The State of Colorado is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States.

Colorado Trip

Sept 1999

DENVER

Denver, capital of the state, is located on the Great Plains. Having a population of under 600,000, it is a very manageable city to visit. It is both refined and laid back, with a charming downtown pedestrian area. Wander the 16th St. Pedestrian Mall. There is a Hard Rock cafe, Wolfgang Pucks, tons of shops, a performing arts complex, art museums and a zoo. Walk through the park and historic government area where the capital is located.

Downtown Denver is referred to as LoDo. Here you can explore the warehouse renovated area. Tour Coors Baseball Stadium where the Colorado Rockies call home. The Denver Broncos of the NFL also lay claim to Denver.

Due to its proximity to the mountains, Denver with its snow-capped peaks has generally sunny weather. In fact, it has 300 days of sunshine per year; consequently, it has become an active outdoor city. It's also the major beef production hub in the Rocky Mountain West.

PIKES PEAK

Pikes Peak is 77 miles from downtown Denver and six miles from Colorado Springs. It is most definitely worth a trip. It is the highest cog rail train in the world, going up to 14,110 ft. summit. The railway begins its journey at Manitou Springs depot. The adventure follows a stream through a steep canyon with dense pines and gigantic boulders, climbs above timberline where you may see marmots, big-horned sheep and possible elk or deer. At the summit, you can see Denver and the Sangre de Cristo Mts. toward New Mexico; to the West is Cripple Creek and the Continental Divide formation. You should buy your tickets on the internet before your trip. Dress warm. It was 40 degrees at the top with snow flurries when we were there in September.

CRIPPLE CREEK

Cripple Creek was built on gold mining. In the 1890s, it was the world's greatest gold camp. Cripple Creek mines dotted the mountainsides. Today it offers a glimpse back to the gold rush era. There is a steam train to ride, or tour the museums, or check out the casinos for some old-fashioned fun. The maximum money you can bet is controlled by state law so you can't go hog wild like you can in las Vegas.

CENTRAL CITY

This is another old gold mining city en route to Estes Park in the Rockies. We followed 119 North through scenic canyons, going through Black Hawk and stopping in Central City, a gold rush town from 1850 with gambling and casino storefronts. If you are headed toward Estes Park, you may want to stop in Boulder where you will find a strong hippie haven. There is a nice downtown and pedestrian area, and the University of Colorado.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Estes Park is at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and a moderate climate with abundant wild life. It's a great place to stay if you plan to spend time in the park. There are miles of great hiking trails and scenic drives, including Trail Ridge Rd. and the Continental Divide.

The area is a favorite for outdoor activity including hiking, climbing, river rafting, kayaking, skiing, swimming, biking, boating, hunting and golf. We spent a few days here mostly hiking the trails. Then we departed for Grand Junction, taking Trail Ridge Rd. (Rt. 36) through Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park over the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass, then down the western side of the Rockies to Grand Lake (48 miles), then 40 East to Granby through Fraser and Winter Park to Empire and on to 70 West. We stopped for lunch in Vail and on to Grand Junction for the night.

VAIL

This has become (since 1962) one of the busiest and most expensive of Colorado's winter sport resorts. It's a neat little town. We only spent a couple hours here.

DURANGO

We loved Durango! This is a high energy town with endless recreational opportunities and a rich history. It has a small population of 15,000, without the tourists. It is located near the Four Corners junction where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado touch in one place. It's elevated at 6500 ft between red sandstone bluffs and the Animas River Valley.

Downtown Durango is a historic district with eclectic cafes, art galleries, museums, award-winning restaurants, the old Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, and Mesa Verde National Park is close by. It provides a host of outdoor activities. Try Henry's Restaurant in the old historic Strater Hotel for good food.

Ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, but make your reservation weeks in advance. This train carried mined ore, livestock, timber, etc. through the high mountain terrain in the late 1880s before its use as a passenger scenic railway. It stops in Silverton, and you have time for lunch and exploration. It is the train featured in the train robbery scene in the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. For the return trip to Durango, go either by train or bus (two hours shorter). It's a neat train ride with gorgeous scenery.

MESA VERDE

titlehough Mesa Verde is in Colorado, it is very close to the Arizona border. From Durango, it took us 1 ½ hours to get there. Some 1400 years ago, a group of people living in the Four Corners region chose Mesa Verde as their home. Before disappearing as a distinct civilization 700 years ago, they (the Anasazi) built hundreds of cliff dwellings. Those that have been preserved are now known as Mesa Verde National Park. There are guided tours to the Cliff Palace, the Balcony House, and the Spruce Tree House can be done on your own. Plan to spend an entire wonderful day here.

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