Boulder is known for many things.  It is known for being the home of the main campus of the University of Colorado, its eccentric populous, and its unique Western history.  Whether you find yourself in Boulder for business, pleasure, or sending your child off to college for the first time, it is important that you find someplace to stay that meets your expectations.  With a number of bed and breakfasts to choose from on your vacation to Boulder, there is sure to be one that fits your needs.

The Alps Boulder Canyon Inn

The Alps Boulder Canyon Inn can be the perfect lodging choice whether you are looking to bed down in between business meetings, get away with your significant other, or are just looking for a place to make your base of operations for a Colorado ski trip.  The Inn holds twelve different rooms to choose from, each complete with Missions furnishings, king or queen size beds, Egyptian cotton linens, and hypoallergenic down comforters.

Step in luxury at the Alps Boulder Canyon Inn.

With luxurious rooms, the Alps present its guests with lavish rooms complete with marble lined bathrooms, extraordinary ornate working fireplaces and mantels, stain glass windows, and private balcony sitting areas.  The Inn also provides its guests with modern amenities such as high-speed wireless internet, TVs with DirecTV and DVRs, and a number of business services such as free faxing and meeting and retreat services.

In addition to these amenities, the Inn extends packages that include, but are not limited to, the Ski Escape, Honeymoon, Golf, Fly Fishing, Outdoor Adventure, and Spring Break packages.  With these packages, the Alps Boulder Canyon Inn proves that it can accommodate whatever your Colorado vacation may have in store.

The Bradley Boulder Inn

Incorporating elegance with a contemporary atmosphere, the Bradley Boulder Inn welcomes its guest with open arms.  Boulder vacationers can relax in one of the Inn’s three guest rooms or mix and mingle in the houses Great Room, where art by local Boulder artists has been provided by galleries like Mary Williams Fine Art and Heartstrings.

Also on the main floor is the dining area. Here, guests can share an intimate breakfast of organic gourmet coffee, Celestial Seasonings teas, fresh juice selections, fresh baked goods, quiches, casseroles, and more.

A stay at the Bradley Boulder Inn will include modern comforts as well as a taste of local art.

In Room One, guests will be treated to a king size bed, complete with luxury linens and a hypoallergenic pillow top and comforter, a flat screen TV, and DVD player with complimentary movie selection.

In Room Two, Boulder overnighters will have access to many of the same amenities as Room One with the exception of the king size bed.  Despite lacking a larger bed, those staying in Room Two will have access to a private fireplace as well as a Jacuzzi tub.

Room Three offers many of the same furnishing as Rooms One and Two with the exception of the king size bed and Jacuzzi tub.

Lookout Inn Guesthouse & Suites

Serving as one of the premier lodges in Boulder, the Lookout Inn provides Colorado vacationers and business people with a scenic and serene place to stay.  With beautifully manicured grounds and gardens, the Inn presents its guests with an exquisite lodging experience.  Inside, overnighters will be treated to spacious rooms with the option of a mini suite, which comes with either a king or queen size bed, or a two room suite, which comes with either a queen size sleeper sofa or a Jacuzzi tub.

In these spacious rooms, guests will be treated to such perks as a private balcony.  Each morning, guests will be treated to a complimentary breakfast which can be enjoyed inside in the dining area or outside on the patio in one of the grounds’ many gardens.

If You Go

For more information on the Alps Boulder Canyon Inn or to make reservations visit: http://www.alpsinn.com/index.htm or call (303) 444-5445 or (800) 414-2577 (outside Colorado) or email info@alpsinn.com.

For more information on the Bradley Boulder Inn or to make reservations visit: http://www.thebradleyboulder.com/default.asp or call (303) 545-5200 or (800) 858-5811 (outside Colorado) or email reservations@thebradleyboulder.com.

For more information on the Lookout Inn Guesthouse & Suites visit: http://www.lookoutinnguesthouse.com/index.html or call (303) 530-1513 or (800) 530-1513 (outside Colorado) or email info@lookoutinnguesthouse.com.

Evan Witt is an Illinois native with a degree in English Literature from Lake Forest College, and as a frequent visitor to Colorado, he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and photography.

Located on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park, Colorado offers multiple ways to reconnect with nature. This year-round destination provides some of the most breathtaking views in Colorado. Combine that with a friendly, welcoming community and numerous lodging and dining options, and you have one of the best places to visit in Colorado for a mountain experience.

A snowy night at the Dunraven Inn in Estes Park.

