Summer Fun Guide 2019

SUMMER

FUN GUIDE 2019 Some things should be on every Coloradan’s and visitor’s bucket list, and here we give you plenty from which to choose — from famed mountains to renowned breweries, from merry festivals to top-notch attractions here in Colorado, the capital of summer fun.

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INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

BY BILLIE STANTON ANLEU

The Gazette

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE FILE

A mountain biker races through the rolling turns on Joe’s Ridge in the Bookcliffs/18 Road area north of Fruita. The town on the Western Slope is home to an impressive network of trails.

The Switzerland of America’s majestic mountains towers over much of the state, giving hikers, climbers and skiers unlimited thrills. Yet these famed peaks constitute only one of Colorado’s many wonders.

Residents and visitors also can raft roiling rivers, from the Arkansas to the Uncompahgre; “sand board” down North America’s tallest dunes; fly-fish along 322 miles of gold-medal fisheries; explore fantastic red rock formations and dinosaur boneyards; and board a historical, steam-powered train that rolls through some of the nation’s more splendid mountain passes.

Culture also is king in this rugged western state, which boasts a top-notch Shakespeare festival, opera, nature and science museum, as well as world-class art collections and the best western history collection in the country, housed in the downtown Denver Public Library. Bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and classical music lift spirits throughout the summer, too, not only at festivals, but also at what’s been called the world’s best outdoor concert venue.

Enjoying all of these amenities can induce serious hunger and thirst, however. So you’ll want to dine at the five-star Penrose Room at

Page 6: Attractions Page 10: Festivals Page 13: Adventure Page 16: Food and Drink Page 20: Wonders The Broadmoor resort or at fine restaurants in Aspen, Vail and other cities sprinkled across the state. Slake that thirst at Colorado’s many acclaimed breweries and wineries or at either of its unique tea houses. “ ’Tis a privilege to live in Colorado,” Frederick G. Bonfils proclaimed in 1892, emblazoning the phrase in giant letters across the building that housed The Denver Post, which he co-founded.

While truer words never were spoken, many deem his declaration an understatement. For many more gems have come to stud Colorado’s crown over the past 127 years.

So many, indeed, that it would take at least 127 months of full-time endeavor to explore them all.

So welcome to the Rocky Mountain Empire, where nary a need can’t be met. May the jewels recounted in this 2019 Summer Fun Guide mark only the start of the escapades you’ll enjoy.

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Find Your Colorado adventure out where the West begins at one of our three Broadmoor Wilderness all-inclusive mountain enclaves of The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp and the Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Camp.

From breathtaking scenery to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing and zip lining, to the rustic luxury of well-appointed accommodations and The Broadmoor’s legendary dining and service, it’s all about creating unforgettable experiences. Just three more reasons why The Broadmoor is called “The Most Unique Resort in the World.” Visit broadmoor.com and plan your one-of-a-kind adventure today.

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ATTRACTIONS

Alexandra Loutsion (Leonora) and Michael Mayes (Count di Luna) in Central City Opera’s “Il Trovatore.”

COURTESY OF AMANDA TIPTON

BY JENNIFER MULSON

The Gazette

CENTRAL CITY OPERA 124 Eureka St., Central City, 303-292-6700, centralcityopera.org Central City boasts casinos and the country’s fifth-oldest professional opera company. Go for one, stay for the other? The opera, founded in 1932, is a destination stage for many gorgeously

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voiced singers from around the world. Audiences, too. This summer, it will mount Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.”

The show will run July 6 through Aug. 4. Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd” will run July 13 through Aug. 2. Two one-act works will be featured in other Central City venues: “La Damoiselle élue (The

blessed damozel)” by Claude Debussy and “Litanies à la Vierge noire (Litanies to the Black Virgin)” by Francis Poulenc.

The opera, 35 miles west of Denver, is known for its progressive and traditional productions, its young artist training program, educational opportunities and engagement in the community.

THE GAZETTE FILE

The Stanley Hotel sits against blue skies, overlooking Estes Park. The hotel is one of the more famous in America and a popular upscale destination for tourists visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, 303-370-6000, dmns.org The intellectually curious will respond with vim to this Mile High City museum. There are lots of ways to grow your brain here, with exhibits on natural history, the universe, biology, Colorado history and more. The Discovery Zone encourages kids to develop an appreciation for science by excavating fossils, conducting experiments and creating art projects. An IMAX theater and planetarium also offer enticing ways to learn.

“Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius” is up through Aug. 25, and the interactive “Our Senses: Creating Your Reality” will be up through Aug. 4.

Through next year, the three-story IMAX screen will offer “Superpower Dogs,” a look at dogs that saved their human friends’ lives. In the planetarium, soak up “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” through the end of December.

DENVER ART MUSEUM 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org We all need to soak up some culture, even during summer when the weather pulls us outdoors. Here’s a chance to cool off and take in some art, including the museum’s world-class permanent collection that features oodles of American Indian work.

Current exhibits include “Jordan Casteel: Returning the Gaze,” featuring paintings by Denver-born Jordan Casteel, who now lives in Harlem, and “Treasures of British Art: The Berger Collection,” with works from the 1400s through the late 1800s that shed light on Britain’s cultural history.

THE STANLEY HOTEL 333 Wonderview Ave., Estes Park, 800-976-1377, stanleyhotel.com This eye candy hotel’s reputation is sure to haunt you. The exterior gleams against its gorgeous rocky backdrop, and the interior inspired the classic 1977 spooky novel “The Shining” by Stephen King, who spent some creepy nights there in 1974. It then was adapted into Stanley Kubrick’s chilling 1980 film.

