It is easy to forget that, as Coloradoans, we live in one of the most envied states in the nation. A lack of saltwater notwithstanding, our state abounds in natural beauty and fascinating Western history. We get to live in one of America’s prime destinations, where the roof of the Rocky Mountains harbors world-class ski mountains and many of America’s most iconic and beautiful mountain towns. People from many eastern states dream for a lifetime of getting the chance to spend just a few days in the wonderland that is our backyard.

With such a scenic bounty at our doorstep, it’s easy to take it for granted. We’ve seen the Flatirons and the Maroon Bells; driven Trail Ridge Road and the Pikes Peak Highway; and visited most of the famous mountain ski towns. Now what? Well, we just need to look a little closer because, in the obscurity behind the hype of these iconic locations are layers upon layers of incredible “staycation” opportunities that even many long-time residents of Colorado may not be familiar with or have thought about as destinations.

Here are just a handful of those less obvious staycation ideas that might remind you of all the discoveries still to be made in our big and beautiful state if we’re willing to look a little closer.

Cortez and the Canyons of the Ancients

Colorado’s written history covers only a tiny blip of time in the long march of ancient human habitation. Around the time of the Chinese Song Dynasty, about a thousand years ago, Puebloan peoples were building extraordinary stone structures by hand among sandstone cliffs in the southwestern part of Colorado. Mesa Verde National Park represents some of the best preserved of these dwellings, but I’m focused on an area on the other side of Cortez from the famous national park. In a seemingly empty high desert expanse to the northwest of Cortez, extending to the Utah state line, there is a vast and contorted canyonscape called Canyons of the Ancients. It is here, and not the much more compact Mesa Verde, where there exists the greatest concentration of archeological sites in all of North America.

You read that correctly. Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is one of the nation’s newest national park system units. This gold mine of ancient native history and desert scenery went remarkably unrecognized and unprotected until the year 2000 when President Clinton used the Antiquities Act and designated it as a very large 176,000 acre national monument.

According to the National Park Service there are over 8,000 documented archeological sites here. But, remarkably, they believe there are over 22,000 additional undocumented sites within the monument, from stone granaries, to lookouts, to dwellings, to still undiscovered petroglyphs. They are not easy to find or get to, and it should remain that way. If you have an adventurous nature and some outdoor exploration skills, a sense of true discovery still awaits here. Be sure to respect what you find and leave it undisturbed, as these are not only historic, but also sacred.

St. Elmo and Tincup – Ghosts of the High Road

In 2018, there was somewhat of an uproar about people calling Tincup a “ghost town.” It seems the three year-round residents wanted to correct the record. There is a similar mystery on the other side of the high Sawatch Mountains to the east of Tincup in the historic mining town of St. Elmo.

Do people live there year-round or not?

It’s hard to confirm one way or another. Regardless, these two high country places were once both thriving mining centers of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 residents at their near simultaneous peaks in the late 1800s.

This history is common across Colorado’s mountains—of booming mining towns sprang up overnight to thousands of residents only to collapse into oblivion within a generation. Many of them disappeared into true “ghost towns,” their existence betrayed only by a few deteriorating old cabins and mine leavings. Some of them were rejuvenated into ski resorts or county seats. And still others, like St. Elmo and Tincup, hung onto a delicate thread of existence on the edge of oblivion, preserved only by the tenacity of a few stubborn old timers and then later a few wandering new-age hermits looking for a place to hide from a crazy world.

One thing cannot be denied: these old relics of the gold and silver mining eras are fascinating and set in stunningly beautiful locations. You need to own or rent a high-clearance four-by-four vehicle to link St. Elmo to Tincup over the tundra of Tincup Pass. At over 12,100 feet, the pass is one of Colorado’s highest and most beautiful.

On the east end is St. Elmo, a long drive up a back road from the Buena Vista area, reachable by a standard car. This gorgeous approach will take you right between two of Colorado’s fourteeners—Mounts Princeton and Antero. In St. Elmo, you’ll find a very well-preserved set of old cabins and storefronts and a couple of operating businesses in the summer, one of which will sell you a little bag of seeds for a couple of bucks.

The seeds are for a gang of overweight ground squirrels and chipmunks who live in a woodpile across the street and will eat out of your hand. Normally, feeding wildlife is a bad idea, but these particular critters are too corrupted for that to matter anymore. They waddle around scarfing seeds from the hands of giggling kids (and some adults) every day in summer and sleep off their extra fat in winter. Not a bad life.

From St. Elmo with your 4X4 you are likely to find yourself among a convoy of other off-roaders. You continue up and over the Sawatch Mountains on this rough road that, in the early 1900s, was considered a state highway. You’ll drop down the other side of the Continental Divide eventually to St. Elmo’s ghost twin, Tincup.

The town was originally incorporated as Virginia City, but that name was already taken elsewhere, which confused the postal service. It was then renamed Tincup because the first prospector to discover gold in the area was an 18-year-old kid who brought back his loot in a tin cup.

Despite its quaint name, Tincup was very much the outlaw town in its day. The Marshall was shot dead in 1882, and his replacement was shot down the next year in 1883. Back then the town was similar in population to present-day Buena Vista, complete with hotels, schools, many saloons and all the other trappings of a late nineteenth-century western mining town at over 10,000 feet in the Rockies.

Today, Tincup is much quieter, nicer, and likely prettier as the forest continues to regenerate along the formerly stripped hillsides, and much of the mountainous territory around Tincup (and St. Elmo) is now protected wilderness and national forest land. Indeed, these twin pseudo ghost towns are set in one of Colorado’s most beautiful corners

 Colfax Tourist Marathon

Colfax has quite a reputation. Its nickname is “the longest, wickedest street in America.” Longest is a fact. Colfax avenue is indeed the longest continuous city street in America at 26.5 miles, just beating the distance of a marathon.

Now, here’s an idea for a staycation that may really seem “out there.” But let’s turn away for a moment from those beautiful mountains to the west and look into the gritty underworld of Denver’s urban core. Colfax Avenue is Denver’s original Main Street. It cuts a swath across the entire city, from Aurora, in the east, to the edge of Golden in the west. Along much of this line a battle is taking place between Colfax’s seedy and gritty past, and more recent attempts at “upscaling” and rejuvenation. But as they say “Colfax is gonna Colfax.”

Despite its scary reputation, some of it very much deserved, there are gems to be found along these historic 26.5 miles if you’re the immersive urban tourist type, or just want to perhaps get out of your comfort zone. But, be prepared, you will see some “stuff” along the way.

The idea here is an urban slow marathon—an irregular multi-day journey along the entire length of America’s longest street and its nearby hoods. Keep your head on a swivel, seek discomfort, keep an open mind, and you might just have a blast.

The potential haunts and sights are way too numerous to list here, so we’ll stick with just a handful, rapid-fire style (and not necessarily in geographic order): Check out some vinyl at Twist and Shout, an old school record store. Catch a band at the Bluebird Theater and then follow it up with some punk at Lion’s Lair. Take a four-block side-trip north on the west side of the city to Sloans Lake Park. Find weird and cool outdoor art along the green line of 40 West Arts. Roll some strikes at the old school Holiday Bowling and Billiards. And, of course, love it or hate it, you can’t consider a Colfax tour complete without a dinner (or at least a famous sopapilla) at Casa Bonita.

Whether you are new to Colorado and looking to find a unique place to “staycation,” or a long-time resident searching for some new haunts, Colorado truly has many options close to home. The three examples here are just a sample of the wonderful secrets our state still harbors. So, get out there and explore your own beautiful back yard!

The post Staycations: Unexpected Historical Gems of Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

For some, it is a checklist; for others, a test of internal will. Some are driven by recovery — from cancer, from an eating disorder, from depression. And some, like true athletes, are motivated by gummy bears.

Colorado peaks have drawn inspiration and desire since the first indigenous inhabitants made a life in their shadow. Just west of Salida, the Angel of Shavano is said to be encapsulated on the snowy face of the mountain of the same name. A legend, repeated among several indigenous cultures, claims that a princess sacrificed herself so her tears could bring water to the sprawling valley, now known as Chaffee County.

In more modern times, the mountains have inspired songs by Katharine Lee Bates (“America the Beautiful”), John Denver (“Rocky Mountain High”), and Stevie Nicks (“Landslide”), arguably any of which would be a more beautiful and representative national anthem than the wartime tune we currently uphold.

Colorado is home to 58 peaks that stand above 14,000 feet. They span the length of the state, some in dense ranges, and some that stand alone. To be considered one of the 58, a peak must hit certain criteria. First, and most obviously, the peak must stand at le ast 14,000 feet above sea level. Second, there must be at least 300 feet of elevation gain between summits, meaning if a ridgeline connects them, one must go up and down 300 feet for it to be considered two different peaks. For a hiker to claim they have climbed a mountain, they must gain at least three thousand feet of elevation during their adventure.

Map of Colorado’s 58 Fourteeners

What is “peak bagging”?

For many hikers, it is a goal to climb all 58 of the Fourteeners. Some make this a lifetime mission, while others attempt it in shorter time frames or even consecutively. The peaks stretch from the midline of the state to the far western border. The classes of difficulty range from Class I, an easy hike, to Class IV, which involves some climbing. While bagging a Fourteener is a major undertaking, it is attained by many, all coming from different backgrounds and abilities.

Who is taking on the challenge?

The mountains inspire passion and adventure in people of all walks of life. With early mornings, late-night camps, cold summits, and heavy packs, over 250,000 hikers make their way up the peaks every year. Each one travels with their own motivations, experience, and strength.

The Volunteer

Emily Hemendinger spends her work week as a psychological clinical director at Anschutz Medical Campus. She runs programs, sees patients, and speaks at conferences, making a name for herself in the field of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In her free time, she is in the mountains. When not hiking, she volunteers with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative as a peak steward, helping spread information about safety and sustainability at trailheads or along the trails leading to the summit. She explains, “I find it rewarding to educate people on why they shouldn’t be trampling through the alpine environment or why their dog should be on a leash.” Emily goes on to explain that hikers have expressed annoyance, especially after the pandemic, with the crowded trails, but with her work, she can help people find successful ways to share the space. “I think it can be frustrating for people that the peaks are crowded, but ultimately, we all deserve to be out there.”

Hemendinger began her fourteener journey about a decade ago after moving to Colorado. In her first year, she climbed six — all Class I — and located within a few hours of the Front Range. As she gained confidence, she started to push her boundaries and learn how to navigate the high alpine environment safely. She explains, “Being able to do all of the Fourteeners, I think they offered various experiences and challenges. Being seventeen years recovered from an eating disorder myself, I love being able to be in a place where I can fuel and push my body to the limit and see how resilient and amazing it can be when I’m in a place of recovery.”  She goes on to state that this accomplishment has also given her a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for her body.

Emily’s Top Tip: If it is financially reasonable, hire a guide. As she explains, “For Capitol and the Maroon Bells, I did not have anyone to go with and did not want to take those on alone. I understand that it is not reasonable for everyone, but it made it one of my best experiences to have a knowledgeable person helping with route finding and keeping my wits about me.”

The Couple

Adrienne and Colin Lane were childhood sweethearts from North Carolina. When they relocated to Colorado, there was a hold up with most of their belongings, and they went nearly a month without any possessions. It was then that they started exploring the peaks, first climbing Bierstadt, then making their way to longer, more demanding climbs and adventures.

Both Adrienne and Colin work alternative schedules, with Adrienne as a neonatal practitioner and Colin as a social worker. Working long shifts allows them to group days off to complete larger objectives. This was especially necessary when Adrienne faced a major health crisis. She recounts, “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. For me, the mountains were what was normal. And so in the midst of our lives, feeling like a bomb just went off, we could go to the mountains, feel like nothing changed.”

Now, cancer-free and having completed all the Fourteeners, Adrienne and Colin enjoy pushing their limits on new trails and backpacking, taking on some long, through (or continuous) hikes on long, rugged trails.

Adrienne and Colin’s Top Tip: Take your time and enjoy the experience. Colin explains, “I feel like people rush it a lot, and I get that. And it’s hard when you only have the weekends, which is why the Front Range peaks are packed, but take your time and enjoy it.” He recommends finding alternatives, taking longer routes, and trying backpacking.

The Advocate

Connor Koch came to Colorado immediately after graduation, being offered a position by Erik Weihenmayer, a renowned mountaineer who was the first to climb the tallest peak on every continent while completely blind. Connor was in charge of managing Erik’s keynote speaking business.

As a fledgling athlete, the Fourteeners were a way to forge his way into bigger adventures. Connor explains that he completed the Fourteeners two or three years after moving to Colorado, stating, “To me, that was just an excellent progression ramp of skills and risk and fitness and all the different things that go into decision making in the mountains.” As an athlete for Arc’Teryx, Connor has also climbed all of the Fourteeners in California, completed first descents of major ski mountaineering objectives, and helped lead the first wheelchair summit of a peak in Colorado.

In 2018, when Connor was still working with Weihenmeyer’s program, No Barriers, he was approached by Nerissa Cannon, a strong and spirited athlete who wanted to have the first wheelchair summit of a Colorado Fourteener. Connor planned and arranged for the right gear to help Nerissa summit. He states, “On the day, 30 strangers to Nerissa showed up and spent eight hours pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, stabilizing her over creeks and up the ridge. And Nerissa, of course, is completely exhausted, right? She’s pushing her wheels; she’s using her core muscles to stay upright in her chair. Plus, it’s also totally exhausting to trust in people in that way.” Connor goes on to detail how crowded the trail was that day, how excited people were to be a part of such a monumental experience.

Connor’s Top Tip: Get creative. Connor explains, “I think you know, the further out I get from the 14ers project, as it were, the more gratitude and appreciation I have for what all that offered. I think it’s a unique challenge in terms of really, the sky’s the limit as far as how you want to link them up and how technical you want to get.”

The Creator

Greg Forkins hiked Longs Peak as his first fourteener with the rest of his Boy Scout troop, which was visiting from Illinois. Many years later, Greg moved to Colorado with his wife Keely to be closer to her family. “She and I started doing fourteeners right away after moving out here. We started with Pikes Peak, then resolved to climb the rest of the Fourteeners together.” It was from this goal that their passion project, 14er Summit Log, was born.

The log lists each peak with a place for a hiker to record the main details of their climb, such as time started and completed, which route was taken, who was there, and what plants and animals were seen. There is also space for the hiker to take more notes to remember the trip better. Much like a diary or gratitude journal, logging an adventure can be a way to remember an important milestone as time goes on. Greg said, “You might also see the blank pages and feel inspired to do more and push yourself.”

For Greg, there are deeper reasons. With a young child, he knows his mountain days will soon look different. “It’s really important to us that our son is growing up exposed to the outdoors. Hiking brought me closer to my dad during my Boy Scout days, and it’s something that my wife and I have bonded over, so we hope that climbing 14ers will keep our family close in the years ahead.”

Greg’s Top Tip: Do not give in to intimidation. He explains, “Although it can seem intimidating, with the right training and preparation, climbing fourteeners is more accessible than one might think. There is little that can compare to the feeling you get while standing on top of a 14,000-foot peak.”

The Family

When Kate Beller started her fourteener journey, she was a single mom, finding her sanity and strength in trail running. At the time, her oldest son, Cole, was 5 years old, and she did not want to have to leave him every time she ventured to the trails, so together they started climbing the peaks. As the boys grew older, she started taking both of her sons. Kate goes on to retell that for a while, her younger son, Crew, would wear a Godzilla costume on the peaks, calling himself “Baby Godzilla,” adding some fun and whimsy to all they passed on the trails.

For Kate, she has learned to keep her personal goals and drive at bay. She states, “I don’t start a race and not finish the race.” Beyond this discovery, Kate has learned that both boys respond to different styles of encouragement. “I had to realize that I had to keep loving it. I didn’t want it to be something that he wasn’t enjoying anymore. He’s doing mountain biking and basketball, and he can have other things. And I’ve also told him that you don’t have to be a one-sport kid. You can enjoy multiple things.”

Kate’s Top Tip: Prioritize snacks. She explains, “When we started, I would give them a snack every half mile.” Kate believes this strategy helped the boys get more in tune with the distance traveled. Furthermore, Kate applied snacks on theme: “Haribo gummies — any kind — are always a must. Then themed things like Cheetos for Castle and Animal crackers for Antero, Twinkies for Tabeguache, and so on.”

The Self-Powered Athlete

La Sportiva and Ultimate Direction athlete Justin Simoni rarely takes the conventional path. An athlete who makes art with his undertakings, he found a home in Colorado, taking on most major adventures on his bike. “I had already crossed the country three times on my bike when I hatched the idea to take on all the Fourteeners by bike.” As he started looking at maps and planning the attempt, he found that someone had completed this goal in 37 days in the ’90s.

“I moved from Denver to Boulder and just became like a Zen Buddhist monk, living in a little room and dedicating myself to this goal.” After six or seven months of training, I just felt ready to go. He started by riding his bike 100 miles from Golden to the base of Pikes Peak, then completing the 25 miles of hiking in one day. From there, the adventure became a whirlwind. “I ended each day thinking ‘Wow, that was nuts.” Eventually, Justin settled into using the bike during his recovery time, pushing his body to run the Fourteeners. With creativity, endurance, and speed, Justin knocked another three days off the attempt.

Justin’s Top Tip: Try leaving the car at home. “You catch the bus and ride up to Buena Vista, where you can ride your bike to the base of Shavano, where you can complete a hike. Justin states that all of this can be done in time to get home in time for dinner.

The Local Gal

Kyra Whitworth grew up in Colorado, spending her formative weekends hiking and exploring the natural landscape. She explains, “I spent most of my childhood hiking or just being outside all the time, every spare moment, so that kind of just stuck. Then I met my husband in high school, and he had already done a couple of peaks, and I thought I would give it a try too.”

The peaks remained a pillar of her relationship, even when her partner moved to Iowa for dental school and Kyra remained in Colorado, adventuring. They spent their time together checking off peaks and growing in the sport together. They eventually got engaged on the Crestone Needle, solidifying their love and future together with the mountains as witnesses.

Kyra explains that having the list has motivated her. ?”I love going to new places and having new experiences and having a nice list of ‘Here’s all these places that I can go and new things to see.’” She refutes the idea that peak bagging is just about ticks on a list. “?People say, ‘Yeah, you’re just checking the box,’ but when you look back on it, even if it was really hard, you do feel a sense of accomplishment, and you’re like, ‘Hey, I got better because that was really hard,.’ I always [have] little things to learn on every single one that we’ve done.”

Kyra’s Top Tip: There will always be give and take regarding hiking with your partner. She explains, “?We’ve kind of traded off a lot regarding skill level. I feel like he started out at a more advanced level.” She states that she grew in her confidence and ability, making their team more dynamic and strong. She finishes with encouraging words for anyone getting ready to take their beloved on a new adventure: “You’re going to have to be patient or encouraging, and there’s gonna be times where you’re gonna have to make a really hard decision together. Be ready to listen.”

Looking at fellow trail users as a community, rather than a nuisance, can be the beginning of enjoying sharing the trails. Every person, making their way up the peak, has a motive, a goal, a drive to get them up high.

The post Who Is Climbing the Colorado Fourteeners? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Dark storm clouds stretched out from the Rocky Mountains, shrouding one side of Chatfield Reservoir. Yet to the left, the sun shone brightly through thick white clouds. The light created a rainbow that stretched across the water, making a path for the 40 or so sailboats that darted around.

It was a Wednesday night, which meant members of the Colorado Sail and Yacht Club were out in full force for an evening of racing. A pontoon boat sat anchored in the middle of what looked like organized chaos to a rookie sailor. On it sat the race commissioners.

“You have a Capri 22 coming up on your port side,” said Mike Sotir, who was working the fore deck of the Zulu, a J30 sailboat. “You see it?” Along with being a CSYC member, Sotir was a former student-now-instructor at the Victoria Sailing School based in Denver. And his sailing ventures have brought him all over the world from Colorado’s lakes to the Adriatic Sea.

“Yep, I see them,” said Trey Hegstrom, another instructor at the Victoria Sailing School and commodore of the CSYC. Hegstrom grew up in Minnesota, where he learned to sail dinghies — small, lightweight sailboats. Also aboard were fellow Victoria Sailing School instructors John Ingell, Bob Ratliff, and Tony Cochrane.

The pontoon sounded the first of four horns and flew the “class” flag to designate which boats were going to start (The race was split into three groups by sailboat type.).

“There’s the five-minute countdown,” said Sotir.

“Sailboat racing is the only sport where competitors get a running head start,” said Hegstrom with a smile as he continued to circle the other boats, some of which had already started their racing divisions. Others, like the Zulu crew, were waiting to begin.

Another horn sounded, and the preparation flag went up.

“Four minutes,” announced Sotir.

For the race, the boats had to hit different numbered buoys anchored throughout the lake. Ratliff marked the course on an 8.5 x 11-inch laminated map with a dry-erase marker.

Another horn sounded, and the preparation flag went down, signaling there was one minute left to start.

With less than a minute to go, Hegstrom pointed us to the starting line. The final horn sounded, and off we went.

This is sailing in Colorado.

Sailing in the desert

“There’s sailing in Colorado?”A question every sailing instructor in the landlocked state has been asked multiple times.

Bill Edwards, who joined CSYC back in 1997, is one of the original members, and he is also a volunteer for the club’s races. “I joke that I moved to the desert to learn to sail. But if there is a puddle, we will sail it.”

Melissa Gorchynsky, executive director of Community Sailing of Colorado, who teaches classes at Cherry Creek, Boulder Reservoir, and Standley Lake, expressed a similar sentiment. She sailed in Annapolis, Maryland, known as America’s sailing capital for a number of years. But after moving to Colorado, she thought she had “turned in my sailing gloves for climbing shoes.” Fortunately, that’s not exactly how things worked out. After moving here Gorchynsky reached out to the Denver Sailing Association to see if they needed any volunteers.

“The fleet captain was like ‘What are you doing Saturday?’” And she found herself sailing that same weekend. “It’s really interesting to move to a landlocked state, knowing that there are other people who are water starved.”

Where there is a lake, you are likely to find a club. There is Dillon Marina Sailing School in the high country, Union Sailing Club in northern Colorado, Lake Pueblo Sailing Club in the south, and many others. While the landlocked bodies of water give mariners a place to go, sailing on mountain lakes presents its own unique set of challenges.

Dillon Reservoir, for instance, might seem perfect for sailing along 26.8 miles of shoreline. At over 9,000 feet above sea level, according to the Denver Gazette, it’s “the world’s highest deep-water marina.” High-elevation pressure systems can lead to instant weather changes, with a lake being no exception.

“It’s insane to sail up here because the air is really thin,” said Gorchynsky. “It doesn’t feel like sailing at sea level at all. Whitecaps form on the water at sea level when the wind is blowing at about 13 knots. Whereas in the Front Range, it’s about 15 knots, and at Dillon Reservoir it’s about 18 knots.[15 miles per hour.] So you can look out at the water and think, ‘It’s not that windy,’ and then you get out there, and it’s a completely different story.” She goes on to explain that up at Lake Dillon, the wind can be especially erratic and seems to come at you from all different directions. “I have been on boats where the indicator flags on opposite sides are pointing at each other.”

Tim Geisler, founder and lead instructor of Nautilus Sailing based in Crested Butte, echoes this sentiment. “The changing conditions really keep sailors on their toes. So if you can sail the high mountain lakes, you can sail most places.”

Initially, when Nautilus opened in 2010, they sailed the Blue Mesa, the largest lake in Colorado. But the sailing season is pretty short there, especially when compared to other places, so the school’s focus shifted. They now bring students to different spots nationally and internationally. This aligns with Gorchynsky’s adage, “If you can sail here, you can sail anywhere.”

Getting out on the water in Colorado

For someone who is interested in giving the sport a try, there are ample clubs and schools throughout the state eager to get more prospective sailors out on the water.

Just be careful, though: “Sailing is addictive,” said Sotir.

The Victoria Sailing School offers classes at Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and Carter Lake. “We have been growing each year,” said Tibor Van den Wildenbergh, who co-owns the school with his wife Erica Cook.His father-in-law started the Victoria Sailing School back in the 1980s, making it the oldest sailing school in the state. “We have around 450 kids in our summer programs, and our adult classes have been expanding. And much of our marketing is word of mouth. Our students become champions of the school.”

After completing beginner courses, students can then go on to take more advanced theory, sailboat maintenance, and navigation classes. Along with classes in Colorado, the Victoria Sailing School offers sessions in California and beyond.

“We can train somebody who has never sailed and get them to a place where they can buy a boat and go explore the world on their own,” said Wildenbergh. “We give people the opportunity to start their sailing journeys here and expand out to wherever they want to go.”

Similarly, Community Sailing of Colorado offers classes for both kids and adults. “It’s a great place to quote, unquote ‘get your feet wet,’” said Gorchynsky.

CSC’s camps start kids as young as five, where they learn important skills like water safety and sail on a boat with an instructor. Once they are seven, they can hit the water with their fellow campers with an instructor helping them from a motor boat.

“We have these teeny tiny 6 foot long by 3 foot wide boats that almost look like little floating bathtubs. They look awful,” said Gorchynsky with a laugh. “But the kids have so much fun tearing around the water with them. It looks like a mama duck motorboat being followed by a handful of little duckling sailboats. It’s too cute.”

Adult beginner classes are offered at both Boulder and Cherry Creeks, with two different sizes of boats depending on where you are sailing. The classes are three hours long and meet once a week for a month. Additionally, once students complete the starter course, they have the option to dip their toes in the water, so to speak, and explore racing.

“On Thursday nights, we race at Cherry Creek,” explained Gorchynsky. “It’s run by the Denver Sailing Association who has volunteer skippers such as myself. We invite graduates, so they can see if they want to take it to the next level or have any interest in racing. It’s a really fun social scene. Just show up. We will get you on the water. We have a strict ‘no person left on shore policy.’”

Additionally, CSC partners with different organizations to offer adaptive sailing programs that allow individuals with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities to experience the water for a day. CSC also offers low or no-cost spots at sailing camps for kids whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it. And they help promote Able to Sail, which offers programs specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Finding community

At the end of the day, “It’s all about the people,” says Ingell. Cruising around Chatfield — when the instructors weren’t talking strategy or making comments about the fishermen who plopped their boats right in the middle of the action — the crew was eager to talk about their love of the sport and what makes sailing in the Centennial State so special.

According to Wildenbergh, just about every major lake and reservoir has a club.“Since everyone is spread out, the sailing community is a bit fragmented,” he said. “But each club’s community is so much bigger than you would expect. If you just show up on a race night and meet people, there are plenty of chances to get on the water.”

Gorchynsky explains that in places like Annapolis, people just assume you sail. When you go out to a bar, it’s not, “Where do you work?” she explained, but “Who do you sail with?”

Out here, maybe one has to work a bit harder to find the community, but once one finds it, they are golden.“I was driving the work van once, and someone started honking at me and asked me to roll down my window at a stop light,” said Gorchynsky. “They just yelled ‘Hi! I sail too!’ And it just speaks to the fact that we are all crazy enough to need to be on the water wherever we can. And we will support anybody who feels that kind of passion.”

The post Mountain Time Maritime appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sometimes I think that it must be really hard to be a trans person coming out for the first time while living in the United States under the Trump Administration. Then I remember that I did exactly that. I came out as a trans woman during the first Trump Administration.

I first started to tell select people in my life that I wanted to transition in 2016, and then in 2018 I finally came out to my work and family and started living my life full-time as a woman. But at the same time, I feel like I had it easier. That’s not to say that being trans in Trump’s America has ever been easy, but I think that Trump’s second term has proven to be more focused on removing the rights of transgender people than his first term was, and I can imagine it must be even scarier now to be a trans person who is figuring out who they are for the very first time.

For me, I’m sure enough in who I am as a trans woman after nearly a decade of living with it that I know there’s no scaring me back into the closet. Whatever Trump does, I’m not going back to hiding myself from the world. But it would be really daunting for me to admit to people who I am if I came out for the first time today, especially if I still worked for a non-profit, religious organization like I did in 2018 when I came out. And I shudder to think of how hard it would be to come out today for the first time if I lived in a state with a less tolerant attitude towards transgender people than Colorado.

As the Trump Administration focuses on removing transgender rights under the second administration, Colorado remains one of the safer places to live as a trans person. Still, there is a constant struggle between the federal and state governments. While Colorado seems to remain committed to protecting trans people, there are a lot of indications that nowhere in Trump’s America is truly safe. Trump started his second term by issuing an executive order basically saying that trans people don’t exist. Still, his primary tactics for abolishing trans rights have been to eliminate funding for LGBTQ+ programs and create an environment where private corporations are afraid to offer their funding to the LGBTQ+ community as well.

A Sanctuary State? Why Colorado is Safer for Trans People

In many ways, Colorado is one of the more supportive states to live in if you’re a transgender person. Colorado was the first state in the country to make gender-affirming care an essential health benefit (EHB), which means that Colorado-based insurance, individual insurance, or small business group plans have to cover certain key gender-affirming services like hair removal and facial and chest surgeries. Even before the Supreme Court ruled in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that it was illegal to fire someone from a job for being transgender, Colorado had The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), which protected transgender people from discrimination in public accommodation, employment, and housing.

Then, of course, there was the recent passage of a law, known as the Kelly Loving Act, which you may have seen talked about in memes on social media where people claimed that the law makes misgendering and deadnaming a crime in Colorado. That’s not exactly the way I would describe it from my understanding of the law. A better way to put it might be what ACLU of Colorado Director of Public Policy Anaya Robinson told me.

“That really helped clarify some of the protections that already existed in Colorado,” Robinson said to me in our conversation. “A lot of what that did was ensure clarity of the application of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, because there were a lot of portions that I think both the CCRD [Colorado Civil Rights Division] and the courts, to some degree, had trouble recognizing where those protections lie and where they don’t. I think a lot of that has to do with the [fact that] language within our [LGBTQ+] community is relatively newer in some instances, and is still really being built out socially, which is different than other protected classes within Colorado.”

Trans Continental Pipeline, a 501(c)3 officially incorporated by Keira Richards in April 2024 as an extension of a mutual aid organization that she had started in November 2023, understands that Colorado is one of the safer places to live as a trans person, as their organization helps transgender people who live in states with fewer rights and freedoms for trans people relocate themselves to Colorado. “It started with Colorado,” says Richards. “We’re working on [helping] folks move to states with adequate support in legislation.”

You may notice that, as you open up the webpage for Trans Continental Pipeline, a pop-up hits you with a notice saying, “We have seen a massive increase in new aid requests since the election. Our small volunteer team is working diligently to train new relocation managers, add more resources, and expand to other safe states. Please expect extended wait times for responses as we build capacity to help everyone we can.” So the project is still growing to meet the demand, but Richards says that she’s seen a significant need since Trump took office, especially in Texas.

“We get a lot of applications from Texas,” she said. “I’m sure that’ll come as no surprise, but they are working to reverse the gender markers for individuals. In Colorado, specifically, the biggest [challenge] that we’ve seen is when the executive order came out that there would be [a] ban for gender-affirming care under the age of 19, and three of the major hospitals in Colorado complied. A group of parents and One Colorado got on them, and the Attorney General, to get that lifted at the state level, because it was still against state law. But that highlights this weird dynamic that’s occurring where, at the state level, the legislation and regulations that we have are, hesitate to say safe, but certainly relatively better than most of the country. But that state versus federal rights dichotomy and struggle is ongoing.”

Still, while Richards speaks in qualified terms about the safety of Colorado, Robinson from the ACLU feels confident that Colorado is unlikely to reverse course on trans rights. “I don’t see any ability for Colorado to reverse course,” she said, “unless it comes to a point where the state can actually not afford to continue providing those protections and that access.”

Pulling the Purse Strings: Can Trump Cut Off Trans Rights Financially?

One of the first things I did when I realized I was ready to start exploring my gender identity was take the terrifying step of walking into a building for an organization called the Gender Identity Center. I had a drop-in session with a trans woman who was also a counselor who talked me through some of my early fears and made a very good point: she asked me, if I woke up tomorrow as a cis woman, would that be a bad thing? I said that no, that would be one of the greatest things in the world for me. She explained that it seemed I wasn’t scared of being a woman, I was scared of being trans. That was where it all changed for me, and I knew there was never any going back.

Places like the Gender Identity Center are essential in helping trans people who are struggling start to have real conversations about themselves. The Gender Identity Center no longer exists, as several years back it merged with some other organizations to become the Transgender Center of the Rockies. They continued to have regular drop-in hours and also provided the ever-important service called Marsha’s Closet — named after trans trailblazer Marsha P. Johnson — which allows trans people to get clothing that matches their gender identity for free in a stress- and judgement-free environment.

But, like many organizations that help trans or other queer people, the Transgender Center of the Rockies faces difficulties as the Trump Administration has tried to cut off trans programs by controlling the purse strings. Today, if you go to the website for the Transgender Center of the Rockies, you’re greeted with a disturbing message, saying:

“Due to recent federal executive orders and cuts to federal, state, and local funding streams, we have made changes to our operations. Our commitment to keeping ‘all’ of our programs operational remains steadfast. Each program will experience a reduction in staff. We’ll provide updates as we continue to evaluate our funding options. Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this challenging time we face.”

The Transgender Center for the Rockies declined to comment on this article, saying that they refuse to bring more negative attention to themselves by discussing the actions of the current administration. But more and more, organizations that protect the LGBTQ+ community, and particularly the trans community, find themselves facing major budgetary shortfalls.

Call 988

One of the more controversial moves the Trump administration made was removing the funding for LGBTQ+-specialized services at 988, a federally funded suicide and crisis line. What became known as the “Press 3 option” allowed callers to press 3 to be connected to a counselor with a focus on LGBTQ+ issues. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), by its own statistics, measured over 1.3 million calls from LGBTQ+ youth since the launching of the LGBTQ+-focused program in 2022.

The statement made by SAMHSA on June 17 to announce the end of their LGBTQ+ program was carefully crafted to make it sound like it was not about bigotry, but it’s not hard to read between the lines. “On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the ‘Press 3 option,’ to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,” the statement reads, trying to frame the move as a simple streamlining of the service. “Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.”

But it doesn’t take much thought to realize that nothing about eliminating specialized services for an at-risk population is going to make that population safer. A 2023 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 81% of transgender adults in the United States have contemplated suicide, 42% have attempted it, and 56% have engaged in non-suicidal self-harm. The Trevor Project, another non-profit that works with preventing LGBTQ+ suicide, points out that LGBTQ+ people are four times more likely than their peers to have attempted suicide.

Non-Federally Funded Orgs

While organizations that receive federal funding have been obvious targets for the Trump Administration — in what it calls cost-cutting measures but which oddly seem to target the queer community — organizations that don’t get their funding from the federal government have faced new fundraising hurdles since the second Trump inauguration as well. One example is The Center on Colfax, one of the most important LGBTQ+ organizations in the state and the group that throws Denver PrideFest every year in June.

The Center hosts such a wide variety of programs that it’s hard to nail down their one biggest contribution to the LGBTQ+ community. Their Glass Lawler Mental Health Center provides free therapeutic services for LGBTQ+ adults. Their Rainbow Alley program provides services and activities to LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 10-17. They have a variety of support groups for transgender individuals, including separate groups for transfemmes, non-binary adults over 40, and other very specific groups for different transgender identities. And their legal program can connect LGBTQ+ people with much needed legal aid.

Back in early June, OUT FRONT Magazine reported that The Center saw themselves on the verge of a major funding shortfall, as much as $230,000, going into their preparations for Denver PrideFest which, aside from being one of the biggest queer celebrations in the state, is also one of the most important fundraisers for The Center’s fiscal year. Much of the shortfall was chalked up to a change in attitudes and major corporations fearing the wrath of the Trump Administration if they sided with the LGBTQ+ community. However, The Center refused to name names of who was pulling out when they spoke to OFM.

“A lot of organizations that were supporting us through transformational corporate sponsorships, some of them fell under pressure of having to roll back efforts of money where they would put it,” The Center’s new CEO, Kim Salvaggio, told me about the funding shortfall. “A lot of our partner organizations, if they were taking or receiving federal grants, obviously, they felt a push also with the executive order.” But, by the time that I got in touch with Salvaggio about this article, though, The Center had made up a good deal of that shortfall going into Denver PrideFest. “We did have some sponsors that were not able to come back, but we ended up gaining some sponsors,” said Salvaggio. “We were very lucky.”

Conclusion: Big, Beautiful Bulls**t

The passage of the Republican budget bill known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been a nail-biter for the trans community. Early on, a provision was added to the bill banning coverage of gender-affirming care for minors on Medicaid, but, when passing the House back in May, the words “for minors” were stricken from the bill, meaning that the bill would have banned gender-affirming care under Medicaid for people of any age. At the time of the writing of this article, the bill has passed congress and awaits Trump’s signature to be enacted, but, luckily, the final version of the bill struck any mention of gender-affirming care. Still, the Republicans showed that their ultimate endgame is to eliminate gender-affirming care, even for adults, and, while we dodged the issue on this bill, there’s a good chance it will come up again.

