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Table of Contents Welcome Letter.............................................................................................................6 Explore Weld County...............................................................................................7 Stats & Facts............................................................................................................8 Top 10 Destinations in Weld..................................................................................10 Taste of Weld County................................................................................. 14 Lucky Fins..............................................................................................................17 Santiago’s Mexican Restaurants...........................................................................18 Royal Nepal...........................................................................................................19 Wing Shack............................................................................................................20 Restaurants...........................................................................................................22 Booming Craft Breweries......................................................................................26 Breweries..............................................................................................................28 Distilleries.............................................................................................................29 Play in Weld County.................................................................................. 30 Sport Along The Prairie.........................................................................................32 Hunting On State, Federal Lands...........................................................................34 Hunting.................................................................................................................36 Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches............................................................................37 Mazes & Festivals Fun For Guests..........................................................................38 Parks......................................................................................................................40 Sledding & Skating................................................................................................41 Top Kid’s Destinations...........................................................................................42 Unique to Weld......................................................................................................44 Museums & Galleries.............................................................................................46 Entertainment & Events........................................................................................51 Shop in Weld County................................................................................. 58 Shopping Centers..................................................................................................60 Antique Shops.......................................................................................................62 Shuttles & Transportation.....................................................................................63 A Weld County Christmas......................................................................................64 Stay in Weld County..................................................................................68 Bed & Breakfasts...................................................................................................70 Hotel Directory......................................................................................................72
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DISCOVER! Cultural overload every night. Fun for you and the family. Cowboy cool that’s part of our nature. And, that’s just the beginning. Visit Greeley for surprises that’ll make you smile. Watch our video at
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Chamber of Commerce Visit Greeley
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Greeley Chamber of Commerce/Visit Greeley Visitors Center 902 7th Avenue | Greeley, CO 80631 970-352-3567 | www.visitgreeley.org
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Letter from the Board Weld County is known for a lot of things. We’re known for our agricultural production and for our energy production. We have more cows than people and enough miles of county roads to take you from Denver to Atlanta‌and back. But this book is an opportunity for us to showcase what you might not know about Weld County. It is an invitation to discover new adventures, new places, new stories and new friends.
WE Five years ago, the Weld County Board of Commissioners participated in a series of discussions aimed at defining different goals for Weld County and the northern Colorado region. One of those goals led to the creation of the Discover Weld platform, which is dedicated to sharing the many great events, people and places throughout Weld County. In fact, what started as just a web site has grown into multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Each platform is aimed at engaging viewers and sharing stories about our great county. Perhaps the most exciting aspect about the Discover Weld platform, however, is the active participation of our 31 municipalities in helping share information about local events and promoting the great news generated from our communities. The results have been amazing. In 2014, Discover Weld won an Award of Excellence from the National Association of County Information Officers, and in 2015, analytics showed that the Discover Weld web site had been visited by people from all 50 states in the U.S. We are proud of our county, and we are excited to grow our audience and to continue to share our story. So thank you. Thank you for picking up this publication, for browsing through the content and hopefully dog-earing some of pages that intrigue you. From museums preserving the rich history of the West to award-winning craft breweries and distilleries, Weld County is a mix of old and new, traditional and contemporary, expected and unexpected. We invite you to come visit, stay, shop and play and to discover Weld County in a whole new way. The Board of Weld County Commissioners
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EXPLORE WELD COUNTY When most people think of Weld County, they think of agriculture and energy, rural towns and dirt roads. And while we are proudly all of those things, we are also so much more. We are thriving communities, exciting activities and engaging personalities. We are home to museums, trails, galleries and breweries. We host festivals and farmers’ markets. We invite you to listen to live
music with friends or enjoy a movie in the park with family. We are city and country, new and old, loud and quiet. We are Weld County, and we are just what you’re looking for. So, welcome! We’re glad you’re here, and we invite you to discover your new favorite place - Weld County.
ELD The Board of Weld County Commissioners
DISCOVER
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Stats & Facts Weld County was established in 1861 and is Colorado’s 3rd largest county covering 3,996 square miles. It is home to 31 incorporated municipalities, including growing cities, charming towns, thriving businesses and thousands of acres of prime agricultural land. The land surface is fairly level in the east, with rolling prairies and low hills near the western border. Elevations in the county range from 4,400 to 5,000 feet. With available services, location, resources and livability Weld County offers unbounded opportunity for families to live, work and play.
• Weld County was one of Colorado’s original 17 counties established in 1861.
• The growing season in Weld County is approximately 138 days.
• Weld County was named in honor of Lewis Ledyard Weld, Colorado Territorial Secretary under Colorado’s first territorial governor. Weld later died during his military service during the Civil War.
• Weld County’s climate is dry with warm summers and mild winters.
• Weld County is the third largest county in Colorado (almost 4,000 square miles); larger than the size of Rhode Island, Delaware and the District of Columbia combined.
• Weld County has no long-term debt, no short-term debt and no county sales tax.
• Weld County is home to 31 municipalities. • The population of Weld County is approximately 270,000. • Weld County is number one in the state, number nine in the country, in the value of agricultural products sold ($1.9 billion)
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• Weld County is the largest energy producing county in the state.
• Weld County’s major employers include JBS USA, Leprino Foods, Aurora Organic Dairy, Anadarko Petroleum, Noble Energy, Halliburton Energy Services, Vestas Blades, Banner Health, Carestream Colorado and State Farm Insurance. • Weld County is a home rule county meaning it is governed by a home rule charter which brings government closer to the people.
Weld County incorporated municipalities
Mead www.townofmead.org
Ault www.townofault.org
Milliken www.millikenco.gov
Dacono www.ci.dacono.co.us
New Raymer @ New Raymer, Colorado
Eaton www.eatonco.org
Nunn www.nunncolorado.com
Erie www.erieco.gov
Pierce www.townofpierce.org
Evans www.evanscolorado.gov
Platteville www.plattevillegov.org
Firestone www.ci.firestone.co.us
Severance www.townofseverance.org
Fort Lupton www.fortlupton.org
Windsor www.windsorgov.com
Frederick www.frederickco.gov
The following municipalities extend into Weld County, however their business center is in an adjacent county.
Garden City www.townofgardencity.com Gilcrest www.townofgilcrest.org Greeley www.greeleygov.com Grover www.grovercolorado.com Hudson www.hudsoncolorado.org Johnstown www.townofjohnstown.com
Berthoud www.berthoud.org Brighton www.brightonco.gov Longmont www.ci.longmont.co.us Northglenn www.northglenn.org Thornton www.cityofthornton.net
Keenesburg www.townofkeenesburg.com Kersey www.townofkersey.com LaSalle www.lasalletown.com Lochbuie www.lochbuie.org
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TOP 10 From wide open spaces, pumpkin patches and corn mazes to musuems and indoor recreation, Weld County has a lot to offer visitors. Weld County is home to festivals throughout the fall and winter. Peppered with a mix of wild animals, model railroads and history galore, visitors can truly experience what Weld County has to offer. Check off each on this Top 10 list for the full experience!
Wild Animal Sanctuary The Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg, in southeast Weld County, has become one of the region’s most popular destinations. Located on 720 acres of rolling prairie, the sanctuary is home to dozens of rescued animals, ranging from African lions, tigers and bears to wolves, mountain lions, leopards, lynx, bobcats, camel, ostriches and emus — to name only a few. The sanctuary was built with a centralized compound in the middle, and a “Mile Into The Wild Walkway,” which stretches over 5,100 feet in length and gives visitors unprecedented views from above of more than 400 large carnivores roaming freely in natural habitats. The walkway connects to an Education Center and a Bolivian Lion House. For more, go to: www.wildanimalsanctuary.org Colorado Model Railroad Museum This model train museum in downtown Greeley, 680 10th St., attracts visitors discoverweld.com
from all over America and the world. With over 600 railroad-related artifacts, the operating model railroad has been called “the finest model railroad I’ve ever seen” by the 30-year senior editor of Model Railroader magazine, Jim Hediger of Milwaukee, Wis. Included in the design are more than 16,000 tiny fir trees, 8,000 deciduous trees, 4,000 aspen trees, and more than 2,500 railroad cars. It took five and a half years and over 30,000 hours of volunteer labor to build. For more info, go to: www.cmrm.org Fort Vasquez and Fort Lancaster or Fort Lupton These two historic trading posts are located within 10 miles of each other on the banks of the South Platte River. Fort Vasquez, just a mile south of Platteville on U.S. 85, was founded in 1835 and was abandoned in 1842. Restored in the 1930s, it includes display exhibits of the fur-trade era in Colorado. Fort Lancaster
DESTINATIONS IN WELD COUNTY is just northwest of Fort Lupton, also constructed in 1835 and abandoned by 1844 as the fur trade dwindled. In 2003, the South Platte Valley Historical Society set out to reconstruct the fort, and with the help of over 300 volunteers, the fort was reopened with blacksmith and carpenter shops, a kitchen, living quarters, trade rooms and a storage room filled with artifacts. The site includes a visitor center, a campground area, a nature area and four other historic structures. For more info, go to www.spvhs.org Pawnee National Grassland and Pawnee Buttes Located about 25 miles northeast of Greeley, the 193,060 acres on the
Grassland are an internationally known birding area, supporting multiple species, especially during migration. Hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, target shooting and stargazing are also popular activities. Pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyote, swift fox, rattlesnakes and prairie dogs are just a few of the species that make the prairie their home. Probably the most-photographed area of the Grassland are the Pawnee Buttes, two prominent buttes that rise about 300 feet above the plains. Included in the Grassland is the Crow Valley Recreation Area, at the intersection of Colo. 14 and Weld County Road 77 near Briggsdale, which offers camping sites, picnic tables, water, fire grates and grills, horseshoe pits and a baseball diamond, and from the campground visitors can hike into the prairie for world-class birding. For more information, go to: http://www.fs.usda. gov/arp Centennial Village Located in northeast Greeley, Centennial Village Museum is an 8-acre living history experience featuring over 35 architecturally unique structures, costumed interpreters, heritage farm animals, beautifully landscaped grounds and interactive experiences. Step back in Weld Explore Weld County | 11
County’s rich history and learn about the early pioneer settling of the Western high plains, a time when grand houses, growing businesses, extensive prairies and agriculture were all a part of daily life. For more info, go to greeleymuseums.com/ locations/centennial-village. Colorado National Speedway Whether you’re an avid race fan ready to experience some of the most fierce short-track competition found anywhere, or you’re just looking for an exciting and affordable entertainment venue for the entire family, make plans now to head to the lightning-fast 3/8 paved oval at the Colorado National Speedway in southwest Weld County. Race fans will enjoy around 30 action-filled NASCAR events packed into this season’s schedule. The speedway and management of Colorado National Speedway are committed to a fan-oriented experience. Kids can register for the chance to become a trophy presenter. Download the CNS app and use it to win prizes on race nights. Excellent food and drink items can be found at the numerous concession stands, and a variety of great merchandise is available at the Souvenir Shack. Autograph sessions, along with free access to the pit area after the races, are great ways to meet discoverweld.com
your favorite racing hero. Located just off of Interstate 25 at Exit 232, Colorado National Speedway is a short and easy drive from anywhere along the Front Range. For more information, go to coloradospeedway.com/ Poudre Trail The Poudre Trail is a 21-mile, paved and well-maintained trail that traverses central Weld County, from Island Grove Regional Park to Colo. 392 in Windsor, where it connects with another paved trail in Larimer County’s River Bluffs Open Space. The trail is open to the public for walking, cycling, running, roller-blading and more. Included along the trail are informational signs that highlight many of the historical sites and educational opportunities to visit along the trail. For more information, go to www. poudretrail.org Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center is lit with activity in the Christmas season from Nov. 25 through Dec. 3. Almost as magical as Santa himself, every year the Union Colony Civic Center’s lobbies are transformed into a winter wonderland of holiday splendor created around beautifully decorated trees and displays each
with their own theme and style. Also part of the celebration is Candy Cane Lane, which features evergreens adorned with ornaments made by little hands. The Festival of Trees is anticipated each year by many in northern Colorado and also features a silent auction, Silver Bells Socials, Sip & Shop Ladies Night Out and a Teddy Bear Bash. Fritzler Corn Maze The Fritzler Corn Maze is Colorado’s original and premier corn maze offering bushels of farmtastic fun for young and old. Located just seven miles south of Greeley on US 85, the maze is just a short drive from anywhere across the Colorado Front Range. It opens in late September and runs through Halloween. The corn maze is divided into two phases, challenging and thrilling those seeking to find the one and only exit from the twists and turns of golden corn maze stalks. At night, Scream Acres brings the terror back into the corn fields, with ghouls and ghosts and frights and flights from several spooky activities inside the maze. The fun also includes the Zombie Paintball Slayer, where hunters load
into a bus equipped with paintball guns and travel through the corn fields to the an area loaded with targets and props. Go to www.fritzlermaze.com for a full schedule. Tigges Farm Experience the heart of Weld County at the historic Tigges Farm, 12404 Weld County Road 64 1Ž2, about three miles north of Greeley. Tigges Farm has been owned by the family since 1936. The farm branched into agritourism in 2015 and began offering not only a pumpkin patch, but events throughout the fall. Each activity they hold on weekends in October is completely free, an expenses the Tigges family bears to bring young families a fun outing and agricultural experience. Kids can pick their own pumpkins, sing along with a real cowboy, do crafts, and take a wagon rides. Admission to this family-run farm is free, and parents can select from items in the gift shop, or the fields, where 98 percent of the farm’s produce is for sale, or stroll through the farm’s historic Farm Equipment Museum or Barn Quilt Gallery. Free weekend activities through October. Go to www.tiggesfarm.com. Explore Weld County | 13
TAS OF WELD COUNTY discoverweld.com
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Weld County offers dozens of delectable offerings for the dining experience you desire. Are you seeking a high-end, farm to table experience? Try the Greeley Chophouse in downtown Greeley. Or maybe a small-town, traditional café? Try the Wholly Stromboli Restaurant in Fort Lupton, or the well-known Kersey Pizza in, you guessed it, Kersey. Perhaps you’re interested in international food? From Fort Lupton to Windsor to Greeley, you’ll find a long list of authentic Mexican food, Oriental restaurants, Italian grills, seafood, Indian and Nepali food, Greek food, … and let’s not forget good ol’ American cuisine and burgers.
