The signs went up on July 23 on a section of the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway at the 11,670-foot summit of the pass, 11 miles south of Georgetown. Trails on the east side of the pass lead to Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky. Trails on the west side lead to two scenic alpine lakes beneath Square Top Mountain, another prime hiking destination.

Clear Creek County officials want to prevent motorists from illegally parking on the shoulders because it could obstruct or prevent first responders from getting through in an emergency.

“We had two emergency incidents, one on our side, one on the Park County side,” said Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jenny Fulton, referring to last year’s leaf-peeping season.

“Emergency vehicles could not respond in a timely manner because of the vehicles on both sides of the roadway. They took a two-lane roadway and made it one lane,” she added. “That’s why we started doing some parking mitigation up there, and we’re going to do more this year for leaf-peeping to mitigate the traffic volume and parking issues.”

During two leaf-peeping weekends last year, Fulton said, the number of cars on the 22-mile byway, between Georgetown, off of Interstate 25, and Grant in Park County, hit 10,000 both days. Since then, officials from Clear Creek County, Park County, the Arapaho National Forest and the town of Georgetown have been meeting regularly in order to prevent “a disaster,” she added.

That will take the form of checkpoints on both sides of the pass in 2025, posted with sheriff’s deputies.

“If we need to, we’re going to end up closing the road temporarily just to ensure it’s not overcrowded during leaf-peeping,” Fulton said. “We’re also going to be towing vehicles that are parking illegally and are blocking the roadway. We can’t do what happened last year. We can’t risk people’s lives by not being able to respond to emergencies at the summit.”

Until then, hikers are warned not to park along the road at the summit where the no-parking signs have been posted. Violators will be fined $87.50. There are two lots near the summit, located on forest service land, but they tend to overflow during fourteener season.

“The parking lots are designed for the capacity of the trail system,” Fulton said. “When people are overflowing parking lots and parking on both sides of the roadway a mile down, then there’s too many people on the trails. The trails are not made for that volume of foot traffic. The forest service has designed their parking lots with the capacity of the trail system in mind.”

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To be sure, you’ll still need to leave Denver for a day or maybe plan a few nights away to get your change of scenery.

Explore Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is known for having the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos, which are unusual rock formations.

In my non-scientific description, the rocks there look like someone was playing on a beach of pinkish sand and then dripped bits of wet sand into pillars. This 35,835-acre national park’s natural beauty attracts millions of visitors annually.

Bryce Canyon National Park is an eight-hour drive from Denver, a four-hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada, or Salt Lake City, Utah, and a two-hour or 90-minute flight from Grand Junction, Colorado, or Reno, Nevada.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan is 90 minutes southeast of Denver and 40 minutes from Colorado Springs.

Here, you can stroll four miles of trails through 750 acres of colorful hoodoos and spires.

The best time to see the subtle pink, orange, and whitish-blue in these geological formations is on a clear-sky day when the sun strikes the rocks.

Remember to bring water and a hat for shade because this area is exposed without trees. Dogs and other animals are not allowed, so leave them at home.

Check the El Paso County website for the schedule for guided hikes, during which local rangers provide detailed information on the area’s human, geologic, and ecological history.

Visit the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA

To go to Disneyland from Denver, you’ll need to fly about two and a half hours to Los Angeles, California, and then drive another 30 minutes to Disneyland in Anaheim.

Tickets to enter the “Happiest Place on Earth ” cost $98 to $206 per person, depending on age.

When you enter this quintessential American amusement park, you typically start on Main Street USA, where there are frequent parades, storefronts selling treats and souvenirs, and nostalgic entertainment.

There’s a railroad, a horse-pulled trolley, and other vintage vehicles to get around here, and people crowd the sidewalks, walking to go in and out of the storefronts.

Or, you can drive one hour north from Denver to Fort Collins to walk around downtown for free and experience a similar feel to Disneyland’s Main Street USA.

Here’s the connection: Harper Goff was born in Fort Collins in 1911 and later became an artist for Walt Disney.

Legend has it that when the team was designing Disneyland in the 1950s, Goff drew on his fond memories of Old Town Fort Collins and then returned to take photos so they could replicate some of this college town’s buildings.

Although Disney’s midwestern hometown also served as inspiration, some specific Colorado buildings look nearly identical to those at Disneyland, such as City Hall.

Like Main Street USA, in Fort Collins, you can walk between storefronts, get a bite to eat, and take a historic trolley for only $1 to $2.

Discover the Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Bandelier National Monument is about a six-hour drive from Denver, outside Los Alamos, New Mexico. According to the National Park Service, this site was home to Ancestral Puebloans for about 400 years, from 1100 to 1550 CE.

These homes are carved “cavates” in volcanic stone that requires wooden ladders to reach. Bandelier was established as a national monument in 1916, and in the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked on making this place more accessible.

While this site is unique to its location, geology, and the people who lived here over time, if you’re interested in learning about Ancestral Puebloans and can’t drive the six hours to Bandelier, or even six hours to Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado, then head south an hour’s drive from Denver to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.

These former Ancestral Puebloan homes were relocated from McElmo Canyon outside of Dolores, Colorado, brick-by-brick in the early 1900s. According to the website, “Our three-story pueblo structure demonstrates the architecture of the Taos Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. These Pueblo Indians are descendants of the Cliff Dwelling Indians belonging to the Ancestral Puebloans cultural line.”

While these cliff dwellings are not authentic because they were moved and reconstructed, the move was motivated by the need to protect history from looters and vandals. Visitors can spend time in the museum to see historic pots and other items that tell the stories of these people.

Hike to Little Hawaii near Telluride

There’s an eight-hour flight between Denver and Hawaii, and hiking on the Hawaiian Islands varies between dense rainforests and striking ridgelines with ocean views. There are also a few popular paved trails to specific sites like lighthouses.

Telluride is a six-hour drive from Denver and offers a moderate hike of about one to two hours roundtrip to see a waterfall that can make some people feel as if they have traveled across the Pacific Ocean.

It is rare to use the word “lush” to describe natural places in Colorado, but this trail in the Uncompahgre National Forest is unique.

