About Colorado United
Colorado United is an independent hiking and outdoor guide site covering trails, gear, and trip planning across the Centennial State. We started in 2018 and relaunched in 2026 with a focus on accurate, verifiable trail data and clear, plain-English gear advice.
What we cover
- Trail guides. Stats, parking, permits, and what to actually expect on the ground — from short family hikes to all 58 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks.
- Gear reviews. Comparisons of the boots, packs, layers, and navigation tools that make sense for Colorado's mountain weather and altitude.
- Trip planning tips. Trailhead reservations, weather windows, altitude prep, leave-no-trace basics.
How we work
Our trail data is sourced from primary public sources: the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, recreation.gov, USGS topographic data, and the Colorado Mountain Club. We cite specific permit systems and reservation links wherever they apply, and we double-check distance, elevation gain, and trailhead coordinates against multiple sources.
When trail conditions, permits, or fees change, we update the affected pages and note when they were last reviewed. If you spot something out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll fix it.
How we make money
Colorado United is free to read. We're supported by affiliate links (mainly Amazon Associates), display advertising, and occasional sponsored content — all clearly labeled. We never recommend gear we wouldn't suggest to a friend, and we don't accept payment for trail recommendations.
The team
Colorado United is published by the Colorado United Editorial Team. We write, fact-check, and publish under the brand rather than as individuals — our goal is consistent, sourced, accurate content rather than personal storytelling.
Contact
Email us at hello@coloradounited.com with corrections, partnership ideas, or trail tips.