How about breweries and distilleries? Weld County is home to a growing number of breweries that put down their roots in Weld County, including High Hops Brewery in Windsor and the trendsetter, Crabtree Brewing Company, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. From local Mom ’n’ Pops, to national franchise and chain restaurants, it’s not hard to find in Weld County the kind of food and drink to please your personal palate.
STE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 2013-2014-2015-2016
LACE DR. - GREELEY | 327 E. FOOTHILLS PKWY. #120 - FORT COLLINS
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SEAFOOD RESTAURANT • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 •
4530 CENTERPLACE DR. - GREELEY | 327 E. FOOTHILLS PKWY. #120 - FORT COLLINS
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Lucky Fins 4848 Centerplace Drive • Greeley, CO 80634 (970) 673-8805 •luckyfinsgrill.com 327 East Foothills Parkway #120 • Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 427-8800 • www.smokinfins.com
Edgy, affordable and locally owned, Lucky Fins’ food with attitude is a surefire way to satisfy your seafood cravings. Dining with a landlubber? The innovative menu offers something for every palate. From premium grade Sterling Salmon to sustainably managed calamari, the kitchen understands environmental awareness. The sushi is art on a plate, prepared by a team of skilled sushi chefs. Favorites include lobster stuffed avocado, and creamy poblano soup you’ll want to go swimming in, it’s that good. Creative sauces, from savory to tangy, accessorize fresh shrimp and halibut. You’ll dream about the Baja seafood enchiladas, stuffed with shrimp and scallops. Beach Street Tacos — mango shrimp, mahi mahi or local Colorado bison, are loaded with fresh ingredients. Hankering for something grilled? Lucky Fins offers ribs, steaks and pork chops, and hamburgers from Aspen Ridge beef that are almost
too big to hold on to. Prefer something lighter? Inventive entrée salads will let you explore global cuisine, from Tokyo to Key West to Baja. Don’t miss the all you can eat crab nights! Lucky Fins is perfect for large groups, families and date night. Tie up your boat and come on in!
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Santiago’s Mexican Restaurants 701 11th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 • 970-356-5653 12 South Parish Avenue, Johnstown, CO 80534 • 970-587-4134 150 1st Street, Fort Lupton, CO 80621 • 303-857-4797 5980 Keys Street, Frederick, CO 80503 • 303-833-5377 Total of 27 locations across Colorado • www.eatatsantiagos.com
When it comes to green chile, there’s a lot of competition in Colorado to be the best. With multiple awards for food and service at Santiago’s Mexican Restaurants, a local chain of 27 eateries across the state celebrating 25 years, it’s easy to see they’ve accomplished it. Consistent cooking throughout the franchise and staying true to original family recipes created by president and CEO Carmen Morales’ mother, Rachel has served Santiago’s well. Stop by any of the locations to experience authentic, affordable Mexican dishes that are always fresh. Slow-simmered green chile, fresh pot of beans and handprepared salsa, all made fresh every day, are only the beginning. Start the day with a popular breakfast burrito or other breakfast favorites, Mexican style. From discoverweld.com
tamales, tostadas to tacos, enchiladas, burritos and platters of all sorts, you won’t go wrong. Santiago’s is part of Colorado Proud high quality, fresh products locally produced. You’ll taste their dedication to authentic goodness in every bite.
Royal Nepal 908 1/2 8th Avenue • Greeley, CO 80631 (970) 352-5344
Royal Nepal brings together the exotic tastes of Indian, Nepali and Tibetan cuisines in one location. The spacious restaurant includes a full bar with eight TV’s to enjoy your favorite sporting events while exploring a beautiful menu. Traditional spices like cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, mustard seed, turmeric and the delicate and rare saffron — the hand-picked stigma of crocus flowers — form the heart of savory and fragrant dishes that influence global cuisine.
on Masala, Curry, Biryani with aromatic basmati rice, the delicately spiced Korma, Saag with spinach and ground spices, and the fiery hot Vindaloo, a specialty of Goa, India, with Portuguese influences. Vegetarian offerings are diverse and flavorful. Open every day from 11 to 10 pm, the large lunch buffet features items from the menu on a rotating basis. Treat your tastebuds to a spice trip in downtown Greeley.
Begin with vegetable or meat samosas, coconut shrimp or Pokora Masala — deep-fried vegetables coated with spices and chickpea batter. Salads burst with fresh ingredients, and enjoy Dal, a traditional lentil soup seasoned with herbs and spices. Clay oven Tandoor options include yogurt-marinated chicken, lamb and fish baked in the oven. Feast Explore Weld County | 19
Wing Shack Garden City 2704 8th Ave., Greeley, CO 80631 • (970) 356-7900 West Greeley 1815 65th Ave Greeley, CO 80634 • (970) 356-4651 Windsor 1261 Main St., Windsor, CO 80550 • (970) 686-5202 Total of Five locations across Northern Colorado • www.wingshackwings.com
With twelve homemade, mouthwatering sauces glazing their Buffalo-style hot wings, and five locations across Northern Colorado to get them, Wing Shack has its finger on the pulse of what customers want. Whether you prefer their fresh, never frozen wings Bear Hot or just Barely, from Shack favorite Garlic Hot to the uniquely sweet and tangy Thai sauce, there’s a wing flavor for you. Menu offerings include salads, sandwiches, wraps, Rocky Mountain oysters and decadent desserts, all cooked fresh to order. Love a favorite sauce? Purchase a bottle to take home! Eat in, take home a Party Pack or let Wing Shack throw a FLY party for your next catered event. Intense flavors and friendly service are heart-warmers. Have an iron stomach? Take the Bear Hot Challenge and munch your way through their hottest hot sauce — with four spicy chilies of eye-watering heat — to earn your spot on the Wall of Fame and an discoverweld.com
invite to the annual Wing Eating contest in October. Wing Shack’s secret to success goes deeper than what’s in their sauce. The company’s local, Northern Colorado team reflects core values of what great things happen when you mix innovation and dedication to quality service.