“House Bill 25-1309 helped codify that right in Colorado to access gender affirming care requires that health plans that are regulated within the state include gender-affirming care,” explained Anaya Robinson of the ACLU regarding Colorado state law. “Gender affirming care is also already, in statute, legally protected medical care in Colorado. In various statutes, the state has a pretty inherent obligation to continue providing gender-affirming care through Medicaid.”

However, were a law to pass that blocked gender-affirming care on Medicaid on a federal level, the state of Colorado would have to cover the lost match from the federal government, which becomes a budgetary problem for our state. “One of the really concerning things about losing that federal match that Colorado is in an extremely unfortunate budget situation as a state mostly due to TABOR there would be some question as to whether or not the state can actually afford to cover the full cost of gender-affirming care under Medicaid if that federal match is lost,” Robinson explained.

So, while Colorado state law would protect gender-affirming care under Medicaid, there’s no telling what would happen in the ensuing budget crisis that could come about from trying to cover gender-affirming care under Medicaid without federal support. It’s one of the examples of how, even with Colorado’s safety net for trans people, there’s potential for the federal government to destroy trans rights even in this safer state. So, while Colorado remains a sanctuary for trans people right now, there’s always a fear that the sanctuary may turn unsafe again.

The post Gender Wars appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Cat and mouse

Fern Slack, DVM, first noticed something was amiss with the sick cats she was seeing regularly when many seemed to have the same exact kibble-style diet. “A disproportionate number were eating cat chow and I just started wondering. And that wondering led me slowly down this path to where I am now. Cats are obligate carnivores, they eat prey in the wild,” Slack shared.

Slack spent ten years in critical care, followed by general practice. She is now the medical director for Uniquely Cats, a Veterinary Center in Boulder specializing in all-mouse diets for cats. “I had come to feel that so many of the diseases I see are food-induced. Back in my years of critical care, I used to unblock three or four cats every night. Here, since we opened in 2017, we’ve had three cats come in with urinary tract obstructions, and all three were new patients.” Slack admitted that diet does not cure all, but it plays a major role in the physical well-being of your furry friend, and switching cats to a diet of raw mice yielded drastic improvements.

Slack shared that her veterinary center saw a virtual elimination of obesity and urinary tract infections in cats after using a diet of mice, problems she regularly encountered in the past. Felines as a whole are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat a diet of almost entirely meat to be healthy and cannot obtain what they need from plants. Your pet cat is no exception, however, so many ingredients found in traditional cat chow-style feed are not meat. “Cats eat mice, but cat food is made out of plants, and that is true even when the label claims would suggest far otherwise,” Fern said.

Prescribing diets, proscribing raw

Many pet owners have come across the pitch for prescription diets at some point by a veterinarian. The idea is an attractive one — pet food researchers have spent decades seeking out the best science, collaborating with top food companies, and getting feedback from veterinarians and animal hospitals across the nation. This, they will tell you, has led to a specific catered diet that can help cure your feline friend of a certain ailment. It appears that any caring pet owner would be foolish to ignore this advice.

Examining it further can raise questions — is any animal supposed to eat the same processed meal for its entire life? “What if you went to your cardiologist and you had an echocardiogram and the cardiologist said here’s a box of cereal you need to eat this and nothing else for the rest of your life, or you will die?” Slack opined.

“Pet food companies underwrite most of the work, if not all of it, that’s done in nutritional departments of most vet schools now. So they control what gets looked at. They gate what gets published,” Slack lamented. It doesn’t end with education. “Students and vets are told, or have it implied to them, that there’s a prescription diet for every condition. There’s nothing prescription about them. It’s very hard to get people to believe that the food is as bad as it is.”

When it comes to counting what meat is even previously dead or diseased cows, chickens, and other feed animals may be included. Concerningly, the website TruthAboutPetFood.com shared a PDF response from the FDA that communicated the following: “We do not believe that the use of diseased animals or animals that died otherwise than by slaughter to make animal food poses a safety concern and we intend to continue to exercise enforcement discretion.”

A reason prescription pet diets may be so popular is likely because they are profitable, not necessarily because they are the best solution to a health problem. “Veterinarians are not traditionally very profitable. They don’t generate tons of money. What does generate tons of money is the sale of prescription diets. They can dictate which prescription diet should be sold. And there’s where your money is.”

Deeper than you think

Insidiously, it is not just that generic pet food is bad for their digestive systems and overall health, it is the profitable feedback loop of poor diets leading to prescribed diets that keeps massive corporations making money off of veterinarians and animal hospitals. There is a real financial interest in corporations continuing to peddle food not meant for cats, dogs, and other beloved animals. Slack agreed. “It’s amazing how this whole behemoth of the pet food industry has risen over the years, and now, how it has become integrated with the veterinary world to the extent that the conflict of interest is insane.”

Publicly available information shows that massive conglomerate corporations — often associated with candy brands more than health food — own the entire process from testing, to manufacture, to food recommendation. Mars Inc. for one example, owns both Waltham and Royal Canin— nutritional research centers for pets, Pedigree and Whiskas  — massive pet food manufacturers, plus VCA, BluePearl, as well as Banfeild — some of the largest networks of animal hospitals in the nation.

Slack follows the PR and communication put out by the pet food industry regularly to keep herself and her patients informed about their sometimes shady tactics. “This one article described a method that would provide a kibble with a very irregular shape that if you put it in a can and put gravy on it, it would look like meat. So people would open the can of food and think they were looking at meat chunks. The article was not entitled ‘How to Defraud Your Consumer,’ but that was precisely what it was. The pet food industry is full of stuff like that.”

What do wild animals eat naturally?

Always consult with your trusted veterinarian before changing diets. Omnivores need much more balance and variety than carnivores do. Additionally, food allergies and intolerances exist in animals just like in humans.

Cats

• All felines are carnivores and require a diet of meat. Lions, cheetahs, cougars, and cats all have similar requirements and small digestive tracts that process animal products quickly.
• Domestic cats eat animals smaller than them, mainly mice and birds. Cats are some of the best hunters in the animal kingdom and are required to eat meat.

Dogs

• Dogs in their natural habitat, like their wolf ancestors, require a diet of mostly animal products, but not exclusively so.
• Unlike felines, canines are extremely opportunistic eaters who can not only tolerate but require fruits and vegetables as a small part of their diet in addition to hunting and scavenging.

Rabbits

• Wild rabbits’ diets consist mainly of fresh grasses, green leaves, and small plants like dandelions.
• Obviously, rabbits do not eat meat (Monty Python excepted) but despite the stereotype, even carrots are too sugary and not a healthy part of their nutrition.

Horses

• Wild horses are natural grazers, with teeth and a digestive tract designed for the long slow process of breaking down plants, just like domestic ones.
• Leaves, shrubs, flowers, and the occasional patch of fruit make up the majority of their wild meals. They eat nearly continuously, with no “meal times.”

Birds

• Although some birds are carnivorous, almost all pet birds like parrots and canaries require a balance of seeds, fruits, nuts, and vegetables with no meat.
• Birds like Hawks, Owls, and Falcons should never be kept as pets as they are undomesticated predators who eat meat and other birds.

Gut health, mind health

So what is actually in your pet’s bag of food? “Virtually every commercially manufactured pet food that currently exists is monetized trash from human production.” Uniquely Cats does not sell any cat food themselves but can recommend some local manufacturers and purveyors they have vetted. As for mass-produced bag-style food, “It isn’t meat at all. Ingredients might be product meal, which is feathers, legs, and beaks, all ground up and put in there. There’s no meat. Or it’s chicken fat, which is not meat. But it fools people because it’s intended to fool people,” Slack opened up. “I’m hoping that the current data on ultra-processed foods in the human world might spill over into the awareness of the veterinary world at some point.”

One of the major changes in human-related diet science has been in the gut. Science has repeatedly shown the deep connection between physical health and a healthy biome, but that has not yet extended widely into the pet world. “We really didn’t have awareness of microbiome science back in 2017, in the veterinary world. But now we do, and a lot of the human work in microbiome science is starting to make sense of all the changes we see in the veterinary world,” she shared her hopes for future research and acceptance.

Slack explained how some of the research in microbiology could apply to pet food. “The general thought in microbiome science in humans right now is that every species evolves eating a particular diet and that diet induces an intestinal microbiome that is evolutionarily natural to that species.”

Unfortunately, it is not just humans in the West, and especially in the U.S., who are packing on the pounds. Switching to mainly processed foods has disastrous results for humans, changing an animal’s natural diet likely has similar negative repercussions. “When you depart from that diet, you induce a different population of organisms in the gut, and that’s dysbiosis, and that in many ways induces inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and obesity all the things that plague the Western world because our diet is not evolutionarily natural. We eat a lot of ultra-processed foods that aren’t normal based on the time of year.”

No rational person would prescribe an ailing human a diet of a single processed product, that same logic may need to be applied to our non-human family members as well. There is hope for those like Slack who support a natural diet for pets. Just this past February, an Illinois class action lawsuit in progress stated that prescription pet food manufactured by Hill’s Nutritional Pet Food — also owned by a corporate conglomerate — “is deceptive under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (“Act”) because the products do not contain a drug or medicine and are not actual prescription products legally required to be sold by prescription.” It goes on to claim that marketing tactics were illegal as well.

The more pet owners and lovers that become aware of the multi-national corporate influence, the lack of quality and possible deception involved in food manufacturing and marketing, and the reality of what animals need to eat to maintain a healthy internal ecosystem, the more change and positive benefit we can bring our domestic animals.

The post You May Want to Reconsider Your Pet’s Prescription Diet appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“In the beginning, no one had any real answers as to what was going on,” said Chris Ham, deputy director of recreation, lands, minerals, and volunteers for the Rocky Mountain region of the Forest Service. “And many of us were thinking, how do we keep each other safe and keep our sanity?”

Around the country in 2020, many of us were told to keep our distance to help stop the spread of Covid-19. So, we did the logical thing; put on our hiking pants, laced up our boots, filled up our sticker-laden water bottles, put down our ‘it’s 5 o’clock- somewhere’ drink, and headed into the great outdoors.

Getting lost in the woods (not in a Thoreau way)

You likely don’t need stats to reiterate that people flocked outside during 2020 and 2021. All you needed to do was look outside and see a line of cars around the block waiting to get into a state park. Or try to get to your usual campsite only to find it’s been booked for the foreseeable future.

But let’s look at some numbers anyway. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, in 2020, 160.7 million Americans aged six and up participated in hiking, fishing, camping, biking, and other outdoor activities, up 7.1 million people when compared to 2019. According to Colorado Public Radio, state parks saw 19.5 million visitors, up 31% since 2019. To bring those numbers a bit closer to home Chatfield State Park, in Douglas and Jefferson Counties, saw annual visitor rates shoot up from 1.72 million in 2019 to 2.38 million in 2020.

“We just weren’t ready for the rush that came about with Covid,” said Chris Walters, park manager at Chatfield State Park. Walters has worked in state parks for over 20 years and started his role at Chatfield in February of 2020 just before the great rush. “It was difficult to deal with so many visitors without the increase of staff.”

Especially since many visitors were new to outdoor recreation.

“They weren’t familiar with things like why it’s so important to drive on roads or parking lots, not in fields or trails. It definitely had an impact on the land,” said Walters.

Naturally, not all state and national parks saw such a wild uptick in numbers. But the ones closer to urban areas often did. And this put park staff in a difficult position.

“We were one of the groups who never had the chance to work remotely,” said Walters. “And that was difficult. There were a lot of unknowns in 2020, which put our workers and their families in a weird position.”

But even outdoor areas well off the beaten path saw a major uptick in traffic, explained Ham. During Covid, Ham was in Arkansas working for the Forest Service. He explained that throughout the country, the Forest Service shut down many high-traffic visitor centers, campgrounds, and picnic areas in the early days of the pandemic.

“This means people gravitated towards places that didn’t have development,” said Ham. “Which posed issues because all of a sudden you had an onslaught of visitors in an area that doesn’t necessarily have facilities to handle them. Especially if they come in mass, and then you end up with trash issues, human waste issues, and everything else.” This became particularly difficult with visitors spread over hundreds and in some cases millions of acres.

“In some cases, we only had two or three recreation staff per ranger district, so it definitely posed a challenge for us,” said Ham.

But the environment and those tasked with running parks and public lands weren’t the only ones stretched thin. Search and rescue teams saw record numbers of calls in 2020 and early 2021.

According to one PBS story, Colorado receives over 3,000 search and rescue calls annually. And that number is only going up. That same report also spoke about New Hampshire, which started charging those being rescued if they were deemed negligent in the hopes that it would make people think twice before heading into the backcountry unprepared. Stateline noted that southwest Utah jumped from an average of 50–60 search-and-rescue calls annually to 130 in 2020 alone.

As for Colorado, “the number of incidents went way up in 2020,” said Anna DeBattiste, program manager of Colorado Search and Rescue Association. “There were a couple teams that saw 200 – 300% increase in calls in 2020, as compared to the previous year.”

According to The Colorado Sun, the Centennial State has about 50 Backcountry search-and-rescue-teams made up of about 2,500 volunteers. The high demand only exacerbated the confusion on an already over-taxed system. How it works in Colorado, DeBattiste explained, is that sheriffs have the statutory responsibility to coordinate rescue missions in their county. And they most often rely on different search-and-rescue teams that are made up entirely of volunteers. In other words, no one is getting paid.

CSAR is what DeBattiste called “a team of teams.” It’s a volunteer organization made up of search-and-rescue volunteers from teams all over the state. CSAR doesn’t conduct any rescue missions themselves. Instead, they help connect teams to different resources they might need, like search dogs, helicopters, or cell phone forensics experts. They also provide training and educational courses to search-and-rescue teams around the state and outdoor education for the public.

“There are two big myths surrounding search-and-rescue,” said DeBattiste. “One is that we are sitting in a firehouse ready to slide down a pole when we get your call. When in reality, we are at home or our day jobs. The second is that we charge for services. This can result in people delaying calling, which can only make things worse as it gets darker, the injury worsens, or the weather changes drastically. ”

To add to the stress, rules and regulations surrounding Covid were changing on what sometimes felt like an hourly basis. “We were designated as an essential service,” says DeBattiste, “So we had to make contingency plans for what to do if an entire team went down with Covid. Thankfully that never happened.” However, back before everyone fully understood how the virus spread, it put a lot of volunteers in difficult situations. After all, you can’t socially distance yourself when you’re helping carry someone on a litter down the side of a mountain.

Additionally, wearing a mask while hoofing it up a trail to find someone is not for the faint of heart. “It makes it more challenging from a physical standpoint,” said DeBattiste. Yet despite everyone heading into nature not all outdoor industries thrived. Especially community-based ones like Colorado Mountain Club. Started in 1912, CMC offers classes in things like avalanche safety, backpacking, hiking, and more along with guided trips for adults and school age students.

“CMC saw its membership and renewals decrease during Covid,” said Madeline Bachner Lane, CEO of CMC. “And that’s because community is at the core of everything CMC does.” Many weren’t comfortable carpooling to events, which had been the norm before. Additionally “We had to cancel a lot of our programming since the rules surrounding meeting outside were constantly changing. We also work with schools, so naturally, those classes were canceled as well.”

Another solo activity that really took off during the pandemic? Birding. After all, people could just step into their own backyard or nearby green space and bypass crowds. If that was you, you’re also in good company. According to a study put out by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 96 million people across the U.S. have come to enjoy the hobby.

“We saw people getting into birding everywhere,” said Zach Hutchinson, community science coordinator at Audubon Rockies. “People had more time and they could go out into just about any green space and look at birds.” He goes on to explain that Audubon added various online classes to keep up with the demand.

Getting outside in a post-Covid world

Since the Covid madness came to an end, you’ve likely noticed park entry lines aren’t quite as long, the trailheads aren’t as packed, and your favorite camping spot might be a tad more free. But don’t anticipate pre-Covid numbers just yet, or ever really.

According to The Colorado Sun, 14.5 million more Americans have taken up outdoor recreational activities since 2020. Not to mention Colorado’s population has been steadily climbing. According to Neilsberg, a whopping 1,511,649 people moved to the Centennial state between 2000-2022. With more people arriving annually. And we think it’s safe to assume many are doing so for the purpose of getting closer to nature.

“We encourage people to get out into the beautiful outdoors,” said DeBattiste. “That’s what Colorado is all about. And we encourage experienced folks to try to mentor beginners rather than be gatekeepers.”

In response, outdoor organizations have started to make changes. Not directly because of Covid. But rather because the pandemic exasperated a system that’s already under a lot of strain and demand. One of those was the lack of communication. “You don’t want to think about the worst case scenario,” said Lane. “But in order to manage risk, you have to. And we have to continue to improve upon the ways that we communicate, which is something the pandemic showed us.”

When it comes to communicating how to recreate more responsibly, the Forest Service has already started that conversation. “We have started to work more closely with different organizations throughout Colorado who can better communicate ideas like “leave no trace” to their communities,” said Ham. “We need help with spreading awareness and education.”

So far, the Forest Service has worked alongside Envision Chaffee County, National Forest Foundation, and other groups. Along with helping enforce leave no trace principles, these organizations have also helped gather data on visitors to certain areas, helped write grant proposals, and more.

Change of scenery

Outdoor goers might also notice some changes when it comes to how various parks and trails are set up.

For instance, Chatfield set up an extra entry lane to help prevent traffic from flowing over into town. They’ve also added additional signage and barriers such as boulders to prevent people from driving their cars to places they aren’t supposed to be — like fields.

Similarly, Ham noted the Forest Service has started implementing various changes updating camping facilities. However, due to lack of funds and staffing in some cases, these projects will take time. Similarly, there’s the National Parks Service, which reported at the end of the 2023 fiscal year that they have an estimated $23 billion in repair and maintenance projects that need to be completed.

Making it easier for search-and-rescue teams

Search-and-rescue missions have more or less returned to pre-pandemic numbers. But much like the infrastructure at many of our beloved parks, the search in rescue system is under a considerable amount of strain. After all, volunteers need to pay for their own gear plus gas to get to rescue missions, which typically costs them well over $1,000 annually. Not to mention, the high cost of living (especially in many mountain towns) plus the time and stress.

“How do we help ensure the sustainability of a system that’s going to have to handle increasing numbers for probably forever?” asked DeBattiste.

One method? Legislation. And CSAR has been behind several bills attempting to make things better for search and rescue volunteers. For instance, they helped pass Senate Bill 168 in June of 2022 which provides higher education benefits to dependents of search-and-rescue volunteers should they be killed or disabled while completing a mission. They also helped draft and advocate for SB21-249, which created the “Keep Colorado Wild Pass.” People can purchase a $29 pass when they register their cars. It will grant them state parks access and some of the money will go directly to counties on behalf of their search-and-rescue teams. And now, DeBattiste hopes CSAR can get back to advocating for bills to continue to aid search-and-rescue volunteers.

Finding your place outdoors

It’s safe to say many of us feel better about recreating in groups again. “Over the last couple of years we’ve pivoted back to getting kids here to our facility or meeting them in the field for a hike,” said Lane. “Our school and youth education programs rebounded quite well.” As for memberships, she explained it’s still up and down. Some people really found their groove outside on their own. But more people are coming back to take classes to help them level up their abilities.

This seems to be true in the birding world as well. Virtual classes haven’t quite reached pandemic numbers. But Hutchinson explained they continue to host in-person classes on Zoom so people can attend from all over the country.

No, the numbers of outdoor enthusiasts aren’t likely going down anytime soon. But isn’t that a good thing? Or as Ham put it “If you are not getting into nature, it’s harder to love outdoor spaces because they are just an abstract idea.  But once you’re in it it’s no longer just an idea and you can experience all those benefits that come with being outdoors.”

The post The Great Outdoors Before and After Covid appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Hike further and stay longer with less weight to carry!

Once upon a time avid hikers were expected to lug tens of pounds on their backs as they traversed the near infinite trails that Colorado has to offer. Things have drastically changed in the last few years, and a new movement — ultralight hiking — has emerged. Even if you aren’t hyper-focused on reducing every ounce of weight, the lightweight gear offered these days can help alleviate the weight on your back, lessening the aches the next day. Many lightweight-hiking enthusiasts try to get their total pack weight under 15 pounds,  but to be that efficient and also have high-quality gear takes some research. Here are our top suggestions for starting your lighter journey.

rei.com

Backpack – Osprey Talon Series

Gone are the days of the 25-pound empty backpack. Osprey Talon backpacks with their lightweight frame and the ability to add a water pouch offer flexibility for long hikes, overnight trips, and backcountry exploration. If you like to travel, multiple pockets and zippered pouches are perfect for keeping items safe in transit. Talon not the right backpack for you? Use the Pack Finder tool on their website to customize what you’re looking for.

trailspace.com

Tent – Gossamer Gear The One

Shelter is the most important part of survival, but who knew a tent and associated gear could weigh under two pounds? The One by Gossamer Gear is the ideal tent for your ultralight pack. Its minimalist design lets you pack more essentials like water, food, and tools as you hit the trails. While “ultralight” often means compromised headroom for tall people, this tent’s interior has plenty of room to sleep and stand — something not found in every tent option out there.

keithfoskett.com

Water – Sawyer MINI Water Filter

One of the quickest ways to reduce weight is to dump out the water. Of course water is also the most crucial element to survival other than shelter, so a perfect compromise of weight and preparedness is the Sawyer MINIwater filter. You can use the filtration system to drink from just about any body of water you encounter on your path. Weighing only two ounces, this device lets you greatly expand the range of your travels as long as water can be found on the trail — typically not a problem for hikes in the Rockies.

enlightenedequipment.com

Sleeping Bag – Revelation Sleeping Quilt

With the heaviest options coming in under three pounds, these sleeping bags are great for staying insulated while also keeping it light. Rated to keep you warm in temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit, these bags are well suited for the freezing temperatures often encountered year round at higher altitudes. They offer plenty of custom options including the amount of down fill for warmth and the size for a better fit.

garmin.com

GPS – Garmin inReach Mini

Electronics absolutely have their place in the wilderness, and the Garmin inReach Mini is the perfect example. No hiker is adequately prepared without their mapping system and rescue options. Garmin has been the gold standard for handheld GPS systems for a while now for good reason. They are incredibly reliable, don’t weigh that much, and offer features like map plotting, location sharing, and GPS messaging that will work even when cell reception is non-existent (satellite subscription required).

The post Ultralight Hiking & Camping appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On a beautiful spring Sunday Catherine Staley admits visitors to Saint Vrain State Park, answering any questions they have. During a typical day she checks out people camping at the park, checks fishing licenses, and ensures that visitors are following the rules and being safe. This is her second season working at the park.

Statistically Staley represents a small demographic of the park ranger workforce. About 66% of park rangers are men and about 91% are white. Diverse representation is lacking within the field, but she hopes that she can represent the diversity the field can embody to those visiting the park, Staley said.

What got you into this field of work?
I went to school for wildlife biology at CSU and primarily was in research and was actually out in Reno and just wanted to come home and was applying for state jobs because I’m from Longmont. This state park was close to home. I was applying around and happened to stumble upon this place and got accepted here. This is my second season.

Catherine Staley admits visitors to Saint Vrain State Park and answers questions as they pass through the checkpoint. Photo by Zoe Jennings.

Do you work all year?
It’s just seasonal. The temporaries are only contracted out for nine months, and we have a three-month break. We are working full time throughout those nine months.

Do you take additional jobs during your off time?
This past winter I was working a little bit. I was substitute teaching. We don’t get paid a whole lot, so you kind of have to do winter work. I think having to do the winter work in order to do this job is totally worth it.

What are your favorite aspects of the job?
I think getting to interact with the public. It can be very rewarding. Obviously we have people who are frustrating at times, but being able to talk to the public and be their point of contact, especially in the field, and educate and make sure that they are being safe and following the rules and having a good time out here is kind of my favorite part.

Do you find that you can use your wildlife biology background in this job?
Not as much as I would like. Being at an entry-level point, obviously I don’t have a lot of the administrative authority to make projects for myself. I do feel like when people ask me questions about the ecosystem here, I’m able to talk about what I learned in school. Having an interest in herpetology throughout my undergrad, it’s cool to be able to see and actually identify the animals that we’re seeing and let everyone else in the park know a species catalog. That way they know and can let others know.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you feel like you face any barriers in the field?
I don’t feel like within this job I have a lot of obstacles. I feel like if I do ever come across them, our senior ranger and our park manager are always willing to listen and have conversations how, for me being a woman of color, I can come out into the park and be able to do my job well, especially with the other staff here, just making sure that everything is very cohesive for everyone, and no one is feeling uncomfortable or restricted in any way.

Do you feel like it was harder for you as a woman of color to be in this field?
I was very fortunate in my undergrad. I had a mentor who actually reached out to me and pushed me along to get to this point. I don’t feel like it was very hard, but had I not had that mentor, I would not be in this spot at all. I’m very grateful to have had those opportunities with that mentor. Before that I had no idea what I was doing. It was an opportunity when he would take specifically women in ecology and take them on research trips, and we would publish papers based on those excursions. Just having that experience and that opportunity almost placed into my lap, I feel like I was very fortunate to be in that position. All of the other rangers I work with are white men. The only other woman I work with, who is full-time staff, is a gate attendant and then our admin, but we don’t get to see them all the time, so at least as far as the rangers are concerned, I kind of have to hold my own a lot of the time with them, but I’m very grateful that they do listen and they understand the woes of being a woman.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you have any favorite memories of working at the park?
One actually just happened. We had a little gosling that had fishing line stuck around his leg, and he was not able to walk, so I was able to net him and get the line cut and reunite him with his family the other day. It felt really good to be able to do that. That’s definitely one that I’ll hold on to. I think that will motivate me for the rest of the season for sure.

What does a typical day on the job look like for you?
It’s usually different. In the morning we’re doing camping stuff, just with checkouts. Every day can look different, even if we’re doing the same thing like checking fishing licenses or making sure people have life jackets. Every conversation is different because every person is different. That’s why I like being out here. I like having time to walk around and talk to every single person who comes out to the park because you just never know what kinds of conversations you’re going to have with people, and I think even just being out here asking people how their days are going when they’re out here, it can brighten their day just a little bit.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you see yourself working in this field long term?
Yeah. The fall applications for full-time employees are going to open up in September. I wholeheartedly am going to apply. I really want to get in as a wildlife officer. I like working at the park, but we don’t get a lot of hands on with the wildlife, so that’s something that I’m really passionate about. I want to make sure that I can continuously work with wildlife throughout the rest of my career. I do want to keep at this. I’ve really fallen in love with the job and want to go on full time with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Is the field sustainable for those entering into it?
I think so. I feel like especially with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there are a lot of different steps you can take to stay within the agency, whether you’re working with admin, you’re working as a gate attendant, or you’re a maintenance worker or a park ranger. There’s always a next step you can take. A lot of people will start out in the entrance and then maybe next season they apply to be a park ranger. That’s absolutely doable. Even just being in the park in any aspect can help you transfer really well into other departments. There’s a lot of different avenues where people can stay with the agency, and they usually end up doing it.

The post Troopers of the Wild: Q&A With an Up-and-Coming Park Ranger appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Intelligent species can learn to communicate.

Talking to animals is a dream, I imagine, for many children. When we were young, some of us could hear what animals were saying. Children learn early to hide their insights because they make adults uncomfortable, and they dismiss it as imagination. But the communication abilities experienced when young might have been real. According to Karen Dendy-Smith, president of The Animal Communication Collective, animal communication is listening on another plane of existence. I met Karen virtually on a Zoom workshop sponsored by Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie. After the session, I was still not completely convinced, but I really wanted to know what my dog, Tiny Tim, was thinking.

After the consultation I was convinced. Karen was able to ask questions of my dog, and I was amazed at the things she was able to tell me. One of the reasons I knew it was accurate was because some of the information wasn’t pleasant or what I wanted to hear. Charlatans tell you things that fit with your worldview. Karen knew things that she could not have known on her own. I was impressed. Some people are disturbed by the unknown or unusual. However, the world holds surprises “not dreamt of in our philosophy.” We tend to think that the comfortable realities of yesterday are the realities of tomorrow despite all evidence to the contrary. If we are open to new ways of listening to our fellow animals, it can define our relationships with them. It makes sense to concentrate on dogs because their communication with humans is studied extensively. There are magazines, podcasts, articles, and books about scientific findings about every aspect of human-canine communication.

Tiny Tim and Kate Myers. Photo by Evie Photography

Most of human-canine communication takes place in the physical world. Dogs can be taught verbal and physical commands easily. They catch on quickly, especially when treats are involved. But, what about their emotional and perceptive abilities? Could there be intangible ways of knowing and understanding our dogs?

Rupert Sheldrake in his book, “Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home,” discusses three types of a dog’s unexplained perceptiveness. The first is “telepathy.” Dogs can anticipate their owner’s arrival, even at random times, and in unfamiliar vehicles. My childhood dog, Gretchen, would hop on her stool to look out the window every weekday at 3:15 to watch me come home from school. On weekends, even if I was not at home, she didn’t engage in this behavior.

Telepathic communication is more prevalent when the dog and guardian are bonded. “I suggest that telepathic communication depends on the bond between people and animals — bonds that are not mere metaphors but actual connections … They are connected by morphic fields,” writes Shelldrake. A morphic field is an invisible, non-material structure that influences the being of all organisms and systems. It is everything, everywhere, all at once. Traditional science questions the existence of morphic fields. These concepts are difficult to study and call into question many of the rules of physics. Many of us have experienced events that are unexplainable by the time-tested rules of the game. We have a sense that there is something we see out of the corner of our eyes. I believe that dogs see and understand those things clearly.

What is Emse thinking? Photo by Kate Myers

The second perceptiveness is the “sense of direction.” Some dogs have a good sense of direction. This has been celebrated in films for years. We have seen the incredible lengths some animals will go in order to return to a place or person that they love. “Animals seem to be drawn toward their destination as if by an invisible elastic band that attaches them to that place,” says Sheldrake. Dogs return to places, but they also return to people. These abilities can be explained by morphic fields linking animals to places or humans and other animals.

The third is “premonitions.” Dogs without any training will alert owners of impending epileptic seizures. Many become nervous before storms or earthquakes. My dog, Charlie, saved my life. I hadn’t been feeling well for a couple of weeks — nothing particular, just some aches, pains, and fatigue. I was sitting at the table when Charlie began nuzzling me. The nuzzling became more aggressive, and he finally put my arm in his mouth. I felt poorly that morning, and Charlie’s frantic behavior led me to go to the emergency room. Two days later I was undergoing open heart surgery to replace all four of my arteries. He knew I was ignoring something bad, and he did his best to tell me. Dogs seem to know more on the extrasensory plane than we do. It may be that their paranormal abilities are simply reality on a different wavelength.

The idea that we are all connected to each other and the rest of the universe is being examined by a small group of physicists on the outer edge of their profession. If these theories are to be believed, suddenly humans would not be the most important species on the planet, just a piece in an incredibly complex and infinite jigsaw puzzle.

In her book, “The Field,” Lynne McTaggart explains the concept of the Zero Point Field — energy that connects everything. I do not understand most of this theory, but my experience tells me that it may be a roadmap to a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Our dogs may be the teachers we need to guide us into this realm … if we can only take the time to listen.

Courtesy of Speaking of Animals Outreach

In his book, “Canine Confidential,” Marc Bekoff comments on the emotions of dogs. “They publish their emotional lives, and it’s clear from all sides — evolutionary theory, detailed scientific data, and common sense — that dogs are not mindless machines but, rather, smart, thinking, and feeling beings who experience a wide range of emotions similar to our own.” He goes on to say that emotions vary from being to being, and dogs don’t feel exactly what we feel. “Rather, one basic truth about evolution is that all species retain certain similarities and develop certain differences, and we should be careful not to fall into the trap of regarding humans as the sole template for comparisons and for understanding other species.” If we want to communicate with our canine companions, we need to dig a lot deeper.

It is a gift to hear what an animal is telling you and to communicate back. The Animal Communication Collective is a group of women dedicated to improving the lives of guardians and their companion animals. I asked Karen why so many communicators are women. “Women are not afraid of emotion. They come to [the idea of] communication with animals from a softer and more passive state. All the women in the collective are over 40. Many have come from being therapists or nurses,” Karen said. “Not that there aren’t some great male communicators. They tend to be more performance oriented.”

Courtesy of Freepik

In her book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Animal Communication,” Carol Gurney says that animal communication is attainable by anyone. In fact, Carol was the worst student in her training classes and bemoaned her inability to connect. She was persistent and now is one of the foremost communicators in the world. Her experiences in becoming a communicator were difficult. “The path for me was one of search, struggle, stop, search, and solution.”

We are fortunate to have animals that we love, ones that we cherish as members of our families. Dogs fill a void in life that is challenging to understand. Often people say, “She provides me with unconditional love.” What about our learning to give unconditional love? Learning that lesson could change your life. Companion animals have chosen us. Unlike other domesticated animals, they offered themselves to humans. They are here to be our teachers. They desperately want to bond with us in a deep and transformative way.

Courtesy of Freepik

The first step is to find time to be peaceful, quiet, and simply be with your dog. Given time, your dog will respond to your openness. We expect our dogs to learn our language, but often we don’t try to understand their form of communication. In addition to their extraordinary gifts like their sense of smell, their protective instincts, their deep loyalty — all of which make them useful to humans in a variety of ways — dogs live a rich emotional life. “When we strip away our human perception of the ‘animal’ façade, we communicate as peers, at a soul level,” said Karen “Our animal companions are trying to help us.”

Our dogs feel things deeply. Dogs try hard to understand us. We have an obligation to return the favor. Allowing yourself to be with your dog — keeping a soft heart and a peaceful soul — will open the vast world curled up on the couch beside you.

Kate is the founder of Speaking of Animals Outreach www.speakingofanimalsoutreach.org.

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The post Puppy Love: How Dogs Can Teach Us to Communicate appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder County is known for its year-round access to outdoor sports. With more than 70 Olympians living in Boulder alone, Boulder County has become something of a haven for athletes. However, our state’s true obstacles emerge when the winter months blow in. Due to Boulder County’s proximity to the ever-looming mountains and the variety of intense challenges that can be found within them, winter athletes from all over the country seek Colorado out to train in the cold and snow to test their limits.

As we prepare to enter into our winter months, we took a look at the Olympic-level training opportunities that BOCO has become renowned for. Additionally, we highlighted a few local events occurring over the next few months for athletes and their families to enjoy.

Are You Ready to Train? Spotlight on Alpine Training Center 

Photo: Mike Thurk

As we enter into the winter season, local athletes must look to indoor training centers where they can prepare themselves to face the elements while not being directly affected by them. One such place is the Alpine Training Center (ATC), a favorite amongst locals. Entering into its fourteenth year, the ATC is owned by Connie Sciolino. She and her trainers are skilled coaches dedicated to pushing their athletes to be the very best versions of themselves. Sciolino told us that her business is based on three distinct principles: Promote full body strength, Increase work capacity, Build stamina. She went on to tell us that her “mission is to improve performance in outdoor sports. The number one thing when it comes to performance is being able to do your sport day after day, week after week, month after month, and the only way you can do that is if you are healthy.”

Mountain Spotlight: Eldora

Eldora is the closest mountain in proximity to Boulder for athletes to train. Located 21 miles west of Boulder, it’s only a 40-minute drive from downtown. Since Eldora offers public transportation, wasting time finding a place to park won’t be a concern.

In the past few years, Eldora has added early morning uphill training. Sciolino noted that many of her serious athletes can make it out to Eldora for a morning ski and back before work.

Eldora is the perfect spot for skiers, snowboarders, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers to train or enjoy leisurely activity. The Eldora Mountain Resort offers several activities and amenities for adults and children alike.

Some events to keep in mind: 

Nov. 18 is Eldora’s opening day for the 2022–23 season. Alpine skiing and riding will be the primary sports at the beginning of the season.

Dust off the Rust: This is Eldora’s women’s ski and ride event. This event is not just for the serious female athlete. From coffee and tea in the morning to a few hours on the slopes, and finally, to a hard kombucha-tasting event in the evening, any female, regardless of skill, will find something to enjoy on the mountain.

Photo: Mike Thurk

Sciolino holds a master’s degree in exercise science from Montana University and a certification in strength and conditioning from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She uses this hard-won expertise to focus primarily on preparing athletes for their sport.

Sciolino’s love for the outdoors and athletics was ingrained in her at a young age. She grew up skiing and playing sports year-round and now spends her free time practicing a combination of resort and backcountry skiing. “Every year going into the ski season, I was always working to prepare for that season,” she told me. This experience has taught Sciolino the value of training to prevent injury. “The biggest thing about skiing is sport injury risk,” she said. “Athletes need to focus on building strength to prepare themselves for the ski season to prevent injury.” She also emphasized the importance of cardio training when it comes to skiing.

