
– Info typically found at: breckspringbeerfest.com
– Also: gobreck.com
– Pro Tip: The festival grounds can get muddy as snow melts – grab a spot on the restaurant patios overlooking the festival for better viewing and easier access to both beer tents and food.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
March Mountain Restoration Project
– Basic Premise: Early spring trail maintenance and erosion control as snow begins to melt
– Location: Jefferson County Open Space
– Host Organization: Jefferson County Open Space
– Info typically found at: jeffco.us/open-space/volunteers
– Also: hikeforlife.org
– Pro Tip: During breaks, the trail crew leaders often share fascinating insights about mountain ecology and wildlife tracking in the snow – bring a camera for unexpected photo opportunities.
