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.
In Estes Park, nearly half of the accommodations are house rentals, which represent 43.29% of its available accommodations. Additionally, house rentals in Estes Park have an average cost of $453 per night as well as an average size of 2,030 ft². Moreover, these rentals are optimal if you're going in a group of 8, as that is the average number of vacationers house rentals can host in Estes Park. If you would like to rent something else, you can search many other offers, such as apartment rentals, which are another typical type of property in Estes Park. The average size of apartment rentals in Estes Park is 1,310 ft², and the average price is $331 per night.
Sandra & I just wanted you to know how much we enjoy our stays at "Brynwood on the River". It seems like the last stay was even better than the previous ones! We had a wonderful 5 days in EP and Sandra, in spite of her medical issues, did very well. This card has six "THANKS" on the front. Five of them are for five wonderful days and nights and the 6th one is for the friendship that has grown over the many times that we have stayed at your place! Thank you so much for saving my box of goodies for 10 months - that was beyond the call.
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.
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.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the nation, with elevations from 7,860 to 14,259 feet (2,396 to 4,346 m),[30] the highest point of which is Longs Peak.[31] Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through-road in the country, with a peak elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 m).[32] Sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet (3,658 m) high provide scenic vistas.[30] On the north side of the park, the Mummy Range contains a number of thirteener peaks, including Hagues Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fairchild Mountain, Ypsilon Mountain, and Mount Chiquita.[33] Several small glaciers and permanent snowfields are found in the high mountain cirques.[34]
With over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain in Beaver Creek, it’s no wonder this resort town is a top choice for a weekend trip in Colorado. Beaver Creek is home to the Birds of Prey downhill course, too—a difficult run that’s often included in World Cup races in early December. Not up to the challenge? No worries. There’s plenty more to do like catching a show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center or hanging out at the Beaver Creek Resort. Swing by in the afternoon for a taste of their fresh-baked (and free) chocolate chip cookies.
Outdoor adventurers, skiers, nature lovers and history buffs a return to Colorado year after year for memorable vacations surrounded by spectacular scenery. Colorado is famous for its first class ski resorts such as Aspen, Telluride and Crested Butte and elegant cities packed with cultural attractions, including Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Estes Park. You can get back to nature in the beautiful state parks where you can admire everything from towering sand dunes and waterfalls to gushing white water rapids and historic scenic railways. Here are the best places to visit in Colorado.
Cripple Creek / Victor – If you’re a history buff, a wild west fanatic, or a fan of quintessential Colorado scenery, you’ll love the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor. Both towns offer a number of easy and fun hikes (we love the Vindicator Valley Trail) that showcase the area’s rich mining history. Visit the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine for a unique trip through 1,000 feet of rock and into a real mine. There are also a number of enchanting local hotels that warrant a night’s stay (or two!) on your authentic Colorado vacation.
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.
Fort Collins is just an hour north of Denver, but it offers a ton of fun outdoor things to do when you want to take advantage of the sunshine. Just minutes from downtown is Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, a 2,711-acre park with 29 miles of biking, hiking, and horseback trails just west of Horsetooth Reservoir, which happens to be an ideal spot for paddling out in a canoe or kayak. Mountain Whitewater offers whitewater rafting trips on Cache La Poudre River, which flows right through downtown, while the Farm at Lee Martinez Park is an educational zoo that has animals for feeding and cuddling up with, pony rides, hayrides, and interactive adventures. Beer lovers can tour and taste at a number of outstanding area breweries, or even take a Beer & Bike tour where you can enjoy a variety of beers after a hard day of pedaling.
Ready to get romantic? Stop in and enjoy the Armstrong’s on-site speakeasy-era jazz club, Ace Gillett’s Lounge, located in the basement of the Armstrong Hotel. An underground shadowy enclave with nearly 100 years of history, order from their signature drink of martinis, wine and local brews, and kick back with your sweetheart in two cozy rooms featuring live jazz music 4 nights a week.
At 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park isn't the country's largest national park, nor is it the most-frequented with about 4 million annual visitors (compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park's more than 11 million visitors). But there is something definitively magical about RMNP, which rises 12,183 feet into the Colorado sky. The main attraction is hiking its 350-some miles of trails that wind through pine and spruce forests, glittering alpine lakes, swaths of wildflowers and if you're lucky, some elk or bighorn sheep. And maybe it's the thinner atmosphere that goes to visitors' heads, but even the most jaded report feelings of awe and wonder after a day or two of breathing in that refreshing mountain air.
Dinosaur National Monument, in northwest Colorado, combines dramatic scenery with natural and cultural history to create one of Colorado's most interesting sites. Dinosaur remains embedded in exposed rock walls reveal evidence of the giants that once roamed these areas. Petroglyphs offer insight into the cultures and people that lived here long ago, and surrounding it all are cliff walls and the Green and Yampa Rivers snaking through the otherwise dry landscape.
