Skydiving in Colorado

Most Colorado drop zones sit out on the Front Range plains, close enough to Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs for a same-day trip. What sets them apart is the wall of rock to the west. On the ride to altitude you watch the snow-capped Rockies climb into view, and on the way down you get high-desert flats, foothills, and the thread of the South Platte laid out beneath your feet.

The high, dry air here does more than look good, it stays clear and stable through much of the season, which is exactly what an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) student wants when learning body position and canopy control. Most facilities run spring through fall, and instructors work students jump by jump from that first assisted freefall toward the A license and whatever comes after.

Licensed jumpers get variety without leaving the state. Some loads open onto the Western Slope; others face the Sangre de Cristo range to the south. And there's a wrinkle the flatland DZs don't have: many Colorado landing areas sit above 5,000 feet MSL, so the thinner air changes how gear flies. Adjust for it and the community here is easy to fall in with.

First-time tandem, AFF student, or visiting fun-jumper: the mix of city access, big scenery, and seasoned staff is what keeps people coming back to jump in Colorado.