>>>My father an I have a banked off-season RCI timeshare week that needs to be used this year. I don't know what will actually be available, but there are many RCI resorts in Colorado. We would have to go in October - off-season for Colorado. I don't ski. I suppose that it is off-season because the snow isn't reliable enough for skiing yet, but is enough of a threat to discourage hiking (which is what I normally do in the mountains). I don't want to spend a lot on a rental car or anything else (probably no 4WD) having shot my wad on my last trip.
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>>>There is one resort in Flagstaff AZ which would be our first choice, but I don't expect to get that, and if we did, it would be in November.
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>>>My vague question is: what could I expect to do and not do in Colorado in October? Of course, there are many other possibilities - too many to ask about: beaches in the Southeast in December when it's too cold to swim (not South Florida, probably) for example.
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>>I suggest you call the resort and ask them. You haven't given us enough information to make suggestions. A particular resort could have lots of activities planned for that time.
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>I plan to use the resort as a base for hiking and exploring an area within three hours drive of whichever resort we can get, which might be almost anywhere in the mountains but is likely to be near one of the major resort towns like Aspen or Vail. I am basically wondering if the weather will let me do that. Perhaps it will be all right, but not at the highest elevations. Maybe, for example, parts of Rocky Mountain National Park will be open and other parts closed. I imagine that I-70 would remain open but some of the higher passes would be a matter of luck. I don't mind walking or even driving in snow, up to a point.
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>There are also a couple of RCI resorts in Northern Utah, which I have never seen. I imagine it would be the same situation. Perhaps it would be easier to get to lower elevations there if we were unlucky with weather.
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>I'm interested in any impressions people have. I'm not looking for a complete, rigorous answer to my vague question.

Bret;

October and Colorado can be an interesting combination. I traveled to Colorado Springs many times during October. You never knew what was coming over Pikes Peak. I saw many “unannounced” storms hit that area with 90 mile an hour winds and snow. At least when you are at the Western part of Colorado you can have a “preview” of what is going to hit you. Just be ready for anything and be sure you take survival gear if you are going to be out hiking.

Tom