In Estes Park, outdoor activities are the premier attraction. Hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and other outdoor activities are all a major draw to this area. Estes Park offers other Colorado tourism attractions as well, if you know where to look. A handful of museums and local entertainment options provide a sufficient number of things to do when the weather does not allow for outdoor adventures.

Find Dining in Estes Park at These Local Favorites

When you are ready for something to eat on your Estes Park, Colorado vacations, you will find plenty of chain restaurants to consider, but why not give your taste buds something new and exciting to experience with a local dining establishment? If you are looking for something you can’t find anywhere else, consider these popular options.

Some of the tasty fare at Smokin Dave's.

Dunraven Inn

Dunraven Inn is considered one of the most romantic options for dining in Estes Park. If your vacation is with someone you love, then consider this for one of your meals. The food options include steaks, Italian dishes, seafood, and a full bar.

While you are there, be sure to notice the collection of Mona Lisa prints throughout the dining room. Mona Lisa is the unofficial mascot of the restaurant.

Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Taphouse

Smokin’ Dave’s may be America’s highest BBQ restaurant, sitting at 7,522 feet elevation. This establishment carefully smokes the finest cuts of meat right on sight, topping it with four delicious sauces made in-house. Choose from sweet, tangy, Carolina mustard, and Papa’s spicy sauce for your meat.

Try some of the best burgers in town at Penelope's.

For those who do not feel like BBQ when they visit, the restaurant also has a selection of traditional menu options as well. A full bar offers 15 different beers on tap.

Penelope’s Old Time Burgers and Fries

Sometimes, you just want a good burger, and that is what Penelope’s offers. The burgers here are famous throughout the world, and it is the oldest burger joint in Estes Park. In addition to burgers, you can grab brats or sandwiches at this quaint establishment.

Nicky’s Steakhouse

Nicky’s Steakhouse is set up with three separate dining areas: a family Garden room, a friendly Lounge, and an elegant Cattleman’s room. This setup ensures that you have the atmosphere that best fits your dining needs when you visit. You will find a large selection of menu items at prices to fit most budgets.

One of the favorite dishes here is a prime rib that the chef roasts in rock salt. Colorado trout is another house specialty. Nicky’s cuts their own meat, so you can be certain your steak will be perfectly aged when it comes to your table.

If You Go

If you decide to book a Colorado travel experience to Estes Park, be sure to visit http://estes-park.com/ to learn more about things to see and do.

Dunraven Inn
2470 Colorado Hwy 66
970-586-6409

Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Taphouse
820 Moraine Ave.
970-577-7427
www.smokindavesq.com

Penelope’s Old Time Burgers and Fries
299 W. Elkhorn Av.
970-586-2277

Nicky’s Steakhouse
1350 Fall River Rd.
966-464-2597
nickysestespark.com

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006, and as an experienced travel writer, her work has been featured on USA Today as well as here on Go Colorado! 

If you’re taking a vacation in Colorado and looking for Winter Park, Colorado hotels The Vintage Resort Hotel and Conference Center is a landmark that has recently been upgraded, making it a comfortable and relaxing place to stay.

If you travel to the area to enjoy the Winter Park Resort and ski the five mountains, you’ll find that the location of the Vintage Resort Hotel is very convenient. It’s only about a third of a mile away from the chair lifts.

Family and Pet Friendly Lodging in Winter Park, Co

The Vintage Resort Hotel and Conference Center offers rooms that can fit into any need. The views from the 118 rooms of the mountains are spectacular.

The Vintage Resort Hotel in Winter Park

The Five Mountain Tavern is located within the Hotel. I was particularly impressed to see a burn mark on the “Churchill Bar” left by Winston Churchill’s cigar when he visited. Of course, I may be unique in my appreciation of things like this. In my opinion, it added character to the area and made it an even more enjoyable place to relax.

The single and two bedroom suites are spacious and comfortably furnished. I often have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep when traveling, but during this trip I thought that the mattresses and pillows were extremely comfortable. It wasn’t the luck of the room I was given, I learned. New high quality pillow and mattress were put into every room of the hotel, along with new linens during a recent upgrade.

The studios have fireplaces and kitchenettes, so if you’re traveling with your children, you can relax in a cozy atmosphere without having to worry about who will provide child care in the evenings. Just light a fire and enjoy your hot toddy with the family after a day of skiing or sight seeing. Even the family dog can be included in the warm setting.

Check in time for the Vintage Resort Hotel and Conference Center is 4:00 in the afternoon, Mountain Time. Check out is at 11:00 AM, giving you a chance to sleep in and still leaving you plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast before you pack once the vacation is over.