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RESTAURANTS Gray’s Café 200 1st St., Ault, CO 970-834-0741 Breakfast/Brunch El Taco Loco II 909 Carbondale Dr., Dacono, CO 303-833-6890 www.eltacoloco-restaurant.com Mexican Sugar House Restaurant 226 Oak Ave., Eaton, CO 970-454-2210 www.sugarhouse226.com American Dragon Inn 101 2nd St., Eaton, CO 970-454-2705 Chinese The New Plantation 3520 11th Ave., Evans, CO 970-330-7903 www.thenewplantation.com Cajun/Creole Palaminos Mexican Restaurant 3390 23rd Ave., Evans, CO 970-506-1610 www.bestcoloradomexicanfood.com Mexican discoverweld.com
Pinocchios 11078 Cimmarron St., Firestone, CO 303-776-6727 www.incredibleitalian.com Italian Wholly Stromboli 410 Denver Ave., Fort Lupton, CO 303-857-2252 www.whollystromboli.com Italian Georgia Boys BBQ Company 141 Fifth St., Frederick, CO 303-833-3140 www.georgiaboysbbqcompany.com/ frederick BBQ 8th Ave. Wing Shack 2704 8th Ave., Garden City, CO 970-356-7900 www.wingshackwings.com Chicken Wings Mama Ruth’s Pizza Shop 801 Railroad St., Gilcrest, CO 970-737-0400 Pizza/Italian The Pepper Pod 530 Fir St, Hudson, CO
303-536-4736 www.thepepperpod.com Cafe Santiagos 12 S. Parish Ave., Johnstown, CO 970-587-4134 www.eatatsantiagos.com/Johnstown Mexican Johnson’s Corner 2842 SE Frontage Rd., Johnstown, CO 970-667-2069 www.johnsonscorner.com Truck Stop/ Café Korner Kitchen Café 245 Market St., Keenesburg, CO 303-732-1034 www.kornerkitchencafe.com American/Café Kersey Pizza 104 Hill St., Kersey, CO 970-352-1668 www.kerseypizza.com Pizza/Italian Farmer’s Inn 109 3rd Ave., La Salle, CO 970-284-6100 www.farmersinnmexicanfood.com Mexican
Don Juan Mexican Restaurant 106 2nd Ave., La Salle, CO 970-284-6499 Mexican Brick House BBQ 237 4th, Mead, CO 970-535-9040 www.brickhousebbqmead.com BBQ The Cracked Egg 914 Broad St. / 703 Main St. Milliken / Platteville 970-587-1117 / 970-785-6171 Breakfast/Lunch Rollin’ Smoke BBQ 903 Broad St. , Milliken, CO 970-587-4674 BBQ Honey’s Highway Café 979 5th St., Nunn, CO 970-897-2222 American/Café Full Moon Saloon 206 E Main St., Pierce, CO 970-834-2280 American Explore Weld County | 23
Double Tree 701 Vasquez Blvd., Platteville, CO 970-785-2238 www.thedoubletreerestaurant.com American
Cables Pub & Grill 1923 59th Ave., Greeley, CO 970-330-4847 www.cablespubandgrill.com Grill/Sports Bar/American/Italian
Bruce’s Bar 123 1st St., Severance, CO 970-686-2320 www.brucesbar123.com American
Fat Alberts 1717 23rd Ave., Greeley, CO 970-356-1999 www.fat-alberts.com American
Cranford Cove Tea Tavern 823 10th St., Greeley, CO 970-515-2664 www.cranfordcove.com Tea
Coyotes Southwestern Grill 5250 W 9th St. Dr., Greeley CO 970-336-1725 www.coyotesgreeley.com Mexican/Southwestern
Rumi’s House of Kabob 1116 9th St., Greeley, CO 970-353-7864 www.rumishouseofkabob.com Middle Eastern/Persian
Kenny’s 3502 W 10th St., Greeley, CO 970-395-0100 www.kennysteakhouse.com Steak House
Red Dogs 2608 11th Ave., Greeley, CO 970-353-2400 www.redsdogdanddonuts.com Donuts/Breakfast/Hot dogs
Pelligrini 2400 17th St., Greeley, CO 970-515-5332 www.pellegrinirestaurnt.com Italain
Fonta’s 2400 8th Ave., Greeley, CO 970356-9200 www.fontaspizza.com Pizza/Greek/Italian/American
Chimney Park Restaurant & Bar 406 Main St., Windsor, CO 970-686-1477 www.chimneypark.com Fine Dining
Grill at Westlake 2118 35th Ave., Greeley, CO 970-673-8774 www.thegrillatwestlake.com American/Bar/Grill
Hearth Restaurant & Pub 205 4th St., Windsor, CO 970-460-0193 www.hearthrestaurantandpub.com Gastropub
Ambrosia Asian Bistro 3636 W 10th St. #1, Greeley, CO 970-392-2925 www.ambrosiaasianbistro.com Asian/Hibachi
Okole Maluna Hawaiin Grill 431 Main St., Windsor, CO 970-686-8844 www.okole-maluna.com Hawaiian
Tavern at St. Michaels’s Square 2918 67th Ave., Greeley, CO 970-330-2337 www.greeleytavern.com American/Pub
Nana Bea’s 430 Main St., Windsor, CO 970-460-7165 www.nanabeas.com Lunch/Ice Cream Parlor/Coffee
Greeley Chophouse 804 8th St., Greeley, CO 970-673-8853 www.greeleychophouse.com Steak House
Stuft a Burger Bar 1294 Main St., Windsor, CO 970-674-5037 www.stuftburgerbar.com Burgers
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Weld Hosts Booming Contingent of Craft Breweries By Bridgett Weaver For Explore Weld County
When it comes to craft beer, Weld County is nowhere near last call. Business is brewing. After several medals at national competitions and top 10 contest wins, Weld craft brewers have finally forged their way onto the map in the brewing industry. Weld has added more than five breweries to its list in the last two years alone, and more are on their way. Dave Butler, who runs Fermentedly Challenged, a northern Colorado beer blog, said he thinks it’s because Greeley and Weld County are a market that isn’t over-saturated with brewing businesses, allowing more room for growth. “I think as long as a company has a unique product of quality and brings something new to the table, there’s always room for more breweries in discoverweld.com
town,” Butler said. And Weld residents are thirsty for more. “In the past, Greeley hasn’t been a popular place for opening a brewery, but I think attitudes have changed around here,” Butler said. “Now that people (in Weld) have started to get a taste of what craft beer is all about, there’s more interest in trying new things than there was before.” Greeley supports the most, with six calling the bourgeoning town home. But breweries are popping up throughout the county. Echo Brewing Company is in the southwestern Weld town of Frederick and rumors of a new brewery coming to Johnstown in the near future are whetting residents palates.
“It’s been kind of a wave of activity that’s been happening for the last nine years or more and it’s just growing in popularity,” Butler said. Warren Wood, once a student at University of Northern Colorado, opened Grand Lake’s 16th Street Tavern last year in Greeley, which features beer from his family’s brewery in Grand Lake high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. He said when he was in college, he saw that the market in Weld County was growing rapidly, and he wanted to get in while there was still room. “With Brix and WeldWerks and Broken Plow all opening up within a few years of each other, it’s a sign of market growth,” Wood said. “I think in some places, it’s going to be maturing soon and becoming saturated, but I think in Weld County, we still have a lot to look forward to.” Wiley Roots Brewing Company, 625 3rd Ave. in Greeley, is another of those breweries that has opened in recent years. Owner Kyle Carbaugh said Weld’s brewery growth is encouraging, but that also means brewers have to constantly have their game faces on because Weld is still a developing market.
in Weld County, Colorado” label on his beers, too, which he hopes will help increase recognition even more. “If we’re making really cool products, yeah, we want to tell people where we’re from,” he said. “It’s just having that local pride.” He said he hopes to share the idea with other local breweries and get them on board. “It enhances the consumer experience and kind of lets them know it’s from this area and if you see this on any other bottle you can know what to expect from it.” As an agriculture-rich county, Weld also offers something other areas might not be able to offer. Zach Weakland, one of the owners of High Hops in Windsor, said he likes to use local ingredients. “It’s kind of cool because with microbreweries, you can get really down and dirty with local ingredients,” he said. And Weld, with a few local hops growers and a lot of barley and wheat, allows all brewers to find those things close to home.
“We don’t have the concentration of breweries (as other counties),” Carbaugh said. “So the breweries that we do have kind of have to be on their game. I think that’s shown with some of the Great American Beer Fest medals and World Beer Cup.” Carbaugh was one of two brewers in Weld to come home with a GABF medal last year. WeldWerks, 508 8th Ave. in Greeley, was the other. “I think we just have a high concentration of quality craft brewers in Weld,” he said. “And that’s pushing Weld as a geographically competitive brewery scene. I think that’s why we’re still seeing a lot of interest in people starting new breweries in Weld — as well as consumers going after it.” Carbaugh has started to include a “Made
“It’s pretty cool to put what you’re growing out in the field in a beer,” Weakland said. He said he has noticed microbrewing growing in Weld a lot recently. “You see more and more taps being taken over by the microbreweries, including ourselves,” he said. “People like good beer. It’s fun and exciting.” Explore Weld County | 27
BREWERIES Weld County is home to an exciting and emerging craft brew scene, with breweries from north to south offering a variety of flavors to tempt the most discriminating of palates. Taste the flavors of the seasons or special one-offs that make these breweries stand out among the best, with several award-wining beers on tap.
Brix Taphouse and Brewery 813 8th Street, Greeley 970-397-6146 www.brixtaphouseandbrewery.com
High Hops Brewery 6461 HWY 392, Windsor 970-674-2841 www.highhopsbrewery.com
Broken Plow Brewery Location 4731 West 10th Street, Greeley 970-301-4575 www.brokenplowbrewery.com
The Industrial Revolution Brewing Company 285 Cheesman Street, Erie 303-828-1200 www.industrialrevolutionbrewingcompany.com/
Crabtree Brewing Company 2961 29th Street, Greeley 970-356-0516 www.crabtreebrewing.com Echo Brewing Company Location 5969 Iris Parkway, Frederick 970-445-5969 www.echobrewing.com/
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Weld Werks Brewing Company 508 8th Street, Greeley 970-460-6345 www.weldwerksbrewing.com/ Wiley Roots Brewing Company 625 3rd Street, Greeley 970-691-1641 www.wileyrootsbrewing.com/
DISTILLERIES The local distilleries are few but mighty in Weld County, with small business owners honing their crafts with Colorado grains and goods to create some of the best spirits in the state. With distinct flavorings and styles, and a little culture, sample the creativity coming from these local artisans.
Black Canyon Distillery One-of-a-kind whiskeys that have a rich golden color, along with hints of caramel and vanilla flavors extracted from new white oak.
Syntax Spirits This distillery makes all of their smallbatch vodka, whiskey, and rum from scratch, using local ingredients and pure Colorado whitewater.
13710 Deere Court, Longmont 720-204-1909 www.blackcanyondistillery.com
625 C 3rd Street, Greeley 970-325-5466 www.syntaxspirits.com
KJ Wood Distillery Utilizing the Rocky Mountain glacial waters of the high country, blended with the finest of local barley and blue corn for the whiskey and the rarest European juniper berries paired with spices from the Silk Road; a line up of the most refined, elegant and mature spirits. 403 5th Street, Berthoud 303-517-7697 www.kjwooddistillers.com/
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PLA PLAY IN WELD COUNTY
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There’s no shortage of places to play in Weld County. In the fall and winter, there are dozens of festivals, craft shows, and indoor events to keep people busy. From music and concerts, to historic forts and museums, to art galleries, to Mother Nature and her finest creations turning into winter wonderlands, Weld County offers a typical Colorado playground experience to all who visit or live here.
300 feet above the ground. A 2.5-mile long trail from a parking area leads to the foot of the buttes for a close-up view. Speakng of the rolling prairie, visitors should certainly check out the Wild Animal Sanctuary in southeast Weld, where more than 400 large carnivores roam in a natural environment. Most of the animals are rescued from abusive or neglectful living situations and are rehabilitated and then released into the sanctuary’s hundreds of natural acres, where visitors can view them in an elevated walkway above the compound.
AY One of the most unique recreational experiences in Weld County is offered at the Pawnee Buttes and Pawnee National Grassland in northeast Weld. The grasslands are an internationally known birding area and are popular for hiking, shooting, camping, picnicking, bicycling, star-gazing and bird-watching. The Pawnee Buttes are a majestic pair of buttes in the middle of the grasslands, rising more than
There’s not a corner of Weld County that doesn’t offer an opportunity for recreation or play. Be sure to take your time to visit all of our nearly 4,000 square miles and appreciate both the natural and man-made treasures that exist here.
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Sport Along The Prairie By Matthew Van Deventer For Explore Weld County
Hunting in the grasslands of Weld County has become increasingly popular for water fowl hunters over the past couple of decades as Colorado’s Front Range— along the Interstate 25 corridor—sees rapid commercial and residential development. “The growth has been unbelievable in the last 20 years due to [limited] places you’re able to hunt, due to annotation and residential growth and commercial growth,” says Jim Arnold, owner and founder of Waterfowl Haven Outfitters in Greeley. Arnold started his company 18 years ago when there was only one other outfitter in the area. He was taking 2,500-3,000 clients hunting a year 10 years ago. Today, he and 20 employees take 5,7006,200 people hunting a year. There are now more than 30 water-fowl outfitters discoverweld.com
along the Front Range and at least 20 in Weld —so options are plentiful. While there is some big game opportunity in Weld County, it’s the fowl— geese, duck, dove, and turkey on public land—that brings business to the area, accounting for 90 percent of hunting, according to Arnold.
