A surprising event for a town of under 15,000 to host, the Durango Independent Film Festival connects the isolated area to the rest of the world. Short documentaries, animated films and foreign films comprise the four-day cinematic lineup. Happening right near the end of ski season, there's still time to head up to the mountains for a great cultural experience and some world-class skiing at one of the nearby resorts.

Possibly the best-known fringe festival in the state, Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates the preserved body of Grandpa Bredo, frozen in Nederland since the 1990s. With events like the Charity Polar Plunge and the Coffin Races, the three-day festival is a huge hit with outdoorsy twenty- and thirty-somethings. Beer is a key player in this annual festival, available throughout the weekend in the festival tent and the main event at the Saturday night pub crawl. Live music is the other big draw, pulling in area bands for a huge number of performances.

Why such a festive climate for a dead guy? The event celebrates the hope of second chances and rejuvenation; it makes light of the end in the hope of new beginnings. It's nice to think that this is what Grandpa would have wanted: annual festivities to keep the memory of his frozen self alive until it's time to bring him back to enjoy life again. So grab your cold weather gear and drive up for the party, it's the town's biggest event of the year.

Previously known as the Denver Folk & Roots Music Festival, RootsFest brings in some of the biggest names in the field. In 2009, the headlining performers are Hot Rize, Shawn Colvin and Leo Kottke. Filling the beautiful Ellie Caulkins Opera House with the powerful, compelling verse and chords so suited to picturesque Colorado, the one-day event is not to be missed.