4-day weekend July~Aug Outdoors couple - things/places you can recommend??

Assuming you're looking to get out here this summer??

I'd stay in downtown Denver. As for getting outdoors, you'll want to make sure you rent a car so you can get around to the foothills and mountains.

Some initial ideas:

• Hiking at  Chautauqua Park, anywhere in  Golden (Colorado), or down in  Colorado Springs (think  Garden of the Gods or  Seven Bridges Trail.
• Rent B-Cycles and cruise around Denver to hit up microbreweries like  Denver Beer Co.,  Prost Brewing,  TRVE Brewing Co..
• Hit up the spa at the  Four Seasons Hotel Denver.

Unfortunately, Denver is lacking in the water sport category. Unless you'd like to spend the weekend white-water rafting in the mountains, you're limited (Colorado is a desert climate).

Holler if you'd like other suggestions. There really is a ton to do here, so without knowing whether you all are strong hikers, or just looking for a leisure-based weekend, it's hard to nail down finites.

I went on a summer vacation to Denver last summer and one of my favorite places we saw was Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. A fun bike path we rode a lot was Cherry Creek Trail. 

Denver is great and there are a lot of things to do, but if you are coming in July go straight to Vail, CO.  Biking, Hiking, Eating, Tubing and less oxygen.  Take the Gondala up the mountain.

http://www.vail.com/summer/mountain/summer-gondola.aspx

Recommended Hotels:

1. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

2. Sonnenalp Resort

3. The Sebastian Hotel

If you are leaving to go back on a Sunday, leave early, before 9a.  Traffic back to Denver on Sunday from the mountains can be a long trip.  Leave on Monday and you can enjoy the Farmers Market on Sunday.

I recall Boulder was a fantastic small town just north of Denver. We saw cycling, kayaking and plenty of mountain activity as it's at the base of the Rockies. Looked a fantastic place to use as a base. Good luck. Enjoy.

You MUST MUST MUST go to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. It's an outdoors amphitheater. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Here's a link to the site: http://www.redrocksonline.com/

Even if there is not a concert going on, there are usually people working out or some other special event going on at redrocks. I cannot stress enough what a spectacular spot this is. 

If you and your wife are interested in hiking, and are in really good shape I would recommend hiking a "fourteener". I think Gray's Peak and Torrey's Peak is a good beginner fourteener hike. "Fourteeners" are pretty impressive hikes on peaks that are at least 14,000 feet or higher. Looking over a sea of mountains is spectacular.

I know you are wanting to go to Denver. However, Fort Collins has some pretty fun biking and watersports. Go for a romantic sunrise hike up Horsetooth. (You will probably encounter lots of people on a good weather day) There is a ton of biking, and you can do a biking tour of all our local breweries. (Ft. Collins has got to be the Craft brew capitol of CO). Let me know if you would like more information. Happy traveling!