COLORADO STORY IDEAS

Colorado is bursting with great stories waiting to be told. Below are just a few intriguing ideas that will inspire you to learn more.

 

Loca-Vore Heaven
Call it what you want: farm to table, agri-tourism or organic eating. When it comes to locally grown foods, from produce to livestock, Colorado is Foodie Heaven. The state ranks second in certified organic acreage in the U.S. Many restaurants across Colorado base their menus on locally grown food. Some chefs, like Ryan Hardy of Montagna in Aspen, own their own farms to ensure that the restaurant’s produce is fresh. Other restaurants, like The Kitchen in Boulder, use locally grown ingredients and nearly everything in the restaurant, down to the straws, is biodegradable. 

 

Voluntourism and Green Getaways
Colorado is a leader in environmental initiatives and event the tourism industry provides opportunities for visitors to volunteer while on vacation. Programs such as Rock Resorts’ “Give & Getaway” packages, The Broadmoor’s “Green on the Green” package and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative sustainable tourism programs let tourists give back while enjoying their visit and bonding with family and friends. There are also a number of green education opportunities across the state.

 

Colorado-H20
Colorado doesn’t have beaches but it does offer a number of activities involving water. From boating and kite boarding in Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs to fly fishing, whitewater rafting and kayaking in the state’s myriad rivers and reservoirs, like the Blue Mesa Reservoir, home to the largest Kokanee Salmon hatchery in the U.S. Colorado is also the headwaters for four major rivers and the largest hot springs, located in Glenwood Springs.

 

A Festival for Everyone
Colorado is home to some of the most exciting and well-respected festivals and cultural events in the country. From the National Western Stock Show and the Mesa Verde Country Indian Arts Festival to the Colorado Mountain Wine Fest and the Colorado Brewers Festival there is something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Vail Film Fest, the Aspen Music Festival and even the Palisade Peach Festival.

 

Colorado’s Grape Expectations
Colorado is home to 80 wineries over five distinct regions: the Front Range, Delta and Montrose Counties, Rocky Mountains, Grand Valley and the Four Corners. There are two federally designated American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) in the Grand Valley along the Colorado River between Palisade and Grand Junction and the West Elks along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Together these regions produce approximately 90 percent of the wine grapes grown in Colorado. Colorado is also home to several “urban wineries” – set in the heart of some of the state’s vibrant cities – and nine master sommeliers.

 

Arts Big and Small
Colorado is home to internationally renowned museums such as the Denver Museum of Art and The Taylor Museum at The Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs. But the state is also home to small towns doing big things with culture and the arts. Towns like Creede and Loveland have devoted a considerable amount of resources and time to the arts. Exploring some of the state’s small towns and cities will lead to the discovery of art galleries, art walks and museums dedicated to famous artists, mountaineering, and more.

 

It’s easy to find unusual and extreme adventures in Colorado. From zip lining in Durango and mountain boarding in Snowmass to new adventure sports like sledging in Aspen and paddle surfing in Glenwood Springs, Colorado is one of the top adventure destinations. It doesn’t stop with those sports; there’s also Jeep Ice Races in Georgetown, ice climbing in Ouray, ATV rides along the Continental Divide, mountain biking in Fruita, Crested Butte and, well, just about anywhere in Colorado.

A Walk in the Park
Colorado is home to nine national parks and monuments, and 41 state parks, where visitors can camp, raft, kayak, fish, go hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding and more. National parks include iconic Rocky Mountain National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, home to the largest sand dunes in North America. Other parks include the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park, a world heritage site and home to the largest existing cliff dwelling in North America.

 

Watching in the Wild
Colorado offers numerous wildlife watching opportunities across the state. There are annual events in the such as the Snow Goose Festival in Lamar in the Southeast part of the state and greater prairie chicken mating festivals near Wary in the Northeast. Impromptu wildlife opportunities also exist across the state. At the Colorado National Monument, visitors can view a number of species of wildlife including mule deer and bobcats. Drivers on Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways have been known to see hawks, eagles, big horn sheep and more. During the fall mating season in Estes Park, visitors watch as hundreds of elk descend upon the town, bugling for the attention of the females.