New
activities, events, attractions, lodging offerings and more are the
buzz this summer in Colorado. Throughout the state, visitors and locals
are invited to experience what’s new. From exciting new events like the
women’s only Colorado Classic cycling race and the Web.com Tour Event at
the new TPC Colorado Golf Course to thrilling recreational pursuits
including the opening of several new whitewater adventure parks and new
biking and hiking trails, along with highly anticipated lodging openings
including the W Aspen and Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, Colorado is the
place to be for an unforgettable summer vacation. Following is a
sampling of what’s new for spring and summer 2019.
Aspen Celebrates the Bauhaus Centennial in 2019: Numerous
local organizations will collaborate on events to celebrate the
100-year anniversary of the modernist art school, honor its impact on
Aspen and reignite the creative power that began a century ago. The
celebration will commemorate the influence of the Bauhaus revealing the
many ways that it continues to inspire area artists, designers,
architects, musicians and thinkers.
C Lazy U Saddles Up for its 100th Anniversary in 2019:
Known for its genuine service and legendary western hospitality, C Lazy
U luxury guest ranch will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019. The
ranch will be offering special packages, an exclusive partnership with a
local Colorado whiskey maker and much more.
Fine Arts Center (FAC) Celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2019:
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is gearing up for its 100th
anniversary with a year’s worth of spectacular arts programming. The
celebration will honor its rich history with art exhibitions celebrating
instructors, students and influencers of the Broadmoor Art Academy,
pop-up one-act plays, en plein air and printmaking workshops and more.
Minturn Celebrates 115 Years in 2019:
Settled over half a century before the resort communities that surround
it, the Town of Minturn was incorporated in 1904, making it one of
Eagle County’s oldest towns. To mark the occasion, anniversary events
will be held throughout the year.
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Celebrates its 90th Anniversary in 2019: The Royal Gorge Bridge in CaƱon City, the highest suspension bridge in America, will celebrate its 90th
anniversary in 2019. Special boards with wood-burned guest signatures
will be installed as replacement planks throughout the year.
Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, March 1-August 25, 2019:
Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius, is the most comprehensive
exhibition about da Vinci ever presented. Dozens of replicas of da
Vinci’s machine inventions, built using his detailed codices, reveal how
his fundamental scientific and artistic principles continue to impact
the world today. In addition, the exhibition will feature the
fascinating Secrets of the Mona Lisa exhibit, with super-magnified
visual examinations and the only 360-degree replica ever made of the
iconic painting.
New Southwest Chief Bicycle & Comedy Festival Launches in Trinidad, May 2-5, 2019:
The first ever Southwest Chief Bicycle and Comedy Festival follows the
route of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and will stop at the route’s center
station in May. A gem of southwest Colorado, Trinidad is a hub for
gravel cycling and a perfect stop for the Southwest Chief Bicycle &
Comedy Festival.
OHV Adventure Rally Comes to Rangely, May 3-5, 2019:
The new Rangely Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Adventure Rally is the
perfect event for travelers looking for a unique trail riding experience
this spring. The event will feature more than 10 trails for free-riding
along with guided rides and an OHV Rodeo where riders can participate
in speed and tactical challenges to win prizes.
The Boulder Beer Chase, June 15, 2019: The
Boulder Beer Chase is a new 1-day, 6-person relay of 55 miles,
consisting of 12 legs of varying distance (3-6 miles per leg). The
course starts in Fort Collins at Odell Brewing and finishes at Boulder
Beer Company with exchange points at amazing craft breweries along the
way.
Web.com Announces New Golf Event at TPC Colorado, July 8-14, 2019: The
new TPC Colorado golf course in Berthoud will host a new Web.com Tour
event this summer. The Web.com Tour is the top developmental circuit for
the PGA Tour. The tournament has been dubbed the TPC Colorado
Championship at Heron Lakes and will include 156 players vying for a
$600,000 purse.
Colorado Classic Becomes Women’s Only Bike Race, Aug. 22-25, 2019: The
2019 Colorado Classic will become the only women’s stand-alone stage
race in the Western Hemisphere on the Union Cycliste Internationale
(UCI) calendar and USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour, while raising the bar
for pro women’s cycling around the world. The four-stage road race will
bring some of the best female teams and cyclists in the world to the
state and will offer unprecedented financial support to female athletes
including a prize purse nearly four times the 2018 women’s purse.
