Colorado (USA)

Best Time to Travel:

In general, the best time to travel is between May and September although there are the greatest temperature fluctuations in spring and autumn, and temperatures rise to up to 40°C during the summer months with high UV exposure to be reckoned with.

Entry Requirements:

The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types of journeys that are permissible under the VWP include general travel/tourism, certain types of business and when transitting to another country.
British travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, must get an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to their journey. Visitors should register through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA. The US Customs and Border Protection department have announced that there will be a $14 charge to apply for an ESTA from 8 September 2010. All payments must be made by credit card.
More details are available on the VWP and other aspects of US immigration at the following websites:
- www.usembassy.org.uk
- www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml
- http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html

Security measures for all passengers departing from UK airports
Some liquids are allowed through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through: Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point. Please note:
Any containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines, see section below) will NOT be allowed through the security search point. Most liquids of any amount may still be carried in hold baggage. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening - it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.
'Liquids' includes:
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc.
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpastes
- Gels, including hair and shower gel
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.
Please note that liquids can usually be purchased beyond airport security search points, in the departures area, as these liquids are subject to a separate screening process. Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting. Liquid dietary foodstuffs which are deemed essential can be taken through airport security and will be subject to verification by the passenger. For information concerning essential medicines and medical equipment, cabin baggage and size allowed, laptops / electrical items and outsize items please visit www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/requirements.

Global Security Advice
Travellers should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places anywhere in the world. Be vigilant, and take sensible precautions.

Specific Advice of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office indicates that there is a general threat from terrorism in the United States. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated the terror alert status of "orange", or high, for all international and domestic flights in the USA. Definitions of the US terror alert system can be found on the US Department of Homeland Security website (www.dhs.gov).
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to affect the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Forest and brush fires (wild fires) are a danger in many dry areas in the US. The greatest fire risk is during a period of dry weather and high winds, which can cause brush fires to spread very rapidly. You should monitor local media reports about such fires and follow the advice of local law enforcement officials. You should also check with your hosts in the US if you intend to travel to areas which may be affected.

Please ask the appropriate embassy in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the entry requirements, or inform yourself on the homepage of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk. You find the addresses of the embassies down below on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

None.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination requirements, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Vaccination recommendations:

General: Diphtheria, Tetanus. Risk groups/regions: Hepatitis B, Rabies.

West Nile fever:
Outbreaks of West Nile virus occur annually in the United States in the late summer and fall. West Nile virus is carried by Culex mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant water and are most active after dusk. Most infections are mild or asymptomatic, but the virus may infect the central nervous system, leading to fever, headache, confusion, lethargy, coma, and sometimes death. There is no treatment for West Nile virus. Insect protection measures are advised from August to November in most parts of the United States.

Plague:
An increased number of cases of plague was reported from four states in the year 2006: New Mexico (seven cases), Colorado (four cases, all in La Plata County), California (two cases), and Texas (one case). This was the largest number of cases reported in a single year in the United States since 1994. Five additional cases were reported from New Mexico between April and September, 2007, and two from Arizona between September and November, 2007. An additional case was reported form New Mexico (Eddy County) in January 2008 and two more cases from New Mexico (Santa Fe County) in June 2009. There are three forms of human plague: bubonic plague, characterized by enlarged, tender regional lymph nodes; septicemic plague, often causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain; and pneumonic plague, associated with shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough with bloody sputum. The plague is usually transmitted by the bite of rodent fleas. Those at greatest risk include those residing in rodent-infested dwellings and those participating in outdoor recreational activities, particularly rabbit hunting, in areas where plague is known to occur. The risk for most travelers is extremely low. There is no vaccine at present. To minimize risk, travelers should avoid areas containing rodent burrows or nests, never handle sick or dead animals, and follow insect protection measures.

Hantavirus:
Cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are regularly reported from rural areas in the western and southwestern part of the United States. In February 2010, a fatal hantavirus case was reported from Weld County, Colorado. In January 2010, a case was reported from Alamosa County in Colorado. In December 2009, two cases were reported from Nevada County, in eastern part of the state of California. In June 2009, a case was reported in a Minnesota woman who had probably contracted the disease in Arizona during a family boating trip on the Colorado River. One case was reported from Arizona in 2008. Three cases were reported from New Mexico between May and November 2007, one in March 2008, one in December 2008, one in May 2009, and one in June 2009. The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a life-threatening infection characterized by high fevers, fluid in the lungs and respiratory failure. The virus is carried by rodents, especially the deer mouse. Most cases occur in those whose homes have been infested with rodents or contaminated with rodent excrement. Most travelers are at extremely low risk.

Rabies:
In the USA, the risk of transmission of rabies by bats to humans has increased considerably. Tourists planning a trip to an area of the USA with an increased bat population should be aware that a bat bite often goes unnoticed. Due to their very small teeth, there is a risk that bats can bite without being perceived, likewise the risk of infection. Most rabies infections in the USA affect wildlife, such as foxes, skunks, racoons and coyotes. Bats are mainly responsible for transmitting rabies to humans. The risk of contracting rabies depends on a number of factors. These include the specific conditions to be found in the country in question, the traveller's behaviour, the style and duration of the trip. The so-called "risk group" includes "back-pack tourists", hunters, forestry workers, zookeepers, veterinarians and people with frequent animal contact. Persons in the USA who have contact with bats - including cave researchers and visitors - are part of the high-risk group and should have a rabies vaccination. A rabies vaccination is recommended for the risk groups. The essential rule of behaviour for all travellers, is to stay away from straying animals (especially foxes, skunks, racoons) and not to touch cadavers. Should you be bitten by a bat or have contact with the saliva or blood of a stray animal, seek a physician or medical help immediately.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination recommendations, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Geographical position:

Longitude: 102-109° west
Latitude: 36-41° north

Official language:

English

Currency:

US dollar

Country code:

001

Time Difference to Central European Time:

GMT -7h (in summer -6h)

Power supply/voltage:

Electrical current is 11/120 volts, 60Hz, an adaptor is necessary.

Embassy address:

U.S. Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
+44 20 74999000

SCSLondon@state.gov
London W1A 1AE
www.usembassy.org.uk