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 FREE Vacation Guide or Monthly eNewsletter |
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A Colorado Gold Rush: Celebrating 150 Years of the Gold Rush
“Pikes Peak or Bust” was the rally cry 150 years ago as Americans traveled west to Colorado in search of gold. In 2009, we celebrate the anniversary of this great movement, which introduced pioneers to the beauty and landscape that today, have made Colorado an unmatched vacation destination. Across Colorado, communities are hosting special events to commemorate this historic event. Get a taste of the Old West by experiencing one of Colorado’s many dude and guest ranches, touring a ghost town, stoping by one of the storied opera houses, panning for gold or traveling back in time on one of the state’s scenic and historic trains. Below are just a few of these special gatherings:
- Breckenridge: Full of gold finds and mining, exploration and adventure, brothels and saloons, booms and busts, Breckenridge’s history set the stage for the modern-day adventures for which the town today is known and loved. To celebrate the town’s history, Breckenridge is throwing Breck150, a yearlong celebration. Highlights include:
- The Breck150 Retro Ski Weekend, April 4, 2009.
- History comes to life during Kingdom Days, June 20-21, 2009. This event offers a robust lineup of events and activities including historical mine tours, museum exhibits, gun fights, live music, old-time arts and crafts, storytelling, historic hikes, kids activities and the Annual Outhouse Races.
- The Breck150 Official Anniversary Weekend, August 7-9, 2009. Celebrating almost 150 years to the day, in which Breckenridge first came to life as a mining town. All the stops will be pulled out to make this weekend a truly grand celebration.
For more information, visit www.breck150.com.
- Golden: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Boston Company, the town’s first store, arriving in Golden on June 12, 1859, the town will host a series of special events on June 12, 2009. The festivities will kick-off with a parade through town, followed by a party in Lions Park that includes a 150th-anniversary themed live music program by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, and a very special finale fireworks display unlike anything Golden has ever seen. For more information, visit www.150goldenyears.com.
- Gilpin County: Join Gilpin County as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s first and most significant lode gold strike. To mark this important milestone the county is hosting a variety of festivals and events throughout the 2009 summer season. The festivities begin on May 6, 2009, with Gregory Day celebration commemorating the man who started it all in 1859. Once known as “The Richest Square Mile on Earth,” The town will also host a series of special events throughout the summer including Lou Bunch Day (honoring the last madam in Central City) complete with bed races, Mountain Man Weekend and Mining Days Weekend. For more information on this summer-long celebration, visit www.visitbhcc.com
- Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum hit the jackpot with its latest display, entitled Going for the Gold: Pikes Peak or Bust! The Museum is commemorating the sesquicentennial of the famous 1859 gold rush that caused 100,000 people to flock across the plains in the hopes of finding easy money. This was twice the number of gold-hungry pioneers that flooded into California a decade earlier. Through historic artifacts, photographs, documents and the true stories of the men, women and children who traveled to Pikes Peak, museum visitors can learn about the beginnings of Colorado City, El Paso County and those who came up bust from the rough conditions and hardships of the frontier. Underlying the exhibit, the subtle question exists - what would you risk for a new start? The collection is open through September 5, 2009. www.cspm.org.
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Irish Hot Spots and St. Patty’s Day Celebrations:
You don’t need to be Irish to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Colorado. Here are six sensational ways to channel your inner leprechaun while in Colorado.
