Tag: Lifestyle
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Colorado ski area pledges all-natural snow while eyeing new lifts, facilities, summer activities
A comparatively small ski area in Colorado has big hopes for the future. That’s clear from Monarch Mountain’s proposed master development plan, which was recently filed by the U.S. Forest Service. The land-owning agency will now review projects outlined in the 108-page document, including upgrades to lifts and facilities, expanded parking and trails and new…
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On all sides of massive pool, a historic hot springs destination has evolved in Colorado
Space is plentiful in the world’s largest hot springs pool. As for solitude on the busy afternoon of our recent visit? For that, we stepped out of the Grand Pool, away from vacationing families and joyful kids, and walked over to the much smaller and hotter pools on the edge of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. …
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Boulder County shifts away from ‘alternating use’ for mountain bikers
Mountain bikers and hikers will use Boulder County trails as they always have after leadership declined a proposal for “alternating use.” Under the proposal recently presented to county commissioners, a pilot program would have had cyclists moving one direction while other users could still choose directions on popular trails at Heil Valley Ranch ー what…
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New trail on Pikes Peak among summer projects on Colorado 14ers
The season of hiking Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains also comes with tending to their trails. June began with Rocky Mountain Field Institute staff and volunteers hauling equipment up the backside of Pikes Peak ー the site of an effort that launched in 2019 to build a new Devils Playground trail toward the summit. The effort has…
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A scenic journey through time on an epic, underrated drive in southern Colorado
FREMONT COUNTY • A backcountry road bends between creek-fed greenery to reveal a gaping hole in the granite arching high against the sky. “I love Window Rock,” says Charlotte Bumgarner. It’s but one curious sight she loves along the endlessly curious Gold Belt Tour of southern Colorado. Bumgarner is executive director of a stewarding nonprofit…
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Pikes Peak Highway, cog railway offering rare sunrise, sunset viewing for upcoming holiday
One way to ring in America’s Independence Day? By catching the sunrise atop America’s Mountain ー no long, hard hike required. The Pikes Peak Highway gates will open hours earlier July 4, giving drivers the chance to behold daybreak above 14,000 feet. Road-managing Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain has billed it a “truly magical” opportunity that is…
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‘Once-in-a-generation celebration’ of Colorado’s 14ers planned for state’s 150th birthday
Preparations are underway for an ultimate celebration of Colorado’s biggest mountains on the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1. Summit 2026 was recently announced as “a once-in-a-generation celebration of the mountains, landscapes and outdoor experiences that shape our state.” The mission: to have assigned teams on all 54 fourteeners. The announcement from the state commission promoting…
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This red rock wonderland hides behind a hogback near Denver
Around Denver, people know Red Rocks Amphitheatre. They know the red rocks of Roxborough State Park. They know the related, similarly aged Flatirons in Boulder and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. But do they know South Valley Park? Tanner Marshall, a natural resources specialist with Jefferson County Parks and Open Space, offers yet…
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Happy Trails: Touring South Valley Park’s surprise beauty near Denver
South Valley Park doesn’t get the attention that North and South Table Mountains and Matthews/Winters Park get — top destinations in Jefferson County Parks and Open Space’s portfolio. A natural resources specialist with the department, Tanner Marshall, thinks that’s because South Valley’s trails aren’t as varied. “Pretty flat, tame trails, nice for strolling around,” he…
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Trail mileage doubling at Baker’s Park, poised to be next mountain biking destination in Colorado
Trails are expanding as part of a mission to make a mountain biking destination in southwest Colorado. A short ride up from Silverton’s main street, the first trail of the Baker’s Park system ー a 7-mile loop opened in 2024 ー has been frequented by local and visiting hikers and runners as well. But from…