If you’re more of a Fox Mulder type (as in, a believer), you’ll love the Historic Stanley Day and Night Tours. If you’re more of a Dana Scully (skeptic), you’ll enjoy the expanded entertainment in The Stanley Live, held in the hotel’s new auditorium The Pavilion. Upcoming performers include Lord Huron and The Blasters.

For those who don’t care about the hotel or its history, it’s an ideal place to bunk before tackling Rocky Mountain National Park.

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BISHOP CASTLE 12705 Colorado 165, Rye, 719-564-4366, bishopcastle.org You’re cruising through the San Isabel National Forest near Rye when suddenly you’re transported into “Game of Thrones.”

Before you stands an awesome castle of stone, complete with turrets, towers, bridges, ornamental ironwork and a fire-breathing dragon sculpture perched atop the upper level’s grand ballroom.

Don’t gawk from the car. Stop, park and explore the free, one-of-a-kind attraction built single-handedly by Jim Bishop, who bought the 2.5-acre parcel for $450 in 1959. He’s doggedly worked almost every day since to bring his creation to life.

ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE AND PARK 4218 Colorado Road 3A, Cañon City, 888-333-5597, royalgorgebridge.com Many creatures have visited one of Mother Nature’s great clefts. This Colorado canyon dives 1,250 feet, measures 50 feet wide at its base and 300 feet wide at its top, making it one of the bigger canyons in the state. Dinosaurs wandered the region many years ago, as evidenced by fossils discovered nearby. Native Americans followed, and now tourists face their acrophobia by strolling onto America’s highest suspension bridge, 956 feet above the Arkansas River.

But there’s more to do than ogle the landscape. Adrenaline junkies can try the Cloudscraper Zip Line and Royal Rush Skycoaster, and others can ride an aerial gondola or watch the kids play in Tommy Knocker Playland, a three-story playground with a carousel, ropes, slides, nets, tunnels, 20-foot towers and splash pad. History buffs will enjoy a mini-documentary about the gorge in Plaza Theater.

DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD AND MUSEUM 479 Main Ave., Durango, 877-872-4607, durangotrain.com Step into the boots of the Old West’s miners, cowboys and settlers as you ride along the same tracks through the 2 million-acre San Juan National Forest near Durango. You’ll board a coal-fired, steam-powered train and view wildlife, waterfalls and mountains.

The railroad helped found the town in 1879, and when tracks to Silverton were finished in 1882, the train began hauling silver, gold ore and passengers. The family-friendly locomotive has been in operation ever since and today offers multiple rides, including themed events throughout the year.

THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY 2999 County Road 53, Keenesburg, 303-536-0118, wildanimalsanctuary.org The oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary, and the first to create large habitats for rescued animals, sits on almost 800 acres about 45 minutes north of Denver.

They do things a little differently here. Instead of coming faceto-face with the animals, as you would at a zoo, visitors stroll along an elevated 1.5-mile walkway and look down on more than 500 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other exotic and endangered carnivores rescued from horrible captive situations. They’re rehabilitated at the sanctuary and allowed to live and roam freely for the rest of their lives.

The walkway helps ensure that the animals aren’t stressed by being eye-level with visitors, which triggers their fight or flight instincts, according to the sanctuary.

Championship rodeo is coming to town this summer at the 79TH Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, July 10-13, 2019! v Fan Zone fun with rides, games, mutton bustin’, & lots of western shopping v Bonus Bullfighters Only (BFO) Freestyle Bullfighting (Wed., Thurs. and Fri. only) v Parking is FREE!

Evening performances Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday (Rodeo starts at 7:00 p.m., grounds open at 4:00 p.m.)

Saturday Matinee starts at 12:30 p.m., grounds open at 10:00 a.m.

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RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATRE 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, 720-865-2494, redrocksonline.com Forget for a minute the awesome lineup of musicians and comedians you can get almost personal with during concerts, and take in the gloriousness that is this park just west of Denver. Carve out time to explore the national historic landmark, with more than 700 acres of flora, fauna and those hulking orange and red sandstones, named Creation Rock and Ship Rock. Folks can hike around an hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset.

Try the Trading Post Trail or walk, bike or horseback ride along Red Rocks Trail. For those who want to amp up their heart rates, run the stone steps inside the amphitheater or unfurl your mat for one of the regular early morning yoga classes.

Kids and adults will enjoy checking out the park’s fossil fragments, and don’t forget the dinosaur tracks.

GLENWOOD CAVERNS ADVENTURE PARK 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs, 800-530-1635, glenwoodcaverns.com It’s the country’s only mountaintop theme park, and to get there, you must ride the Glenwood Gondola from the valley floor to the park entrance. Along the way, visitors are treated to views of the Roaring Fork Valley, Glenwood Canyon and Mount Sopris.

Once in the park, thrill-seekers can try the alpine coaster, Haunted Mine Drop, Glenwood Canyon Flyer, Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride and Giant Canyon Swing, or check out the 4D Ride Theater, laser tag and two 40-minute walking cave tours.

Get your adventure

off the ground.

Welcome to exhilaration. Boasting picturesque mountains and canyons, The Broadmoor Seven Falls offers hiking through “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” Our Soaring Adventure features 10 zip lines spanning 250 feet to 1,800 feet. You can marvel at nature as you hike across two 200-foot suspension bridges, with a controlled 180-foot rappel back to the canyon floor. Reach new heights at sevenfalls.com.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

83107 Broadmoor • 7 Falls Soaring Adventure • Colorado Springs Gazette • 9.45x10.98 • 4/16/19

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FESTIVALS

COURTESY OF CU PRESENTS

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1958 in association with the University of Colorado. An outdoor summer performance is pictured on the Boulder campus. This year’s festival runs June 7-Aug. 10 in Boulder.