There are Whitetail and Mule deer and Pronghorn Antelope in the area, but Arnold says they are sparse on both public and private lands; Pronghorn may be best found on the Pawnee Grasslands. Regardless, working with an outfitter, hunters will take home dinner 95 percent of the time, as opposed to public-land hunters. “We have a network and a resource that is not available to the [public] hunter and we’re out in the field 24/7 from the start of the season to the end,” says Arnold.
His team keeps track of migration habits, where the most birds are and where they’re feeding. They also provide blinds, or hunting structures, some that come with amenities such as propane heat and electricity. “Whether you’re talking individual folks hunting, or you’re talking outfitters taking clients out to hunt, Weld County, particularly waterfowl, is a very popular place to go,” says Troy Florina, a district manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Florina covers some 3,000 square miles, including the Pawnee National Grasslands. To hunt in Weld County, hunters must have passed a hunter’s education class in their state, and they must be 12 years or older to hunt big game. After that, hunters should pin down what they want to hunt and how, and apply for tags. Big game tags can take a little longer than fowl: up to five or six years
for Pronghorn and one or two for deer, depending on preference points. Once they secure tags, hunters need to learn about the area’s topography, habitats, public and private boundaries, and regulations using videos and state-issued hunting pamphlets. And if they’re not familiar with the area, Florina encourages hunters get in touch with a seasoned local, perhaps a land owner, an outfitter (if funds are available), or a hunting club or sportsman
group such as Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or Mule Deer Foundation. Also, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is always available to field questions. Ultimately, Florina encourages hunters to come educated: “Read and watch as much as you can and if you have questions, we are here.” There’s also Waterfowl Haven Hunt Club, started by Arnold’s wife four years ago. It has grown 300 percent and provides information and community around hunting in Weld County. Arnold suggests out-of-town hunters get in touch with their local commerce department for an outfitter referral. “We have some of the best water fowl hunting in the country,” Arnold says. “And most people don’t know about it.”
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Hunting On State, Federal Lands By Matthew Van Deventer For Explore Weld County
Hunting spots abound throughout Weld County, with state and federal lands and wildlife areas. On the Pawnee National Grasslands, hunters need to make sure they know what’s public and private when hunting there. “One of the big things we recommend people is make sure they have a good map of the area to know whether they are on public or private land,” says Reghan Cloudman, a public affairs specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, which oversees the grasslands. The Soil Conservation Service started buying up grasslands during the Dustbowl in the 1930s, which is why the land it so intermixed. In 1960, it became a national grassland and a part of the U.S. Forest Service. discoverweld.com
The Pawnee is broken up into an east plot, where the Pawnee Buttes are and a western plot that both span more than 193,000 acres of state, federal, and private boundaries and is a popular area for hunting and bird watching. “There’s not much out there,” in terms of amenities on the Pawnee, warns Cloudman. “So folks need to make sure they have a full tank of gas, and plenty of water and anything else that they need if they’re heading out there.” Dispersed camping is allowed as long as hunters follow the rules. Campers cannot stay in one spot for more than 14 days. After that they must find a new location at least three miles away and no more than 28 days of camping with in a 60-day period. Campers must also stay clear of trailheads and parking lots and leave any gates they come across as they are.
There are several state spots to hunt throughout Weld County for those who want to venture out on their own. Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists seven wildlife areas in Weld that allow a variety of hunting of small game and waterfowl. All hunters must be licensed, and have taken a hunting education course, said Jennifer Churchill, spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. In the sport seems to be on the rise in Colorado, Churchill said. “We are seeing an uptick in hunting,” she said. “We’re doing a lot of programs for youths and women, and there are more people coming out for the hunter education courses.
Colorado Parks is working on a system to create an apprentice hunter’s license, which would allow novice hunters to go out with experienced hunters, to see if they have the interest. In Weld, those wildlife areas are: Banner Lakes State Wildlife Areas (SWA) near Hudson; Brower SWA in Evans; Centennial Valley SWA southeast of Kersey; Nakagawa SWA east of Kersey; Mitani-Tokuyasu SWA, on Colo. 263 and Weld County Road 60.5 east of Greeley; Webster SWA, on Colo. 394 west of LaSalle; and Frank SWA near Windsor. Go to http://cpw.state.co.us/ for more information.
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HUNTING While the wild game rule the mountain hunting areas, Weld County has quietly become a haven for an increasing cadre of water-fowl hunting enthusiasts. So get our your birdcalls and find a hunting blind and come on out with the more than 6,000 hunters a year who call Weld County one of their favorite sport-hunting grounds.
Water Foul Haven Outfitters 720-917-9662 1011 37th Ave Ct, Greeley, CO 80631 www.waterfowlhavenoutfitters.com
Great Guns Sporting 970.897.2277 16126 Co Rd 96, Nunn, CO 80648 www.greatgunssporting.com
Ponderosa Outfitters Waterfowl Adventures 970-590-2489 1115 5th St, Eaton, CO 80615 www.ponderosaoutfitters.com
Saddle Pocket Outfitters 19255 Weld County Rd. 88 www.saddlepocketoutfitters.com
Auer Bird Valley 303-808-0282 4692 Weld County Road 61 Keenesburg, CO 80643 www.auerbirdvalley.com Stillroven Farm (970) 535-4538 17629 Weld County Road 5 Berthoud, Colorado 80513 www.stillrovenfarm.com
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Birds of Fall Outfitters, LLC 970-391-0386 Windsor, CO www.birdsoffalloutfitters.com Pawnee National Grassland See Colorado Parks and Wildlife for details. cpw.state.co.us
CORN MAZES & PUMPKIN PATCHES Nothing says fall in Weld County like the myriad places to get lost in a maze and pick out the perfect carving pumpkin. A variety of working farms from north to south offer visitors a jam-packed weekend worth of fun for the whole family. There are corn mazes, go-carts, famers markets and more!
Anderson Farms 6728 County Road 3 1/4 • Erie (303) 828-5210 www.andersonfarms.com September 21 – October 31 Corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, fall festival, Terror in the Corn haunted hayride and ghost town, Zombie Paintball. Fritzler’s Corn MAiZE and Giant Pumpkin Patch 20861 County Road 33 • La Salle (970) 737-2129 • www.Screamacres.net www.fritzlermaze.com Mid-September - Halloween 15-acre corn maze, mini roller coaster barrel train ride, pumpkin cannons, pedal go-carts, pillow jumps, giant slide, paintball buses and so much more! Mazzotti Farms & Pumpkin Patch 24120 WCR 8 • Hudson (303) 536-4089 www.mazzottifarms.com
October 1 - 31 Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon - Fri, school tours by appointment 10-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch. Miller Farms Corn Maze & Fall Festival 13912 CR 19 • Platteville (970) 785-6133 www.millerfarms.net Labor Day - Mid-November Daily, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Reservations Fall Festival, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, hay maze, hayrides, jumping pillow, monster truck, fire truck, pedal cars, planes, UFOs and antique tractors. October 10 - 31: Haunted corn maze. Tigges Farm 12404 WCR 64 ½, Greeley www.TiggesFarm.com Call if you get lost 970-686-7225 Sept. 25 - Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pumpkin patch, homemade crafts and gifts, roasted chilies and activities for all! Explore Weld County | 37
2014 Fritzer’s Corn Maze design.
Weld County Mazes, Festivals Offer Fun For Guests, Hope For Farmers By Kelli Heitstuman-Tomko For Explore Weld County
Glen Fritzler said his back was against the wall when he made a unique decision that would work toward establishing agritourism in Weld County. He built a corn maze on his farm. “It was an idea given to me in 1999, but I didn’t act on it until the next year,”
Fritzler said. “We had reached a point where we had to try something new or get out of farming.” Fritzler said he started farming in LaSalle in the 1980s and was doing well, but the ordeal of the 1990s left him with a negative net worth. Financial hardship and
Scream Acres at Fritzer’s Corn Maze.
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desperation led him to cut the Denver Broncos’ logo into his cornfield. “It was on the front page of the Denver Post,” Fritzler said. “It was on the front page of the Greeley Tribune. The public loved it. The media loved it.”
events are free. “We understand that families with young children don’t necessarily have much money,” Rickart said. “We want them to be able to come and enjoy themselves
At $8 a maze runner, it wasn’t exactly hurting Fritzler’s feelings. Sixteen years later, Fritzler’s corn maze is going strong. Designed on a grid before planting, mazes are complex, detailed, and often feature a patriotic theme. The 2002 maze, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, featured a bald eagle and an American flag. It caught national attention and was showcased in the New York Times and on the Today Show. The rates for the corn maze have increased over the years, but there also has been an increase in the activities Fritzler’s Corn Maze offers, including haunted mazes, paintball and non-agricultural activities like pillow jumps, slides, pedal go-carts and campfires. Fritzler’s maze has hosted more than 350,000 visitors over the years. But Fritzler is not the only farmer in Weld County, and the concept of what he was doing on the side spread to others who needed the boost. “They all have their own unique personalities,” said Kathy Rickart, co-manager of Tigges Farm in Greeley. “Each farm has something for specific groups. If they can’t find what they’re looking for here, I can send them down the road to someone else.” Tigges Farm stepped into agritourism on a whim when Rickart threw a coveredwagon birthday party for her husband for one day in 2010 and opened it to the public. That turned into a covered-wagon weekend the next year. Then it was three weekends the year after that. Now the farm offers a season of weekend festivals that begin in mid-September and run through mid-November. With the exception of their fundraiser, all
A pumpkin patch at Tigges Farm.
without worrying about how much it will cost.” Tigges Farm’s weekend festivals cater to families with young children. The fields offer a pumpkin patch but no corn maze. Weekend activities might offer music, food, Conestoga wagon rides, alpacas to pet and costume events. “There’s nothing scary here,” Rickart said. As families get older and start looking for more excitement, Rickart says, she just directs them to places like the Fitzler Corn Maze, Anderson Farms in Erie, or Mazzotti Farms in Keenesburg. Other farms, like Miller Farms in Platteville, also host fall festivals. Most important, the agritourism keeps Weld County farmers where they need to be — on their land. These farms are still also working farms producing corn, pumpkins, peppers, potatoes, wheat, squash and onions. “There’s a little friendly competition,” Rickart said. “But we want everyone to be successful.” Explore Weld County | 39
PARKS
Get out, play, fly a kite, watch a game, visit some historic structures or walk the dog. There’s enough outdoors in Weld County parks to give visitors plenty of Vitamin D time while relaxing in the fresh air with some good bird-watching to boot. Weld’s parks are well-maintained and havens for communities.
