Terri Cook, 5280 Contributor

Terri Cook is an award-winning travel and science writer, whose work is featured in a diverse group of publications, including Scientific American, NOVA Next, Science News, EARTH, Boulder Magazine, Tea Time, and American Road. After traveling around the world, Cook chose to settle in Boulder, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a crazy cat named Nazgul. More of her work can be found at down2earthscience.com.

Author Article Archive

Behind the Vines: Loveland’s Sweet Heart Winery

This Napa-style winery’s romantic, riverside setting and lovingly crafted wines make it a heartfelt choice for Valentine’s Day outings and gifts.

By Terri Cook

The Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is an enjoyable and easy-to-learn sport. Here are eight tips to get you started.

By Terri Cook

A Tale of Two Mummies

Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to learn how modern technology is unwrapping the secrets, both ancient and modern, of two Egyptian mummies.

By Terri Cook

Only in Colorado: The Great Fruitcake Toss

It’s out with the old…fruitcake at Manitou Springs’ nutty ring-out-the-holidays event.

By Terri Cook

Colorado By Nature: The Great Diamond Hoax

In 1872, a false claim that an area in northern Colorado contained diamonds nearly brought our young nation’s economy to its knees. But a century later, Mother Nature had the last laugh.

By Lon Abbott, Terri Cook

Behind the Vines: Bonacquisti Wine Company

Denver’s original urban winery focuses on making great wine—and helping to build a strong community in Sunnyside.

By Terri Cook

Colorado By Nature: Snowmass Village’s Ice Age Discovery Center

The remains of Ice Age megafauna found near Snowmass Village put the ski mountain’s golden anniversary into a whole new (geological) perspective.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Stagecoach State Park’s Elk Run Trail

This invigorating stroll skirts the shoreline of a gleaming reservoir located a dozen miles south of Steamboat Springs.

By Terri Cook

Behind the Vines: Whitewater Hill Vineyards & Winery

No Western Slope wine-tasting trip is complete without a stop at this laid-back winery, which won three of last year’s prestigious Governor’s Cup awards for its outstanding full-bodied reds.

By Terri Cook

Only in Colorado: Museum of Colorado Prisons

“Do some time” in this slammer-turned-museum that highlights the infamous history of our state’s correctional facilities.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Gregory Canyon

This jaunt through the Flatirons offers vibrant autumn color, a great workout, and some wonderful views.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Head to this Golden-area hike to wander among aspen groves and open meadows with broad views of the Continental Divide.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: South Valley Park’s Grazing Elk Trail

Enjoy spectacular red rock spires and striking views while strolling through one of JeffCo’s most beautiful open space parcels.

By Terri Cook

Behind the Vines: Carlson Vineyards

One of Colorado’s oldest and best-known wineries captures the freshest of our state’s fruity flavors—and quirky humor—in its easy-drinking wines.

By Terri Cook

Colorado By Nature: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Discover petrified redwood trees, a cuckoo bird, and other ancient fossils at one of the Centennial State’s least known—but most amazing—natural wonders.

By Lon Abbott, Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Chief Mountain

This easy-to-access summit near Mount Evans features unforgettable Front Range views.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Sound of Silence Trail

This colorful gem in Dinosaur National Monument loops through vibrant badlands en route to a little slickrock scrambling—and sweeping views.

By Terri Cook

Only in Colorado: The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

This local nonprofit is dedicated to building and maintaining sustainable hiking routes up each of our state's fourteeners—and educating hikers about how to protect our state's fragile ecosystems.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: San Luis Peak’s South Ridge

Escape the crowds and enjoy the natural beauty of one of Colorado's most remote and least-climbed fourteeners.

By Logan Abbott, Terri Cook

Behind the Vines: Legacy Vineyards

This easygoing winery in historic downtown Littleton serves vino made from its own Colorado-grown grapes, as well as other Centennial State wines.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: The Colorado Trail to Harvard Lakes

This great intro to the Colorado Trail winds along the slopes of Mount Columbia to a pair of pretty lakes renown for their trout fishing.

By Terri Cook

Here’s Your Yearly Reminder: Leave No Trace

Whether you’re enjoying your backyard or the backcountry, follow this simple philosophy and do your part to preserve Colorado's unmatched beauty.

By Terri Cook

Colorado By Nature: Bristlecone Pines

Stroll through a grove of ancient trees whose twisted trunks have stood on Mt. Evans’ windswept slopes since the fall of the Roman Empire.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Mount Elbert’s East Ridge

Savor the satisfaction of standing atop Colorado’s highest peak.

By Logan Abbott, Terri Cook

6 Picturesque Picnic Spots

Celebrate summer with an al fresco meal at one of these idyllic dining spots. Plus, our favorite eats to round out your summit menu.

By Terri Cook

Hike We Like: Pikes Peak’s Northwest Slopes

Bag another fourteener by summiting America's Mountain (the hard way).

By Logan Abbott, Terri Cook

Behind the Vines: Bigsby’s Folly

Life is an adventure at this new craft winery, which brings the best of California and other grape-growing regions to an unpretentious, Roaring Twenties-themed tasting room in the heart of RiNo.

By Terri Cook