After hiking less than a mile through Bear Creek Preserve, you arrive at a waterfall-carved grotto where bright green plants drape from the curving and mossy rock features. The icy blue waters in the grotto pool might also evoke some ocean hues in Hawaii.

When hiking here, bring closed-toe footwear that can get wet and your bug spray.

Be sure to pack your sense of adventure.

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We are officially in the thick of summer. If we’re lucky, we might get a break from the routine and head for the beach, the mountains or maybe discover a new city.

For many, that means renting a vacation home — with an unfamiliar kitchen.

At home, you probably have a variety of cooking utensils, a meaningful collection of herbs and spices, and the ability to select just the right pan for your dish. But as you step into your Airbnb or Vrbo, you’re suddenly left wondering where to even put your groceries.

There’s a weird pleasure (at least for nerds like me) in pulling together a meal in a sparse, funky rental-house kitchen. It’s like a reality cooking show challenge. Can you make an omelet in a saucepan? Perhaps you don’t have fresh oregano … maybe those parsley stems will work? Can you stretch that small bottle of olive oil through the last two days of your trip? I’ll call that conundrum, and I’ll raise you a half a jar of gherkins.

During rental home vacations, it’s kind of fun to be untethered from the normal cooking routine. Believe you me, I’m racing out for fried clams at the local seafood joint as many nights as my budget and waistband allow. But for the meals I’m cooking, I’m relinquishing notions of perfection in favor of scrappiness.

Picked up a whole lot of cherry tomatoes at a farmstand? You’re making cherry tomato antipasti salad with some canned artichoke hearts, olives, onions and a quick vinaigrette. Maybe throw in some cubed provolone or diced salami. Peaches getting a bit too soft? Time for a smoothie.

There’s something liberating — and a little bit ridiculous — about cooking in a vacation rental kitchen.

Bring some essentials of your own

Before you go, consider packing a minimalist “kitchen survival kit.” It doesn’t have to be much: A sharp knife, a cutting board, salt and pepper, and whatever pantry staples you know you’ll need to get started.

For me, I might pack olive oil, vinegar, lemons, Dijon mustard and a couple of my favorite herbs and spices. I also always bring zipper-top bags and some small containers for leftovers or taking food on the go.

Use the rental’s features (and lack thereof) to your advantage

Think about dishes that can stretch ingredients, and about welcome substitutions. A big grain salad — made with rice, quinoa or couscous — is endlessly customizable and can be served cold or at room temperature (think lakeside lunch or a backyard meal).

I would also start with things that don’t require an oven — you never know if it heats unevenly, or at all (it might be a glorified bread box). A stovetop pasta tossed with sauteed garlic and olive oil is always a win. Add red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan if you have it.

Grills are often available and can be a vacation cook’s best friend — as long as you’ve got an ample supply of the right fuel for it. Grill up simply seasoned chicken breasts or New York Strip steaks for dinner and very intentionally make extra — those leftovers will be perfect sliced and used for sandwiches, quesadillas, salads or wraps. Extra grilled corn might become a corn soup or chowder, a corn salad or something to add to a stir-fry.

Think about brushing some slices of country bread with olive oil, sprinkling with flaky salt and toasting them lightly on the grill. Top with fresh sliced or chopped tomatoes with some basil, or turn them into whatever type of bruschetta you can whip up from your farmstand haul. Think caponata, sauteed chard or maybe a heap of sliced grilled peppers with some fresh goat cheese.

Salads are always on the docket. Again, easy to improvise with farmers market ingredients. But this is your vacation, and you should feel free to play. Try a melon and cucumber salad with a bit of feta and a squeeze of lime juice, or a chopped vegetable salad bolstered with protein-packed chickpeas.

Think creatively and accept imperfection

As you come to the end of your trip and you need to use things up, get creative. That half jar of pickles will add a briny punch to a potato salad. That nub of leftover cheese and that last bunch of spinach will be great chopped up and added to scrambled eggs or a frittata.

Cook what feels manageable, what makes use of local ingredients and what gives you more time outside with your people. Yes, you might be chopping vegetables with a serrated steak knife. Yes, there might be a little sand in the pasta salad as you serve it up on the beach. That’s OK.

Some of the best vacation meals come from embracing the fact that you’re cooking without your usual tools and supplies. That’s half the fun. I once made a great dinner from fresh scallops, a box of pasta, olive oil and a jug of margarita mix. That was 20 years ago, and we all still remember it.

Peach and plum yogurt smoothie

For their versatility and simplicity, smoothies can make for a vacation staple.

This is your smoothie template. Swap around fruits, yogurt flavors, sweeteners and see if you can find a NutriBullet in the back of the cabinet. Also, if you plan ahead, you might freeze your fruit for a thicker smoothie, or just add some ice. If you’ve got some fresh mint, toss that in, too.

Ingredients:

1 cup (8 ounces) vanilla Greek yogurt

1 cup (8 ounces) peach yogurt

1 tablespoon honey or agave, or to taste

2 cups cubed peeled peaches

2 cups cubed peeled plums

Instructions:

1. Place the vanilla yogurt, peach yogurt, honey, peaches and plums in a blender. Blend well.

2. Pour into glasses and serve.

We’d hired a guide, Liam, from The Next Eddy, 129 W. First St., to take us out for the morning, and Ben was a natural. He’d grown up fishing on lakes in Indiana and had been contemplating fly fishing since we moved to Colorado in the early 2000s.

Twenty-plus short years later, here we were, at the Arkansas Headwaters, a Hoosier and his plant-based wife, learning to flick impossibly long rods into some of the county’s premium Gold Medal waters.

If the Arkansas flows with extra swagger near Salida, that’s probably because the 100-mile stretch of river from Leadville to Cañon City claims premium, trout-rich waters teeming with stocked fish.

Still, I’d always been a Buena Vista gal, and while I’d driven past Salida countless times, I’d never stopped to explore the state’s largest historic district.

Buena Vista and Salida might be close, but they have different personalities.

Summer in Salida is something to celebrate–avoid the crowds over the Fourth of July and on Father’s Day weekend, when an insane whitewater boating festival, FIBArk, takes over the town during the Arkansas River runoff (June 12-15 this year).

