The first week of the park shutdown brought little financial impact, said town manager Frank Lancaster, probably because most tourists had already booked their Christmas stays and couldn't cancel. Along the town's main street Wednesday, tourists peered in candy store windows, shopped for T-shirts and rented snowshoes, and there was little sign the nearby park is largely inaccessible.
Chapin Pass trail traverses a dense forest to beautiful views of the Chapin Creek valley, proceeding onward above timberline to the western flank of Mount Chapin. Tundra Communities Trail, accessible from Trail Ridge Road, is a hike offering tundra views and alpine wildflowers. Other trails are Tombstone Ridge and Ute Trail, which starts at the tundra and is mostly downhill from Ute Crossing to Upper Beaver Meadows, with one backcountry camping site. Cache La Poudre River trail begins north of Poudre Lake on the west side of the valley near Milner Pass and heads downward toward the Mummy Pass trail junction. Lake Irene is a recreation and picnic area.[40]
Relax to the sounds & beauty of Fall River. Our resort is perfectly located halfway between the Village of Estes Park & Rocky Mtn National Park (2.5 mi each way). Enjoy a furnished 1,2, or 3 bedroom mountain cabin/condo with a full kitchen, jacuzzi spa tub or hot tub, fireplace, & gas grill. Each bedroom has it's own bath! Save $'s - cook breakfast in, then grill dinner. Winter deals & packages available. River Stone Resorts & Bear Paw Suites Details
Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark comprised of 1,300 acres of magnificent views and stunning red sandstone formations. TripAdvisor® users voted Garden of the Gods the #1 park in the U.S. and #2 park in the world. Make sure to snap some selfies of you and your partner smooching under Kissing Camels and holding up Balanced Rock.
There are several Front Range towns that have fun winter attractions that are worth experiencing. Next time you’re passing through Idaho Springs, relax at Indian Hot Springs or go snowshoeing in the Arapaho National Forest. Georgetown hosts ice races on its frozen lake. While in Evergreen, make use of the giant frozen lake by ice skating or fishing.
Head to Denver, Colorado where you can see shows, visit museums and sample new flavors at gourmet restaurants. The Curtis – a DoubleTree by Hilton is a boutique hotel with 336 innovative accommodations, a retro dining experience and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The Bigger Better Deal Rooms offer 350 square feet of living space and views of downtown Denver. There are three types of suites to choose from: a KISS Suite, a Rolling Stones Suite and a suite dedicated to the Spice Girls. Guests can also stay in a “Hyper Themed” room on each of the 13 themed floors, such as the Jimmy Buffett Suite and the Ghostbusters Suite.
Relax to the sounds & beauty of Fall River. Our resort is perfectly located halfway between the Village of Estes Park & Rocky Mtn National Park (2.5 mi each way). Enjoy a furnished 1,2, or 3 bedroom mountain cabin/condo with a full kitchen, jacuzzi spa tub or hot tub, fireplace, & gas grill. Each bedroom has it's own bath! Save $'s - cook breakfast in, then grill dinner. Winter deals & packages available. River Stone Resorts & Bear Paw Suites Details
From 9,000 ft (2,700 m) to 11,000 ft (3,400 m),[72] the montane forests give way to subalpine forests.[69] Forests of fir and Engelmann spruce cover the mountainsides in subalpine areas. Trees grow straight and tall in the lower subalpine forests, but become shorter and more deformed the nearer they are to the tree line.[72] At the tree line, seedlings may germinate on the lee side of rocks and grow only as high as the rock provides wind protection, with any further growth being more horizontal than vertical. The low growth of dense trees is called krummholz, which may become well-established and live for several hundred to a thousand years old.[72]
With relaxing hot springs, haunting ghost towns, outdoor adventures, breathtaking views, gourmet dining, romantic scenery, and hip hotels, Colorado is high on our travel bucket list. No matter what time of year you go or how many times you visit, a Colorado vacation will always make you appreciate nature and challenge your comfort zone. And with an endless array of activities from powder-skiing to river-rafting, it's the ideal backdrop for a getaway with friends, romantic escape, or family trip. Click through to see some of the most breathtaking places to visit in the state (and the whole world), and then start planning your Colorado vacations.
Once famous as a gold-rush outpost, the modern city of Golden has diversified by leaps and bounds and now offers visitors a great mix of outdoor, cultural and historic attractions. Go back in time to the gold mining era on a tour of Historic Downtown, where you will find several museums including the Golden History Center and the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum.