BY MICHELLE KARAS

The Gazette

MEADOWGRASS FESTIVAL

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

May 24-26, La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, Black Forest For more than a decade, a homegrown music festival has been kicking off summer in an otherwise quiet corner of Black Forest, just north of Colorado Springs.

The family-friendly MeadowGrass Music Festival returns to La Foret Conference & Retreat Center this Memorial Day weekend. This year’s lineup features bands such as The Ballroom Thieves, Tea Leaf Green, Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express, Reckless Kelly, Daniel Rodriguez of Elephant Revival, Patrick Dethlefs, Whiskey Kate, Meadow Mountain and Colorado Springs’ own Woodshed Red and Roma Ransom.

“We started as a collaboration between a lot of organizations in town — specifically La Foret — wanting to get people out. Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative wanted to be able to provide a way for local musicians to get seen,” said Michele Mukatis, last year’s festival director.

The festival includes a beer tasting, music workshops, yoga, activities for kids, vendors and camping. Tickets are $47.99-$267.99; meadowgrass.org. Kids 12 and younger get in free.

June 7-Aug. 10, Boulder See the Bard’s classic works performed by the Colorado Shakespeare Festival professional theater company under the stars at this annual rite of summer held on the University of Colorado campus.

This will be the festival’s 62nd year, with performances of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” “As You Like It” and “Romeo and Juliet” offered in June, July and August.

“Twelfth Night” is a comedy that centers on how love is blind, said CSF producing artistic director Timothy Orr in a news release. It will feature original live music from composer Rinde Eckert. The tragedy “Romeo and Juliet” is “a play about falling in love with someone who your tribe tells you is the wrong person. And you don’t get a choice or a say in that conversation,” Orr said. “As You Like It” is a comedy that follows a woman fleeing political persecution.

Plays are performed in the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and the indoor University Theatre. Tickets start at $18. cupresents.org

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COLORADO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL June 15-Aug. 4, Larkspur Grab your velvet gown or jaunty knickers, brave the Larkspur traffic jam on Interstate 25 and get thee to the Ren Fest. The eight-weekend, rain-or-shine celebration has all the 16th-century trimmings — a royal court, turkey legs, costumed merrymakers and seven stages of performers.

The fair, now in its 43rd year, averages 200,000 visitors over 16 days. Costumes are encouraged and are available to rent. It’s open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Themed weekends ensure that repeat visits offer different experiences. coloradorenaissance.com

TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL June 20-23, Town Park, Telluride Guitar-pickin’ music and the beauty of the San Juan Mountains draw more than 11,000 “Festivarians” yearly to the historic southwestern Colorado mining town of Telluride. The festival features veteran and newbie folk and bluegrass acts.

This year’s lineup: Chris Thile, Gregory Alan Isakov, Lake Street Dive, Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Wood Belly, Railroad Earth, Sierra Hull, Yonder Mountain String Band, Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Punch Brothers and Steve Poltz. bluegrass.com.

DONKEY DERBY DAYS

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Scenes from the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

June 22-23, Cripple Creek The festival celebrates Cripple Creek’s wild donkey population, believed to be direct descendants of the beasts of burden from the mining town’s heyday during its Gold Rush days around the turn of the 20th century.

Every year, participants run a half-mile race with the donkeys by their side, completing various tasks and overcoming obstacles.

Two-man teams lead donkeys from one end of Bennett Avenue to the other, completing activities along the route in pursuit of the coveted Donkey Derby Days trophy.

The two-day jamboree dates to the 1930s, when local businessman Charley Lehew created it to attract summer visitors.

There are also street vendors, melodrama performances, pancake breakfasts, a beer garden, parade, “Kiss my Ass” donkey kissing booth, live music and family-friendly activities such as a dog show and a petting zoo.

Admission is free. visitcripplecreek.com

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BRAVO! VAIL MUSIC FESTIVAL June 20-Aug. 4, Vail The series, run by the nonprofit Bravo! Vail, started in 1987 as three concerts and has evolved into an international festival with dozens of performances. Residencies include Dallas Symphony Orchestra, June 28-July 4; the Philadelphia Orchestra, July 5-13; and the New York Philharmonic, July 17-24. Orchestra concerts take place at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail.

Some concerts are free while others require an individual ticket ($29-$250). Lawn tickets for children 12 and younger cost $5. bravovail.org

GREEN BOX ARTS FESTIVAL July 4-13, Green Mountain Falls Although the Green Box Arts Festival didn’t officially begin until 2009, its roots developed in 2006 as a dance residency for New York City-based Keigwin + Co. Now in its 11th year, the tradition is supported by the Kirkpatrick family of Oklahoma, which has ties to Green Mountain Falls.

The festival has broadened to include art installations, music, the culinary arts, classes and activities, including yoga, hiking, silversmithing workshops, stargazing, conversations with artists, wine tastings and bingo.

This year’s art installation will be an aerial project suspended over Gazebo Lake. It makes its debut July 4.

“It is a soft, fluidly moving, adapting sculptural form,” Janet Echelman told The Gazette in April.

“When one point in the sculpture moves with the wind, every other point is affected and changed where they lie in space. The shape of the sculpture is always in flux, a reminder to us of our fluid place in the physical world.”

