In January 2016, the Governor announced 16 priority trails projects
that are in various stages of planning and building and will
drastically increase the recreational cycling opportunities in Colorado
over the next several years. Some examples include The Colorado Front
Range Trail, a multi-use trail extending from the borders of Wyoming to
New Mexico; The Colorado Riverfront Trail connecting Palisade, Grand
Junction and Fruita; Paths to Mesa Verde linking Mancos, Mesa Verde
National Park, Cortez and the Phil’s World Mountain Bike Trails System
and more.
Enhancing the Pedals Project, several Colorado communities are
unveiling brand new bike trails over the next year as well as new
cycling events, packages and clinics as an entree for what’s to come.
Below is a listing of some of Colorado’s most exciting new cycling
offerings. For more information, visit www.COLORADO.com.
New Bike Trails:
Hummingbird Trail (Aspen), Opened August 2015:
This is the Hunter Creek area's first machine built trail, and features
playful grade reversals to keep water off the tread, plenty of fun on
the descent and respite from short steeper sections on the way up.
US 36 Bikeway (Boulder to Denver) Phase 2 Opened March 1, 2016: The
second phase of the US 36 Express Lanes commuter bikeway
Louisville/Superior and Boulder opened in March 2016. Leisure and
commuter cyclists can now ride the entire 18 miles of bikeway from
Denver to Boulder.
Oil Well Flats Recreation Area (Cañon City), Most Recent Trail Opened October 2015:
This unique trail system offers bikers all-season riding with panoramic
views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, varied topography, stunning
landscapes and trails for all ability levels.
Legacy Loop Trailhead (Colorado Springs), Opening Spring 2017:
A new trailhead for the Legacy Loop will be constructed to provide
improved access for trail users. The trailhead will also accommodate
large groups for special events.
Teaser and Happy Hour Trails (Crested Butte) Happy Hour Opened September 2015, Teaser Opened June 2016:
Two new trails were recently completed at the Evolution Bike Park at
Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). Teaser, an intermediate man-made
flow trail, and Happy Hour, the newest CBMR and Crested Butte Mountain
Bike Association collaborative trail that connects the bike park to the
town of Crested Butte for uphill and downhill use.
Pronghorn Trails Area (Del Norte), Opening September 2016:
These new purpose built, singletrack, non-motorized trails are
intermediate and located on never before available terrain. They will
open with 6.5 to 8 miles of trails that connect into Del Norte.
Downtown Protected Bike Lanes and Expanded Bike Sharing (Denver), Opened December 2015: The new protected bike lanes on Lawrence and Arapahoe Streets span from the Auraria Campus to 24th Street.
These are the first bike lanes in Denver to be protected with a row of
parking. Additionally, the city’s public bike share program, Denver
B-cycle has added several new stations around the city for people to
enjoy short-term bike rentals.
Divinity Flow Trail (Durango), Opened June 2016:
Chair 4 at Purgatory Resort takes riders to the top of the lift where
they can ride mountain bikes down to the plaza via a new 2.5 mile
purpose built flow trail.
Pump Track (Eagle), Opened June 4, 2016:
Eagle’s new Pump Track was constructed by Momentum Trail Concepts,
utilizing funds from the Town of Eagle’s Open Space fund. It is said to
be one of the largest and best pump tracks in Colorado.
Alder Park Trail (New Castle), Opened June 2016:
This is a short, but fun switch backing trail that climbs up and over a
small hill to connect to the Colorow Trail. Primarily used as the start
of a ride on Colorow, beginners can use this trail to improve on their
skills.
Downhill Mountain Biking (Powderhorn Mountain Resort), Opened Summer 2016:
Powderhorn Mountain Resort will debut downhill mountain biking with two
new mountain bike trails in summer 2016. A newly built high-speed quad
will service the bike trails. Powderhorn is also working with local area
bike shops to build and grow a downhill bike series.
New Cycling Events and Offerings:
Ride First Class Package at St Julien Hotel & Spa (Boulder), Now-September 2016: Elite cycling and luxury living meet at St Julien Hotel & Spa this summer during the Cognoscenti bicycle
tours. To complement Cognoscenti’s five unforgettable bike rides, St
Julien is offering an elite package for competitive cyclists and casual
cruisers alike. Package includes accommodations, meals, cocktails, "Back
in the Saddle Tune-Up" spa treatment and more.
Breck Bike Guides Tuesday Night Clinics (Breckenridge), Summer 2016:
Tuesdays throughout summer, Breckenridge’s only year-round bike shop
will offer clinics ranging from mechanical to outdoor skills, race
tactics, nutrition and women’s only nights. Clinics began June 7.
Chasing Epic: 4th of July, Peak Wildflower and Fall Foliage Tours (Crested Butte), July 1-4, July 22-25, September 23-26, 2016: Chasing Epic works
exclusively with local guides who have an intimate knowledge of the
community and the trails. Trips include guided rides, lodging, dining
and exclusive demo bike rentals.
At Your Pace Bike and Brews Guided Day Tours (Denver, Boulder, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, Summit County), Summer 2016:
Experience Colorado’s famed cycling offerings followed by a taste of
the state’s thriving craft beer scene with one of several Bike and Brews
guided day tours.
Frisco Women’s Mountain Bike Clinic (Frisco), July 21:
The Frisco Adventure Park will host a women’s mountain bike clinic with
local endurance athlete, Jaime Brede. The clinic will focus on the
fundamentals of mountain biking with the goal to instill confidence and
build skills.
Viceroy Snowmass Offers Cycling Program with Pro Rider, Will Frischkorn (Snowmass), Summer 2016: New
for summer 2016, the Viceroy Snowmass is offering a fully customizable
cycling program led by former pro cyclist, Will Frischkorn (Tour de
France competitor for Garmin).
Snowmass Enduro World Series Mountain Bike Race (Snowmass), July 30-21, 2016: Snowmass
will serve as the only U.S. stop of the Enduro World Series bike
competition. Aspen Snowmass has been chosen to host round five (out of
eight rounds) of the prestigious Enduro World Series.