Hammered out as a railroad depot town in 1880, Salida buzzes with outdoor enthusiasts, and yet it doesn’t typically draw the overwhelming number of tourists you’ll find in larger mountain communities.

Riverside Park, 170 E. Sackett Ave., is a downtown hub with great people-watching and easy water access.

You’re welcome to fish here in town; if you’d like solitude, wander a few hundred yards up or down.

Hiring a guide is highly recommended for those new to fly fishing.

The Next Eddy and ArkAnglers, 7500 U.S. 50, are Salida’s full-service fly shops. Both outfitters specialize in guided fly-fishing trips for all experience levels, including beginners like me.

Take note: Local rafting companies offer fishing excursions, too, but fly-fishing isn’t the primary focus.

While walk-ups can sometimes be accommodated at both, booking guided trips in advance is a good idea.

“We have a fairly lax cancellation policy,” The Next Eddy co-owner Sarah Medved assured me.

I can vouch for this policy since I had to rebook twice. Both outfitters prefer handling bookings over the phone to ensure each client is matched with the right trip. Call 719-530-3024 and 719-539-3474, respectively, to set something up.

Aside from a backpack with extra layers and water, you won’t need to bring much on a guided trip. “Come as if you’ll go hiking in Colorado for a day, and don’t forget waterproof socks,” Medved said.

After checking in at The Next Eddy and being fitted for waders and rods, Ben and I followed Liam past the Mt. Shavano Hatchery, 7725 County Road 154, to a quiet fishing hole. There, we spent the rest of the morning learning to use our gangly poles on a half-day walk-and-wade excursion that included four hours on the water.

More experienced anglers might consider a full-day high-alpine trip. But be warned: Eight hours on the water is intense, even for seasoned fishers.

Ben didn’t need much practice. A few minutes into the excursion, he raised his rod, and before I could say arbor knot, Liam, who’d been teaching me how to cast, was bounding toward his star student.

Since I wasn’t confident wading, I stayed put and watched from afar as a celebratory “fish-catch montage” unfolded to the soundtrack of burbling water. When you’re knee-deep in the Arkansas, all you hear is snowmelt galloping toward the Mississippi.

Amid the merrymaking–fist bumps; photo documentation—I continued casting. Despite Liam’s best efforts to teach me about drag-free drifts, my line had plans of its own.

Liam beamed with the pride of a new parent. “Rainbow trout,” he reported.

“Colorado’s state fish!” I said.

“No,” Liam corrected with a shake of his head. “That would be the Greenback cutthroat. Rainbow trout aren’t even native to Colorado.”

Really? A few hours later, when our four hours were up, I insisted on a quick fact-checking detour to the hatchery.

Anyone can pop in during operating hours, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to watch a short educational video and tour the facility. It’s a no-frills experience, to be sure, but if you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love tossing fish food into the long, rectangular tanks, watching trout ripple the water in a feeding frenzy.

Liam was right, of course: Rainbow trout might be one of Colorado’s most beloved fish–they’re stars in the state’s multibillion-dollar fishing industry—and yet, from a biological standpoint, they really don’t belong here.

In the late 1800s, nonnative trout–rainbows, browns, and brookies—were introduced throughout Colorado’s rivers and lakes during the metal and mining boom, for food and sport, often in areas that once provided habitat for native cutthroat populations.

“It was popular back then to stock the landscape and see what stuck,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologist Alex Townsend.

I wanted Townsend to tell me that the trout live together in perfect harmony, but that’s not how the story goes. Over time, competition and interbreeding significantly diminished native fish numbers.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working hard to reintroduce native species like the Greenback cutthroat, which now occupy less than 2 percent of their original range. The organization doesn’t have the wherewithal to restore all the rivers to native fish, so it also focuses on preserving introduced species, including rainbow trout.

In the 1990s, a parasite, whirling disease, tore through fisheries across Colorado, nearly wiping out rainbow trout. Several years ago, thanks to state government intervention and a discovery that led to an innovative crossbreeding program, a unique strain, the Gunnison River rainbow trout, emerged as a disease-resistant fish.

Efforts to support native and nonnative fish populations are unfolding simultaneously. Maybe this is the message of hope I sought.

As for what you’re likely to catch in Salida, brown trout dominate. Higher up in the drainage, rainbow and brook trout appear more frequently.

Anglers interested in “unique opportunities,” as Townsend put it, can head to alpine lakes and springs to try netting golden trout and Arctic graylings.

I was parched, so I stopped at Mountain Phoenix Roastery, 112 W. Rainbow Blvd., just off U.S. 50. From there, I linked up with local artist and walking guru Jonathan Stalls, author of the 2022 title “WALK: Slow Down, Wake Up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour.”

Stalls was happy to point me to his favorite Salida footpaths, including the paved Rodeo Run Trail (sometimes referred to as the CR 120 Trail), a 3.3-mile route from Salida to Poncha Springs, and the Monarch Spur Trail, a 2.5-mile rail-trail, also paved, from the Arkansas River to Highway 50.

For a post-fishing hike with panoramic views of downtown, Stalls recommended crossing the Arkansas River on F Street and walking through the parking lot to reach the Arkansas Hills Trail System. Also known as the Tenderfoot Trails, this hiking area features an interconnected network of dirt singletrack.

“I’ll usually walk a route that combines the following trails: Lower Sand Dunes, Frontside, Backside, Little Rattler, Burn Pile, Dream On, Rise N Shine & Labyrinth,” Stalls told me. Hiking up to the “S” from here is also possible.

“When I’m looking for a more meditative walk,” Stalls added, “I take the Salida River Trail to Franz Lake. It’s a beautiful, calming gravel path moving from Marvin Park, through Sands Lake, under 291, and to/around Franz Lake,” he said.

Before parting ways, Stalls walked me around downtown Salida’s two main throughfares, F Street and Sackett Avenue. The town isn’t just charming: It’s the state’s largest historic district.

Today, many of the area’s 136 well-preserved historic buildings house craft coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries that trickle toward the water on side streets moving as effortlessly as individual tributaries.