Festival performances are free, but artist workshops require paid registration. greenboxarts.org

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July 5-19, Crested Butte The “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” is host to this festival celebrating Rocky Mountain wildflowers. Crested Butte’s mountainsides come alive with the colorful blooms of lupine, Indian paintbrush, columbine, mule’s ears, aspen sunflowers and larkspur, among others, after the snow melts every spring.

A couple of thousand people attend the Wildflower Festival, now in its 33rd year. The festival is dedicated to the conservation, preservation and appreciation of wildflowers in the Gunnison Valley. It boasts more than 200 events, including art and photography classes, guided hikes, Jeep tours, catered events, botany and geology lessons and van tours.

Festival headquarters is the Historic Train Depot, 716 Elk Ave. Events are filled on a first-come, firstserved basis. There are some free speaking events. Classes carry registration fees. crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com

GETTY IMAGES

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKS FESTIVAL Aug. 16-18, Lyons Music lovers flock to this iconic three-day outdoor festival held on 20 acres along the St. Vrain River. Some have dubbed it the most beautiful outdoor festival grounds on the planet. Performing will be Ani DiFranco, Mandolin Orange, The Oh Hellos, Ben Folds, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Violent Femmes, Daniel Rodriguez, The Steel Wheels, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, The War and Treaty, Gasoline Lollipops and Ellis.

Three-day passes, single-day tickets and on-site camping are available ($75-$235). Tickets are limited. bluegrass.com/folks

YAMPA VALLEY CRANE FESTIVAL Aug. 29-Sept. 1, Steamboat Springs and Hayden The greater sandhill crane calls the Yampa Valley in Northwest Colorado home. It’s been a summer tradition for the past eight years to celebrate this iconic species at the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, presented by the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition.

The four-day festival runs Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. Festival highlights include a keynote by Kerryn Morrison, manager of the African Crane Conservation Program for the International Crane Foundation/ Endangered Wildlife Trust, and a photography workshop.

Visitors can participate in guided crane viewings, nature and bird walks, speakers, films, art, crane yoga, and a photo contest.

Most events carry a small fee. coloradocranes.org

ADVENTURE

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Visitors take in the views of the San Juan Mountains from the Oh! Point lookout near the summit of 12,800-foot Engineer Pass while exploring the historical Alpine Loop. Engineer Pass begins outside Ouray and runs east 30.9 miles, 27.2 miles unpaved, to Lake City.

BY SETH BOSTER

The Gazette

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK 1000 U.S. 36, Estes Park, 970-586-1206, nps.gov/romo/index.htm Where oh where to begin?

Start very early — seriously, don’t expect a spot after 9 a.m. on weekends — and you could embark from the Bear Lake parking lot. That’s the gateway for many of Rocky Mountain’s excursions to alpine lakes and waterfalls, popular for good reason.

If you’re up to the challenge, take Old Fall River Road about 7 miles to the lesser-known Chapin Creek trailhead, ascending a pair of peaks above 13,000 feet for some of the best views in the park.

Do your research before you take on fourteener Longs Peak.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a drive to the tundra on Trail Ridge Road, the “highway to the sky” usually opening in late May. Sunday, May 12, 2019

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WOLF

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Nature Educational CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE FILE Tours Amphitheatre Peak in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area can be seen from Trappers Lake.

All tours are by rSTATE eservatio FOREST STATE PARK n 14, Walden, 970-723-8366, cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/stateforest 56750 ONLColorado Ywould !

No one blame you for skipping the summer crowds at Rocky Mountain National Park. Per-

haps instead, check out the park that often gets called RMNP’s little sister, hiding in the northernmost part of the state to meet the marvelous Medicine Bow Mountains.

The appeal is the same: jagged peaks, alpine lakes, mixed forests, wildflowers. You’ll want to stay awhile by securing a campsite. Oh, by the way, this area is known as Colorado’s moose capital.

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Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center Center Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Learn more at:orgwww.wolfeducation.org certified AZA - Association·ofCenter Zoos and Aquarium /501©3 Colorado Colorado Wolf Wolf We719.687.9742 & &areWildlife Wildlife Center

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719.687.9742 719.687.9742··Learn Learnmore moreat: at:www.wolfeducation.org www.wolfeducation.org

719.687.9742 · Learn more at:“If heaven www.wolfeducation.org The Gazette once asserted: is in Colorado, it’s somewhere far west in the San Juan Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center Mountains, along the 63-mile Alpine Loop.”

We are certified AZA - Association of Zoos and Aquarium /501©3 org Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center The road is snow-free typically between June and September. Don’t let the short window close 719.687.9742 · Learn more at: Wolf www.wolfeducation.org Colorado & Wildlife Center We Weare arecertified certifiedAZA AZA--Association Associationof ofZoos Zoosand andAquarium Aquarium/501©3 /501©3org org

without Wemore are certified AZA - Association of Zoos and Aquarium /501©3 org taking some burly wheels for a spin. Opt for an off-road outfitter at any of the loop’s base 719.687.9742 · Learn at: www.wolfeducation.org camps — Lake City, Ouray and Silverton — and set a course through rugged beauty at its finest.

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

719.687.9742 · Learn more at: www.wolfeducation.org Discover mining history in forgotten meadows and streambeds and awaken your senses at 719.687.9742 · LearnWe more at: www.wolfeducation.org are certified AZA - Association of Zoos and Aquarium high-altitude basins/501©3 bursting org with wildflowers. Take your pick at trailheads for five fourteeners

We are certified AZA - Association of Zoos and Aquarium /501©3 org

We are certified AZA - Association of Zoos and Aquarium /501©3 org

posted beside the loop.

