Contact: Carly Grimes / 720-289-9366, [email protected]
Roland Alonzi / 646-442-6765, [email protected]
Colorado Festivals Blossom in Springtime
The Spring Season Also Brings New Attractions, Activities and Travel Deals to Colorado
DENVER (March 3, 2011) – As spring begins to arrive in Colorado, the state begins its transformation into a palate of vivid colors. While skiers and snowboarders continue to enjoy Colorado’s powder in ski areas like Arapahoe Basin well into spring, many areas in Colorado embrace the beginning of spring with the debut of new attractions and exciting festivals celebrating everything from music and mountain biking to food, wine and more.
Below is a sampling of some of the many ways visitors can begin to celebrate spring in Colorado. Want more inspiration? Order a free copy of the 2011 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide by visiting www.COLORADO.com or calling 800-COLORADO.
Events and Festivals
■ FestEVOL in Crested Butte (March 26). Top touring and recording artists O.A.R. will headline the first ever FestEVOL, a new mountain lifestyle event in Crested Butte. In addition to live music, FestEVOL will feature the IZSTYLE Reverb Eco Village, an interactive area showcasing environmental groups, alternative energy exhibits, organic food sampling, ski and snowboard equipment demos from Nordica and Burton Snowboards and more. Lift, lodging and event packages start at $149; concert-only tickets are $35 if purchased by March 19, 2011.www.skicb.com/festevol
■ Spring Back To Vail (April 15-24). Vail's epic event to mark the end of its ski season and celebrating the beginning of the spring season includes free concerts from national headlining music acts such as Train and Stephen Marley and the now famous World Pond Skimming Championships. Street parties, live music and entertainment are all part of the experience. www.springbacktovail.com; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Spring-Back-to-Vail/70947529007) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/springbackvail)
■ New Belgium Brewing Fruita Fat Tire Festival (April 28-May 1). Experience some of Colorado’s best mountain biking, check out the latest products from the best in the bike industry at the Bike Expo in downtown Fruita’s Civic Center Park and join road rides through the Colorado National Monument, over Douglas Pass, and through wine country. www.fruitamountainbike.com
■ Taste of Pearl (May 1, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). Spend an unforgettable afternoon strolling through downtown Boulder’s best galleries and boutiques while exploring Boulder’s culinary arts scene and Colorado’s award-winning wines. Enjoy food and Colorado wine samples from Boulder chefs and restaurants while strolling down the beautiful Pearl Street Mall. www.boulderdowntown.com; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/downtownboulder) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/downtownboulder)
■ Estes Park Jazz Fest & Art Walk (May 14-15). Estes Park ushers in springtime and celebrates its unofficial kick-off to summer with two days of jazz, arts and culture. Enjoy live jazz performances at Performance Park and visit the town’s many art galleries and shops. www.visitestespark.com; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/estespark) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/estesparkcvb)
■ Downtown Grand Junction Art & Jazz Festival (May 6-8). Grand Junction’s Main Street will be filled with jazz music performed by local and national acts and artists and galleries will display unique works of art. The event also celebrates Art on the Corner, a unique year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit displayed in Downtown Grand Junction. www.downtowngj.org; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/downtowngj) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/downtowngj)
New Attractions
■ Crested Butte Mountain Resort will debut a year-round Canopy Zip Line tour this summer, featuring five zip lines ranging in length from 200 feet to 380 feet and a series of features such as an “Indiana Jones Bridge,” a net climb and more. The addition of the zip line in Crested Butte brings the number of zip line/canopy tours in Colorado to five. www.skicb.com; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/skicrestedbutte) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/skicrestedbutte)
■ Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park launches a bungee jumping station this spring, the first in Colorado as well as a zipline. The attraction joins the newly-opened giant canyon swing, which launches riders 1,300 feet above the Colorado River. www.glenwoodcaverns.com; also Facebook (www.facebook.com/glenwoodcaverns) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/glenwoodcaverns)
■ Mule’s Eye View of the Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, home to the second tallest suspension bridge in the world, will offer mule trail rides through Royal Gorge backcountry and to the gorge rim from March 13-27, 2011 and from April 23 through the fall season. The mule rides, which range from 30 minutes to two hours in duration, start at $25 per person. Entrance to the park is separate: $25 per adult, $21 per senior and $19 per child. Now through April 22, buy one entrance ticket and get one half off. www.royalgorgebridge.com
Sample Spring Travel Packages
■ The Family That Stays Together… The Inn on Fall River in Estes Park is offering a “Get Away Together” family package, which includes two nights in a two bedroom cabin with wood burning fireplace and private hot tub; half day snowshoeing adventure (10 and older); wildlife tour (10 and older); or a photography safari (12 and older) plus hot cocoa and S’mores for the fireplace. Package cost is $480 plus tax; available through May 19, 2011.www.InnonFallRiver.com; 800-255-4118
■ Plan a Colorado Springs Getaway. The Broadmoor Hotel is offering a Spring Break Getaway package from March 1-April 30, 2011. Starting at $90 per person, per night (a 40 percent savings) enjoy luxe accommodations at The Broadmoor; 50 percent discount at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; 15 percent discount on retail purchases; complimentary spa day pass and access to The Broadmoor Movie Theater. Kids 10 and under eat free with an adult. Subject to availability; restrictions apply. www.broadmoor.com
■ Boulder Ski Escape. Now through April 17, the Boulder area offers spring escapes as little as $67.50 per person at nearly every hotel in Boulder. The package offers accommodations and ski lift tickets at Eldora Mountain. Some deals include breakfast and transportation. www.boulderskiescape.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.