July 2009 Enewsletter

boating and rafting in colorado 
With access to dozens of lakes and reservoirs throughout the state, finding a put-in is easy. And if you’d like to experience water with a bit of kick, there’s still time to enjoy whitewater rafting – we’ll share a variety of ways to enjoy a Colorado rafting vacation.

Colorado’s waterways ebb and flow throughout the state. You’ll find them in the eastern plains, the Western Slope and tucked beneath the granite peaks and evergreen forests of the Continental Divide.

Consider a peaceful excursion on Lake Dillon, where a serene, pine-tree corralled body of water supports a collection of sailboats. Or hold tight as your motorboat zips across the glass-like waters of John Martin Reservoir, located in the eastern prairie. To the west, near Gunnison, is the largest body of water in Colorado, Blue Mesa Reservoir. No matter what type of aquatic adventure you're looking for, the secluded coves and acres of placid waters of Colorado make for adventurous and extended activities.

Don’t have a boat? Consider these bodies of water with water craft rentals:
Lake Dillon, Dillon
Cherry Creek Reservoir, Aurora
Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Curecanti NRA, Gunnison
Lake Pueblo, Pueblo
Jackson Lake, Fort Morgan
Boulder Reservoir, Boulder

Already have a boat? Consider these boat-ready bodies of water in Colorado:
John Martin Reservoir, Lamar
Trinidad Lake, Trinidad
Vega State Park, Collbran
Paonia State Park, Somerset
Highline Lake, Grand Junction
Crawford State Park, Crawford

Money Saver: If you’re planning more than just a few hours on the water, consider a full- or half-day rental. If you only want to go for a spin, it’s usually more cost-effective to take advantage of the hourly rate.

Please Be Aware: When boating, it’s important to obey all on-water rules and regulations. You can view specific rules and regulations by visiting Parks.state.co.us.
View more on-water vacation ideas at Colorado.com.

Rafting
Raft down Colorado’s river system, where wide smiles, unending memories and enamoring riverside views are easily found. 

Consider any of these enviable Colorado rafting vacations.     

Discover these, and other rafting adventures, by visiting Colorado.com

 

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local safari: wildlife viewing
Visit your wild and wily neighbors this summer. See the regality of sandhill cranes, view bighorn sheep grazing from rocky cliffs or watch nimble pronghorn leaping across the prairie. Plan  your wildlife watching vacation or day trip today.

Colorado is home to more than 960 species of animals, and people come from around the globe to view this wide array, but you only need to travel a few miles from your front door. We’ve highlighted some of the top viewing spots around the state.

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (South Central Region)
What you’ll see: Watch for an abundance of waterfowl and wading birds, golden eagles, great horned and short-eared owls and other birds of prey. From March through October, sandhill cranes are abundant and many roost on the refuge. For those that enjoy a short hike, a two-mile trail follows the Rio Grand River and offers prime viewing spots.
Located near Alamosa
More information: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 719-589-4021

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (Northwest Region)
What you’ll see: Browns Park is a prime area for viewing Canada geese, mallards, redheads, canvasbacks, green-winged and cinnamon teal, ruddy ducks and common mergansers. The entire bird checklist of the area includes 220 species. And if you prefer fur to feathers, mule deer, moose, coyotes, beavers, muskrats and pronghorn can also been seen year-round throughout the area. There are signs along Highway 318 marking the east and west ends of this refuge.

Located near Maybell
More information: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 970-365-3613

Barr Lake State Park (Denver Area)
What you’ll see: The lake attracts an array of waterfowl and water birds, including geese, white pelicans, grebes, coots and numerous species of duck. The shoreline’s riparian area offers nesting for owls, hawks, songbirds and wading birds. Great blue herons, black-crowned night-herons and double-crested cormorants populate a rookery here, but the most famous residents are the pair of nesting bald eagles. Mule deer also roam the park.

