We have a daughter that lives in Golden so we go up that way fairly often. There are lots of good Airbnb's there. We were there last summer and did some horseback riding, hiking and whitewater rafting. It may be too late to go rafting. There is also good fishing in the area. Lots of good areas to explore around there.
My wife and I are headed back up there next week.
So the greatest civilization is one where all citizens are equally armed and can only be persuaded, never forced. It removes force from the equation... and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.