The Fern Lake trail passes Arch Rock formations, The Pool, and the cascading water of Fern Falls. Two backcountry campsites are located near the lake, and two more are closer to the trailhead. Odessa Lake has two approaches: one is along the Flattop trail from Bear Lake while the other is from the Fern Lake trailhead, along which are Fern Creek, The Pool, Fern Falls, and Fern Lake itself. One backcountry campsite is available.[44] Other lakes are Jewel Lake, Mills Lake, Black Lake, Blue Lake, Lake of Glass, and Spruce Lake.[44]
I am convinced Chautauqua is Colorado’s best-kept secret and I’m amazed how few locals know about its charms. Located at the base of the Flatirons in Boulder, this National Historic Landmark has rental cottages that are surrounded on three sides with open space that includes 48 miles of hiking trails and thousands of acres of natural lands begging to be explored. On weekends in June, Theatre-Hikes Colorado will take audience members on a moderate hike amidst the scenic backdrop of Boulder Open Space while scenes from “Snow White” are performed along the way. On June 29, don’t miss the Colorado Music Festival’s Young People’s Concert, which is a is a narrated work about a cartoon score being performed at a symphony concert (tickets are $8). The historic Chautauqua Dining Hall (a tradition since 1898) has recently undergone a huge overhaul and the wraparound porch offers some of the best patio dining in Colorado. If you visit on a Saturday, be sure to also visit the Boulder’s Farmer’s Market (the largest in Colorado). Not to be forgotten are Pearl Street Mall’s restaurants, shops, people-watching and Pop Jet Fountain–they never fail to entertain. 
We really enjoyed our stay at the Solitude Cabins! We stayed in the Dalton's cabin which had very comfortable and clean accommodations with lots of room. The kitchen was complete with everything we needed. With our stay being in December, we were especially excited to see our cabin so adorably decorated for the Holidays, it was so festive! It totally exceeded our expectations! We will most definitely be back!
Luxurious guest rooms feature king or queen sized beds dressed in plush linens, private bathrooms with showers and baths, working fireplaces and flat-screen televisions with cable TV, and special touches such as deluxe bath and spa amenities and Godiva bedside chocolates. Some rooms enjoy signature private whirlpool tubs for two and secluded balconies with stunning mountain views. A hearty breakfast is served each morning, and complimentary beverages, afternoon tea, and an assortment of homemade treats, sweets, and cakes are available throughout the day.
Split down the middle by the vast Rocky Mountains and jam-packed with national parks and wilderness areas, Colorado is an ideal travel destination for outdoor pursuits in every season. From skiing and whitewater rafting to hiking, biking and camping, outdoor activities are a way of life in the Centennial State. The state’s fun-loving culture attracts visitors looking for a laidback vacation too. After all, Colorado produces more beer than any other state and is one of only two states in the Union that has legalized marijuana for recreational use. Rich in historical and cultural attractions as well as in natural beauty, the best places to visit in Colorado have something special to offer every visitor.
Teachers must help build the foundation for critical thinking and challenge students instead of assigning an overload of material to memorize for 1 test and forever be forgotten. Teachers themselves must be challenged as well to continue their education and modify their teaching based on this ever changing world. Hopefully these new bonus programs and raise in salaries provides satisfaction and it sparks more rigor for the staff in Denver schools.
Idyllically pinned between the crags and currents of Little Prospect Mountain and Big Thompson River, This Mountain Life makes for a serene setting to call basecamp. Open your windows to clean crisp air, bluebird skies and sights and sounds of a winding snow-fed alpine river. Watch wildlife from Mountain Chickadees to Colorado Chipmunks and Wapiti Elk. Sleep like a log. Step out your haven in Historic Downtown to easily access top Estes Park shops, attractions and venues — from river walks to fishing spots, sweet shops to best restaurants, from care-free strolls to heart-pounding treks.
Brush up on your Lindy Hop and head to this one-of-a-kind ball that celebrates all things 1940s each June. A hangar at the Boulder Municipal Airport is transformed into a dance hall befitting the USO, with 1940s cars, celebrity impersonators, swing dance lessons, live music and an authentic-attire contest that’ll make you feel like an extra in “Casablanca.”