Sciolino’s biggest training tip for athletes is that they train with the mindset and goal of becoming as durable and injury free as possible. If you want to improve your performance in an outdoor sport, “a big part of that is being able to do your sport continuously, and the only way to do that is to be healthy and keep injury risk at bay.”

“At the Alpine Training Center, we focus on outdoor sports,” she informed me. Her primary focuses for winter sports are alpine skiing, downhill skiing, uphill skiing, and ice climbing. However, Sciolino does not limit herself and her trainers to a handful of sports or even local athletes. Athletes train with their coaches at the training center and then venture out on their own to practice their sports outdoors. While training her athletes for skiing, her major focus is cardio, so they can move fast through the mountains.

Photo: Mike Thurk

Eldora is the best location for ski enthusiasts to practice their skills due to its close proximity. However, Sciolino also recommended Winter Park and Loveland for athletes who are willing to make the drive. These ski areas provide flexible hours.

All sports are living entities. As they continue to develop, they shift and alter with the world’s changing culture. Sciolino, her trainers, and others like them are always searching for the best ways to be prepared for and adapt to any changes that come their way.

Beginner to Olympic Skiing in Steamboat Springs: Steamboat Ski Resort

Colorado has numerous ski resorts to choose from, but Steamboat Ski Resort, located in Steamboat Springs, is particularly renowned for its Olympic competitors. The 3.5-hour drive might sound long, but for any self-respecting winter athlete, it’s worth the trip.

Mt. Werner, Steamboat Ski Resort

Athletes travel from “all over the U.S. and the world to train here,” Hanna Albertson, the communications coordinator of Steamboat, informed me. With 100 Olympians and counting coming from Steamboat Springs, world-class athletes are part of Steamboat’s identity.

“This town has produced more Olympic athletes than any other town in North America,” Albertson said. Among them, 13 went to the Olympics in Beijing.

Steamboat Springs was founded on the Western heritage of ranching. This history and culture are prominent features throughout the resort and town. Locals and guests alike will be immersed in the Western roots of the area in both the feel and architecture of the surrounding buildings and decor.

Things to Do in Steamboat Springs

Even though Steamboat is a ski resort, visitors are not limited to skiing activities when they visit. “It is a place for everybody,” Albertson explained. Just around the town, there are multiple family-friendly hot springs to visit, including the remote Strawberry Park Hot Springs located 20 minutes up the mountain.

Due to the town’s western roots, horseback riding is a common activity in the winter. Steamboat Springs also has multiple iconic dining and shopping opportunities downtown.

One fun family activity is the Haymaker Sleigh Ride Dinner. Guests will enjoy the views of the Nordic center as they ride around in a horse-drawn carriage.

For those coming to stay at the ski resort, the Steamboat Grand Hotel is located directly across the street from Steamboat. There are options for the whole family, and the best part is you can get out of bed, walk across the street, and start skiing.

Steamboat Ski Resort

Steamboat Event Spotlight: Opening Day

The Steamboat 2022–23 ski season officially begins on Nov. 23. The resort will be hosting an all-day event starting at 7:30 am to celebrate and kick off the ski season. This opening event will also include the debut of new features within Steamboat from their Steamboat Full Steam Ahead Project such as the new Skeeter’s Ice Rink, the Mountain Stage, and the new Wild Blue Gondola. The Mountain Stage will host many concerts throughout the season.

Other events to watch out for: For serious athletes, Steamboat has several Olympian and famous runs to train on. Nelson on Nelson is an annual event where athletes can ski Nelson Carmichael’s classic mobile run with him. Participants will have the opportunity to receive skiing tips from the Olympic Athlete. There will also be opportunities for athletes to interact with alpine ski racer and director of Steamboat Ski Resort, Billy Kidd, throughout the season.

In addition to its Olympic aspirants, Steamboat is also known for its family-friendly terrain. Steamboat Ski Resort has a new, unique beginner skiing area with an all-terrain-based learning system. The goal for every athlete is to feel prepared to experience various types of terrain. “The added features allow for first-time skiers to get a feel of what a normal run would feel like,” Albertson explained.

Steamboat Ski Resort

Steamboat Ski Resort also offers skiing lessons for tots. Happy Camp ski lessons and childcare is available for ages 18 months to five years. For teens and adults, you can choose between group or private lessons. Lessons range from 1–8, so even the most advanced skier can work on building and tweaking foundational skills. All of Steamboat’s instructors are ski pros who are trained in progressive learning techniques to help you evaluate and develop your skiing to the next level.

Spotlight on Steamboat Spring Winter Sports Club

The Steamboat Spring Winter Sports Club is a separate entity from Steamboat Ski Resort. However, they frequently use the resort as a training ground for serious athletes. The All Out run is a private track for the Winter Sports Club to train their athletes in alpine skiing. The club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping athletes accomplish their goals.

The Winter Sports Club is based out of a smaller, historic ski area called Howelsen Hill. It is known for its Nordic jumping and skiing terrain. If you are a serious athlete—especially someone who aspires to Olympic training—Howelsen Hill and the Winter Sports Club will be able to provide you with the best training for your needs.

Steamboat Ski Resort

Albertson painted a picture for me of what a day spent at Steamboat Resort might look like, waking up on a powder day, skiing under the endless bluebird sky, and ending the day eating at one of Steamboat’s mountain dining overlooks. The sheer beauty of the place contributes to the overall sense of happiness and comfort that permeates the Resort.

“In other towns, it’s easy for people to get the winter blues,” Albertson said. “In Steamboat, it’s the opposite. We have this winter cheer. You can feel it with the guests. As a local, I can feel it with my friends. There is this overall genuine excitement for being in Steamboat and a shared passion for being in the outdoors.”

It’s Time to Climb! Spotlight on The Spot Boulder

While skiers and their ilk thrive in the winter, the cold weather is a sign for climbers to train indoors. Luckily, Boulder and its surrounding areas have more than one climbing gym to enjoy, but when it comes to events and competitions, The Spot Boulder is a favorite for both professional and recreational climbers. With locations in Boulder, Denver, Golden, and Louisville, The Spot has many different events and competitions for climbers to train for. Some recent and upcoming events are Psychedelia, which happened in October and the Yeti Open Nationals at the Denver location which will be on Nov. 10.

Photo: Patrick Bodnar

“Climbers are in training rather than performance phases during winter time,” Janell Thurnauer, head coach at The Spot, informed me. Much like Sciolino, Thurnauer’s focus is to get her athletes strong enough to embrace their outdoor climbing season injury free.

Thurnauer is a Boulder native who grew up doing gymnastics at CATS Gymnastics. Her introduction to coaching was early in her life as a teacher at CATS. In her youth, she remembers watching elite athletes climbing on the CATS climbing wall, but she herself didn’t start climbing until after becoming a mother of three. Climbing soon became her passion, leading her to her present position where she primarily trains youth climbers.

Event Spotlight: Winter Wonderland on Dec. 10

Winter Wonderland, The Spot’s annual winter bouldering competition, part of its bouldering series, is a celebration for climbers and their families. Winter Wonderland will take place at The Spot Denver location. There will be sessions for kids during the day and adults at night including indoor ice climbing, gift wrapping, and mitten climbing competitions. For those looking to test their winter climbing skills, this event is the place to be.

Photo: Brice Powers

The Spot has a few different training teams. Athletes who need to focus on the developmental side of climbing join one of the competition-focused teams while the fast-progressing and more advanced athletes are involved in the elite teams.

“Taking our kids outdoors is a huge part of our program,” Thurnauer told me. “Competition climbing is only for a short part of your life, but outdoor climbing opens the doors for climbing to be a part of your whole life, and it can involve your family.” The Spot makes it a priority to take its athletes outdoors every week. There are multiple outdoor days weekly, and they take team trips out of state a few times a year. In the wintertime, outdoor days are more local. “During wintertime, it’s always best to be on the rock a little less,” Thurnauer told me as it’s important that athletes do not become too cold. Some local locations that Thurnauer recommended for climbers include Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, and the Flatirons.

In addition to getting their athletes outside, The Spot encourages them to practice their climbing skills at different gyms around town. “It builds your climbing IQ to get on new and different sets,” Thurnauer explained. Athletes need to experience different styles, terrains, and settings, especially when training for indoor events at other gyms. Other climbing gyms that her athletes frequent for additional training include: ABC Kids Climbing, Boulder Rock Club, and Movement Gym.

“I absolutely love the conditioning of winter training,” said Thurnauer, “but what I think is really cool is when we can do mock competitions for athletes. It gives them a good sense of where they are at and where we need to focus.” The Spot is very supportive of its athletes and their desire for events. In addition to their multiple climbing events every year, all of the trainers are excited to help their students prepare for outside events. “Events are like big parties for climbers,” she explained.

Time to Enjoy the Season

As Hanna Albertson from Steamboat mentioned, now is the time for “winter cheer.” The colder weather moving in is a sign for us to embrace all that Mother Nature has to offer. From ski resorts to indoor gym competitions, the winter season is a time for athletes to test and strengthen their skills. BOCO’s athletes, regardless of sport preference, will find the optimal training and competing grounds right in their backyard.

The post Winter Sports: Olympic-level Training in Our Backyard appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

With the current COVID spike in Colorado, gas prices going through the roof, and international travel being shaky at best, now is the best time to embrace your inner outdoors person and see the beauty of nature. Whether you’re just planning on spending a night camping in the backyard or going on a week-long mountain expedition, there’s nothing like unplugging and enjoying the wonders of the natural world.

Considering how relatively inexpensive hiking or camping is compared to a traditional vacation, lots of folks are going to be on the trails this year. Please be courteous to other campers, and remember that your improperly disposed of trash is going to be on earth a lot longer than you or I will be. Pick up after yourself (and others). Think about your kids and their kids and how you want them to experience nature the same way you did.

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles.

• Plan Ahead & Prepare
• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

This year we’ve compiled some of the greatest outdoor equipment and gear to help you make the best of your summer adventure. We’ve split the guide into three segments just like last year: survival and emergency equipment, backpacking and hiking equipment, and luxury gear.

Survival & Emergency Equipment

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep…” — Robert Frost

ReadyWise Camping Variety Bundle

$96.99 at readywise.com

With a 15-year shelf life, the ReadyWise Camping Variety Bundle provides a lightweight and delicious solution to eating in the great outdoors. All you have to do is add water and eat the meal right out of the bag. This bundle includes 12 meals with an additional pouch of cookie dough bites as a tasty snack or dessert.

Lifestraw Peak Series

$19.95 at lifestraw.com

The Lifestraw is a small and convenient water filtration system that can fit right in your pocket. What makes the Lifestraw more convenient than other filtration systems is the fact that you can literally use it anywhere at any time—You don’t have to wait for the water to drain through a filter. Just suck the water in through the straw and it’s instantly filtered.

Compass Culture Solar Hand Crank Radio

$29.98 at compassculture.com

Get a load of this all-in-one radio and flashlight. The Compass Culture Solar Hand Crank Radio can be powered with its built-in hand crank, solar panel, USB cable, or three AAA batteries. The Compass Culture Hand Crank Radio is extremely lightweight at only 13 ounces, making it easy to take on any hike or outdoor trip.

KOSIN Survival Gear, 18 in 1 Emergency Survival Kit

$37.99 at ussurvivalkit.com

The Kosin Survival Gear, 18 in 1 Emergency Survival Kit has just about every tool one could ever need in the wilderness. With everything from a Swiss Army knife to an emergency whistle, The Kosin Survival GearSurvival Kit has you covered for nearly every situation. As an added bonus, a waterproof carrying comes with every kit.

UCO Stormproof Match Kit

$8.95 at rei.com

These aren’t your mama’s matches! The UCO Stormproof Match Kit includes 25 matches, three strikers, and a waterproof case that floats in water. The case can hold up to 40 stormproof matches and fits conveniently in any backpack. The matches themselves are wind and waterproof with a 15-second burn time, triple that of a regular match.

Everlit First Aid Survival Kit

$34.80 at amazon.com

The Everlit First Aid Survival Kit can help you survive just about every situation outside of a nuclear blast. The kit contains 250 pieces of survival gear including knives, alcohol pads, a compass, and pliers. The case itself is water resistant, making the entire Everlit First Aid Survival Kit as durable as it is affordable.

Garmin inReach Explorer®+

$449.99 at garmin.com

Cell phone coverage in the great outdoors can be spotty at best. The Garmin inReach Explorer®+ works even when you don’t have cell coverage. Equipped with a GPS, text messaging system, and SOS button, the unit connects to the Iridium global satellite system allowing you to contact emergency services or loved ones with the touch of a button no matter where you are.

Morakniv Garberg with Survival Kit Carbon Knife

$87.68 at amazon.com

“That’s not a knife, this is a knife!” The Morakniv Garberg with Survival Kit Carbon Knife is a Swedish-made, fixed blade survival knife. It includes a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty and a patterned, high-friction grip that makes the knife comfortable to hold and easy to handle.

Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX Hiking Shoes

$150 at rei.com

Shoes can be make-or-break for a lot of outdoor situations. The Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX Hiking Shoe is lightweight, comfortable, extremely durable, and waterproof. Not only are these hiking shoes designed for all types of terrain, they are also available in men’s and women’s sizes and can be ordered for both slim and wide feet.

Condor Summit Softshell Jacket

$92.95 at tacticalgear.com

High altitude hikes can get a bit chilly even in the summer. The Condor Summit Softshell Jacket is ideal for mountain hikes by being both lightweight and water resistant. This jacket is made with moisture-wicking fabric that retains body heat to keep you warm in colder conditions and a stowable hood for additional protection from the elements. The Condor Summit also features underarm zippers for ventilation to help prevent overheating and keep the wearer cool when temperatures start to rise.

Tact Bivvy 2.0 – Emergency Sleeping Bag w/ HeatEcho® Technology, Paratinder, & Whistle by Frog & CO

$18.73 at survivalfrog.com

The Tact Bivvy 2.0 is a revolution in sleeping bag technology. When fully packed, it can fit into the palm of one’s hand. When fully unpacked, the Tact Bivvy 2.0 is large enough to comfortably fit a 7-foot tall person. This sleeping bag is also completely wind and waterproof, making it ideal for all types of camping or survival conditions.

The SOG Entrenching Tool

$24.95 at sreoutdoors.com

Meet the ultimate outdoor shovel. The SOG Entrenching Tool is a multipurpose, lightweight, and foldable shovel that is ideal for any outdoor survival adventure. The shovel also doubles as a small saw with a serrated edge that’s ideal for cutting wood and small branches for fire building.

Gear Aid 550 Paracord

$14.95 at rei.com

While unassuming, a high quality paracord is often one of the most important pieces of gear in an outdoorsperson’s arsenal. The Gear Aid 550 Paracord is strong and heavy-duty, ideal for securing a shelter, hanging a bear bag, or tying things down. This paracord can also be pulled apart into seven individual strands that can be used for fishing line or thread. 

Backpacking & Hiking Equipment

“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” — Mary Davis

REI Co-op Backpacking Bundle

$244.95 at rei.com

First rule of backpacking: keep it light! The REI Co-op Backpacking Bundle is extremely lightweight coming in at just under ten pounds! It’s water resistant, and will keep anyone inside the tent warm at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Blackbird XLC

$200.00 at warbonetoutdoors.com

The Blackbird XLC hammock is sleek, stylish, and durable. The Blackbird XLC is only about a pound but can hold up to 350 pounds. If black isn’t quite your color, don’t worry! There are 20 other colors to choose from.

Sea to Summit eVac Dry Sack, All-Purpose Compression Dry Bag

24.95 at amazon.com

Don’t feed the bears! The Sea to Summit eVac Dry Sack is the ideal anti-bear bag. The bag has a “laminate fabric base” that makes it waterproof and extremely durable. It can also be sealed with a buckle system, keeping bears out without any compression straps!

RTD Recreational Services

$5.25 at rtd-denver.com

RTD is one of the best ways for an outdoors erson to find the best spots to hike, camp, or just take a step off of the well-worn path. RTD has over 100 different routes, so you’re all but guaranteed to find something you’ll like!

TETON Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack

$46.38 at amazon.com

The TETON Sport Oasis Hydration Pack not only keeps you hydrated but also has enough storage space to hold all of your backpacking gear. The Oasis holds two liters of water, has two different water ports so the user can decide which to put the nozzle in, comes with a lifetime warranty, and is available in seven different colors.

Sea to Summit Camp Cutlery 3-Piece Set

$4.95 at rei.com

A great way to be more environmentally friendly on your backpacking adventure is to bring reusable silverware with you.  The glass-reinforced polypropylene Sea to Summit Camp Cutlery Set is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to plastic silverware. These utensils come with an aluminum carabiner that can easily clip onto any backpack and makes keeping track of your silverware a breeze. 

Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon Trekking Poles

$211.99 at moosejaw.com

If you’re looking for a lightweight and comfortable set of trekking poles, then look no further. Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon Trekking Poles are ideal for all types of hiking terrain. They also break down with the push of a button, making them extremely easy to store in any backpack.

Copper Spur HV UL2

$499.99 at bigagnes.com

The Copper Spur HV UL2 is a backpacker’s dream. This tent is easy-to-store, durable, and spacious. This modern marvel is only three pounds when packed, has a 40-inch tall interior, can sleep two average-sized adults, and can be used year-round.

Nescafé Taster’s Choice® House Blend Instant Coffee

$9.29 at riteaid.com

Nescafé Taster’s Choice® House Blend is one of the best-selling instant coffee blends in the world. The convenient 7-ounce container is ideal for backpacking while the coffee itself makes for a quick, delicious, and easy energy booster.

Enlightened Equipment Enigma

$355.00 at enlightenedequipment.com

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma is a revolutionary way to sleep in the backcountry. Made of ultra-lightweight nylon fabric, this sleeping quilt weighs a mere 21 ounces. As an added bonus, the Enlightened Equipment Enigma can be customized to your size, color, and temperature specifications.

Toaks Titanium Single Wall 450ml Cup

$19.95 at rei.com

The Toaks Titanium Single Wall Cup is the ultimate backpacking mug. It’s ultralightweight and holds nearly 16 ounces of liquid. The titanium design eliminates the metallic aftertaste that plagues similar cups while keeping hot drinks nice and toasty.

Even Naturals Premium Mosquito Head Net

$ 7.99 at amazon.com

Summer hikes are always guaranteed to result in a bug bite or two. The Even Naturals Premium Mosquito Head Net does double duty. Not only does this hat’s netting keep bugs off your face, but the hat’s brim is wide enough to prevent sunburns.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger

24.99 at us.anker.com

In the great outdoors, outlets are few and far between. The Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the smallest portable chargers in existence. It’s roughly the size of a deck of cards and as light as a baseball. Despite its small size, it holds enough power to completely charge an iPhone three times over. This wonderful little piece of technology is also backed by an 18-month warranty.

Luxury Gear

“Is it weird that I’m taking Louis Vuitton camping?” — Jessica Simpson

*Solo Stove Ranger Fire Pit

$199.99 at solostove.com

The Solo Stove ranger Fire Pit puts any regular campfire to shame. This smokeless fire pit is as durable as it is stylish. Its innovative high airflow technology lets the fire pit get extremely hot with a minimal amount of kindling, and the patented solid stainless steel design makes the Ranger Fire Pit super heat-conductive and extremely hardy.

 Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress, and Pump Combo

$161.99 at amazon.com

If roughing it on the hard ground isn’t for you, go for an air mattress! The Coleman Camping Combo is one of the most luxurious air mattress bundles money can buy. This combo pack comes with a portable mattress stand, the mattress itself, two bedside stands, and a battery-powered air pump for easy inflation. Best of all, the mattress is available in both twin and queen size.

Camp Chef Outdoor Oven

$325.00 at bbqguys.com

Once you go camping with a portable oven, you’ll never want to cook your food over a fire again! The Camp Chef Outdoor Oven sports two upper burners. The internal oven can fit a 9-by-13 pan and a 3-sided windscreen protects the upper burners from unwanted wind. This unit is also extremely efficient! The Camp Chef Outdoor Oven can run at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for seven hours on a 1-pound propane bottle. 

GigaTent Portable Pop Up Changing Room

$26.43 at amazon.com

The GigaTent Portable Pop Up Changing Room is an easy and convenient way to get instant privacy even when there’s no shelter nearby. If you ever need to make a quick outfit change or if you just need some privacy, this privacy tent has you covered. Standing at 6-feet tall, this tent unfolds and refolds in an instant.

GCI Outdoor SunShade Rocker Camp Chair

$79.99 at cabelas.com

The GCI Outdoor SunShade Rocker is a lawn chair on steroids. This wonderful chair provides a camper with both comfort and protection from the sun. The retractable shade rotates front to back so you can block the sun from any angle, and it folds flat for more overcast days and nights around the campfire.

Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand

$34.95 at rei.com

The summer heat is notorious for making  tents go from comfortable sleeping quarters to heat boxes in a matter of minutes. The Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan brings portability and cooling power to your tent. This battery-powered fan has three foam blades that are child- and pet-safe. The magnetic base allows this tent fan to be placed just about anywhere inside or outside of your tent.

PerfectDay Solar String Lights

$19.99 at amazon.com

When you don’t have enough flashlights or can’t build a fire large enough to illuminate your surroundings, the PerfectDay Solar String Lights have you covered. These solar-powered lights eliminate the need for lanterns, have four different modes, and can run for eight hours on a five-hour charge.

REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler

$79.95 at rei.com

The Sunflora Picnic Backpack gives the humble picnic basket a much needed upgrade. This picnic basket can hold a day’s worth of camping equipment, six pounds of ice, and up to 12 regular sized soda cans!

GigaPower Folding Torch

$64.95 at snowpeak.com

This foldable torch puts the fun back in lighting a fire. While there’s something to be said about using matches to start a fire, the GigaPower Folding Torch is a far easier way to get a fire started. Just unfold the torch, twist the gas knob, and tada!

Pro Issue Waterproof Binoculars

$295.00 at nocsprovisions.com

With the Pro Issue Waterproof Binoculars you’ll be able to see every bird, bee, and bear within a 429-foot field of view. These binoculars are sold in 8×42 or 10×42 sizes and are specially designed to prevent peripheral vision distortion. 

GSI Gourmet PourOver Java Set

$49.99 at moosejaw.com

This pour-over set is a very elegant way to enjoy a cup of coffee while spending time in the great outdoors. Featuring a snap-on storage cover and durable, nylon mesh, reusable filter, the GSI Gourmet PourOver Java Set is both fancy and functional.

Orca 75 Quart Cooler

$429.99 at orcacoolers.com

If you’ve ever had to suffer through a warm drink on a hot day while out in nature, then you know the importance of bringing a high quality cooler with you when you camp. The Orca 75 Quart can keep its contents cold for up to 10 days and features a lid gasket to create a airtight seal and an easy drain system to make clean-out a breeze. 

WattFun Solar Generator Backup Battery

$359.99 at joojet.com

When you need an electric charge and don’t feel like getting hit by lightning turn to The WattFun Solar Generator. With 11 outputs, three ways to charge, and enough power storage to recharge a phone 45 times, this portable battery is the perfect way to keep all of your camping accessories energized.

White Duck 13’ Regatta Bell Tent

$699.99 at whiteduckoutdoors.com

While you can’t take your house camping, the White Duck 13’ Regatta Bell Tent is pretty close. Standing at just over 8-feet tall, the Regatta Bell Tent is both fire- and water-resistant, features galvanized steel poles, and includes electrical outlets, making even the most stubborn camper feel like they have all the comforts of home.

The post 2022 Summer Gear Guide: All the Gadgets and Gizmos You Need for Your Awesome Adventure appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“Raise your hand if you have ever wanted to play soccer during recess but didn’t feel welcome to join?” I ask the third grade Brownie troop who I am working with on their Fair Play badge.

Out of the 10 girls, eight raise their hands.

“Is it because girls can’t play soccer very well?”

“NO!” they all shout in unison.

A little girl next to me half whispers, “But some of the boys make us feel that way. Or tell us that we don’t play as well, or they don’t want us.” I repeat what she said to the group, and they all nod solemnly.

“Is that fair?” I inquire.

“No!” they shout again. Many don’t look up. Some pick at the grass.

This is, unfortunately, a common discussion I have with the girls I work with through my program, Game On! Sports 4 Girls – Boulder and why programs like Game On! continue to be crucial, even as we see sports participation grow among girls. These eight- and nine-year-olds recognize on the playground that something is not quite right, and it’s nothing to shrug off. Research shows that by 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys, which is an alarming statistic. Why does this matter in the grand scheme of things?

Laughing girls playing flag rugby. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

We know that what kids learn from sports goes beyond just how to dribble a basketball or throw a ball. Sports teach resilience, accountability, teamwork, how to take risks, sportsmanship, how to learn from mistakes, and leadership.

The Korn Ferry Institute found that 95% of CEOs from Fortune 500 companies played sports. Out of the 6% of those CEOs who were women, 90% played sports, 54% at the collegiate level. Leadership skills are a huge benefit of playing sports, even at a recreational level. If we are looking to our daughters to become future leaders, sports can play a big part in setting that stage for them.

So what is happening to our girls? Why are they dropping out of sports at twice the rate as boys? According to research from the Women’s Sports Foundation, key factors include income, transportation, parent attitudes around women’s sports, gender stereotypes, body image, and lack of access.

I’m going to focus on a few of those in detail based on my work with young girls in sports and how we as a community can work to change that statistic.

Girls playing lacrosse. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

The Introduction Gap

I’ll start here because this runs deep and, regardless of how far we seem to come in terms of sports equity, stubbornly remains in our society (yes, even here in progressive Boulder County). An ongoing perception that girls who like sports are “tomboys” and that interest in creative pursuits, fairies, tutus, and sparkles exclude interest in sports remains. This results sometimes in a delayed introduction to sports — or no introduction at all. Let’s look at a couple of scenarios:

Baby A, female, is welcomed into the world with much anticipation. She’s outfitted in shades of pink, purple…or maybe more gender-neutral yellow and green. Baby A is given many toys, including balls to kick around the yard. As she nears her preschool years, her parents glance at the local recreation center’s offerings for sports and decide to put her in soccer. She hates soccer. After a difficult season of forcing her to participate, her parents decide she does not like team sports and do not sign her up to try anything else. Her parents take her to a football or baseball game on occasion, but she’s uninterested. She gets curious about sports by fourth or fifth grade but feels behind in her skills and by middle school, it doesn’t seem worth it. She drops team sports to pursue other interests.

Baby B, male, is welcomed into the world with much anticipation. He’s outfitted in shades of blue and green. Baby B is dressed in an adorable baby jersey and posed with a football for his 6-month pictures. He is given many toys, most of them focusing on being active. As he nears preschool, his parents enroll him in little kid soccer. He doesn’t care for soccer, so his parents try t-ball and tiny tykes basketball. His parents take him to football and baseball games, where he finds role models that he wants to be like. By elementary school, he is playing flag football, baseball, and basketball. By middle school, he is excelling at sports and is prepared to carry on through high school.

While this seems like an extreme comparison, it really isn’t. The average age that boys start sports is a full year before girls, but the messaging around sports starts much, much younger. There is still a prevalent belief that boys are just better at sports than girls, so some families don’t choose to introduce sports at all, rather they wait until their daughters show interest. Whereas with boys, they are more likely to try many different sports to see what “sticks.” Without continued exposure or knowledge of games or gendered stereotypes of what kind of girl can be an athlete, how can girls feel confident to pursue sports?

It’s not just the introduction of sports through their own play. When Baby A is taken to football and baseball games, she does not see herself represented. The idea of “if they see it, they can be it” is an important factor in girls’ sports participation. We know that women’s sports are not held in the same regard as men’s sports, even with the incredible strides over the decades. I hear all the time that “women’s sports are just not as much fun to watch.” Well, with just 5% of media coverage devoted to women’s sports, it’s hard to create interest and hype around it. Without showing girls and boys women’s collegiate and professional sports, how can we expect girls to see the value in sports and boys to value girls in sports as they grow?

Girl playing field hockey. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

The “P” Words

According to Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, authors of The Confidence Code for Girls, girls’ confidence plummets 30% between the ages of eight and 14. Puberty is clearly a large part of this equation. Their bodies are growing in different ways, often becoming less flexible and heavier as their bones grow denser, which can make fitness and athletics feel more challenging. Some shoot up, with long legs that feel strange and awkward. Some put on weight, some lose weight. They grow breasts. Their bodies can feel completely foreign to them.

For boys, getting bigger, taller, and heavier is considered a good thing. However, since we create value around being thin, light, and small for girls at a super young age, it can feel like something is wrong with them when their bodies change from that “ideal.” An athletic or larger build is considered bad, not something to be proud of.

Also — periods. Yep, we’re going to go there. Periods are normal, and our daughters will have them. In terms of athletics, the embarrassment of periods and fear of accidents are too much for some girls. On top of that is the fact that sports play and fitness are different on our bodies in the days leading up to our periods. We are more prone to injury and for many, are saddled with uncomfortable (and sometimes very painful) cramps, migraines, fatigue, etc. If we aren’t addressing periods in our girls’ athletics, how do we expect them to want to continue participating?

The Problems with Elite Youth Athletics

This one can be said for youth sports in general, but it most certainly contributes to the dropout rate of girls.

Over the past few decades, we have seen a trickle-down effect in terms of intensity in sports. What we see at a collegiate level of play is what we used to expect in professional sports. This means that middle school athletics are now far more competitive as well. That competitiveness creates the idea that kids need to specialize in a single sport year-round at increasingly younger ages in order to become elite athletes, which leads to overuse injuries and burnout.

In a 2021 UCLA Health article, Injuries among youth athletes are on the rise – but why? by Cheryl Champion, Kristofer Jones, MD, explores this topic, stating, “Now, we have the studies to show that the chance of serious musculoskeletal injury from repetitive microtrauma is increased at a time when, due to normal adolescent growth, the body may be particularly vulnerable (due to sports specialization). The literature shows a clear correlation between training volume and intensity and injury risk.”

For all youth, participation in multiple sports is healthier for growing bodies. For girls, participation in two or more sports has many additional benefits beyond the physical. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Teen Sport in America, Part II: Her Participation Matters Report, published in 2021:

Across all areas of teen girls’ health, academic achievement, and psychological well-being, we found that girls who participated in more than one sport benefited more from their participation than those who focused on a single sport. In some instances, including consumption of soft drinks, marijuana use, self-perception of intelligence, cutting class, self-efficacy, and fatalism, sports participation was linked to more positive outcomes only among girls who participate in at least two sports. Participation in multiple sports is believed to expose youth to a fuller range of experiences, reinforce important skills for positive development and to offer youth greater opportunities to contribute and build supportive relationships with a variety of positive adults and peers.

The focus on elite youth athletics also takes away the ability for kids to play sports just for fun. While recreational sports opportunities are still widely available for K-5th grade, those opportunities become far fewer as kids get into middle school and are practically non-existent by high school. Girls who were introduced to sports at a later age can often feel intimidated by starting sports in middle school and have a more difficult time connecting to sports. Gone are the days of being able to participate in any sport throughout high school, even if you were just so-so.

Girl with rugby ball. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

Keeping Girls in the Game

So what can we, as a community, do to support keeping girls in sports?

Introduce sports to your girls early and often. Take them out back to throw a ball around, teach them how to dribble a basketball. There are so many sports out there — don’t give up if there are some they don’t connect with.

Support girls and women’s sports. Take your kids (your daughters and sons) to women’s games. While we have few opportunities to see professional women’s sports in the Denver Metro area, we have some fantastic women’s high school and collegiate teams. Find their schedules, go to their games. Turn the TV on to watch women’s professional basketball or soccer.

Normalize the changes girls experience with their bodies during puberty. Create safe spaces for them that remove the stigma of periods and support them in continuing their athletics while navigating the changes in their bodies. Celebrate their strong bodies and what they can do.

Push back against the idea of year-round, single-sport athletics for our youth. Give them opportunities to take a break and try multiple sports.

Create more affordable and accessible recreational sports opportunities through high school for all kids. Allow them to play sports for the fun of playing sports, even if they aren’t the best or don’t show promise to become elite.

It’s a big ask. These changes require major shifts to many people’s beliefs surrounding girls and women in sports, and youth sports, in general. It requires us to take a long look at our communities, opportunities, and privilege.

The payoff is nurturing girls (and really, all kids) who are more confident, strong, and ready to lead, as well as sports that are more equitable and accessible for all.

The post Where My Girls At? Exploring Why Girls Drop Out of Sports and What We Can Do to Keep Them in the Game appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Nothing will get your heart racing like rounding a hiking trail and spotting a pair of antlers or a scaly tail disappearing into the bushes. Humans may have taken over the world, but we are not alone living in it. Colorado is home to so, so many mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects that are fascinating to stumble across during your adventures this summer, if you know where to look.

Moose antlers sticking out of the grass. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

The Mountains

Rocky Mountain National Park is probably the most obvious place to go looking for wildlife in Colorado by stepping into the wilderness of the mountains — home of bears, mountain lions, moose, elk, deer, and more. Your odds of finding an elusive cougar might be low, but elk and deer are plenty likely.

Moose in Sprague Lake. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Currently, timed passes are required to enter the park, but once you’re in, there are 335 miles of hiking trails waiting to be explored. You might even spot a creature from your car window.

Not all hikes in the mountains are in the park, so if you can’t get a day pass, or if you just want to explore somewhere different, give AllTrails a try. AllTrails is an online resource or app where you could search for a trail of your preferred length, difficulty, location, etc. Users leave comments, so in addition to finding the perfect trail to explore, so you might hear about the animals other hikers saw there.

Deer at NCAR. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

If you choose to climb a 14er this summer, you’ll go above tree line, and different animals thrive there under harsh conditions, like mountain goats. While you won’t be treated to a mountain goat sighting every time you hike a 14er, you can probably count on spotting at least one four-legged mammal — a dog. Many hikers bring their dogs along, and you could too, provided you know they can handle the exertion. Some dog-friendly 14ers are Grays, Torreys, and Quandary Peaks among others.

Mountain goat at Grays and Torreys Peaks. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Animals are not exclusive to hiking trails, and if you’re in the right place at the right time, then you might run into elk while walking in downtown Estes Park. Even though they came into town and know how to use the sidewalk, they are still wild animals and should be treated with respect and caution.

Elk in Downtown Estes Park. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Lakes and Ponds

Historically, most settlements, cities, and towns were established near rivers, lakes, or coastlines because water is a vital part of survival. This applies to animals as well. Pull up Google maps and take note of large blue areas, indicating bodies of water, and see if you can (reasonably and safely) get to them. Most ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in Colorado have hiking paths around them for public use. Just be careful not to venture onto private property.

Bald eagle at Stearns Lake. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Walden Ponds and Sawhill Ponds are right next to each other and boast a total of eight ponds, plus more in the area that aren’t technically part of these groupings. Without a map it would be impossible to tell where one section begins and the other ends. These ponds are in Boulder, west of N. 75th St. and north of Valmont Road. Fishing is allowed with a permit, and while casting, other fishers of sorts might be spotted, such as birds of prey.

Hawk flying above McKay Lake. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

McKay Lake is just north of the King Soopers on W. 136 Ave. in Broomfield, so you could potentially fit in a walk on your way to the grocery store. Since it is in the middle of civilization, you’re probably not likely to run into a moose here, but birds tend to migrate through all of the lakes in Colorado. Even the little pond by the Broomfield Library sees unique birds stop by. If you have young children, Canadian geese are almost guaranteed, and maybe you could get the kiddos to check out a book on bird identification beforehand or afterward.

Pelicans at the Broomfield Library pond. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Anthem Lake in Anthem Community Park is in northern Broomfield. Year round, the lake is teaming with wildlife, if you take the time to notice. Depending on the time of year, you’ll see pelicans or ducks on the water. If you squint at the water to see below its surface, you might notice a crawdad or fish.

Crawdad in Anthem Lake. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Waneka Lake and the Greenlee Wildlife Preserve is in Lafayette, the first designated Bird City in Colorado. Lafayette birds! is proud to host bird watching for beginners on the first Sunday of each month from 1-3 p.m. starting in May and running through November at the Greenlee Wildlife Preserve.

Great Blue Heron at Tom Frost Reservoir. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Tom Frost Reservoir is south of the Paul Derda Recreation Center and east of the Broomfield Commons Open Space. There is a trail around the water and multiple trails throughout. This open space, like all the open spaces in Boulder County, is home to coyotes, so keep your dogs on leashes, your head up, and your camera ready.

Coyote at Tom Frost Reservoir. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Animal Tracks and Camouflage

Even if you don’t actually see a critter, you can find evidence that they have been around. Hoof or paw prints are obvious indicators or scat —animal poop. A little more subtle are bug prints. Some leave “footprints,” and others leave lines marking where they have been.

