Photo Credit: Bradley Gordon/Flickr

Get your binoculars and your lucky hat, because we’re headed to the races! If you are traveling to Colorado, there are some great horse racing venues you can visit.

Horse racing is a beloved sport in Colorado, with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or just looking for a fun day out with the family, Colorado has some great horse racing tracks to check out.

Now, even though Colorado doesn’t have many horse racing tracks that feature interesting races, there are still a few places where you can at least experience some equestrian magic.

Must-Visit Horse Racing Tracks in Colorado

Arapahoe Park Racetrack

Nestled in the heart of the US Rocky Mountains, Arapahoe Park Racetrack is a horse racing bonus track that every enthusiast should have on their bucket list. This Aurora, Colorado-based track is the only place in the state where you can experience live horse betting action.

Arapahoe Park is not just any ordinary racetrack. It has a rich history dating back to 1984 when it first began live racing and has been running every season since (except for a brief moment in 1985).

Arapahoe Park takes the safety and well-being of the horses seriously. In 2014, the track introduced a special incentive for horsemen to race without administering race-day medication to their horses.

This means that trainers who win without using legal race-day medication such as Lasix, phenylbutazone, flunixin, or ketoprofen will receive an additional $1,000 on top of the purse money. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. The horses stay healthy, and the trainers get rewarded for playing by the rules.

It is also worth mentioning that Arapahoe Park races feature the biggest purses that go above $100,000.

La Plata County Fairgrounds

For a truly unique horse racing experience, head to the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango.

The track hosts live quarter horse races on weekends during the summer months, with a variety of other events and activities for the whole family. And with the stunning San Juan Mountains as a backdrop, you can’t beat the scenery!

Colorado Horse Park

Colorado Horse Park is another must-visit destination for horse lovers in the state of Colorado. Located in Parker, Colorado, this equestrian facility spans over 152 acres and hosts various equestrian events throughout the year.

The park features a large indoor arena, outdoor rings, cross-country courses, and stabling facilities. Colorado Horse Park is also home to the Wild Horse Warriors program, which rescues and rehabilitates wild horses and offers equine therapy to veterans and first responders.

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or just a fan of horses, Colorado Horse Park is definitely worth a visit.

National Western Complex

Prepare to cowboy up and head to Denver, Colorado’s Events Center at National Western Complex! This excellent location is ideal for horse shows and rodeos.

With a seating capacity of 7,500, it is one of the region’s largest indoor arenas. The iconic National Western Stock Show is held in the Events Center, and it is not to be missed if you enjoy livestock and cowboy culture.

But it’s not just the events that make the center unique; it also has first-rate facilities. With climate-controlled stabling, veterinary services, and a warm-up arena, this is an excellent choice for exhibitors and their equine partners.

Final Words

Even though Arapahoe Park is the only official horse racing track in Colorado that features many horse races throughout the year, there are still several opportunities where you can get at least close to the equestrian sport.

In other words, this state lacks high-grade horse racing, which will definitely be very appreciated by the locals, especially considering their love and passion for the sport.

So, if you are a horse racing entasis, there are still a couple of places you can visit in Colorado. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the sport or just a person that loves horses, Colorado has plenty of everything.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com