The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is from June to September when the snow is (mostly) melted and the hiking trails and attractions are accessible. Still, these four months are also the most popular times to visit, so if you'd rather experience RMNP in relative isolation and while wearing snowshoes or cross-country skis, visit between the months of October and May. Whether snow or sunshine, the park is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though some parts may be inaccessible.
Nestled just one mile from the south entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and two miles from downtown Estes Park, Rockmount Cottages is a 20 cabin resort covering 15 acres of wilderness. On the grounds, you’ll have access to a half mile of the Big Thompson River available for fishing and riverside picnics. To fit the lodge lifestyle, each cabin is constructed of knotty pine and most include cozy, stone fireplaces as well as furnished kitchens, a 40-inch flatscreen and DirecTV, wireless internet, and outdoor charcoal grills and picnic areas.
Glacial geology in Rocky Mountain National Park can be seen from the mountain peaks to the valley floors. Ice is a powerful sculptor of this natural environment and large masses of moving ice are the most powerful tools. Telltale marks of giant glaciers can be seen all throughout the park. Streams and glaciations during the Quaternary period cut through the older sediment, creating mesa tops and alluvial plains, and revealing the present Rocky Mountains.[61] The glaciation removed as much as 5,000 feet (1,500 m) of sedimentary rocks from earlier inland sea deposits. This erosion exposed the basement rock of the Ancestral Rockies. Evidence of the uplifting and erosion can be found on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park in the hogbacks of the Front Range foothills.[60] Many sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras exist in the basins surrounding the park.[62]
• Drive from Denver to Estes Park into Rocky Mountain National Park. • On the drive to the park you will pass historic towns and beautiful landscapes from Denver through Boulder, with the option to stop in Lyons for coffee etc. • The hike has beautiful scenery, alpine lakes and diverse trails. The trail is framed with pine and aspen trees, with views of snow capped mountain ranges all around. • Immerse yourself in the mountains away from it all. • Have a tasty picnic lunch surrounded by serene nature. • See Colorado’s famous continental divide – rivers and streams west of the divide flow to the Pacific Ocean and east of the divide to the Gulf of Mexico. • This is a approx 4 mile trail (round trip) with about 800 feet in elevation gain.
Located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs has multiple attractions, ranging from museums and parks to trains and a zoo. It is within close proximity to Pikes Peak, a landmark in the Pike National Forest. The Garden of the Gods park is also located in Colorado Springs and features red sandstone formations and stunning mountain views.
Nestled below Colorado's radiant mountaintops is beautiful Lazy R Cottages in Estes Park. Just one mile from Rocky Mountain National Park, we offer one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins perfect for romantic escapes and family vacations. Our cabins have kitchens or kitchenettes, fireplaces, decks with mountain views, and some with personal hot tubs … perfect for relaxing after a day enjoying Estes Park and the National Park. Dog-friendly units available ($15 per dog/per night). Free Wi-Fi. View more about our Estes Park cabins.
Since it’s just the two of you, a tiny house would be a great choice for the most romantic vacation. The small house known as “Dreamy Romance Parisian Honeymoon Cottage” in Colorado is the perfect option for lovebirds. In addition to the comfortable bed and beautiful decor, there is a small, beautiful, private garden where you can have a glass of wine with your partner and watch the changing colors of the gorgeous sunset.
The Golden Triangle Museum District boasts eight of the city’s museums and the Denver Performing Arts Complex can provide ample entertainment. Outdoor activities include biking along the historic Greenway Trail, having fun at one of the several extreme sports parks, playing a round of golf, strolling through lovely parks and gardens, or visiting the Denver Zoo. Things to Do in Denver
Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa - Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort is really a special place for active couples. There's 3 types of accommodation (Bunkhouse, Lodge and Cabin), and outside an opportunity to experience some very romantic adventures like wagon & sleigh rides, zip-lining, horseback riding and evening campfires. As well, there's two restaurants, a wine cellar and a coffee shop. Oh, a word about their pool: it's heated geothermally, and since you actually enter it indoors and swim to the outdoor part, it's great on colder days and evenings. 2017 ERV Rating* for Couples - Romantic Colorado Ranch Resorts: 88% - Very Good. (3530 Country Rd 83, Tabernash, CO 970-726-5632)
At 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park isn't the country's largest national park, nor is it the most-frequented with about 4 million annual visitors (compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park's more than 11 million visitors). But there is something definitively magical about RMNP, which rises 12,183 feet into the Colorado sky. The main attraction is hiking its 350-some miles of trails that wind through pine and spruce forests, glittering alpine lakes, swaths of wildflowers and if you're lucky, some elk or bighorn sheep. And maybe it's the thinner atmosphere that goes to visitors' heads, but even the most jaded report feelings of awe and wonder after a day or two of breathing in that refreshing mountain air.