Bug track in sand. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Sometimes, marks in the ground can tell a story. Dr. Betty Dorr is a professor at Fort Lewis College, and one of her areas of academic expertise is animal behavior. She identified these markings as the site of a probable capture of a mouse by an owl. The mouse tracks lead to the scuffle and not away, and there are brushes in the sand that were likely created by wings.

Tracks from an owl catching a mouse. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

First thing in the morning can be a great time to look for prints as many animals are active at night, and fewer humans will have trekked over them already.

If you see movement out of the corner of your eye, this is a great indicator that something living is there or that it’s a windy day and inanimate objects are moving around just to get you excited. Many animals employ camouflage to keep themselves hidden and safe, so you could look directly at them and never know —kind of like how this toad blends into the rocks it is sitting on.

Toad at Walden and Sawhill ponds. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Animals at Night

Nocturnal animals only come out at night, but even animals that aren’t nocturnal can be active after dark. Since humans do not have night vision or echolocation to help us navigate, finding these critters can be a challenge.

If you have a black light handy, you might find bark scorpions in southeastern Colorado, which glow brightly under a black light. Observe them carefully, and then sleep soundly. They won’t typically bother anyone if they are left alone. In fact, they were there all the other nights before you knew about them, and they never hurt you.

Scorpion under a blacklight. Photo: Ashley Kay Mauer

Bats are another night creature that you can probably spot. A trick is to look up as the natural light dims, and you’ll be able to see their dark bodies against the remaining light in the sky. There are no vampire bats in North America, so you don’t need to fear these little guys either. Even if you don’t see them, listen for their clicks as they echolocate to find dinner.

Animal Safety

As majestic and exciting as wild animals are, they are still wild, and they aren’t going to be excited to see you nor will they want to lick your face to show their love like your dog when you get home. The National Park Service published some tips on Instagram for being safe around animals:

1. Give animals space. We all want room to move. If taking pics, use your zoom and if you’re close enough to take a selfie with a large animal, well, it may not end up the most flattering. (Is that an eye? What’s that mass of fur? Ooh, that’s a shame.)
2. Do not disturb. Even when you’re farther away, leaving wildlife alone can help your viewing experience. Wildlife, like your ex, can be unpredictable when they’re disturbed or surprised.
3. Slow down speed racer. Keep your eyes on the road and follow the posted speed limits. Watch for wildlife that may dart into the road.
4. Store your food and stash your trash. No. That bison isn’t coming towards you because of your sparking personality. Feeding wildlife in parks can make them come looking for more. Also, if you bring something in, take it back out.
5. See something, say something. Tell a ranger if you come into physical contact with wildlife. We’re here to help.
6. Be responsible. Ultimately, staying safe and keeping wildlife wild is up to you!

Source: The National Park Service

Basically, use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings so nothing sneaks up on you.  Maintain distance between you and all creatures regardless of how “harmless” they may seem. Binoculars and cameras with strong zooms are fantastic ways to “get close” to an animal without getting too close.

The post Meeting Live Animals: Colorado is a freeform zoo waiting to be explored appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Entry to one of three rounds you can play, All images by De La Vaca

The email I got started off with all the hype I needed to get into the swing of things (pun intended). “It’s the most wonderful time of year, when community-owned Adventure Golf and Raceway transforms to Holiday Lights Mini Golf!”

Yup. We’re in. The youngins are in. The slightly drunk college kids are in. The holiday light and Tiki god enthusiasts… We’re all in. There are at least three other people I know organizing party bus tours to go check out Christmas lights and then go to Krampus at the 13th Floor or throw an ugly sweater party and, if anybody reads this and is moved by the spirit, be headed to Adventure Golf and Raceway for Holiday lights mini golf. 

I haven’t played mini-golf in a decade or so. I know, shame on me. I grew up doing a lot of golfing, including living above a golf course at one point, in Corona, California. The opportunity to take a friend and her son and take some pictures was more than I could bear. I could not resist. And we’re so glad we did it. 

This is “a fantastical journey through 54 holes of heavily themed miniature golf, with hundreds of thousands of twinkling, colorful lights, and beautifully decorated creative features on every hole. You’ll meet Woody, the giant talking tree; see an erupting volcano; and leap at the sound of a booming fireball when it blasts off the head of our very deep-voiced island temple god.”

As much as I enjoyed miniature golf, and as much as I enjoy it with a group, there’s something incredibly special about taking small child with you. People with families, people with young humans in your lives, people with nephews and nieces, it’s time to get out into the crisp evening air and have some fun. The absolute joy, the excitement, and the overwhelming happiness of sinking a ball as the lights twinkle around you is enough to give any Scrooge a change of heart. We highly recommend getting out to enjoy some  holiday light mini golfing before this is over.

Friend Rhianna with her son Giovanni

Light holiday treats and beverages are available for purchase along with hot chocolate, s’mores and select adult spirits. The goodness is open every evening through the end of the year. Get more info and tickets at www.adventuregolfandraceway.com.

Lighted Golf Adventure Pricing:

Adults $10.00 –
Seniors and Children $8

All images by De La Vaca for Yellow Scene Magazine 

The post Twinkles and clubs and balls and happy: Holiday Lights Mini Golf Open Through Year’s End | Photos appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

by Kate Meyers

Photo: Jad Davenport

A sleigh ride to a campfire, horseback riding through crystal forests, laughing children tubing down a hill, and adults feeling like kids again – that is winter  on Colorado’s ranches. If you’ve already done the hotels and condominiums that are close to winter activities, it might be time to do something different. All these ranches are easily accessible from main roads, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in the snow or getting lost in the Rockies. Colorado’s dude ranches can provide a full range of experiences away from lift lines and crowds. The experiences they offer may be just your cup of tea – or hot cocoa.

We are fortunate to have so many great dude ranches within driving distance. Many ranches aren’t open in the winter which makes these ranches special for people who want a taste of winter in the Rockies. People travel from all over the world to experience a bit of life on working ranches, but we have these international destination resorts in our own backyard. Ranch life was hard in the heyday of western expansion [editor’s note: expansion is a polite but technically incorrect term for genocidal colonization and Manifest Destiny], but don’t worry, you won’t be saddle-sore and sleeping in a bunkhouse – unless you want to.

The dude ranches of today are luxury resorts that cater to the needs and wants of the sophisticated traveler. Gourmet food, beautifully appointed cabins and lodge rooms, and staff trained to make your stay a memory of a lifetime are all part of the ranch experience. If you don’t ride there are a multitude of activities to enjoy. Of course, you can always just relax and take a nap while enjoying the pristine wilderness.

Photo: Jad Davenport

Vista Verde Ranch

Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs is an all-inclusive luxury ranch with the feel of the Old West. If you want family activities, Vista Verde will provide you with most everything you desire; a family vacation or reunion can make memories for a lifetime. There are many family-friendly activities and tubing, sleigh rides, and feeding the horses are some of the favorites for kids. There is an age limit of 6 years old because it isn’t set up for little ones. You will need to leave your four-legged kids at home.

All this family fun may be a bit much if you and your partner want to get away from crowds. Vista Verde caters to romantic holidays and people who just want to spend their time on a retreat from busy lives. There are entire months that are adult only. Active couples or singles retreats are also part of the service at Vista Verde.

The ranch provides an amazing range of activities including snowshoeing, dog sledding, backcountry skiing, ice fishing, sleigh rides, wine tasting, cooking classes, photography classes, and yoga. If the trails are unmanageable for horseback riding, the ranch has an indoor riding arena. After all this fun, you might find a massage is just what you need. The staff can arrange this. After a full day, the ranch will have a roaring fire waiting for you.

Vista Verde follows all State and County requirements for COVID protection, but masks are not required, and vaccination status isn’t checked. They will accommodate visitors with COVID concerns.

You can reach reservations at (970) 879-3858 or visit the website at vistaverde.com.

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch

If you just can’t leave your fur family at home, Sundance Trail is the place for you. Dogs must be well-behaved because dogs aren’t required to be on leash. There is no extra charge for pets, but you’ll need to leave a deposit.

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch near Red Feather Lakes is a relaxed and easy-going place. The ranch prides itself on treating visitors as family so that they can live the ranch life. People come to bond with family and many return year after year to experience this place of quiet beauty. But don’t think that there are not fun winter activities. One of the highlights of the ranch are their Murder Mystery Weekends. Weather permitting, there is a guided trail ride every day, hiking, yoga and, surprisingly, axe throwing. You can also reserve a professional massage to unwind.

The Winter is Country Inn Season is when you can choose to add meals or enjoy bed and breakfast. There is a three-day stay minimum in the winter. Rates vary with the type of accommodation and length of stay. There are three cabins and suites in the main lodge. The Montana cabin accommodates nine people and is perfect for family reunions. All accommodations pay attention to detail and are warm and cozy.

Since there is very limited indoor contact among guests, COVID precautions are minimal. Special arrangements, however, can be made for folks who want to limit contact.

To make reservations or learn more you can go to www.sundancetrail.com or call (970) 224-1222.

Photo: Emily Sierra

Latigo Ranch

Latigo Ranch in Kremmling, Colorado is a true family enterprise run by the owners, Lisa and Randy George, and their children. This ranch has a comfy, friendly feel with the addition of beautifully appointed cabins and attention to details that make visiting a memorable experience. Families, singles, and couples all find the ranch great for relaxing, enjoying the high-country wilderness, cross-country skiing, sledding, and other outdoor activities that center around the massive snowfalls the area enjoys. You will need to leave your dogs behind in the comfort of home with a pet sitter or at a kennel.

Because of its elevation at 9,000 feet there are no equine activities – the horses are wintered at 7,000 feet for their safety. This speaks to a real concern for the animals that contribute to the success of the ranch in spring, summer, and fall. But don’t worry, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep visitors busy during the winter. Tubing, skiing, and snowshoeing take place on 50 km of groomed trails and 200 square miles. Every year the ranch hosts the Latigo Loppet where skiers go 1-2 laps around a 15 km course and there is even a short course for youngsters. When you would like to stay inside and relax a little, the main lodge has ping pong, foosball, pianos, board games, and more.

Tubing, skiing, and snowshoeing take place on 50 km of groomed trails and 200 square miles.

The cabins are luxurious and rustic. Large suites, which have three bedrooms and a pull-out couch, are great for families or couples and singles who want more room. The single bedroom cabins come in two styles: two are one large room with a separate bathroom and two have a separate sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom. The gourmet food is “wholesome and hardy” to fuel your days outside and your evenings by the fire.

The winter rates for the ranch are all-inclusive and very reasonable. Taxes and gratuities are included in the rates as are all activities (you do pay extra for axe throwing). This is a great place to take the family for an affordable winter vacation. There is no smoking of any kind on the ranch. Marijuana is strictly prohibited. Many out-of-state and even local guests are misinformed about Colorado marijuana laws. The ranch uses some federal lands in which marijuana possession is a felony. As for COVID regulations, they follow the law, but there are no mandates.

For more information go to latigoranch.com or call (970) 724-9008.

C Lazy U Ranch

It is difficult to cover all the special features of C Lazy U in Granby; luxury doesn’t cover it. If price is no object and indulgence is your aim, this ranch is for you and the experience should be on your bucket list. The ranch caters to your every request and the staff’s goal is to make your stay a transcendent experience. When a guest wanted to take his boy camping, which is not a standard amenity, the staff was able to provide a tent, sleeping bags, and all the accoutrements for a wilderness camping trip. No request is too much, unless it is impossible or illegal. A vacation at C Lazy U is fond memories in the making.

All the activities you can imagine are available. Trail riding, snowmobiling, trap shooting, a pond created for ice skating, and hockey (they bought a Zamboni to keep the ice in shape), cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and a spectacular tubing hill. If the weather turns cruel, there is an indoor riding arena that also provides things like archery instruction. If you want to go for downhill skiing, the ranch provides transportation to local ski areas. There is a kids’ club for children 3-17 in the Activities Yurt which provides age-appropriate activities including donkey and pony rides. Children need to be 6 years old to go on trail rides.

The ranch maintains a full-service spa, which means any service you would expect at a city spa is available. If it isn’t, they will probably find a way to accommodate you. Spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rate.

There are 36 accommodations in cabins scattered throughout the property. Calling them cabins is a bit prosaic; these are rustic dreams come true. Most of them are family accommodations and perfect places for family reunions and for taking kids on a vacation they won’t forget. For romantic couples there is a very private honeymoon cabin. All of them are unique and many have fireplaces. Looking at the pictures you can almost smell the woodsmoke.

The ranch caters to your every request and the staff’s goal is to make your stay a transcendent experience.

There is a 1 to 1 staff to guest ratio, so you will never be lonely. Staff has a daily health evaluation and temperature check and there is a wellness checklist for all cabin cleaning employees. The ranch does everything possible to keep their guests safe. Dogs are not allowed for the safety of the dogs and horses.

The holidays at C Lazy U are unique. There is a great feast at Thanksgiving where you may meet people who could be lifetime friends. All cabins are decorated for Christmas and a Christmas tree is placed in each one. Santa visits on a horse-drawn sleigh on Christmas Eve. New Year’s is celebrated in style with dancing to a live band, a mechanical bull, and carnival games.

The phrase, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it” applies at C Lazy U Ranch. Most of us will never be able to afford this level of luxury but, for those who can, it will be a vacation of a lifetime.

Contact them at (970) 887-3344 or online at www.clazyu.com.

Final Thoughts

Colorado provides the unique opportunity to enjoy a different kind of vacation that makes memories, provides families a chance to unwind and get to know each other, creates an atmosphere of romance and peace, and allows you to experience nature in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Horsing Around: Local Day Horse Rides

There are lots of stables open in the winter in the Rockies. Trail rides and sleigh rides are available at most winter vacation destinations. Horses aren’t machines like snowmobiles; from Mustangs to Clydesdales, horses are sensitive, loving, and trusting of people who care about them. When choosing a stable for day or sleigh rides you should be aware that all stables are not the same in the way they respect their horses. Using common sense when choosing one is important. If the stable isn’t clean, horses don’t have access to water and dry bedding, look sad or depressed, or are kept saddled and bridled for hours waiting for a rider to come along, this is not the stable you want.

Note: I haven’t visited the following stables, but they have good reputations.

Fantasy Ranch

Half hour rides out to a warm fireplace at the lodge and cocoa is a fun way to spend part of the day wintering in the Rockies. In the winter, both horse and sleigh rides are taken daily. I spoke to Chuck, and he sounds like a cowboy with respect for his horses and consideration for his guests.

Almont Resort, 10209 Highway 135, Almont, CO 81210 | 970-349-5425 | chuck@fantasyranchoutfitters.com

Breckenridge Stables

This stable provides outstanding horse care. Many of their horses have been rescued from slaughter. The horses received excellent feed, veterinary care, farrier care and are not overused. Sleigh rides and trail rides are available in the winter.

970-453-4438 | breckstables.com

Snow Mountain Stables

Sleigh rides, pony rides, and horseback rides are provided year round. Sleigh and wagon rides have bonfires to warm up around depending on fire restrictions. Reservations needed.

Snow Mountain Stables, 1101 Co. Rd 53, Granby, CO 80446 | 970-509-9089 | snowmountainstables@yahoo.com

Beaver Meadows Ranch

Sleigh rides here are not only fun, but delicious, too. Hot chocolate and cookie rides make winter outdoors an event. Cozy blankets keep you warm while horses take you through scenery covered in snow and frost. The 20-minute ride goes to Homestead Cabin and a warm fire, yummy treats, and a kids’ craft table. There are also cowboy lunch rides and cut-your-own-Christmas tree excursions.

Beaver Meadows Stables, 100 Marmot Drive, Unit 15, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545 | (970) 232-8326 | clarasprettyhorses@gmail.com.

The post Winter at Rocky Mountain Ranches: Colorado Dude Ranches Take us Back to the Wild West? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, CO, This Fall

(LEADVILLE, COLO, August 25, 2021) – Leaves change first in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. At elevations around 10,000’, the aspen usually peak mid- to late September, surrounding scenic drives, hikes, bike rides, and train rides with golden leaves. Here are ten reasons to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes this fall.

SCENIC DRIVES AND RIDES

1. National Scenic and Historic Byway – Autumn Roads– All roads into Leadville follow theTop of the Rockies National Scenic and Historic Byway, an 82-mile route that reaches 12,000’. The route offers spectacular views of golden aspen groves and large glacial lakes. The section from Twin Lakes to the summit of Independence Pass is especially brilliant in the fall.

2. Leadville Scenic Train –TheLeadville Colorado & Southern Railroad rides up into the San Isabel National Forest, where the mountains are ablaze with yellow, orange, and red. One to two trains run daily through Oct. 8, 2021. The train leaves on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. from Oct. 9 to Oct. 31, 2021. Reservations are required, and it is encouraged to book in advance.

3. Ride through Alpine Scenery–Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting offers horseback rides, wagon rides, stagecoach rides, and overnight wilderness pack trips, featuring some of the most spectacular mountain views in the area. They also offer a complete range of hunting services, including fully guided hunts, drop camps, game retrieval, and pack services.

OUTDOOR FUN

4. Fall Hikes –1.) The East Ridge ofMt. Elbert, Colorado’s tallest mountain at 14,433?, offers a trip through an expansive aspen grove—and a chance to look down on those glowing leaves from above. 2.) The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail offer gorgeous scenery with golden aspens. 3.) Hope Pass at 12,600? offers stunning views of soaring 14ers in the Sawatch Range, Twin Lakes from on high, and the picturesque Arkansas River Valley.

5. Fall Bike Rides –1.) Leadville’sMineral Belt Trail, an 11.6 mile paved loop around the historic city, goes through a large aspen grove that is brilliant in the fall. The trail offers views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, and remnants of 1880s silver mines. The section between 5th Street and Toledo Street/California Gulch has jaw-dropping leaves. 2.) The trail to Interlaken passes through a lakeside aspen grove on the way to a turn-of-the-century ghost resort on the shores of Twin Lakes. Mt. Elbert is in full view across the lake, with its lower slopes yellow with aspen.

6. Soar High Above the Fall Foliage –Visitors can soar high above the valley on theTop of the Rockies Zipline to experience fall foliage at an elevation of 11,200’ with views of Colorado’s highest peaks. Open year-round, except late fall and early spring.

7. Play One More Round of Golf Before Next Season– TheMt. Massive Golf Course, North America’s highest course, offers reasonable prices and is surrounded by scenic 14ers. The course is usually open until the second week of October.

WESTERN HISTORY 

8. Ghost Town and Tours; Perfect for Halloween –1.) TheEast Side Mining District is home to the remains of Leadville’s silver mining boom days, from looming headframes to creaky ore houses that once bustled with miners. Visitors can download a Heritage Guide for a map of the driving tour Route of the Silver Kings. 2.) Leadville’s Cemetery, Ghost, and Safari Tours offer a new view on Leadville’s history and its past residents. Tours run on weekends through Sept. 25, 2021.

9. Discover Mining– TheNational Mining Museum and Hall of Fame offers replicas of caves and mines, a world-class collection of sparkling gems, and the stories of the people who’ve run American mines for decades.

10. Experience Western History through a Museum Tour– 1.) TheHealy House Museum and Dexter Cabin are two of Leadville’s earliest houses showcasing what life was like in a booming silver-mining town. 2.) The Heritage Museum houses Leadville memorabilia highlighting the city’s history. Call (719) 486-1878 for hours after Labor Day. 3.) The Temple Israel, built in 1884, is the oldest of the area’s frontier synagogues. It serves as a museum and research institute that documents the lives of Jewish pioneers during Leadville’s mining boom era.

For more information, visit LeadvilleTwinLakes.com.

The post Top 10 Reasons to Visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, CO, This Fall | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Photo Credit: Tamara Susa

September in Snowmass Features Two New Events & Many Returning Favorites

Mall Jam and the September Music Series Join Fall Favorites Like JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience, the Snowmass Balloon Festival, and Snowmass Wine Festival 

Snowmass Village, Colo., (August 30, 2021) – Snowmass’ September event lineup features two new events and some of the best fall experiences in the Valley. With two new music focused events – Mall Jam and the September Music Series – Snowmass’ music scene is prevalent throughout September. Local returning favorites such as JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience, the Snowmass Balloon Festival, the Golden Leaf Half Marathon, and the Snowmass Wine Festival, not to mention a variety of biking events, round out the month and cap off the spectacular summer 2021 season.

“September is going to start with a bang and end strong with fabulous lineup of events,” says Rose Abello, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “Guest occupancy is high, locals are out to play, and we have had so much interest in September that we have extended programming unlike ever before to ensure we have great, fun variety for visitors and locals alike.”

September 2021 Event & Activation Lineup

*New – Mall Jam – September 2: Kick off Labor Day Weekend with music, Music, MUSIC! From 3:00pm-9:00pm on Thursday, September 2, three bands of various genres, shapes, and sizes play tunes on the Tower Stage, located midway down the Snowmass Mall. Jam out to the sounds of local musicians The Confluence, featuring Chris Harrison on saxophone and Dustin Lutomski on trumpet, as well as Rob Drabkin, a rock group out of Denver, and El Loco Fandango, the definitive tribute to ZZ Top, as they kick off the festive music-filled weekend in Snowmass. Enjoy lawn games, a cornhole tournament, raffles and prizes, extended business hours, and special entertainers. www.gosnowmass.com/event/mall-jam/

JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience – September 3-5: JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience features three days of world-class performances on multiple stages, eclectic food and beverage vendors, a kiddie corner, and more. 2021 acts include Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Eric Church, Kings of Leon, Maren Morris, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Larkin Poe, and Yola. www.jasaspensnowmass.org

*New – September Music Series – Thursdays – September 9 – 30: Summer may be over, but the music keeps on playing in Snowmass! Every Thursday afternoon throughout September, local bands keep the music alive on the Tower Stage on the Snowmass Mall and on The Rink in Snowmass Base Village from 4:30-6:30pm. Bands include The True Story Band, The Colorado Curry’s, Echo Monday, Wade Waters, Smuggler Mountain Boys, the John Carlin Trio, and Sweet Temerity. www.gosnowmass.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=29468&preview=true

Snowmass Balloon Festival – September 10-12: The Snowmass Balloon Festival celebrates its 46^th anniversary in 2021. The long-standing Rocky Mountain tradition features three days of 30+ festive balloons launching into the air on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings from 7:00am-9:00am and a Friday evening Balloon Night Glow from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Spectators are encouraged to experience the festival grounds and Gitsie’s coffee and provisions food truck, or drive in, hike up, or bike around to take in the sights and sounds of the morning balloon launches. Click here for a “how-to” guide to hiking and biking Snowmass’ trails for best balloon viewing. Parking is available on a first come, first served basis at Town Park Station, Rodeo Lot and along Brush Creek Road (between Horse Ranch and Meadow Drive). For more information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/event/snowmass-balloon-festival-2020-09-13/2021-09-10/

Axes & Arms Walk – September 11: Join local first responders for a walk from Town Park Station to the Top of the Village, 956ft, the highest number of feet that the brave New York first responders climbed inside the first tower of The World Trade Center. Following the walk, return to Town Park to enjoy food, drinks, yard games, and more, provided by Roaring Fork Fire Authority. The climb is free and open to the public; donations to the Axes and Arms Foundation are accepted and appreciated. www.gosnowmass.com/event/axes-and-arms-9-11-climb/

Snowmass Wine Festival – September 17-18: Experience an incredible afternoon of food, flavors, sights, and sounds at the Snowmass Wine Festival, hosted by Rotary Club of Snowmass Village, on September 18. Returning for its 19^th year, the festival features 20 tables of light food from local providers and 35 tables of wine vendors under the tent at Snowmass Town Park. Tickets are $105 / person in advance, and $115 / person at the gate. An Evening of Food and Wine, a wine pairing dinner at The Collective Snowmass, on September 17 at 6:00pm, is $120. All proceeds are used for scholarships, local, and international grants through Snowmass Rotary. www.SnowmassWineFestival.com

Golden Leaf Half Marathon – September 18: Chosen by Trail Runner magazine as one of “America’s 14 Most Scenic Races” this classic trail running race from Snowmass to Aspen is an annual sell out that provides 980’ elevation gain and a 1,712’ descent over its 13.1 miles. aspenspecialevents.com/golden-leaf/

Collegiate CU MTB Races – September 18-19: The University of Colorado’s mountain bike team takes over Snowmass Ski Area for a weekend of elite collegiate mountain biking amidst the stunning backdrop of changing aspen leaves. Events and competitions include short track, downhill, cross-country, and enduro, with plenty of spectating opportunities. www.gosnowmass.com/event/cu-snowmass/

VIDA MTB Series Flagship Clinic – September 18-19: Supported by YETI Cycles, Yeti Cycles VIDA MTB Series presented by Shimano returns to Snowmass for the second of two clinics this summer. The VIDA MTB Series Flagship Clinics are two-day women’s only mountain bike clinics. The clinics provides women with the opportunity to increase their mountain biking confidence, learn new skills, and to connect with VIDA coaches on proper biking technique. www.vidamtb.com

CO High School Cycling League – September 25-26: This fall, the Colorado High School Cycling League returns to Snowmass to host cross-country mountain bike races for over 1,000 student athletes from Colorado and New Mexico. coloradomtb.org

Ongoing Summer 2021 Events & Activations

Snowmass Mountain Mission – Any Time: The Snowmass Mountain Mission is an app based, village-wide scavenger hunt designed to challenge creativity, test Snowmass knowledge, and enhance selfie skills. Download the Eventzee app from the App Store, enter an email, username and password, and the event code: Snowmass. Hit different point thresholds to win fun Snowmass prizes. www.gosnowmass.com/snowmass-mountain-mission/

Snowmass Art Walk – Any Time: The free Snowmass Art Walk features Village-wide outdoor art installations including murals and sculptures that complement the beauty of Snowmass. The Snowmass Art Walk showcases the work of six local Roaring Fork Valley artists with walkable installations spread out between the Snowmass Mall, Snowmass Base Village, the Brush Creek Trail, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center. For the full map of these permanent installations, download the Eventzee app or visit www.gosnowmass.com/activity/snowmass-art-walk.

The Collective Snowmass – Any Time: The Collective Snowmass, the hub for community activity in Snowmass Base Village, features a robust summer lineup of weekly programming including chess club, bingo night, and yoga with King Yoga. The Collective also features yard games, splash pads, fountains, and pop-up events. This summer visit the new Selfie Den, located adjacent to the Game Lounge. For a full calendar and fall hours, please visit www.TheCollectiveSnowmass.com. 

ACES Guided Hikes – through September 26: This summer, join a Naturalist from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) for a free, guided hike amongst the flowers and fields of Snowmass. Guests can choose to join the Wildflower Walk, which takes place at 10:00am on the Nature Trail, or the Ice Age Discovery Hike at 1:00pm on the Discovery Trail. Both hikes feature facts, tips, and trivia from a knowledgeable ACES Naturalist, as well as the chance to explore and get to know the flora and fauna of Snowmass. Hikes leave daily from the Ticket Pavilion on the Snowmass Mall, through September 6; Weekends only throughout September. www.gosnowmass.com/activity/aces-tours

Elk Camp Gondola – through October 3: Enjoy a ride on the Elk Camp Gondola in Snowmass! Elk Camp Gondola gives access to the Lost Forest, Elk Camp Restaurant, and Snowmass Bike Park. Use Elk Camp as a base to ride 90+ miles of Snowmass trails, part of the Aspen Snowmass/ Roaring Fork Valley IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center, the only Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado, only the 5^th in United States, and the 7^th in the world. Open daily through September 6. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only through October 3. www.AspenSnowmass.com

For the full Summer 2021 Event Calendar, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/events. For summer and fall photos of Snowmass Village, click here. Please credit the photographer listed. For a video of September events, please click here.

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About Snowmass Village, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant summer community just 9 miles from Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best winter ski areas and summer mountain biking destinations in the world. Ski Magazine named Aspen Snowmass the #1 “resort of the year” in the West in 2020, and Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado, only the 5^th in United States, and the 7^th in the world. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, 95 percent slopeside lodging, shopping, unique special events and music – all year round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit www.gosnowmass.com.

The post Snowmass September 2021 Event Lineup | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

by Hailey Rodis

While seeing a cat about town might bring you a spark of joy, take a minute to paws and think of the dangers that face both the cat and the environment around you. Allowing your cats to be outside unsupervised can be cat-astrophic to their longevity and the population of birds and smaller animals in your area.

Many pet owners feel they are giving their cats freedom by letting them roam. In reality, the decision can be a form of neglect.

Cats are loyal, affectionate, and create deep bonds with their human parents. When an animal’s schedule is disrupted, by leaving them to face the unknown and uncertainty of the outdoors, the nature of their relationship may become more remote and distant. This may unintentionally and incorrectly lead to the conclusion that the freedom to roam is a good choice for the pet.

Taking a more casual approach to cat ownership through letting your pet outside might seem like the best thing—after all, cats want to be outside. They are wild, right? No. Domesticated cats are, well, domestic. They are just as tame and need just as much attention and care as your pet dog might need.

This common misconception, however, leads to what Kate Myers explained as cats being considered “second class pets.” Myers has worked with animals for more than 45 years through her various roles as a Shelter Community Information Director in Utah and as the Animal Control Director and Executive Director for a regional Humane Association for Washington State.

“People would never let their dogs run loose all day long, and especially not at night. The dangers of damage are just too great. But the same people will let their cats outside,” said Myers. “Cats are domestic animals, just like dogs. They don’t need to be outside.”

Kitty Versus Wild

A very significant consequence is that intentionally letting your cat outside can greatly change their life expectancy. While no scientific studies have been conducted on the difference in longevity between indoor and outdoor cats, Dr. Slack can speak from experience. 

“The average lifespan of domestic pet cats in general is probably around 15 to 16 years,” Dr. Slack explained. Outdoor cats by comparison, live much shorter lives. Slack explained that, “a lot of them die by one and a half to two years of age.”

Dr. Slack further underscored that if an outdoor cat makes it past the two-year mark, they will likely live to the average age. This can be correlated to the idea of Darwinism, where if the cat develops “street smarts” it will likely live to see their late teen years.

This stark difference in average lifespans can be attributed mainly to the different dangers that cats face when outdoors. Threats, such as predators, off-leash dogs, and other outdoor cats, can injure and possibly kill the cats that are allowed outside by their owners.      

Colorado and the Boulder area are home to several predators that may hurt an outdoor cat if they cross paths. These predators include, but are not limited to, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, lynxes, bobcats, owls, hawks, osprey, bears, and rattlesnakes. Off-leash dogs may attack or chase any outdoor cat they see. Additionally, it is likely felines may fight with other outdoor cats for several reasons including being territorial, a pursuit of prey, or general aggression.

Outdoor cats by comparison, live much shorter lives. Slack explained that, “a lot of them die by one and a half to two years of age.”

Erroneous Logic and Myth

The University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine suggests that many pet owners may think that they should let their cats outside for several common reasons, but this thought process is generally based on myth instead of fact.

One reason suggested by the team at UC Davis is that pet owners believe their cats do not receive enough exercise when kept inside the house. This leads to another erroneous belief that all indoor cats are destined to become lethargic and overweight. Letting your cat outside, however, is not the solution to this issue. Instead, investing in the necessary enrichment devices in your house, such as a kitty condo, provides a more dynamic and energizing environment.

Other ways pet owners can make the most of their space, no matter the size, is to utilize vertical space using catwalks or other platforms that can be attached to walls. Pet owners can watch the amount of food provided for meals and snacks can keep kitty’s weight at the appropriate level.

If you’re seriously concerned about a cat’s weight, you should consult with their veterinarian about your cat’s diet. Dr. Fern Slack, the Medical Director for Uniquely Cats Veterinary Center, explained the concept of a biologically appropriate diet.

“This is based on the fact that cats eat prey animals and nothing else in the wild,” Dr. Slack said. “Ideally then, a cat food would be based on what I think of as the ‘mouse in a blender’ model.”

The “mouse in a blender” approach essentially means providing a kitty with food made entirely of protein. While this sounds like the ideal solution for all cat owners, most commercial cat food is made mostly or entirely out of plant material. There are, however, a small number of pet food companies that make high quality cat food out of natural ingredients, though they are few and far between. This option can also be very expensive for both the cat food companies and the pet owners, as it is difficult to make pet food out of actual meat.

The solution is not found in letting a cat roam outdoors to potentially supplement their diet with birds and other small animals.  This pet owner decision creates myriad other problems that are often harder to remedy than planned cat food diet changes.

Infection and Disease

Outdoor cats are also at high risk of contracting diseases or infections, some of which may be life-threatening. Those medical risks that most commonly affect cats include rabies, Black Plague and tularemia, and diseases specific to cats, such as the Feline Leukemia virus or Feline AIDS (FIV).

Dr. Fern points out that cats could contract diseases through eating mice or rats, through fighting, or by encountering other cats who might be sick. Pet owners can take precautions by vaccinating their cats on a regular schedule. However, not all diseases mentioned above have readily available vaccines. The best way to counteract this risk remains keeping cats inside the home.

Extinction Level Events

In addition to the threats cats face while outdoors, it is important to think of the impact cats have on their surroundings and their environment. According to the American Bird Conservancy, outdoor cats are responsible for the death of approximately 2.4 billion birds per year in the United States. It is also estimated that cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 bird species.

This level of negative influence on the environment is especially concerning in areas where the indigenous birds are endangered and are at great risk of extinction. While the Boulder County Nature Association’s list of extirpated or rare and declining species includes only 11 species, outdoor cats hunting birds can lead to issues with those avians who routinely populate and build nests in your community.

“Many neighbors want to enjoy wildlife in their yards and to grow gardens,” Tonni Loutzenhiser said. “Cats may choose to use the gardens and the yard as a litter box and chase away or kill birds and other wildlife.”

As the Executive Director of Longmont Friends of Feral and Abandoned Cats, Loutzenhiser has seen the results of pet owners letting their cats wander unsupervised.

Kitty Tracking

“Cats are often found roaming and end up in animal shelters or with a concerned neighbor,” Loutzenhiser explained. To counteract this dilemma, if a pet owner chooses to allow their cat to be outdoors, they need to microchip their cat.

Microchipping, or the embedding of a small electronic chip in a pet, is popular with dog owners, yet many pet owners overlook this safety mechanism for their cats. If a cat is microchipped, when picked up, it can be safely reunited with its family.

If, however, an outdoor cat is not microchipped, they may be taken to a shelter with no way to get home. Not only will this result in a kitty being away from its family for a prolonged period, but the cat may also end up being rehomed with a different family or euthanized.

Microchipping, or the embedding of a small electronic chip in a pet, is popular with dog owners, yet many pet owners overlook this safety mechanism for their cats.

Free Range Alt

This is not all to say that you should prohibit your cat from getting their paws a little dirty, but there are plenty of safe alternatives to letting them be free range. Catios, or a cat patio, are outdoor enclosures that are specifically designed to keep cats safe. They allow for birdwatching without bringing any harm to the kitty or birds in your community and serve as an extension of your residence.

Another option includes taking your feline on a walk, by using a leash and collar or a harness. While it may be difficult to train a cat to enjoy a leisurely stroll, this approach is well worth the work to ensure your cat’s safety. If, however, your kitty is a little too old to learn new tricks, or perhaps too stubborn, there are many options made specifically for pets that allow for different outdoor ventures. Pet-safe options include uniquely designed strollers, backpacks, or a number of variations on traditional cat carriers.

Maggie Fell, Boulder resident and proud cat mama to Milo, shared insight into the importance of taking her kitty on walks outside using a leash and harness. “I think it’s healthy for Milo to get out and about,” Fell says. “I know it makes him happier… he seems to get his energy out and is more appreciative and loving.”

A large part of Fell’s decision to leash train Milo is that, “toys just aren’t always enough. Cats are constantly getting bored and sometimes need more space to enjoy,” which the walks allow her kitty to experience.

If you are still inclined to give your cat outdoor time without close supervision, consider installing a cat fence. These products can vary from invisible fences to those similar in design to zoo fences, which angle at the top to keep even the highest jumpers in your yard. While these alternatives can vary in price and some may be very expensive, it may be worth it for pet owners who wish to still let their cats outdoors.

In The End…

… Being a cat owner is about creating an environment that is enriching and comfortable for your feline. Having plenty of indoor activities for your cats that utilize vertical space allows cats to embrace their wild side while in the safety of their home. Additionally, creating purposeful alternatives to outdoor roaming allows felines to get a breath of fresh air while being watched over by their family. And all this means keeping our neighboring wildlife safe and healthy and limiting predator reasons for ingress into our neighborhoods. 

