Denver, CO (March 28, 2024) — Colorado is a favorite travel destination for outdoor adventures and scenic beauty, and the state wants to preserve these offerings for generations to come. Environmental considerations are top of mind for travelers now more than ever and Colorado continues to activate thoughtful new initiatives to stay ahead of the curve and protect its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich and diverse history and culture.

As travelers explore The Centennial State this summer, the Colorado Tourism Office is making it easy to visit responsibly and to Do Colorado Right. The state’s award-winning responsible tourism campaign offers residents and visitors insights on how to enjoy the state while protecting its natural resources. From tips for traveling at off-peak times and using greener transportation options, to embracing the state’s Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles, including Trash the Trash and Be Careful with Fire, it's easy to Do Colorado Right.

Below is a sampling of low emissions travel options and ways to support local food and drink systems. Also highlighted are low impact outdoor recreation and travel experiences, places to sleep sustainably and voluntourism opportunities across the state. Find more information about all of these responsible travel offerings and more at Colorado.com

Explore Low-Emissions Travel Offerings:

Take an EV Roadtrip Along Colorado’s 17 EV Byways This Summer: The Colorado Tourism Office has been working closely with the Colorado Energy Office and Department of Transportation to prioritize construction of electric vehicle charging stations along the state’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways (more than any other state) that wind throughout Colorado. Seventeen of the state’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways are now available for electric-vehicle travel with three newly designated EV Byways (Peak to Peak, Mt. Blue Sky and Gold Belt Tour Scenic & Historic Byways) announced in February 2024 and more under construction, offering exciting new summer EV roadtrip opportunities. EV travel is an important component of Colorado's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Public Transit Buses and Shuttles: The Colorado Department of Transportation encourages the use of the affordable, comfortable and easy-to-use state transit system. Ride Bustang, Outrider or the Pegasus van to get to destinations across the state. Boulder's made it easier than ever to get to favorite hiking areas and avoid parking headaches on summer weekends. Explore shuttle options from Boulder to Chautauqua, Eldorado Canyon State Park, the Hessie Trailhead and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) has eight battery-powered electric buses offering free rides from a collection of stops between Aspen, Snowmass, Glenwood Springs, Eagle and Rifle.
Aviation: Denver International Airport (DEN) is on a mission to become one of the greenest airports in the world. DEN is the largest solar-powered airport in the country with power-saving and recycling facilities along with the world’s largest and greenest parking lot.
Trains: Riding the rails is one of the most unique ways to explore Colorado. Trains offer a wealth of experiences, from leaf-peeping excursions on scenic and historic railways to plush cars with modern amenities and views of little-seen terrain to festive holiday rides and beyond. Colorado has numerous scenic and historic railroads and train travel offerings. Experiencing Colorado by train with Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to Red Rocks route is one way to enjoy some of the best scenery in the state in a low-impact, sustainable way while enjoying regionally sourced meals.
Cycling and E-Bikes: This will be the second summer of Breckenridge’s e-bike program, expanding with even more bikes and hubs around town. Locally owned since 1978, Recycled Cycles in Fort Collins is “Colorado’s largest Earth-friendly bicycle store.” Aurora is home to Pedego Southlands — a fully-equipped rental service for electric bikes. Enjoy a cruise around Steamboat Springs on an electric bike from Pedego Electric Bikes and find e-bike mountain bike rentals at Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare or Ski Haus. Even beginner cyclists can ride the Top of the Rockies scenic byway by renting e-bikes at E-Bike Leadville, which makes riding at 10,152 feet above sea level through the highest town in Colorado more accessible. Explore other e-bike rentals in towns across Colorado as an alternative to driving a gas-powered vehicle to a trailhead parking lot.

Do Colorado Right Tip: Spend less time on the road and more time in vacation mode. Check the travel forecast before you drive at GoI70.com, and while you’re at it, take advantage of Colorado's buses and shuttles and public transportation offerings. They're not only convenient but also eco-friendly, letting you soak in the sights without adding to pollution.