Hawkstone Park, Eaton This 11-acre park has large open play areas, a playground, nine benches arranged along a 1 mile trail and a 2 acre lake www.eatonco.org
Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley Paved multi-use recreational trail with ball fields and historic Centennial Village 100 North 5th Street www.greeleygov.com
Erie Community Park, Erie This 41-acre park with walking trails, playground, skate park and playing fields 450 Powers Street www.erieco.gov
Ehrich Lake Park, Milliken This park offers a playground, lake with a fishing dock, picnic tables and a .9 of a mile walking path www.millikenco.gov
Pearson Park, Fort Lupton This park has a bike trail, walking path, fields and playground www.fortlupton.org
Lake Park, Johnstown The park has two playgrounds, five picnic pavilions, a walking path around the lake that is 1 mile long and fishing www.townofjohnstown.com
Gilcrest Municipal Park, Gilcrest Contains a playground, paths, a pavilion, picnic benches, pond & basketball court 1211 County Road 31 http://townofgilcrest.org
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SLEDDING & SKATING Don’t let a little winter weather keep you cooped up. Some popular Weld County hills morph into winter magnets every season for sledders who feel the call of the wild and the need to race down a hill face-first. For those who want to experience winter without the chill, indoor skating offers a taste of winter to keep the body moving.
Nottingham Field 17th Avenue and Alles Drive. Greeley The hill beside Nottingham Field on the University of Northern Colorado campus has been a popular sledding destination for decades. Fox Run 59th Avenue and 17th Street. Greeley The hilly area in the Fox Run community is a popular yet less-crowded sledding area in Greeley. If you hate crowds, this is the place for you!
Greeley Ice Haus 900 8th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631 www.greeleygov.com Northern Colorado Ice Center 7900 S. Fairgrounds Ave., Windsor (970) 206-4423 Drop-in hockey and other open skating times.
Water Valley Senior Living Resort 805 Compassion Drive, Windsor. Fast and long, the large hill behind the Water Valley Senior Living Resort is another popular Weld County sledding destination.
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TOP KIDS’ DESTINATIONS Fritzler Corn Maze The Fritzler Corn Maze is Colorado’s original and premier corn maze offering fun for young and old. Located just seven miles south of Greeley on U.S. 85, the maze is just a short drive from anywhere across the Colorado Front Range. It opens in late September and runs through Halloween. The corn maze is divided into two phases, challenging and thrilling those seeking to find the one and only exit from the twists and turns of golden corn maze stalks. At night, Scream Acres brings the terror back into the corn fields, with ghouls and ghosts and frights and flights from several spooky activities inside the maze. The fun also includes the Zombie Paintball Slayer, where hunters load into a bus equipped with paintball guns and travel through the corn fields to the an area loaded with targets and props. The fun park also offers a mini rollercoaster, go-cart tracks, an obstacle course on three-wheel carts, a pillow jump, a firing range to shoot ears of corn and mini pumpkin targets, a pumpkin cannon, a pumpkin patch and the ever popular corn box, where kids can bury themselves in corn. Go to www.fritzlermaze.com for a full schedule. discoverweld.com
Miller Farms Miller Farms at Colo. 66 and Colo. 119, about four miles west of Platteville, is a busy place from early spring through late fall. Not only a working farm, Miller Farms is also an educational rural amusement park with a huge playground area, a farmers market when crops are in season, and the opportunity to pick your own produce. Spring and fall festivals are scheduled every year; school tours are frequent; and a petting zoo and Antique Alley provide other opportunities for both education and fun. The fall festival runs Labor Day through mid-November. For more information, go to www.millerfarms.net Tigges Farm Experience the heart of Weld County at the historic Tigges Farm, 12404 Weld County Road 64 1Ž2, about three miles north of Greeley. In 2015, Tigges Farm began offering not only the pumpkin patch, but events throughout the fall. Each weekend activity in October is free. Kids can pick their own pumpkins, sing along with a real cowboy, do crafts, and take a wagon rides.
Admission to this family-run farm is free, and parents can select from items in the gift shop, or the fields., where 98 percent of the farm’s produce is for sale, or stroll through the farm’s historic Farm Equipment Museum or Barn Quilt Gallery. Free weekend activities through October. Go to www.tiggesfarm.com. Ice Haus Greeley’s only ice-skating arena is the center of multiple family activities throughout the year. From public skate sessions, to clinics and classes, to youth hockey leagues and adult hockey tournaments, to cosmic skating with multicolored light effects and music, there is no shortage of activities for young and old alike at the Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave. For more information, go to greeleygov.com/ activities/recreation/facilities/greeleyice-haus. FunPlex Some say there isn’t a better place for family fun in Weld County than the Family FunPlex, 1501 65th Ave., Greeley. Placed within Two Rivers Community Park, which includes a softball complex, picnic shelters, kids’ sensory playground, amphitheater, and trails, the FunPlex itself includes an indoor water park with several slides, miniature golf, fitness center and gymnasium. For more information, go to greeleygov.com/activities/ recreation/facilities/family-funplex Sledding Hills When the snow flies, not many in these parts miss a chance to test their smoothest snowpants against winter’s worst. Get out the sled, and come along! The large hill beside Nottingham Field on the University of Northern Colorado campus is probably the most popular destination for sledding in Greeley. In fact, it has been for decades. Nottingham Field: 17th Avenue and Alles Drive. Greeley’s original sledding hill. It is still the most crowded, but there’s a good reason for that: It has the most varied terrain, with some runs smooth and others bumpy, and offers the longest ride. This hill tends to be more gradual, however, so you may have to juice your ride to go really fast. We may have seen a can of
WD40 or two at the top of the hill, but we’re not advocating that. Fox Run: 59th Avenue and 17th Street. Shorter but faster than Nottingham, with more bumps, as well. This hill also seems less crowded than Nottingham, but that’s based on random observation in the last few weeks, with a small sample size. There is more terrain than Nottingham, which probably helps. Water Valley Senior Living Resort: 805 Compassion Drive, Windsor. Fast and long and not quite as crowded, but the drive may be too prohibitive for those who don’t live in Windsor. Colorado Model Railroad Museum Hundreds of school children and youth groups, along with their families, annually make a trip to the model train museum in downtown Greeley, 680 10th St. With thousands of miniature trees along with 2,500 railroad cars, realistic looking vehicles and communities and
even a forest fire, children and their adult chaperones are awestruck at the detail in this nationally recognized operating model railroad. For more info, go to: www.cmrm.org Union Colony Civic Center Kids can walk into “Whoville” Nov. 26 at the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., Greeley, where they can get their hair done in wacky styles just like Cindy Lou and get their picture taken with the Grinch. They also can find out their Who name - take part in a Seuss-tastic scavenger hunt - get their face painted - make a “grinchy” craft — and take a horse and wagon ride. The event typically sells out, so it’s important to get tickets in advance by calling the UCCC box office at (970) 356-5000. Explore Weld County | 43
UNIQUE Nowhere else in the country can visitors see Weld County’s most unique assets. The Pawnee National Grasslands in northern Weld County covers thousands of miles of open space, picturesque buttes among serene grasslands and plentiful bird-watching. In the southern portion of the county, meet a little of the county’s wild side at the Wild Animal Sanctuary, home to bears, tigers and lions rescued from through the world to roam Weld’s semi-arid prairies. Pawnee National Grassland The Pawnee National Grassland is 193,060 acres contained within a 30-by60 mile area. The rich history of the The Pawnee Buttesarea is represented by old homesteads, cemeteries and nearby museums. The network of numbered forest service and county roads will take you within easy walking distance of almost all parts of the grassland. Pawnee National Grassland is not only an internationally known birding area but also a wonderful spot for hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding and stargazing. While at the grassland keep an eye out for a few of the species that make the grassland their home. There are many activities to do while visiting the Pawnee National Grasslands including: biking, bird watching, camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, horse riding, off highway vehicle riding, outdoor learning, picnicking, rocks and minerals, discoverweld.com
scenic drives, target shooting and water activities. Most areas of national forests and grasslands are open, free of charge, for your use and enjoyment. Fees or permits may be required for use of some areas, specific facilities or services. Click here for more information about passes and permits. Pawnee National Grassland ranger district office is located at 660 “O” Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631 970-346-5000. Wild Animal Sanctuary The Wild Animal Sanctuary is all about saving animals who are victims of America’s “Captive Wildlife Crisis!” They travel across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central & South America and the rest of the world rescuing captive exotic and endangered large carnivores who have been abused, abandoned, exploited or illegally kept. Their goal for the ani-
TO WELD mals they rescue is to give them a life of dignity and respect, and make their life like it would be if they could choose. Established by Executive Director Pat Craig in 1980, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a state and federally licensed zoological facility and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is located on rural, rolling grasslands, comprising 720 acres and sheltering more than 350+ large carnivores include tigers, African lions, black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, leopards, wolves, servals, bobcats, foxes, lynx, coyote, coati mundi, raccoon, porcupine, ostrich, emu, camel, alpaca, horses and rescued dogs. Throughout the summer the Wild Animal Sanctuary has many events and fundraisers, click here for information. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is located at 1946 County Road 53, Keenesburg, Colorado 80643 303-536-0118. Historic Fort Lupton The historic fort offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience life as it was during the early 1800s. 2001 Historical Parkway, Fort Lupton 303-857-1710 www.spvhs.org/
Fort St. Vrain Fort St. Vrain Fort was built in the early 1800s near the present-day location of the town of Platteville. While visitors can tour two of Weld County’s original fur trading forts, Fort St. Vrain is now marked by a stone monument. To visit the monument, take Weld County Road 40 west from Highway 85. The road, which passes through private property so please be mindful and respectful, deadends at the monument. Fort Vasquez Museum The museum located at Fort Vasquez has numerous displays depicting life on prairie in the late 1800s. Visit the 1835 fur-trading fort and follow the paths of founders Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette. 13412 US Highway 85, Platteville 970-785-2832 www.historycolorado.org/museums/ fort-vasquez-museum
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MUSEUMS “Go West, young man!� New York editor Horace Greeley sent Nathan Meeker and the Union Colony west with the phrase in 1865, ushering in a history today that is now beyond compare. Visitors can immerse themselves in Western expansion through the likes of Rattlesnake Kate and Nathan Meeker, and the many historic places throughout the county that stand as living testaments to a wild and colorful history.