For more local lore, visit the Salida Museum, 406 1/2 W. Rainbow Blvd., located directly behind the Salida Chamber of Commerce. It is open weekends only from noon to 4 p.m.

Salida is also a certified “Creative District.” Around town, you’ll find artisans of every genre, from blacksmiths and potters to fiber artists, muralists, graphic designers, photographers, and fine artists.

Galleries and studios stay open late on the first Friday of the month for First Friday Art Walks.

All the fresh air is bound to make you hungry. Locals rave about Boathouse Cantina, 228 N. F St., boathousesalida.com, a riverside American-Baja Mexican joint serving pizza, burgers, tacos, and much more.

Try Tres Litros Beer Company, 118 N. E St., and the newly opened Salida Distillery, 110 E. 15th St., for drinks.

If you need a grab-and-go option before getting on the water, try The FlaminGo, 10538 W. U.S. 50, a food truck in nearby Poncha Springs. The online reviews aren’t wrong: Sweetie’s Sandwich Shop, 129 W. Sackett Ave., is a solid choice for a quick lunch.

The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, 410 W. Rainbow Blvd., is a family-friendly rec center in town.

If you want to unwind after an adventurous day, do yourself a favor and drive to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, 15870 County Road 162 (Nathrop). This resort offers natural soaking pools and postcard-perfect views of the Collegiate Peaks.

Following County Road 162 for another 16 miles, you’ll reach St. Elmo Ghost Town. The former gold and silver mining camp provides an enjoyable glimpse into the past.

With so much to do, staycationers might consider staying a night or two. The recently renovated Manhattan Hotel, 228 N. F St., offers comfortable accommodations in the heart of downtown.

For an authentic Colorado experience, remember that the area is surrounded by BLM and Forest Service land, making dispersed camping abundant and easily accessible. You’ll also find plenty of vacation rentals with Victorian-era charm.

Catch a live performance at the Salida Rotary Amphitheatre in Riverside Park to close out a perfect day in Salida.

As the last notes fade into the cool night air and the Arkansas delivers its burbling lullaby, you start to feel that Salida isn’t merely a destination to visit but a special place to return whenever possible.

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According to a new study surrounding coffee drinking and mortality – published in July in The Journal of Nutrition and utilizing data from longitudinal research with over 46,000 U.S. adult participants – low-to-moderate coffee consumption (i.e., one to three cups per day) was associated with a reduced risk of everything from cancer to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. (Catch: To reap the benefits, participants had to drink their coffee black, or with scant amounts of sugar and cream, researchers found.)

And awe-inspiring views? Turns out they’re very good for your health, too – just ask psychology professor Dacher Keltner, author of the bestseller “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.”

Put all that together, and you’ve got an excellent excuse to caffeinate your way through Colorado’s most scenic coffeehouses.

The Coffee Lab wins the grand prize in our scenic-sips competition. Nestled in the historic silver mining town of Gothic, it’s certainly one of Colorado’s most remote cafés, operating inside an 1800s saloon, named, in part, for its on-site research field station, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The Coffee Lab serves scientists, hikers  and mountain bikers alike, at 9,000 feet above sea level, where you can’t turn your head without spying something truly breathtaking. 8000 County Road 317, cbcoffeelab.com

Of course, Colorado’s stuffed to the brim with charismatic mountain towns, and it’s hard to go wrong in Estes Park. I usually wind up at Coffee on the Rocks, reclined in an Adirondack chair, sipping iced oat-milk lattes by an adorable duck pond while gazing off at Longs Peak. Boozy coffee cocktails are also on the menu, along with teas, frozen coffee drinks, and plenty of breakfast and lunch fare. 510 Moraine Ave., coffeeontherocks.org 

Telluride, too, seems devoid of dull terrain. For a fun coffee break, try The Coffee Cowboy, which dishes out mochas, etc., from a horse trailer parked at the foot of the town’s towering peaks. Conveniently located near the Free Gondola – Telluride Station, it’s outside seating only – and that’s just right when the espresso’s the only thing sharp enough to match the scenery. 300 W. San Juan Ave., thecoffeecowboy.com

You already know Summit County has lots going for it in the “stunning vistas” department. For a pretty, delicious detour from Interstate 70, try Frisco’s Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters. Located inside Outer Range Brewing Company, this small roastery features excellent coffee and rooftop views of Mount Royal – plus a line-up of seasonal drinks, including this month’s Shaken Brown Sugar Latte, a 16-ounce iced indulgence. 182 Lusher Court, mountaindwellercoffee.com

Off the Blue River, Cool River Coffee House serves up a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks for Breckenridge tourists. Be sure to sample the superb baked goods – both traditional flour and gluten-free varieties. Enjoy your order on the quaint, waterside patio, then head back to the interstate and keep going to Loaded Joe’s, planted along Gore Creek, granting coffee addicts framed views of Vail’s iconic (and historic) Covered Bridge plus Vail Mountain in the distance. Anyone interested in a bird’s-eye perspective can walk to Gondola One for a scenic ride. Cool River is at 325 S. Main St., coolrivercoffeehouse.com; Loaded Joe’s is at 242 E. Meadow Drive, loadedjoes.com

If you’re willing to venture into the wider Roaring Fork Valley, I can vouch for Swedish Hill, a wonderful café perched on the rooftop of the Aspen Art Museum. Take in sweeping displays of Aspen and Ajax mountains while sipping a cappuccino or house drip. You could also try the Aspen Collection Café, the closest coffee shop to the Silver Queen Gondola. Aspen Collection does bike rentals, including e-bikes, for those who’d like to secure wheels while downing their espresso. Swedish Hill is at 637 E. Hyman Ave, swedishhillaspen.com; Aspen Collection Cafe is at 611 E. Durant Ave., aspencollection.com

Brushing up against the Arkansas River, Joyful Bakery & Coffee is a personal favorite, a must-visit on any trip to – or through – Buena Vista. Grab a latte and pastry, then explore the Riverside and Barbara Whipple trails as the soothing sound of rushing water energizes your soul. 801-1B Front Loop Drive, joyfulbv.com

Front Range residents hardly have to leave town for an eye-catching fix.

