Denver, CO (March 29, 2023) - 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. Colorado continues to activate thoughtful new offerings and initiatives to stay ahead of the curve and protect its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich and diverse history and culture.
Colorado already is home to two U.S. cities powered 100% by renewable energy, meaning travelers to both Aspen and Glenwood Springs can enjoy a vacation with little carbon impact. Denver is consistently ranked among the most sustainable cities in the country.
Breckenridge and Vail are two of only three certified sustainable mountain resort destinations in the world and five Roaring Fork Valley tourism organizations have come together to launch The Roaring Fork Valley Destination Alliance (the first of its kind in Colorado) focusing on activities and programs that promote responsible travel. Vail Resorts reached 100% renewable electricity across all of its Colorado and North American resorts, and this success is part of the company’s Commitment to Zero effort to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030.
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 educational 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. Look for this campaign inside and outside of the state, including Denver International Airport, Colorado Welcome Centers and more.
Below is a sampling of low emissions travel options, ways to support local food and drink systems and places to be a part of the preservation of the state’s history and culture. Also highlighted are low-impact outdoor recreation and travel experiences, places to sleep sustainably and voluntourism opportunities to give back from across Colorado. Find more information about all of these responsible travel offerings and more on www.Colorado.com.
Explore Low-Emissions Travel Offerings:
- Take an EV Roadtrip Through Colorado 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. With three new designations in early 2023, half (13) of the state’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways are now available for electric-vehicle travel with many more under construction. Some EV Byway roadtrip favorites include Top of the Rockies, Lariat Loop, Trail Ridge Road and Guanella Pass. 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 offers free Park to Park Shuttles on summer weekends connecting Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park, Chautauqua, Eldorado Canyon State Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness. Rocky Mountain National Park will be operating the Hiker Shuttle this summer, from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride Transit Hub located on Bear Lake Road. Book a Groome Transportation shared-ride shuttle to Denver International Airport (DIA), which uses cleaner burning propane-powered vehicles. 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. Aspen Historical Society “History Coach” Electric Vehicle Tours offer a glimpse into the stories around every corner in Aspen. On Location’s Shuttles to Red Rocks program provides safe and efficient round-trip coach bus transportation between downtown Denver and concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
- Aviation: Denver International Airport (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: New this summer, Breckenridge will launch the Breck E-Bike Ride bike share program. The program will include 75 E-bikes across 12 designated hubs to offer in-town commuters a new transportation option. 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. Aspen Skiing Company opened a Maroon Bells Basecamp visitor center at the base of Aspen Highlands that offers e-bikes for rent as an alternative to taking the bus to the Maroon Bells. 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. Twin Lakes e-Bike Rentals rents pedal-assist or fully electric ebikes so that visitors can explore the nearby Twin Lakes area, sustainably. Explore other e-bike rentals in towns across Colorado as an alternative to driving a gas-powered vehicle to a trailhead parking lot.
Support Local Food and Drink Systems:
- Food, Drink and Agriculture Trails: The Liquid Arts Passport provides consumers with discounted tastings and offers from breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries across the state. 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 five new farms bringing it to a total of 20 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, as well as seasonal foodie events and farmers’ markets. Cortez Tours is rolling out a new Lavender Farm Walking Tour this summer that offers an opportunity to immerse in the people and lands of southwest Colorado.
- 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) 2023 farmers market season will kick off on April 1 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. At Adam’s Mountain Cafe in Manitou Springs, refuel with healthy dishes — from house-made veggie burgers to gourmet salads — while supporting other small businesses, as this restaurant sources local ingredients whenever possible. And 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. Colorful street tacos, loaded-up burritos and unexpected cocktails are the draw at Jefes Tacos & Tequila in Longmont, committed to sourcing ingredients from local farms and ranches and skipping single-use plastics. Guests can hike one mile through an evergreen forest to a gourmet candlelight dinner at Tennessee Pass Cookhouse overlooking the stunning Sawatch Mountains. Meals feature locally sourced foods, and those who wish can stay the night in a yurt. Since 2017, Snooze A.M. Eatery has celebrated Earth Day by planting a tree for every employee. This is in addition to a $25,000 donation to The Young Farmers Coalition and year-round sustainability initiatives such as carbon-neutral delivery.