If you decide to go, I would advise making reservations well in advance of your trip to the area because summer or winter, it’s a popular destination for vacationers who are looking for Winter Park Colorado hotels.

If You Go

The Vintage Hotel
100 Winter Park Drive
PO Box 3610
Winter Park, CO 80482

The website for the Vintage Hotel is www.vintagehotel.com and you can get prices on the rooms and book a reservation from there. The site also will let you know of any discounts that you may be eligible for, as well as specials that they are running.

If you are looking for Winter Park, Colorado hotels that offer comfort as well as the extras like laundry facilities, an outdoor pool, a game room, a workout room and a sauna, check out the Vintage Hotel and Conference Center. Ski lockers are available, and each of the rooms has wireless internet access.

Situated at the convergence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Pueblo is part of the Front Range Urban Corridor in Colorado.  There are many aspects to this city that set it apart from the rest of the more popular Colorado vacation areas, mainly that it receives only about 12 inches of precipitation each year.

As a semiarid location, you won’t find many people visiting the “Steel City” for skiing, but more for its cultural and recreation areas.  While Pueblo is certainly a lot drier than other areas, that doesn’t mean this city should be overlooked, especially if you stay at the historic Edgar Olin House Bed & Breakfast.

The Edgar Olin House in Pueblo

For Romantics

The most striking feature that visitors will notice when approaching the Edgar Olin House is its prominent three story tower and its distinct Italianate architecture, which gives it a rustic air of comfort.  While the brick with white trim exterior of the building may be what many consider restrained or conservative, this only serves as a façade.

For those looking to escape with, or surprise, their significant other on their Colorado vacation, the Edgar Olin House proves to be the perfect place to go.  The Olin House offers several different romantic packages which all include a number of accoutrements that are sure to woo your loved one.  These include the Historic Romance Dinner Package, Honeymoon Romance Package, and the Basic Romance Package.

With the Historic Romance Dinner Package, customers will sign up for a five course meal, complete with a complimentary bottle of wine, at the local restaurant La Renaissance. Visitors who opt for this package will also receive a number of romantic perks in their room which include freshly cut flowers, wine glass keepsakes, and breakfast in bed.  The Honeymoon Package also provides visitors with freshly cut flowers in addition to a gift bath set and breakfast in bed (it is a B&B after all).  The Basic Romance Package is the most affordable out of all the packages, and as such only comes with freshly cut flowers and breakfast in bed.

A view of the lobby at the Edgar Olin House

For Luxury Seekers

Despite the Edgar Olin House’s focus on being an ideal romantic getaway for couples, that does not necessarily mean that people who are looking for pure luxury are out of luck.  Visitors will find four different richly decadent rooms to choose from: the Judge Coulter Suite, Garden Suite, Torbett Suite, and Henrietta Room.  While all these rooms have different perks and views to them, they share one thing in common, plush Victorian style and décor.

For those looking to go all out on their vacation to Pueblo, there is only one option at the Edgar Olin House to be considered: the Judge Coulter Suite.  This palatial room expands to cover half of the second floor of building and provides its inhabitants with a parlor that includes a fire place and an oversized chair for cuddling, as well as a bedroom, full bath, a private TWO person Jacuzzi (!), and a large balcony to enjoy breakfast on and relax.  In this room, visitors are treated to antique Victorian furniture, such as their queen size bed with 6-foot walnut head board.

The Judge Coulter Suite may be the best of the best when it comes to rooms at the Olin House, but this is not to say that the others aren’t as luxurious.  Each room has their own unique qualities such as the Garden Suite’s private garden porch and masculine décor modeled after the 1900s, or the warm and inviting atmosphere exuded from the Torbett Suite’s Eastlake furnishings and gold and lace accents and drapery.

One of the airplane displays at the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum

Around Town

Pueblo may not be the big ski resort city that is commonly associated with Colorado vacations, but it still has a number of attractions for people to enjoy.  The city holds within its limits a number of different natural parks and open spaces which range from an acre or two to 18+ acres.

In addition to its parks, it also holds two highly rated golf courses for the avid golfer.  These are the Elmwood and Walking Stick golf courses.  This is actually when the area’s semiarid weather comes as an advantage, as Pueblo has the distinction of having the most playable days in the entire state.  These courses also hold such honors as a 4 star rating and 2nd best course in the entire state, according to Golf Digest Magazine.

Peppered around town, there are also a number of different museums if your group prefers indoor activities or visiting historic locations. Some of these include the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Rosemount Museum, and Steelworks Museum, to name a few.