“You know about Et Voilà, right?” a friend asked when I mentioned this story.

No, I hadn’t. Golden’s three-month-old Et Voilà French Bakery is a family-run shop serving coffee and pastries atop Lookout Mountain, under a canopy of ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. Baristas greet customers with a friendly “Bonjour!” Basic espresso drinks are made from coffee beans sourced from Laos; the loose-leaf teas come from the oldest teahouse in France, and all the drinks are strong – a good reason to order yours with a croissant, chouquette, or sablé baked on-site by a French-trained pastry chef. Apprécier! 866 Lookout Mountain Road, etvoilafrenchbakery.com

A popular pit-stop for Saturday morning cyclists traversing the Mary Carter Greenway Trail, Nixson’s provides window service plus a sprawling outdoor seating area opening to picture-perfect shots of the South Platte River, currently adorned with foliage, including colorful wildflowers. The coffeehouse abuts The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, a free botanical garden with plenty of additional flora to ogle. 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, nixonscoffeehouse.com

In RiNo, Blue Sparrow Coffee has a charming rooftop patio with an unobstructed view of the mountains and downtown Denver, plus community garden beds teeming with flowers and fragrant herbs (please don’t pick them). It’s not a bad spot for urbanites to enjoy a flat white or Sträva Gold iced coffee on a breezy summer morning. If you’re only in it for the views, try a chai latte; the house-made concoction might not bolster your long-term health, but it’ll certainly elevate your current mood. Order your drink inside, then access upstairs seating via an exterior stairwell. A barista can point you in the right direction, if needed. 3070 Blake St. #180, bluesparrowcoffee.com

I’ve enjoyed several memorable cups of Joe at the Chautauqua Café, wedged between the Dining Hall and General Store inside Chautauqua Park, at the base of Boulder’s striking flatirons, of course, with 40-plus miles of breathtaking hiking trails to explore before – and after – your fix. 900 Baseline Road, chautauqua.com/dining

In Colorado Springs, meanwhile, grab a mug of locally roasted coffee along with a patio seat at Sacred Ground Café, a cozy, family-owned neighborhood spot situated near the entrance to North Cheyenne Cañon Park. 1801 Cheyenne Blvd., sacredgroundcafe.com

Here’s to enjoying your next brew with an epic view.

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You might prefer quick meals for a weekend getaway, but still want quality cuisine. That’s where food halls are handy, and more tasty than fast food restaurants.

Trending worldwide, Colorado has no shortage of multi-stalled food markets where everyone in the group can find something they’re craving.

Three popular summer recreation areas — Vail, Silverthorne, and Fort Collins — are home to next-level food halls.

Avanti Vail

As its flagship Denver location celebrates its 10th anniversary, the new Avanti Vail launched onto a rocket-like trajectory this winter, becoming an instant hub and bringing much-needed buzz to the Golden Peak base area at Vail Mountain.

Options include grab-and-go breakfast (amazing coffee and lots of gourmet egg sandwich choices) at Detoor, which transforms into a high-end brasserie in the evening. It offers bruschetta, meat and cheese plates, and one of the valley’s most comprehensive caviar and oyster bars.

Glo’s raw seafood options are even more plentiful, with fresh sushi and (cooked) ramen bowls.

Boychik’s Mediterranean fare hits the perfect balance of nourishing yet comforting and offers some of the tastiest hummus this side of the globe.

There’s always room for a pizza joint, especially Powder Crust, which serves thin-crust Italian-style pizza using only non-GMO ingredients.

For ultimate comfort food after a long hike or bike ride, you can’t beat Backyard Burgers, especially its dolled-up grilled cheese sandwich. The bar’s offerings are equally next-level, with a long list of creative specialty drinks and at least a few beat-the-heat frozen cocktails.

Winter proved that Avanti Vail is everyone’s new favorite après spot.

Since opening in early season, skiers and snowboarders have thronged the indoor and outdoor spaces, daily noshing on snacks as a live DJ thumped music.

The place doubles down on its outdoor après offerings for summer.

The weekend live entertainment continues with a lineup of DJs, bands, and singer-songwriters as Avanti’s grassy outdoor space becomes a sprawling competition ground for lawn games.

It also hosts weekly trivia, free outdoor movies, and parties. Check Avanti’s Happenings page for the full lineup of summer events.

Nearest adventure: Hike the steep and lush Berry Picker Trail on Vail Mountain.

The Exchange in Fort Collins

Not so much a food hall as an open-air food court, The Exchange is a collection of small businesses housed in shipping containers.

While each restaurant has an indoor seating area, there’s plenty of shared dining space outdoors.

Restaurants include locals’ favorite Vato Tacos, which specializes in creative, affordable, and authentic tacos (the Baja shrimp is a must-order), quesadillas, burritos, and numerous tequilas and cocktails.

If you’re craving something more Italian – but with a similar handheld appeal – La Piadina is the place for fresh-made folded (taco-style) flatbreads.

For visitors with more time on their hands, Penrose is a full-scale pub and taphouse with a spacious patio. It specializes in farm-to-table pub fare, including salads, sandwiches, cocktails, and a lengthy craft beer menu.

Speaking of craft beer, and being situated in its Colorado epicenter, with 25 breweries around town, FoCo Beer Collective makes sampling easy. With a deep, rotating variety of excellent brews from Colorado and beyond, it’s easy to enjoy while everyone in your party grabs their grub of choice.

Another newish neighbor in The Exchange is Yellow Crunch, a Colombian empanada haunt with fried pockets for every palate, arepas, traditional, authentic Colombian dishes, and tasty margaritas. Everything on the menu is gluten-free and made from scratch.

The Exchange offers more than restaurants. It has a putt-putt venue, a pilates studio, and Wobble HiFi, the latest vendor to open a shop. Wobble HiFi is a listening bar with an expansive vinyl collection and high-fidelity sound system.

The Exchange’s centerpiece – quite literally occupying a towering former grain silo in the middle of the action – is Churn ice cream. On busy afternoons, you’ll likely have to wait in line for your cone or cup, but it will give you time to make the tough decision of which (some quite eclectic) flavor(s) to order.

