There’s no better way to spend a crisp fall day than exploring Craig, gateway to the sagebrush-covered hills and Western heritage of northwestern Colorado and the state’s “watchable wildlife capital.” The town is surrounded by the Routt and White River national forests, sandstone canyons and colorful badlands. U.S. 40 west of town is lined with elk, eagles nest at Cedar Mountain, and Axial Basin is a birder’s delight. Downtown antique, pawn and thrift stores are generously stocked, and longtimers share stories at the Tres Chic Boutique, Hair Shack and Mudd Shack espresso bar in the Centennial Mall parking lot. Most of Craig’s 9,500 residents hail from generations of farmers, ranchers and sheepmen, and many work at the nearby coal mines and power plant. The town has seven stoplights, two newspapers, a community center in a 1901 church, an active Boys and Girls Club, a summer wave pool and a winter ice arena. Moffat County has always attracted people who work hard and play hard, live simply, hunt big game and do business on a handshake.
Getting around: West on Interstate 70 to the Silverthorne exit (205). Right on Colorado 9/Blue River Parkway, then west on U.S. 40 until it intersects with Colorado 13 in Craig. Craig is 210 miles from Denver and “light years” removed from the Steamboat ski area, 42 miles upriver.