The post Outdoor Cats: Pawsome or Clawful? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Camping season is here and boy, oh boy, is it going to be crowded! The pandemic has changed a lot but it hasn’t changed our drive to get out into the world and explore. People are still traveling. They’re just staying closer to home and outdoor activities such as camping, glamping, and backpacking are fun and accessible opportunities for a lot of people. Nature brings us together. It provides space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It provides us the opportunity to simply gaze into the night sky and off into the magical distance of soaring peaks and beautifully cut canyons. It also provides a testing ground to prove your survival skills when you stray too far from the beaten path. So in a year where more people are heading out than ever before, popular campgrounds and hikes will see unsustainable levels of traffic leading to faster levels of erosion, more trash be left behind, and more intrusion on the lives of animals causing their further habituation.

The sites we picked stray from the popular areas and tend to be lesser known spots that still have some infrastructure to support campers. They range greatly, from dispersed camping in thick forests to glamping in the aspen-lined valley of Vail, from primitive filter-your-own-water and dig-your-own-hole to immaculate canvas tents and a farm-to-table dinner.

So as we continue to head full steam into the heights of summer, grab your fishing pole or your s’mores stick, pack up the car, and check out any or all of these wonderful campsites and get out there!

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace. These principles not only protect you but they protect the wildlife and nature that we so often take for granted. So before you go, check out the links below for more information on how to recreate responsibility.

• Responsible Recreation | USDA Forest Service
• The 7 Principles | Leave No Trace
• Camping In Colorado | Free Campsites
• Best Free Campsites in Colorado | Campendium
• Free Camping In Colorado | Uncover Colorado

Primitive and Dispersed

Antelope Creek Campground

39.92178, -105.61369
An area with dispersed sites and no facilities just west of Nederland. Antelope Creek and Jenny Creek run nearby should you need to filter some water. From here you can continue to follow Rollins Pass Road into the alpine for spectacular views and day hikes, or head to the Eldora area for more access to the surrounding ranges. You can also head over Rollins Pass for an epic high altitude 4×4 road trip to winter park.

Meadow Creek

40.05142, -105.73663
Head out to Tabernash and take USFS 129 all the way to Meadow Creek Reservoir. The campground is on a large meadow surrounded by forests with plenty of sites to choose from. No services. There’s a lovely hike to Monarch Lake along Mill Creek, or simply enjoy the views of the westside of the Indian Peaks.

Moffat County Tourism Association

Swinging Bridge Campground

40.82963, -109.03335
This campground is within Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge on the Green River and is a primitive campground. Close proximity to hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. It does have facilities and all campsites are free and on a first-come first-serve basis. There are also fire rings, pit toilets, and a boat ramp. Dinosaur National Monument is just south of here if you’re looking for some epic canyons.

Hinman Park Campground

40.74856, -106.83368
Located near the Elk River in the Medicine Bow Mountains, there are thirteen sites, two vault toilets, and some picnic tables. Your closest town is Steamboat Springs. Trout fishing, hiking, and horseback riding trails are easily found at the South Fork Trailhead only a quarter of a mile away.

Spruce Grove Campground

39.13968, -105.46161
High up in the San Isabel National Forest, north of Lake George, a paved road will get you all the way to this secluded campground near a small reservoir. There are facilities and designated spots, and you’ll be a stone’s throw away from some of the most beautiful terrain Colorado has to offer. A remarkably quaint and quiet place to spend a weekend.

Bureau of Land Management

Green Mountain Campground

39.33363, -105.35748
This is one of our most isolated picks. To get there you’ll want a high clearance vehicle because you’ll be on dirt roads for much of it. You can get there by heading to Bailey then heading south-east towards Wellington Lake. The campground is about a mile before the lake. Primitive camping awaits surrounded by wonderful forest.

Glamping

Joyful Journey Hot Spring Spa

38.16875, -105.92574
They’re all about relaxation. They have traditional lodging, but they also have Tipis and Yurts to satisfy that outdoorsy craving. You can even camp on their property or park your RV. During the day you can wade in the pools which are naturally heated to 98F – 108F, or get a massage to replenish your mind and body. A relaxing getaway just north of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Never Summer Nordic Yurts

40.55419, -106.03824
An adventurer’s paradise. With 12 yurts and some tent sites scattered throughout the Colorado State Forest State Park, Never Summer Nordic offers you the ability to plan your own winter or summer expedition. They come fully stock ready for you and your friends and/or family to arrive after a day full of hiking or skiing. It’s a popular place but there’s still space, so book early.

Collective Vail Retreat

39.74989, -106.67145
Top of the line luxurious camping offering prime gourmet farm-to-ranch dining and artisanal s’mores surrounded by aspens and high rising peaks. Spend the day fly fishing, wine tasting, or horseback riding, and finish it by gazing at the night sky counting the stars, after a wholesome BBQ experience featuring cornish hen, bison sausage, shrimp skewers, and herb goat cheese stuffed sweet peppers.

“Leave No Trace” Principles

• Plan Ahead & Prepare – Knowing where you’re going and how you’re going to get there will help any traveler stay safe. Make sure you know where you’ll camp, what roads and trails you’ll take, and what supplies you need along the way. The better prepared you are the more confidence and fun you’ll have.

• Travel & Camp On Durable Surfaces – Walk and camp on the brown! To prevent the further expansion of trails and campsites, it is best to always camp and walk on already existing opportunities. Each time we camp on a patch of green or we cut the switchback, we’re aiding in the destruction of those areas. You may not destroy it, but the several hundred people behind you certainly will.

• Dispose of Waste Properly – If you bring it in, bring it out. It doesn’t smell great but the resources for others to clean up after you simply don’t exist, and we can all play a small role in keeping those wrappers and bottles off the ground and in the garbage or recycling. P.S. – This also means your feces and those orange peels that take forever to decompose.

• Leave What You Find – Enjoy the area while you’re there, but just like we shouldn’t walk on anything green, we also shouldn’t be plucking it out of the ground to take home. Multiply your actions by 1000 and it’ll be a good indication for the long-term effect. This also applies to carving your love life into a tree, or building new fire rings.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts – Fire restrictions are only getting stricter so do your part to prevent the next wildfire. Keep them contained, keep them surrounded by rocks or a fire ring, and remember to always put it out, dead out. If you can feel heat when you touch those coals, it’s not out.

• Respect Wildlife – Wildlife becomes habituated, and habituated wildlife can become dangerous and will eventually be killed. Do your part to stay away from animals and allow them space to roam. This also includes properly protecting your food so animals don’t have the chance to eat it.

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors – In times of COVID, this might mean wearing a mask and staying six feet from the other party, but it also pertains to right of way adherence, noise levels, and all around friendly behavior because everyone has the right to enjoy our public lands.

The post Off the Beaten Path: 9 Lesser Known Colorado Campsites to Explore appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The outdoor industry has seen tremendous growth in the past year. After coming to a screeching halt, international travel has still not recovered so folks are looking for closer-to-home getaway solutions. Whether it’s a week-long road trip, a weekend overnight backpacking trip, or a day trip to lounge by a creek and fish, more people have been getting out and exploring the wilder side of life.

We’ve compiled some of the best outdoor gear to help you prepare for a summer full of adventures. This year, we’ve split the guide into three sections, providing you with ideas for basic survival tools, lightweight options for backpacking or bikepacking, and to sum it up, some products to heighten your basecamp or glamping experiences.

More people are heading towards the mountains to embrace their inner John Muir or Heather Anderson (she hiked the PCT in 59 days), and that means more people driving on the roads, trying to get spots at campgrounds, and more traffic on the trails. Do your part to ensure that these wild places are left better than you found them, even if that means carrying out that seemingly forgotten doggie bag that was so graciously left in the middle of that path so it couldn’t possibly be left behind.

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles.

• Plan Ahead & Prepare
• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Survival Gear

“Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, Pain, and Punishment”

Spot Gen 4
$149.95 at REI
Spot has been trusted by adventurers far and wide. When you’re in a pinch and need help, press the SOS button to get you out. You can also use it to notify loved ones of your GPS positions so they can follow along.

Garmin Montana 700i
$700 at REI
A high tech backcountry GPS system featuring color bird’s eye view maps to help you navigate your way along even the most rugged terrain. Garmin has been leading the world in high-grade GPS devices to keep you safe. The Montana is the pinnacle.

EST Survival Shovel
$119.99 on Amazon
Eighteen tools in one. This tool is great for overlanders, basecampers, or even just folks hanging out at home. With enough tools to keep up with your survival skills, the EST Shovel is a fully loaded all you can need survival tool.

Leatherman Wave
$99.95 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., Leatherman has paired its ever popular Wave Multi Tool with a repair kit to make sure you’re ready to fix your gear when they break.

Victorinox Mini Champ
$42.99 at Victorinox.com
Lightweight, small, and full of potential, this tiny tool is perfect for backpacking or everyday carry. It’s great for making some lunch and other smaller less serious tasks that come up while in the wild.

Artilect A/SYS-1 Base Layer
Attempting to build a full configuration of A/SYS layers, from base to polar, Artilect is creating innovative clothing using Nuyarn Merino to ensure your safety by maximizing your ability to stay dry, move with ease, look good, and stay warm in even the harshest of conditions.

Benchmade Steep Country
$130.00 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., this fixed blade is made of CPM-S30V steel and a Santoprene handle and comes with a Boltaron sheath. A sturdy and robust all-around knife that will surely prove itself worthy in the wild.

VSSL Camp Supplies
$135.00 on Amazon
VSSL makes lightweight tubular wilderness gear sets, this one comes with 70 different accessories to make sure you’re prepared whenever you go out in the wild. Examples include an LED light, a beeswax candle, a wire saw, water purification, and so much more.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker Medical Kit
$25.00 at REI
Absolutely mandatory. First aid is the first thing to consider when going in the backcountry, but more importantly you need to know how to use it. So take that first aid or wilderness first aid course to gain the skills you need.

SOL Emergency Blanket
$5.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
When sh** hits the fan, you need to be ready. It’s not going to be a comfortable night, but these emergency blankets will radiate your body heat and hopefully prevent you from entering a hypothermic state. They’re lightweight and cheap.

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
$24.47 on Amazon
Hydration matters. Liquid I.V. produces high quality hydration products to amplify your water and get you hydrated quicker. With several different flavors and high quality ingredients, Liquid I.V. is a go-to for on the go hydration.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock
$23.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Darn Tough makes awesome socks that last and stands by it with their fantastic warranty program. Lots of different styles and colors, the Hiker Micro Crew are great for long treks or simply walking around the block.

Lightweight

“The more you know, the less you have to carry. The less you know, the more you have to carry.” – Mors Kochanski

Western Mountaineering Cloudrest Down Pillow
$70.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Western Mountaineering brings some of the finest sleeping bags and down gear to the outdoor industry. Their pillows, containing 3.5 oz 800 fill goose down, are a game changer whether backpacking or car camping.

UCO Stakelight
$19.99 on Amazon
Has no one thought of this yet?! If you hate tripping over guy lines or want a little help to find your way back to your tent at night, these fun little LED tent stakes are for you.

Hennessy Hammock Scout
$99.95 at hennessyhammock.com
Get up off of that ground. Hammocks have evolved to include bug nets, rain flys, and even down underquilts to provide you a floating backcountry haven to gently rock you to sleep.

Alpine Start Coffee With Benefits
$19.99 at alpinestartfoods.com
Boulder local, Alpine Start has taken the industry by storm, providing people of all walks instant coffee goodness. This one contains mushrooms that help activate peak brain function. Cool!

SlingFin 2Lite
$338.00 at slingfin.com
Founded by the co-founder of Mountain Hardwear, SlingFin is changing the tent and pack game. The 2Lite is a lightweight option for those trying to hit a lower base weight when backpacking.

Gossamer Gear The Two
$375.00 at gossamergear.com
Trekking pole tents require more set-up but they sure do weigh less. The Two is one of the best ultralight weight backpacking tents, with durable materials, and decent volume, you and another can easily share this space for weeks on end.

Ursack Allmitey or Major
$89.95 – $139.95 at REI
Protect. Your. Food. Because you don’t want to be without it and because animals shouldn’t be eating it. If you don’t want to carry a bear vault, these Ursacks are a great alternative using kevlar to protect.

RTD Recreational Services
$5.25 at RTD
RTD will take you to find lots of access to local hotspots to spend the day. Whether hiking around town, or a stroll through the woods, Nederland is a great place to spend the day.

FusionStix
$11.49 (set of 2) at Mountain People’s Co-op, Nederland, CO.
It’s a fork! It’s chopsticks! It’s FusionStix. Whether you’re forking it, spooning it, or eating sushi in style, the FusionStix are a great and fun way to get rid of that old spoon and eat in style.

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
$129.95 at REI
I didn’t think trekking poles were necessary. I was wrong. They’re amazing. They help keep balance, keep your hands from swelling, and they can even be used with some tents!

Osprey Exos/Eja 38
$99.50-$180 at REI
Colorado local, Osprey’s mid-sized day pack for a day at the crag, or a hike up Mt. Sanitas. With 38 liters, you’ll always have enough room for food, water, and some layers to make sure you’re always prepared.

Base Camp/Glamping

“Home is where you park it.”

TemboTusk Adjustable Leg Skottle
$395.00 at tembotusk.com
Made in the U.S.A., a skottle is a large cook plate with a single burner beneath it. Great for large meals, stir fry, steak, whatever you can imagine and clean up is super easy.

Primus Campfire Prep Set
$79.95 at primus.us
Prepare your meals with high quality good-looking kitchen tools. Primus is renowned for their cookware, now they’re providing the prep set we’ve all been looking for.

Stable Goods Pint
$32.00 at stablegoods.co
Take the lid off the canteen, flip it and voila, you have a sleek and stylish pint glass for all your camping beverage needs. Bring something with you on a hike or make cocktails at basecamp.

Helinox Sunset Chair
$149.95 at REI
Helinox has been known for creating fairly lightweight chairs for backpacking. Now they’ve produced the basecamp sunset chair. It’s 5lbs, backed by an awesome 5 year warranty, and it’s carrying case can be used as a headrest.

Coghlans’s  Pop-up Recycle/Trash Bin
$31.82 on Amazon
Forget about that nasty garbage back lying in the dirt or hanging off the side of your car, having a dedicated trash can keeps things clean, protects the animals, and looks a whole lot nicer than this morning’s spam and eggs smeared on the side.

Igloo IMX 70 Qt Cooler
$219.99 t McGuckin Hardware
Coolers don’t need to be absurdly expensive. The cooler industry is fierce these days and Igloo has been stepping up their game to provide high quality, lighter weight options that look and work great.

Dometic CFX3 45
$959.99 at dometic.com
The way we camp is changing, and many of us have turned our vehicles into mobile living units. Getting a fridge (that also makes ice) is an expensive and yet completely awesome solution to that melted water that gathers at the bottom of your cooler.

Helko Werk Germany Vario 2000 Universal Hatchet
$135.00 at helkonorthamerica.com
Beautiful hatchet made of American Hickory to help you split those logs into kindling for the best campfire you’ve ever had. They aren’t the cheapest axes, but they sure are one of the best in class.

ARB Series III Simpson Roof Top Tent & Annex
$1507.00 at Slee Offroad
We’ve all seen them driving around, but we’re never quite sure if that person ever actually uses it. Nonetheless, they’re rad and are super popular with good reason. They’re easy, comfortable, and basically floating seven feet off the ground.

Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
If you’re setting up basecamp for a while, road tripping, or overlanding, you want a reliable solution to power your electronics along the way. Goal Zero is there for us making high quality batteries that last. Please note larger batteries are required for larger electronics.

Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel Briefcase
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
Pair this with a Goal Zero Battery to make sure you never run out (sun required!). Please note that the smaller the panel the longer it will take to charge. They make several options, and all are compatible.

Tentsile Safari Stringray 3-Person Tree Tent (3.0)
$949.00 at tentsile.com
If you can handle the set up, you deserve the reward. A floating three-point tent with enough space for three. Forget about those roots and weird ground lumps that bother you will you sleep, how can you be bothered when you’re floating?

Kokopelli Rouge-Lite
$1049.00 at kokopelli.com
Packrafting has become an ever popular way to travel. Bike half, then take the river back, or just take the river the whole time. Whether you’re riding rapids, fishing, or just floating along, Kokopelli has a packraft for you.

Nemo Helio LX Pressure Shower – 22 Liters
$149.95 at Moosejaw
We like to be clean. If you’re heading to the mountains or the desert for the next two weeks to climb or to mountain bike, what’s better than a nice shower to end the day? Nemo’s shower provides 22 liters of water to make sure you don’t get stuck soapy.

Gravity Haus Pass
$50-$640 per month at gravityhaus.com
Gravity Haus Pass is an all-encompassing stay, eat, play, and work experience providing unlimited gear access (free), hotel discounts, food discounts, and even a fully loaded travel van in addition to member events. Their plans range to fit your needs. It’s a membership like we’ve never seen before.

The post Gear Guide 2021: From the Basics to the Luxurious, Prepare for Adventure! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Birds. They’re everywhere. Singing their songs, flapping their wings, migrating, pecking, doing their bird-like things. You may see them from your window, or while driving through town. You may see one soaring or diving down.

Birdwatching, commonly known as birding, is the act of watching and listening to birds, studying birds, appreciating birds, spending time – wherever you may be – patiently waiting, observing, and taking in all there is to know about the bird world. Those who birdwatch are called birders, and supposedly there are over forty-five million of them in the U.S. according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

That’s correct, forty-five million. Fortunately, the definition for a birder is quite vague, so if you’ve ever intentionally strayed from your home or the path you were on to catch a glimpse of a swooping hawk, a nesting Western Tanager, or a floating hummingbird, you may very well be a birder.

For local resident and veteran birder of thirty years, Lonny Frye, birding is all about intention, patience, and awareness. For Frye, although birders often carry binoculars to amplify their vision, birding is much more about slowing down and embracing the world around you. It’s about observing that Hudsonian Goodwood resting during its migration, or an Orange-crowned Warbler raising it’s hidden crown out of caution. In an interview, Frye compares birding to an Easter egg hunt of sorts, that you can bird anywhere at almost anytime. “You just kind of discover these [birds] on your own while you’re out walking around,” Frye explains. “They’re like ‘an Easter egg that other people might not notice.’”

Step 1 – Prepare yourself

First things first: the basics. Always stay safe and remember that Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance, Pain, and Punishment. Please always follow the principles of Leave No Trace (see graphic below), and these three key rules to practice ethical birding:

• Don’t use bird songs to attract birds. It can be harmful to them.
• Don’t get too close to the birds, disturb them, or feed them.
• Be kind and respectful to others you meet.

Step 2 – Gear

You don’t need much, just some comfortable shoes, layers to keep warm or cool off, food, water, and if you like, some binoculars. They’re not necessary but they certainly help. Frye explained although they are seemingly obvious to use, they do require some technique to be able to lift them to your eyes without taking your eyes off the bird. You may also want a notepad or phone to log what you see, and perhaps a book on birding or a phone app such as eBird.

Binoculars
LEFT: Tasco Essentials 8×42
MIDDLE: Athlon Neos 8×42

Spotting Scope
RIGHT: Celestron Trailseeker 65

Step 3 – Where to go

Boulder County is full of great places to go birding. With so many lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, rolling foothills and dense forests, there are plenty of places to spot your first or your thousandth bird. Here is a list provided by the Boulder County Audubon Society.

• Sawhill and Walden Ponds Wildlife Areas
• Teller Farms
• Shadow Canyon
• Long Lake Willow Car and Niwot Ridge (Indian Peaks Wilderness)

Step 4 – I saw a bird! Now what?

Identify it! How big was it? What color? What did it sound like? Were there any clear identifying marks, such as a stripe or a patch of orange? Did it have a long and narrow beak, or was it short and stout? Identifying is hard but with time comes knowledge and soon you’ll have no trouble realizing it was actually a Lazuli Bunting that you saw, not a Bluejay. Here are some tools to make it even easier.

Books by local authors:

• The American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of Colorado – Ted Floyd
• Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds of Western North America – Nathan Pieplow

Apps:

• Audubon Birds of North America
• eBird
• Chirp! Bird Song USA
• iBird Pro Guide to Birds

Step 5 – Where can I find others to bird with?

In Boulder, there are two groups, one is the Boulder Bird Club and the other is the Boulder County Audubon Society. There is also the Broomfield Bird Club. Click here for more groups to join in different parts of the state.

Conclusion:

Frye explained that birding has really been transformed in the past ten years, largely due to new technology making birding and especially identifying birds even easier and more accessible. So whether you’re looking to log hundreds of birds or you are looking to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to listen, to watch, and to appreciate the beauty of life doing its thing, there’s lots and lots of resources to guide you, so get out there and spot those birds!

The post The Bird Is The Word | Summer Pets appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

PRESS RELEASE: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Frederick In Flight Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

Morning lifts Friday through Sunday in addition to Saturday night Glow Party in Centennial Park

FREDERICK, Colorado (June 4, 2021) – The 10th annual Frederick In Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place Friday, June 25, Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27. Hot air balloon lifts are at 6 am each day, and a Saturday evening Glow Party all taking place in Centennial Park (630 8th St.) from 5 pm to 9 pm. Bring your family and friends for great memories and amazing photo opportunities!

Media is invited and encouraged to attend this excellent event for live weather or a local adventure feature from a hot air balloon basket! Contact Angela to schedule your flight or segment.

Over 40 hot air balloons, powered paragliders, and skydivers will fill the sky as soon as the sun comes up on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings at Centennial Park. Breakfast food trucks will be on-site to offer coffee and tasty treats for purchase. After the Saturday morning lift, children can enjoy a magic show in the amphitheater, courtesy of Lee Curtis, the Magical Wizard, from 7 to 8 am. There will also be free tethered hot air balloon rides courtesy of RE/MAX Momentum.

On Saturday night, the Glow Party will begin at 5 pm in Centennial Park, featuring food trucks, a beer and cider garden, live music from “Boogie Machine,” and kid’s activities! When the sun goes down, balloon baskets will candle-stick, showing off their flames, and hot air balloons will inflate and glow from the ground as skydivers descend in LED jumpsuits.

Please be advised all activities are weather permitting. If inclement weather prohibits safe flying, updates will be posted on the Town of Frederick Facebook page, website, Twitter, and Instagram as soon as we are notified by the Hot Air Balloon event producer and FAA.

A special thanks to our Premium Sponsors Carbon Valley Academy and Occidental, our Special Shape Sponsors Athletic Adventures, RE/MAX Momentum, and United Power. Thank you to Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric for sponsoring our skydivers. Thank you to our Hot Air Balloon Sponsors  Ameritech Windows, Adams Bank & Trust, Baker Builders, LLC, Centennial Lending, Crestone Peak Resources, Fairfield and Woods, PC, FCI Constructors, Inc., Foothills Painting, Frederick Development Company Inc., North Range Behavioral Health, Renewal By Andersen, Silverstone Development Company Inc., St. Vrain Sanitation District, Stapp Interstate Toyota, Sunflower Bank, timberLan, TBK Bank, Waste Connections of Colorado, WestWind Mechanical & Complete Mechanical Balancing, and ZADEL Realty.

For information, please contact Angela Wilson at AWilson@FrederickCO.gov or call 303.956.7732.

Website: https://www.frederickco.gov/239/Frederick-in-Flight

ABOUT THE TOWN OF FREDERICK –With its close proximity to the Denver metro area and the Northern Front Range, the Town of Frederick is a dynamic community at the center of commerce, industry and education. Multiple recreational and residential facilities make the Town of Frederick a retreat full of diverse opportunity that continues to respect its heritage as a mining town incorporated in 1907.

The post Frederick In Flight Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

PRESS RELEASE: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Escape to the NEW Gravity Haus Summer Camp on the Grand Mesa in Western Colorado

Nestled on private property at Electric Mountain Lodge Camp offers abundant outdoor adventures on the surrounding 300,000 acres of public forest.

DENVER, Colo. (May 18, 2021) — Gravity Haus, an inclusive community that enables a modern active lifestyle—the seamless merging of work, play and outdoor adventures, announced plans to open Gravity Haus Summer Camp atop the Grand Mesa in Western Colorado.

Gravity Haus Summer Camp is a 13-week pop-up experience nestled on private property at Electric Mountain Lodge, where seven domes are tucked away from the lodge near a stunning pond and surrounded by towering aspens. Located at an elevation of 9,200’ at the gateway of the Grand Mesa National Forest, the property offers access to over 300,000 acres of multi-use forest right outside your door. The remote location, accessible by four wheel drive vehicles (high clearance not necessary), allows for a relaxing opportunity to unplug and reconnect.

The Gravity Haus Summer Camp is available for reservations by Gravity Haus members and non-members, for arrivals between June 25-September 27, 2021.

Price per dome, sleep up to 4 people/dome. Book by June 30, 2021 for best available pricing!

Non-Member Camp Fee:  $125/night Sun.-Weds.; $250/night Thurs.-Sat.

Member Camp Fee: $62.50/night Sun.-Weds.; $125/night Thurs.-Sat.

Reserve Online:  https://gravityhaus.com/coloradosummercamp

To fuel up for your daily adventures, take a short walk to the Electric Mountain Lodge restaurant, featuring farm-to-table fare sourced locally in Western Colorado. At night, get cozy by the group fire pit, hop in the hot tub, play some pool or darts, or sit on your dome’s private platform and take in the starry night.

Suggested Summer Camp Activities:

• Take a guided geology hike up Electric Mountain (complimentary for Gravity Haus members)
• Hike to Crater Lake
• Fish, kayak or SUP on the Overland Reservoir
• Hunt for native cutthroat in Dike Creek, Clear Fork of the Muddy or Hubbard Creek
• Mountain Bike the Terror Trail 
• Summit Crater Peak
• Rent an ATV or Side-by-Side at Electric Mountain Lodge and explore the National Forest trails
• Participate in afternoon Yoga classes at Electric Mountain Lodge
• Get picked up by Colorado Detours for a full day of mountain biking on Colorado’s newest trail, the Plunge! This is a full day bike ride that is 37 miles long and 6600 ft
• Enjoy a Rafting & SUP adventure on the Gunnison River in Gunnison Gorge National Recreation Area
• Visit The Living Farm, and local ranches and wineries to learn about the agriculture that sustains the area

Stay for a day, a month or the entire 13 weeks!

For the outdoor explorer in search of unique globally-conscious experiences away from the traditional hotel, the Gravity Haus Summer Camp is the second pop-up experience for Gravity Haus. The company also offers a Spring Camp, available through June 20th near Canyonlands National Park (south of Moab, UT). In addition to the traditional Gravity Haus hotel experience, these new Pop-Up Camps provide Gravity Haus members new and exciting ways to travel, connect and unplug.

Gravity Haus also recently opened Gravity Haus Vail in December 2020 ahead of the highly-anticipated opening of Gravity Haus Winter Park later this summer.

“At Gravity Haus we envision the planet as a playground that fuels amazing experiences, personal growth, and camaraderie with fellow adventurers, and what better way to live this vision than to build a Summer Camp in Western Colorado,” said Jim Deters, founder and CEO of Gravity Haus. “Everyone has memories from Summer Camp as a kid. We’ve built this Gravity Haus Summer Camp atop the amazing Grand Mesa with the very same spirit of adventure, growth and connection in mind.”

While the Gravity Haus Summer Camp is available for everyone to experience, full Gravity Haus members save 50% off Camp Fees along with all the added benefits of membership. Four (4) membership levels are available, starting at just $50/month for 12 months. For more information on membership, visit www.gravityhaus.com/membership or follow GH on Instagram or Facebook.

About Gravity Haus

Gravity Haus is an inclusive community that enables a modern active lifestyle—the seamless merging of work, play and outdoor adventures. We envision the planet as a playground that fuels amazing experiences, personal growth, and camaraderie with fellow adventurers. Located in Breckenridge, Denver, Vail, Winter Park (opening summer 2021) and beyond, the Gravity Haus family of brands include places to stay, train, work and recover; innovative restaurant concepts; and a monthly subscription providing access to premium outdoor gear, community events, adventure travel, and group fitness programming. Gravity Haus elevates the outdoor lifestyle for a community that shares a love of nature, sustainability, and stewardship for the planet. Learn more at www.gravityhaus.com.

All images courtesy of Gravity Haus

The post Gravity Haus announces NEW Colorado Summer Camp | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

King Soopers Memorial Boulder. All images courtesy of the author

A few weeks ago, my husband, Stephen, and I took our kids (Laura, 19; her boyfriend Sam, 19; Connor, 17; and Caroline, 13) to the Grand Canyon. We were backpacking there as a family for the ninth time, spending five nights below the rim, off the grid, in the wilderness. Typically, after each of these trips, I relish sitting down at my computer for a few solid days. I don’t bother changing out of my PJs, and I let dishes and laundry pile up. I wade through photos, selecting my favorite hundred or so from the thousands we’ve taken. I weave our pictures into my writing about every day of our trip, working hard to capture meaningful moments, challenges and trials, and funny stories. I do this to share the tales of our adventures, and I do this so we won’t forget the details.

This trip was different. 

While we were gone, something unthinkably tragic happened in our little town. Ironically, when we are disconnected from everyone, we wonder what bad news we are missing. In August 1997, pre-kids, Stephen and I were below the rim of the Grand Canyon when Princess Diana died. We didn’t find out about it for days. Since then, on each trip, we worry a family member could have fallen ill or had something awful happen in our absence. We sometimes brainstorm about what the news headlines might be while we are away. What unfolded this past March was unfathomably devastating.

We dropped into the Grand Canyon on Sunday, March 21. The next day, Monday, March 22, at 3:30pm, back at our home in Boulder, a gunman ended the lives of ten people. We were oblivious, focused on managing rain leaking into a tent, filtering water, drinking freeze-dried coffee. 

On Thursday, three days after the shooting, we were at the Colorado River.

The sky was threatening to shower, and we were bummed out about the gray weather. We had pushed through a solid day of rain the day before. The air was humid, and we were cold and wishing for sun. We had flattened our waterproof map on the damp sand, dumped the food bag of goodies onto it, and we were eating lunch. I was offering up “choco tacos,” spreading a mix of peanut butter and Nutella onto flour tortilla shells and handing them out. Caroline had moved away from all of us and was making cakes, meatballs, and sand-snowmen out of mud and water.

A whitewater rafting crew approached from upriver. We typically see a single rafting group during the course of a backpacking trip. Unlike backpackers, they travel with cold beverages, music, and portable toilets and bring with them a connectedness to the outside world. I braced myself, not enthusiastic for the interruption to our retreat.

It was a small crew, six people total, and two of the women in the party were chatty and warm. One of them asked, “Where are y’all from?” After I replied with, “Boulder, Colorado,” she got quiet and froze in place. Big tears filled her eyes, and she said softly, “I’m so sorry.” 

We were confused, so she continued. “I’m so sorry about the shooting, the shooting that happened in your town.” All of us were gobsmacked. Then she explained. “We ran into a group of rafters up the river. They had their flag at half mast, so we asked about it. They are from Colorado. They told us ten people had been killed in a grocery store on Monday.” We stayed silent. There were no words. She continued, “Ohhh, you didn’t know. I’m so sorry. I’m just so very sorry. I shouldn’t have told you. It wasn’t my place. I’m just so sorry.” We stammered out some questions, wanting to know where the store was, who had been killed, begging for more information. But she had told us all she knew.

Another rafter from their bunch had scampered up the trail to eyeball the rapids they would be traveling and returned with a review of, “Well, we’re gonna get wet.” They loaded up and were back on the Colorado, leaving us with the load of this heavy news.

Laura cried, worried for friends back in Boulder, wondering if any of them had been killed. I thought about our own King Soopers grocery store, but I told myself that I thought of that store because it’s the very one I know like the back of my hand. Then I spent energy convincing myself that it couldn’t have happened in our store. That was just impossible. The kids peppered me and Stephen with questions to which we had no answers. We did our best to comfort them and each other. We agreed that the news would wait for us, and it would be there as soon as we left the Canyon.

Throughout the next two days, the idea of this tragedy hung over us, and each of us spent time thinking, wondering, and worrying. At one point, I convinced myself that the rafter had probably been mistaken, that she had probably mixed things up, that there was no way a shooting had happened back in Boulder and we hadn’t heard about it. Laura shared a similar thread of thinking with me, and we consoled each other, leaning further into this possibility.

The hike out of the Grand Canyon with heavy packs was as challenging as it ever is. The thousands of feet of steep, loose trail seem to climb indefinitely. And as with every other trip to this favorite place of ours, just when you’re convinced that you’re going to have to trudge on forever, all of a sudden the trail ends, and you’re out of the Canyon, back in the real world. We were elated, hugging and high-fiving each other. We tossed our gear into our vehicle and drove to a fancy, official sign that said “HERMIT’S REST,” which marked the trailhead where we had begun our journey six days earlier. After flagging down masked strangers to snap a few pictures of us, we were back in the car, driving towards hot showers, greasy gooey pizza and icy drinks, and cozy beds.

Within minutes, we crossed into cell service, and our phones blew up like never before. The dinging as messages and emails flooded in across all of our devices was shocking. At once, the reality of the murdering that had taken place in our absence was all-consuming. The shooting had actually happened in the very grocery store I shop at every single week for our family; the grocery store our kids have been to with friends countless times to pick up sodas and junk food; the grocery store I visualized when the rafter mentioned a shooting in Boulder; the grocery store that is the hub of our small community. Ten innocent people died, gunned down by a paranoid, angry, white man with an assault weapon. I had shopped there three times just two days before the incident. I run into at least two people I know every time I’m there.

Three employees, whom we recognized when we saw their photos, had been killed. One police officer – father to seven children – had been shot to death. And six innocent shoppers from the neighborhood, friends of friends, had also lost their lives. Trauma was inflicted on dozens of employees and shoppers who ran for their lives or hid and waited desperately to be rescued. All of this was difficult to fathom, truly impossible. We shared an immediate, deep sense of gratitude that we had been gone and had missed this in its entirety. But we also shared some guilt around this fact, and we were sorrowful for having been relieved when we had discovered none of our friends were on the list of victims.

I didn’t want to go home. I felt an eagerness to scurry back into the wilderness, where there are no gunmen trying to murder innocent people, no cell phones, nothing but us and the elements.

The drive back to Boulder was solemn. When I was at the wheel, I felt no desire to push past the speed limit, to get my family home any faster. When I wasn’t driving, I texted with friends and family and read news articles, frantically gathering up all of the details that could be found. I had been warned by friends that the area outside of the grocery store had been turned into an intense, emotional memorial, to be ready for that when we went by. Even so, as we drove towards our house, past the scene of the massacre, I looked over at the heaps of flower bouquets, signs, candles, photos, and I couldn’t breathe momentarily. My foot slowly lifted off the gas pedal, and we were barely moving as our car rolled past. We were silent, except for the sounds of our own quiet crying.

For the next two weeks, every time I left the neighborhood or returned home, driving past the King Soopers surrounded by a fence decorated in messages of love and loss, the scene left me breathless. As a family, we discussed the shooting at most dinners and any time we were gathered together, working to process what had happened. I met with a few individual friends to catch up, where I found myself doing the same with each of them.

At one point, Laura said, “The shooters have really changed it up. It used to be that we knew to be ready for a shooter only when we were at school. We knew that’s where it happened, and we practiced for it, and we were ready for it. You kind of expect it when you’re at school. But the grocery store? I always felt safe there, like I didn’t need to worry about getting shot while I was there, grabbing snacks. It’s like we no longer get to feel safe anywhere.” 

I struggled to find the right words to respond, because everything she said made my heart hurt. There isn’t a place remaining where we can feel relief in knowing that our children are protected from harm. The reality is that this is the world our kids have grown up in – they’ve never known a world without shooters.

Caroline had asked to visit the memorial, but we both agreed we didn’t want to go down there with throngs of people milling about, that we’d feel more comfortable seeing it all by ourselves, if that could be possible. So early one weekday, on our way home from an orthodontist appointment, I looked over and saw the area was mostly deserted. I parked the car, and the two of us walked slowly from one end to the other, soaking up all of the notes, signs, flags, flowers, gestures of love.

I hadn’t expected this to be emotional, after having driven past the memorial at least 20 times by now, but grief swept over me. My legs felt weak, and I thought my knees might buckle. My chest was tight. I breathed slowly and deeply. About twenty minutes into viewing everything that had been left, I thought we must be almost at the end of the walk; But when I looked up, I saw that we had looked at less than half of it and had much more to see. There were piles and piles of flowers, rotting in the sun, disgustingly sweet and pungent smelling. The memorial went on for several blocks, every inch of it covered in heartfelt tributes and offerings.

Some signs struck a chord with me. Reading a poster from a woman who had lost a friend in the Aurora Cinema Theater shooting nine years earlier felt like a punch to the gut. She had written her name and phone number and had added, “I know how you feel. If anyone needs someone to talk to, to help.” It’s enraging to realize that nine years has passed since the gut wrenching, too-close-to-home, movie theater shooting; Since then, the most notable change in our country has been an increase in guns and shootings. Gutless politicians on both sides, a stream of money from the NRA, and a deeply divided American people hold policies in place, making it as easy as ever for mentally ill people to get their hands on automatic weapons.

