Colorado Cool
~ Words by Vickie Sam Paget, Sky Blue Content ~
You don’t have to be young to be cool… Just look at Colorado. Back in 1876, it was the 38th state to join the Union, and in celebration of 140 spectacular years, here are some great reasons why Colorado is the coolest destination out there for your clients this summer. From show-stopping mountain biking competitions to speakeasy-style barber shops (Chivas with your shave, sir?), Colorado has to be the coolest 140-year-old kid on the block…
1. You can Find your Dinner on Horseback
Smith Fork Ranch, located in the North Fork Valley on Colorado’s Western Slope, is offering a new ‘Horseback Riding & Foraging’ experience this summer. Led by one of the ranch’s chefs, your clients go on a guided ride in search of local delicacies and then return to create a meal using the foraged ingredients
2. You can See Art at High Speed
The unspeakably stylish ART Hotel, located in Denver’s museum district, has recently launched a five-kilometre urban public art run. Your clients will receive a detailed map from the concierge that features a route that highlights downtown Denver’s most significant public art pieces.
3. You can use Secret Passphrases
The new Bookcase & Barber Barbershop/Speakeasy in Durango is a place where the high-end barber services come with a twist. Beyond a bookshelf in this vintage-style barbershop lies a cozy speakeasy bar. The passphrase, “Who is Hemingway?” will grant your client access.
4. You can Saddle Up with a Tour de France Pro
New this summer, the Viceroy Snowmass will offer a cycling program led by former pro cyclist, Will Frischkorn (Tour de France competitor for Garmin). The experience is entirely customizable and can include activities such as a ride to Sustainable Settings Farm followed by a true farm-to-table dinner prepared by Viceroy’s executive chef, Will Nolan.
5. You Don’t have to Wait Around
A new electric commuter rail line is now running from the airport to downtown Denver. It now takes just 30 minutes to get from the airport to Union Station in downtown Denver.
6. You can have a Beer at America’s Highest Brewery
America’s highest brewery, Two Mile Brewery, is slated to open in Leadville this spring. The brewery will provide central Colorado with high-quality, hand-crafted ales and lagers, brewed in small batches.
7. You can Sing Happy Birthday to the Red Rocks
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a naturally formed, world-famous outdoor music venue just west of Denver. It’s the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. The amphitheatre is currently celebrating 75th anniversary with a series of special concerts and events.
8. You can See Some Serious Biking
The only US stop on the Enduro World Series (EWS) bike competition will take place in Colorado on July 30 and 31. Aspen Snowmass has been chosen to host round five (out of eight rounds) of the prestigious competition.
9. You can go Back in Time
Making its debut in May, the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience will offer everything from science-focused interactive displays, full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, skinned animatronic dinosaur exhibits and hands-on exhibits with real dinosaur fossils, as well as recreational-focussed activities, including a multi-story ropes course.
10. You can go Shopping at the Station
Kicking off on June 4, and running each Saturday until October 24, the Boulder County Farmers Market is partnering with Denver Union Station and prominent area chefs to host the city’s first chef-driven farmers’ market.
11. You can Forget About Heli-skiing
New this summer, Minturn Anglers is offering a one-of-a-kind fly-fishing experience that allows anglers access to private Colorado waters in the most exclusive and amazing way possible—via helicopter. Your clients can travel to remote, private ranches and enjoying streamside fine dining. Custom itineraries can be built to fit each individual group’s needs and all-inclusive trips start at US$3,995 for up to three anglers.
12. You can be Epic in Vail
This summer, Vail Mountain will launch Epic Discovery, a new comprehensive summer activities experience. Epic Discovery will offer learn-through-play elements that will provide your clients with hands-on activities about forest health, wildlife and the mountain geography of the White River National Forest. The Game Creek Canopy Tour will immerse them in the forest habitat on an array of zip lines and aerial bridges.
13. You can get your Skate On
Construction of Vail’s new skate park at the Lionshead parking structure is scheduled for completion in early June. The new $1.9 million skate park will include a half pipe and mini bowl, rails and other skating features. The park, designed by California Skateparks, will showcase four mosaic murals by the artist Valerie Theberge.
