Colorado is a beautiful, mountainous state with plenty of natural landscapes that can inspire and surprise. The sleepy vibe of some Colorado towns and the friendly energy in Denver makes it easy to see why there are so many great songs about this state!
Check out the best songs about Colorado below.
1. “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver
Song Year: 1972
Unsurprisingly, John Denver wrote a song or two about the Centennial State. This song is about a young man traveling to Colorado, learning about the world and himself.
It’s an existential song about learning to be one with the world and accepting the good with the bad, like how the Rocky Mountains can be majestic but dangerous.
2. “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” by John Denver
Song Year: 1971
This John Denver song is about a man who prefers to live and work in Colorado, where peace and an honest way of life exist. However, this man lives in New York City and works in an office, but he dreams of being in the mountains where the air is clear, and the sky is open.
3. “Crystal Colorado” by Alpha Rev
Song Year: 2011
This song is about the beauty of Colorado and has strong themes of drug use. In the lyrics, Alpha Rev sings about wanting to be saved and coming down from the high. The narrator wants to be better and find a hand to hold but doesn’t know if there is any way to get better.
4. “A Mile High in Denver” by Jimmy Buffet
Song Year: 1970
The iconic Jimmy Buffet wrote this beautiful song about wanting to make Denver his home, even though he must eventually return to his life.
He visits Denver and finds it even more impressive than what he’s seen in magazines and decides to call the city his even though his visit is only brief.
5. “Rocky Mountain Way” by Joe Walsh
Song Year: 1973
Joe Walsh was involved in a rock band called James Gang but left to pursue a solo career. He wrote this song about how he needed a break from music and found peace and happiness in Colorado. With this song, he starts firing again and sings about reentering the music scene.
6. “Colorado Girl” by Townes Van Zandt
Song Year: 1989
This adorable is romantic and sweet. The narrator sings about wanting to go to Denver to find his sweet Colorado girl, who is just as bright as the Colorado sun and as fresh as the Rocky Mountain air. He bids his mother goodbye and sets out to the Centennial State to find the love of his life.
7. “Get Out of Denver” by Bob Seger
Song Year: 1974
This upbeat and playful song is about a couple on the run from the cops. The song doesn’t specify what crime they committed but details a thrilling journey as they try to evade the police and make it out of Denver without being caught!
Unfortunately, they’re caught by a state trooper just before they leave Colorado.
8. “Colorado” by Florida Georgia Line
Song Year: 2019
Florida Georgia Line breaks up their discography of party music with this sad song about moving to Colorado after being left at the altar.
The narrator talks about getting drunk in the Rocky Mountains to numb the pain and how this would’ve been their honeymoon spot if his fiance had said yes at the altar.
9. “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band
Song Year: 2010
Another country song about Colorado, this track from Zac Brown Band, is about a girl who lives in Colorado, and her man never comes to see her, blaming the cold weather for his lack of commitment.
It’s a sad song that uses the cold Colorado winters metaphorically for this unbalanced relationship.
10 “Denver” by Willie Nelson
Song Year: 1975
Willie Nelson wrote this short song about the beauty of Denver and how you can be anyone you want there, free of judgment. The song talks about the quietness of Denver and how people are friendly but mind their own business. It’s a simple but lovely song about the welcoming vibe in Denver.
11. “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” by Warren Zevon
Song Year: 1991
One of the darker songs about Denver, this track by Warren Zevon, is about life and death and what it’s like living without a purpose.
It shouts outs a few places in Denver and makes political references to the large homeless population, highlighting the good and bad of the city as a parallel to the good and bad of life.
12. “Lucky Denver Mint” by Jimmy Eat World
Song Year: 1998
Jimmy Eat World is a rock band from the 90s that recorded this catchy punk song that references coins made at the Denver Mint. The song has existential themes but opens with the narrator saying they made a wish on a Dever coin even though they don’t know what they want.
13. “You Wild Colorado” by Johnny Cash
Song Year: 1965
This classic Johnny Cash song is about a man leaving his woman because the relationship is not working.
The narrator sings about how the relationship is over, and there is no point in trying anymore because they’re both too wild (like Colorado), so he hits the road and leaves by driving through the mountain roads.
14. “Colorado” by the Flying Burrito Brothers
Song Year: 1971
This is one of the best songs about Coloraod for people who call the Centennial State home. In the song, the narrator sings about trying to explore the world but finds other places too busy and fast-paced, so he’s tired and returns to Colorado, even though it means leaving behind the woman he loves.
15. “Colorado” by Chevy Chase
Song Year: 1978
Chevy Chase makes music? Sort of! This song is a parody of John Denver’s music, capturing the folksy sound and story lyrics.
However, it’s a silly song with funny lyrics that may surprise you when you listen and make you laugh. He sings about the freezing cold weather and the drugs prevalent in Denver.
16. “Lucky Old Colorado” by Merle Haggard
Song Year: 1990
In this song about Colorado, the narrator laments about a girl he met in California and fell in love with her.
However, she was from Colorado and decided to go back home, so he’s jealous that Coloraod gets to have her and he doesn’t. He knows she loves Colorado more than she’ll ever love him.
17. “Good Life” by One Republic
Song Year: 2009
This catchy One Republic song is about living the good life and moving around the world. The narrator talks about going to some of their favorite places, like London, Paris, China, and, you guessed it, Colorado!
It’s only a quick shoutout, but to be listed alongside the major cities mentioned in the song, it’s quite the compliment to Colorado.
18. “Colorado” by Paper Bird
Song Year: 2010
This song is an ode to Colorado, as the lyrics mention everything from gold mining to elk to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. In the song, they talk about Colorado being a wild and fun place where you can escape the hustle of city life and just have a good time.