TRAPPERS LAKE Trappers Lake Lodge: 7700 Trappers Lake Road, Meeker, 970-878-3366 or 970-878-9916, trapperslake.com Somewhere between Meeker and Yampa but not close to either, a remote pocket features shimmering water that reflects the majesty of the Flat Tops Wilderness.

It was here that Arthur Carhart felt inspired to pen a note about “places with scenic values of such great worth that they are rightfully property of all people.” Those words are considered the foundation of the 1964 Wilderness Act. Trappers Lake is a hidden gem that must be seen to be believed. Check in with Trappers Lake Lodge for a historic cabin or grab a campsite nearby.

HOT SPRINGS After a morning of adventure, nothing’s better than resting weary bones and muscles in Colorado’s geothermal waters.

From Colorado Springs, the best and closest allure is Buena Vista. Families delight in the pools at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, while couples hope to find a romantic spot down by the creek.

On the other side of town, Cottonwood Hot Springs is a quieter, more intimate option.

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort boasts the world’s biggest mineral pool, while a Steamboat Springs enclave similarly has vied for the state’s most highly regarded soak. Strawberry Park Hot Springs offers overnight accommodations around rustic ponds.

LOST CREEK WILDERNESS BACKPACKING The masses flock to the high country, while Colorado Springs’ nearest wilderness area goes widely unexplored. Defined by the humble Puma Hills and Tarryall Mountains, Lost Creek is no less wondrous than the West’s highest peaks.

Take it from Gerry Roach, best known for his fourteener guide but also writer about these unspoiled summits surrounded by rock marvels. “This special place is gentle to the mind and soul,” he writes.

Let the place work its magic on you over multiple days. Backpack through dense forests and wide-open plateaus, surprises at every turn. The Goose Creek trailhead is a go-to launch pad.

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18 ROAD Fruita, fruita.org/parksrec/page/18-road-trails Out on the Western Slope desert, 18 Road is a required pilgrimage for any serious mountain biker. Beyond the dry, rolling terrain making it the world-class destination that it is, the trail network takes on greater significance considering its background.

It was built through the 1990s by ragtag locals who simply loved to ride, and it has come to represent the economic heartbeat of Fruita. The sport rules in town. And 18 Road is the proud showcase, featuring trails that speak for themselves with names such as Zippity Do Da and Pumps, Bumps and Rollers.

RAFTING Summer 2019 promises to be a memorable one on the river.

Winter left bountiful snowpack on the mountains, spelling a runoff that will make rapids big and rowdy.

It’ll be busy in Chaffee County, with guides showing families to famed corridors along the Arkansas River. Same goes for outfitters around the Royal Gorge, another iconic whitewater getaway.

But with conditions not always this ideal, maybe it’s the season to take advantage of more far-flung waters. Look to the Western Slope for breathtaking trips on the Colorado and Yampa rivers.

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Bag a thirteener. Buck the fourteener trend and climb slightly lower peaks that can be just as glorious and challenging. To bag two thirteeners in one trip, drive almost 7 miles up Rocky Mountain National Park’s scenic Old Fall River Road and park near the Chapin Creek trailhead. Steeply ascend Mount Chapin, then take the trail up mounts Chiquita and Ypsilon, both above 13,000 feet. When the 8-mile trip is done, you’ll have seen some of the better panoramic views in the park.

FISHING SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

S e r v i c e & R e p a i r C e n t e r

TELLURIDE’S VIA FERRATA

S a t e o f t h e A r t

The South Platte River has a fabled place in the imaginations of anglers everywhere. Unfortunately, they see crowds building, blemishing that glorious picture of them alone in their waders, surrounded by coniferous hillsides stocked with granite.

From Colorado Springs and Denver, drivers go up and down Colorado 67 competing for a spot on the paralleling river. Yes, many will sacrifice solitude if it means a trophy catch. And this is a good bet. Thousands of rainbow, brown and brook trout are known to lurk in every mile of the South Platte, the ones 20 inches or longer in clear sight.

Fear of heights? Then this is no bucket list item for you. Otherwise, Telluride mountain guides say their town’s via ferrata, Italian for “way of irons,” is appropriate for many skill levels.

Let them equip you and take you to the sheer rock face hundreds of feet above the valley floor. Hand- and footholds have been placed there for an exhilarating traverse surrounded

by stunning scenery. Around one corner awaits Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s highest cascade.

Via ferratas date to World War I, used by Italian troops navigating the Dolomites. Chuck Kroger, a local legend in alpinist circles, is credited for Telluride’s route. What started as a local secret is a secret no more. From near and far, people come for the adrenaline rush.

719-425-2284 - Sales and Service 719-425-8180 - Parts and Accessories

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RV & Trailer Dealership *New Consignments Welcome!

11145 US-24, Falcon, CO 80831 • 719-425-2284 • Premierautoandrv.com Sunday, May 12, 2019

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FOOD AND DRINK

STEPHANIE EARLS, THE GAZETTE

Celestial Seasonings tours begin in the Boulder company’s tea shop.

BY STEPHANIE EARLS AND TERESA FARNEY

The Gazette

CHEROKEE RANCH & CASTLE FOUNDATION

BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

6113 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, 303-688-5555, cherokeeranch.org.

About 50 miles north of Colorado Springs on U.S. 85, Cherokee Ranch & Castle is impossible to miss. The replica of a 1450s Scottish-style castle is one of Colorado’s gems. It offers many programs, including afternoon teas and lunch on the terrace.

The teas include scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and pastries, followed by an hour-long castle tour.