A city that conjures up images of a magical winter wonderland, Aspen boasts beautiful surroundings, where visitors can soak up panoramic views of the Colorado Rockies against the area’s abundance of mountain chalets and popular ski areas. A mecca for winter sports enthusiasts, visitors can also find a wealth of high-end boutiques, interesting museums and excellent hiking trails. Whether you choose to climb to the summit, spot diverse wildlife or simply soak in your surroundings, the Maroon Bell peaks is a must on any itinerary. After a day of adventure at Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands or Buttermilk, relax at the world-famous and therapeutic Glenwood Springs.
Would you like to stay in a historic red barn, a former milk room, or an original historic log cabin and get an idea of how the original Colorado settlers lived? Converted to the luxury Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast, this former 1885 homestead is a quaint reminder of the area’s adventurous past. With its main lodge building, old converted barn, and two log cabins, the Bed and Breakfast today offers rustic luxury and unparalleled comfort. The rooms are furnished with antique pieces and fireplaces, with luxurious bathrooms featuring claw foot tubs, conveying a sense of times gone by while providing entirely modern comfort and amenities.
Observing wildlife is one of the most popular activities in the Rockies. A drive through the park at dusk during the summer is sure to guarantee viewing of herds of elk and mule deer. And throughout the rest of the year, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals like pikas and marmots delight wildlife-watchers of all ages.
If you’re interested in visiting the iconic archaeological sites in Mesa Verde National Park, a trip to Durango is in order. This southwestern Colorado city is the closest town to the Puebloan cliff dwellings, and even offers convenient day trips for travelers who are strapped for time. While you’re in town, take the Million Dollar Highway through the San Juan National Forest for some of the best views in the region.
Buena Vista is an historic mining and railroad town that resoundingly lives up to its Spanish name meaning “good views” – you are surrounded by towering mountain peaks that provide a wonderful year-round playground for adventure seekers. The area boasts some of the best river rafting adventures in the country and you can also go hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and zip-lining.
There are multiple scenic trails to hike and challenging cycling paths to discover as well as many more activities like zip-lining and horseback riding. You can explore the history and architecture of historic sites like Miramont Castle and Manitou Cliff Dwellings, visit the Manitou Springs Heritage Center, or enjoy some pampering at a day spa before catching a show at the Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Theatre.
Ouray is one of the many historic Colorado mining towns that have re-invented themselves as outdoor playgrounds for adventure sport fanatics. The town is steeped in history, which you can explore at the Ouray County Historical Museum, the Ouray Alchemist Pharmaceutical Museum or on a tour of the Old Hundred Mine, before visiting one of the natural thermal pools that have been attracting visitors for over 100 years.
Teachers must help build the foundation for critical thinking and challenge students instead of assigning an overload of material to memorize for 1 test and forever be forgotten. Teachers themselves must be challenged as well to continue their education and modify their teaching based on this ever changing world. Hopefully these new bonus programs and raise in salaries provides satisfaction and it sparks more rigor for the staff in Denver schools.
An excellent vacation destination for visitors who are ready to hit the slopes, winter enthusiasts flock to Telluride every year for its 1,700 skiable acres that cater to both experts and novices alike. Visitors flock to Town Park on the southeast edge of town for its abundance of activities available, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, fishing ponds and campgrounds that are popular for the city’s annual festivals and events. Bear Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls offer a variety of scenic hiking trails, while the Telluride Historical Museum and Historic Sheridan Opera House are two cultural attractions that shouldn’t be overlooked.
With many peaks and granite rock formations, there are lots of rock climbing opportunities. Some favorite climbs include the aptly-named Lumpy Ridge and Longs Peak. Whether you prefer bouldering, mountaineering, rock climbing, or ice climbing, the park has something for climbers of all levels. In the winter, opportunities for snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding draw all levels of explorers. If you're in the western part of the park, visit Grand Lake. This breathtaking lake is the state's largest natural body of water, promising scenic views and plenty of outdoor fun.
The rooms here are Euro-sexy, with dark, thick, exposed beams and spacious, mirror-lined bathrooms. The spa is one of the best in Vail Valley, with a beautiful indoor-outdoor pool, fresh spa water and tea easily accessible and multiple hot tubs, both inside and out. Sit in the bubbling, warm water with a cup of tea while snowflakes drift around you.
