| In this Issue:
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Celebrate the Season |
| |
|
 There's nothing quite like being among other happy revelers at a holiday event or festival to get you in the spirit of the season. Fortunately, Colorado offers many social events to help celebrate the holidays:
It's Christmas in Old Colorado City, Nov. 24 through Dec. 24. Experience the ambiance of holiday shopping and visit Santa in this historic town. For more information, visit www.shopoldcoloradocity.com or call 719-577-4112.
In Golden, enjoy the Olde Golden Christmas, featuring a hometown Christmas atmosphere, with festive holiday activities and entertainment throughout town on Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23. For more information, visit www.goldencochamber.org.
Climb onboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's Annual New Year's Eve Special Train. Enjoy a festive evening excursion onboard a turn-of-the-century train, featuring entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. For more information, visit www.durangotrain.com.
For the adventurous, take the Polar Bear Plunge in Boulder on Jan. 1. Brave the icy waters and plunge into the Boulder Reservoir in the annual celebration of the new year! For more information, visit www.bouldercoloradousa.com.
After the new year, toss, hurl, sling or lob your unwanted holiday fruitcake with residents in Manitou Springs during the 12th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss on Jan. 6. Judges will be on-site to name the winners of the greatest distance, most creative use of the holiday cake, the most beautiful and the ugliest cakes during this fruitful event. www.manitousprings.org
To search for additional holiday events and festivals around the state, visit www.colorado.com.
|
|
| |
| Advertisers |
| |
| |
| Shop Colorado |
| |
|
 Looking for the perfect gift or a souvenir from your travels? Look no further than Colorado’s unique shops across the state.
Try Made in Colorado for any Colorado gift under the sun (and we get 300 days of it!). The organization works with 400 Colorado-based artisans and craftspeople. A few other unusual items from the collection: Columbine (Colorado state flower) pottery, Colorado's Four Seasons screen savers, a personal gold-panning set. Order Made in Colorado items online or by phone at www.madeincolorado.com or 800-272-1046.
Downtown Boulder is uniquely beautiful, surrounded by the stunning Flatiron Mountains with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Be sure to shop the Pearl Street Mall, a four-block-long pedestrian mall. The great selection of art galleries, jewelry stores, clothing stores, sporting goods stores and much more should keep you busy for hours. Taking a break for lunch or dinner will be delightful at one of downtown Boulder’s amazing restaurants. For more information, visit www.boulderdowntown.com.
In Breckenridge, take time off the slopes to shop the town’s more that 180 stores – most of which are independently owned and all of which are incredibly unique. For more information, visit www.gobreck.com.
Post-holiday season, shop the annual Indian Market, Jan. 19-21, when Denver hosts a colossal display of Navajo blankets, turquoise jewelry and native pottery, western décor and southwest fashions, paintings and sculptures. Visit with more than 300 artists, designers, sculptures and crafters who will be on site selling their work. For more information, visit www.denver.org.
For many more stores, including antiques, clothing and other retail shops in your area, search www.colorado.com. |
|
| |
| Advertisers |
| A Better Way To Get There |
Beaver Creek – Mid-week Deals |
| CME offers door to door airport ground transportation service from Denver International and Eagle Airports to most Colorado mountain locations |
Mid-week packages from $238/person for 3 nights lodge/4 days lift tickets |
|
| |
| Cold-Weather Events to Warm Your Heart |
| |
|
 Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean destinations you may associate with warm weather are closed. Many outdoor attractions are open and are featuring unique winter events.
At the Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of Light exhibit (open Dec. 2 through Jan. 21), wander through a winter wonderland in Denver and stroll beneath trees dazzling with bright holiday lights. More than one million bulbs twinkle along the path of the Botanic Gardens' 17-acres. Enjoy piping hot beverages and savory snacks as you complete your Christmas shopping at the gift shop. For more information, visit www.denverbotanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3500.