ENTICING NEW ATTRACTIONS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES
Canyons of the Ancients Guest Ranch Offers New Archeology Program:
New for summer 2019, guests of the historic Canyons of the Ancients
Guest Ranch can partake in a new archaeology program and join a local
rockologist who is excavating a village on the property for a tour of
the excavation site and to learn about the ancient people who lived in
this area.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park Opens New Via Ferrata in Manitou Springs:
A new, two-hour guided rock climbing adventure at Cave of the Winds
allows guests to scale limestone cliffs and mountains that are miles
above the canyon floor.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park’s Dixon Trail to Open:
After nearly a decade of planning, Colorado Springs’ newest trail to
the top of Cheyenne Mountain is now open to the public. Mainly
constructed by volunteers, the trek navigates 914 meters of elevation
gain and provides a challenging hike in the upper section as well as
easier options for hiking, biking and horseback riding near the
trailhead.
New Water’s Edge Exhibit to Open at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo:
New this summer at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s only mountain zoo,
the Water’s Edge: Africa exhibit will offer guests the opportunity to
hang on a beach with penguins, cross a suspension bridge over hippos and
view an island full of tapirs.
The Crested Butte Center for the Arts Unveils New Expansion:
The Crested Butte Center for The Arts is undergoing a large expansion
project, slated to open summer 2019. The new space will include a new
Alpenglow outdoor stage, five class and rehearsal rooms, four art
studios, a new visual arts gallery and a culinary instruction and
catering kitchen.
Eagle River Park to Open in Full: Slated
to open in spring 2019, this 4.3-acre park includes a new world-class
whitewater park that will provide a venue for whitewater competitions
and events. The Eagle River Park project wraps along the Eagle River
near the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo Grounds and Chambers Park.
New Iron Mountain Tramway to Debut at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park:
Slated in to open in mid-March 2019, the new detachable Mountain
Tramway at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park will have 44 cabins and will
be able to transport 1,000 guests per hour to and from the mountain-top
theme park. The enclosed cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows on all
sides that offer panoramic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Mesa Verde Country Launches New Farm & Ranch Tours:
New for 2019, visitors are invited to discover what life on a farm is
like as they taste the flavors of the region through Mesa Verde
Country’s new farm and ranch tours. These experiential tours explain how
farmers live and work the land to produce crops and other crafts.
Mesa Verde National Park Receives Rockefeller’s Native American Art Treasures:
The Estate of David Rockefeller recently donated 115 works of art to
Mesa Verde National Park. The collection had been locked in a
Rockefeller family home in Maine for nearly 100 years. Much of the art
in the collection was purchased from living artists during family trips
the Rockefellers took in the 1920s and 1930s.
New Poudre River Whitewater Park to Open:
Slated to open late summer 2019, and located on the river just north of
Old Town in the booming river district, the new Poudre River Whitewater
Park will include a boulder-lined boat chute, rock features, holes for
kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), tubing and shallow play along
the shore.
Roll Massif Announces New American Sportive Series:
Roll Massif features eight road, gravel, and mountain biking events
throughout Colorado. While it includes big-name road rides like the
Copper Triangle, Elephant Rock and Tour of the Moon, it also includes
two new gravel events, Wild Horse Gravel in De Beque and Crooked Gravel
in Winter Park.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park to Open New Via Ferrata: The
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park will debut a new Via Ferrata on the
granite walls of the Royal Gorge for summer 2019. Guests will be
halfway down into the Royal Gorge when they start climbing on what will
be a unique lifetime experience.
Telluride Ski Resort Unveils New Bike Park: Partnering
with Gravity Logic, Telluride Ski Resort will debut a new bike park in
June 2019. The bike park will showcase miles of gravity-fed flow trails,
smooth sweeping turns on a rain absorbent surface and arching bridges.
The terrain will include new freestyle trails and enhancements to the
existing technical and cross-country trails.
U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium To Reopen:
Coming in 2019, the U.S. Air Force Academy will be reopening its
planetarium to the public. Closed since 2004, the new facility will be
known as the Planetarium & STEM Center. Visitors can experience
fighter pilot and robot explorers, laser entertainment and more.