There is a regular rotation of free live concerts on site, as well as cornhole tournaments with surprising talent that is hypnotizing to watch.

Nearest adventure: Splash around at Poudre River Whitewater Park

Bluebird Market in Silverthorne

Most people can agree that there is a dearth of high-quality yet reasonably priced food options near major ski areas.

The exception is Bluebird Market.

This large space is home to Crepes A La Cart, perhaps the most delicious wrap imaginable, whether savory (go for Pesto Chicken), sweet (Lemon Souffle, please) or breakfast (the veggie is oozing with egg, sauce and green stuff).

Nomad Coffee will jumpstart consciousness in the morning, while Summit Scoops (the richest chocolate ice cream around) or a freshly dipped cookie at Cloud City will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Grab a Baja shrimp taco at long-standing local haunt Chimayo, a wood-fired pizza at Melody’s Trattoria, a flaky empanada at Lazo, a green chile burger at Chef Daddy’s, a stacked BLT at Independent Deli, or freshly made soup and bread at Colorado Marketplace & Bakery.

Bluebird’s most exciting new additions include a taphouse (après outpost) of Boulder brewery icon Upslope.

Silverthorne’s historic Old Dillon Inn will reopen this summer for the first time since 2007. In all of its original glory, the inn will be enclosed within the walls and roof of Bluebird Market.

Initially welcoming customers in the 1800s, the structure was moved from Old Dillon to Silverthorne when the Dillon reservoir filled the old town site in the 1950s. The inn’s new menu still focuses on Western-infused Mexican fare and a broad assortment of wine, beer and cocktails.

The Old Dillon Inn, circa 2025, will also serve breakfast and lunch. Keep an eye on Bluebird’s site for further details.

With a small outdoor patio featuring herb boxes where foodies can snip off fresh ingredients, the Bluebird hosts the occasional outdoor live concert and DJ.

However, one of the Market’s most winning features is its indoor PlayGarten — a massive, enclosed area of slides and playground where kids can entertain themselves and burn extra energy while parents enjoy the surrounding biergarten.

Nearest adventure: Paddleboard on North Pond or hike/bike on Salt Lick trail.

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With stunning geology, history, and unbeatable views, these trails are all within two hours of Denver — some are just 30 minutes away.

Red Mountain Open Space – A Geologic Wonderland

Drive time: 1.5 hours

Just 25 miles north of Fort Collins, Red Mountain Open Space is 55,000 acres of colorful rock formations, sandy washes, and rolling grasslands reminiscent of a Southwest desert-like experience.

A 3.7-mile loop combining Sinking Sun, Big Hole Wash, and Bent Rock Trails takes you through vibrant and rugged landscapes, including a dramatic canyon with striking geologic formations, making the hike educational and scenic.

As you follow the creek through the canyon, you will see millions of years of uplift, folding, and erosion.

Post-hike highlight: Grab a slice of homemade pie at Me Oh My Coffee and Pie in Laporte or look for the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd in Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.

Barr Lake State Park – See Bald Eagles in a Birder’s Paradise

Drive time: 30 minutes

Half wildlife refuge and half recreational lake, Barr Lake State Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 370 species recorded. A pair of bald eagles has nested here since 1986.

Hike the 8.8-mile loop or explore the wildlife refuge’s boardwalks and gazebos more leisurely. The best spot to view bald eagles, pelicans, and herons is the Gazebo Boardwalk, an easy 1.3-mile walk from the Nature Center for a 2.6-mile round-trip hike. The wildlife wonderment is especially enchanting during a sunrise stroll.

Post-hike highlight: Pick fresh fruit and flowers at Berry Patch Farms in Brighton.

Caribou Ranch Open Space – Mining and Music History

Drive time: 1 hour

Near Nederland, this 2,151-acre open space sits between 8,300 and 10,000 feet. The 3-mile Blue Bird Loop and Delonde Trail takes you through pines, aspens, meadows, and the Colorado & Northwestern Railway remnants, once dubbed the “Switzerland Trail of America.”  Hike the short spur trail to the Blue Bird Mine Complex to wander around historic mining structures, including the bunkhouse featured in several movies.

The toughest part of the hike is a short incline up for an elevation gain of 85 feet out of the meadow. While rich in mining and ranching history, it also has a fascinating tie to the music industry.

From 1971 to 1985, over 150 artists, including Billy Joel, John Denver, Rod Stewart, and U2, recorded albums. Caribou Ranch Recording Studio produced 45 top-ten albums, 10 Grammy awards, and 20 number-one Billboard hits from this pristine alpine setting.

Post-hike highlight: Visit Nederland and ride the hand-carved Carousel of Happiness.

Mount Falcon Park – Historic Ruins and a Presidential Dream

Drive time: 30 minutes

Hike to the stone ruins of a grand 1909 home and the cornerstone of a presidential summer White House dream. Connect Castle, Meadow, and Tower Trails at Mount Falcon West Trailhead for a 4-mile history-packed loop.

Hike first to the Eagle Eye Shelter, once a family summer cabin. Stop for an overlook view of downtown Denver, then continue to the 1914 cornerstone for a “castle in the clouds.”

Going this route saves the best for last. In 1909, John Brisben Walker built a grand home for his wife Ethel. It burned in 1918, but its ruins remain. For a tougher workout with a 2,000-foot elevation gain, start at the Morrison Trailhead.

Post-hike highlight: Explore Morrison Natural History Museum or see over 300 dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Ridge.

Silver Dollar Lake – A Trio of Alpine Lakes

Drive time: 1.5 hours

Why hike to one alpine lake when you can see three on an epic wildflower hike?

Near the summit of Guanella Pass, Silver Dollar Lake Trail is a moderately challenging 4-mile hike with rewarding views of Naylor, Silver Dollar, and Murray Lakes — if you’re up for an extra challenge. A steep incline at the start leads to rolling terrain, wildflowers, and crystal-clear alpine lakes, ideal for a picnic.

Post-hike highlight:  Explore historic Georgetown and ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

Waterton Canyon – Best Bighorn Sheep Spotting

Drive time: 30 minutes

Odds are in your favor to spot bighorn sheep on this easy trail along a wide, flat dirt road following the South Platte River, which is ideal for all skill levels.

