Colorado contains some of the most diverse landscapes in the country.

With ecosystems that range from the prairie grassland to the alpine tundra, the state has more biomes — a geographical area characterized by its diversity of plants, climate and wildlife — than most states. Within each of these areas, the animals can be just as diverse, providing homes for the mountain goats that love cool mountain peaks to the small birds, like the lark bunting, that prefer the warmth of the vast, open grassland habitat.

To celebrate Colorado’s diverse species, there are numerous festivals across the state and throughout the year to raise awareness about specific animals, the habitat and the seasons when these birds and wildlife thrive.

Start planning some weekend travel to learn more about the Centennial State’s variety of animals.

High Plains Snow Goose Festival

Lamar, Colo.; Feb. 6-9, 2025

The blastoff of thousands of snow geese cackling in a raucous cacophony of noise is something every person who adores nature should experience at least once in their life.

As one watches this white flutter of feathers and noise, it can be amazing to realize the birds never seem to even bump into each other as they take off from roosting areas into nearby farm fields to feed.

Lamar, in southeastern Colorado, is a stopover point for snow geese during their late winter migration north to their breeding grounds.

The festival celebrates their arrival and helps nature lovers to learn more about this species as well as other birds of the plains region. Tours include museums, birding and local manufacturing facilities.Bald Eagle Festival

Barr Lake State Park; Feb. 8, 2025

Each winter, more than 1,000 bald eagles migrate to Colorado to take advantage of the moderate winter climate. Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, Colo., is one of the best places along the Front Range to view not just the visiting eagles but the resident pairs as well.

The festival raises awareness about this once endangered bird of prey with a fun-filled day of activities, presentations, a guided bird hike and observation opportunities. The event is free but donations to the Friends of Barr Lake are encouraged. A state park pass is required to attend this event.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

Monte Vista, Colo. in the San Luis Valley; March 7-9, 2025

Nestled into the valley near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and the nearby farms host thousands of sandhill cranes and other migrating birds during the spring.

Sandhill cranes, one of the oldest known bird species on the planet today, still call out with a prehistoric, rattling call that can be heard throughout the region during migration. Flocks of birds fly past snow-covered peaks in spring, and the valley celebrates their arrival with a festival, including tours, craft fair, photography workshops and keynote speakers. The 2025 keynote speaker is author and ornithologist Scott Weidensaul.

Mountain Plover Festival

Karval, Colo.; April 25-27, 2025

The town of Karval celebrates the arrival of the mountain plover in southeastern Colorado each spring. Referred to as the “prairie ghost” for its ability to vanish into the shortgrass prairie, the mountain plover actually prefers to nest in the open plains rather than the mountains, despite its name. Spending the winters farther south in southwestern U.S. and Mexico, the birds return to the prairie of the Great Plains and eastern Rocky Mountain states to breed.

The festival recognizes this unique shorebird as well as other migrating and returning birds in spring with tours to private ranches and farms, open spaces and state wildlife areas. The festival also includes a night tour to look for owls and homestyle food at every meal.

Pikes Peaks Birding and Nature Festival

Fountain Creek Nature Center, Fountain, Colo.; May 15 — 18, 2025

Embark on a journey with the migrating birds passing through Colorado. Birders, photographers, naturalists and biologists join in on this celebration of birds in the prairie-to-peak region near Colorado Springs. The four-day festival includes field trips to open spaces not often open to the public, photography programs, educational seminars, bird walks and the popular Birds, Brews and Bites event.

Moose Festival

Moose Visitor Center, State Forest State Park, Gould, Colo.; typically the second Saturday in August

Celebrate Colorado’s largest mammal by attending this free, one-day, family-friendly event at the Moose Visitor Center in Gould, Colo.

Events in previous years have included educational presentations, arts and crafts stations, and scavenger hunts. While in the area, look for moose as well as the wide range of mammals and birds that call North Park home.

Yampa Valley Crane Festival

Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig, Colo.; Aug. 28-31, 2025

Held each year in late summer in northwest Colorado, the Yampa Valley Crane Festival honors this unique bird that nests in the region during the summer.

Festival activities include keynote speakers, live raptor viewing, bird walks, showings of documentary films and guided crane viewing. This year’s speakers include Dr. Dan Collins, a sandhill crane expert with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation Co-Founder and Senior Conservationist.

Elk Fest

Estes Park, Colo.; Sept. 27-28, 2025

Celebrate “Elktober” in Estes Park where the local ungulate rules the landscape during its fall rut season.

Held each year during the peak of rut activity, Elk Fest is a free event that celebrates all things elk. Events include live music, educational programs, Native American dancing and music, and live raptor viewing.

Bighorn Sheep Festival

Georgetown, Colo.; typically held the second Saturday in November.

This one-day, free event pays homage to Colorado’s state mammal, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Held at the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center, the event includes bighorn sheep viewing, crafts, music and educational programs from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.