NEW LODGING PROPERTIES AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS:
Fort Collins’ Armstrong Hotel Debuts Remodel: An
Old Town Fort Collins landmark, the iconic Armstrong Hotel will debut a
new remodel in April 2019 that will feature nine new guest rooms, an
expanded lobby and refreshed interior.
ColoRADo Adventure Hostel Opens in Colorado Springs:
Opened in late-2018, this 55-bed hostel is the first hostel in Colorado
Springs. Serving the explorers and adventurers coming to the Pikes Peak
Region, this hostel offers a mix of shared accommodation and private
rooms, social common areas, daily events and excursions.
Critter Mountain Ranch Opens in Dolores:
Critter Mountain Ranch guest house is located near a working alpaca
ranch and sits on 40 acres surrounded by gorgeous views. Guests can
explore the nearby nature center and trails or schedule time with the
ranch manager to learn the alpaca ranching ropes.
New Dark Skies Vacation Homes In Custer County:
New for summer 2019, travelers can visit Colorado's only International
Dark Sky Designated Community of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff and
experience a Dark Skies Vacation through a new vacation company of the
same name that offers guests the opportunity to book a home and enjoy
guided tours of the state’s brightest stars.
The Foundry to Open with Hotel and Movie Theater in Loveland:
Slated to open in May 2019, Loveland's new Foundry development is an
epicenter of entertainment and pays homage to Loveland's thriving arts
scene. Visitors can access a modern, full-service movie theater and a
four-story, 102-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotels - all anchored
by an open plaza with modern art, splash park and public space.
Gaylord Rockies Opens in Aurora: Opened
in late-2018, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center features
more than 1,500 guest rooms, eight dining options, a luxurious spa and
salon, diverse shops, indoor and outdoor pool, a lazy river, winding
waterways and picture-perfect sunset views of the mountains.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Debuts Multi-Million Dollar Renovation:
The 130-year-old Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, the world’s largest hot
springs pool, will unveil a new renovation in July 2019 that will
include the Adventure River, a fast-moving river with cascading tiers,
boulders and extensive landscaping, and a new children's play area with
mini water slides and a splash pad.
The Hotel Colorado Will Begin Major Renovations in 2019: Under
new ownership, Glenwood Springs’ historic Hotel Colorado is making
major enhancements starting in February 2019. All guest rooms will be
renovated along with the hotel’s exercise facilities and restaurants
while still keeping the glory of the 125-year-old historic property.
Laszlo Hotel to Open in Parker:
Slated to open in August 2019, the new Laszlo Hotel is a 51-room
independent and locally-owned boutique hotel located in Parker that will
take guests back in time to the Casablanca era, but with today’s modern
conveniences. Guests of the hotel will have access to five new local
restaurants.
The LUMIN Residences Open in Snowmass:
The LUMIN, is the newest in ultra-luxury mountain lodging located in
the heart of Colorado’s reimagined Snowmass Base Village. The LUMIN
features three penthouse residences offering a comfortable alpine
elegance with sophisticated furnishings and unparalleled proximity to
the slopes at Snowmass Mountain via the Elk Camp Gondola and the new
Snowmass Ice Rink.
Monarch Casino Black Hawk Unveils Major Renovation: Monarch
Casino Black Hawk will unveil a major, multi-phase renovation this
spring that includes a remodel of all guest rooms, casino areas and a
new high-end spa with rooftop infinity pool overlooking the canyon and
enhanced dining options.
Red Mountain Alpine Lodge Opens in Rugged San Juan Mountains: Opened
in December 2018, Red Mountain Alpine Lodge serves as the ultimate
year-round backcountry accommodation for discerning clientele. Located
just north of the summit of Red Mountain Pass, RMAL sleeps 18-20 people
and comes complete with gourmet eats, a bar/tavern, wood-burning sauna
and more. RMAL can also be connected with the luxe Opus Hut for a
European Haute Route hiking experience.
Redstone Castle Reopens In Carbondale: Once
home to America’s sixth wealthiest person, the restored Redstone Castle
in Carbondale is now a boutique hotel. The stately residence was
patterned after an English manor house and built in the early 20th
century by Colorado industrialist John Cleveland Osgood for his family
residence. Almost every one of the 42 rooms in the stately manor boasts a
Tiffany chandelier designed by Louis Tiffany just for Osgood. Guided
tours of the castle are also open to the public and available six days a
week.
