Colorado Lakes: Three Ways to Explore

When it comes to lakes, Colorado may not have the largest or the most, but the state can comfortably boast of having some of the loveliest high-altitude bodies of water in America. Some can be explored by car, while others require effort before their charms are revealed. With hundreds to choose from, the toughest part … Read more

La Fromagerie: Longmont’s Big Cheese

The Cheese Importers warehouse in Longmont is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Before Wild Oats, before Whole Foods Market or Sam’s Club, the warehouse’s retail store, La Fromagerie, was offering numerous free samples of European flavors throughout the store. The unusual cheeses, herbed dips and sauces are still served in colorful, quality French stoneware or on … Read more

Slopes Less Taken: Going to Great Heights

A rich blue sky envelops me. Sun streams onto my face. The air holds still and clear. Nothing invades my space — no trees, no structures and no people — just the sky and pristine snow, soft under my ski boots and thick on mountains as far as I can see. I’m on top of … Read more

Snow Play: Without the Skis

Colorado has the good fortune of a “perfect storm” of conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Mountainous terrain coupled with just-the-right-latitude brings us abundant winter snow, and that famed 300 days of sunshine per year make it all the more fun. It’s no surprise that we refer to the stuff as champagne powder — it’s light … Read more

A Yurt for the Night: In Colorado’s Snow Country

Like diamond dust sprayed on black velvet, shattered particles of light glisten in a crystalline winter sky. Overhead, the Milky Way spills a swath of creamy luminescence that flows through the celestial hemisphere. Stars glimmer with galactic intensity, undimmed by the glare of civilization. I stand mesmerized by the spectacle so seldom seen by city … Read more

Central City: Sample Opera in Small Bites

Opera is one of those things — those things you wish you knew more about but don’t. Some (I?) wish we knew more about our town’s sports team, or the latest episode of the hit show everyone talks about at the office each morning. I might wish I knew, but am not willing to put … Read more

Boulder’s Frasca: Fascinating Friuli-Inspired Fare

The moment chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey opened their new Italian food temple, Frasca, in August of 2004, it became one of the most sought-after reservations in restaurantdom. As word spread of the duo’s pedigree – they both worked under chef extraordinaire Thomas Keller at Napa Valley’s French Laundry – citified Denver … Read more

Cambria Suites: Fresh in Fort Collins

The first thing you notice when you walk into the Cambria Suites in Fort Collins is that the air smells as fresh inside as it does outside. That’s because this is a 100 percent non-smoking property. And it doesn’t hurt that it also is fairly new. What’s also fresh is the attitude of the staff … Read more

Lyons Fork: Big-City Flavor in Tiny Mountain Town

You can’t miss Lyons Fork when strolling through downtown Lyons, Colorado. The old-timey building, once home to historic McAllister Saloon, lures visitors with its cute exterior, but don’t be fooled. This restaurant is no tourist trap. Wayne and Debbie Anderson reopened this historic café, formerly known as Cilantro Mary’s, in 2010. The couple didn’t overhaul … Read more

Movie Mania: Hollywood Has Long History With Colorado Shoots

Colorful Colorado has been the filming site for thousands of movies. More than 600 are listed on www.imdb.com alone. Among them are some great movies like Robert Redford in Downhill Racer or John Wayne in True Grit. Remember Woody Allen in Sleeper or Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber? But for the true Colorado, check … Read more