There was a beautiful sun-and-flowers painting that had been left, with the words, “For those who didn’t go home on March 22, 2021.” That gutted me. The thought that someone could zip to the supermarket for milk and eggs and not make it back home, right here in our South Boulder bubble, rocked my world. 

Experiencing the memorial with Caroline, my youngest child, intensified it for me. I felt guilty, sickened, knowing that this is the America we are gifting to our children.

I’m still trying to grasp what has happened in our community, to really process it and integrate it into my being. I haven’t been inside a grocery store since before our trip to the Grand Canyon. With the pandemic still ongoing, ordering anything online has become an easy alternative to face-to-face shopping. I’m not sure when I’ll be ready to go back. How will I feel safe standing in an aisle, choosing products, without frantically looking left and right for someone who might show up and be shooting people? Where do we go from here? 

I’m volunteering to break down the memorial, to compost all of the flowers that have died, to save items for the Museum of Boulder. And I also need to find my way back to writing about our Grand Canyon trip, relishing in the connections we found between each other in the wilderness, sharing our photographs and stories. It feels wrong, knowing that while we were soaking up solitude and the beauty of the Canyon, this appalling tragedy was unfolding back in our neighborhood.

About the Author: Kim Brandenburg is a Boulder resident, writer, and outdoor enthusiast who works in tech. According to her blog, she has, “always enjoyed writing, capturing memories through recording the details. Recently, I’ve felt the desire to share my writing. I’m going to do a bit of that and see where it takes me.” You can read her work, including this original post, on kim-brandenburg.com.

The post When a Shooting is Personal | #YSVoices appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Summer is around the corner and now is the best time to prepare. With the uncertainty of the pandemic lingering and hope on the horizon as more and more people are vaccinated, parents around the country are starting to wonder how and if summer camps will function this season. A study released by the CDC involving four summer camps in Maine and over 1000 participants showed summer camps do have the capability to safely function during Covid-19 with the right precautions. Summer camps are also incredibly beneficial to young people. According to the American Camp Association, “Camp provides children with a community of caring adults, who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value. All of the outcomes – self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect – build personal competencies.” Other skills include Social Development, Character Building, and Community Services Skills.

Yellow Scene prides itself on providing the most up to date and thorough directory in Boulder County, but we are still in a pandemic and the risks are very real. We hope that summer camps can one day safely serve our communities again, so before choosing, it’s wise to consider the state of public health in your community and that of where the camp is located, in addition to the protocols in place at the camp. For more information on Covid-19, visit the www.cdc.gov or www.bouldercounty.org.

ANIMAL ECOLOGY

Ocean First Institute Marine Science Summer Camps

3015 Bluff St.

lauren@oceanfirstinstitute.org

www.oceanfirstinstitute.org/what-we-do/youth-progams/summer-camps

Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp

(303) 499-3647

info@thornenature.org

thornenature.org/summer-camp/

Wild Bear Nature Center

(303) 258-0495

registrar@wildbearorg

www.wildbear.org

ARTS & PERFORMING

Afterbeat Drum School

(720) 837-5410

www.afterbeatdrumschool.com

BackStory Theatre Youth Classes & Camps

info@backstorytheatre.org

(720)263-0836

www.backstorytheatre.org

Boulder Opera

(303) 731-2035

info@boulderoperacompany.com

www.boulderoperacompany.com/

Boulder Performing Arts Musical Theatre Camps

(303) 859-4195

boulderperformingarts2@gmail.com

www.boulderperformingarts.com/

Colorado Shakespeare Festival Summer Camps

(303) 735-1181

csfedout@colorado.edu

www.coloradoshakes.org/education

Harmony Music House Music Camps for KIDS

2525 ½ Broadway

(303) 444-7444

info@harmonymusichouse.com

www.harmonymusichouse.com

LDTA Ballet & Dance Camp

(303) 317-2707

office@ldtacademy.com

www.LDTacademy.com

Parlando School of Musical Arts

2590 Walnut Street

(303) 442-0006

info@parland.org

www.parlando.org

Rock & Roll Camp for Teens

535 Courtney Way

(303) 664-1600

liz@doghousemusicstudios.com

www.doghousemusic.com

Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids Summer Performing Arts Camp Older Company

5311 Western Avenue Suits 135

(303) 245-8150

www.theaterforkids.net

Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids Summer Performing Arts Camp Younger company

5311 Western Avenue Suite 135

(303) 245-8150

www.theaterforkids.net

Sing the World Green Middle School Choir Camp

(720) 387-9182

www.singitgreen.org

ARTS – VISUAL & MULTIMEDIA

Arts HUB Camp Program

(303) 229-1127

info@artshub.org

www.artshub.org

Crackpots Creativity Camp

505 Main Street

(303) 776-2211

www.ecrackpots.com

Creative Lab Summer Camps

2707 Spruce Street

www.shopcommonthreads.com/schedule

creativelab@shopcommonthreads.com

Living Arts School

(820) 383-4406

info@livingartsschool.com

livingartsschool.com/summer-camp

Summer Clay Camp

(303) 926-0996

mudslingerspotteryinc@gmail.com

www.mudslingerspottery.com

pARTiculars Galley and Teaching Studio Kids Summer Art Camp

(303) 519-5254

jhougen@comcast.net

www.particularsart.com

Posh Painting Camp

(303) 442-7674

info@poshsplat.com

www.poshsplat.com

Sew Fun at Fabricate

(303) 997-8245

contact@fabricateboulder.com

www.fabricateboulder.com

Studio Arts Boulder Pottery LAb

1010 Aurora Avenue

(720)379-6033

contact@studioartsboulder.org

www.studioartsboulder.org/camps

Tinker Art Studio

693 S. Broadway, Suite B

(303) 503-1902

www.tinkerartstudio.com

tinker@tinkerartstudio.com

EDUCATION & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Food Lab Summer Camps

(303) 952-8364

events@foodlabboulder.com

www.foodlabboulder.com/kids-summer-camp

Integral Steps

infor@integralsteps.org

https://www.integralsteps.org/summer.html

Learning Pathways Reading Camps

1790 30th Street

(303) 499-1941

www.learningpathwayscolorado.com

lpboulder@gmail.com

BVSD Lifelong Learning Summer Camps!

(720) 561-5968

www.bvsd.org/LLL

Longmont Museum

400 Quail Road

(303) 651-8374

www.longmontmuseum.org

Museum of Boulder Comic Book Camp

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

museumofboulder.org/event/comic-book-summer-camp/

Museum of Boulder Cosplay and Costume Camp

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

www.museumofboulder.org/event/summer-camp-cosplay-and-costumes/

Museum of Boulder Camp Game On!

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

www.museumofboulder.org/eventsummer-camp-game-on

Summer Learning Institute with The Owl Education Group

(303) 551-0018

crissy@owledgroup.com

www.owledgroup.com

TLC Learning Center

611 Korte PArkway

(303) 776-7417

www.learningwithtlc.org

EQUESTRIAN 

Academy Stables Summer Camps

(303) 665-4637

www.academystables.com

Triple Creek Ranch Horsemanship Camps

4255 Nelson Rd.

(303) 444-4291

www.triplecreek-ranch.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Eldorado Mountain Yoga Camp

(303) 249-1671. 

eldoradoyoga.org

The Little Gym of Broomfield and Westminster

(303)427-6688. 

thelittlegym.com

Shambhala Mountain Center Family Camp

(888) 788-7221.(including adults). 

Shambhalamountain.org

Success Strategies 4 Kids: Secrets of Friendship & Alternatives to Anger

(303) 915-4421

slewis.consulting@gmail.com

www.SS4k.com

Uncorked Kids/Teens Summer Programs

(720) 907-3838. 

uncorkedkitchen.com

OUTDOORS

Avid4 Adventure Camps

(800) 977-9873

info@avid4.com

https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-camps

Boulder Parks and Recreation

(303) 413-7441

www.BPRCamps.org

City of Lafayette

(303)665-0469

www.cityoflafayette.com/camps

sarah.cleland@cityoflafayette.com

City of Longmont Summer Recreation

(303) 651-8404

Terri.calvin@longmontcolorado.gov

www.longmontcolorado.gov

Colorado Mountain Ranch

200 East Baseline Road

(303) 665-0599

www.centerformusicalarts.org

Colorado Mountain Ranch

200 East Baseline Road

(303) 665-0599

www.centerformusicalarts.org

Renaissance Adventures

(303) 786-9216

www.renaissanceadventures.com

Front Range Anglers on Pearl Street

2344 Pearl Street

(303) 494-1375

antonia@frontrangeranglers.com

www.frontrangeanglers.com

Mountain Kids Summer Day Camp

474 S. Taylor Ave

(303) 665-8287

camp@mountainkidslouisvillecom

www.mountainkidslouisville.com

Rocky Mountain Anglers Fly-Fishing Camp

1904 Arapahoe Avenue

(303)447-2400

info@rockymtanglers.com

www.rockymtanglers.com

Steve and Kate’s Camp

(303) 848-8713

boulder@steveandkate.com

www.steveandkatescamp.com/boulder/

Storycamp

(603) 770-3358

www.campstorycamp.com

Sunflower Farm Summer Camp

(303) 774=8001

sunflowerfarmmail@gmail.com

www.sunflowerfarminfo.com

YMCA of Northern Colorado

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps

Arapahoe YMCA

2800 Dagny Way

Lafayette, CO.

(303) 664-5455

www.ymcanoco.org/membership/arapahoe-ymca

Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA

50 Lashley Street

Longmont, CO.

(303) 776-0370

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/longmont-camps

Mapleton YMCA

2850 Mapleton Avenue

Boulder, CO.

(303) 442-2778

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/boulder-valley-camps

Johnstown YMCA

15 Settler Way

Johnstown, CO.

(720) 797-2020

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/johnstown-camps/camp-noco-johnstown

Camp Santa Maria

51321 US Hwy 285

Grant, CO.

(303) 838-7900

www.ymcanoco.org/camp-santa-maria/

PRE-SCHOOL 

Alaya Preschool Summer Camp

3340 19th St.

(303) 44905248

alaya@alayapreschool.org

www.alayapreschool.org

Blossom French Bilingual Preschool

(303)819-4084

thelanguageoffood@gmail.com

Camp Oonie Koonie Cha Early Childhood Music, Art and Science Camp

(303)880-9494

bouldercampokc@gmail.com

campokc.com/

Dream Makers Super Summer Fun

1345 28th St. Bldg. C.

(720) 273-0101

gedenbed@comcast.net

Friends School Summer Programs

(303) 449-1999

www.friendsSummerCamp.org

Little Folks Folk School

(253) 332-2845

boulderfolkschool@gmail.com

www.kristendemaree.com/littlefolks

Off Broadway Preschool Summer Camp 2019

(303) 800-0324

emily@offbroadwaypreschool.org

www.offbroadwaypreschool.org/summer-camps.html

Sunflower Preschool Summer Camp

3340 Dartmouth

(303) 494-2012

sunflowerpreschoolboulder@gmail.com

Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten

(720) 383-4406

info@livingartsschool.com

www.livingartsschool.com/summer-camp

RELIGIOUS

Boulder JCC summer Camps for Infants and Pre-Kindergarten

6007 Oreg Ave

Karli@boulderjcc.org

(720) 749-2504

Boulder JCC Day Camps

6007 Oreg Ave

(303) 998-1900

David@boulderjcc.org

www.boulderjcc.org/camps

Keitanat Har HaShem

Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road

(303) 499-7077

camp@harhashem.org

Longs Peak United Methodist Church

1421 Elmhurst Drive

(303) 776-0399

kids@lpumc.org

www.lpumc.org/

SCHOOL & DISTRICT CAMPS

Bixby Summer Camp

(303)494-7508

www.bixbyschool.org

Boulder Country Day School Summer Camps

(303)527-4931

www.bouldercountryday.org/summer

summer@bouldercountryday.org

Boulder Valley School District 

Summer Programs

6500 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder. 

303.447.1010. bvsd.org/summerlearning

Dawson School Summer Camps and Programs

10455 Dawson Drive

www.dawsonschool.org/summercamps

summercamps@dawnsonschool.org

Mackintosh Academy Boulder Campus Specialty Summer Camps

6717 South Boulder Road

mackintoshacademy.com/

Montessori Academy

(303) 926-8321

montessori.academy@mac.com

www.montessoriacademylafayette.com

St. Vrain Valley School District Summer Programs

303.776.6200. svvsd.org

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & GAMING

CU Science Discovery Summer Camps

(303) 492-7188

www.sciencediscovery.colorado.edu

SPECIAL NEEDS

Adam’s Camp

(303) 563-8290

Adamscamp.org

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center

PO Box 697. Breckenridge. 

(970) 453-6422

boec.org

Camp Paha 

200 Kipling Street, Lakewood. 

(303) 987-4866

lakewood.org/paha

Colorado Lions Camp

28541 Hwy 67N. Woodland Park. 

(719) 687-2087

Coloradolionscamp.org

Rocky Mountain Village Overnight: Empire.

(303) 569-2333. 

co.easterseals.com

Roundup River Ranch 

(970) 524-2267. 

roundupriverranch.org

Temple Grandin

(303) 554-7363.

templegrandinschool.org

SPORTS

Abc Kids Climbing

1960 32nd Street

(303) 443-5437

Info@abckidsclimbing.com

EYG Basketball Skills Training

(720) 580-9552

galen@eygbball.com

www.eygbball.com/

Evo Rock + Fitness

(303) 317-3770

steve@evorock.com

www.evorock.com/louisville-co

Flagstaff Academy Dragon Flight Summer Day and Specialty Camps

2040 Miller Drive

(303) 217-6764

jpeppler@flagstaffacademy.org

www.flagstaffacademy.org/

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls

Douglass Elementary School, 840 N 75th St.

(720) 893-2386

info@gameonsports4girls.com

www.gameonsports4girls.com

Summer Day Camp @ The Sports Stable

(720) 620-2049

danielle@myimpactsports.com

www.myimpactsports.com

Northern Colorado Fencers Summer Camp

1949 33rd Street

(303) 443-6557

www.ncfencers.org

Rocky Mountain Kung Fu Ninja Camp

(720 648-8799

zenkidskungfu@gmail.com

www.rockymountainkungfu.com

Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures

(303) 447-8014

trish@lertprograms.com

www.ridesmba.org

WRITING

Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

(303) 297-1185

www.Lighthousewriters.org

Boulder Writing Studio

(303) 362-1509

www.boulderwritingstudio.org

The post Yellow Scene Camp Directory 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Graphic by De La Vaca

 

On Thursday, March 4th, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the staff recommendation to withdraw the special use review application for the proposed compost facility, in what many have seen as a victory for open space activists and locals. The request came after weeks of public backlash about potential impacts that the facility could have on the surrounding area and concern that a conservation easement protecting the property from development had been extinguished. The move will allow current commissioners to publicly engage with the project, something they weren’t allowed to do while it was under Special Review; it had entered the review phase under the prior board of commissioners, of which only Commissioner Matt Jones remains (no relation to former commissioner Elise Jones, who served at the same time). 

Recently seated Commissioner Marta Loachamin states, “The status of a quasi-judicial case has been difficult for us as county commissioners, as it immediately limited our ability to speak freely, as a new Board in January 2021, with the community.”

Commissioner Matt Jones asserted that, “we absolutely need composting options” but that “we should not use open space for a composting facility.” He also labelled the actions of opponents of the project as “grandstanding” while acknowledging that the county “created the problem and it’s not going away.”

Commissioner Claire Levy said the county’s actions may have been in part due to “tunnel vision”, that she wanted to know “whether the compost will be usable by our Boulder County farmers”, and that “ending this application is the best way for us to get this information and be able to engage with the community.”

Information has continued to surface about the early stages of the project, the role of the Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) and various discrepancies in their meeting minutes, and an email chain acquired by Yellow Scene that was referred to by a CDOT employee as, on face value, “traffic study number manipulation to avoid building the acceleration lanes.”

Current Board of County Commissioners from L: Marta Loachamin, Matt Jones, Claire Levy

Former Commissioners from L: Matt Jones, Elise Jones, and Deb Gardener

Former Commissioners when Rainbow Nursery was purchased, from L: Deb Gardener, Elise Jones (sister to Suzanne Jones), and Cindy Domenico

Timeline Updates

Rainbow Nursery was an important property in the county because it had long held a Conservation Easement (CE) protecting it from development. In 2013, the prospect of purchasing the property was brought to the BOCC because the property was for sale and the CE allowed a Right of First Refusal. Staff did not recommend exercising this right to purchase the property and the commissioners voted to deny their right. The BOCC also authorized the Director of Parks and Open Space to decline such options in the future unless it was deemed in the best interest of the county to purchase.

On April 5th, 2018, Parks and Open Space (P&OS) staff recommended exercising the first right of purchase to acquire the Rainbow Nursery to BOCC, who opted to exercise their right. The property was purchased on April 12th, 2018. Presenting staff, Mel Stonebraker, acknowledged that the CE on the property is a ‘fairly simple document; compared to what we would do today, it’s quite crude,” and that if the county were to decide to sell the property in the future they would upgrade the CE to match today’s standards. Stonebraker also said at the time that, “the property will be used as open space unless the county later decides the property would be appropriate for a zero waste site.”

At the same April 5th, 2018 BOCC meeting P&OS staff recommended purchasing Rainbow Nursery, former Commissioner Deb Gardener said that, “I think it’s a great opportunity” and that “there is potential for different kinds of zero waste operations there, but then at the same time there are probably a lot of hurdles around that.” Former Commissioner Elise Jones added, “It’s a great opportunity both for the water and future potential uses like zero waste.” Former Commissioner Cindy Domenico chimed in with, “It’s an amazing opportunity right on [Highway] 287.”

In an email acquired by Yellow Scene, dated April 30th, 2018, Al Hardy, then and current Recreation and Facilities Manager for P&OS, wrote to various other county employees that the property had been purchased via Open Space funds and that there is a, “potential for the property to be utilized for county sustainability efforts (potential need for a site related to larger construction material recycling and also composting).” Hardy continued that if the location were to be used, “there would be a transfer (sale) from open space of the land to another county department” Hardy went on to say that they had attached, “2015 Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment documents that provide there are no known significant environmental concerns at the time of the report.” It is unclear if the report suggests whether or not the County had been studying the property with the intention to use it in the future.

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On May 1st, 2018 a closing memo was released which stated that the property had been purchased for $985,000, which included “$385,000 worth of water rights[,] certain mineral rights and one development right.” The memo also states that “administrative services is considering the possibility of using the site as part of the county’s zero waste initiative,” and ends the summary asserting that, “The county previously held a conservation easement over the property. That easement interest has merged with [the] fee title, and no longer exists.” A fee title is a full interest in a property.

Hardy also corresponded with Darla Arians, currently the Division Manager at Resource Conservation Division (RCD), on May 29th, 2018 about a meeting the next day to which Arians responded that the Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) Infrastructure Committee is “taking a preliminary look at the site to discuss potential use around C&D processing, EAB management, debris management, and potentially compost and/or anaerobic digestion.”

Within a month of purchasing the property, county employees had begun actively considering using the Rainbow Nursery for zero waste initiatives, even though the property was purchased via Open Space funds. At the time of this writing, the Rainbow Nursery is still considered to be Open Space; the CE is still considered extinguished.

RCAB Bylaw Appearance of Discrepancies

The Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) has been involved with the project since at least the 2018 preliminary site visit. Founded in 2002, RCAB’s purpose, per their bylaws, is:

“to advise the Board of County Commissioners in reducing the amount and toxicity of waste generated in the county; to research, review and recommend changes in policy related to waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting; to provide input on the development of facilities and programs; and as a result of these efforts to help Boulder County, its communities, and partners to conserve mineral, fossil fuel and forest resources, and to reduce environmental pollution.” 

RCAB has discussed the project at several meetings, sent memo recommendations, such as for PEH Architects, and served as “key informants to the decision makers, acting as external stakeholders and representatives of the municipalities to make sure there are no fatal flaws as the reports come out.” Its members include local experts and leaders from various non-profits, organizations, municipalities, and other local government departments. All are volunteers.

In the RCAB bylaws it states that the cities and towns within the county and the county itself, as well as Resource Central, CU Recycling, Eco-Cycle, and Western Disposal Services, may appoint one representative each. The BOCC will also appoint one additional waste ‘hauler’ as well as five at-large members. It does not specify what roles these representatives may or may not have at their respective organizations or departments or whether members of the same organization or municipality may serve representing different entities.

YS has found various errors in the RCAB meeting minutes, some of which are not in line with the bylaws. It has also been noticed that employees of local organizations, such as local waste haulers, will represent other entities, such as municipalities or ‘At Large”. When asked whether the bylaws are meant to be followed exactly, Tim Broderick, RCAB staff Liaison and a Boulder County employee, explained that, “The bylaws are guiding principles that the advisory board agrees to follow.” Broderick provided clarification to each error.

The bylaws state that RCAB shall be limited to 21 members, but at all meetings in 2020, there have been 22 or 23 members. At the October 2019 and September 2019 meeting there were 24 and 22 members respectively. There have also been concerns that some members of the same organization or department are members of RCAB.

Broderick: “There are 21 members of RCAB. To date our staff member who takes the notes has been listing both the in attendance and not in attendance members from the same organization. This makes it appear as if there are more members then there are. I am working with the staff member to make this clearer in future note taking.”

At the February 2020 meeting, Neal Lurie representing “Center for ReSource Conservation,” and Brandon Hill representing Resource Central, were both listed as members. The Daily Camera reported in 2017 that the Center for ReSource Conservation had changed its name to Resource Central. 

Broderick: “Neal Lurie represents Resource Central. It is common practice in RCAB when members have scheduling conflicts, they will send replacements to represent them. Brandon Hill is Neal Lurie’s replacement for the same organization.”

At the October 2019 meeting, Darla Arians representing Boulder County, and Cody Lillstrom representing RCD (assumed to be Resource Conservation Division), were both listed as attending members. Darla Arians is an employee of RCD and has spoken for RCD at RCAB meetings. Lillstrom has been at other meetings, such as the October 2020 meeting, listed under ‘Guests’ as ‘Cody Lillstrom – Boulder County’ and at the February 2019, also listed under ‘Guests’ as ‘Cody Lillstrom – Boulder County RCD’.

Broderick: “RCD is not a member of RCAB. If listed this is an error and they should be a guest. Darla Arians is a member of RCAB and represents Boulder County.”

Bridget Johnson represented the Town of Jamestown at five meetings in 2020 and all meetings in 2019. At the February 2020 and May 2020 meetings Johnson represented Green Girl Recycling, which she founded. 

Broderick: “Bridget Johnson represent[s] Jamestown. She will often give updates on Green Girl Recycling events in Jamestown so sometimes in the notes there is cross over.”

Stephanie Walton and Tony Raeker have both been listed as members representing the City of Lafayette at every meeting since October 2019. They were both listed as “Present” at the October 2019 meeting.

Broderick: “Tony Raeker would represent Stephanie Walton. Tony Raeker, I believed recently stepped down from his position and Lafayette is actively working on a replacement.”

Screenshot

Tim Towndrow and Steve Derus were both listed as representing Republic Services at all 2020 meetings. 

Broderick: “Correct, this is again because of how the staff member taking notes was listing both the in attendance and not in attendance members of the same organization in the minutes.”

Screenshot

Mircalla Wozniak was listed as representing At Large at the December 2020 meeting but, at the end of the minutes during the vote to support the proposed compost facility and a letter of support to BOCC, Wozniak was listed as representing the City of Louisville voting in favor. Mark Persichetti was also listed as voting in favor and representing the City of Louisville. Wozniak is an employee of Boulder County.

Broderick: “This is a staff error that will be corrected.”

Screenshot

Brian Tewey was listed under “Guests” at the September 2020 meeting as, ‘Brian Tewey – PEH Architects’. In an email, Tewey explained he is “a part-time project architect with the Building Services Division of Public Works.” He is also the listed applicant on behalf of the county on the Planning Application form for the proposed facility. YS reached out to PEH Architects, Tewey, and Andrew Barth; all verified this was a staff error and that Tewey is only employed by the county.

Although the bylaws allow for five At Large members, there have been six At Large members at the December, October, September, July, June, and May of 2020 meetings, and at the October, September, and April of 2019 meetings. 

One of the “At Large” members is Lisa Speermont to which Broderick clarified that, “Lisa Speermont is not an at large member. This is a staff error.” This would explain some of the meetings, but it doesn’t explain the April 2019 meeting which also has six and Speermont wasn’t one of them.

Russ Callas has also been an “At Large” member; Callas is also the President of Haul Away Recycling. YS reached out to Tim Broderick for clarification as to what ‘At Large’ means, but no comment was provided at the time of publication.

While none of this is specifically illegal, the de facto impression left on the community and other outside observers is of a poorly run, improperly managed advisory board that has been serving as “key informants to the decision makers”. In regards to the errors, Broderick explained that,  “[w]e do our absolute best to maintain accuracy and integrity with the minutes but as you can imagine over 2 years of minutes there are bound to be errors.” Per their bylaws, meeting minutes are open for public inspection for transparency. Although the occasional spelling mistake is understandable, this series of “staff errors” certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouths of activists speaking out against this project.

RCAB Meeting Minutes Changed

YS discovered that the meeting minutes for the December 9th, 2020, meeting in which Tyler Kesler had initially been depicted as representing the Town of Erie were changed sometime in February. Tim Broderick, Senior Sustainability Strategist for RCD and the County Liaison to RCAB, explained via email that the change was due to a “staff error in how it referenced Tyler Kesler and his role in RCAB.” 

Although not an official member, Kesler has joined RCAB meetings listed either under ‘Guests’ or under ‘RCAB Staff Liaison’ as Tyler Kesler –  Commissioners’ Office/Sustainability since at least January 2017. Kesler is currently the Sustainability & Water Conservation Specialist at the Town of Erie. According to his Linkedin, Kesler worked for Boulder County since April 2016 and moved to his role at the Town of Erie in December 2019. 

Kesler’s name first came into the spotlight at the February 9th, 2021, Erie Board of Trustees meeting, where there was outcry specifically from Trustee Brandon Bell that a town employee had endorsed the composting facility project without the Board’s consent. At the meeting, Bell stated, “[We need] to figure out why we have people going out and endorsing this facility, staff members, when this board never voted one time to accept this facility.”

After the Erie BOT meeting, the minutes for the December 9th, 2020 RCAB meeting, in which Kesler endorsed the project on behalf of Erie, were changed and a new set of minutes were uploaded. In the original minutes Kesler is “representing the Town of Erie,” and “would like to endorse RCAB’s letter of support with conditions.” The updated version states, “Tyler Kesler, Boulder County citizen and Town of Erie Sustainability Coordinator, recognizes the positive impact this proposed facility would have on waste diversion.” The two versions of minutes can be seen here:

Original December 2020 Minutes
February Version of December 2020 Minutes

Furthermore, the original minutes listed three distinct concerns that residents have voiced including, “potential noxious fugitive odors, contamination debris, and increased traffic in the surrounding areas.” In the minutes uploaded after the Erie BOT meeting, the specific concerns were removed and were replaced with, “The Town of Erie submitted a Development Review on 12/11/2020 that provides the definition to how the Town defines Open Space as well as conditions to which we would like to be recognized as potential issues, some of which Erie residents have expressed concerns.”

Via email, Broderick explained that, “[w]e misstated that he was representing the town of Erie, which we know is not correct. This error was brought to light at the Erie BOT meeting hence the change so close to the occurrence of that meeting. We updated this staff error, to reflect his correct title as it relates to RCAB. There is no reason the concerns were updated and Tyler is happy to stand behind either statement from the December or January version of the notes BESIDES (emphasis his) the staff error.”

It’s not clear what Broderick meant by “January version of the notes” as the change was uploaded after the February 9th Erie BOT meeting.

In a public records request acquired by YS, Kesler sent an email on December 9, 2020, to Deandra Croissant and Tim Broderick asking for his comments to be included in the minutes. Broderick responded asking Kesler to, “clarify which specific comments you would like to see included in the notes? I know you expressed wanting concerns to be included in the letter specific to traffic, smell, and hauler cost?” Kesler then provided the following to Croissant and Broderick asking them to copy and paste it into the minutes.

“The Town of Erie would like to endorse RCAB’s letter of support with conditions expressed in our Development Review submitted 12/11. Erie would like it to be recognized that residents have concerns with potential noxious fugitive odors, contamination debris, and increased traffic in the surrounding areas. Erie recognizes Boulder County as an exemplary environmental leader and neighbor with a track record of going above and beyond environment standards at every opportunity possible and are excited about this composting facility at the Rainbow Nursery site.”

YS reached out to Broderick and Darla Arians (RCAB) for comment on when and if the changes were approved by the board; no comment was provided by the time of publication. In a separate email on March 2nd, 2020, Arians explained that she, “was unaware of any changes made to the December minutes, as this was not discussed in our January meeting that I recall.”

Other Concerns:

Residents have also questioned what future plans RCAB may have for itself, what plans it may have for the composting facility if it were to be built, and what role former commissioners played in regards to RCAB. At the May 27th, 2020, meeting, Tim Broderick explained in regards to the Policy, Planning, and Programs (P3) Subcommittee that, “if the group wants to have substantial influence in policy, RCAB must edit its bylaws, as they currently do not allow this.” The meeting minutes continue to explain that, “possible conflicts, such as if RCAB takes a different stance than Boulder County” could exist. “Boulder County’s political representatives, Mark Ruzzin and George Twigg, recommended that RCAB may want to emphasize municipal representatives putting recommendations forward, such as Erie or Lafayette. However, the group does recognize RCAB has notoriety as a unity (sic).” Whether or not Ruzzin or Twigg were at the May 27 RCAB meeting is unclear, as they are not listed on the meeting minutes as attending. YS asked Broderick to explain what ‘political representatives’ refers to, he stated it was a staff error and that Ruzzin and Twigg are part of the Commissioners’ Policy Team

Former commissioner Deb Gardener has been involved with RCAB according to the October 23rd, 2019, RCAB meeting minutes, which include that “DG [Deb Gardener] explained the BOCC gave direction to staff to continue to pursue rainbow nursery(sic),” and that “SJ [Suzanne Jones] asked DG [Deb Gardener] to keep us posted on how RCAB can be useful to this process (e.g. building public support and passing public regulation).” 

Residents have also questioned Suzanne Jones, who is the Executive Director of Eco-Cycle and represents Eco-Cycle at RCAB. Jones also served on RCAB representing Eco-Cycle while Mayor of Boulder and while her sister, Elise Jones was a county commissioner. Current Mayor of Boulder, Sam Weaver, has also served on RCAB but stopped attending some time between the October 2019 and February 2020 meetings, the same timeframe during which he was elected. YS reached out to Weaver for comment on whether his election and leaving RCAB were correlated but no comment was provided. Local residents have also pointed out to YS that Dan Matsch works for Eco-Cycle but represents the Town of Lyons at RCAB. During an interview, Matsch confirmed that he represents Lyons at RCAB.

Traffic Study

The traffic study is important because it determines whether or not deceleration and acceleration lanes would be needed for the proposed facility. Highway 287 goes along the Western edge of the property and if the new facility produces significant traffic it could create a variety of concerns, from congestion to accidents. 

In an email acquired by YS between Darla Arians (Division Manager – RCD) and Cody Lillstrom (Zero Waste Program Manager – RCD), Arians asks, “Did you also complete the traffic analysis on how many of the Boulder County haulers are already traveling down Highway 287? We need this to show that the facility is not going to create a burdensome excess of new traffic.” This email was dated October 21, 2020.

Two other email chains acquired by YS provide context to the development of the initial traffic report not submitted to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). One of the emails, dated January 4th, 2021, is from Tim Bilobran, Region 4 Permits Manager for CDOT. The email is to several Boulder County employees, in which he refers to another email chain, saying, “on face value the content looks to be traffic study number manipulation to avoid building the acceleration lanes warranted in what looks to be the first September version of that study not provided to CDOT.” Bilobran continues with, “I’d associate those tactics with a 3rd party developer and not a local municipality partner as safety conscious as Boulder. I’ll hold off on reviewing the issue further until we talk.” 

Screenshot

To ensure that YS had acquired the same email chain, Bilobran was contacted to verify. Jared Field, Communications Manager for CDOT for Northeast Colorado, responded and confirmed that, “Mr. Bilobran sent his email because he was informed about the other email.”

The email chain in question is between Chris Mirto (PEH Architects, the firm contracted to design the compost facility), Cody Lillstrom (RCD), Bob Yost (A1 Organics, who consulted with a clear eye toward running the facility on behalf of the county), and Darla Ariens(RCD); cc’d are Brian Tewey (Public Works), and Peter Heinz (PEH Architects). On August 25th, 2020, Mirto initially asked Lillstrom for more information regarding residential and commercial traffic use for the site, which Lillstrom subsequently provided. 

Roughly three weeks later, Mirto stated that he had attached the, “trip generation estimate for the site” and clarifies that it is “a combination of input received from Boulder County, A1 Organics, and adjustments per our recent meeting with CDOT.” He then asked the other members to scrutinize the data so that they may, “see if any adjustments need to be made. After approval of this estimate, Fox Tuttle can get moving with the traffic report.”

Yost (A1 Organics) voiced his concern that the traffic numbers seemed far too high for the proposed facility and that, “189 trips per day on a 5 day schedule is 49,140 trips annually…. that is several times more than we see at our 2 composting sites (Keenesburg and Eaton) at which we manage 6 times the tonnage that this site is designed for.” 

Lillstrom sent an email to “echo” Yost’s and explained certain contributing factors. He also provided certain options such as, “if site employees aren’t all leaving at the same time at the end of the day, we could reduce that ‘100% Outbound’ calculation down to something more realistic (75%).” And, “if there are staggered arrivals for employees, we could reduce the AM Peak Hour percentage.” Lillstrom adds that, “[w]e could do the same for General Public Access (reduce down from 25% for PM Peak Hour), in addition to reducing that number of vehicles per day of 20 down to 15 or even 10.”

PEH Architects responded in that email thread that, “Peak Hour Trips are currently calling for both an acceleration lane and a deceleration lane along the east shoulder of northbound US-287. If some of our suggested edits below can be used to modify the estimate, then there’s a potential for reducing the need for one or both of the acceleration/deceleration lanes.”

“To synthesize, we see our available modifications as:”

1. Reduce number of Landscapers estimated to access the site down from 75.
2. Reduce number of Residential Compost Pickup/Dropoff vehicles per day down from 25.
3. Reduce the number of General Public Access vehicles per day down from 20 (we suggest 10).
4. Reduce 100% figure for AM Peak Hour/PM Peak Hour trips for Site Employees if staggered arrivals/departures are anticipated.
5. Reduce the 20% figure for AM Peak Hour/PM Peak Hour trips for Residential Compost Pickup/Dropoff (we suggest 15%), assuming that people will access the site more regularly throughout the day rather than all toward the end of the day.
6. Reduce the 25% figure for AM Peak/PM Peak Hour trips for General Public Access (we suggest 15%), assuming that general/event access won’t all last all day and won’t have a high percentage of people trying to leave at the same time at the end of the day.

Screenshot

Lilstrom responded to these suggestions with, “I just spoke with Darla and we both agree that all 6 of the items on your list should be adjusted.” Lillstrom added that he was waiting to hear back from Western Disposal on their experience with landscapers and public drops of organics. He also added the following to option 1. “a. We likely will be able to greatly reduce this as many landscapers in the Boulder/foothills area of the county will likely continue to use the Western Disposal drop-off because of location.” It’s unclear what credentials are required to make such decisions or assumptions about traffic.

Screenshot

CDOT Communications Manager, Fiel, told YS that the numbers in the current traffic report that was eventually submitted to CDOT are accurate and that CDOT, “added a provision to the permit that the actual numbers will be reviewed after the first year to ensure the traffic is where it was expected to be.”

When asked why Bilobran referred to the email chain as potential manipulation and whether Fiel had an explanation, he said, “the explanation was that the internal communication between the architectural design and the traffic design was confused and not worded well. When he [Bilobran] looked into it, he [Bilobran] realized there was no manipulation.” 

Conclusion

After weeks of both backlash and support, in an area that values its open space, values composting, and seeks to hold power accountable to residents, the project has been withdrawn so that the county can reassess. It certainly does not mean that a composting facility won’t and shouldn’t happen sometime in the future; it just means that the county has recognized that there are errors that need to be addressed. 

