Author: Seth Boster
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As a southern Colorado town evolves, a historic hotel is reborn
CAÑON CITY • Eight years ago, Stan Bullis stood here looking at the natural beauty: the mountains sought by hikers and bikers and rock climbers, the Royal Gorge and Arkansas River sought by boaters and anglers. And he stood here looking at dark, vacant buildings up and down Main Street. “It was sort of mystifying,”…
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6 reasons why we love this Colorado fourteener road that reopens this summer
After a nearly 21-month closure for construction, one of Colorado’s most acclaimed roads is reopening this summer. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America, climbing to a pinnacle of 14,130 feet. But as the saying goes: It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. Here are six reasons why we…
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Troubled waters: An uncertain rafting season gets underway in Colorado
On the last day of May, along the Arkansas River that he has been paddling for 30-plus years, Mike Harvey found himself in a kayak he would not typically use this time of year: his racing boat, which is longer, narrower and lighter. It was better suited for this very atypical start to summer. The…
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Northern Colorado trail celebrated as ‘final link in a 50-year vision’
A trail dream has come true in northern Colorado. A celebration is set for 9 a.m. June 13 at Timnath Community Park, close to a new stretch of concrete being called “the final link in a 50-year vision.” Indeed, the Poudre River Trail dates back to the 1970s, when Fort Collins officials broke ground on…
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New mountain trail west of Denver recalls major T. rex fossil, historic amphitheater
A trail recently opened on one of the Denver area’s most recognizable mountains ー and “history came alive.” That was the word from Jefferson County Parks and Open Space in announcing T. rex Tooth Trail on South Table Mountain. The trail runs 1 ½ miles along the southern rim of the mountain, providing a “critical”…
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New management eyed for Maroon Bells, continuing a trend across federal lands in Colorado
One of Colorado’s top postcard images will remain the same. But behind the scenes, the management of Maroon Bells Scenic Area could look different. The U.S. Forest Service is considering a special-use permit for Pitkin County to manage the day-to-day around the iconic lake reflecting the twin peaks. Between May and October of last year,…
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Free shuttle starts to Red Rocks, other destinations west of Denver
A long-envisioned shuttle to top outdoor destinations in the Denver area has officially hit the road. Memorial Day weekend marked the launch of Westracks ー beginning an initiative to cut back emissions and hassles for drivers who might otherwise fight traffic and struggle for parking. The free shuttle is also aimed at getting people without…
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Vision shaping for long-sought bike path off scenic, deadly highway in Colorado
In Boulder, local and visiting cyclists have long sought a dedicated path away from the popular but dangerous shoulders of a highway through scenic, hilly countryside. They’ll have to keep waiting. A bike path along U.S. 36 between Boulder and Lyons still requires bureaucratic approvals, tens of millions of dollars and potentially another year or…
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Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway reopening for visitors eager to return after closure
After nearly two years away, Coloradans will return to one of the state’s most scenic roads Memorial Day weekend. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is reopening ー North America’s highest paved road climbing more than 7,000 feet from Idaho Springs toward the summit near 14,130 feet. Reservations can be booked at Recreation.gov: $20 for vehicles…
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New singletrack coming to one of Colorado’s most iconic trails: ‘A very important addition’
One of Colorado’s most iconic trails is growing. A nearly 2-mile stretch of singletrack is expected to be built this summer along the Monarch Crest, along a vaunted, well-traveled corridor above 11,000 feet that is part of the Colorado Trail. “The Colorado Trail is one the greatest trails in the world, and it’s going to…