14. You can Hang from the Ceiling
Located at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, Studio Anjali at the Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek has launched an aerial yoga program. Following the AIReal Yoga method, this is the first and only form of aerial yoga accredited by the Yoga Alliance. Studio Anjali is the first studio in Colorado to offer it.
15. You can Celebrate the Parks
2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service and its history of protecting treasured places. Home to 12 National Parks and Monuments, a series of special events and programs will take place across Colorado throughout the year as park-lovers count down to the centennial in August.
16. You can Sample New Brews from Blue Moon
The brewing team behind Colorado’s legendary Blue Moon are opening a new brewery and restaurant. Slated to open later this year in Denver’s hip RiNo (River North) neighbourhood, the brewers will push boundaries when it comes to technique, style and ingredients.
17. You can Dine at Two New Justin Cucci Restaurants
Due to open in June, L5 will boast spectacular unobstructed city views of east Denver. The large open-air patio that sits adjacent to its popular big sister, Linger, is sure to offer some highly sought seats come warmer nights. L5 will offer a relatively underrepresented cuisine in Denver with a menu focused on traditional Mediterranean tapas with influences from North Africa and the Middle East. Due to open this month, Vital Root will offer a vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu with a juicing program. Bonus: Vital Root will work with Vital Yoga, a yoga studio next door to facilitate overall healthier lifestyle options.
For more information visit www.colorado.com.
TAKE 5
With Annika Klint, Managing Director, The KAI Group (Colorado Representatives in Canada)
1. Why is Colorado a big hit with Canadians?
I believe Canadians can relate to Colorado’s authenticity. Colorado is a world class all-seasons destination that exudes a great spirit for adventure that spills into sports activities, the cutting-edge culinary scene, inspired visual and performing arts, imaginative tours and colourful pop-up farmer’s markets. It is one of the healthiest states and it delivers a true Western experience, from its working cattle ranges to its glorious mountains retreats. It is also celebrating the National Park’s 100th anniversary this year, so if your client wants to check that off their bucket list, Colorado has four National Parks that are all waiting to be explored.
2. What’s the target market?
Colorado has seen a surge of Canadian visitors, with a 38 percent increase over 2013. Some 218,000 Canadians went to Colorado in 2014. It’s a very outdoorsy, active state, so Canadians who are looking for outdoor activities really enjoy Colorado. They like everything from hiking and biking in the mountains—perhaps on one of the ‘Fourteeners’ (mountains over 14,000 feet)—to enjoying the urban cities like Denver or Boulder where the food scene is just exploding. Colorado is a foodie state; it’s known for its agri-tourism, 200 craft breweries, 100-plus wineries, 40 distilleries and a growing list of award-winning chefs who are opening restaurants. With studies showing that millennials are becoming increasingly food obsessed, the culinary scene in Colorado is perfect for the foodie Canadian ranging from ages of 25-34.
3. Some agents are finding the US a harder sell at the moment with the exchange rate. Do you have any advice?
Look for value-adds or special offers specifically designed for Canadians. Agents can contact me and I will assist in sourcing deals for them that reflect their clients’ particular interests.
4. What is the secret to becoming a successful Colorado seller?
Know your local tourism office rep. I can help you anticipate your client’s desires, source local programs and put you in touch with suppliers that will provide your client with experiences that will last a lifetime.
5. What do you love about Colorado?
I have never worked for such a beautiful state before or with such down to earth tourism partners and progressive thinkers. Colorado loves Canadians and I think that’s because we are similar; we both love the great outdoors! Colorado is spectacularly uplifting with its scenery and 300 days of sunshine each year. There is also a sophistication, a funky free-spirited vibe and creativity in everyday life there.
COLORADO: 3 KEY SELLING POINTS
1. YEAR ROUND FUN: Colorado is a four-season destination, thanks in part to its diverse geography, which offers everything from alpine mountains and high desert red rock formation to sand dunes.
2. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Just check out the numbers: There are 13 National Parks and monuments, 27 Scenic Byways, 25 ski resorts and 58 mountain peaks that top 4,200 metres.
3. WESTERN AUTHENTICITY: Colorado offers a legitimate American Western experience with its thriving art scene, rich cultural heritage and inspired cuisine.
Image: Colorado Tourism
This branded travel content first appeared in CT Magazine, a publication for Canadian travel agents.