Breckenridge is one of the top names in Colorado getaways, but you have to see the quaint downtown surrounded by towering peaks to truly understand what makes this destination so great. Known for its premiere skiing and beautiful hiking—picture rocky trails and alpine lakes—it’s a Colorado weekend getaway that makes you want to get outside and explore. For those who are interested in cozying up while on vacation, a spa package or winery visit could do the trick.
Bedrooms enjoy air-conditioning and central heating, mini refrigerators, and free Wi-Fi while private bathrooms have rain showers and Jacuzzi whirlpools. A delicious full English breakfast is served each morning in the inn’s elegant dining room, and lunch and dinner can be taken at the inn on request. The inn is within walking distance of several excellent restaurants in Colorado Springs as well as other entertainment.
Aspen is a lovely town, best known for phenomenal skiing, but Aspen offers a host of other outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, kayaking, fly fishing, and horseback riding. Celebrate your romantic connection with a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the four mountain areas of Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen, and Aspen Highlands at sunrise or sunset while sipping champagne and indulging in chocolate-covered strawberries. Pamper each other with a customized couple’s massage at the Remede Spa at the St. Regis Hotel, then luxuriate in the hot tub where three waterfalls tumble down a stone wall. Enjoy some French cuisine and ample wine choices at the Rustique Bistro.
An alpine village peppered with an array of modern resorts, Beaver Creek is the perfect weekend getaway destination. A laid-back ambiance of unhurried travelers, here visitors can get away from it all with the area’s world-class skiing and resort amenities. With gorgeous Rocky Mountain views, Beaver Creek is located in the Vail Valley and offers plenty of activities to fill a weekend itinerary. Many people come to try their hand at the 1,815 acres of skiable slopes, catering to both novice and experts alike. The area has plenty of other things to do, however, as visitors can take in a show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center, or indulge in anything from golf courses to pampering spas, shops and restaurants, with the city even home to a large outdoor ice rink in its city center.
The park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 1976 to protect its natural resources.[67][68] The park's biodiversity includes afforestation and reforestation, ecology, inland bodies of water, and mammals, while its ecosystems are managed for nature conservation, environmental education and public recreation purposes.[67] The areas of research and monitoring include ungulate ecology and management, high-altitude revegetation, global change, acid precipitation effects, and aquatic ecology and management.[67]
Located only a 30-minute drive from Denver, Boulder holds its own with its abundance of lush parks and beautiful landscapes. A city with a hippie-like vibe, visitors who explore this area will be delighted to discover an array of shops, breweries and cafes. In addition to its thriving arts and cultural attractions, visitors can lace up their boots and head to the trails at Boulder Creek Path, Eldorado Canyon State Park and the Flatirons. Home of the University of Colorado, plenty of restaurants and drinking establishments are available to choose from, while visitors who are looking for a place to relax can also have a spot of tea at the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory.
Located in a quiet, residential alpine setting, guests can spread out and explore the surroundings. Numerous balconies and decks have unobstructed views of the Gore Mountain Range, and the large private back yard with charming stone patio and massive outdoor gas fire pit is perfect for Après-ski gatherings. During warmer months, revel in the beauty and tranquility of the fanciful waterfall feature and perennial gardens, and walk up the mountainside on the fantastic stone switchback trail leading to several stone belvederes, each with increasingly magnificent and unobstructed views of the Vail Valley.
In 1941, the area was officially named The Loveland Ski Tow Inc. By 1948, four ski tows were in use and they were logically named A, B, C,and D. The next decade would bring big changes to the area. In 1955, the business was sold to group of stockholders who employed Pete Seibert (10th Mountain Division Member) as the general manager. Seibert would later build the Vail Ski Area in the early 1960’s.
Just a 5-minute stroll from downtown Estes Park, Fall River Village offers 66 luxury accommodations, including 60 two bedroom and two bathroom condos, a honeymoon suite, four three bedroom and four bathroom townhomes and a four bedroom townhome with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Property amenities include a heated, outdoor pool, year-round, outdoor hot tubs, a community room, fire pit and grill areas as well as an outdoor recreation area with yard games and a hammock.
^ Montana State University states in their profile of Rocky Mountain National Park that there has been an increase of 2.5 °F (1.4 °C) in the average park temperature over "the past century" (charts show the period from about 1895-2010).[48] The National Park Service site states that the increase has been 3.4 °F (1.9 °C) over "the last century" (chart shows the period from about 1905-2010).[52]
