With a patchwork of mountains, ranches and cosmopolitan cities, Colorado offers an enviable backdrop for all genres, while providing a perfect hideaway for celebrities away from the rush of Hollywood – be it an authentic ranch or an exclusive ski lodge.

Stay in a movie set

Colorado has a number of 'haunts' for film buffs to stay in when retracing movie locations. The Stanley Hotel, nestled in Estes Valley with a dramatic view of the Rocky Mountains, is steeped in history dating back to the wandering tribes of Ute and Arapaho, but most famously became the inspiration for King's best-selling book celebrating its 40th anniversary next year (1977) and big-screen horror classic (1980), The Shining, when he stayed there. Reports of haunted happenings still occur in the hotel, with guests in room 207 and a number of rooms on the fourth floor experiencing visits from at least three spirits.

Further south in San Luis Valley sits the Indiana Jones B&B, where young Henry Jones Jr. lived in the third movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). The former movie set is located minutes from the historic Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad which also featured in the movie, with daily excursions available for visitors to take a ride into the mountains.

Visit the scenes

Blockbuster films from the last year alone showcase the dramatic scenery across the state of Colorado. Tarantino's Hateful Eight (2015) used a number of Telluride locations for its bounty hunters' survival story through blizzards in 1870's post-Civil War neighbouring state, Wyoming. Located in the San Juan Mountains, with temperatures dipping below -20 degrees, this Wild West ski resort has an average annual snowfall of up to eight metres, providing the perfect wintry atmosphere for filming. With authentic western-style hotels and restaurants lining the streets, the area offers the perfect location in all seasons, as the coating of snow is replaced by wildflowers in the summer months, for visitors to enjoy whilst cycling, hiking or horseback riding.

Pikes Peak, home to one of the USA's oldest motorsports races – Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, was used in Paul Walker's final film, Furious 7 (2015), posing as the Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan. The frenzied chase along the beautiful yet treacherous mountain roads was filmed on Highway 50 around Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass, 70 miles west of Colorado Springs.

Spring 2012 saw Johnny Depp's Academy Award nominated film, The Lone Ranger (2013) set up location in Creede. More than 400 crew members and set construction workers visited the area, staying in every available room along the Silver Thread Byway – the busiest the area has been since the silver boom of the 1890s. Rail scenes were shot in the canyon above Creede with track re-laid in locations throughout Willow Creek Canyon, originally used by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1891.

Old favourite True Grit (1969), which brought John Wayne his only Academy Award, brought the amazing natural scenery of Colorado's southwest to the big screen. Filming locations included Ridgway, now home to the True Grit café, in-keeping with the western saloon styling and around the towns of Montrose and Ouray. Visitors to this part of the state are a close drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and its range of adventures, from rafting to hiking.

See the celebrity hideouts

Complementing his affinity with horses and polo, Ralph Lauren owns the Double RL Ranch based just north of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Covering more than 15,000 acres, the ranch was built from scratch for Lauren, save a century-old barn, and has a full gym, stables and five guest cabins.

Prince of the Thieves, Kevin Costner, also likes to spend time in the state and has a part-time home in Aspen. Purchased in 2002 for an estimated price of $20 million (approx. £14 million), the 164 acre home has a guesthouse, lake and stables.  

Meanwhile, Frasier star Kelsey Grammer fell in love with skiing when he visited Aspen in 2002, spurring him to purchase a holiday home in the Colorado Mountains. What started as a small purchase – a condo in Bachelor Gulch, Avon – he has since upgraded to a larger home in the area.

Other celebrities that may be spotted in the state include indie rock band The Lumineers who are based out of Colorado; long-time resident Jessica Biel, and Aspen enthusiast Charlie Sheen.

Colorado is a year-round destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational activities, an abundant arts scene, Western heritage, distinctive cuisine and 25 renowned ski resort areas. The state's scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of four major rivers, numerous peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 11 national parks and monuments and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet, known as 'Fourteeners'.

Further information can be found at www.colorado.com

Consumer social media handles www.facebook.com/coloradoukireland & www.twitter.com/coloradoukeire

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About Black Diamond:

Black Diamond is a full service communications agency offering public relations and travel trade representation, creative solutions, media planning and buying, alongside digital and website development and content production. Black Diamond specialises in the travel and consumer industries. Existing clients include Brand USA, Visit California, Colorado Tourism Office, South African Airways, San Francisco Travel Association and fashion brands OWL Watches, Movado, Sonia H and Mr Quintessential. For information about Black Diamond visit www.blackdiamond.co.uk.

For further press information contact:

Sarah Barnett sarah@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6378

Polly Beech polly@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6359