Lunch brings a gourmet buffet, also followed by a tour. Open by reservations or appointment only.

While you’re in Sedalia, check out the downtown’s antique shops and the historic Sedalia Museum. For a quick burger, head to Bud’s Cafe and Bar, or for a more classic sit-down meal, try Gabriel’s Restaurant and Tuscan Bar.

1770 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4993, boulderteahouse.com A Colorado treasure, the Dushanbe (doo-shan-bay) Teahouse is nestled alongside Boulder Creek in Central Park. The restaurant is one of Boulder’s local favorite for great food, tea and atmosphere. The Dushanbe is an authentic Persian teahouse — the only one in the Western Hemisphere. It celebrates the establishment of sister city ties between Boulder and Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. It’s an artistic wonder where you can enjoy international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Traditional afternoon tea features more than 80 premium teas.

Plan your visit to coincide with the Boulder County Farmers Markets in Central Park (13th Street and Canyon Boulevard) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Visit bcfm.org.

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BOSQ 312 S. Mill St., 970-710-7299, Aspen, bosqaspen.com Aspen is rife with places to eat, with more than 70 restaurants and bars in the 30-square-block downtown. At Bosq, with owner and chef C. Barclay Dodge cooking, you’ll find a memorable meal worth every penny. Much of the produce is locally grown, and the wine list runs deep, with bottles starting at $44. Even with a spacious patio, the place fills quickly. Reservations are a must.

A couple of others for your Aspen bucket list: the Meat & Cheese Farm Shop, 319 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-710-7120, meatcheese.avalancheaspen.com and SO Café on the top floor of the Aspen Art Museum, 637 E. Hyman Ave., 970-925-8050, aspenartmuseum.org/visit/aam-café.

Many literature lovers also take the short drive to the Woody Creek Tavern, where the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson reigned for decades. Its Mexican food and blue agave margaritas are almost as legendary as Thompson.

THE SOURCE HOTEL + MARKET HALL 3350 Brighton Blvd., 720-443-1135, thesourcehotel.com Denver’s original food hall, which started as a renovated 19th-century foundry, opened in 2013. You get wellness shots by day and classy cocktails by night at Isabel cocktail lounge, eclectic American at Acorn, coffee at Caffe Figurati or craft beers at Crooked Stave Brewing. The Source Hotel opened next door, featuring Alon Shaya’s modern Israeli cuisine at Safta, wood-fired food at Smok, the Woods bar and restaurant on the rooftop, and a New Belgium Brewery outpost.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOOD TOURS rockymountainfoodtours.com If you’d like to explore Colorado Springs’ downtown eateries and bars, here’s your ticket to get the job done.

• The Pikes Peak Progressive Dinner: A four-course meal with an optional wine or craft beer pairing. Cost $84.99; 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

• The Springs Signature Cocktail Tour: Stops at four cocktail lounges. Cost $68.99; 4 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

• The Original Colorado Springs Food Tour: Stops at five restaurants. Cost $58.99; 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

CELESTIAL SEASONINGS 4600 Sleepytime Drive, Boulder, 303-581-1202, celestialseasonings.com Sometime around the Summer of Love, a group of entrepreneurial Boulder bohemians began regular hikes into the Rocky Mountains to forage for wild flora they could dry and sell, in local shops, as herbal infusions.

A half-century later, Celestial Seasonings is the nation’s largest herbal tea company, responsible for the slurping of some 1.6 billion cups of tea each year and a business philosophy that embraces eco-consciousness.

The company’s headquarters is also its sole global production facility, and free guided tours are offered throughout the day. Sign up and sip some complimentary coziness while you await your guide.

get the hell outta dodge.

Steal away a day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It’s a 64-mile journey that zig zags through steep mountain canyons, the high deser t, and lush meadows between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Begin your adventure in either town. The trip includes a hearty lunch buffet and luxury motor coach shuttle back to your car. Your daily grind can’t follow you into the great, unspoiled West.

book now at cumbrestoltec.com 1-888-286-2737

COSpringsGAZETTE_Dodge_9.45x5.43.indd 1

America’s most historic scenic railroad Sunday, May 12, 2019

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4/28/19 5:38 PM

Cocktails by Michael Meyers at Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs.

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COORS BREWERY

DISTILLERY 291

13th and Ford streets, Golden, millercoors.com/breweries, 800-642-6116 Colorado is a major player in the realm of small suds, but it’s also the motherland of Big Beer’s biggest: The world’s largest brewing facility was founded in Golden almost 150 years ago, after a 20-something former brewery apprentice named Adolph Coors emigrated from Germany to the U.S. with a prized Pilsner recipe.

Whether your bag’s beer or history, a tour of the Coors Brewery will satisfy; if you’re at least 21, it comes with tastes of the brewery’s famously familiar libations.

Tours are $5 for Colorado residents 21 and older; $10 for out-of-staters and free to active-duty military and veterans.

1647 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, 719-323-8010, distillery291.com A former fashion photographer who shares a name with both a comedian and a 1980s slasher-franchise villain is a rising star in the distilling front, producing his creations inside a modest spot off South Tejon Street and consistently earning global kudos.

Michael Myers founded his small batch whiskey distillery in 2011, and his spirited libations since have earned some of the industry’s top nods, including World’s Best Rye at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Double Gold Medal at last year’s New York World Wine & Spirits Competition.

The distillery’s flagship single-barrel rye Colorado Whiskey is aged for a year in American white oak barrels and finished with aspen staves.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

PLAY HARD. REST EASY. All year long.