Eaton House Museum Many artifacts from the founding days of Eaton and a collection of exhibits featuring the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan War. 207 Elm Ave, Eaton 970-454-3338 www.eatonco.org/eaton-housemuseum.htm Spirit of Flight Center Hundreds of rare items and artifacts are on display of vintage and corporate aviation while promoting the love of flight. 2650 South Main St. Bldg. A, Erie 303-460-1156 www.spiritofflight.com Donelson House Built after the South Platte River flood of 1864, the house has been restored to an 1893 photograph. All furnishing for the Donelson House were donations which discoverweld.com
were subsequently restored by members of the South Platte Valley Historical Society. The Donelson House also periodically hosts afternoon teas. 2001 Historical Parkway, Fort Lupton 720-514-1833 www.spvhs.org Fort Lupton Museum Extensive archives of family histories, cemetery records, business documents, and photos from Fort Lupton as far back as the 1800s 453 First St., Fort Lupton 303-857-1634 www.fortlupton.org/157/Museums Historic Fort Lupton The historic fort offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience life as it was in during the early 1800s. 2001 Historical Parkway, Fort Lupton 303-857-1710 www.spvhs.org
Miners Memorial Museum The Miners Memorial Museum highlights southern Weld County’s rich mining history. Displays that illustrate what mining was like at the turn of the century. 143 5th St., Frederick 720-382-5500 www.frederickco.gov/717/MinersMemorial-Museum Centennial Village Step back in time with an 8 acre living history museum allowing visitors to experience Northern Colorado as it was over 100 years ago. 1475 A St., Greeley 970-350-9220 www.greeleymuseums.com/locations/ centennial-village/ Colorado Model Railroad Museum This museum features over 600 railroadrelated artifacts ranging from a Virginia and Truckee Railroad switch key to a full-sized Colorado and Southern wooden Caboose available for examining. 680 10th Street, Greeley 970-392-2934 www.gfsm.org/pcindex.html Greeley History Museum Exhibits telling the story of Greeley and
Weld County. 714 8th St., Greeley 970-350-9220 www.greeleymuseums.com/locations/ greeley-history-museum/ Meeker Home Experience the home of the founding family of Greeley as it would have appeared in the late 1800s. 1324 9th Ave., Greeley 970-336-4189 www.greeleymuseums.com/meeker-home/ Plumb Farm A Colorado Centennial Farm that’s been in the same family for over a hundred years. 955 39th Ave., Greeley 970-350-9275 www.greeleymuseums.com/locations/ white-plumb-farm-learning-center/ Grover Depot Museum Tales of boom and bust and the railroads. Grover http://groverlibrary.8m.com/grover.html Parish House Museum Home of the founders of Johnstown, Harvey J. and Mary Parish. The main level of this furnished house provides a glimpse of life in the early 1900s and on the lower Explore Weld County | 47
level there are displays featuring facets of life in Johnstown. 701 Charlotte St., Johnstown 970-350-9275 www.johnstownhistoricalsociety.org/ Kersey Historical Museum Dedicated to the history of Kersey 413 1st St., Kersey (In back of the Library) 970-347-7357 www.townofkersey.com/ Northern Drylanders Museum Showcases life on the grasslands in northern Weld County. A museum organized to study, record, preserve and make available the history of Northern Weld County. The museum is closed in winter. 755 Third St., Nunn 970-897-3125 www.highplainshistory.homestead.com/ Fort Vasquez Museum In addition to a replica fort, Fort Vasquez is also home to a museum and gift shop. Visit the 1835 fur-trading fort and follow the paths of founders Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette.
13412 US Highway 85, Platteville 970-785-2832 www.historycolorado.org/museums/ fort-vasquez-museum Platteville Pioneer Museum Artifacts, family histories, pictures and other memorabilia of the people of the Platteville area 502 Marion, Platteville 970-381-1105 www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ platteville Town of Windsor Museum Masterfully refurbished and restored, the buildings are original to Windsor and represent chapters in town history 100 North 5th St., Windsor 970-674-2443 www.windsorgov.com/index. aspx?NID=464 Windsor Art & Heritage Center A hub for arts, culture, and history in 116 5th St., Windsor 970-674-2443 www.windsorgov.com/
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ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS OCTOBER 10/1/2016 • Dacono Colorado National Speedway: First Coca Cola 100 Challenge Cup XLII - Super Late Model 100, Super Stock/Pure Stock, Legend, Demo Cross and Circle Drags 6:30 p.m. Colorado National Speedway 4281 Speedway Boulevard http://coloradospeedway.com 10/1/2016 • Erie Miner’s Blast: Haunted House, Hayrides, Maze and much more! 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Coal Creek Park: 575 Kattell Street www.eriechamber.org 10/1/2016 • Fort Lupton Fall Cemetery Walk at Hillside Cemetery: Reenactors will play the role of historical figures from Fort Lupton’s history. Volunteers are needed to reenact historical figures from Fort Lupton’s Past. 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Hillside Cemetery: 13750 WCR 12 http://www.fortlupton.org/ 10/1/2016 • Fort Lupton Colorado Colonial Encampment 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Historic Fort Lupton: Hwy 85 & Cty Rd 14 www.spvhs.org 10/1/2016 • Keenesburg Summer Safari Dinner: Dinner at the Wild Animal Sanctuary 6:00 p.m. Wild Animal Sanctuary: 1946 Cty Rd 53 www.wildanimalsanctuary.org 10/2/2016 • Fort Lupton Colorado Colonial Encampment 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Historic Fort Lupton: Hwy 85 & Cty Rd 14 www.spvhs.org 10/2/2016 • Greeley Kids Golf Free: Junior Golfers (17 and under) play free every Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Boomerang Link and Highland Hills: 7600 W. 4th Street and 2200 Clubhouse Drive http://greeleycalendar.com 10/4/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Story Time: LEGOs, crafts, science, games, robotics & more! 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org Explore Weld County | 51
10/5/2016 • Greeley How to Compost Workshop: Learn about the benefits of composting. 6:00 p.m. • RSVP Required. Greeley Recreation Center: 651 10th Ave http://greeleycalendar.com
10/11/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Story Time 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30- 11:00 a.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org
10/6/2016 • Firestone Family Movie Night at the Library: Bring your family and a snack for a movie! 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Carbon Valley Regional Library: 7 Park Ave www.firestoneco.gov
10/14/2016 • Greeley G.Town Tour: Take the City Hall Crawl to get to know your local facilities! 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Greeley Ice Haus: 900 8th Avenue http://greeleycalendar.com
10/7/2016 • Greeley First Friday: A Night of Art 5:00 p.m. Various Locations in Greeley www.greeleydowntown.com
10/14/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Fun Friday 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org
10/7/2016 • Greeley First Friday Presentation: Learn how to use the brand new database of digitized collections 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Greeley History Museum: 714 8th Street http://greeleycalendar.com
10/16/2016 • Greeley Kids Golf Free 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Boomerang Link and Highland Hills: 7600 W. 4th Street and 2200 Clubhouse Drive http://greeleycalendar.com
10/7/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Fun Friday 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org
10/18/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Story Time 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org
10/8/2016 • Firestone Art & Music Show: By local artists 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Carbon Valley Regional Library: 7 Park Ave www.firestoneco.gov
10/20/2016 • Erie Local History Series: Learn about Colorado Railroads 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Erie Community Center: 450 Powers St www.eriechamber.org
10/8/2016 • Milliken Fall Clean-Up: Eliminate unwanted stuff Public Works Facility: 2951 Ash Street www.millikenco.gov 10/8/2016 • Platteville Traders Market: Goods by local vendors 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fort Vasquez: 13412 US Highway 85 www.historycolorado.org 10/9/2016 • Greeley Kids Golf Free 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Boomerang Link and Highland Hills: 7600 W. 4th Street and 2200 Clubhouse Drive http://greeleycalendar.com discoverweld.com
10/21/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Fun Friday 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org 10/22/2016 • Greeley Howl-O-Ween Trick-or-Treat: Wear your costume for tricks and treats at each historic structure 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Centennial Village: 1475 A Street http://greeleycalendar.com
10/22/2016 • Platteville Traders Market: Goods by local vendors 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fort Vasquez: 13412 US Highway 85 www.historycolorado.org
zombies around Milavec Lake and surrounding areas. 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Frederick Rec. Area: 8201 Colorado Blvd. http://www.cvprd.com
10/23/2016 • Greeley Howl-O-Ween Trick-or-Treat 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Centennial Village: 1475 A Street http://greeleycalendar.com
10/29/2016 • Erie Trunk or Treat: Free to the public 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Erie Community Park: 450 Powers Street http://www.erieco.gov
10/23/2016 • Greeley Kids Golf Free 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Boomerang Link and Highland Hills: 7600 W. 4th Street and 2200 Clubhouse Drive http://greeleycalendar.com
10/29/2016 • Greeley F.I.S.H: Families Investigating Science at Home workshop - Spook-Tacular Trail 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Poudre Learning Center: 8313 West F St www.poudrelearningcenter.org
10/25/2016 •Severance Clearview Library Story Time 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org
10/29/2016 • Johnstown Trick or Treat Street: Family friendly way to Trick Or Treat during the day to the local businesses 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Downtown Johnstown http://www.millikenco.gov
10/27/2016 • Greeley Plaster Disaster Recovery: Lunch & Learn 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Greeley History Museum: 714 8th Street http://greeleycalendar.com 10/28/2016 • Firestone Halloween Safe Night: Fall fun with games, train rides, food trucks and more 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Firestone Sports Complex: 6850 Tilbury Avenue www.firestoneco.gov 10/28/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Fun Friday 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org 10/29/2016 • Erie Eerie Erie: Halloween themed 5K & 10K 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Downtown Erie www.erieco.gov 10/29/2016 • Frederick The Running Dead Zombie Run: Run for your life! Test your speed, endurance and strength while trying to outrun the
10/29/2016 • Milliken Trick or Treat Street: Family friendly way to Trick Or Treat during the day to the local businesses 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Downtown Milliken www.millikenco.gov 10/29/2016 • Milliken Halloween Free Family Fun Night: Presented by the Milliken Police Department and Mares Auto Center; free dinner, costume contest, games and more. 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Downtown Milliken http://www.millikenco.gov 10/30/2016 • Greeley Kids Golf Free 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Boomerang Link and Highland Hills: 7600 W. 4th Street and 2200 Clubhouse Drive http://greeleycalendar.com 10/31/2016 • Hudson Trunk or Treat: Dress up in your best costume for candy 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Hudson Academy http://hudsoncolorado.org/ Explore Weld County | 53
