Uniquely Colorado-the Centennial State’s Unusual Attractions & Events

When you think of Colorado, images of soaring purple mountains majesty and ribbons of champagne powder-dusted ski hills likely pop to mind. While this is quintessential Colorado, there are other aspects to the Centennial State that just might surprise you. Here are a few of Colorado’s unique attractions and events that are worth checking out during your next visit.

Grand County’s Call of the Wild

Grand County, just 67 miles west of Denver, is home to the highest continuously paved road in the Untied States, Trail Ridge Road, which weaves through Rocky Mountain National Park and links the towns of Winter Park and Estes Park. Take the trek in September or October and you could be treated to one of nature’s most impressive choruses, elk bugling. In the fall the rutting call of the bulls, which is a distinctive series of screams and grunts, can be heard from just before dusk to dawn. While you are in Grand County be sure to keep an eye out for the other wildlife that thrives here, including moose, pronghorn antelope and bald eagles.

The Western Slope’s “Island in the Sky”

Colorado’s western slope is where you can find one of the world’s largest flat- topped mountains, Grand Mesa. The “Island in the Sky” as it is nicknamed, stretches about 40 miles across and boasts more than 200 lakes. The 246,000-acre Grand Mesa forest sits on top of the mesa and includes 200 miles of trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Mesa Verde Country’s Four Corners Region

Mesa Verde Country in southwest Colorado is the gateway to the Four Corners National Monument, the only place in the United States where one may be in four different states-Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah-at the same time! While you are in the area also be sure to visit nearby Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.

Telluride & Mountain Village: Public Transportation Taken to New Heights

Telluride and Mountain Village boast the most innovative public transportation system in North America. A free Gondola transports commuters in 13 scenic minutes between Telluride and Mountain Village. The Gondola is a popular attraction in its own right and also provides access to skiing and hiking trails, as well as safe and easy access to each town.

Zany Festivals

Colorado plays host to several very unique festivals and celebrations. Visitors flock to Delta County each spring for to welcome the Greater Sandhill Cranes who stop over in Eckert on their migration north. Eckert Crane Days (www.eckertcranedays.com) is co-sponsored by Eckert’s Surface Creek Winery & Gallery and the Black Canyon Chapter of the Audubon Society. Festivities include crane liftoff and landing, as well as presentations and entertainment.

In Fruita, just outside of Grand Junction, Mike the Headless Chicken Day (www.miketheheadlesschicken.org) pays homage to one tough bird. As the story goes, Mike (the chicken) was meant to be dinner back in 1945. But, even though he no longer had a head, the chicken lived another 18 months. Each May the town celebrates Mike’s spirit with music and other entertainment, a chicken dance contest, a chicken recipe contest, the 5K “Run Like a Headless Chicken,” historic tours and more.

Telluride hosts more than 30 summer festivals and events each year, earning the town the title “Festival Capital of the Southwest.” Arguably the most notorious celebration is one that is really not. The Nothing Festival (www.telluridenothingfestival.com) occurs each July and celebrates (you guessed it) nothing, nothing and more nothing!

Also in July, the city of Cortez turns everything on its head with its Zetroc Music Festival (www.mesaverdecountry.com/tourism/festivals/zetroc/zetroc.html), which is uniquely named after the name of the city “Cortez” spelled backwards. The festival features bands from across the country, as well as local recording artists. Food vendors and a beer garden are also part of the festivities.

For more information on Delta County (www.westerncolorado.org), Grand County (www.grand-county.com), Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com), Mesa Verde Country (www.mesaverdecountry.com), Southwest Colorado Travel Region (www.swcolotravel.org), Telluride (www.visittelluride.com) or Ouray (www.ouraycolorado.com) visit the individual Web sites or contact Gaylene Ore at Gaylene@orecommunications.com / 970.887.2536.

July 31, 2008   Posted in: United States Central