They’re the town names on the highway exit signs you pass and say, “One of these days, I’m going to check out…”

But it hasn’t happened yet, which is why you’ve been to Aspen and not Carbondale, Grand Junction but not Cedaredge. Maybe you’ve even made the trek to Telluride or the long haul to Durango — but never Dolores, which sits halfway between.

It’s time you did. These towns may be small, and in some cases — such as Pitkin, population 66 — downright tiny, but they’re big on character and often offer more in the way of outdoors activities and historic buildings than places hundreds of times larger.

“We’re the quiet picnic destination on the Fourth of July,” says Jennifer Loshaw about Ridgway in the western part of the state. “While Ouray gets hammered with visitors, you can come over here and escape the crowds, kick back and relax.”

In other words, find your summer escape.

-Kyle Wagner

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2012 Denver Post Summer Escapes

Alamosa

Carbondale

Cedaredge

Dolores

La Junta

Lake City

Montrose

Pitkin

Rangely

Ridgway