Given the state’s unique terrain and beautiful scenery, it’s no surprise that Colorado has some of the nation’s top public golf courses.
For the second straight year, three Colorado courses are featured on GolfDigest’s 2025 list of America’s 100 greatest public golf courses.
But even beyond that links trio, the Centennial State has some great golf available on public courses.
From courses that host professional events to more relaxed environments with Rocky Mountain views, Colorado has a wide variety of courses for the high handicappers to the scratch golfers.
Here are the top 10 public golf courses in Colorado in 2025, according to Golfweek. This year’s rankings include a new No. 1 and a new course in the top 10.
Note: Each of these courses allow public access in some capacity, whether it’s standard daily green fees or through staying at an affiliated hotel.
10. River Valley Ranch (Carbondale)
This course is a newcomer to the top 10, with a tricky but straightforward layout that “uses the natural undulations of the valley terrain including challenging river carries,” according to RVR’s website. You can go low here or just enjoy the fantastic views on all sides.
The Carbondale course was designed by Tom Morrish, a Colorado State alum and golf architect who worked with Jack Nicklaus and is in the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
9. The Broadmoor, West Course (Colorado Springs)
Compared to its more-heralded East sibling, the Broadmoor’s West Course plays tighter with more doglegs and sloping greens that get more difficult as the course ascends Cheyenne Mountain. Because of that, the West version is a more scenic option while still featuring nine holes each designed by renowned golf architects Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones.
8. TPC Colorado (Berthoud)
The only PGA Tour-managed course in the state is an annual host to the Korn Ferry Tour’s The Ascendant tournament, with past winners like Will Zaltoris and Tag Ridings. The 18-hole course features almost no trees, wrapping around a string of lakes and the Little Thompson River as plains meet mountains. At over 8,000 yards with intricate greens, it’s one of the top courses in Colorado.
7. CommonGround (Aurora)
The aptly-named suburban Denver course is a different type of environment, striving “to provide everyone in the state with a first-class environment in which to comfortably learn, enjoy and support this amazing game and all that it offers.” The CommonGround course itself requires thoughtful strategy to play each hole and has striking long-range views of the Rocky Mountains.
6. RainDance National (Windsor)
This resort-style course an hour north of Denver only opened in 2022 and is the longest golf course in North America, stretching to 8,400 yards from the back tees. There isn’t much elevation change at RainDance, but many long carries are required over ravines and arroyos alongside the Poudre River and plenty of tall native grasses.
5. The Golf Club at Bear Dance (Larkspur)
Another staple of Colorado best-of golf lists, Bear Dance has it all. There are steep elevation changes, scenic views of Pikes Peak plus the Castle Pines and Front Range regions, and Ponderosa pines that line the course. With wide fairways and over 750 acres, this course provides room to play but does bring creeks and ravines into play.
4. Red Sky Golf Club, Norman Course (Wolcott)
While positioned in the heart of the Rockies, this 7,580-yard Greg Norman-designed course sits on an old sheep ranch in the Vail Valley and has wide-range views of the mountains. The Norman Course at Red Sky is known for its big greens and intricate bunker setups, offering a challenge even for bigger hitters despite a flatter terrain by mountain standards.
3. Red Sky Golf Club, Fazio Course (Wolcott)
The Fazio Course at Red Sky is the companion 18 to the Norman design, though it’s often considered the more scenic.
This layout sits on an open bluff for the first nine but transitions to a mountain slope through wispy Aspen trees for the back nine, including a dramatic downhill finishing kick on the final three holes. At high elevation but with a big lake and tough bunkers, the course can play to nearly any skill level.
2. The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa (Grand Junction)
The popular Western Slope course has been among Colorado’s best for decades now, holding last year’s No. 1 spot in the Golfweek rankings.
Redlands Mesa has dramatic elevation changes, especially off the tee, and showcases stunning views of the “lunar-like landscape” and the nearby Colorado National Monument. Redlands has a unique mix of scenery with a challenging-yet-fun setup.
1. The Broadmoor Golf Club, East Course (Colorado Springs)
There’s a new No. 1 this year in the Golfweek rankings, but it’s a familiar one for Colorado golfers.
The Broadmoor’s East Course has wide fairways but treacherously-sloped greens and trees that challenge any wayward shots. The Colorado Springs course has hosted numerous major tournaments, such as the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, with winners like Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam and David Toms. It will also host the 2025 U.S. Senior Open (June 26-29).
The course plays nearly 7,400 yards and features nine holes each designed by famed architects Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones.
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