At 2.5 miles in, a rocky crag provides the best chance to spot bighorn sheep, sometimes even crossing the trail to drink from the river.

Turn around for a 5-mile hike or continue deeper into the canyon. Since this is the start of the Colorado Trail, you might encounter some long-distance hikers beginning their trek to Durango.

Post-hike highlight: Cool off at Chatfield Reservoir or grab a beer at Living the Dream Brewing in nearby Littleton.

Roxborough State Park – Alternative to Red Rocks

Drive time: 45 minutes

Towering rock formations and unique geology make this one of the most scenic state parks along the Front Range. The 2.3-mile Fountain Valley Trail loops through dramatic red sandstone.

It also takes you past the 1907 house and barn of Henry Persse, who wanted to turn the land into a resort in the early 1900s.

For a more challenging 5-mile hike, connect Willow Creek and South Rim Trails for panoramic views, even of downtown Denver on a clear day.

Post-hike highlight: Play a round at Arrowhead Golf Course or head to Epic Sky Trek in Castle Rock. North America’s largest freestanding aerial challenge course is family-friendly.

Grab your backpack, lace up your boots, and hit these spectacular Front Range trails – each a fun adventure with nearby post-hike gems to enjoy.

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The drop-in center will have room for 20 children and be located on the fourth level of the airport’s hotel and transit center, within a new training facility called the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation. The child care center is meant to provide occasional care and will primarily serve the children of airport employees or community members who are participating in training center activities.

While the planned center would serve only a tiny fraction of the airport’s more than 40,000 employees, it represents a first step toward boosting the number of child care seats in an area with limited supply. Officials at the airport, which is the nation’s third busiest, began studying the possibility of a child care center at or near the airport’s far northeast Denver campus earlier this year.

That area of the city has so few state-licensed child care slots, it’s considered a child care desert.

The Denver airport will soon join a few other U.S. airports with on- or near-site child care facilities. They include Los Angeles International Airport, which operates a center for the children of employees a few blocks from the airport campus, and Pittsburgh International Airport, which runs a center in a converted terminal. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is slated to open a center on its campus this year. The three centers are bigger than what’s planned at Denver’s airport.

Denver’s drop-in center will have two classrooms — one for babies and toddlers and one for preschoolers — and a separate play area. It will be open 10 to 12 hours a day Monday through Friday year-round, including on holidays, according to the airport’s recent request for proposals, which seeks an operator to run the child care center.

Parents participating in activities at the airport training center will pay nothing for care. Some airport employees not participating in training activities also will be allowed to use the child care center for back-up care, but will have to pay a fee.

Ashley Forest, an airport spokesperson, said by email that she couldn’t provide information on which employees will be eligible for back-up care at the center or whether they will pay a discounted fee. She also couldn’t provide details on whether families will be limited to a certain number of weekly or monthly hours of care at the center.

Forest said plans for the drop-in center came out of the second phase of the airport’s three-phase child care feasibility study. The third phase will look at the possibility of “an airportwide child care solution,” which could be a second child care center on or near the airport campus.

Earlier this spring, airport officials estimated that 19,000 of more than 40,000 airport employees fall into the 20- to 39-year-old age range, but said they still needed more information about how many of those employees have young children and need child care.

The airport is working with a business-oriented group, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children, on the child care feasibility study. Forest said she expects a recommendation to come out of phase three later this year.

Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, covering early childhood issues and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. 

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Related: Soak your aches away at these 10 Colorado hot springs

Once there, many stayed for two to three months, soaking in the mineral-rich hot springs, breathing the crisp Rocky Mountain air and unwinding in the opulent Stone Bath House. The bath house amenities were lavish for the time, including a billiard parlor, a men’s-only casino, a reading room, Roman baths and more.

Today, that historic bath house has been reimagined as one of Colorado’s newest boutique hotels. Hotel 1888 — named in honor of the resort’s founding year — opened its doors in June. The 16-room property, which includes two suites, sits just steps from the iconic Grand Pool, the world’s largest hot springs pool, stretching 405 feet (that’s larger than a football field!) and fed by the Yampah Spring. It’s among seven geothermal hot springs pools open year-round at the resort.

To honor its storied past, the boutique hotel’s design incorporates historic relics collected from the Glenwood Springs Historical Society and the Denver Public Library. Vintage postcards, photographs and artifacts are thoughtfully displayed throughout the property, adding an authentic touch of history to the modern-day retreat.

Designers leaned into the building’s historic charm, dressing up the rooms with rich blue hues and patterned wallpaper. The two standout suites bring their own wow factor: the Silver Kings Suite comes with a private balcony overlooking the Grand Pool, while the 1888 Suite frames postcard-worthy views of the Colorado River and downtown Glenwood Springs.

The Stone House building was designed by Austrian architect Theodore von Rosenberg. It cost $100,000 to build, an extravagant sum at the time, sourcing local red sandstone from the former Peach Blow Quarry near Basalt. The earliest guests enjoyed the “luxury” of electric lighting as well as private call bells and hot and cold running water. According to the property’s history, it was considered the most lavish facility in Colorado at the time.

In its early days, formal dress was required in the evenings at the bath house, including white tie and tails for men and long gowns and white gloves for women, said Megan Talbott, president of the Blackbird Agency, a marketing firm, who researched the resort’s history ahead of the hotel’s opening.

Men played billiards and cards in their exclusive upstairs casino while the women visited in the parlors. Sometimes, musicians would play live music in the gardens from the bath house’s cupola.

When it came to relaxing, the Richardson Romanesque-stye bath house featured 42 sunken Roman vapor baths — 30 for men and 12 for women — crafted from imported porcelain tubs. Also in the early days, an inhalatorium was built on the east side of the springs, where guests could settle into wicker chairs inside a screened-in structure to breathe in the warm mineral vapors.

“The lure of the fresh air and to get away from the city brought people who wanted to rest and recuperate,” Talbott said.

Early hot springs-goers had their choice between swimsuit rentals: cotton ones were 5 cents and wool ones (which provided more coverage) for 25 cents. (Fun fact: The resort’s shop still rents out swimsuits, for $6.)