Fort Collins is the perfect base camp for your trip, located just 35 miles from the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park that soar to more than 13,000 feet and form the Continental Divide. The town of Estes Park sits at the eastern edge of the park. Rocky Mountain National Park covers 410 square miles and includes Longs Peak (14,255 feet high), 18 named peaks above 13,000 feet, 150 named lakes, and the highest continuously paved highway in the U.S. — Trail Ridge Road. The road is usually open from Memorial Day until early October. However, the park is open year-round and lower elevation roads are open during the winter.
Pagosa Springs is a picturesque, off-the-beaten-path destination surrounded by the San Juan National Forest. It’s an ideal spot for a Colorado weekend trip, with beautiful hiking paths, numerous hot springs, and stunning spots like Chimney Rock National Monument and Treasure Falls. Or going off-roading for another fun way to make the most of this charming town’s personality and views.
Imagine taking a trip on a train with your partner, very Old World romantic, isn’t it? The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers several options for guests who are looking for romantic getaways. The railroad runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. There are several trips available for you to choose including a full-day trip, a half-day trip, a sunset trip, and galloping goose #5. The sunset trip is probably the most romantic option of all. Depending on the route you choose, the fare starts from 95.75 USD.
The Centennial State is dotted with cool little towns, in the heart of the Rockies, as little as 1 hour and up to 3 hours from Denver. This is where I discovered the historic and romantic Palace Hotel in Salida, a boutique hotel that stole my heart — and it will do the same to you. Located steps from the banks of the Arkansas River, the newly renovated Palace Hotel is in a red-brick building located across from the Riverside Park. Think edgy Victorian and recycled furniture, an eclectic mix of old and new. Photovoltaic panels line the roof of the historic building, providing renewable electricity.
Many of Arkansas’s cabins are located near areas that are popular for outdoor fun, including float and fishing streams, lakes, hiking and biking trails, national forests and state parks. However, you’ll also find cabins just beyond the bustle of the city, where you’ll also be close to dining options and exciting things to do. Blue Heron Campground & Resort offers rustic cabins right on the bank of the White River in the North Central region of Arkansas, making it a premier trout fishing spot. Or stay in a luxurious log cabin nestled in the Ozarks at Lake Forest Cabins Resort in Eureka Springs.
Located off Lift 8 on Hook em’ Horns, the Ginny Lee Cabin offers skiers & snowboarders a place to hang out on the far north side of the mountain. Newly built in 2014 and named after Virginia Upham, Ginny Lee is quickly becoming one of the favorite cabins on the mountain. Be sure to check out the new Tommyknocker’s Ginny Lee IPA brewed only for Loveland Ski Area.
One search lets you filter, compare and sort over 12,000,000 available properties from the world’s top vacation rental sites including HomeAway, VRBO, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more. When you use Tripping.com to plan your trip and book your vacation rental, you never have to wonder if you’re getting the best deal. Find the perfect vacation rental for your next trip to over 190 countries.
Alternatively, you can just stay at the Inn and enjoy the comfort and luxury of this lovely historic Victorian house with exquisitely appointed rooms and modern amenities. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast and lavish afternoon tea, sit in the beautiful garden with a book, or go explore lively Breckenridge with charming bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries.
My mind calm, the knitting absorbed any excess energy and left my senses free to absorb the stunning surroundings. Feeling no need to move, I watched the silhouettes of fish moving upstream, hummingbirds zip over my head, and a northern harrier cruise over the grassland, looking for prey. Months later, I can imagine every detail of that spot on the bank anytime I close my eyes.
Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut during mating season. And those brave enough to venture into the cold during the winter are treated to snowscapes unlike any other, as the park is open year-round.
No matter what time of year you choose to stay in Estes Park, you will find pleasant weather to suit the outdoor activities of the season. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 38 degrees – excellent skiing and snowboarding weather. July tends to be the warmest month of the year, with average highs reaching 78 degrees. This warmth, combined with the region's low humidity, makes for the perfect climate for hiking, biking, boating, and more.
Couples can share snowy adventures together, try out new activities, or split up and go different directions during the day. Meals with other engaging guests liven the conversation, and the dining room is always filled with laughter. Leisurely afternoon naps or late night soak in the hot tub give couples a chance to retreat from it all and focus on each other.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!
A popular high-altitude town with a bustling downtown scene and a diverse array of activities to choose from, Boulder is a fun place for everyone. It has many great restaurant offerings, in addition to outdoor sports, and is home to the University of Colorado at Boulder. It also has a thriving nightlife, as well as numerous art galleries, shopping, breweries and so much more. 
