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 Visitors looking to taste the flavor of Colorado’s robust wine industry will find more than 50 wineries, as well as wine festivals throughout the state. Trips to these grape-growing regions feature a true high altitude experience. Many of the vineyards range from 4,000 to 7,000 feet and are among the highest in the world. The Grand Valley, considered the birthplace of Colorado wines, includes more than a dozen wineries. In this area, favorable conditions produce Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz. Established in 1978, Colorado Cellars (800-848-2812), located in Palisade, is the state’s original winery and features more than 35 wine-made foods, gifts and accessories. Grande River Vineyards, also located in Palisade, features the largest grape crop in Colorado and hosts an annual summer concert series with blues/jazz performers at its outdoor amphitheater. In the Southwest, the cool climate is ideal for Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In Paonia, The Terror Creek Winery (970-527-3484) is noted as the highest commercially producing winery and vineyard in the world at 6,400 feet above sea level. For a shorter visit, there are several wineries located along the Front Range. In Loveland, visit the Trail Ridge Winery – for Merlot and Chardonnay – located in the foothills near Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Pikes Peak Vineyards and Winery (719-576-0075) in Colorado Springs includes Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as fine dining and a golf club and driving range. |
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Mid-September through mid-October fall foliage in Colorado paints the Rocky Mountain landscape with brilliant golden hues, creating opportunities for you and your family to view the vibrant fall colors. Jump in the car for the day and take a road trip along some of the state’s scenic byways. In Rocky Mountain National Park, lace up your hiking boots and trek through 350 miles of endless trails. Or climb aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for the Fall Photo Special tour (September 24 and 25) highlighting premier southwestern spots for viewing the foliage. In Manitou Springs, The Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the country’s highest railroad, transports passengers to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. In Grand County, mountain biking trails cover more than 600 miles along river valleys under canopies of bright yellow aspens. Saddle up and let horses lead the way in Telluride as the nearby San Juan Mountains create a spectacular golden backdrop for a guided tour. For a more adventurous ride, take the ATV Historical Color Tour in Buena Vista, across the Continental Divide and discover fake gold nuggets along the trails leading through old mining sites and ghost towns. |
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Don’t miss the lyrical showdown at this year’s Colorado State Fair in Pueblo from August 26 through September 5 (Labor Day). During the Cowboy Poetry Showdown, hear poems and ballads recited by Cowboy poets and rhyming ranchers, as well as youth (age 18 and younger) competing in their own category. Now in its 133rd year, the State Fair, Colorado’s largest annual celebration of agriculture, features entertainment for the entire family. Highlights include: top rodeo competitors in the PRCA Rodeo, livestock at The Children’s Barnyard, 1,500 categories of arts, crafts and food competitions, hundreds of carnival rides, nightly entertainers, and a sand sculpture reaching 25-feet high. On Sept. 3 and 4, the State Fair’s Fiesta Weekend celebrates Colorado’s Latin culture with music, dance, food, art, costumes and traditions. Weekend events include a “Charreada” (Mexican rodeo), Hispanic art show, fiesta parade, two nights of international entertainment and free stage shows. For information on tickets, parking and event details, please visit www.coloradostatefair.com or call 800-876-4567. |
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Hey kids! The Denver Museum of Nature & Science was recently named one of the three best science museums for kids in the United States. The recognition, based on a Zagat Survey in association with Parenting magazine, lists the Denver Museum of Nature & Science along with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the Boston Museum of Science. Through August 21, 2005, don’t miss Lewis & Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition featuring more than 600 national treasures from the period of 1804-1806, including rare American Indian objects, period art, journals, scientific equipment, maps, documents, and plant specimens that demonstrate the significance of early American cultural encounters.
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The Colorado Discovery Adventure
Colorado, home to the world's first really "wild life," features reminders from the dinosaurs, which have literally left their mark all around the state. In fact, Colorado has its own state dinosaur, the Stegasaurus. Fruita, meanwhile, favors the Ceratosaurus, which made its home nearby. Make tracks across Colorado!
For other Colorado Discovery Adventures, visit the Discovery Adventure page.
The Family Adventure
If you think family fun at Colorado's world-class ski resorts dries up in the summertime, think again! Colorado's ski resorts turn into virtual playgrounds in the summer. From hot summer festivals and Alpine Slides to top-notch spas and golf courses, Colorado resorts offer year-round family fun for all ages.
For other Colorado Family Adventures, visit the Family Adventure page.
The Colorado Romantic Adventure
Love is in the air in Colorado. Grab the hand of your special someone and head to the Rocky Mountains for a romantic getaway.
For other Colorado Romantic Adventure ideas, visit the Romantic Adventure page.
The Colorado Outdoor Adventure
Colorado is home to 40 state parks attracting nearly 11 million visitors per year. Colorado's parks offer some of the highest quality outdoor recreation destinations and activities in the state – from mountain lakes to whitewater adventures – look no further than Colorado State Parks for your outdoor adventure.
For other Colorado Outdoor Adventures, visit the Outdoor Adventure page. |
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12th ANNUAL TELLURIDE BLUES & BREWS FESTIVAL, September 16 – 18, 2005: With a backdrop of the Telluride, Colo. peaks, be ready to lose some sleep at late night jam sessions with world-renowned musicians. Enjoy sampling 50 microbrews and the free acoustic artist series.
ATV HISTORICAL COLOR TOUR,
September 21 – 24, 2005: Bring your ATV to Buena Vista, Colo., and ride through historical mining sites and ghost towns in the midst of autumn's grand colors. After your long day’s ride, enjoy evening barbeques and beer gardens.
THE FIREHOUSE GHOSTS, October 22, 2005: Bring your sleeping bag to Denver’s Firefighters Museum and learn why this Fire Station still has things that go bump in the night. This old fashioned sleep over includes a spaghetti dinner, spooky movies, Ouija boards, ghost stories and a physic tour.
OKTOBERFEST, October 1, 2005: This autumn festival in La Veta combines food, music and brews for an exciting October fest! Listen to German music as you browse more than 60 arts and crafts booths or enjoy the traditional outdoor beer gardens.
719-742-3676
16th ANNUAL CHOCOLATE TASTING FESTIVAL, November 25 – 26, 2005: Join Colorado chocolate connoisseurs in Creede at this mouth watering event and enjoy luscious samples of chocolate made by local business owners and individuals. In this Victorian-era mining town, visitors also get to judge the chocolates and vote for their favorite. Each entry in the competition must contain chocolate, carob, cocoa or white chocolate, and cannot be commercially made or prepared from a box. 800-327-2102
VISA BIRDS OF PREY MEN’S WORLD CUP,
November 29 – December 4, 2005: In Beaver Creek, the four-race Visa Birds
of Prey Men’s World Cup is considered to be the best preview of the 2006 Torino Winter Games. In all four races, American ski favorite and overall World Cup champion, Bode Miller, makes his only U.S. World Cup appearance during the event. Beaver Creek also kicks-off its 25th anniversary celebration during World Cup Week. |
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Colorado Cuisine
Celestial Celebrations
Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival
Photo Credits:
“On the Colorado Wine Trail” – Photo courtesy of Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau
"Fall into Colorado"– Photo Courtesy of Kevnick Photography
“Colorado State Fair” – Photo courtesy of Colorado State Fair
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All material copyright © 2005 by The State of Colorado™ (1625 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80202) and by Weaver Multimedia Group (2420 Alcott St., Denver, CO 80211). All rights reserved. |
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