11:46 am, Jun 17, 2013
A quick look at the 2012-2013 skier numbers recently reported by Colorado Ski Country USA reminds of the of famous scene in Field of Dreams in which Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella hears a voice while walking through his cornfield. "If you build it, he will come," the voice says. It seems that things aren't so different when it comes to Colorado and...
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9:43 am, Jun 17, 2013
When it comes to parks, Denver is slipping. Sort of. Last year, Denver landed at number 13 on the Trust for Public Land’s inaugural ParkScore rankings—a measure of park acreage, access, and investment in the country’s biggest cities. This year, we dropped to number 17, lagging behind Colorado Springs and even Omaha (!). We blame Minneapolis. And...
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10:53 am, Jun 12, 2013
Long-awaited relief for wildfire-wrecked areas of Colorado will finally arrive after nearly a year of battles that delayed federal funding and held up projects to reduce flooding in hard-hit regions across the state. The roughly $20 million in federal money will be used to repair damaged water supplies and reduce flooding risks in El Paso and...
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4:58 pm, Jun 11, 2013
Why we love it: We know, we know. It’s not the most exotic of hikes. But that’s the beauty of it. It can be whatever you want it to be: A leisurely stroll up a mellow, valley path with the whole family and a pooch in tow, a quick-and-dirty trail run for ambitious Boulderites before work, or a place to try your hand at rock-climbing without...
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9:03 am, Jun 11, 2013
Trail runners typically prefer the solitude of the trail over schmoozing. But as the sport's popularity surges, these athletes will be making their way out of the woods and into the city of Estes Park for America's inaugural trail running conference. On June 21-22, the Estes Trail Ascent Conference will bring together industry leaders...
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11:37 am, Jun 7, 2013
Landlocked Coloradoans just can't get enough water (see this and this), especially in this drought. If your lawn is starting to dry out, head to the mountains to take in some green(er) country. Our pick: The YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park where you can ogle the Big Thompson River (spring runoff, pictured). Bonus: Bike there from...
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2:24 pm, May 31, 2013
In January, Marcus Selig was named the Director of Colorado Programs for the National Forest Foundation (NFF), which aims to keep the Centennial State’s grasslands healthy and safe. Here, Selig talks about threats to Colorado forests and how NFF is partnering with Colorado ski resorts. How often do you get to go outside as part of your job? Maybe...
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12:52 pm, May 31, 2013
In this month’s issue, I wrote about geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt of sorts that's gaining popularity now that nearly everyone has a smartphone with GPS capabilities. Using coordinates provided on geocaching.com or the Groundspeak Geocaching App, you can search for more than 23,500 caches (small containers with logbooks and,...
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10:53 am, May 24, 2013
Need a nudge to pursue your passions? Stop by Battery 621 on May 28th, and you’ll get a triple-dose of inspiration. That’s when three nominees for 2013’s National Geographic Adventurer of the Year will talk about their cool and crazy exploits, and how to turn your heart’s desire into—yes—an actual career. Hosted by ski mountaineer Chris Davenport...
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11:22 am, May 23, 2013
Summer doesn't officially start until June 21, but in Colorado one event always heralds the changing of the season: the BolderBOULDER 10K race. On Memorial Day (May 27), more than 52,000 participants will run, walk, and wheel through the People's Republic to a finish line at the University of Colorado's Folsom Field. It seems fitting that...
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2:04 pm, May 15, 2013
As Nancy Ferro watched her son Michael go through cancer treatment, she was surprised to find that, at 23, he was by far the youngest person at his support groups. After his recovery, Michael went on a kayaking trip with First Descents, a Denver-based nonprofit that sends young-adult cancer survivors on adventure trips together. Nancy saw...
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8:32 am, May 15, 2013
It’s cookout season, when each week brings new opportunities to bike yourself and a six-pack to a potluck grilling party. The good folks at Breckenridge Brewery have invented a way to ease that commute. The new Topo Urban Outdoor Pack ($140) features a built-in insulated cooler designed for a six-pack’s precise specifications. Not only does it...
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3:20 pm, May 14, 2013
Why we love it: This is what summer in Colorado should be: an alpine lake, a pontoon boat, stunning 360-degree mountain scenery, grilling burgers on board, and kicking back in your flip-flops and shades with a cold beverage and the breeze in your hair. When to go: The Dillon Marina opens in May, but we suggest July or August. ****...
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12:50 pm, Apr 26, 2013
The first time I hiked the Manitou Incline—a one-mile, 2,000-foot climb up an abandoned railway at the foot of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs—my trapezius muscles were sore for days afterwards. Not my thighs, knees, or butt, as expected, but the muscles between my shoulders and my neck, as if my upper body had been pulling the rest of me up all...
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11:45 am, Apr 24, 2013
Name: Dawson Swanson*Occupation: District wildlife manager, aka game wardenJob Description: 1/3 wildlife management, 1/3 customer service, 1/3 law enforcementMinimum Qualifications: Degree in wildlife biology or related field*Note: The mountain lion pictured is very much alive—just sedated for the Front Range Mountain Lion Study.5280: Tell us...
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