The Experience: Everywhere you look in Aspen, the views will take your breath away, especially if you stay at the historic Hotel Jerome. It's the ultimate mountain resort town every time of year, with world-class shopping, delicious food spots, and, as we mentioned, gorgeous scenery. Ski in Snowmass or Highland Bowl. In the summer, try to plan your trip to attend the wine and food festival or the annual jazz festival. Catch a show at Belly Up, party on the mountain at Cloud Nine, eat at Matsuhisa, or cross-country ski to dinner at the remote Pine Creek Lodge.
If you and your valentine enjoy winter adventures, a mountain escape is perfect for a weekend away! Opt for your favorite resort or venture somewhere new to enjoy outdoor winter activities during the day, like snowshoeing, skiing and skating, and relax at night with drinks and hot tubbing. Make the weekend extra special with a horse-drawn carriage ride to dinner. Find a Colorado cabin perfect for any getaway here .
Considered the base camp for the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is less than a 2-hour drive from Denver. Located near the east entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a quiet area surrounded by protected land. Here you’ll find pristine wilderness with a myriad of both indoor and outdoor activities, from scenic hikes and bike trails to wine tasting and spa treatments. Take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway to the top of a small peak and soak in breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and downtown area, take a walk along the Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park or take the kids to the Estes Park Ride-A-Kart & Cascade Creek Mini-Golf.
Spa facilities are quite unique - hot springs are housed in the teepee and bath house, while the massage and yoga rooms are located in the Pony Express Stop. Direct feeds from geothermal springs in some of the guest cabins are even more surprising and a fun adventure honeymoon idea. Spa treatments offered at the spa include wraps, reflexology, Trager Therapy, hot rocks massage and other holistic and therapeutic healing techniques. The resort is situated near the Four Corners and in the midst of two national forests where you can enjoy hiking, climbing, snow-shoeing, back country skiing, heli-skiing and fly fishing on your adventure honeymoon.
At 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park isn't the country's largest national park, nor is it the most-frequented with about 4 million annual visitors (compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park's more than 11 million visitors). But there is something definitively magical about RMNP, which rises 12,183 feet into the Colorado sky. The main attraction is hiking its 350-some miles of trails that wind through pine and spruce forests, glittering alpine lakes, swaths of wildflowers and if you're lucky, some elk or bighorn sheep. And maybe it's the thinner atmosphere that goes to visitors' heads, but even the most jaded report feelings of awe and wonder after a day or two of breathing in that refreshing mountain air.
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.
Leave the fast lane, cross our covered bridge to simple serenity in a cozy cottage, suite or vacation home in towering pines along Fall River. Bask in hot tub bubbles. Warm to the scent and sizzle of a wood-burning fireplace. Fall asleep to the river's lullaby. Roam 30 acres adjoining RMNP. Enjoy the serendipity of wandering wildlife and friendly gatherings in our library. Castle Mountain Lodge on Fall River Details
Reminiscent of the grand mountain lodges built at the turn of the 20th century, the Wild Horse Inn is handcrafted from 400-year old logs and moss covered rock, and it boasts grandiose windows that look out over the valley. This beautifully rustic inn is the perfect winter escape with luxurious log cabin rooms, crackling fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms with showers and jetted tubs, and private balconies or decks. Guests are treated to a full gourmet breakfast each morning and can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies all day.
Perched on the banks of the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, this hot-springs haven offers a Relaxation Terrace with five pools that are only accessible to the of-age crowd. The terrace is tucked above the kid-friendly main springs area, and includes a waterfall, fire pit, roman shower, jetted tub and river overlook, along with blissful quiet time. Access to the terrace is complimentary for hotel guests and is available to day visitors for a small fee.
No matter what time of year you choose to stay in Estes Park, you will find pleasant weather to suit the outdoor activities of the season. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 38 degrees – excellent skiing and snowboarding weather. July tends to be the warmest month of the year, with average highs reaching 78 degrees. This warmth, combined with the region's low humidity, makes for the perfect climate for hiking, biking, boating, and more.
Another one of the state’s most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations, Steamboat Springs may be a winter wonderland during the chillier months of the year, but the summer brings an endless landscape of green dotted with brilliant wildflowers. This is when this Wild West town really comes alive, with visitors enjoying fly fishing, inner tube rides and rafting trips on the Yampa River, endless scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and natural hot springs that are ideal for soothing sore muscles afterward. If you can be here around late June/early July, you can attend the legendary annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park festival which boasts an extensive display of colorful hot air balloons along with some 50 artist vendors, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, and an interactive children’s art area.
Above tree line, at approximately 11,000 ft (3,400 m), trees disappear and the vast alpine tundra takes over.[69] Over one third of the park resides above the tree line, an area which limits plant growth due to the cold climate and strong winds. The few plants that can survive under such extreme conditions are mostly perennials. Many alpine plants are dwarfed at high elevations, though their occasional blossoms may be full-sized.[73]