Today, Hotel 1888 is one of two options for staying overnight at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.

Stays at the boutique hotel come with complimentary breakfast in the 1888 Bistro, unlimited soaking in the seven mineral hot springs pools during business hours, and access to the full-service Athletic Club, said Loretta Ayala, resort hotel manager for Glenwood Hot Springs. The boutique hotel meets a demand as being a relaxing getaway for couples, friends, solo travelers, wedding groups, as well as board retreats.

The family-friendly Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, a 107-room hotel, is located across the street from the pool on Sixth Street. A refresh of the guest rooms and suites was completed in March.

One of the newest additions to the resort is the Yampah Mineral Baths, which debuted in May 2024 on the east end of the resort’s pool complex. The space features five spacious pools of varying temperatures (including two cold plunge pools), waterfalls, a grotto, a fireplace with a lounging area, and more. Yampah Mineral Baths is open to all guests with a pool pass and becomes adults-only at 5 p.m.

Rates at Hotel 1888 start in the low $400s. To make lodging reservations, visit hotspringspool.com or call 800-537-SWIM (7946).

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Colorado provides paddleboarding experiences for everyone, from novice paddlers seeking calm waters to adventurous souls craving a challenge.

Bridget O’Rourke, statewide information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, says it’s critical to wear a life jacket to stay safe on the water. It’s also the law.

“Paddleboards are counted as vessels. You need to have a life jacket, preferably on, but at least on your vessel,” O’Rourke said. “If you fall in, it’s hard to get the jacket off the vessel and onto you. If the water is cold and you fall in, you can get cold water shock.”

Other safety measures O’Rourke recommends are attaching a whistle to your life jacket in an emergency, checking the weather, and going with a friend.

“Checking the weather first is a big thing. In the summer, storms will roll through and heavy rain and wind can change the water,” she said. “If you go alone, tell someone you’re out on the water and when you plan to be back.”

Many of the best places to paddleboard are in Colorado state parks, so you’ll have to pay for the experience. If you buy a Keep Colorado Wild Pass for $29 with your next vehicle registration, you’ll have access for a year — a 60% discount compared to a traditional $80 annual State Parks Pass.

Some of O’Rourke’s favorite paddleboarding spots are Chatfield State Park, State Forest State Park, Barr Lake State Park and Sylvan Lake State Park.

Many lakes have on-site rentals if you don’t have a paddleboard.

Keep reading to learn about some of the best places to paddleboard in Colorado so you can make the most of your time on the water wherever you are in the state.

Denver area

Cherry Creek Reservoir: The 850-acre Cherry Creek Reservoir in Cherry Creek State Park offers recreational water activities, including paddle boarding.

You can even paddle up to a concert series held at the Pelican Bay Marina, a sandy beach with a roped-off swimming area open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

A bathhouse provides restrooms. In addition to a State Park Pass, you’ll need to pay the Water Basin Authority fee of $1 for a day or $3 for the year.

Big Soda Lake: Just a short drive from Denver, Big Soda Lake in Bear Creek Lake Park is a popular spot for paddleboarding. It doesn’t allow motorized watercraft, so it’s ideal for wobbly beginners who cannot handle a boat’s wake.

Plus, you’ll have fantastic views of the Rocky Mountain Foothills and Red Rocks Amphitheater.

The beach can get crowded, but there’s still plenty of room to launch your paddleboard into the water. Amenities include well-maintained bathrooms and a concession stand after you work up an appetite on your board.

An annual pass costs $80, or you can buy a day pass for $10 or $15 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Vail Valley

Piney Lake: Located on the scenic 40-acre Piney River Ranch at the base of the Gore Range at 9,350 feet, Piney Lake is ideal for stand-up paddleboarding.

It’s just 12 miles from Vail, but it can take up to 45 minutes by car on a maintained Forest Service Road to reach the picturesque White River National Forest location.

After your paddleboard adventure, you can enjoy a meal at Piney River Ranch. Outdoor dining is available.

Sylvan Lake: You’ll be surrounded by mountains and wildlife as you glide across Sylvan Lake, which is about 40 miles from Vail Ski Resort.

The 42-acre Sylvan Lake in Sylvan Lake State Park in the White River National Forest is home to killdeer, house wren, osprey, and Canada geese.

Nottingham Lake: The calm waters of Nottingham Lake, 11 miles west of Vail in Avon, are ideal for those new to paddle boarding. No motorized boats are permitted.

The Town of Avon has partnered with Stand Up Paddle Colorado to offer recreational activities on the lake from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Summit County

Maggie Pond: If you’re looking for a gentle introduction to paddleboarding, Maggie Pond is perfect for families and beginners.

Its calm waters, fed by the Upper Blue River, are ideal for all skill levels. Plus, it’s in town, just a short walk from Main Street at the base of Peak 9.

You can test your balance by trying an SUP yoga class by Meta Yoga Studios and the Breckenridge Recreation Center. All classes require pre-registration.

Lake Dillon: If you’re looking for a more challenging adventure, Lake Dillon has several beach access points for paddleboarders, including those from the Frisco and Dillon marinas.

Both marinas offer rentals and provide paddleboarding technique demonstrations if you’re a newbie.

If you have a board, you can launch at either marina or from one of the many beaches around the lake.

It’s best to hit Lake Dillon early in the morning or evening for sunset when the water is calmer, and there is less boat traffic and wind.

Grand County

Grand Lake: As the largest natural lake in Colorado, Grand Lake offers plenty of space for paddleboarding while you soak in views of the rugged peaks of nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.

If you don’t have a paddleboard, rent one for a few hours from Rocky Mountain SUP or Grand Lake Marina.

Lake Granby: Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains’ peaks, Lake Granby’s clear waters create an unforgettable experience for paddlers of all skill levels.

The 7,256-acre lake is easily accessible, with various launch points and rental options. While paddling, you may see wildlife, adding to the natural beauty of the experience.

The lake offers more than 40 miles of shoreline for camping and fishing.

Explore the best paddleboarding spots in Colorado, from serene lakes to scenic reservoirs. Discover safety tips, rental options, and top locations.