It is ‘to be determined’ as to what the county will do next, but with Commissioner Matt Jones speaking against the use of Open Space land for this facility, it seems that the Rainbow Nursery may be spared from development. The next step would be to reinstate the Conservation Easement (CE) or to establish a new, more robust one for the property, as was mentioned. The new CE could potentially provide the Rainbow Open Space more protections than ever before and could even specify that a future merger will not extinguish the CE. 

For a project that has seen its fair share of rollout hiccups, “staff errors”, and several questionable maneuvers by those involved, it will be up to the county to reassure its citizens that the proper checks and balances exist when the County is the applicant, the developer, and the reviewer. 

The post Rainbow Open Space Composting Facility: Origins, RCAB, Minutiae, and Staff Errors | #YSInvestigation Part 2 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Screenshot, Boulder County Planning & Permitting

Jane Meyer is a local home owner and concerned citizen. She wrote in to share her thoughts on the proposed Boulder County Compost Facility at Rainbow Open Spaces. The thoughts and opinions expressed are her own. 

If you travel along Highway 287 north of Lafayette, between Lookout Road and Highway 52, you’ll see the old Rainbow Nursery and Tree Farm. It is 40 acres of agricultural land that includes two wetlands. It’s also recognized as “agricultural land of national significance” by national, state and local governments. In 1994, Boulder County used Open Space tax money to purchase a Conservation Easement and First Right of Refusal from the owners of the nursery for $169,625. The purchase was presented to the taxpayers as a way to protect for perpetuity these 40 acres as open space for us to enjoy. 

In 2018, a third party made an offer to buy the property for $985,000. Boulder County exercised its “First Right of Refusal” and, using Open Space tax money once again, purchased the property subject to the perpetual Conservation Easement. The County proclaimed the land to be the Rainbow Open Space.

What was not made public was that County planners never intended the land to be open space in perpetuity. Instead, Boulder County Public Works was apparently quietly planning to take this supposed open space land for industrial use. Public records now disclose that Public Works has spent over a million taxpayer dollars to commission the design of an experimental industrial composting plant with the ability to accept 125 million pounds a year of animal manure, food waste and “bio-solids”, which is treated human waste. Erie and surrounding neighborhoods are less than three miles downwind from this proposed facility. 

In October of last year, Boulder County notified twelve residents who live in close proximity to the Rainbow Open Space of the project, and invited them to attend a meeting to discuss the project. Supposedly due to the pandemic, the general public and residents living in adjoining neighborhoods – many of which will be significantly impacted by the plant – were not invited. To date, no public hearings have been scheduled. Instead, preparations for this massive project continue behind closed doors.

Note that the official County Composting Facility website states that, “Comments on the project (designs, location, concept, etc.) can be submitted at any time using the channels provided below. All comments will be provided to the project team, the Planning Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners for their review.” You can access that here. This does not substitute for a public hearing, whether in person or virtual. City of Erie is hosting a virtual hearing on Tuesday, February 9. Info below.

The lack of government transparency is now becoming obvious and the “backdoor” method of acquiring the property under the guise of open space is suspect on many different levels. What are the impacts of a facility like this? The odor factor in eastern Boulder and western Weld counties leads the list! Other impacts include water, air and noise pollution, not to mention increased heavy truck traffic on highway 287, surrounding highways and county roads. The waste will not only come from Boulder County but will be trucked-in from up and down the Front Range, adding to greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts in other communities have been widely studied. 

What if Boulder County pushes this through the review process (which they control, hook, line and sinker) and it’s built? Who will be the watchdog for uncontrolled odor and pollution, increased traffic accidents, and waste haulers frustrated with traffic delays who find shortcuts through neighborhoods and less-used county roads? Who will force Boulder County to stop when the inevitable problems arise? For more information, please visit www.ProtectRainbowOpenSpace.org and make your voices heard.

Editor’s note, via the city of Erie: The Town of Erie Board of Trustees, during their regularly scheduled Board meeting, will be hosting a public hearing on topics related to the Boulder County Compost Facility. The Board will not be deciding on matters, but are encouraging the public to participate in the public hearing portion of the virtual meeting on Tuesday, February 9. The general meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and the agenda will be posted in the agenda center. To comment in advance please see the ‘How to Participate Document’ and send written comment to townclerk@erieco.gov. 

The post Protect Rainbow Open Space and Stop the Compost Facility | Voices appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Edited to include an additional safety note from the author.

Image by Grady James, Mt. Sneffel, for ascentbackcountry.com

Additional Safety Note:

Covid-19 has brought many unexpected trends to the world. For the backcountry and Outdoor Industry, the city shutdowns have created a surge of people desperate to get out of their homes and experience their surroundings, even if just for a place to not have to wear a mask. Our inability to travel has only exacerbated this. For many skiers the short lived 2019-2020 season was devastating, but it also forced a lot of them to find new methods to get on their skis. The backcountry offers that opportunity and it’s only more enticing now that the resorts are either closed, opening with limited capacity, require reservations, or can’t guarantee to stay open. 

Our intention with this article is to share the opportunity and we want to address valid concerns that the ever growing popularity of the backcountry, where infrastructure simply can’t handle the traffic, can be devastating to the backcountry, our environment, ourselves, and other people. We all need to be mindful. More people will also mean more human-caused avalanches, which will inevitably lead to more deaths, especially for those unprepared. And with an already strained first responder system and the ever present risk of COVID-19, you are not only risking your own safety and the ability to evacuate you, you’re risking the lives of those around you. 

We stress – in the most serious of terms – that you need to be prepared if you’ll be skiing in the backcountry. This means that you have the proper gear, that you have a friend or two, that you’ve taken an AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research Education) course, and that you are familiar with avalanche controlled areas and beacon parks in order to have adequate experience with your gear in a safe environment. The outdoor industry is growing and with it so are the dangers. Please make sure that you are prepared and that you NEVER take the backcountry lightly.

Resorts may crumble and chairlifts can fall but the pursuit for untouched bowls and hellish windblown peaks will live on, for nothing can take away our dreams of 4,000ft descents and fresh powder facials. With uncertainty around every corner and the head-spinning price tags of some of Colorado’s best season passes, we’re looking beyond the posh and the groomed and going where the crowds won’t.

Although some of these may be considered entry-level sites, please be aware that all backcountry excursions require the skills, knowledge, gear, and rationality to not only succeed but to survive.

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Local Gear Shops

Angles Sports Exchange – Located in Longmont, Angles isn’t your typical ski shop. Their well-informed staff provide excellent info for your backcountry excursions, and they even rent telemark equipment! Whether you’re looking to skin, snowshoe, or cross country ski your way through the backcountry, Angles is there to support you.

Neptune Mountaineering – This family-owned brick and mortar staple is a force to reckon with for all of Colorado. They can’t provide you with the rationale to make good decisions, but at least they can inform you and provide the right gear. Head over to Neptune for all your backcountry skiing and mountaineering needs.

Crystal Ski Shop – Situated on the corner of 28th and Walnut, Crystal Ski Shop is Boulder’s best rental specific ski shop. Offering a wide range of brands, they’ll get you set up for a day or for the whole season. Best of all and especially useful for this article, they rent all-terrain setups for the backcountry and will even provide the beacon, shovel, and probe for just $15 more.

Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides– Money well spent. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed pro amongst chum, you’re Jimmy Chin, or you just don’t have a clue, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides will set you up with fun, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable individuals to take you to new heights and, hopefully, new extremes.

Colorado Mountain School – They are currently offering a free avalanche awareness course. When you’re done with that, they have a wide range of backcountry safety courses to get you up to speed and ready to hit all the gnarliest lines in Colorado. Do yourself a favor and get schooled with the best before you attempt the backcountry.

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The Lost Resorts of Colorado

Berthoud Ski Area | South of Winter Park

This ski area closed in 2001 and now provides a backcountry experience with a once upon a time on-piste backdrop. That means it’s an entry level area, but you still need to know what you’re doing. This is one of the busier areas on the list, though not as busy as the resorts, so time it right, get up early, miss the hordes, and hit the pow. Worst case, you’ll see some others tearing it up alongside you, and that’s alright as well.

Geneva Basin Ski Area | South of Georgetown

Having opened in 1963, the resort fought the good fight until 1984 when a chairlift fell and Geneva Basin was forced to close until proper maintenance was completed. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Geneva Basin back up and running, the U.S. Forest Service decided to burn down the lodge and all hopes of resurrection disappeared into oblivion. It’s about 4 miles to the base from the parking lot and 1,200ft gain. After that, it’s up to you how many runs you’re willing to take.

Cuchara Mountain | South of La Veta

This resort closed in 2000 but it hasn’t completely faded. The old rental office now serves as a day lodge that’s open on select weekends, along with 50 or so acres that are still skiable. With well-defined trails and a variety of different grades, Cuchara is an excellent place to learn or excel. If Cuchara isn’t enough, you can always drop off the backside and explore the entire San Isabel National Forest that surrounds it.

Hidden Valley | Estes Park

Ah, the gateway to the Rockies! Although there’s some of the best backcountry skiing hiding within the boundaries of the National Park, Estes Park has a little slice of heaven as well, called Hidden Valley. Opened in 1955 and closed in 1991, the resort now serves as an accessible backcountry area with a 2,000ft vertical drop. You’ll need to skin or snowshoe up Trail Ridge Road and then head higher and higher above the treeline until you find the powder.

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The Big Mamas

Loveland Pass | Near Loveland Ski Area

You know it, I know it, even your neighbor knows it. We’ve all seen people hitch-hiking along Route 6 for another run and to be honest, we can’t blame them. Yeah, it’s famous and well known and easily accessible, but for good reason. There are lines for the beginners and chutes for the pros, trees for me, and open bowls for you, and with Route 6 right there you’ll be taking laps all day. Covid is still around so hitch-hiking is more difficult this season, we recommend taking two cars and going with your pod.

Vail Pass | West of Copper Mountain

Image via exploringtherockies.com

Vail, land of the glamorous. Good thing Vail Pass is 20 minutes east of Vail, and for most just a passing point for those driving by. This area is also used by snowmobilers so lookout and head to the less populated non-motorized routes. Shrine Pass Ski Trail is easier, Corral Creek is intermediate, and if you’re looking for a challenge take the 4.5-mile route to Janet’s Cabin via Wilder Gulch. For the pros, head to the chutes on the southeast side of Uneva Peak.

Rocky Mountain National Park | Estes Park

Yup, you can ski the NP, but you might need some help. Unless you’re good and I mean real good, finding the perfect line will come down to your navigation skills, line identifying ability, weather, and commitment to the challenge. RMNP isn’t for the easily deterred so for those with the resilience, the skillset, and the right beta those 40+ degree lines will be there for the taking come April when conditions close in on perfect. Luckily for the rest of us, there are lots of guides willing to show you the way, check out Colorado Mountain School for the hookup.

Crested Butte Backcountry Area | Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a trek but perhaps that’s why it’s the last great Colorado Ski Town. Surrounded by epic peaks, there are lots of options to go skiing beyond the resort. Crested Butte also gets one of the largest snowfalls in Colorado. Most of the backcountry will be for advanced skiers, but areas such as Coney’s via the Washington Gulch Trailhead or the Anthracites are a delight.

Aspen Backcountry Area | Aspen

A little place called Aspen. Although you won’t find very much backcountry access within the town itself without the help of the resorts, you can head out via Castle Creek Road and find some fresh snow by following Express Creek Road. This will lead you to the 10th Mountain Division’s Markley Hut from where several trails start and end. If you’re looking for the extreme, check out Mt. Sopris, 25 miles North of Aspen.

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Backcountry Wilderness Areas

Indian Peaks – Navajo Peak / Apache Peak  | Nederland / Ward

Some of the closest backcountry skiing to Boulder County, and definitely some of the best. Brainard Lake Trailhead will be the closest you’ll get until the road to Long Lake opens back up in June. The two 13,000ft peaks present an inspiring approach and three delectable lines for your choosing. If you play your cards right and leave early, you could probably be back in time for work.

Butler’s Gulch | South of Winter Park

Take the main skin track to Butler Bowl. From there you can access the bowl itself, Power Line, and Point 12,085. All the routes exit at the skin track or at the creek (from which you may need to climb out of and back to the skin track to head home). If you’re desperate for powder get to Butler Gulch as soon as the storm stops, the winds will already be gearing up and all that fresh snow will be blown before you know it.

Hoosier Pass | South of Breckenridge

Avalanches! Whether you’re skiing Mt. Lincoln, Quandary Peak, or the Red Mountain Glades, Hoosier Pass is a great backcountry location while staying close to Breckenridge. Avalanche danger is high in this area so be careful and come prepared. This area is littered with gullies and peaks and a great opportunity to hone in some of your more technical skills. And for those who want to experience this place without as much worry, there’s also great cross-country options.

Red Mountain Pass | San Juan Mountains

The San Juans, sharp, jagged peaks that condemn the weary and condone the rad. These mountains are beastly, beautiful and offer incredible backcountry opportunities, this being just one of them. Between Ouray and Silverton is a place called Black Bear Pass Trailhead, opposite of Forest Rd. 825. Take this road until you reach a gully 1/10th of a mile past St. Paul’s Lodge. From there it’s open country and definitely avalanche territory so you’ll need to know what that means if you want to continue.

Cameron Pass | Fort Collins

You’ll be up against the FOCO locals but supposedly they’re all pretty friendly, so your odds are good. This area is huge so we’re sticking to South Diamond Peak, the proclaimed epi-center of Cameron Pass. If you want to find the hidden gems – which there are plenty of – you’re on your own. With a fairly straight forward skin track that ascends steeply, South Diamond Peak provides seven established lines and lots of area to play. Chutes, avalanche slides, and spooky cornices await.

Monarch Pass | Salida

350 inches of snow a year, which is twenty-nine feet! Just East of Salida and near Monarch Resort there’s plenty of intermediate and expert trails to explore. Snow Stake is a great intermediate option, and for those looking for a longer day, the Tour de Monarch Pass offers a 3.5 mile round trip with 2000ft worth of climbing and 3000ft of descent. For the experts, check out Point 11692 or head to the Grand Couloir on Mt. Aetna.

Clark Peak | Medicine Bow Mountains

63 miles north of Fort Collins lies the easily accessible Blue Lake Trailhead, for the highest mountain in the Medicine Bow Range. This one is less established offering lots and lots of possibilities, including several stacked bowls, forming a length not so steep descent. You’ll need to be on top of your backcountry navigation skills to comfortably ski this area and get yourself back to the trailhead.

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14’ers

Mt. Sneffels | Yankee Bowl Basin near Ouray

Image via outsidebozeman.com

Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. The two options are either axe your way up the chute or axe your way along its East Ridge while audaciously gazing at Telluride lying graciously 5,000ft below you. This is for the best of the best, meaning the reward and the risk are immense. Not only do you dare the high risk of avalanches but you are walking on the very edge of the San Juans eagerly grasping for one of the best lines in Colorado.

Quandary Peak | Hoosier Pass

It’s the 13th tallest 14er and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The altitude, the risk of avalanche, the wind, and the cold will all factor into your success. Although the risk of avalanche is lower due to the more subtle grade, don’t be fooled by its comparisons to other places on this list. After ascending the East Ridge, you’ll have either the North or the South Gully to choose from, ranging from 2,575ft to 3,250ft in elevation.

Mt. Bierstadt | South of Georgetown

Image via exploringtherockies.com

Depending on the road conditions to Guanella pass, you might need to bring a snowmobile or embrace a lengthy skin to the summer trailhead. From there it’s a fairly mellow ascent to the summit at which point you’ll be righteously embraced by a mighty sea of something frozen. You can certainly head over to Mt. Evans and ski some of the gullies on the North East side, but then you’d be in for a pretty long day and those runs are fairly well known. Instead, make your way back down Bierstadt minding the rocks poking out along the way. Take extra care to make sure there’s enough snow before you head out.

Mt. Elbert | Twin Lakes

Although it’s the tallest 14er in Colorado, it isn’t the most difficult to ascend. Follow the East Ridge to the summit and from there take the infamous Box Creek Couloirs dropping right around 2000ft and meeting back up with the East Ridge ascent route. From BOCO, head to Twin Lakes, and turn off Colorado 82 towards the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. At close to 14 miles and over 4,000ft of gain, you’ll have plenty to fill your day with.

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ONE LAST NOTE:

In the backcountry, there are no chairlifts, no trails, and no boundaries to guide you. There’s no base lodge, or made-to-order burgers waiting for you after a long day on the slopes. There’s no price tag, no lines, and certainly no slow signs. Instead, the backcountry offers up wide-open ranges, rolling valleys, and dense forests to carve, float, and pummel your way through. A merciless opportunity to explore the untamed and unstructured. A place where opportunities are seemingly endless, where the only thing standing between you and 4000ft of waist-deep fresh tracks, is you. So go on, sign-up for that safety course, buy or borrow that gear, plan that trip, and take that very first step towards a life beyond the ikonic and the epic.

The post Beyond the Ikonic and the Epic: A Guide to Colorado’s Backcountry appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

General Interest / Recreation

Camp Erie, Erie Recreation Department

School break camps and LEGO Stem Camps

Email: becca.mack@cityoflafayette.com

Phone: 303-665-5588

Pricing, dates and registration information: www.cityoflafayette.com/600/Camps

Virtual: Jewish Culture Club Online, Boulder JCC

Email: tzuria.malpica@boulderjcc.org

Phone: 303.998.1900

Pricing, dates, and registration: www.boulderjcc.org

Lifelong Learning, BVSD, Superior 

Email: lifelong.learning@bvsd.org

Phone: 720-561-5968

Pricing, dates, and registration: https://bouldervalley.augusoft.net

YMCA of North Colorado – School Day Off Camps

Email: afterschool@ymcanoco.org

Phone: Mapleton: (303) 442-2778 Arapahoe:(303) 664-5455

Website: www.ymcanoco.org/toddler-to-teen/bvsd/school-day-off-camps

Winter Holiday Camp, Boulder Parks and Recreation

Email: GoldmanL@bouldercolorado.gov

Phone number: 303.253.4271

Pricing, dates, and registration: apm.activecommunities.com/boulderparksrec

Winter Kids Camps and Classes, Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

Phone number: 303.774.3770

Pricing, dates, and registration: longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/education/summer-camps

Animals, Nature, and Science

Winter Break Camp, Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Email: camps@dmns.org
Phone: 303.370.6000

Pricing, dates, and registration: www.dmns.org/learn/onsite-at-the-museum/overnight-adventures/school-camp-in-best-of-the-museum/

Winter Safari Camp, Denver Zoo, Denver, CO

Email: guestcare@denverzoo.org 

Phone number: 720.337.1400

Pricing, dates, and registration: denverzoo.org/winter-safari-3

Climbing

Camp/School Day Off, Boulder Rock Club 

Email:  frontdesk@boulderrockclub.com 

Phone: 303.447.2804

Pricing, date, and registration: boulderrockclub.com/programs/youth/day-off-school-camps/

Winter Break Holiday Camp, ABC Kids Climbing, Boulder

Email: info@abckidsclimbing.com

Phone: 303.443.5437

Pricing, dates, and registration: abckidsboulder.com/school-holiday-camps/

Dramatic Arts

Theater Camp, Rocky Mountain Theater For Kids

Email:info@theaterforkids.com 

Phone: 303.245.8150

Pricing, dates, and registration: theaterforkids.net/holiday_camp/

Gymnastics

School’s Out Gymnastics Camp, Airborne Gymnastics, Longmont

Email: frontdesk@airbornegym.com 

Phone: 303.684.3717
Pricing, dates, and registration: airbornegym.com/camps/

Winter Camp, Mountain Kids Gymnastics and Movement, Louisville

Email: fun@mountainkidslouisville.com 

Phone: 303.720.7617

Pricing, dates, and registration: mountainkidslouisville.com/events/
*This is a link to 2019 Camps. Don’t have 2020 info NOTE: I have left a phone message with them to inquire if they’re having a winter camp this year.

Role-Playing and Adventure

Holiday and school day off adventure camps, Adventure Quest, Boulder

Email: info@renaissanceadventures.com 

Phone number: 303.786.9216

Pricing, dates, and registrations: www.renaissanceadventures.com/registration/

Sewing

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO COVID – MIGHT RETURN

School Day Off Camp, Common Threads Boutique, Boulder, CO

Email: boulder@shopcommonthreads.com 

Phone: 303.449.5431

Pricing, dates, and registration: shopcommonthreads.com/schedule/school-day-off-camp-oct-11

Soccer

Indoor Soccer Winter Holiday Clinics, Boulder Indoor Soccer

Email: info@boulderindoorsoccer.com 

Phone: 303.440.0809

Pricing, dates, and registration: boulderindoorsoccer.com/camps-clinics/holiday-clinics/

NOTHING AVAILABLE DUE TO COVID – NOT UPDATE SINCE 2019

Soccer Camp, FC Boulder, Lafayette

Email: drew.campbell@fcboulder.com 

Phone: 303.732.8484

Pricing, dates, and registration: fcboulder.com/

Visual Arts

New Year’s Eve and Winter Break Camps, Tinker Studio, Boulder

Email: tinker@tinkerartstudio.com 

Phone number: 303.503.1902
Pricing, dates, and registration: tinkerartstudio.com/holiday-camps-2

Kid Create Studio – Winter Programs, Broomfield

Email: broomfieldco@kidcreatestudio.com

Phone: 303-578-8060

Website: kidcreate.com/broomfield/calendar

The post Winter Camp Directory 2020 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Click images for direct link.

Your stomach will drop long before your mine shaft elevator does. Colorado Springs’ Haunted Mines offer a genuinely unique open air fear expedition as the omniscient designers take advantage of the authentic cold and creep of Colorado’s stoney, dark tunnels that wind below the Earth like catacombs keeping souls in the night. They were unsettling long before the Western Museum of Mining and Industry tried to make them so. (Mine walkers were already stalked by pervasive recollections of documentaries about Black Lung and severe awareness that sun-loving human bodies don’t belong under the weight of the crust, not to mention bats spotted outside of their usual cute, wrapped-in-a-blanket-sweetened spotlights on Instagram.) Since the purveyor of fear itself, Hell Scream Entertainment, bought the attraction-in-need some years ago, however, it has amplified all of those little stressors to create one colossal, sweaty, adrenaline-filled yikes spot.

Taking its unsuspecting paid customers-seeking-a-terror-induced-laxative deep into the bowels of the Earth starting this past September 26th, the Haunted Mines will continue to terrify all the way through November 1st. Tickets are available starting at $22 for entrance Sunday through Thursday. Price options range to $56 for VIP admission to both the Haunted Mines and neighboring Hell Scream Haunted House on weekdays and weekends. Feel your knees give as you wobble your way across shifting floors and through shifting feelings of suspicion and skittering flight. Get lost physically and emotionally in the maddening maze. Experience your neck hairs tingle and lift as a silent watcher eyes you from a quiet corner. Check out the Haunted Mines. (If that’s your thing.)

The post A Guide to the Ghastly & Ghoulish appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we are now publishing some press releases in whole. 

The post Photo alert: New train sets for The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

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Most of our companion animals are happy to chase squirrels, watch birds, fetch balls, go for walks and cuddle on the couch. But, for some domestic pets adventure is a way of life. I’ve spoken to two dogs and a cat with adventurous jobs. Here are their stories direct from the source.

TUNA THE CAT

My name is Tuna. You may have guessed that I’m a cat. When I was little I was shy, skinny and sickly. That’s how I wound up in an animal shelter. I didn’t know it but I was only 3 days away from being euthanized. Then my soulmate Alexis Hinkley saw me. It was love at first sight. You see, we were a lot alike. Alexis can get very anxious and depressed at times. That is why she visited the shelter. I help her feel better. That is why I’m an official Emotional Support Animal.

Because I’m an ESA, Alexis and I can go on amazing adventures. We go hiking and camping and traveling to new and interesting places. I’ve been to 25 national parks and three countries. I have 65K followers. Not bad for a cat! I also help Alexis when she gets nervous or depressed. I know when she is feeling bad and curl up with her. I purr softly and she pets me. We both get a lot out of it. If you’d like to meet other adventure cats and maybe have a few adventures of your own, get your guardian to use that thing they talk into all the time and to go to www.adventurecats.org.” 

HALO the Police Dog – National Night Out

“My name is Halo. I’m a Belgium Malinois. I am a deputy in the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Canine unit. Every day is a new adventure. I help catch bad guys who are selling something that my partner Kelly calls “dope”. I know what I’m doing is important because my partner, Kelly, tells me I’m a good dog. I love going to work, I get my own air-conditioned kennel in the back seat of the car. This is just for me.

Kelly drives me around all day – she is my chauffeur.  Sometimes she gets to drive really fast.  Although I do not like the sound of the siren (it hurt my ears), I do enjoy the lights. I can hear the lights.  Humans can’t do that. When they turn on and I hear Kelly talk a lot on the radio, it usually means I am on my way to a job.  I get so excited, that I feel like a puppy again. I start whining and sometimes it’s hard for Kelly to hear the dispatcher. When I get to the location, I jump out of my car and I am so excited that Kelly has a hard time putting on my leash. Sorry about that!

Then we are off on our adventure! I’m a highly trained scent detector. Sometimes the smell is so strong, I can see it. Why can’t my humans smell it? When Kelly says to me “find dope”, I know that it is time for me to do my job.

Once I smell the dope, I sit pretty or sometimes I lay down.  Then the fun really begins, because I get rewarded by getting to play with my Kong. It is so much fun! I could play with it for hours.  Kelly throws it, I chase it and then I get to chew on it while I bring it back to Kelly. I do this over and over again and I cannot wait until I get to find more. I have the bestest life ever!

The best part of working is how my partner treats me.  Kelly talks to me all the time.  She confides in me, sometimes telling me things that no one else can hear. Best of all she pats my head and tells me that I do a good job.  She gives me kisses on my forehead too. I am useful AND loved. When I talk to my dog friends, sometimes they wish they were me!” 

MEKA the Rescue Dog – Courtesy of Alpine Ski Rescue

“My name is Meka  and I’m an Avalanche Rescue Dog in the mountains of Colorado. I work with Lori Spence at Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol. I’m a Labrador Retriever. My job is saving people who have been buried in the snow.

At 5:30 AM, I’m up and ready to go!. I don’t want to miss out on breakfast (yum) or going to work (whoopie!). Skiing or hiking, it doesn’t matter to me. I start with a downward dog (stretching is important). Then I run up to check on Lori to see if she is up. Hmmm, is it a work day? C’mon Lori, Wakey, Wakey!. Sweet, it is a work day!

I carpool with the ski patrollers and when we arrive I jump out of the car, and run up the stairs to the base of the chairlift with Lori. She moves slower going up the stairs so I wait near the sliding doors until she catches up. Then it is ‘game on’. It is time to go up the chairlift. She brings me my uniform vest and I hop on the chairlift and we ride up to the top of the mountain.

I get to hang with my K9 friends River, Moxie and Hatchet. We are ‘lucky dogs’, the only dogs allowed on the hill. Some days I get out for surprise drills looking for people under the snow. It is usually just practice but I am always ready to be deployed. I love the game ‘search’ looking for someone in the snow. My nose is a million times better than humans and I put my nose in the air to determine what direction to start and sniff, this tells me which way to go and where to dig. I wag my tail as I am pinpointing the person. As I get closer I wag it faster and this tells Lori to come on over with her probes and shovel and help dig to get this person out. My reward when I find someone is playing tug of war with awesome sweaters. Oh this is my favorite game and I usually win.  I hope people do not get in avalanches and get buried but if it happens I am ready!!!

My favorite days are when the helicopter comes in and lands near our top ski patrol shack. Lori brings me outside and says, ‘“chopper’” here comes the “chopper”.  Here it comes sounding like a flappy bird coming in. We load up to fly high in the mountain sky and off to work to search for someone in the snow.

At the end of the day I prefer to go down to the locker room/base area in a snowcat. Other times I ride the snowmobile or in a rescue toboggan. I run into the locker room, swing by guest services for some yummy treats. Then it’s home for dinner, maybe some singing with the guitar (I’m a well known country howling artist!). I sleep best after a day at work. I hope I work again tomorrow. I have many sweet dreams reminiscing about my day.

******

Now you have it from the animals’ mouths! Here’s some additional info.

If you’d like to take your dog on adventures, check out ruffwear.com for equipment and great stories of other adventure dogs. If your dog longs for adventure, but you don’t have time to take her out, check out boulderdoggieadventures.com. If you’d like to know more about dogs who help keep us safe projectk9hero.org. They help dogs injured in the line of duty. For some animal fun while still taking precautions, you can do virtual visits and tours. Good Life Refuge in Longmont offers virtual tours for families, schools and businesses for a nominal fee. You can meet OB, the special needs goat, Llamas, cows, pigs, turkeys, ducks and chickens. Luvin’ Arms Sanctuary is offering farm animals to attend your meeting and family gatherings. Virtually, of course.There is a fee for this service. Check it out at luvinarms.org. The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado is open for tours. They are using strict safety rules.

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The post Adventure Pets Take to the Wild appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The mountains are calling and we mustn’t go, at least not yet, and definitely not in large groups. That doesn’t mean we can’t dream a little dream for all the hikes, campfires, crisp morning air, and high altitude rippling lakes that await us. And what better way to truly get into the spirit than to contemplate upon all the gear we could buy. Whether kicking it at home Kardashian style or sitting in your showerless van waiting for the pandemic to blow over, I’ve come up with an incredibly biased list of badass gear we can all gain from. If you don’t own them, at least you’ll know about them.

Who am I? As in, why should you take my advice and consider this gear…Well, I’m a writer and outdoor professional of sorts. I started as a guide for a Therapeutic Wilderness Program in Utah, then last year I hiked the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and I currently work for Snow Peak.

Disclaimer: I’ve included some of their products, making the conscious decision to only include those which I either had or would have purchased prior to joining their team. Can you blame me for wanting to work for a company that I also use?

Living in Boulder County, we’re in the mecca of outdoorsy greatness. With the Flatirons towering beautifully to our West, a constant reminder of the sheer might that lingers ever so sweetly beyond their jagged peaks, our town has become a city of purveyors and makers. From high calorie nourishment that gets us through those 20+ mile days, to authentically crafted Japanese Tenkara Fishing Rods, from American made knives to cosy teardrop trailers, the outdoor industry booms with crafts(person)ship and thoughtful execution of products we can all be proud of.

As I made my way through the virtually endless amount of gear, I placed my chips on two values above all others. The first was that I wanted to highlight local companies, especially those in the Boulder area but also in greater Colorado. Secondly, and this is why some non-local companies are included, I want to help bring ultralight into the mainstream. The word ultralight has been misused to represent a niche group of ultra-ripped thru hikers, when in reality, none of us want to carry more weight than we have to. This is especially true if we don’t have to pay more, give up comfort, and we can still receive the same functionality.

A gentle reminder: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and Pain and Punishment. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT).

Plan ahead and prepare

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Dispose of waste properly

Leave what you find

Minimize campfire impacts

Respect wildlife

Be considerate of others.

And so, I’ll start my guide the same way I start the majority of my mornings, with coffee. (Click to enlarge images.)

Coffee

“Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second.” – Edward Abbey

Alpine Start – $8.99 (8 pack) alpinestart.com,REI

Boulder based and founded by badass Matt Segal, they’ve stormed the industry revolutionizing instant coffee into something sensationally more tasteful and enjoyable. Medium Roads, Non-Dairy Coconut Creamer Latte, Dirty Chai Latte.

Kuju Pour Over – $7.95 (5 pack) kujucoffee.com, REI

All-in-one, ‘true’ coffee with a functional pour over contraption ready to rock. Brings you coffee without whatever that instant coffee taste is.

Snow Peak French Press $55.95 snowpeak.com, REI

Coming in at 6.3oz, this titanium french press serves up 24oz in a shareable (or not) format.

GSI Collapsible Java Drip – $12.95 Backcountry.com, REI

Compactible, easy to use, just bring your own filters.

Wacaco Nanopresso – $64.90 wacaco.com, williams-sonoma.com

Espresso, boiling water, press, bada bing bada boom. With a cup as a lid you’ve got a portable, fairly lightweight, option for you and your winding trails. 15 bars of pressure.

Cooking

“The echoes of beauty you’ve seen transpire, Resound through dying coals of a campfire.” – Ernest Hemingway

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove $44.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering.

Best ultralight stove on the market, check the reviews. Comes in a cute little case for easy and safe storage, all you need is a fuel canister.

Snow Peak Trek 700 – $44.95  Snowpeak.com, REI, Neptune Mountaineering

If you’re counting ounces the 700 is all you’ll need. Large enough to heat water for meals, small enough to comfortably drink out of. Made in Japan using high grade titanium and comes in at 4.8oz.

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon –  Long – $10.95 REI

Spork! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. I never ate anything in the wild that I couldn’t manage with a spoon, especially a long one like this. Good for deep corners, alright to scrap with, unnoticeable to hike with at .04oz

Jet Boil Micromo Cooking System – $144.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Cooking faced a major renaissance when liquid fuel slowly phased out. Jet Boil became a force to reckon with. Whether you’re boiling water or cooking a 5 star meal that requires heat variety, the Micromo captures the essence of elaborate simplicity. 12oz.

Camp Chef Everest 2x –
$148.00 REI. It’s all about the BTU’s. The Everest has two 20,000 BTU burners fully capable of taking your basecamp to culinary enlightenment… or something like that. Heavy.

Sleeping

“Sleeping bags are like soft tacos” – Bears

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite – $570-$615 Neptune Mountaineering

American made, freaking badass, and an awesome company. If you’ve ever woken up in morning dew you’ll know that most down sleeping bags won’t stand a chance, this one does.

Big Agnes Copper Spur ULV 3 – $499.95 bigagnes.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I’m biased, but so are all gear guides. I used the 2 person version for the entire PCT and sure, the rain fly has a couple rips from getting snagged but the tent held its own. Hands down would buy again and again, in fact I own two. Get the 3 person if you’re sharing with another.

Zpacks Duplex – $599.00
zpacks.com

The thru-hikers tent. You’ll need hiking poles to set this up, which if you aren’t using them already, you probably should be. At 19oz, you’ll be able to carry all the other cool stuff on this list.

REI Co-Op Backpacking
Bundle – $275 – $295 REI

Great place to get started. For under $300 you get everything you need to sleep out. With a 2 person tent, 30 degree sleeping bag, and 2.9 R value sleeping pad, REI has come up with a good middle ground suitable for a wide range of conditions and locations.

Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Air – $199.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Decently lightweight without that annoying crinkling sound, it also has two air chambers in case you pop one side, which eventually you will. An R value of 4 will keep you warm as you dream of pina coladas in a snowstorm at 13,000ft, (don’t take my word on it.)

Kelty Discovery Low Cot – $79.95 REI

I don’t know much about cots but this one was pretty comfy. Although they are certainly predestined for car camping excursions (or home use) they definitely add a layer of comfort that pads just can’t manage. Some people say this one can be hard to set up.

Food

“Hunger is the best sauce in the world” – Miguel de Cervantes

Kate’s Real Food – $29.88 (12 pack) katesrealfood.com

Think energy bars that use nut butters, fruit, and complex carbs. Think tasty. Good bars are hard to come by and even harder to stick with, these ones taste pretty good, best of all, they feel good, and that can make all the difference. Our editor recently took some on his Ouray Via Ferrata adventure and loved em.

Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai
$9.95 backpackerspantry.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Supposedly they’re currently making a killing during the pandemic, and although I can’t say all their food is awesome (I’ve tried most of it) a lot of them are absolutely delicious and high in calories, especially their Pad Thai.

Wild Zora Mountain Beef Stew – $12.95 wildzora.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Tasty, healthy, and paleo, with a texture as though it was mildly blended before being freeze dried. With calories around 400 there’s definitely more bang for you buck out there but at least you know what’s in your food with Wild Zora.

Honey Stinger Energy Waffle – $1.50 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, University Bicycles

Proper nutrition goes way beyond three square meals, Honey Stinger is filling those gaps. Easy, tasty, pretty organic.

Backpacks

“No Pain, No Rain, no Maine” – Common Appalachian Trail saying

Osprey Aether AG 60 / Aura AG 65 – $290 / $270 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Bred in Colorado, Osprey has been making packs for a long time. Although they eventually moved their manufacturing abroad, they continue to work very closely to maintain the high level of quality they are known for. And don’t forget the All Mighty Guarantee

Deuter Trail 28SL / 30 Women/Men – $135 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Day hikes can range from an hour to 10 hours, either way you’ll want some key ingredient for a successful trip. Water, layers, food, first aid, and with 28 – 30L of space these two packs provide the space and comfort you’ll all want and need.

Accessories

“Carry as little as possible, and choose that little with care.” – Earl Shaffer

Kylmt Luxe Pillow – $39.95
rei.com

Creature comforts at their best. Using a layer may be lighter but they just don’t hold their form, go ahead, pack that pillow, there’s definitely room for it ;). Easy to pack, easy to expand, the better the sleep, the better tomorrow can begin.