THE GAZETTE FILE

The monks are gone, along with its Catholic distinction, but the former Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City still commands respect for its architecture, events center and revered wines.

SKA BREWING CO. 225 Girard St., Durango, 970-247-5792, skabrewing.com The craft beer dance floor is choked with edgy dynamos these days, but it wasn’t so long ago that Ska moshed more or less alone. The punk-rock-inspired brewery was opened in 1995 by founding partners whose affection for suds long predated their ability to enjoy them legally.

The beers — including Rue B. Soho and Hoperation Ivy — are a shout-out to Bill Graham and Dave Thibodeau’s favorite musical genres, as well as an insider wink to those who get the references (in this case, the Rancid hit “Ruby Soho” and influential late-1980s punk outfit Operation Ivy, respectively).

Ska’s 100% wind-powered headquarters features a beer garden, outdoor bar and daily tours.

THE WINERY AT HOLY CROSS ABBEY 3011 U.S. 50, Cañon City, 719-276-5191, abbeywinery.com “Beer is made by men, wine by God.” — Martin Luther The Protestant reformer’s words on vino would have been sweet harmony to the Benedictine monks who once lived and worshiped at Holy Cross Abbey.

The abbey was founded in 1924 and by the 1970s was home to 240 members, a number that swiftly sank. The monks remaining in the early 2000s planted a vineyard that’s still home to award-winning wine. The Gothic Revival-style monastery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Salida ART WALK

JUNE 28-30, 2019

An Immersive Art Experience www.salidaartwalk.org

Nestled between mountain and Main Street, Beaver Run Resort has everything you need for your Rocky Mountain escape.

Your Colorado dream vacation starts here.

BeaverRun.com 800.288.1282 Sunday, May 12, 2019

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WONDERS

The sixth and final supermoon of 2015 sets behind the Kissing Camels rock formation in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

THE GAZETTE FILE

BY JENNIFER MULSON AND SETH BOSTER

The Gazette

GARDEN OF THE GODS 1805 N. 30th St., 634-6666, gardenofgods.com Join the droves of tourists who motor through the 300-foot stunning sandstone formations every summer. Everybody’s on a mission to walk among the geologic wonders, and with 15 miles of trails through the park, you’re sure to find one with an appropriate level of difficulty.

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Rock climbing, bouldering and horseback riding are also available. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a living history farm and museum, is nearby, as well as Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.

And don’t forget the park’s No. 1 photo op — pretending to hold up Balanced Rock with one finger.

World of WearableArt™ Where fashion and art collide

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve outside Alamosa.

BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK 15 miles northeast of Montrose, via U.S. 50, 970-641-2337, nps.gov This is not the spot where you want to slip on gravel. The canyon yawns more than 2,700 feet from its rim to the Gunnison River, more than twice that of the Royal Gorge. The opening is so narrow at points that sunlight only reaches the bottom at midday.

The South Rim offers a 7-mile drive, 5 miles of trails and the opportunity to walk to the canyon floor. The North Rim features a 5-mile unpaved drive. Both sides are rich with wildlife sightings, such as bears, golden eagles and peregrine falcons.

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE 11500 Colorado 150, Mosca, 719-378-6395, nps.gov If you miss the days of hanging out with your kindergarten buddies in a little square sandbox, a big surprise awaits you in the southern part of the state.

The national monument is home to North America’s tallest dunes, shooting up more than 750 feet and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Visitors are invited to surf the windshaped geologic wonders, either by sand sledding or sandboarding. Equipment is available to rent.

Folks also come here to hike, stargaze and take advantage of Medano Creek, often dubbed a secret beach. Its snowmelt waters peak around late May, and the creek vanishes come July and August.

HANGING LAKE 110 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs, 970-384-6309, visitglenwood.com/hanginglake Mother Nature has a special gift for you at the end of your 1.2-mile grueling hike in Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest: a glittery, teal lake and waterfalls in the middle of the woods.

The lake is the result of a geological fault, and water flowing over Bridal Veil Falls for years has built up the lake edge. Increasing popularity has damaged the vegetation and trail, so a plan was put in place last year to protect the National Natural Landmark. Visitors now must reserve a $12 permit, online or at the welcome center, from which you’ll be shuttled to the trailhead between 6:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. through Oct. 31, and allotted three hours until you’re picked up. You can shorten or lengthen your visit.

International Touring Exhibition June 22–Sept. 22, 2019

In the Op, Lai Kit Ling, Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong. Photo credit: World of WearableArt™ Ltd

fac.coloradocollege.edu · (719) 634-5581 Sunday, May 12, 2019

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DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

June - september

the best family fun experience experien e this summer!

catch a ballpark experience like never before! new ballpark improvments

4545 U.S. 40, Dinosaur, 435-781-7700 There’s dinosaur bones in them thar cliffs.

Head to the northwestern edge of our fair state, and you’ll find the Yampa River Canyon and the remains of our gargantuan predecessors in the red rocks of the monument.

Inside the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall are about 1,500 more dinosaur fossils, all still encased in the rocks in which they were found, and petroglyphs and pictographs are in several spots in the monument. Take a ranger-led

Celebrating 140 years of History and Fun 1879-2019

new food and beverage options new promotions and giveaways

- 11 Firework shows Star wars, Lion king, Harry Potter

- New Fan Giveaways - $2 Tuesdays - Military Nights

- S’mores Galore!

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK 970-529-4465, nps.gov/meve The past comes to life in the Four Corners region, where semblances of this state’s

earliest people remain. It’s much more than semblances at Mesa Verde National Monument.