If You Go

For more information about The Edgar Olin and room costs and etc visit: http://www.olin-house.com/ or call (719) 544-5727 or email innkeeper@olin-house.com

For more information about events, sights, and attraction in Pueblo visit: http://www.pueblo.us/index.aspx?nid=108

For information on the La Renaissance Restaurant visit: http://www.larenaissancerestaurant.com

Evan Witt is an Illinois native with a degree in English Literature from Lake Forest College, and as a frequent visitor to Colorado, he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and photography.

Everyone knows Telluride is the ultimate outdoor vacation spot for hiking, fishing, skiing, and other activities, but it is also the location of a few festivals that cover a wide range of interests. The Telluride Film Festival is one of the better known events, but Telluride also hosts a Mushroom Festival and the Blues and Brews festival. To read more about what events might be going on during your visit, check out http://www.visittelluride.com/festivals-events.

Telluride, Colorado

If you’re booking a Telluride hotel or condo, be warned: you’re about to escape the trappings of civilization. Everything about a Telluride vacation is out of the ordinary. Here among the 13,000 foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains, you won’t find generic chain hotels or gas stations, and your eyes won’t be assaulted with neon billboard advertising.

Before word got out about Telluride’s idyllic location, this rugged community played an integral role in the Western mining boom of the late 1800s. Mother Nature was unkind to the town’s remains when mining activity sputtered out in the 1960s, but when hippies reclaimed it just a few years later, they brought an earth-loving, folksy funkiness that stayed. Thanks to strict historic preservation codes, Telluride stands as a looking-glass into the past while bringing modern comforts to visitors, making it the perfect setting for a Colorado vacation, any time of year.

During the mining boom, tycoons invested in local hotels like the New Sheridan.

Experience Historic Telluride at the New Sheridan

At its peak, Telluride’s 5,000 citizens boasted of having more millionaires per capita than New York City. Rich from abundant silver and zinc resources, local tycoons directed their fortunes into construction of refined amenities like hotels, a few of which still greet newcomers and locals alike, including the New Sheridan Hotel.

For 117 years, Telluride’s social scene has revolved around the New Sheridan Hotel. From the earliest mining magnates to today’s celebrities, the New Sheridan’s Historic Bar, Chop House Restaurant and Parlor Cafe are the town’s preferred watering holes, where tidbits of gossip and news are served daily. The New Sheridan’s meticulously restored interior features luxurious rooms and amenities starting at about $149 per night, with seasonal vacation packages offering deep discounts on Telluride’s best attractions.

Come Over, Rover; Telluride is Dog-Friendly

Vacationing with your dog is as easy as it gets in Telluride, where some of the greatest dog-centric adventures in North America await your pack. Canines enjoy the freedom to romp nearly everywhere their humans can go, from downtown cafes with dog water bowls, to Fido-friendly seating areas on one of the only free gondola transportation systems in the U.S. About the only place dogs can’t roam are on Telluride’s groomed ski trails.

For a dog-friendly trip, the Hotel Telluride is one of several places that allow pets.

Local hotel proprietors at establishments like the Hotel Telluride enthusiastically greet furry guests with homemade organic dog treats, a welcome pack and insider tips about where to enjoy a good hike, like along the River Trail leading to Bridal Veil Falls, the longest waterfall in North America.

Dog-friendly rooms and suites at the Hotel Telluride are available starting at $175 per night. Although you and Rover will pay a $100 pet fee, you can feel good knowing that 10 percent of your fee is paid forward to Telluride’s Second Chance Humane Society. Plus, if you share a story about your dog’s adventures on the Hotel Telluride’s website, you’ll get a $20 refund on your pet fee.

A First-Class Bohemian Experience

Colorado’s best ski towns have well-earned reputations as extravagant destination spots reserved only for the rich and famous, but Telluride is the exception. Although an influx of extreme wealth coincided with the exponential growth of local ski resorts, residents still place a priority on ecologically smart development and there’s rarely a weekend without live music or an arts and culture festival.

Despite Telluride’s offbeat vibe, there’s no shortage of lavish accommodations catering to affluent travelers, like the Camel’s Garden Hotel. Located just steps away from the Telluride Ski Area, the San Miguel River trail and the vibrant downtown area, no other hotel is closer to the town’s best attractions.

For luxury accommodations, visit the Camel's Garden Hotel.