Black Diamond Storm 400 – $49.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I count ounces, but not here. If I’m going to be wandering around the woods late at night, be it to dig a hole or to get to camp, I want nature illuminated like I’m the freaking sun without looking like Robocop, so 375 lumens is enough.

Adventure Medical Kits – .7 Medical Kit – $28.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

First aid is super duper important! Not only should you have it, you should know how to use it. This one is good for a group of 1-2 for 1-4 Days. While you’re buying this, sign yourself up for a first aid course.

Rumpl Nanoloft Psychotropic – $111.00 REI

The way we sleep out in the wild is changing, goodbye mummy bags, hello loosely draped synthetic blankets (or down). Whether you’re at glamptopia 5000 or the middle of nowhere Rumpl has you covered. Pun intended.

Anker Powercore 13000 – $29.99 Best Buy, Amazon

Whether you’re in a pinch or working your phone like a professional photographer, this battery has enough to get you through a decently long trip. Up to 5 phone charges.

Solo New York Re:move
Duffel – $64.99 solo-ny.com

Using Recycled materials and working to tackle environmental issues, the Re:move Duffle provides space and organization in a comfortable and sleek travel bag to accompany you on any trip.

RTIC 65 – $239.99 McGuckin

I don’t know anything about coolers ‘cept the ones that everyone wants to buy. This one I found with very little research, same performance, less expensive, with a four letter name just like you know who.

Garmin InReach Mini or Explorer +     $299.99 – $349.99 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Garmin confirms that your message was received. Others (and I wont say which) just shoot the signal into the sky and hope for the best. There’s two main players, the mini and the not so mini, it’ll come down to what you’re doing with it. Be aware, active bluetooth drains batteries, very quickly.

Spyderco WolfSpyder – $189.95 spyderco.com, Jax Outdoor Gear

The WolfSpyder is made right here in the USA by Spyderco based out of Golden. All around a great knife. Slice through a little salami or whatever it is that you may use this for, just don’t fight a bear.

Tenkara USA Hane –  $160
tenkarausa.com

At 10ft 10in, it’s long enough for you to reach that pool and short enough to conquer some backcountry creeks. As a telescopic rod, it shrinks down to just 15 inches, perfect for backpacking. 3.5oz

Sawyer Squeeze – $36.95
Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Ultralight, compatible with Smart water bottles, kind slow, but gets the job done. If you’re not supplying an entire basecamp with water, it’s the way to go.

MSR Guardian Purifier – $349.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Yeah, it’s pricey but it’s the best, and if you are supplying a basecamp, well here you go. Easy to use, produces fast clean water, all you have to do is carry it with you.

Foot Love

“There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks, cushion, sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry when we’re out humpin’.” -Lt. Dan, Forrest Gump

Western Mountaineering Standard Down Booties – $100.00 westernmountaineering.com, Neptune Mountaineering

Handmade in the USA, these booties have textured soles soft enough to sleep with yet tough enough to wear around camp.

Smartwool – +/- $20 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, Pedestrian Shops

Steamboat Springs is home and with their lifetime guarantee they’re determined to keep your feet warm, dry, and healthy.

The I’m Drooling Wish List.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Alpacka Packrafts – $595 – $2450
alpackaraft.com

Pack it, strap it, and eventually blow it up and ride that river. These things are cool and amazingly lightweight. People even strap their bikes to them.

Colorado Teardrops – $13900 – $27700 (base prices) coloradoteardropcamper.com

Off road capable, spacious, and constructed to last for generations. This local company is producing sexy little teardrops with enough room to hit the road for a while.

Biolite Fire Pit – $249.95 bioliteenergy.com, REI

I was hesitant about this one because it’s a lot. A bluetooth powered fire pit / grill / with an integrated fan to create smokeless campfires. Yeah, it’s pretty rad. Biolite has given you the controls to your fire and for the most part, it seems like it’s working.

AT Overland Atlas – $9600 atoverland.com

Truck bed cap mixed with pop top tent. This New Mexico based company has developed an alternative to the traditional truck bed camper and they’re pretty sweet.  Endless possibilities for customization.

Earthroamer – $490,000 (base price)
earthroamer.com

Based in Boulder, Earthroamer starts with a Ford chassis and turns them into badass overlanding monsters. With a base price of close to half a million, we’re probably thinking the same thing. BUT THEY’RE SO COOL.

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The post 2020 Outdoor Gear Guide: From Local to Ultralight, Your Guide to Getting Out appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Kaley Ocasio and YS Editor De La Vaca by Clint Cook (guide), Mobius Engineering and San Juan Mountain Guides. Ouray Via Ferrata.

I was halfway up an ascent called “Stairway to Heaven” when I realised, “I really could die doing this”. The posted signs warning you of the possibility of death, the required safety gear (gloves, helmet, harness, footwear), and the liability waivers had all suggested [read: clearly stated] as much. I guess I hadn’t wanted to believe it. But…

As I stood there staring up into the sun and sky above, my friend Kaley climbing with incredible ease, floating as up to the heavens while I could already feel the struggle in my arms, our guide, Clint, from Mobius Engineering leading the way, my perspective changed. Imagine me – studious editor at Yellow Scene, moderately adventurous guy, who’s never done serious rock climbing or been strapped to a wall – having the temerity to look down beneath me first 15, then 25, then 35, then 50 feet as I rose on the rock face, staring down at the rushing water of the Uncompahgre river crashing against the rock. It was very real.

Ibid.

The Uncompahgre River, FlyFisherman.com writes, is birthed “out of Lake Como high in the windswept San Juan Mountains and slogs northward through the towns of Ouray, Ridgway, and Montrose as it makes its 75 mile voyage toward a rendezvous with the Gunnison River in Delta. In the language of the Ute Indians, the original stewards of this spectacular swath of God’s creation, ‘Uncompahgre’ translates to ‘red water spring’ and is likely a reference to several natural hot springs near Ouray and Ridgway.”

While that history is incredibly fascinating for the Native American and the nerd in me, the howl and rush of its waters, crashing and dancing between boulders and fell logs in the gorge beneath me, was the most important consideration for the moment.

For our inaugural Adrenaline Issue, we felt that experiencing Colorado’s latest adrenaline attraction might be the ticket. What is it? Easy. Just a rock face climb / hike completed over 2-4 hours (depending on experience) while dangling precariously above the river and across from the gorgeous rock faces that serve every winter as the Ice Park facades, attached via suspension cables. Of course, we know Colorado is very into adrenaline sports so, for many of you, this might not be enough to get your engines seriously revving. We’re guessing that, regardless of skills or experience, this will still be a fun outing and a great workout for everyone.

The new via ferrata, the first in America that meets both US and EU standards for construction and safety, opened to the general public on Memorial Day in the Switzerland of America, Ouray, Colorado. Let’s review our experiences in Ouray, since we were there for our Winter Travel Loop back in late 2019.

Holy, Colorado, once again, this place makes me hold my breath and scream inside. This remains the most spectacular place I’ve visited in Colorado, even if only a mere 7,800 feet above sea level. In a state enamored of 14ers, I love that Ouray is this impressive. We first made it to Ouray last December in wintry darkness, with no idea of the beauty that existed just outside the doors of our lodge till morning light.

Arriving this trip in the early evening, appreciative of the late sun given the massive walls of the box canyon that rise around Ouray on all sides, we were able to grab food and drive up to the climbers memorial at the Ice Park entrance for a preview of the cables and iron supports that stretch through the gorge. I wanted to psyche myself up for the next day’s adventure, and I also wanted Kaley to understand what I had talked her into doing. She’s not a rock climber either, though fancies herself adventurous. I just needed her prepared. Kaley, FYI, was my companion climber for the weekend. She fancies herself an adventurous person and is a personal trainer in Denver, so feel free to hit her up for workouts.

On this visit we were very happy to stay with the wonderful folks at Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs. It’s an old place, kept up very well. “Alfred Armstrong’s two story residence was built in 1893 on the north side of Third Avenue. Today it is the foundation of the Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs. In 1901, Alf Armstrong purchased four lots for one thousand five hundred dollars. He began our history on one of them.” Thank you, sir. We appreciate it.

For us, it was a haven, a home, a respite from exhaustion. We danced in front of the bathroom mirror, jumped on the beds, drank beers in the bathtub, and enjoyed the local cuisine while unwinding. We also did our best to leave the room clean. Who doesn’t love a great lodge to relax in? We may enjoy luxury towels at a resort, but we relish the rugged goodness of mountain lodges just as much. And with their serious COVID-19 precautions we felt incredibly safe and taken care of. There’s a self check in kiosk in the lobby, all the staff are in masks, and there are spacing requirements and capacity limits for the indoor and outdoor pools. Hint: the indoor pool is adults only. Have fun, folks.

The morning of our climb, I yawned myself awake wrapped in a gloriously soft comforter, the sounds of Kaley already doing her makeup in the mirror reminding me that I’m lazy, a whisper of sunlight kissing me through the blinds. I wake and squint, remembering it’s not just vacation but an opportunity to experience something new and terrifying for my basement dwelling, office based existence. I shower while the coffee brews, pour a cup, and I step out into the sunshine.

“With spectacular 13,000-foot snowcapped peaks surrounding it and hundreds of miles of historic trails, sulfur-free hot springs, the world-famous Ouray Ice Park and other singular adventures all within walking distance of downtown, the town has earned its two monikers: ‘The Switzerland of America’ and ‘The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado.’” There’s no serious snow today, though the very tops of the distant peaks are still clearly snow covered. We grab a small bite and head out. But we have time. What to do while we wait for go time?

Cascade Falls Park is a 5 minute drive from Twin Peaks, and 10 from the entrance to the Via Ferrata. “The Lower Cascade Falls trail is rated an easy hike, which takes you up to the base and last in a series of seven waterfalls that carries snowmelt off the mountains and down one of two flumes through Ouray. The Falls are high in the redstone cliffs overlooking Ouray, and can be seen from many vantage points around the city. The lower trail is short, but steep. The trailhead starts at a parking area at the east end of Eighth Avenue. Several interpretive brochures are available to enhance the hikers experience.”

Let me be clear that we skipped the hike, opting for the lowest level views and some touristy selfies. The falls are gorgeous and I’m officially interested in a full seven falls hike, if that’s a thing. Satisfied with our tourist fun and the caffeine having me ready to go, we went to meet Clint, of Mobius Engineering, over at San Juan Mountain Guides. He had spent the prior day with his teen daughter installing the safety signage. Kaley wasn’t too thrilled to hear they just “completed” it yesterday. “Did they have time to test everything,” she asks.

“No”, I told her. “This will be terrifying.”

The Ouray Via Ferrata project is the only one in North America that meets US and European engineering standards: “In fact, the Ouray Via Ferrata is expected to be the first free public Via Ferrata in the US built to modern safety standards.” Via Ferrata were invented in Europe, the modern iteration of which were specifically for troop movement, though impermanent versions were already in use. Italian for “iron path”, a Via Ferrata is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and other areas throughout the world. A few facts about the Ouray Via Ferrata. It has, according to the website, but which I’m perfectly happy to confirm:

• approximately 4000+ linear feet of anchored cable protected / rung enhanced trail

• two technical exits of approximately 200 feet each

• one 35? long cable wire bridge across the Uncompahgre Gorge at the South end start of the route, and

• one ascending “Sky Bridge” at the North end of the route spanning the gorge for approximately 75? at 35 degrees in angle

• a wide variety of vertical and horizontal route sections with interesting and varied movement designed, implemented, and installed by local climbing professionals and engineers

• a fantastic opportunity to experience the beauty and majesty of the world famous Uncompahgre Gorge in the summertime!

It’s one thing to read about it, and a whole other thing to experience it. Dangling from a wire, your hands tiring, the sun beating down, your guide explaining the ins and outs, the movements, the danger points. There are a few areas to stop for a good rest, including one bench for the weary (yes, I sat there for a while). What’s fun is the controlled fear: precarious footsteps, dangerous heights, switching your harness from cable to cable, and the wire bridges shaking under your feet as you move across.

The Via Ferrata is an absolutely heart pounding, muscle tiring, danger providing, adrenaline heavy good time. It’ll have you moving between elation and concern, going from this is easy” to “can I do this?” It’ll have you eyeing the finish line bridge in the distance and keeping track of emergency exits. It’ll make you appreciate the pauses. We can’t recommend it more. And we can also recommend all the ways Colorado celebrates its need for adrenaline. Go hike, rock climb, sky dive, raft, camp, throw an ax, or mountain bike. It’s all there for you in this wondrous state we’re lucky to call home.

We finished the night off with a bathtub soak and some beers. While Twin Peaks has gorgeous pools, we were too late and still wanted to soak the muscles. After a day in the sundrenched climbs (yes, I’m brown and underestimated my need for sunblock) and the exhaustion setting in from the travel, this soak was needed.

Afterward, reveling in that excellent exhaustion from a day of badass adventure, Kaley spotted the foxes that frequent the area. On my last visit two absolutely gorgeous foxes came to relax on a small mound near our hot tub, under the moonlight, as a light snow began to fall. This time, my friend Snow White [Kaley] went down and fed one. It ate right out of her hand. I reminded her we shouldn’t feed wildlife, but the deed was done. And it was magical.

Ouray is something truly special. And that Via Ferrata is absolutely badass. Make sure you get up there today. By the way, Kaley loved it. Her words, if I recall correctly, were, “I found a new sport I love”. Glad we could help. 

Ouray Via Ferrata

970-946-2089

Web: ourayviaferrata.org | Email: ourayviaferrata.org/contact

735 Main Street Ouray • CO 81427

Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs

1-877-863-6478, 970-633-3118

Web: twinpeakslodging.com

125 3rd Avenue  •  Ouray, Colorado

San Juan Mountain Guides

800.642.5389, 970.325.4925

Web:mtnguide.net | Email: info@mtnguide.net

725 Main Street • Ouray, CO

BONUS: Guide to Indoor Summer Activities

Note: As of press time, opening dates and guidelines when in person-businesses would open were in flux. Many were waiting for expected guidance from state and local governments as well as medical guidance.

AxeWhooping Denver

axewhooping.com

Coal Creek Bowling Center

Lafayette  |  coalcreekbowling.com

iFly Denver

iflyworld.com/denver/

JAX Outdoor Store, Archery Range

Lafayette  |  jaxgoods.com

Ninja Nation

Lafayette  |  ninjanation.com

Nomadic Yogis

Longmont  |  windofprana.com

Northern Colorado Fencers

Boulder

ncfencers.org

Renaissance Adventures Home Camps

Boulder

renaissanceadventures.com

Rabbit Hole Recreation and Escape Rooms

Louisville  |  rabbithole.rs

Rocky Mountain Tennis Center

Boulder  |  rmtenniscenter.com

Shoot Indoors

Broomfield  |  goshootindoors.com

Skate City

Westminster  |  skatecitycolorado.com

Slammers North Baseball

Broomfield  |  slammersnorthbaseball.com

The Spot Bouldering Gym

Boulder  |  thespotgym.com/boulder

Square State Skate, Skateboarding

Boulder  |  squarestateskate.com

Twenty Brew Bar and Axe Throwing

Westminster  |  twentybrewbar.com

Unser Karting And Events

Denver  |  unserkarting.com

YMCA Northern Colorado

Lafayette  |  ymcanoco.org

Xtreme Gladiator Challenge Arena

Denver  |  xtremechallengearena.com

[direct-stripe value=”ds1585187109306″]

The post Adrenaline Season: Ouray’s Via Ferrata Now Open! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Image via 9News

There are days when the state of air quality along the Front Range can be viewed with the naked eye. The brown cloud that blocks our mountain views is the result of particulate matter made by the reactions of sunlight with a variety of human produced emissions including nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). In addition, residents are breathing other pollutants that can’t be seen as easily.

Together, all of it can cause asthma, respiratory issues, and other illnesses. Experts believe the pollution is caused by myriad sources that include exhaust from cars, exhaust from other combustion engines, and the full range of oil and gas operations. This fact has been brought into sharp relief – across the nation – as pictures of skylines before and after lockdown have gone viral.

While it is one thing to visually detect poor air quality on the Front Range, it is another thing to understand exactly what’s going on and what’s happening to mitigate problems. The EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) provides some of this information. It offers air quality data that is based on observations collected by strategically placed monitors. On any given day, the AQI reports on both the air quality levels and exactly which types of harmful pollutants are present.

An array of actions has been put in place to mitigate issues identified through AQI readings and other research points. These remediations include fines, monitoring programs for polluters, and supportive programs like increased public transportation, carpool incentives, and pollution control device mandates for automobiles and industrial equipment.

In addition to these actions, something entirely new is helping to reduce human created pollution: the statewide COVID-19 stay-at-home order that was issued on March 26th. Though schools and businesses began to change operations or close in mid-March, the stay at home order dramatically lowered human activity. Notably, the rush hour traffic that’s a huge contributor to pollution has slowed to a near-trickle.

Are the typical responses to air quality issues working? Will the decrease in human activity due to the stay-at-home order make a difference? To answer these questions, we’ll look at what has happened so far on the Front Range, and then speak with experts who have been tracking the issue.

Where Air Quality Stood at The First Part of The Year

The Front Range didn’t enter 2020 on a high note in terms of air quality. On December 16th, 2019, the EPA announced through a press release that it reclassified and downgraded the Denver Metro/North Front Range ozone nonattainment area from a moderate level offender to a serious one. “A nonattainment area is one in which air quality does not meet the ozone standards set by the federal government,” according to Colorado.gov.

As a result, the state has been required to reduce its pollution by 2021; at the same time it increased the threshold for issuing permits. The stricter standards will require permits for industries that emit more than 50 tons of pollution a year instead of the previous 100-ton level.

In January of 2020, Environment Colorado released a report that was based on air quality data from the EPA. The report placed Colorado within the top ten high-population cities for poor air quality. According to Hannah Collazo, State Director for Environment Colorado, “often air quality can be out of sight, out of mind, but when you really dig into the data you can see how big of a threat it is to public health.”

At the end of March, the bad news about Front Range air quality continued. The EPA provided preliminary findings for its AQI numbers for 2019. These numbers showed that throughout the entire year, the Front Range experienced just 100 days of acceptable air. Details show that 243 days were found to be in the range of 51 to 100, which reflects higher levels of environmental damage and lower air quality. Finally, 20 days came in at 101-150, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, with two days coming in at 150 to 200 which is considered unhealthy for all.

Causes of Current Air Quality Levels

Right now, there appear to be a few reasons why Colorado is losing ground in the effort to keep air quality high. One of them is that while vehicles are being made more cleanly, the state’s population is increasing. That leads to increased traffic congestion that offsets pollution reductions per vehicle.

At the same time, oil and gas production on the front range was large enough to affect air quality, though with impact from decrease in oil demands due to COVID-19 restrictions, and with dramatic global business impacts on the oil industry, this may change. With the level of industrial activity that took place until recently, substantially more VOCs are in the air from multiple parts of the production process. In addition to requiring permits for these companies so that they’re mandated to operate more cleanly, other remediations include requiring specific mechanical controls on buildings or industrial processes. These include wet scrubbers and condensers to remove pollutants from the exhaust stream.

A third contributor to poor air quality is the warmer temperatures that are being seen along the Front Range throughout the year. Both the sunlight and heat that are present on hotter days accelerate the presence of pollutants.

While the major categories of pollutants might be what you’d expect, we were curious about unexpected sources of pollution. Some of the state’s largest breweries play a role in pollution. Exhaust from flights (there are 79 public airports in Colorado. DIA is the second largest airport in the world and the activity from general airport operations at DIA contribute to problems, as do landfill activities.

According to Jeremy Nichols, Client and Energy Program Director at Wild Earth Guardians, these sources contribute, though they don’t approach, the impact of what the larger polluters and permit holders can do. He says that in the analysis he’s seen, “Fossil fuel production and consumption rises to the top on all fronts, whether its refining oil, or fueling jets or cars.”

Do Actions to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 Highlight the Role Personal Use In Finding Solutions?

As this human activity has slowed with the recent stay-at-home order, the Front Range may be feeling the effects in terms of improved air quality. Frank Flocke, a researcher from the Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling Laboratory at NCAR, reminded us that this is a unique chance to study what having people required to stay at home and reduce commuting times will do.

“Now there’s a natural experiment that’s taking place. It is an experiment that we normally can’t do,” Flocke said. It reminded him of what happened the week after 9/11, ”when there were no aircrafts in the air. People did look at satellite data then, though they couldn’t fly to certain areas for research.”

Anecdotally, individuals in major cities including LA (number one for poor air quality on the Environment Colorado report) and Denver are joyfully reporting on the views of their skylines. Some have remarked that the air is as clear as they’ve ever seen it in recent memory.

Is there hard data to support what people believe they are seeing visually? Some believe that there is. In Los Angeles, where commuter traffic has dramatically dropped, groups that regularly track and advocate for better air quality have made note of the fact that their AQI numbers have been regularly green since February. NASA satellites have observed the lessening of the pollution cloud over major cities in China, Italy, and France. Those kinds of images have been seen for Denver, too.

Easy to Visualize Elements May Not Tell the Whole Story

Flocke agrees that the stay-at-home order’s reduction on traffic is having a positive effect on air quality, but he’s careful to quantify what that impact is. That’s understandable as collecting and analyzing data never has been a straightforward endeavor. Even now, just as with 9/11, scientists are confined to their homes and restricted from doing too much field research.

In addition, researchers are contending with other barriers to their work – just has they always have. For example, Dr. Detlev Hemig, an associate researcher at CU Boulder’s Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research was let go from the university. He was relied upon to provide a ton of data for researchers to use and his presence will be missed.

Flocke does note that traffic counts, and corresponding levels of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide, are lower. At the same time, he cautions that people refrain from jumping to conclusions, saying that, “right now, everyone wants to know about air quality, but you can’t just do that over lunch or on the back of an envelope. It’s just not going to be meaningful.”

Part of the problem is that Front Range weather patterns pose a challenge to connecting the true causes of any changes in air quality at any given time. Detecting improvement in air quality numbers is tricky at this time of year, when cooler spring weather supports good air anyway. Typically, the higher numbers happen in the summer as longer days and hotter temperature are around to convert emissions into pollutants .

However, weather variables, which can occur at any time, make things trickier. For example, thanks to a warm weather temperature inversion, Denver’s brown cloud made a rare springtime appearance and on March 6th the AQI reached 151. In that case, better numbers seen this year rather than last year could simply be because last year was atypical.

In addition, researchers caution their colleagues and the public to reserve judgement about drawing a strong connection between NASA satellite images and improved air quality. They caution that these images may be the result of varying cloud formations rather than of gains in air quality. To get a better sense of what’s happening researchers would need to filter these images through more complete data analysis processes and observe them over longer periods of time.

True Benefits May Be Felt Over Time

Just because it is difficult to make a connection between air quality improvements and reduced human activity doesn’t mean there isn’t one. The complicated connection may just take time to establish. It’s important to allow for the ability to compare an appropriate data set over months or years and to consider all impacts on air quality.

It is also true that the longer the stay-at-home order lasts, the more data researchers will have on the order’s impact on air quality. For example, if less commuting traffic took place during the middle of summer, the AQI showed a string of green days representing cleaner air, the connection between traffic and pollution would be easier to prove.

Maintaining Air Quality Gains

If researchers can make a more direct connection between the statewide stay-at-home order and air quality gains, that’s important information for the public to have. It is possible, though, that understanding how we could improve air quality wasn’t ever the hard part. Maybe the biggest challenge was figuring out how to achieve and maintain fundamental behavior and regulatory change that results in healthier air for the long term.

Once quarantine is lifted, communities are likely to return to life as it was before. This isn’t surprising considering that even in the face of immediately impactful, life-threatening illness, it took weeks of communication from a variety of outlets and trusted public figures to encourage people to stay home. Behavioral change also required alterations in how school and business are conducted, and it came at the expense of many individuals’ livelihoods. At the time of this writing, in spite of all the information we had on mortality and infection rates, protests and marches for the freedom to go back to normal were spreading across the nation, including in Denver.

The toughest question may be how to motivate permanent change that is less restrictive but brings healthier outcomes. Encouraging more work from home flexibility or doing greater amounts of business locally would reduce the number of cars on the road, which could be a start. Other solutions could also include making ongoing improvements to emissions controls for industrial processes and stricter regulation across the range of industrial operations in Colorado.

Change isn’t ever easy but in the case of air quality it may be required to maintain community health.

The post Front Range Air Quality 2020: How Now Brown Cloud? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

ANIMAL ECOLOGY

Butterfly Pavilion

6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster.

303.469.5441. Butterflies.org

Denver Zoo

2300 Steele St., Denver.

720.337.1400. denverzoo.org

Denver Zoo Summer Safari

2300 Steele St. Denver.

720.337.1400. denverzoo.org

Dinosaur Ridge

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy. Morrison.

303-697-3466 x101. dinoridge.org

Downtown Aquarium Sea
Safari – not is this years

700 Water St., Denver.

303.561.4444. aquariumrestaurants.com

Kids and Critters

Longmont Humane Society

9595 Nelson Road, Longmont.

303.772.1232.  longmonthumane.org

Sunflower Farm

11150 Prospect Rd. Longmont, CO.

303-774-8001. sunflowerfarmmail@gmail.com

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

20 Lakeview Dr., Unit 107, Nederland.

303.258.0495. wildbear.org/summercamps

ARTS & PERFORMING

A Child’s Song

12301 Grant St., #200 Thornton.

303.460.7408. achildssong.com

3rd Law Dance/Theatre

2590 Walnut St #3, Boulder.

303-938-8656. 3rdlaw.org

Ah Haa School for the Arts Kids’

300 Townsend Ave., Telluride.

970.728.3886.  ahhaa.org

Airborne Gymnastics & Dance

1816 Boston Ave., Longmont.

303.684.3716. airbornegym.com

Afterbeat Drum School

917 Front St., Louisville.

720.837.5410. afterbeatdrumschool.com

American Dance Training Camps

Boulder. 866.383.ADTC

americandancetrainingcamp.com

AR Workshop

1361 Forest Park Cir. #107. Lafayette.

720.449.4114. arworkshop.com

Artful Journey School of Fine Art

3743 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen.

303.674.0446. artfuljourneyschool.com

Artistic Fusion Dance Academy

12421 Washington St., Suite 190, Thornton.

720.929.1820. artistic-fusion.com

Arts HUB

420 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.229.1127. Multiple camps available. artunder.org

Arvada Center Summer Art Camps

6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

720.898.7200. arvadacenter.org

Aspen Music Festival and School Maroon Bel Canto
Children’s Chorus-Festival Summer Camp

225 Music School Road, Aspen.

970.925.3254. aspenmusicfestival.com

Athena Project Arts

303.219.0882. athenaprojectarts.org/summer-camps

BackStory Theatre Youth Classes & Camps

3 Community Park Rd. Broomfield.

720.263.0836. backstorytheatre.org

BDT Academy
5501 Arapahoe Rd. Boulder.

303.449.6000 x 193 Bdtacademy.org

Block 1750

1750 30th St. Boulder.

303.654.9617. block1750.com

Boulder Ballet

2590 Walnut St., #10. Boulder.

303.443.0028. boulderballet.org

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company

2590 Walnut St. #1, Boulder.

303.351.2382 betc.org

Boulder Performing Arts Co.

3395 Vista Dr., Boulder.

303.859.4195. Bpac.biz

Boulder Philharmonic
Orchestra

1600 Range St. #200, Boulder.

303.449.1343. boulderphil.org

Boulder Guitar Coach

720.323.6424. boulderguitarcoach.com

Boulder Suzuki Strings

2705 Stanford Ave., Boulder.

720-295-5647. bouldersuzukistrings.org

Camp Oonie Koonie Cha

7520 S. Boulder Rd., Boulder.

303.413.1711. campooniekooniecha.com

Camp Telaphiba Summer Dance Retreat

8820 W. 116th Cir. Broomfield.

720.580.2267. camptelaphiba.com

Centennial State Ballet

1422 Nelson Rd., Longmont.

303.722.1335. centennialstateballet.org

CenterStage Theater Company

2590 Walnut St., Boulder.

303.673.0744. centerstagetheatercompany.org

Center for Musical Arts Camp

200 E. Baseline Rd., Lafayette.

303.665.0599. centerformusicalarts.org. Comusic.org

Coal Creek Theater of Louisville

801 Grant Ave., Louisville.

303.665.0955. cctlouisville.org

Colorado Ballet

1075 Santa Fe Dr., Denver.

303.837.8888. coloradoballet.org

Colorado Children’s Chorale

2420 W. 26th Ave, #350-D, Denver.

303.892.5600. childrenschorale.org

Colorado Conservatory of Dance

3001 Industrial Lane #12. Broomfield.

303.466.5685. www.ccdance.org

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

University of Colorado, Boulder.

303.735.1181. coloradoshakes.org

Dance Arts

555 Burbank St., Ste N, Broomfield.

303-466-3212. Danceartsstudio.org

DL Parsons Theatre

11801 Community Center Dr., Northglenn, CO

303.450.8727. northglennarts.org

Reverence Academy of Dance LLC .

1370 Miners Dr., Ste. 111, Lafayette.

303.661.0719. reverenceweb.com

Dance Dimensions

638 Main St. Longmont.

303.772.3750. dancedimensions.net

The Dance Front

901 Front St. Louisville, CO.

303.817.2234. dancefront.com

Dance Etoile Ballet

1075 S Boulder Rd. #130 Lafayette.

720.938.3030. danceetoile.org

DaVinci Center for Musical Arts

55 Alter St., Ste. G, Broomfield.

720-838-8685. davinciarts.org

Denver Center for Performing Arts

1101 13th St., Denver, CO.

303.893.4100. denvercenter.org/education

Doghouse Music Rock ‘N’ Roll Camps for Teens

525 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.664.1600. doghousemusic.com

Elite Dance Academy

8820 W. 116th Cir. Suite A. Broomfield.

303.466.8626. elitedanceacademy.net

Flight Performing Arts Dance Camps

901 Front St., Louisville.

303.817.2234. flightperformingarts.com

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Camps.

3022 E. Sterling Cir. Ste. 150, Boulder. 

303.245.8272. frequentflyers.org

Global Sound Music Academy Summer Camp.  

555 Alter St., Ste. 19F, Broomfield.

303.439.7956. Globalsoundstudio.com

Grace Studios

3101 Industrial Ln. #B. Broomfield.

303.465.5678. gracestudios.com

Imagination Circus Arts Camp

4747 N 26th St. Boulder.

303.548.9340. imaginationcircusarts.com

Jason Olson Guitarist

320 Main St., Ste. D, Longmont.

303.621.4031. Jasonolsonguitarist.com

Jester’s Dinner Theatre/ Performing Arts School

224 Main St. Longmont.

303.682.9980 jesterstheatre.com

Kinesis Dance Camp
not in texcel

5603 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.

720.515.6268. kinesisdance.com

Kutandara Center Music Summer Camps

5401 Western Ave., Ste. B, Boulder.

303.443.2969 kutandara.com

Longmont Dance Theatre –
Ballet & Dance Camps 

1422 Nelson Rd., Longmont.

303.772.1335. Longmontdancetheatre.com

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

400 Quail Rd, Longmont.
(303) 651-8374. longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum

Longmont Symphony

519 Main St. – Rear Suite, Longmont.

303-772-5796. longmontsymphony.org

Longmont Theatre Company

513 Main St. Longmont.

303 772 5200. longmonttheatre.org

Louisville Arts Center

PO Box 852, Louisville.

www.louisvilleart.org

Love Music Studios

1095 Atlantic Ave., Lafayette.

770.316.4389. lovemusicstudios.com

A Midsummer Day’s Dream String Camp

3745 Martin Dr., Boulder.

303.908.2493. fsamusic.org

Mojo’s Music Academy

1350 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont.

303.776.3373. mojosmusicacademy.com

Moriarty-Moffitt School of Irish Dance

1201 W 121st St., Westminster.

720.666.3105. Mmirishdance.com

Motus Theatre

P.O. Box 6080, Boulder.

720 432 2004. motustheater.org

Children’s Museum of Denver

2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver.

303-433-7444. childsmuseum.org

Parlando School for Musical Arts Summer Camp

2590 Walnut St., Boulder.

303.442.0006. parlando.org

Peanut Butter Players Family Theatre

2572 Paintbrush Ln. Lafayette.

303.444.4479. peanutbutterplayers.com

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp

40755 CR 36, Steamboat Springs.

970.879.7125. perry-mansfield.org

Planet Bluegrass

500 W Main St, Lyons.

(303) 823-0848. bluegrass.com

Premier School of Dance – Princess Ballet Camp

12351 Grant Street, Unit 360,. Thornton.

303.457.2165. danceatpremier.com

Reel Kids Drama Camp

602 Center Dr., Ste. E, Superior.

303.499.0125. myreelkids.com

Reverence Academy of Dance

1370 Miners Dr., Ste. 111, Lafayette.

303.661.0719. reverenceacademyofdance.com

Rock’n & Jam’n

9499 Washington St., Unit C, Thornton.

303.254.4344. Climbthebest.com

Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts

200 E Baseline Rd, Lafayette.
(303) 665-0599. comusic.org

Rocky Mountain Fiddle

453 E. Wonderview Ave., #194, Estes Park.

303.596.9870. rmfiddle.com

Rocky Mountain Theatre For Kids   

5311 Western Ave., Suite 135. Boulder.

303.245.8150. theaterforkids.net

Rocky Ridge Music Center

465 Longs Peak Rd. Estes Park.

970.586.4031. rockyridge.org

School of Rock Camps

Multiple Sites.

303.532.1201; 303.325.3772. schoolofrock.com

Storycamp Summer Sessions

6500 W Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

303.652.0130. campstorycamp.com

Summer Music Academy at CU Boulder College of Music

University of Colorado Boulder, 301 UCB.

303.492.6352. piano. colorado.edu/music

Swallow Hill Music Camps

71 E. Yale Ave., Denver.

303.777.1003. Swallowhillmusic.org

Tara Performing Arts High School

1800 Sumac Ave. Boulder.

303.440.4510. tarahighschool.org  

Upstart Cow Theatre

PO Box 18045, Boulder.

303.578.5667. theupstartcrow.org

Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio

14676 Delaware Street #200, Westminster.

303.665.7026. whimsypaintandsip.com

ARTS – VISUAL & MULTIMEDIA

The Arts HUB

420 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.229.1127. artunder.org

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

1750 13th St., Boulder.

303.443.2122. Bmoca.org

Boulder Creative Collective

2500 47th St. #10, Boulder.

720.663.8583. bouldercreativecollective.com

Crackpots Creativity Camp

505 Main St., Longmont.

303.776.2211. Ecrackpots.com

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 W 44th Ave., Golden.

303.279.4591. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum

1310 Maple St., Golden.

303.273.3815.  mines.edu/geology-museum

Comedy Works Downtown

1226 15th St., Denver.

303.595.3637. www.comedyworks.com

Denver Art Museum

100W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver.

720.865.5000. denverartmuseum.org

Denver Botanic Gardens

1007 York St., Denver.

720.865.3500. botanicgardens.org

Inspiration Art Academy

457 Main St., Longmont.

720.273.2477. inspirationartacademy.com

Living Arts School

6500 West Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

720.383.4406. livingartsschool.com

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

400 Quail Rd., Longmont.

303.651.8374. longmontcolorado.gov

Mudslingers Pottery School

920 Main St., Louisville.

Mudslingerspottery.com

Museum of Boulder

2205 Broadway, Boulder.

303.449.3464.  museumofboulder.com

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

1485 Delgany St, Denver.

303.298.7554.  mcadenver.org

Museum of Outdoor Arts

1000 Englewood Pkwy., Englewood.

303.806.0444.  moaonline.org

Open Hands Art

1720 Bluff St., Boulder.

720.400.1319. openhandsart.com

Open Window Studio

12041 Twilight St, Longmont.
720.400.1319. openwindowstudio.org

pARTiculars Art Gallery and Teaching Studio     

401 S. Public Road, Unit 1, Lafayette.

720.890.7888. particularsart.com

PoshSplat Kids Classes

2035 Broadway St., Boulder.

303.442.7674. poshsplat.com/kids

Studio Arts Boulder Pottery Lab

1010 Aurora Ave., Boulder.

720.379.6033. studioartsboulder.org/camps

Sunflower Art Studio

6545 Gunpark Dr., Boulder.

720.939.7545. artsunflower.com/camps

Tinker Art Studios

693B South Broadway. Boulder.

303-503-1902. Tinkerartstudio.com

Young Rembrandts

23 North Union St, Elgin, IL

847-742-6966. youngrembrandts.com

EDUCATION & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Adventure Montessori Learning Center

250 S. Cherrywood Dr., Lafayette.

303.665.6789. Adventuremontessori.com

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

637 S. Broadway. Boulder.