This archaeological treasure chest protects elaborate homes and gathering places that Ancestral Puebloans built along the cliffsides many centuries ago.

Most striking is Cliff Palace, believed to be North America’s largest dwelling of its kind with 150 rooms. Rangers tell visitors to channel their inner Indiana Jones at Balcony House, where a 32-foot ladder leads to tight tunnels and passages. Behold in-ground water basins and mysteries atop two more ladders at Long House, reached after a mile-long hike and canyon descent.

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT 1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, 970-858-3617 x360, nps.gov/colm The Grand Canyon has its slice of the Colorado Plateau and Utah’s famous arches have theirs. Meanwhile, the name state of the mighty plateau has the monument encompassing these 20,500 acres, where the possibilities are as endless as the horizon.

From any viewpoint, you might snap the next picture that hangs in your house. You’ll want to catch the sun rising and setting, painting the ancient rock slabs and pinnacles orange and red as they protrude from the green valley floor. Ensure the view by reserving a campsite or finding a place in the backcountry. Otherwise, take your self-guided tour on Rim Rock Drive, where it’s easy to feel one with the sky.

MAROON BELLS

- Character Nights

- $3 Thirsty Thursdays - 50 cent Hot Dog and Bark in the Park Sundays

hike if you’d like to dive deeper into the area’s history.

Once you’ve had your fill of triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex tales, take advantage of the scenic roads for a long drive, hit the hiking and biking trails, saddle up a horse or find a spot to throw out a fishing line.

Discover Our Year-Round Events and Great, Safe Communities! townofmonument.org

Tickets on Sale Now! @vibesbaseball www.vibesbasebll. om 22 | THE GAZETTE | Sunday, May 12, 2019

Shuttle from Four Mountain Sports, 76 Boomerang Road, Aspen, 970-945-3319, aspensnowmass.com We’ve seen the display everywhere — on calendars, brochures and social media feeds.

But the pictures don’t do it justice. Sure, you can wait for fall when the hillsides between the twin, pyramid peaks are awash in aspen gold.

But the layer of forest green is still spectacular in the summer.

Either way, between June 8 and Oct. 7, you’ll have to take the shuttle from Aspen Highlands — unless you’re on a bike, the locals’ preferred method of transportation. At Four Mountain Sports, the ticket to ride is $8 for adults, $6 for youth and seniors. The view is well worth the price.

RIFLE FALLS STATE PARK 5775 Colorado 325, Rifle, 970-625-1607, cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/riflefalls Take Interstate 70 to the cattle ranching town of Rifle and teleport to the tropics, finding yourself at the lush base of a three-pronged waterfall. The water crashes down from some 80 feet, lending a refreshing breeze. Easy trails lead to the views above the cascades and to the dark depths of limestone caves tucked behind them. Your Colorado nature photo album isn’t complete without a visit.

LONE EAGLE PEAK Sulphur Ranger District: 970-887-4100, fs.usda.gov/ recarea/arp/recarea/ ?recid=8083 The sight is worthy of all praises, unlike anything else in Colorado: a mountain shaped like a perfect triangle, like a craggy pyramid watching over an emerald pool. That is Lone Eagle Peak at Crater Lake, and it’s a sight that must be earned.

It’s at the end of the Cascade Trail, about 7.5 miles one way. The path meanders forests and meadows with views of awe-inspiring promontories and glaciers along the way. At Crater Lake, the 12 designated campsites are almost always booked in the summer (first come, first served after Sept. 15).

You’ll likely have to make an out-and-back trip of it, meaning you’ll probably want to stay overnight near the trailhead in Grand County to ensure an early start. You’ll be sore upon your return, and Lone Eagle’s haunting beauty will stay with you long after.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE

Lone Eagle Peak looms over Crater Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

The aCademy of Children’S TheaTre

Building Character, Confidence and Creativity Summer CampS Ages 4-High School Acting, Musical Theatre, Broadway Combo, Improv, Stage Combat, Audition Techniques, Acting for TV Commercials & MORE! Weekly Camps Offered Throughout June & July

For more information, call 719.282.9101 or visit our website at www.ACTcolorado.net Sunday, May 12, 2019

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CENTER! FREE NATURE

SECRETS OF THE GARDEN Learn The

Before You Visit The Park

AMERICAN BUFFALO

COLORADO WILDLIFE

DYNAMIC INTERACTIVE MUSEUM EXHIBITS

NATURAL HISTORY

• Interactive, educational, and fun exhibits • See the Theiophytalia kerri dinosaur - discovered only in the Garden • Explore the Park’s converging ecosystems • Mountain Majesties, a virtual tour of Colorado’s highest peaks • Wide-angle, time-lapse video of the Garden through the seasons • Giant 3D interactive Topographic map

UNIQUE DINOSAUR

“HOW DID THOSE RED ROCKS GET THERE?” A show millions of years in the making In the Geo-Trekker Theater • Journey through time and space to learn about the Garden of the Gods • A fun, exciting, entertaining and educational 12 minute HD movie adventure • $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • FREE Maps, Daily Nature Walks, Adventure Programs, Hiking, Summer Segway, Jeep and 1909 Trolley Tours, Guided Rock Climbing, Bike Rentals and Guided eBike Tours

DINING AND SHOPPING

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gardenofgods.com

• Bean Sprouts® Café - Dine indoor or outdoor with a world famous view

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Award Winning Gift Shop Specializing in Colorado-made items

MEMORIAL DAY to LABOR DAY

ESTABLISHED IN 1995, WITH PROCEEDS BENEFITING THE PARK

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719-634-6666 OPEN DAILY

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day)