For places to stay, I'd recommend the newer rooms in the Boulderado since it is downtown on Pearl Street and walking distance to CU Boulder. There are also a lot of good restaurants with outdoor seating by the hotel. Hiking at the Flatirons is fun, or you could rent bikes at University Bikes and ride on the huge network of bike trails all around the city and through campus. On sunny days (we have lots of them!) the city parks are filled with young adults/students so you could check out those too. It doesn't get much better than CU Boulder for quality of undergraduate life.

My son is there now as a graduate student.

1. Campus is very safe
2. Boulder is super safe
3. Most things are closed pandemic
4. Very very expensive to live ie apartment rents
5. No point to go unless love sking or snowboarding or hiking.
6. Great public college but large an all that entiails like any other very large school.
7. Bus from airport was easy for Students pre pandemic not sure about now.

If you’re renting a car, stay at the Millennium Harvest House, because it has the easiest parking. If you’re not renting a car, stay near campus at the Boulderado if you want rustic, or the St. Julien if you want fancy. I personally hated Boulder and think the campus is increasingly unsafe, but the town is pretty.

I grew up outside of Denver.
First, Colorado is known for its number of sunny days. This includes the winter. It is not remotely gloomy in the winter. A large snowstorm will come through, and the next day it will be bright and sunny melting the snow. The snow only stays on the ground in the mountains, not in the foothills. The sun quickly melts most of the snow.
It is very dry in Colorado. Some people love this, some people hate it.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Interesting comments about the weather... two of other choices are University of South Carolina and Syracuse. He likes Syracuse because of the campus size and school spirit but the weather will be tough to overcome.

I've lived in Boulder and Syracuse. The winter weather in Boulder is much more mild compared to Syracuse. Snow in Boulder tends to come in bigger storms. Syracuse gets lots of nights with 1-2 inches of snow with daytime gray skies. Syracuse winters are nowhere near as long as people report. Right now in Syracuse the tulips and daffodils are blooming. I last used the snow shovel in February. A winter day in Syracuse feels like a cold winter day in DC. The highs will be around 30 in January. The difference between a DC winter and Syracuse winter is that it is much less likely to climb into the 40s and 50s in January. It will be the steady colder weather.

Both areas offer lots of outdoor recreation. If your child enjoys water sports, the Boulder area doesn't really offer many opportunities whereas the Syracuse area offers many. The city of Boulder is nicer than Syracuse because it is wealthier. There is skiing near Syracuse, but it pales in comparison to CO skiing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember, most of the school year is in winter. Kids visit these cold weather schools in spring and summer and think the weather is delightful. Then, they attend, and it’s gloomy and snowy the entire school year. Over the years, I’ve seen this be an issue with several UofM admits.

True, but the winter in Boulder doesn't FEEL as cold as a New England cold because the air is so dry.

Also, it's warmer. And much sunnier. The weather in Boulder is great year-round. Anyone comparing it to NE or the Midwest has no idea what they're talking about.

You make a comparison between two things you know well to illustrate the differences between them. That is the point of a comparison.

CU Boulder was my top choice school, OP. I wish I could have gone there. I have family in Boulder and spent so many happy summers and holidays there. It's a magical place.

There are also a ton of sunny days in CO which is very unlike Boston, where I attended school.

OP here. Interesting comments about the weather... two of other choices are University of South Carolina and Syracuse. He likes Syracuse because of the campus size and school spirit but the weather will be tough to overcome.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember, most of the school year is in winter. Kids visit these cold weather schools in spring and summer and think the weather is delightful. Then, they attend, and it’s gloomy and snowy the entire school year. Over the years, I’ve seen this be an issue with several UofM admits.

True, but the winter in Boulder doesn't FEEL as cold as a New England cold because the air is so dry.

Also, it's warmer. And much sunnier. The weather in Boulder is great year-round. Anyone comparing it to NE or the Midwest has no idea what they're talking about.

Anonymous wrote:Remember, most of the school year is in winter. Kids visit these cold weather schools in spring and summer and think the weather is delightful. Then, they attend, and it’s gloomy and snowy the entire school year. Over the years, I’ve seen this be an issue with several UofM admits.

U of M =/= to Boulder.

The weather in the Denver/Boulder area is extremely variable, even in the winter. There can even be warm summer like days in the winter occasionally. It isn't like living in a ski during the winter. It isn't a place with a string of cold days for the entire winter.

If he is part of a Discord or similar chat, there may be a current student who will offer to work around with you. My freshman (different school ) has done this twice.

Anonymous wrote:Remember, most of the school year is in winter. Kids visit these cold weather schools in spring and summer and think the weather is delightful. Then, they attend, and it’s gloomy and snowy the entire school year. Over the years, I’ve seen this be an issue with several UofM admits.

True, but the winter in Boulder doesn't FEEL as cold as a New England cold because the air is so dry.

Remember, most of the school year is in winter. Kids visit these cold weather schools in spring and summer and think the weather is delightful. Then, they attend, and it’s gloomy and snowy the entire school year. Over the years, I’ve seen this be an issue with several UofM admits.

CU Boulder is beautiful! Stay near Downtown Boulder (there are a few hotels there), walk around campus, walk around Pearl Street Mall (outdoor commercial area in the heart of Boulder, then head to the Flatirons for a hike. Boulder is about 45 minutes from DEN so you will need to rent a car (unless you just want to check out CU and downtown Boulder- in that case everything is walkable). There is a bus that goes up and down Broadway (main N/S road in Boulder).

Have you all been out to the general area before? There is so much to do but with only one night I'd stick to Boulder. For lunch/dinner there are a ton of good places within walking distance (in/around Pearl Street Mall). A favorite of ours for a casual meal is Mountain Sun (but take cash - they don't accept credit cards).

Have fun! CU Boulder is on our DC's list too.

DS got into CU Boulder and now decides he has to see it pick school to attend (he has other good choice). We are fine to fly out there for a day - just looking for any insight on where to stay (one night) and what to do. Best I can tell the school is not offering any tours but he cannot decide on a school based on a virtual tour (and i don't blame him - he has never been to colorado!). Any tips on visiting the school? Thanks!