Extravagant accommodations aren’t just reserved for humans, however. In keeping with Telluride’s dog-friendly spirit, the Hotel Columbia encourages furry guests to bask in luxurious amenities along with their humans, all within a leisurely stroll of the town’s best dog-friendly recreation, shopping and dining areas. The Columbia gives both species an opportunity to enjoy the historic atmosphere of this funky mountain town while still having access to premium lodging amenities and recreation services.

Telluride on the Cheap

Telluride’s escape from conventional living sometimes comes at a price: the lack of a single franchise chain hotel or restaurant can increase your vacation cost, but you can take some steps to lower them.

The cheapest way to vacation here is to rent a condominium with a group. But if you’re traveling solo or with a partner, the most affordable Telluride vacation begins with an itinerary planned far in advance. And while many of Telluride’s independently-owned hotels usually won’t offer rates as low as some generic national hotel chains, these small businesses offer personality and customized service that corporate America can’t touch.

Start preplanning your Telluride budget vacation with Telluride Alpine Lodging (TAL), a collection of Telluride’s most affordable hotels and condominium rentals. The company owns four properties with varying levels of service, from bed and breakfast accommodations at the Victorian Inn, to the affordable Mountainside Inn featuring stocked kitchenettes and pet-friendly rooms. If you’re traveling with friends, TAL will help create your ideal vacation with discounted reservations and planning services.

If You Go

New Sheridan Hotel
231 W. Colorado Avenue
970-728-9100 http://www.newsheridan.com

The Hotel Telluride
199 North Cornet Street
866-468-3501 http://www.thehoteltelluride.com

Camels Garden
250 W. San Juan Ave.
970-728-9300 http://www.camelsgarden.com

Hotel Columbia
301 West San Juan Avenue
970-728-0660 http://www.columbiatelluride.com/amenities/pets.php

Telluride Alpine Lodging
324 W. Colorado Avenue
970-728-3388

http://www.telluridehotels.com/about-telluride-alpine-lodging

Rene Agredano enjoys sharing travel tips about Colorado – her favorite state in the U.S. – when she’s not at her mountaintop cabin retreat in Red Feather Lakes, she’s RVing around America writing from the road.

Whether you’re looking for jewelry, golf gear, antiques, or some other hobby, the Denver Merchandise Mart is the place to visit. The Merchandise Mart is constantly hosting events, trade shows, festivals, and auctions where you can shop, meet others with similar interests, and learn more about the subject that brought you in. Whether you have an affinity for geology or if you’re a bookworm at heart, you can find that event that brings like-minded people together at the Denver Merchandise Mart. http://www.denvermart.com/dmminfo/mrtinfo.htm

451 East 58th Avenue #4270 Denver, Colorado

Founded by prospectors in the mid 1800s, Breckenridge has since grown into a charming mountain community that is known for welcoming winter sports enthusiasts. Yet the things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado do not stop when the snow melts. This year-round vacation destination boasts a charming downtown with quaint shops and welcoming faces, and also boasts some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery. What’s more, Breckenridge has 300 days of sunshine a year in spite of its 300 inches of snow in the winter, so those who visit are almost guaranteed good weather for their stay.

While the mountains are the area’s premier attraction, offering skiing and snow sports in the winter and hiking and bobsled runs in the summer, there is much more to make Breckenridge inviting for those looking for Colorado vacations. The arts and entertainment scene is thriving, and a handful of spas and wellness centers make relaxation a key part of a trip to this mountain community.

Try the homemade salsas with a salsa sampler at Lucha Colorado Cantina.

When Breckenridge Beckons, Consider These Dining Options

Vacationing in the mountains near Breckenridge means a lot of outdoor activities, and being outside will make you hungry. When it is time to eat, consider forgoing the chain establishments in favor of these local favorites. Breckenridge has over 75 bars and restaurants, including these popular places.

Lucha Colorado Cantina

The Lucha Colorado Cantina is tucked away in the La Cima Mall, but don’t let its location fool you. This restaurant is known for having the best burritos in the High Country, and they also have a wide range of homemade Mexican dishes including homemade salsas.

The bar is open until 2 a.m., so you can dine and drink well into the night, yet the restaurant opens early to serve amazing breakfast burritos. It is well worth a side trip to the mall to try this restaurant. You can even call ahead to have your burrito waiting when you arrive.

Enjoy aged steaks and wild game at the Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon.

Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon

The Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon is open only for dinner. This high-end establishment offers aged steaks, wild game, and locally caught fish. It is definitely designed for adults, but a children’s menu is available. Kids can even get a prime rib if they wish. Plan to spend a bit more to eat here, but the experience will be well worth the extra money spent.