NOVEMBER All Month • Greeley Greeley Farmers’ Market 9:00 a.m. – Noon Zoe’s: 715 10th St. Facebook.com/greeleyfarmersmarket 11/1/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Story Time 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org 11/3/2016 • Firestone Family Movie Night at the Library 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Carbon Valley Regional Library: 7 Park Ave www.firestoneco.gov 11/4/2016 • Greeley First Friday: A Night of Art 5:00 p.m. Various Locations in Greeley www.greeleydowntown.com 11/4/2016 • Severance Clearview Library Fun Friday 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Severance Town Hall: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway http://clearviewlibrary.org 11/5/2016 • Hudson Veterans Day Commemoration 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Hudson Memorial Park http://hudsoncolorado.org 11/12/2016 • Frederick Holiday Marketplace: Shop from 60+ craft & home-based business vendors. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Carbon Valley Rec. Center: 701 5th St. http://www.cvprd.com 11/14/2016 • Platteville Craft Show & Sale Fort Vasquez: 13412 US Highway 85 www.historycolorado.org 11/15/2016 • Platteville Craft Show & Sale Fort Vasquez: 13412 US Highway 85 www.historycolorado.org 11/17/2016 • Erie Local History Series: 1800 Million Years discoverweld.com
History of Erie 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Erie Community Center: 450 Powers St www.eriechamber.org 11/24/2016 • Erie The Pilgrimage Run: 2 mile or 4 mile family-fun walk or run 9:00 a.m. Erie Library: 400 Powers Street www.thepilgrimagerun.com 11/25/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees: Step into the Whoville Holiday Seussabration! 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 11/26/2016 • Greeley F.I.S.H: Families Investigating Science at Home workshop - Native Americans (tee pee building, crafts and more) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Poudre Learning Center: 8313 West F St www.poudrelearningcenter.org 11/26/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 11/26/2016 • Greeley Holiday Heritage Open House: Crafts, Pictures with Santa and more! 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Greeley History Museum: 714 8th Street http://greeleycalendar.com 11/27/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center 701 10th Avenue http://greeleygov.com 11/28/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 11/29/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 11/30/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees: Silver Bells Social for Seniors 55 and older
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com DECEMBER All Month • Greeley Greeley Farmers’ Market 9:00 a.m. – Noon Zoe’s: 715 10th St. Facebook.com/greeleyfarmersmarket 12/1/2016 • Firestone Family Movie Night at the Library 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Carbon Valley Regional Library: 7 Park Ave www.firestoneco.gov 12/1/2016 • Frederick Deck the Downtown: Event goes until December 16. Downtown Businesses see who can create the most festive display All Day Downtown Frederick www.frederickco.gov 12/1/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 12/2/2016 • Erie Country Christmas & Parade of Lights: Santa’s Workshop, local school choirs, hayrides, s’mores, parade & more! 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Downtown Erie www.eriechamber.org 12/2/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com 12/2/2016 • Greeley First Friday: A Night of Art 5:00 p.m. Various Locations in Greeley www.greeleydowntown.com 12/2/2016 • Hudson Christmas Lighting Celebration: Come & celebrate the holiday season! 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Town Hall: 557 Ash Street http://hudsoncolorado.org
12/2/2016 • Milliken Festival of Lights Milliken Middle School: 266 South Irene Avenue www.millikenco.gov 12/3/2016 • Dacono Ugly Sweater 5K: Don your ugliest holiday apparel and run! 9:00 a.m. Clem DuFour Park http://www.cvprd.com 12/3/2016 • Dacono Carbon Valley Holiday Festival: Eat chili with Santa next to the tree lighting 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Dacono City Hall: 512 Cherry Street www.firestoneco.gov 12/3/2016 • Firestone Carbon Valley Holiday Festival: Meet Santa and make crafts 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Carbon Valley Regional Library: 7 Park Ave www.firestoneco.gov 12/3/2016 • Firestone Carbon Valley Holiday Festival: Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create gifts and ornaments, taste candy and hot chocolate 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Coal Ridge Middle School: 6201 Booth Dr www.firestoneco.gov 12/3/2016 • Frederick Carbon Valley Holiday Festival: Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting Ceremony! 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Crist Park: 105 5th Street www.firestoneco.gov 12/3/2016 • Greeley Homesteader’s Holiday: Candle Dipping, Ornament making, Food and more! 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Centennial Village: 1475 A Street http://greeleycalendar.com 12/3/2016 • Greeley Festival of Trees: Teddy Bear Bash don’t forget your favorite Teddy for some “unbearably” delightful activities 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Union Colony Civic Center: 701 10th Ave http://greeleygov.com
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12/3/2016 • Hudson Pearl Harbor Memorial: Remember the attacks on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Hudson Memorial Park http://hudsoncolorado.org 12/10/2016 • Eaton Eaton Chamber’s Old Fashioned Christmas www.eatonchamber.com 12/10/2016 • Eaton Eaton Historical Society Home Tour: Both historic and contemporary homes. 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. https://historicaleatonco.org 12/10/2016 • Eaton Eaton Chamber’s Old Fashioned Christmas 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Eaton High School Auxiliary Gym http://www.eatonchamber.com 12/16/2016 • Frederick Deck the Downtown All Day Downtown Frederick www.frederickco.gov 12/17/2016 • Platteville Platteville Parade of Lights: Followed by christmas music, hot chocolate, activities and bon fire at the community complex. All activities free. Sponsored by the platteville lions club. 5:30 p.m. JANUARY All Month • Greeley Greeley Farmers’ Market 9:00 a.m. – Noon Zoe’s: 715 10th St. Facebook.com/greeleyfarmersmarket 1/1/2017 • Firestone First Day Hike: St. Vrain State Park 10:00 a.m. Blue Heron Parking Lot St. Vrain State Park: 3785 WCR 24.5 www.cpw.state.co.us MARCH All Month • Greeley Greeley Farmers’ Market 9:00 a.m. – Noon discoverweld.com
Zoe’s: 715 10th St. Facebook.com/greeleyfarmersmarket 3/4/2017 • Greeley Day of Dance: This isn’t your typical health fair! Get your family and friends out of the house and onto the dance floor. Dance Demos and lessons, health information and lots of activities for all ages! Brought to you by Spirit of Women and Banner Health North Colorado Medical Center 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Greeley Family Fun Plex: 1501 65th Ave 3/9/2017 • Firestone Firestone Meet & Greet: Join the Firestone Police Department for its 17th annual Meet & Greet event to visit with local and county government officials, as well as members of the police department. Enjoy a light dinner with a chili cookoff, hot dogs, chips and soft drinks. 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Coal Ridge Middle School: 6201 Boot Dr. www.firestoneco.gov APRIL All Month • Greeley Greeley Farmers’ Market 9:00 a.m. – Noon Zoe’s: 715 10th St. Facebook.com/greeleyfarmersmarket 4/15/2017 • Firestone Carbon Valley Rotary Easter Egg Hunt 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hart Park: 467 Jackson Ave. www.firestoneco.gov 4/22/2017 • Firestone Community Safety Day 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Firestone Home Depot: 10858 Jake Jabs Blvd. www.firestoneco.gov YEAR-ROUND All Year Fort Lupton City Museum 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday (closed major holidays) 453 First St. www.fortlupton.org
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SHO SHOP IN WELD COUNTY
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During your stay in Weld County, you’ll surely want to experience the local shopping outlets. Is an indoor mall your “thing?” The Greeley Mall offers a wide variety of smaller stores plus major brand anchors, in addition to a food court and a major cinema, to keep you occupied for more than a day and night. Or maybe an outdoor shopping mall is your preference. There are a variety of smaller neighborhood malls in Greeley and surrounding towns. The largest such outdoor mall in Weld is the Centerplace shopping center in west Greeley, with several major department and sporting good anchors, as well as restaurants and smaller boutiques and specialty stores.
and its available storefronts are now almost fully occupied. And, smaller Weld towns such as Windsor, Fort Lupton, Johnstown, Eaton and Ault, to name just a few, offer a variety of specialties and unique merchandise. Treasure seekers also will find dozens of antique stores in Weld, and indoor farmers markets are held in some of Weld’s communities during the winter and spring. With dozens and dozens of shopping experiences available in Weld County, let us help you find the perfect gift or souvenir to remember your northern Colorado visit.
OP Don’t forget downtown shopping areas in Weld County. The Greeley downtown has experienced a rebirth in recent years
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SHOPPING Whether you seek a weathered bedroom piece with historical value, or a one-of-akind knickknack to put on a shelf, or everyday deals at a big-box retailer, Weld County provides. Antique shops line the U.S. 85 corridor; downtown Greeley’s locally owned art and gift shops provide unique items; the Greeley Mall and Greeley Centerplace provide a mix of major retailers and mom-and-pop stores. When you add it all up, there are dozens of shopping experiences scattered throughout Weld County. Downtown Windsor www.windsordda.com Notable shops: Four & Twenty Blackbirds, coast to Coast Styles, Memory Lane Antiques, Closet 503, My Favortie Things, Old Town Smoke Shop, Simply Home, Summit Spa,s, The Blushing Bride, Nana beas’s and much more! Downtown Greeley www.greeleydowntown.com Noteable shops: Accessories with a Flair!...and Hair, Ancient Healing Wisdom Arts, The Dragon’s Cache, Doug’s Hang Up, King’s Clocks & Unique Gifts, Lincoln Park Emporium, Madison & Main Gallery, Showcase Art Center, Mariposa Plants, Flowers and Gifts, The Nerd Store and so much more! Centerplace of Greeley Notable shops: Kohl’s, Famous Footwear, Gamestop, Ross Dress For Less, Target, Best Buy, Dressbarn and so much more! discoverweld.com
Westlake Village Shopping Center Greeley www.thewestlakevillage.com Notable Shops: Lolly’s Hallmark Shop, Colorado Rockies Dugout Store, Game Factor, Smokes & Stogies, Westlake Wine & Spirits and much more! Greeley Mall www.shopgreeleymall.com Notable Shops: At Home, Bath & Body Works, Brooklyn Village, Buckle, Christopher & Banks, Claire’s Boutique, Fanzz, Fashion Fever, Fun Zone Arcade, JCPenney, Sears, Vanity, Zales Jewelers, Zumiez and so much more! Downtown Johnstown Notable Shops: Break From Reality, Johnstown Clothing & Embroidery, The Finest Edge, Heart to Heart Children’s Boutique and much more!
ONE PLACE to find all your Greeley Discoveries
GREELEY VISITORS CENTER Information on attractions and events. Purchase your souvenirs in the Greeley store 902 7th Avenue • 970-352-3566
www.visitgreeley.org
Chamber of Commerce Visit Greeley
Chamber of Commerce Visit Greeley
Greeley Chamber of Commerce/Visit Greeley Visitors Center 902 7th Avenue | Greeley, CO 80631 970-352-3567 | www.visitgreeley.org
Published with lodging tax dollars collected by the CityWeld of Greeley Explore County | 61
ANTIQUE SHOPS Faded Rose Antiques 202 1st Street, Ault 970-834-1070 Jen’s Antique Mall 220 1st Street, Ault 970-834-2877 JR’s Antiques & Etc. 213 1st Street, Ault 970-834-2291 www.aultimateantiques.com Junk-N-Joe Flea Market & Coffee Bar 224 1st Street, Ault 970-834-2065 Vintage Soul 216 1st Street, Ault 720-933-1845 Alley Arts & Collectibles, LLC 122 Oak Avenue, Eaton 970-454-3347 www.alleyartsco.com Lone Tree Antiques and Fine Art 115-117 1st St., Eaton 970-301-0248 www.lonetreeantiques.com
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The French Corner 208 First Street & 108 Oak Ave., Eaton 970-454-2088 or 970-454-1088 www.thefrenchcornershop.com Tree of Life 208 Oak Avenue, Eaton 970-689-6779 Ervin’s Antiques & Gifts 3810 West 10th Street, Greeley 970-515-6775 Lincoln Park Emporium 822 8th Street, Greeley 970-351-6222 www.lincolnparkemporium.com A Step Back in Time 30 South Main, Keenesburg 303-732-9257 www.a-step-back.com A1 Furniture of La Salle 125 North 2nd Street, La Salle 970-284-5260 www.a1furnitureoflasalle.com Memory Lane Antiques 426 Main Street, Windsor 970-686-7913 www.memlaneantiques.com
TRANSPORTATION TAXI SERVICES
AIRPORTS
Smart Ride Tranportation, LLC 970.347.9791 www.smart-rides.com
Greeley/Weld County Airport 970.336.3000 www.gxy.net Business aviation facility with full-service jet center. All major aircraft services provided.