- 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. Carboy Winery with locations throughout Colorado, has joined 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of all tasting room sales to support Environmental Partner Zero Foodprint and its Restore Colorado campaign promoting regenerative agriculture and carbon farming. Elevation Beer Co. in Poncha Springs has transitioned from plastic 6-pack rings to biodegradable and compostable rings. Take a tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden, which has goals to be a zero-waste facility by 2025. Sip a lineup of award-winning rum at the tasting room of Crested Butte’s Montanya Distillers, which boasts 100% wind-powered facilities. Dune Valley Distillery will open this summer in a renovated historic school gym in the San Luis Valley run entirely on renewable biogas technology and utilizing the valley’s vast potato crop as the basis for their spirits.
Support the Preservation of Colorado’s History and Culture:
- Amache Named National Historic Site, Granada: President Biden signed the Amache National Historic Site Act in spring 2022, designating the Amache site in Granada, Colorado as part of the National Park System. This designation will permanently protect the site for future generations and will help tell the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II.
- Buffalo Soldier Exhibition at the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center: Opening June 24, 2023, this new exhibition uses the creative expressions of artists and poets from across the country to explore the complicated history and legacy of the African American Soldiers who served the U.S. following the Civil War.
- Camp Hale Named President Biden’s First National Monument: In October 2022, President Biden designated Camp Hale, a World War II training ground between Leadville and Vail, as his first national monument as president and the ninth national monument in Colorado. Adventurers love the miles of backcountry, and history buffs come to see the site where the United States’ only ski troopers trained. The new monument also honors the ancient human history in the area.
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Opens New Sites in Southwest Colorado: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has opened new sites in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument that were previously unmarked and difficult to locate. Additionally, the road leading into Painted Hand Pueblo has been completed with various area improvements including an improved parking lot, picnic tables, shade structures and more.
- Montezuma Heritage Museum Opens, Cortez: After seven years in the making, the Montezuma Heritage Museum is now open in Cortez. The museum tells the stories and history of the area, including the Native Americans and Spanish and white settlers who have contributed to the diverse culture of the region.
- “The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal that Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever,” is Open at the History Colorado Center, Denver: The exhibit recounts the deadliest day in Colorado's history—Nov. 29, 1864—when U.S. troops brutally attacked a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The exhibition is the result of a ten-year partnership process that began in 2012 between History Colorado and the Tribal nations.
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 year. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Colorado Chapter encourages Colorado residents and visitors alike to demonstrate nighttime stewardship by following one simple rule: Lights Off, Stars On! Located about 80 miles northeast of Denver in Morgan County, Jackson Lake State Park is Colorado’s first state park to be certified as an International Dark Sky Park and offers premiere stargazing. Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night is a self-guided stargazing tour that connects several Colorado locations known for their night skies, low light pollution and incredible stargazing opportunities. New this summer, The Lake City Star Fest (June 7-11 2023) will offer activities for both experienced astronomers and casual stargazers with a weekend full of astronomy and space-themed activities.
- 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.
- Hot Springs Create Energy: Since the 1970s, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool has been putting surplus British thermal units (BTUs) generated by the geothermal water to good use in pre heating domestic water supplies and warming decks, sidewalks and rooflines to keep them snow-free in winter. Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs also utilizes the hot springs water in a similar fashion. The geothermal waters from the World’s Deepest Hot Springs Aquifer in Pagosa Springs provide amazing soaking experiences at The Springs Resort. This natural resource is also used to heat downtown sidewalks, businesses, and residential properties, is the key ingredient in the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership and is used by local Riff Raff Brewing Company offering ‘Earth Powered Beer.’
- 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. A US Forest Service management plan was instituted in 2018 to help with restoration of the attraction and education of visitors, and reservations are now required to experience the trail and landmark. Rocky Mountain National Park will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system May 26 through October 22, 2023. 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, 2023, or RFTA shuttle reservations from May 26 through October 22, 2023.