The Park Avenue Pub

The Park Avenue pub is located in the main resort area. It offers a huge breakfast buffet for just $10 per person, which is perfect for fueling up before a day on the slopes. They also offer to-go breakfast options and serve Starbucks coffee. Lunch and dinner guests will find the menu contains a pleasant blend of American style dishes. On Saturdays, happy hour is accompanied by live music from local groups.

If You Go

Before planning Breckenridge, Colorado vacations, be sure to check out the visitor’s information available from www.gobreck.com.

Lucha Colorado Cantina
500 S. Main St.
970-453-1342
www.luchacantina.com

Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon
109 East Lincoln St.
970-453-9948
www.briarrosechophouse.com

The Park Avenue Pub
605 South Park Ave.
970-453-2000
www.breckresorts.com

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006, and as an experienced travel writer, her work has been featured on USA Today as well as here on Go Colorado!

Every county has fairgrounds, but not every county gets to host some of the best events, concerts and activities! From professional bull riding to concerts and shows, if you plan to visit any fairgrounds events around the state, Pueblo is one that regularly has the largest number of rides and activities to enjoy. In 2012, the Colorado State Fair will be hosted in Pueblo, so mosey down I-25 this summer to get a dose of entertainment and excitement! http://www.coloradostatefair.com/

1001 Beulah Avenue, Pueblo, CO

Driving down the street on your way to your favorite activity in Aurora, CO can be an exciting adventure on its own. For the art lover, the journey may be enjoyed as much as the final destination. Aurora is a community with civic pride, and in my opinion, you won’t see proof of that more than through the Art in Public Places Program. You never know where you’ll find a piece of art that will attract your attention, but I enjoy the program so much that I’m sharing some of the favorites I’ve found as I’ve been out and about.

The Dawn Fountain sculpture at the Aurora Municipal Center

Activities in Aurora for the Art Lover

Start enjoying the displays at the Aurora Municipal Center at 15151 East Alameda Parkway. The Dawn Fountain is located on the plaza on the west side of the center. As mist is twirled upward, the sculpture gives the imagery of ancient sun symbols.

Also on the west side of the Municipal, between that and the Aurora Central Library, is the Sun Shell, a great place to take a rest in peace as you explore the art display and before you get to the display of cast glass, mirrors and aluminum that depicts scenes of the development of Aurora from prehistoric times to modern day.

The Aurora Dawn is located at Abilene Street and Alameda Avenue. The sculpture by artist Denny Haskew of Loveland is the gateway feature at the Aurora City Center. If art depicting wildlife is more to your liking, a cast bronze sculpture at the entrance of the pottery center in Aurora shouldn’t be missed. In Hot Pursuitis a public favorite and is at the Bicentennial Art Center, 13655 East Alameda Avenue. It is another public art display by a local Colorado artist, Kurt Jungblut of Golden.

The Ghost Trolley was created by Denver artist Lawrence Argent and connects the past to the present in cast fiberglass.  It’s located on the East Colfax Avenue median between Elmira and Emporia streets.

The Sun Shell sculpture near the Aurora Central Library

As long as you’re on East Colfax, continue to 9745 E Colfax to see the Aurora Eternal by Longmont artist Mario Miguel Echevarria. Three sculptural crowns are grouped to represent key symbolic elements of the past and present of Aurora. It is composed of neon tubes in eight colors.

I Have A Dream,inspired by the speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. is a stainless and powder coated steel sculpture by Colorado Springs artist Ivan Kosta. Don’t miss this one. It’s at the MLK, Jr. Library at the Municipal Center, 9898 E. Colfax Avenue.

If you pass by a fire station as you look for Art in Public Places, be sure to keep your eyes open or you may miss pieces of a collection of art commemorating firefighters. The same is true for the libraries in the area. Most offer sculptures or murals that are part of the program.

Police stations, recreation centers and even wide open spaces can all be appreciated as the art lover spies the offerings of the public works. Art in Public Places also rotates pieces of art among City facilities. You never know what gems you’ll see as you travel, making art discovery a popular activity in Aurora.

If You Go

The works included in this program are scattered all throughout the Aurora area, so just driving by will offer you a good opportunity to enjoy these unique displays. But, if you want to see a few pieces in particular, you can check out the interactive map found through the City of Aurora’s website to get details on where to find certain pieces: http://www.publicearth.com/collections/0db7cc46-f817-11df-bc7f-fbc2eb03fef2/widget.