A Colorado Springs tradition, the Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Dec. 8 through Jan.1) showcases nearly a million lights and luminous animated displays. The event, located at America's only mountain zoo, creates stunning views. For more information, visit www.cmzoo.org or call 719-633-9925.
For more events, search www.colorado.com.
|
|
| |
| Cool Kids' Stuff |
Click Here! to find fun and free Colorado facts, games, puzzles and pictures at your fingertips.
|
|
| |
| MY TRAVEL PLANNER |
| Need vacation ideas? Click on any of the suggestions below for great Colorado activities. |
|
The Discovery Adventure
Learn about the past through experiences with historic landmarks and wildlife refuges. Explore buildings, mansions and the great outdoors, while blazing your own path through the state. Discover Colorado and its unforgettable history.
For information on other discovery adventures, visit the Discovery Adventure page.
|
The Family Adventure
Pack your bags and experience the sights and sounds of Colorado, the ghost towns and the cities inbetween. For family entertainment, Colorado offers an endless stock of attractions and excitement for children and young-at-heart adults.
For information on other family adventures, visit the Family Adventure page.
|
The Romantic Adventure
Hearts become one in Colorado. Take in a sunset with your favorite someone and experience Colorado together. Quaint mountain towns, wide-open meadows and breathtaking views nestled in the Rocky Mountains await you!
For information on other romantic adventures, visit the Romantic Adventure page.
|
The Outdoor Adventure
With 42 state parks, Colorado is open for adventure.
For information on other outdoor adventures, visit the Outdoor Adventure page.
|
|
| |
| Upcoming Events Throughout Colorado |
| |
24 HOURS OF SUNLIGHT
Feb. 3–4, 2007:
An endurance race challenging all ages and abilities to hike Sunlight Mountain and ski or board down for an entire 24-hour period. www.24hoursofsunlight.com or 970-920-7276.
94TH ANNUAL WINTER CARNIVAL
Feb. 7–11, 2007:
Embrace Steamboat’s Western heritage and winter sports tradition with downtown street events including skijouring, parade and the famous Lighted Man at the Night Show Extravaganza. www.steamboatsummer.com or 877-754-2269.
WINTERFEST–BALLOON RALLY
Feb. 11–13, 2007:
The second weekend in February brings out the best activities of winter for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy spectacular morning balloon ascensions, ice skating, downhill and cross-country skiing and sledding and snowmobiling events. It's winter fun for the whole family. www.pagosaspringschamber.com
MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
Feb. 16–20, 2007:
Head to Vail for the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the mountains, sure to be irresistibly fun, vibrant, sarcastic and sassy! Don't miss the merriment, the throws, the costumes, the Cajun/Creole cuisine, the street party and, of course, the parade on Fat Tuesday. Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll)! www.vail.snow.com.
WINTER EVENT
Feb. 17–18, 2007:
Spend President's Day weekend in Creede and enjoy many winter outdoor activities, including ice skating, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, ice-fishing and much more. www.creede.com or 800-327-2102.
PLAINS SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL
Feb. 23–25, 2007:
Tours, educational programs, arts, crafts and a banquet. www.lamarchamber.com/goose/index.htm.
All events are weather permitting and subject to change. For a listing of additional Colorado events and travel information, log on to www.colorado.com or call 800–COLORADO. |
|
| |
| COMING IN NEXT MONTH'S ISSUE |
| |
 |
Stay tuned for January's issue! |
|
| |
Photo Credits:
"Celebrate the Season" – Photo by Tom Stillo/CTO
"Shop Colorado" – Photo by Larry Pierce/CTO
"Cold-Weather Events to Warm Your Heart" – Photo by Brian Gadbery/CTO |
|
| |
|
| |
WWW.COLORADO.COM
800–COLORADO |
| View our Privacy Policy |
All material copyright © 2006 by The State of Colorado™
(1625 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80202)
and by
Weaver Multimedia Group
(2420 Alcott Street, Denver, CO 80211)
All rights reserved. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