Support Local Food & Drink Systems:

Food, Drink and Agriculture Trails: Colorado boasts one of the largest and most vibrant distilling communities in the country. To inspire the discovery of spirits pioneered by some of the most creative makers in the industry, over 40 Colorado craft distilleries have joined together to create the Colorado Spirits Trail app. The Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway showcases the orchards, lavender gardens, vineyards, wineries and fresh farm market fruit stands on Colorado’s Western Slope. The Boulder County Farm Trail recently added new farms on the route, all with visitor experiences from berry picking and farm dinners to farm animal interactions and produce stands. The Roaring Fork + Farm Map is bringing to life a new food and farm trail from Aspen and Snowmass to Glenwood Springs and spotlights local farms and ranches, unique lodging, distilleries, breweries, local food champions and producers.
Farmers Markets: Arkansas Valley farmers work hard on their farms all season to grow a wide variety of produce including sweet corn, watermelons, cantaloupe and much more, all of which is sold at a variety of area farm markets. Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) 2024 farmers market season will kick off on April 6 when its Boulder and Longmont locations will open with a bounty of fresh produce, fruit, meats, packaged goods, plants and more. The Grand Junction "Market on Main" Farmer's Market is slated to return Thursdays from July through September. Live music and local produce make this weekly event a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Discover the source of locally grown food at ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch, a 113-acre wildlife preserve and educational ranch in Basalt. In the summer, the ranch’s produce, meat, and eggs are available at the Basalt Sunday Market, or enjoy a farm-to-table dinner.
Low-Impact Dining: Beyond farm to table, the James Ranch Grill in Durango is "table on the farm" by sourcing its main regenerative ingredients from the James Ranch itself. After winning season five of Top Chef, Hosea Rosenberg opened Blackbelly Market in Boulder, which received a MICHELIN Green Star. Rosenberg opened a second Blackbelly Market location in Denver in spring 2024. With a menu starring pasture-raised meats, locally sourced vegetables and “Best Choice Green” seafood, Root Down in Denver is a must-try for conscientious diners craving inventive international fusion. The Fox Den: No Waste Café and Eatery is located in a former laundromat in Fort Collins and takes no waste to new heights.
Toast to Sustainability: Marble Distilling Co. in Carbondale has partnered with global innovator Siemens to become the most sustainable, zero-waste distillery (and you can sleep at their Distillery Inn). The Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa produces 100% of its ingredients on the farm where the beer is made. Peach Street Distillers in Palisade utilizes local fruits and grains raised by devoted area growers and often upcycles local fruits that some foolishly deem “too ripe” for market. Tour Ska Brewing’s 100% wind-powered facility in Durango, and then stick around for a pint.

Do Colorado Right Tip: Discover Colorado's diverse food trails - from distillery tours to farm-to-table experiences, and indulge in the flavors of the region while learning about local agriculture and culinary traditions.

Take in a Low-Impact Experience:

Celestial Viewing and Preserving Colorado’s Dark Skies: Colorado is home to 10 International Dark Sky Parks and five International Dark Sky Communities, many of which were newly designated within the last few years with additional designations on the horizon. Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night is a self-guided stargazing tour that connects several Colorado locations known for their night skies and incredible stargazing opportunities. The Lake City Star Fest (June 7-8, 2024) offers activities for both experienced astronomers and casual stargazers with a weekend full of astronomy and space-themed activities. The annual Black Canyon Astronomy Festival takes place in September 2024 at the certified International Dark Sky Park and features a number of unique astronomy and solar programs, Sky Rangers, local astronomers and night sky events. Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley maintains one of the largest and most state-of-the-art telescopes in Colorado at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe that offers private and free public Star Parties from May to October based on current astronomical events.
Environmentally Conscious Art: Breckenridge’s BreckCreate has a new partnership with Precious Plastic, creating opportunities for visitors to transform plastic waste into art. Black Cube, a nonprofit nomadic art museum headquartered in Colorado, is pleased to announce Orisons, a large-scale, newly commissioned earthwork by artist Marguerite Humeau. At 160 acres, this earthwork marks one of the largest created by a single woman artist to date and historically, a more environmentally conscious approach to land art. As a Certified B Corporation, Meow Wolf in Denver is committed to protecting and preserving the planet through responsible stewardship.
Green Learning Experiences: Founded in 1931, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy is a nonprofit organization supporting Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitors can get hands-on field opportunities or educational programs on topics such as wildflowers, mammals, chords, cultural history, outdoor skills and more. Located in the tiny town of Gothic outside of Crested Butte, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory focuses on the importance of preserving and providing access to historical data about the local ecosystems and offers a variety of opportunities for the public to interact and learn including lecture series, volunteer programs, youth camps and more. Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon provides locals and visitors with opportunities to explore nature, gain scientific understanding, and learn about the many wonders of the mountain environment through natural science and sustainability programs. Pikes Peak — America's Mountain strives to provide access to a beautiful natural environment—without harming it with efforts including the first fully certified Living Building Challenge (LBC) project in the region, one of the most rigorous building sustainability programs in the world. Loveland’s Sunrise Ranch offers programs for renewal, learning and transformation, along with sustainably-grown food nurtured on a 400-acre ranch and farm.
Reservations Required: In order to ease congestion and assist with the preservation and restoration of several of Colorado’s most popular natural attractions, reservation systems have been implemented. Colorado’s Hanging Lake is a National Natural Landmark, so designated to recognize its geological/ecological properties. The US Forest Service has scheduled a rebuild of the Hanging Lake Trail that is set to begin this spring and last throughout the summer months. Reservations will be available at the discretion of the US Forest Service and are available through April 30, 2024. Rocky Mountain National Park will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system in 2024, beginning on Friday, May 24, 2024. Previous use of the reservation system has eased congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park. Reservations are also required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and related amenities. Choose between private vehicle trailhead parking permits from May 15 through October 31, 2024, or RFTA shuttle reservations from May 24 through October 20, 2024.

Do Colorado Right Tip: Plan ahead and make reservations for popular attractions and outdoor experiences ensure a more enjoyable and sustainable visit for yourself and others. To have the trail all to yourself and enjoy a seamless parking experience, consider a visit during the weekdays.

Sleep Sustainably:

Badger Creek Ranch, Canon City: Badger Creek Ranch raises grass-fed, grass-finished beef and lamb and pasture-raised pork and poultry. They also offer a seasonal adults-only work experience at a real working ranch. The ranch believes that sustainable agriculture means being responsible stewards of the land and are part of a coalition of ranchers and public agencies working to regenerate the Badger Creek Headwaters watershed that flows into the Arkansas River.
Dunton Destinations: Dunton Destinations (Dunton Hot Springs, Dunton River Camp, and Dunton Town House) is committed to implementing sustainable initiatives throughout its operations, from innovative closed-loop kitchen systems to using electricity generated by 100% renewable energy and making their own dairy products to cut down on waste and plastics; Dunton is committed to improving its use of resources while simultaneously offering the highest level of hospitality and service. Dunton also partnered with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to plant 25,000 trees in Colorado.
Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Breckenridge: Grand Lodge on Peak 7 was awarded the EPA’s Pollution Prevention award and is the only hospitality company to win the prestigious award nationwide. Awarded for reducing natural gas consumption by 14% in 2022, this was achieved by increasing efficiencies in their innovative snowmelt system and mitigating overall usage.
Pagosa River Domes, Pagosa Springs: Pagosa River Domes is the first geodesic dome destination in Colorado with 14 modern domes offering an eco-friendly retreat with all the essentials. The domes are a harmony of eco-innovation and indulgence, offering a climate-adapted haven for the eco-conscious traveler.
The Pad Hotel and Hostel, Silverthorne: Made from 18 upcycled shipping containers, The Pad is Colorado's first B Corp-certified lodging company. Stay in a unique suite, micro room or dorm room and enjoy the amenities that make The Pad an eco-friendly option in the heart of Summit County. From compositing and sustainable products to local food and beverage options, the company is committed to the environment, its guests and the community.
Populus, Denver: Populus will be the first carbon positive hotel in the U.S., plans to open in Denver’s Civic Center Park in summer 2024 and will serve as a skyline-defining architectural landmark and new benchmark for sustainable travel.
SCP Hotel, Colorado Springs: Standing for Soul, Community, Planet, SCP Hotel was born out of a vision to help make the world a better place by serving those who value personal wellness, social good and the environment. SCP merges earth-friendly and socially responsible practices with modern, clean lodging accommodations and nutritious ‘vegan-forward’ food choices. They also plant a tree for each guest who stays with them.
Trailborn Rocky Mountains and Trailborn Rocky Mountain Outpost, Estes Park: Opened in late 2023, Trailborn Rocky Mountains and sister-property — Trailborn Rocky Mountain Outpost — is the newest boutique hotel to open in Estes Park, the basecamp to adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park. A total of 86 rooms feature sustainable cork floors, modern furniture and Grown Alchemist bath amenities. A portion of proceeds from bookings are donated to Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley: The Westin continues to be a leader in green lodging with a pledge to make the entire resort free of single-use plastic products. The Silver LEED certified resort is continuing its weekly “Nature at Night” educational series with Walking Mountains Science Center. It is also home to an expansive garden that supplies vegetables & herbs seasonally to the on-site restaurants