Yellow Cab 970.224.2222 http://www.fortcollinstaxi.com PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Greeley Evans Transit (GET) www.greeleyevanstransit.com
Denver International Airport 303.342.2200 www.flydenver.com Located just southeast of Weld County it is serviced by most major carriers. AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION SuperShuttle 800.bluevan www.supershuttle.com
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A Weld County Christmas By Linda Kane For Explore Weld County
When sweet little Cindy Lou Who asks, “Where are you, Christmas?” she really needn’t look any further than Weld County. In fact, the little blonde-haired, blueeyed cherub featured in Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is one of the wacky, weird, whimsical characters featured at the Festival of Trees this holiday season. The holiday season officially kicks off on Nov. 26, with a host of events throughout downtown Greeley. Kids can walk into “Whoville” at Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center, where they can get their hair done in wacky styles just like Cindy Lou and get their picture taken with the Grinch. They also can find out their Who name - take part in a Seusstastic scavenger hunt - get their face discoverweld.com
painted - make a “grinchy” craft - and take a horse and wagon ride. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The event typically sells out, so it’s important to get tickets in advance by calling the UCCC box office at (970) 356-5000. The civic center also hosts the muchanticipated Festival of Trees. Several trees each beautifully decorated by different businesses and nonprofits are displayed with specific themes. Also part of the celebration is Candy Cane Lane, which features evergreens adorned with ornaments made by little hands that compete for the “Kids’ Choice” ribbon. The Festival of Trees is anticipated each year by many in northern Colorado and also features a silent auction, Silver Bells Socials, Sip & Shop Ladies Night Out and a Teddy Bear Bash.
The festival begins Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 3. Downtown Greeley merchants will host open houses throughout the day Nov. 26, and a lighted night parade starts around 5:30 p.m. In 2015, more than 50 floats were featured during the Greeley Lights the Nights Parade, said Pam Bricker, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. “Every business has some kind of activity going on. We usually have a group of chorale singers and Christmas carolers,” she said. “It’s a real festive holiday happening.” After the parade, a lighting ceremony is held in Lincoln Park, where Santa flips the switch and showcases the park’s trees sparkling in the night.
down their tree and take it home. “The same families return year after year after year because they love it,” said the Windsor’s daughter-in-law, Peggy. “There’s this little building called the Christmas Shop where people can buy wreaths and have popcorn and coffee and sometimes we have ornaments to sell.” The shop also is heated so visitors can warm their hands before heading home. Peggy Windsor made about 1,000 wreaths in 2015 for family sales and to be used by local organizations as fundraisers. “I use the wreaths as part of my mission,” Peggy Windsor said. “I employ mothers who don’t have another way to earn Christmas money for their kids. They’re
Bricker said there’s so much happening in Greeley she calls it “the little town that blew up.” “It still has that wonderful hometown feel,” she said. “Everybody goes downtown in that holiday spirit. The last couple years this parade has really grown. It’s not like the Denver Parade of Lights, where you can’t find a place to park. It just has a wonderful hometown feel with really a lot of hometown fun.” While it’s probably the largest holiday event in Weld County, it’s certainly not the only one. There’s so much to do in Greeley and the surrounding areas, it’s wise to start planning now. If you’re looking to begin or continue a family tradition of cutting your own Christmas tree, the place to go is the Windsor Tree Farm in —coincidentally — Windsor. John and Janice Windsor planted their first trees in 1979 and have put in the hard work to sustain a tree farm in the less than ideal Colorado soil. Once again, you want to plan on getting there early in the season as the trees typically sell out. The Windsors pick a Saturday in November in which visitors can pick out a tree and mark it as their own. In early December, they return to the farm to cut
contracted because this is a one-month business. We make our wreaths in November.” She said the trees tend to sell out and if she has any wreaths left over, she donates them to local shelters where they can give them to families as gifts. The farm is located 3/4 of a mile north of Main Street in Windsor off Colo. 257. Visit their web site at windsorstrees.com to get more information. After collecting your Christmas tree, be sure to visit Windsor Wonderland Sat., Dec. 3, from noon to 5 p.m. The season is kicked off with events downtown including face painting, a petting zoo, s’mores, arts and crafts and more. Explore Weld County | 65
Windsor also hosts a “Homemade for the Holidays: Merry Grinchmas” event where little ones can make and wrap a homemade gift. Parents can drop off their children at the Art & Heritage Center from 1-4 pm. on two Saturdays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. The kids will make their gift while enjoying a movie, snacks and games.
» Usually the weekend before Christmas, the community of Platteville hosts a Christmas parade and festivities at its community center. The parade begins around 5:30 p.m. followed by hot drinks, snacks, music and an outdoor bonfire.
The Windsor holiday craft show is booked for Nov. 19-20 at the Windsor Community Center and the vendor spaces are already sold out. This is a great opportunity to support local crafters and get some handmade items checked off your holiday shopping list.
“I definitely agree with that,” said Peggy Windsor. “There’s a lot to do in Weld County. You don’t need to go anywhere else.”
Weld County is the place to be this holiday season.
To find out more Windsor Tree Farm — www.windsorstrees.com Greeley Lights the Night Parade — greeleydowntown.com Greeley Festival of Trees — www. greeleygov.com Windsor’s Homemade for the Holidays — www.windsorgov.com
» If you are near Fort Lupton early in December, stop by its Winterfest event Dec. 3 at the recreation center. There, you will find a winter carnival with train and carriage rides, bingo, a bake sale and chili supper. Santa will visit and maybe even go caroling or participate in the snowball softball tournament.
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STA STAY IN WELD COUNTY
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After you’ve been busy playing, shopping, eating and drinking in Weld County, you need a nice place to relax and rest. With more than a dozen hotels in Greeley and two dozen in Weld County, visitors will have a wide choice of places to hang their hats. Or perhaps a bed and breakfast is your preference. Two places in Greeley are popular — the Greeley Guest House and the Currier Inn. The Porter House B & B Inn in Windsor is another popular destination. And if you prefer wild open spaces and more of a traditional country atmosphere, the West Pawnee Ranch B & B near Grover, a remote north Weld County community, not only offers a place to stay but also
hiking, horseback riding, country meals and access to the Pawnee National Grassland. And finally, if you are bringing your own living space on wheels, the Greeley RV Park & Campground offers daily through monthly sites, a laundromat, exercise facility, free wireless internet, and 60-foot full hook-up pull through sites.
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BED & BREAKFAST Waking up in a charming inn to the smell of fresh-baked muffins and strong-brewed coffee and a hardy “Good morning!” is something visitors can’t get at the local corporate hotels. Weld’s innkeepers pride themselves on their home-town pampering of visitors, to make their stays cozy and relaxing.
Greeley Guest House 5401 W. 9th Street, Greeley, CO 80634 970-353-9373 www.greeleyguesthouse.com Only a few miles from downtown Greeley, its spacious guest rooms and complimentary breakfast are enjoyed by business travelers and vacationers alike. The jacuzzi rooms and suites are favorites for honeymooners and company executives. Porter House B & B Inn 530 Main St Windsor, CO 80550-5132 970-686-5793 Charming victorian styled B & B conveniently located in romantic downtown Windsor. Enjoy a quite comfortable stay in the care if its gracious and attentive hosts. Currier Inn Bed & Breakfast 1221 9th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631-4017 970-392-1221 discoverweld.com
www.greeleybedandbreakfast.com The humble, individually decorated rooms feature en suite bathrooms with soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served in a stylish dining area adjacent to a lobby with a grand spiral staircase. West Pawnee Ranch B & B 29451 County Road 130 Grover, CO 80729 970-895-2482 www.westpawneeranch.com Wide open spaces and wild life! Great for hiking, horseback or mountain bike riding. West Pawnee Ranch offers a variety of room options conveniently located on the border of the Pawnee National Grasslands. Not to mention the country sized meals made from scratch!
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HOTELS A couple of years ago, hotel rooms were at a premium in Weld County, but today that picture is changing. The entire county has experienced a visitor boom, prompting new, nationally branded hotels to pop up from north to south to offer pristine accommodations.
Cobblestone Inn & Suites 485 S. Elm Rd, Eaton, CO 80615 970-454-2077 www.staycobblestone.com/co/eaton Rodeway Inn 3015 8th Ave. Evans, CO 80620 970-351-6482 Americas Best Value Inn 800 31st St., Evans, CO 80620 970-339-2492 www.americasbestvalueinn.com Sleep Inn 3025 8th Ave., Evans, CO 80620 www.sleepinn.com Best Western Fireston Inn & Suites 11228 Business Park Cir, Firestone, CO 80504 720-494-1925 www.bestwestern.com/Firestone? discoverweld.com
Comfort Suites Longmont 11292 Business Park Cir, Firestone, CO 80504 720-864-2970 www.comfortsuite.reservations.com Clarion Hotel & Conference Center 701 8th St. Greeley, CO 80631 970-353-8444 www.clarionhotelgreeley.com Hampton Inn & Suites Greeley 2350 W. 29th St. Greeley, CO 80631 http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com Days Inn 2467 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80634 970-392-1530 www.daysinn.com/greeley Country Inn & Suites 2501 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80634 970-330-3404 www.countryinns.com
Candlewood Suites Greeley 3530 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80634 970-330-2333 www.candlewoodsuites.com
Holiday Inn Express Greeley 2563 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80631 970.330.7495 www.hoexpress.com
Comfort Inn 2467 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80634 970-330-6380 www.comfortinn.com
Super 8 Greeley 2423 W. 29th St., Greeeley, CO 80631 970-330-8880 www.super8.com
Faiffield Inn & Suites Greeley 970-339-5030 2401 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO 80631 www.mariot.com
Cobblestone Inn & Suites 309 Hil St., Kersey, CO 80644 970-351-9411 www.staycobblestone.com/co/kersey
Homewood Suites by Hilton Greeley 2510 46th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634 970.330.1706 www.homewoodsuites3.hilton.com
Super 8 Windsor 1265 Main St. Windsor, CO 80550 970-686-5996 super8.com
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2401 W 29th St., Greeley 970.339.5030 | marriott.com/ftcgr Explore Weld County | 73
Thank You For Making This Publication A Reality DISCOVER
.com www.discoverweld.com We are city and country, new and old, loud and quiet. We are Weld County, and we are just what you are looking for.
Chamber of Commerce Visit Greeley
www.visitgreeley.org Visit Greeley invites you to experience our western heritage, art scene, community festivals and special events throughout the year. There’s always something great going on in Greeley! Fins ChamberLucky of Commerce Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant Visit Greeley Royal Nepal Wing Shack The Wild Animal Sanctuary Greeley Mall Blaine Herdman RE/MAX Fairfield Inn & Suites
PUBLISHER Bryce Jacobson EDITOR Randy Bangert CREATIVE MANAGER Kyle Knoop BUSINESS MANAGER Doug Binder CREATIVE SUPERVISOR Amy Mayer LEAD DESIGNER Josh Aho discoverweld.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bridgett Weaver Kelli Heitstuman-Tomko Linda Kane Matthew Van Deventer Sharon Dunn SALES MANAGERS Bruce Dennis Stephanie Mighell EXPLORE WELD COUNTY 501 8th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 P.O. Box 1690
For all editorial, advertising, subscription and circulation inquiries, call (970) 352-0211. Send editorial-related comments and story ideas to: rbangert@ greeleytribune.com 2016 Volume 1, Issue 2 Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune, Windsor Now, Energy Pipeline, Prime & Business Connect
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WE TAKE PATIENT CARE
to the HIGHEST LEVEL.
America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award™ (2015-2016) Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ (2009-2016) Critical Excellence Award™ 1801 16th St,. GreeleyCare • (970) 810-4121 • www.BannerHealth.com/NCMC (2009 – 2016) Pulmonary Care-America’s 100 Best Hospitals™ (2013-2016) Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ (2009-2016) Neuroscience: Stroke Care Excellence Award™ (2014 – 2016)
North Colorado Medical Center 1801 16th St, Greeley CO • 970-810-4121 www.BannerHealth.com/NCMC discoverweld.com