Thelma Hut Debuts in the San Juan Mountains:
Powered by solar energy, this brand new backcountry hut is nestled in
the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Perfect for those who seek an
off-grid experience with the luxuries of everyday life, Thelma Hut
offers a hut host who cooks three meals daily. The hut comfortably
sleeps eight and accommodates winter skiers and summertime hikers alike.
W Aspen and The Sky Residences at W Aspen to Open Summer 2019:
Slated to open in early June 2019, the new W Hotel and Residences will
offer 88 guestrooms. Conveniently located at the base of Aspen Mountain,
the development will also feature a 12,000-square-foot rooftop bar and
pool with expansive views of Aspen Mountain.
The Wyman Hotel Opens in Silverton:
Opening early spring 2019, this new 16-room boutique hotel is a
wonderful and modern contrast to Silverton's rugged mountains and Wild
West charm. Located on Silverton's main street, the 1902 landmark
building has been reimagined with the comforts and amenities of an urban
boutique hotel and is a welcoming, thoughtfully appointed space,
perfect for artists, creatives, and adventurers.
NEW AND UNIQUE LODGING PACKAGES & EXPERIENCES
Painting & Photography Classes at Chico Basin:
Ranchlands Camp at Chico Basin Ranch will offer a series of painting
and photography experiences throughout the spring season. Award-winning
National Geographic photographer, Stephen
Alvarez, will lead an immersive, week-long photography workshop focused
on wildlife and landscapes. Renowned artist Jill Soukup will lead a
painting workshop focused on drawing and painting horses.
Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa Announces New All-Inclusive Casita Experience: Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa
will debut a new All-Inclusive Casita Experience in June 2019. The new
All-Inclusive Casita Experience includes accommodations, round-trip
airport transfers, gourmet daily meals, access to weekly onsite events, a
customizable menu of recreational activities and more.
The Original Package Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Hotel Teatro: Denver’s original boutique hotel is celebrating 20 years in 2019. Book The Original package,
and receive the best of Hotel Teatro including overnight accommodations
for two; “Bubbles + Bubbles” amenity in-room; a custom-curated
charcuterie board, courtesy of Hotel Teatro’s new Charcuterie Concierge;
a “Bike + Brew” amenity, including access to the hotel’s vintage
cruiser bikes, as well as a map of Denver’s best craft breweries,
curated by the hotel’s Craft Beer Concierge; breakfast for two.
The Ramble Hotel to Offer New Denver Graffiti Package:
The Ramble Hotel, located in Denver’s burgeoning River North Art
District (RiNo), is offering a new Denver Graffiti Package that includes
accommodations, two tickets to the Denver Graffiti Tour, a two-hour
walking tour of the best street art and graffiti in Denver's RiNo Art
District, coffee to enjoy during the tour and brunch at DC/AM.
Vail Marriott Launches Om Boocha Wellness Experience:
For an elevated wellness experience on the mountain, unwind with Vail
Marriott’s weekly 50-minute Om Boocha yoga class. The restorative yoga
class allows guests to center themselves, realign breathing and stretch —
and afterwards cheers with a kombucha, crafted in-house, to a day well
spent.
INSPIRED FOOD & BEVERAGE OFFERINGS
5030 Local Opens in Loveland:
New for 2019, Peel Handcrafted Pizza and Berthoud Brewing Company are
combining their talents to create 5030 Local, a collaboration concept
that provides an inspired gathering place for quality local food,
delicious craft beer and live music from local and national acts.
Beckon Opens in Denver’s RiNo Neighborhood:
Opened in late-2018, Beckon is Denver's first chef's counter
reservation-only restaurant. From the team behind the nationally lauded
Call, Beckon is intimate and altogether unique for Denver with menus
changing monthly that highlight local ingredients and cooking styles
from Scandinavia to California.
Broadway Market to Open in Denver’s Golden Triangle Neighborhood:
Denver's newest food hall and community gathering place is coming to
the Golden Triangle in summer 2019 with options from renowned local
chefs including Paul C. Reilly, Daniel Asher and Biju Thomas.
