Contact: Carly Grimes / 720-289-9366, [email protected]
Roland Alonzi / 646-442-6765, [email protected]
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day in Colorado
DENVER (April 2011) – This year, more than one billion people are expected to participate in Earth Day 2011, making it the largest act of civic obedience in the world, in which Colorado will take part. Coloradans know that natural beauty makes their state an ideal place to live and work, inspiring them to be eco-friendly and preserve the state’s dramatic landscape for generations to come. Below is a sampling of some of the many ways to “go green” in Colorado on Earth Day and beyond.
Colorado Earth Day Celebrations:
■ Pikes Peak Earth Day Celebration (April 16) is a community event that showcases all things environmental in the region through eco-friendly exhibitors, workshops, children’s activities, entertainment, food, art and much more. www.PikesPeakEarthDay.org
■ Denver’s 2011 Earth Day Fair (April 22) aims to inspire visitors to honor the Earth and make efforts toward conservation and preservation of the planet. The fair showcases numerous organizations that strive to make the world a better and cleaner place for current and future generations. www.DenverGov.org
■ Earth Day Fort Collins (April 23) encourages the community to honor the Earth each and every day by celebrating the planet through a combination of activities and events for the entire family, featuring informational booths and displays, arts and crafts, live music, speakers, local food and a beer garden. www.SustainableLivingAssociation.org
■ Western Botanical Gardens Earth Day Celebration (April 23) invites locals and visitors alike to enjoy a fun-filled day and celebrate Mother Earth with kids programs, organic food, wine and beer, and a realm of live concerts. www.GJEarthDay.com
■ Boulder’s 9th Annual Earth Day 5k (May 1) offers an opportunity to dust off the running shoes and start spring training the green way. The run/walk starts at the University of Colorado’s Research Park with all proceeds going to the Center for ReSource Conservation, a local non-profit committed to leading the community toward a more sustainable future. www.ConservationCenter.org
Eco-Adventures Across the State:
■ Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. Colorado is home to 54 fourteeners (mountains with an altitude of 14,000 feet or more) each offering adventurous hikes, breathtaking panoramic views and spiritual renewal to its 500,000 visitors each year. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative invites visiting hikers and nature enthusiasts to volunteer time and funds to help protect and preserve the integrity of these incredible mountains. www.14ers.org
■ Southwest Wilderness Outfitters provides unique eco-conscious, backcountry llama-trekking excursions into the untouched south San Juan Wilderness of southwestern Colorado. As a sure-footed, low-impact animal, the llama has been used to transport supplies through the region for thousands of years and provide a great way to enjoy the scenery without the burden of a load. www.SouthwestWildernessOutfitters.com
■ Zapata Ranch: A Nature Conservatory Reserve. Live like the cowboys did in the Old West by visiting Zapata Ranch, a 103,000-acre bison and guest ranch located on the eastern wall of the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. Guests enjoy hiking to Zapata Falls, fly fishing on the Rio Grande River or taking a tour of a 2,500 bison herd. www.ZRanch.org
■ The Continental Divide Trail Alliance invites volunteers to build the trail that unites North America through some of Colorado’s most rugged landscape. With varying degrees of difficulty, this project gives volunteers an opportunity to build part of Colorado’s history through abandoned ghost towns, wilderness areas, National Parks and 14,000 foot peaks. www.CDTrail.org
■ The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center just outside of Cortez is a great place to get your dig on. Nestled in a canyon and shadowed by the La Plata Mountains, this facility is dedicated to exploring and preserving the Ancestral Puebloan culture embedded in the Mesa Verde region of the state. www.CrowCanyon.org
■ The Colorado Trail Foundation. The Colorado Trail is Colorado’s premier long distance trail, stretching nearly 500 miles from Denver to Durango through the spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountains amongst peaks with lakes, creeks and diverse ecosystems. Trail enthusiasts and visitors are invited to participate in the foundation to protect the trail from everyday wear and tear. www.ColoradoTrail.org
Eco Educational Opportunities:
■ The National Center for Atmospheric Research near Boulder offers guided tours to learn about one of the most important research centers for studying climate change and pollution. www.NCAR.UCAR.edu
■ The National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden is the country’s primary facility for research and development relating to renewable energy offering guided tours and exhibits about the Earth’s climate. www.NREL.gov
■ The Environmental Learning Center in Beaver Creek is dedicated to promoting education and awareness among guests, employees and area residents. The center showcases interactive displays and a continuous-loop video portraying the resort’s environmental efforts. www.BeaverCreek.com
ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, 26 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 54 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet and 12 national parks, monuments and historic sites. For more information or a copy of the 2011 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800-COLORADO. Media are invited to visit the Colorado Media Room at www.COLORADO.com/media-room for story ideas, press releases, press kits, and high-resolution, downloadable photos and video for editorial use. Follow Colorado on Twitter at www.twitter.com/colorado or become a Colorado Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/visitcolorado.