11:27 am, Oct 4, 2012
A great egret flies over Johnson Reservoir in Littleton.
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9:54 am, Oct 2, 2012
Why we love it: It's a fantastic trail run, and the biodiversity here is top-notch (you'll see everything from frogs to elk). Also, the park is bordered to the west by Pike National Forest and to the east by Sharptail Ridge and Nelson Ranch Open Space Parks, meaning that it's Colorado country as far as you can see. When to go: Anytime. The...
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2:50 pm, Oct 1, 2012
It may seem counterintuitive, but this might just be the perfect time to visit Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park. (Read more about the park here.) Don't believe us? Here, four reasons to go—now.Reason 1. It has taken this Colorado transplant a few years to accept, but the Centennial State's fall colors rival the East Coast version. The aspens...
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12:33 pm, Sep 26, 2012
It's rutting season in Estes Park, and from the golf courses to the city streets, the town's legendary elk herd has taken over. Come celebrate all things elk this weekend at the the 14th Annual Elk Fest in Bond Park. Estes Park boasts one of the nation's highest concentrations of wild elk, attracting wildlife enthusiasts from across the...
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9:47 am, Sep 25, 2012
Why we love it: When it comes to scenic mountain climbs, Front Range vistas, and a swift downhill cruise past elk meadows and Red Rocks, this is some of the best cycling near Denver. When to go: May through October, if you’d like to stay warm. Cold weather gear can extend the season at least another month into the fall.*** If you’ve driven on I-70...
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10:20 am, Sep 24, 2012
Why we love it: The stretch of I-70 between Dillon and Vail is much better when seen from a bike saddle than a car seat. When to go: Anytime after the snow melts in the spring and before it falls again in the winter. Riding roundtrip? Give yourself twice as much time on the eastbound stretch as the westbound leg. ***There are plenty of mountain...
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10:20 am, Sep 21, 2012
Colorado is trying for a beverage trifecta: We’re already a craft-brewing haven and the wines produced here continue to garner national recognition. An emerging craft distilling industry (look out California, Oregon, and Washington) rounds out the achievement. “You’re in an area where consumers want more local products,” explains JoAnne Carilli-...
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12:40 pm, Sep 19, 2012
Leadville is famous for its mining history, but, today, the area is a fitness fanatic's dream. The town hosted Stage Four of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (the only stage repeated from the inaugural 2011 race), is home to the Leadville Trail 100 Race Series, and, at any given time, you can find dozens of world-class athletes training here. ...
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10:15 am, Sep 19, 2012
Why we love it: The central location and large sailing space. When to go: The winds pick up in September to create the ideal sailing conditions for both the beginner and the consummate sailor.*** Whenever I tell my Seattle-based sister about my sailing excursions around Colorado she sounds perplexed. “But, where do you sail?” she demands, as...
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9:45 am, Sep 18, 2012
Why we love it: Because the alternative is driving on US 36, which can be a 90-minute-or-more stop-and-go nightmare. When to go: In warm months. Get on the road early to beat the heat. Get out of Denver by 6:30 a.m., and you can roll into Boulder before 9 a.m., just as the pavement begins to radiate.*** I wouldn’t trade living in...
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9:30 am, Sep 13, 2012
Why we love it: The Boulder blacktop is hot, hot, hot in September, even into the evening hours. The ride from the Greenbrier Inn up Left Hand Canyon Drive to Jamestown is shady, cool, and the perfect distance—18 miles roundtrip—for an after-work spin. When to go: This time of year. You’ll beat the rush of bikers and commuters heading up the...
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9:30 am, Sep 12, 2012
This year, get a birds eye view of the changing leaves from Vail's Eagle Bahn Gondola. For the next two weekends, the gondola will take leaf peepers to the top of Vail Mountain on a 12-minute ride to Adventure Ridge (where you'll find an array of fun things to do). From the lift, you can see Mount of the Holy Cross, the Gore Range, and of...
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9:50 am, Sep 11, 2012
Why we love it: There are few waterfall treks whose drive time is under an hour from Denver, and this mellow system of trails near Evergreen is one of our favorites. You’ll find a hike that’ll get you out of the city for a true escape while being a totally manageable crowd-pleaser for three seasons. When to go: Early spring to late fall—and in...
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4:05 pm, Sep 10, 2012
It may not feel like it yet, but fall is right around the corner, which means Colorado’s green aspen groves are about to turn gold. If you’re looking for a little pampering with a tour of the fall foliage, check out Park Hyatt Resort & Spa’s Summit @ The Park hiking package. All guests who book a five-night stay from September 22 to 27 can...
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1:05 pm, Sep 5, 2012
Start ‘em young, that’s what I say. (And it’s how I wish I'd started skiing, though I didn't discover that sport until my twenties). A program offered by Colorado Ski Country USA makes it easy for fifth and sixth graders to do just that and try skiing and snowboarding. In fact, it practically drives kids to the hill. The Fifth Grade Passport gives...
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