In Colorado, the Old West never rests. Relive the past at several of the state’s ghost towns where buildings still stand and the faint sounds of early residents are still heard. Near Aspen, the historical ghost town of Ashcroft was formed in 1880 by miners seeking the riches of silver. The town was once home to two newspapers, 20 saloons, a school and many private homes. Today, Ashcroft, featuring nine original buildings, is a National Register Historic Site. Resembling an old Western movie, St. Elmo, Colorado’s “Saturday night town,” is named for the occasions when men from surrounding mining camps gathered to socialize with fellow miners. The nearby Mary Murphy mine produced millions of dollars in gold before closing in 1926. Located west of Buena Vista, St. Elmo, a National Historic Site, features 24 original buildings – some dating back to the town’s origins in 1879 – including private homes, a mercantile and courthouse. Dearfield, on the eastern plains near Greeley — the only all-black settlement in Colorado — included 700 African Americans in the early 1900s. Today, a gas station, a diner and a founder’s home represent the one-time camp, now being preserved by the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center in Denver. For more information about Colorado’s ghost towns, visit www.colorado.com.

On vacation, girls just want to have fun. In Colorado, they’ll find amenities and activities to provide the perfect trip accessories. With winter approaching, Vail offers ski and snowboard camps from December through March. For intermediate to advanced female skiers, “Her Turn Adventure Workshops,” offer instruction for tuning-up techniques. The three-day camp also includes insider tips from a pro instructor, the best gear for women, and recommended shopping and spas in the area when the ski day is done. Also offered at Vail, “ReTreat Yourself with Barrett Christy,” a women-only snowboard and yoga camp, focuses on improving boarding techniques and perfecting yoga poses with Barrett Christy and other professional female snowboarders. For an indoor retreat, head to The BROADMOOR in Colorado Springs, for its Winter Spa Spectacular starting November 1, 2005. The package includes two nights at the premier resort spa, as well as a choice of Deep Tissue or Hot Stone massage, Babassu Beautiful Body Polish (a hydrating-exfoliating treatment with organic sugars) signature facial, pedicure and manicure. In Denver, the Hotel Monaco offers girlfriends a weekend passport to Cherry Creek Mall for world-class shopping with 160 shops, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and several stores unique to the Rocky Mountain region. Also in the city, Opera Colorado and the Colorado Ballet open their 2005-06 seasons in the new state-of-the-art Ellie Caulkins Opera House. For more information on area hotels and hospitality packages, please visit the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association.

As darkness falls in Glenwood Springs, join the Frontier Historical Society for a guided journey by lantern-light that explores the pioneer spirits, stories and folklore in the historic Linwood Cemetery. During October 14–16 and 21–23, travel back in time among the rustic tombstones nestled within pinion pine and sage brush. Throughout the moderate hike, costumed actors portray the people and local legends that lived in the area 100 years ago, including gunslinger, gambler and dentist, John “Doc” Holliday, best known for his involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Holliday and other famous residents were known to spend their time at the Hotel Colorado, which is said to be haunted and now features ghost tours.

The Colorado Discovery Adventure
Colorado, home to the world's first really "wildlife," 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
Load the family into the car and experience the mountains, the valleys and the towns in between. For family amusement, Colorado offers various attractions for children and adults who are young at heart.

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
With shorter days and cooler nights, now is the time get outside and experience Colorado! Backpack through some of Colorado’s most rugged and pristine backcountry, or set your sights to world-class rock climbing in every corner of the state.

For other Colorado Outdoor Adventures, visit the Outdoor Adventure page.

DENVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL, November 5, 2005:  The wine promises to flow at the historic Oxford Hotel in Denver, where vineyard owners and winemakers will pour more than 250 wines from around the world. The event also features educational wine seminars and food tastings.

HOLIDAY LIGHTING EXTRAVAGANZA, November 25, 2005: The holiday season kicks off in Pueblo when Santa floats down the Arkansas River channel on a boat. The entire Riverwalk area is lit with white lights and bell-carolers ring Christmas songs.

6th ANNUAL TASTE OF GUNNISON, December 2, 2005: Cook up some new holiday dinner ideas at this annual epicurean event in Gunnison. More than two dozen restaurants will tease your taste buds with samples of their delicacies. Get in the holiday spirit and mingle with the locals at the Fred R. Field Heritage Center.

A TRADITIONAL BROADMOOR FAMILY CHRISTMAS, December 15–17 & 21–24, 2005:  The BROADMOOR, one of the world’s premier resorts, presents an evening of family entertainment with dinner and holiday music. The BROADMOOR Pops Orchestra joins the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale to perform holiday songs in jazz, classical and country genres.

100th ANNUAL NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, January 7–22, 2006: Hold onto your cowboy hats, as the Wild West comes to Denver during the centennial celebration of this event, which showcases the area’s rich agricultural heritage. The Old West comes alive with shows like “the super bowl of cattle shows,” an evening of dancing horses and professional bull riding. In addition to Wild West entertainment, a variety of vendors feature cowboy boots, Native American jewelry and other Western wear to keep you and your family riding in style.

16th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTOR CHAMPIONSHIPS,
January 24–29, 2006: The art of snow sculpting is perfected in Breckenridge every year as artists create masterpieces made of snow. Watch teams from around the world transform 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of snow into winter wonderland favorites for the whole family in Breckenridge.

Photo Credits:
“Historical Haunts” – Photo courtesy of Kevnickphotography.com.
“Girlfriend Getaways” – Photo courtesy Jack Affleck/Vail
“Pioneer Spirits” – Photo Courtesy of Ed Kosmicki