19. “Telluride” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2001
This beautiful country song tells the story of how the narrator moved to the stunning city of Telluride in Colorado and built a life there. He made friends with the locals and worked at a bar until, one day, the love of his life strolled into town and changed his world forever.
Throughout the song, McGraw talks about how naturally gorgeous Telluride is and how well the sleepy town treated him.
20. “Mile High Feeling” by Chuck Pyle
Song Year: 2007
This sweet song talks about how peaceful Denver is, as you can drive up to Colorado to forget about all your worries and enjoy some fresh air. Pyle sings about how cities can feel like jails, but Colorado makes him feel free and happy.
The chorus is catchy and folksy, praising the Centennial State’s quiet and gracious aura that makes him feel at home.
21. “Closer” by the Chainsmokers
Song Year: 2016
This super popular song is perfect for dancing and references the city of Boulder, an progressive place in Colorado. The narrator sings to a girl he has a history with about how they’re both still growing up but can have fun together even if they don’t commit to one another.
22. “I’m Leavin’ Colorado” by Hillbilly Hellcats
Song Year: 1998
While many songs on this list are about how beautiful and peaceful Colorado is, this song is about how cold and brutal the mountainous state can be.
Colorado is known for its freezing winters with plenty of snow, and in this song, the narrator sings about being done being cold and how they’re going to go to Hawaii and sip Mai Tais on the beach.
23. “Colorado Sunrise” by 3OH!3
Song Year: 2008
Known for their unique and edgy sound, 3OH!3 is a distinct duo that combines weirdness with romance. In this song, the narrator talks about how pathetic they are and how they’re falling apart as a person.
Nevertheless, they love their partner immensely and hope that they can love each other anyway. The lyrics end with a line about watching the Colorado sunrise together and being happy with their little life.
24. “40 Miles from Denver” by Yonder Mountain String Band
Song Year: 1999
This cold and sad song comes from the perspective of someone who wants to leave their partner quietly. They sing about waking up extra early and sneaking out to drive away without saying goodbye.
They say they’ll be 40 miles away from the city before their partner wakes up but they don’t care because they’ve been unhappy in the relationship for so long.
25. “Colorado Bluebird Sky” by The String Cheese Incident
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbfMp5YdSDE
Song Year: 2011
These lyrics tell the story of the narrator, who turned 21 and headed west to see what the world had to offer.
He wound up in Colorado and fell in love with the state’s big blue sky and calming energy. He appreciates waking up to waterfalls, canyons, and friendly folks who welcomed him to Colorado.
26. “Colorado” by Milky Chance
Song Year: 2021
This dance song by Milky Chance is fun and upbeat. The lyrics talk about how the narrator is going through a breakup, and to cope with their sadness and anger, they smoke a lot to get super high, comparing their state to Colorado’s elevation cleverly.
Despite the sad themes, this catchy song is funky and joyful.
27. “Colorado Christmas” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Song Year: 1997
This song captures the authentic beauty of Colorado, talking about how it doesn’t feel like Christmas in other cities, especially places like NYC, where the lights take over everything.
The narrator dreams about a Colorado Christmas where you can feel the Christmas spirit in the air and appreciate the beautiful snowfalls.
28. “I-70 Westbound” by The Railbenders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beV8kh8NACs
Song Year: 2005
A classic country track, this song has an upbeat sound and punchy lyrics about the journey down the highway that runs through Colorado. It highlights some of the best cities in Colorado, including Vail and Denver. The feel-good song is a fun anthem with the same good vibes and laid-back energy as Colorado.
29. “Driving Back to Denver” by The Railbenders
Song Year: 2005
This folksy bluegrass song is about a man who is making his way back to Colorado and keeps hitting speed bumps along the way.
He gets stuck in different states and breaks down on the road trip, but he keeps on going because he only wants to get back to Denver, which he calls home.
30. “Goodbye in Telluride” by Dierks Bentley
Song Year: 2018
This heartbreaking song is about an impending breakup. The narrator knows something isn’t right with his lover, but he hopes she won’t end things while they’re in Telluride, one of the most beautiful cities in Colorado.
He says she can say goodbye in NYC, Cali, Tennesse, and anywhere except for the gorgeous Telluride.
31. “Altitude Adjustment” by Midland
Song Year: 2017
This meaningful song is about needing space from people and wanting to be high up in the mountains where the air is clean, and nobody needs anything from you.
It praises Colorado for not being busy and crowded like all the big cities in the US, making it the most peaceful place to center yourself and find happiness.
32. “Intentions” by Justin Bieber
Song Year: 2020
Justin Bieber wrote this romantic song about his wife, Hailey Bieber, and he gives Colorado a shoutout in the lyrics. He sings about how she is his whole world and never needs to pretend to be someone else when he’s with her, referring to her as his rock and then cleverly referencing Colorado.
33. “Commerce City Sister” by DeVotchKa
Song Year: 2003
The narrator of this song sings about wanting to escape from Commerce City, one of the rougher cities in Colorado, because he knows nothing is left there for him.
He seeks comfort because he feels lost and doesn’t want to return to his family, making this one of the sadder and more meaningful songs about Colorado.
Top Songs About Colorado, Final Thoughts
Whether the song is about heartbreak in the mountains, drinking under the big blue sky, or finding love in sleepy mountain towns, it’s clear that many artists have sentimental feelings about the Centennial State.
If you live in Colorado, save these anthems that will remind you of home; if you don’t, enjoy these musical glimpses into one of the most beautiful states in the country.