Do Colorado Right Tip: Reduce energy and water consumption during your stay by minimizing use of air conditioning, heating, and hot water and by reusing towels and linens to minimize laundry impact.

Give Back to Colorado With Voluntourism Activities & by Supporting Local Nonprofits:

Colorado Trails Foundation: The Colorado Trail stretches 500 miles from Denver to Durango. It's a pathway for hikers who want to travel the majority of the state on foot, passing over mountains, around lakes and through a number of Colorado communities. Colorado Trail Foundation volunteers are continually working to maintain its varied terrain. The foundation's volunteer crews make improvements to the trail, and visitors to Colorado are welcome to take part in the weeklong trips.
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: Colorado is endowed with 58 mountains whose peaks rise at least 14,000 feet above sea level — more than any other state in the continental U.S. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative is a nonprofit, volunteer-dependent organization that helps restore and maintain the trails and fragile plant life. Volunteer vacations range from three-day trail builds while camping near the work site to wildflower-seed collection, where the seeds from native flowers will be used to repopulate barren trails.
Colorado Mountain Bicycle Association (COMBA): COMBA is dedicated to building new singletrack trails and helping land managers maintain current trails. COMBA started out as the Trail Conservation Services in 1991 maintaining trails, and to this day building and maintaining trails is one of their main goals.
HistoriCorps: HistoriCorps works with volunteers to save at-risk places like settlers' log cabins nestled between cliffs and canyons, century-old fire lookout towers still standing watch on state's highest peaks, or the remnants of delicate mining infrastructure in alpine meadows.
Regenerative Roaring Fork: Visitors to Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley are invited to be stewards of the destinations they visit by participating in volunteer projects at five environmental and heritage attractions. Visitors can spend three hours working alongside public land manager teams to help with restoration at Coffman Ranch in Carbondale, the Nature Trail in Snowmass, the Smuggler-Hunter trail in Aspen, Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt, and the Linwood Cemetery/Doc Holliday Cemetery in Glenwood Springs.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC): Since 1984, VOC has been motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. VOC works with conservation and land agencies and relies on thousands of people annually to provide a volunteer workforce for outdoor stewardship projects.
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: From land to water, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers offers a wide range of projects. Whether visitors are into clearing and maintaining trails, picking up litter from waterways or building rock structures to maintain natural habitats, there’s something for everyone.

Do Colorado Right Tip: Be a mindful traveler during your visit. Pack out what you pack in, respect wildlife and natural habitats, and support local businesses. Whether its trail maintenance or habitat restoration, lending a hand helps keep our outdoor spaces beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

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ABOUT DO COLORADO RIGHT: Launched by the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) in 2020, Do Colorado Right is an award-winning campaign advocating for responsible tourism throughout Colorado. Engaging and entertaining, the campaign highlights topics like fire prevention, trash mitigation, backcountry safety, low-impact travel practices and more. Encouraging residents and visitors alike to embrace responsible tourism, Do Colorado Right emphasizes caring for Colorado's natural beauty and communities. Through collaboration with influencers, industry partners and other state and federal agencies, the campaign promotes mindful exploration and enhances the visitor experience. Explore responsibly at DoColoradoRight.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 and 28 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, 13 national parks and monuments, 26 scenic and historic byways and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, “Explore Colorado” visit COLORADO.com or call 1-800 COLORADO. Follow Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Media are invited to visit the Colorado Media Room for story ideas, news releases, image gallery and other resources.