- Show your Irish pride at the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Beginning at 10am on March 14, 2009, more than 10,000 marchers and an estimated 200,000 spectators will gather for the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi. Enjoy dancers, floats, pipe bands and more. www.countingpix.com
- Light up the night at Steamboat’s St. Patrick's Day Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Display. The Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School treats visitors to a spectacular on-snow parade down the mountain, lit only by torches. This delightful sight is followed by a fireworks display that will illuminate the sky, providing a perfect end to the evening. The young ones get a chance to ski down the mountain and join in the excitement as a special finale to the Desperados Ski Week program. www.steamboat.com
- Find respite at the Irish Embassy. The Irish Embassy in Durango will be serving up their famed corn beef and cabbage and other Irish delicacies while guests listen to live music from bands flown in from Ireland. Two lucky guests will even win a trip to Ireland, including airfare and accommodations. www.durango.org
- Enjoy a pint at the Shamrock Brewing Company in Pueblo. Equal parts Irish pub, micro-brewery and restaurant make Shamrock Brewing Company a truly unique Pueblo restaurant experience. On St. Paddy’s Day, enjoy great food, delicious Colorado micro-brews, live music and Irish dancers. www.shamrockbrewing.com
- 5K on St. Patrick’s Day. The Colorado Springs 5K on St. Patrick's Day kicks-off the running season in Colorado Springs. Come join the festivities and get your St. Patrick’s Day off to a running start. http://csgrandprix.com/stpat.html
- O’Fuego St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Copper Mountain. Enjoy authentic Irish fair, live music, spirits and plenty of green beer. This is a Copper Mountain street party you won’t want to miss! Cap off the night with the latest in En Fuego entertainment, including a torchlight parade down the mountain and a brilliant fireworks display. www.coppercolorado.com
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FEATURED EVENT
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Eckert Crane Days
ECKERT - March 21 & 28, 2009
Delta County in Southwest Colorado is a haven for birdwatchers of all levels. The area is well known as a migration stop for the greater Sandhill Cranes, which flock to Fruitgrowers Reservoir in Eckert every spring on their return flight to their nesting areas in the north. People from all over the world come to celebrate this annual rite of spring with Eckert Crane Days. Birdwatchers may see as many as 15,000 to 18,000 or more cranes in Eckert from early March to mid-April. Flocks of birds come here every night during the migratory season to rest, feed and regroup. The following morning they lift off in a mayhem of flight with unforgettable sights and sounds. Crane Days’ Saturday events include liftoff and landing viewings and special birding presentations. The event culminates with a concert featuring a favorite local band. www.eckertcranedays.com
For more information on events and festivals happening across the state, visit http://www.colorado.com/DoEventsAndFestivals |
DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Spring Break Special: Buy one admission, get the second half off! Admission includes access to the world’s highest suspension bridge(walk it or drive it), the world’s longest single-span aerial tram, the world’s steepest incline railway, the Wapiti Western Wildlife Park and the Plaza Theater featuring the Historical Expo of the park. The Royal Rush Skycoaster, an extra pay feature, opens Feb. 28, 2009, weather permitting. This special is available February 28-April 24, 2009. Regular daily passports are: Adult $24, child (4-11) $19 and senior (60 and older) $21. www.royalgorgebridge.com
Durango Mountain Resort has teamed up with Frontier Airlines to provide outstanding air-inclusive spring ski packages! Three day/three night air-inclusive packages, including round-trip flights, lift tickets and lodging start at just $425 per person. Frontier offers daily service to Durango-La Plata Airport from more than 30 cities nationwide with three convenient flights daily to Durango from Denver International Airport. 800-525-0892, www.durangomountainresort.com
Boulder Ski Escape: Boulder and Eldora Mountain Resort have come together to offer travelers great lodging at accommodations of the visitor’s choice, from budget-minded hotels to high-end spa properties, and a one-day lift ticket starting at just $64.50 per person, per night. That’s a 70 percent discount off the regular room rate! www.bouldercoloradousa.com
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TRIP PLANNING IDEAS
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Looking for great Colorado vacation itineraries and ideas?
LOOK NO FURTHER.
From bike tours to Scenic & Historic Byways, history to family fun, you’ll find many great itineraries to help you plan your perfect Colorado adventure.
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All events are weather permitting and subject to change. For a listing of additional Colorado events and travel information, log on to http://www.colorado.com/ or call 1-800-COLORADO. You can also order a free copy of the Official State Vacation Guide by calling 1-800-COLORADO or visiting http://www.colorado.com/.
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