Sleep Sustainably:
- Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen: Nestled on 40 acres of meadowlands and forests, Aspen Meadows Resort worked with energy provider Holy Cross Energy to reopen in June 2020 with 100% clean energy. The renewable energy switch is part of the Aspen Meadows Resort’s plan to work towards carbon neutrality for Aspen Institute facility operations and staff travel. In 2022, the Aspen Meadows Resort switched to a fleet of electric shuttles. The property now offers two different electric vehicle charging stations, replaced all plastic water bottles with reusable options and removed all single-use plastics from guest rooms.
- 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 seasonal guest lodging and teach horsemanship. 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. They are focused on undoing the damage from the poor land use practices of the past by taking steps to reduce soil erosion and restore ecological vigor and diversity to this brittle grassland environment. Carefully managed grazing practices, symbiotic with rangeland health, play a central role.
- Camp V, Naturita: CampV offers several ways for visitors to volunteer and give back to the area. CampV is excited to announce a partnership with The Apple Core Project with an Earth Day Grafting Class where participants can learn how to graft apple trees and explore the fruit growing history in the region. Guests can volunteer throughout the year to help water and care for the preservation of these trees. Camp V will also continue to offer customized gardening voluntourism opportunities throughout the spring and summer. Guests can connect with nature on the property through bird and wildlife watching and stargazing - Naturita was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Community.
- C Lazy U Ranch, Granby: Colorado’s premier luxury guest ranch, C Lazy U, serves as each guest’s private national park with 8,500 acres of adventure. Working in tandem with The Nature Conservancy to ensure lasting protection of the Great American West and its wild nature, C Lazy U Ranch has placed an additional 1,221 acres under permanent easement as of 2020. Actively advocating for environmental friendliness, the ranch sources all of its water from nearby Mount Baldy’s natural springs. Guests are also given a reusable water bottle upon check-in to encourage drinking of the freshwater and eliminate plastic waste. Another sustainable initiative at the ranch is reclaiming beetle kill lumber found onsite to renovate wood floors in guest cabins and build beautiful wood accent pieces.
- 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.
- The Gant, Aspen: The Gant Aspen’s Minimalist Package offers travelers a variety of opportunities to minimize their impact while traveling to Aspen. Offering savings up to 25% off The Gant’s published rates, individuals reserving this package will receive mindful perks and sustainable amenities, while enjoying Aspen’s natural Rocky Mountain playground. Amenities include sustainable bath amenities, bamboo paper products, reusable shopping bags, WE-Cycle complimentary point-to-point bike rentals, access to electric vehicle charging stations and more.
- OPUS Hut, Silverton: Outside of Silverton, hike or snowshoe to the OPUS Hut, a full-service backcountry lodge with solar-powered lighting, indoor composting toilets, in-floor solar-thermal heating, and healthy, natural food served up daily.
- The Pad Hotel and Hostel, Silverthorne: The Pad is a new boutique hotel/hostel in Silverthorne that is on track to becoming Colorado’s first B Corp-certified lodging property. Constructed with up-cycled shipping containers and a commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. The Pad’s team incorporated sustainable building techniques, committed to composting, selected a restaurant partner who serves Colorado-grown and -raised food and sources eco-friendly sustainable products as part of their decision to use their business as a force for good.
- 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.
- St. Julien, Boulder: An industry leader in sustainability, St Julien’s in-house Green Team, helmed by a brand-new Sustainability Coordinator, sets and achieves various environmental goals, including minimizing overall waste and utilizing eco-friendly products and practices, while each of the hotel’s outlets offer a variety of vegan and plant-based dishes, cocktails and spa treatments.
- Trailborn Rocky Mountains and Trailborn Rocky Mountain Outpost, Estes Park: With an expected opening of June 2023, Trailborn Rocky Mountains and sister-property - Trailborn Rocky Mountain Outpost - will be 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. When open, proceeds from bookings will be donated to Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
- Viceroy, Snowmass: Named 2022 USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Choice travel award contest for Best Eco-Friendly Hotel, Viceroy Snowmass was awarded LEED™ Gold Certification for sustainable design, construction and overall environmental stewardship. Compared to similar properties, it is 30% more energy efficient due to improved insulation, high-performance windows and an energy management system.
