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[Big Francis]

Given your location, Sierra Nevada Extra or Torpedo (Celebration around December) would be good starters.
A good Colorado brew that's available most places now is Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale (and if you're in the mood for some rocket fuel type, Deviant Dale Double IPA.

You can't go wrong with the Stone brews, Languinitas is good stuff, as well as Green Flash. Solid, local craft IPAs are readily found. They are generally forgiving beers to brew.

Just remember the general consensus is that an IPA's full flavor comes out when it's warmer than your cheap beer; around 48 degrees. Anyone who disagrees with this is probably the same type of savage that chills red wine. An ice cold IPA hides a lot of the malt and aromatic characteristics and really magnifies the bitterness of the hops.