re: Out west family trip: help me plan route/sights

We did western adventures with younger kids many times. Colorado is a great place. You can make a loop and catch a lot of different things. Great sand dunes, royal gorge, whitewater rafting in Salida. Move to alpine loop area of lake city, Gunnison, Durango, Ouray. Ride 4 wheelers or Jeeps through the alpine loop. Some of the best scenery in the world. Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Move on to Rocky Mountain National Park for great hiking and wildlife viewing. Deer, elk, moose, sheep, all very common. Chance for Bears as well.

You can always include Pikes peak, Garden of the Gods, and other more popular spots to visit.