re: Good pair of waterproof hiking shoes?

I’m generally of the thought that you shouldn’t use waterproof footwear when you don’t need it…but may in Colorado is where you are pretty likely to want it. That’s prime mud season where there is still lots of snow up high that is melting out. Stuff around town might be fine, but stuff higher up in the park might still have a decent bit of snow on the trails and at the least will likely be wet/muddy. I’d be packing both my gortex and non-waterproof trail runners and making the call based on conditions once I got there. If I had to pick one today I’d go with the gortex. I like Solomon and brooks, but get whatever fits your feet from a reputable brand.