- Weston Pass Hut, Leadville: Those seeking a unique off-grid overnight experience can sleep sustainably at the Weston Pass Hut, set at 11,950’. This remote escape is built with locally harvested and milled beams and an earth-covered, naturally insulated tundra roof. Hikes from this high perch look out to the tops of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, including Colorado’s two highest peaks, showcasing Mother Earth’s splendor.
- Zapata Ranch, Mosca: Zapata Ranch is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by Ranchlands in a partnership model that emphasizes environmental conservation practices. Located on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley, the ranch borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Home to a conservation herd of bison that run in a single 50,000 acre pasture, the ranch also runs a herd of Angus mother cows. Additionally, the ranch has a 17-bedroom lodge that welcomes guests from around the world to learn about ranching’s role in preserving and protecting these natural landscapes.
Give Back to Colorado with Voluntourism Activities and by Supporting Local Non-Profits:
- Aspen Pledge, Aspen: By taking the Aspen Pledge, Aspen locals and visitors are committing themselves to be responsible citizens and ensuring that Aspen remains protected for generations to come. For every pledge signed, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association will make a donation of $18.80 (the year Aspen was founded, 1880) up to $50,000 to either the Independence Pass Foundation or Roaring Fork Valley Outdoor Volunteers, two organizations dedicated to preserving Aspen’s vast outdoors.
- Chaffee Rec Adopters, Chaffee County: Chaffee Rec Adopters are residents and friends of Chaffee County who help keep the area outdoors clean, fun and wild, now and into the future. Through organized volunteer events and individual monitoring, volunteers are empowered to be effective stewards of the outdoors.
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks: Group travelers can bring friends, colleagues or family members to one-day volunteer projects hosted by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Spend the day constructing or maintaining a nearby trail for Boulder locals and visitors alike to enjoy.
- Cloud City Wheelers, Leadville: Cloud City Wheelers is Leadville's trail advocacy group with the mission to create, enhance, preserve, and promote cycling opportunities in Lake County, Colorado. Since 2009, the Wheelers have worked hard to create sustainable trail options for a wide range of users. Hosts of the popular Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series, the Wheelers maintain 10 miles of Colorado's best groomed winter fat bike trails, surrounded by a wide range of additional multi use groomed trails.
- 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.
- Fremont County 1% for Trails: Help increase the number of trails for low impact travel in Fremont County by opting into Fremont Adventure Recreation’s (FAR) 1% for Trails program. Businesses around Fremont County elect to add a 1% donation onto their customer's bill. Customers, in turn, have the option to opt out of the donation. Contributions are then distributed directly to FAR. All monies collected from these 1% donations are collectively used to fund trails and outdoor recreation in the Royal Gorge Region. FAR’s 1% For Trails initiative funds all things trails and outdoor recreation: matching funds for grants, grant writing, trail building, trail design, and more.
- Friends of Breckenridge Trails: The Friends of Breckenridge Trails offers a way to provide a helping hand in the upkeep of fragile habitats, open spaces, and trail systems unique to Breckenridge. Through vital volunteer efforts offered throughout the summer, open spaces, trails, historic sites, and ecologically sensitive areas are maintained and restored, thereby creating fun opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to make memories and give back.
- Friends of Twin Lakes, Inc.: Friends of Twin Lakes is a non-profit organization focused on preserving the area’s many historically significant aspects and working with the Forest Service and local governments to build and maintain trails in southern Lake County. Visitors can volunteer to serve on a variety of projects and also donate.
- 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.
- Trails For All, Custer County: Trails for All is a grass-roots, all volunteer effort to improve peoples’ well-being through the care, creation, use and promotion of trails in and around Custer County. Trails For All offers volunteer trail maintenance days in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Westcliffe.
- 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.
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 www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800 COLORADO. Follow Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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