Yellow background logo with brick red lettering that says Lariat Loop, National Scenic Byway.

Morrison, Colorado

The Town of Morrison is a home rule municipality in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The population was 396 at the 2020 census.

This town, at the bottom of winding Bear Creek Canyon, is perhaps most famous for the nearby natural outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If you’ve already planned to see a show — and even if you haven’t — stop in picturesque Morrison. Its tiny main street strip is filled with restaurants, quaint shops and antique haunts.

Just outside Morrison rests the high-end, critic-approved, wild-game establishment known as The Fort. A replica of Bent’s Old Fort, the adobe is a celebration of the West; decor and Southwestern foods are the standard, as are quality wines and decadent desserts.

Near town, a bike path skirts Bear Creek and leads to Bear Creek Lake Park, where you’ll find an extensive trail system, reservoir and lakes for kayaking and SUPing. Dinosaur Ridge is a must-see for geology or archaeology buffs; exposed dinosaur prints are perfectly entombed in sandstone all over this self-guided tour. The visitor center in Morrison may help you start the journey, and more bones are on display at the Morrison Natural History Museum.

During the warm-weather months, the town’s Bandimere Speedway hosts a variety of track events on its 1/4-mile drag strip, including National Hot Rod Association races.

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Gallery images courtesy of Tim Sandsmark and Kent Kanouse.