Three Colorado gems top the list of "Best Small Town to Visit" by U.S. News & World Report

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(Colorado) Small towns have big charm, and three Colorado gems landed in the top ten on the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings for "Best Small Town to Visit in the United States."

Breckenridge earns the #9 spot.

The Summit County mountain town has breathtaking scenery, world-class skiing, a robust selection of craft brews, and one of the largest historic districts in the state.

Breckenridge is home to the International Snow Sculpture Championship and Thomas Dambo's wooden troll, Isak Heartstone. The 15-foot outdoor art piece on Trollstigen Trail is a free gem and worth the visit.

Breckenridge is also the closest town on this list to Denver, which often means more weekend traffic. The pedestrian-friendly town tries to decrease traffic congestion and parking headaches with free in-town shuttles.

Coming in at #7 is Steamboat Springs.

The Routt County mountain town has beautiful landscapes, excellent skiing, a rich cultural scene, and western roots.

Working ranches surround Steamboat Springs, and the town hosts a downtown rodeo every summer weekend. The area has a "wild west" feel with western museums, cattle drives, and cowboy round-up days.

The town also has numerous mineral springs and community hot springs. The natural wonders have been drawing visitors for centuries.

Topping the list at #2 is Telluride.

Telluride is a quaint, picturesque mountain town with Victorian-era architecture, year-round outdoor recreation, fantastic festivals, and a rich mining history.

It is not unusual to see celebrities walking around Telluride, and the beautiful scenery and landscape have been on the big screen. "The Hateful Eight," a Quentin Tarantino western thriller, was filmed at Schmid Family Ranch.

Telluride is an ideal destination for those who love a small town with a big backyard, but it comes at a cost. Lodging rates are expensive in this popular area.

What is your favorite small town to visit in Colorado?

According to U.S. News & World Report, the #1 best small town to visit in the United States is Bar Harbor, Maine.

For this ranking, the small town must have a population of less than 50,000.