Little Morgan County offers big-time fun on Colorado's Eastern Plains

Rodeos, birdwatching, lakeside adventures and much more abound in the Fort Morgan area

By David Young

Take the road less traveled this year and add Morgan County to your list of places to check out in Colorado. Don’t know anything about Morgan County? Well, that’s the point. This corner of Colorado is the ideal spot for a day trip or long-weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of the Front Range.

Fort Morgan is the county seat, and the original fort was named in honor of Colonel Christopher A. Morgan, who served as the commanding officer in the 1st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry in the 1800s.

Morgan County sits in the northeast portion of the state, just over an hour’s drive from Denver, and is home to about 30,000 people. The sparse landscape around the towns of Brush and Fort Morgan might seem barren upon arrival; however, there is plenty of adventure to be found.

The West comes alive

The rodeo is one of the highlights to check out each summer in Morgan County. It doesn’t get more western than the Brush Rodeo, which takes place every Fourth of July weekend at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. The sharp clatter of hooves on the dirt, intermixed with the smell of popcorn and dust floating in the air is Colorado summer to the core. 

Birdwatchers flock to the Fort Morgan area. | Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Morgan

Step into your best boots and grab a cowboy hat to get into the spirit of the three-day event filled with booths, good food, music, fireworks, and real-life cowboy and cowgirl action. From mutton bustin’ and bull riding to entertaining clowns, the rodeo delivers something for everyone in the family.

The weekend after the rodeo, check out the Bobstock Music Festival. Set for July 11 and 12 at Glen Miller Park in Fort Morgan, the show features a lineup of artists playing under the wide-open Colorado skies. Accommodations can fill up quickly for this event, so plan ahead to secure a place to stay. The lineup for the free festival has yet to be announced, but you can count on more than 20 bands showcasing great local music across five different stages. The stages are flanked by a beer garden, local food trucks, vendors, and plenty of kids’ activities for the young’uns.

Wide-open skies

Perhaps the best way to view Morgan County’s landscape is from above. Skydiving is a great way to experience everything that this countryside has to offer. Orange Skies Free Fall Center provides jump opportunities for visitors looking to skydive from thousands of feet above the Colorado plains.

From first-time skydivers to those looking to get their official licenses, Orange Skies has expert instructors to guide the way through the skies.

If jumping out of a plane is a bit too much of an adrenaline rush, there’s also a way to catch the skies while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. Thanks to Morgan County’s remoteness, the region is home to a certified Dark Sky Park. Jackson Lake State Park provides a deep, dark canvas for the stars to shine bright by night. Thanks to minimal light pollution, the park provides prime viewing to spot a shooting star or two while naming all the constellations in the vast Colorado sky.

Jackson Lake is a top-rated park beach. | Photo provided

By day, Jackson Lake is ranked one of the “Top 15 Park Beaches” by Reserve America. The beach gives way to excellent fishing and boating on the large 3,000-acre reservoir. The lake also makes a great home for wildlife, including all types of winged creatures. Bird watchers will love the array of species that congregate around the lake. A few other great locations to spot some birds include nearby Riverside Park, Brush State Wildlife Area, and Jean K. Tool State Wildlife Area. 

Planning tips

• Summers in Morgan County can get hot on the eastern plains, and conditions can change quickly, so consider morning and evening activities to avoid the heat of the day. Drink plenty of water, and keep an eye on the weather forecast.

• Before setting out, be sure to pack essentials like sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and extra bottles of water.

• A lightweight jacket can also be handy, as temperatures can drop in the evenings. By preparing accordingly, you ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure. Event calendars are a planner’s best friend, so make sure to check out local tourism sites like VisitMorganCountyColorado.com for the latest updated event schedules.

• Cyclists should bring bikes and spend 45 minutes driving from Fort Morgan over to Sterling. This spring, the tourist center is releasing the Logan County/Sterling Gravel Adventures Field Guide, which will provide maps, photos and stories about where to ride. Look for 10 curated routes covering hundreds of miles.