Located near Brighton
More information: Colorado State Parks, 303-659-6005

Bonny Lake State Park/South Republican State Wildlife Area (Northeast Region)
What you’ll see: Near the Wagonwheel Campground, songbirds in woodlands can be heard providing melodies through the trees. At the water’s edge, white pelicans and wading birds fish for their next meal. In the spring and summer, the area provides great opportunities for viewing newly hatched wood ducklings waddling behind their parents. An extensive bird checklist of 287 species that inhabit the area is available through the Colorado Division of Wildlife or Colorado State Parks.

Located near Idalia
More information: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, 970-354-7306

Durango Fish Hatchery (Southwest Region)
What you’ll see: Eggs from rainbow, brook, brown and cutthroat trout are hatched and raised here. Once the fish come of age, they are released into the wild to stock Colorado’s lakes and streams. Pools here contain “fingerlings” (fish two- to four-inches long) and “catchables” (fish eight- to twelve-inches long).

Located near Durango
More information: Colorado Division of Wildlife

Estes Valley (Front Range)
What you’ll see: Check open grassy meadows for elk, which can be seen almost everywhere around the area. Watch for bighorn sheep along Fall River Road between Estes Park and the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Other mammals to watch for include mule deer, coyotes, ground squirrels, chipmunks, voles, muskrats and beavers.

Located near Estes Park
More information: Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District, 970-586-8191

Lake Pueblo State Park and State Wildlife Area (Southeast Region)
What you’ll see: The Nature Center’s pier overlooks the river, offering the chance to see trout, bass and other fish. Also watch for great blue herons and kingfishers fishing for a meal. Mammals, including beavers, muskrats, fox squirrels and red foxes, are year-round residents. The site includes a viewing platform and interpretive signs explaining more about the area.

Located near Pueblo
More information: Nature Center, 719-549-2414, Raptor Center, 719-549-2327; Lake Pueblo State Park, 719-561-9320 ext. 0

Additional information
The Colorado Division of Wildlife makes wildlife watching even more accessible by offering wildlife viewing classes, helpful tips, a specialized Colorado Wildlife Viewing Guide and brown binocular highway signs for easy site recognition. Be sure to visit the division’s website at Wildlife.state.co.us. Here, you’ll find more information on the animal species, prime wildlife-viewing locations, wildlife festivals and how to purchase a viewing guide.

For more wildlife viewing vacation ideas, please visit Colorado.com.

 

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FEATURED EVENTS 
Cheyenne Wells Tumbleweed Festival: July 18-19, 2009
Enjoy small town hospitality and fun, friendly festivities at the annual Cheyenne Wells Tumbleweed Festival.

Every summer, the town of Cheyenne Wells throws open its welcoming arms and embraces a Great Plains tradition with the annual Tumbleweed Festival. Be brave and try a well-battered and deep fried Rocky Mountain oyster, if for no other reason than to say you did it. Enjoy a free breakfast, dance with a new partner, participate in the horseshoe or golf tourney or just amble through town, checking out local shops and restaurants.

Find out more about the event by visiting TownofCheyenneWells.com. For more local events, check out the event calendar at Colorado.com. 

Telluride Film Festival: September 4-7, 2009
Sure to be the best ticket for film enthusiasts, the Telluride Film Festival held over Labor Day Weekend is star studded. It’s also one of your best chances to see the next big hit before the rest of the world.

In the folds of the San Juan Mountains and set between two impressive peaks, the Telluride Film Festival is a destination event with a stunning backdrop. This late summer ritual, the festival has inspired guest directors like Peter Sellers The Pink Panther and Peter Bogdanovich The Sopranos to make the trek to this southwestern gem. This year, guest Director Alexander Payne, who has worked on such films as Sideways and About Schmidt, will select a series of films to screen for lucky audiences.

Telluride is known for its exciting and laid-back ambiance, delicious cuisine and scintillating film discussion at this time of year. For movie history buffs, it is also the first place that My Dinner With Andre, The Civil War, Twin Peaks and The Crying Game were ever viewed.

Come visit this historic town as it annually plays host to fellow locals and A-list celebrities, all united by film. Other notable film festivals in Colorado include Aspen Filmfest, Boulder International Film Festival and the Starz Denver Film Festival.

Find out more at TellurideFilmFestival.com. Discover more film-related festivals and events by visiting Colorado.com.  
 

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