Alex Seidel Opens New Chook Chicken: This
new fast-casual restaurant from James Beard Award Winning Chef, Alex
Seidel is a rotisserie chicken shop with counter service and comforting
side dishes.
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project Returns To Its Roots:
The popular Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project is opening up a new
experimental brewery and taproom in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins
this spring. The taproom will have 20 taps featuring a wide range of
brewers select beers, Brettanomyces (a yeast species owner Chad Yakobson
studied for his Masters Thesis at Colorado State University) and
barrel-aged wild and sour beers.
Envy Brewing Opens in Fort Collins:
Fort Collins furthers its designation as Colorado’s Craft Beer Capital
with the addition of a new brewery to the southeast side of the city.
Envy Brewing, which opened in February 2019, will focus on collaboration
beers with plans to partner with other breweries, malt companies, local
businesses and area homebrewers.
Fenceline Cider & Outlier Cellars Debuts in Mancos:
Featuring apples that grow at the base of the La Plata Mountains,
Fenceline Cider has a new taproom in downtown Mancos. The founders of
the artisan cidery have a goal to “build quality cider from the apple
up.”
New Golden Mill Food Hall to Open in Golden:
From the team behind Denver’s Stanley Marketplace and lauded chef,
Daniel Asher, Golden Mill Food Hall is slated to open in late 2019, and
will include a coffee shop, central bar, multiple food vendors and
event and community spaces for the 6,000-square-foot location that dates
back to 1865.
La Nonna Ristorante Opens in Vail:
Executive Chef Simone Reatti serves up authentic Italian fare in his
recently opened restaurant La Nonna Ristorante. The lively restaurant
offers house-made pasta, osso buco, veal and lamb shank, lamb chop and
scaloppini, to name a few favorites.
Upper East Side’s Le Bilboquet to Open in Cherry Creek North:
Le Bilboquet, a second location of the famously exclusive New York
mainstay, will open in 2019 and will be divided into a fine-dining
dinner bistro and a breakfast and lunch cafe. The new bistro will be
modeled after the Upper East Side original and will serve traditional
and modern French fare.
The Way Home Debuts in Carbondale: Opened
in fall 2018, The Way Home is a new restaurant in Carbondale featuring
locally sourced ingredients that support regional farmers and ranchers.
It also serves as a community hub.
Wolf’s Tailor Opens in Denver: A
nod to the craftsman who fashioned sheep’s clothing for the sly wolf,
The Wolf’s Tailor stitches together chef Kelly Whitaker’s collaborations
and travels through Italian kitchens and Asian night markets. The menu
features binchotan charcoal skewers, pastas made from house-milled
grains and plant-based dishes sourced from an on-site garden.
WHATS ON TAP FOR 2020 AND BEYOND…
Colorado Olympic Museum To Open in 2020:
Opening its doors in 2020, the U.S. Olympic Museum and Hall of Fame
will be an experience like no other, where the legacies of American
Olympians and Paralympians get a well-deserved permanent home. This will
be the most accessible and interactive museum in the country, a place
where everyone can discover and share in the journeys, struggles and
victories of Team USA athletes.
MeowWolf Comes to Denver in 2020: Santa
Fe’s lauded arts and entertainment group, MeowWolf, will be opening a
new immersive arts experience in Denver in late-2020. Meow Wolf is
comprised of over 300 employees creating and supporting art across a
variety of media including architecture, sculpture, painting,
photography, video production, cross-reality (AR/VR/MR), music, audio
engineering, narrative writing, costuming and performance.
New River Run, a Signature Sun RV Resort to Open in Granby:
A new high-end resort with a wide variety of lodging styles is coming
to Granby, near Winter Park. The new development, River Run, will offer
furnished mountain cottages, glamping accommodations, RV facilities and
tent camping set against spectacular views of the Continental Divide.
Guests will have access to a wide variety of onsite amenities to keep
them entertained and well-fed without ever leaving the property,
including fishing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, mini-bowling,
zero-entry pool, spa services, a tavern and events center and more.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway To Reopen in 2021:
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway will reopen after a multi-year hiatus for
repairs in 2021. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of Colorado Springs’
top attractions and since 1891, has taken thousands of people to the
14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.