Today, many of those same routes have found a second life, carrying travelers through some of the West’s most spectacular scenery while offering a glimpse into Colorado’s storied past.

Royal Gorge Route

Few places capture that blend of history and scenery better than the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Completed in 1880 as part of the race to reach Leadville’s rich silver mines, the line once served as a major passenger and freight corridor through the Rocky Mountains.

Now, a revived 12-mile stretch carries visitors alongside the Arkansas River beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge, past the historic Hanging Bridge and through a canyon where bighorn sheep are often spotted on the sheer granite walls rising nearly 1,000 feet above the river.

“The Royal Gorge speaks for itself,” said owner Mark Greska, who purchased the railroad in 1998. “It¶¶Ňőap a special place, and I never tire of it.”

Passengers experience that grandeur from restored railcars, with options ranging from coach seating to Vista Dome cars and first-class dining.

For Greska, however, the slower pace is what sets the journey apart. “It’s an opportunity for people to reconnect,” he said. “Your cell phone won’t work here. It¶¶Ňőap like going back in time, but you’re riding in luxury.”

The Royal Gorge Route operates year-round with up to four departures daily up and down the gorge. Most excursions last about two hours, with coach fares starting at $109. Learn more or book tickets at .

The story of Colorado’s railroads doesn’t end in the Royal Gorge. From classic Amtrak routes crossing the Continental Divide to historic steam locomotives chugging through the state’s mining past, these journeys continue to preserve the stories, scenery and communities that helped shape the West.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Route: Durango to Silverton.

Trip length: 5.5 to 9.5 hours.

Adult fares: Vary by class and itinerary.

Website:

Originally built in the 1880s to serve Colorado’s southwestern mining industry, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad follows the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains to the historic mining town of Silverton.

Designated a National Historic Landmark and featured in numerous films, the railroad offers a signature 9.5-hour round trip including a 2.5-hour stop in Silverton. Travelers short on time can ride the train one way and return by bus, reducing the excursion to about 5.5 hours.

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

Route: Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico.

Trip length: 3 to 7.5 hours.

Adult fares: From $143.10

Website:

Owned jointly by Colorado and New Mexico, the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad crosses the two states’ borders 11 times, climbs 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and winds through Toltec Gorge. Travelers can choose a full-day excursion with lunch at remote Osier Station or shorter three-hour trips departing from Chama or Cumbres Pass.

Canyon Spirit

Route: Denver–Moab or Denver–Salt Lake City.

Trip length: Two or three days.

Adult fares: Starting at about $1,750 per person

Website:

Formerly known as Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route, Canyon Spirit combines luxury rail travel with overnight stays in Glenwood Springs and Moab. Passengers ride in glass-dome coaches through Glenwood Canyon while enjoying regionally inspired meals, beverages and storytelling from onboard hosts.

According to Lisa Langer, tourism director for Visit Glenwood Springs, the overnight stop has become one of the route’s highlights, allowing travelers to explore Glenwood Springs’ downtown restaurants, hot springs and shops, all within walking distance of the station.

California Zephyr

Route: Chicago to San Francisco, with Colorado stops in Denver, Fraser, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.

Trip length: About 5.5 hours between Denver and Grand Junction.

Adult fares: Coach fares generally start around $70 one way when booked in advance; Amtrak vacation packages to Glenwood Springs start at $499 per person.

Website:

The California Zephyr crosses the plains before passing over the Continental Divide and following the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon to Grand Junction and then proceeding on to Utah, Nevada and its destination state. Travelers looking for an in-state getaway can also book vacation packages from Denver that combine the train with hotel stays and attractions in Glenwood Springs.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Route: Georgetown to Silver Plume.

Trip length: About 1ÂĽ hours.

Adult fares: From $33.

Website:

For those looking for a shorter excursion, the Georgetown Loop Railroad is just 45 minutes west of Denver on Interstate 70.

Built in 1884 to serve the area’s booming silver mines, the narrow-gauge railroad climbs nearly 600 feet in just two miles, crossing the famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge before reaching the historic mining town of Silver Plume.

Visitors can also extend their trip with tours of the Lebanon Silver Mine or gold-panning experiences.

Because Colorado is cool.

From the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, from the urban corridor to tiny towns on the Western Slope, from Denver to Durango, from La Junta to Rifle, from the Arkansas River to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado is a beautiful, diverse tapestry.

We have wonderful music, vibrant arts, hiking, biking, skiing, rafting, fishing, paragliding and good eating. A Colorado experience can be weird, wild, scary, spectacular, sublime, or soothing.

But seldom boring.

As the Centennial State celebrates its 150th birthday, here are 150 things that are quintessentially Colorado:

1. A summer concert at Red Rocks: Music at the world-renowned, natural sandstone amphitheater fills the soul.

2. Maroon Bells: Too pretty to be real — but they are, and undoubtedly the most photographed spot in the state.

3. Powder days: Getting off the Panoramic lift at Winter Park on a bluebird day, skiing Vail’s Back Bowls, or riding clouds of champagne powder at Steamboat: heaven.

4. Bagging a fourteener: Summiting one of Colorado’s 58 ranked and unranked peaks that rise above 14,000 feet in elevation is a rite of passage for many.

5. Palisade peaches: Juicy and sweet, the famous, scrumptious Western Slope fruit is available late July through September.

6. State flag: How many other states celebrate — and market — their state flag like Colorado? (Fun fact: The blue stripes represent Colorado skies, the white is for snow-capped peaks, the golden circle is sunshine, and the red “C” represents the rocks and earth.)

7. Opening day at Coors Field: Colorado’s Mardi Gras as baseball fans and partyers — not necessarily in that order — pour into LoDo.

8. Riding Mr. Twister: Baby Boomers got their thrills riding the roller coaster, which opened in 1964 at the original Elitch Gardens in north Denver. debuted at the new location in 2023.

9. : Fielder was not only a spectacular nature photographer, but he was also a state historian.

10. KBCO radio: Long before streaming and SiriusXM came along, KBCO’s “World Class Rock’ brought quality music and new artists to listeners in the Denver-Boulder area, starting in 1976.

11. Manitou Incline: Want to get your steps in? Hike “The Incline,” in less than a mile via 2,768 steep steps.

12. Colorado Columbine: The state flower (Aquilegia caerulea) blooms in summer and brings a smile to every hiker’s face.

13. Rocky Mountain big horn sheep: The state animal was nearing extinction around 1900, but conservation efforts saved them. There are now in Colorado.

14. : The Arkansas River Valley produces watermelon, honeydew, and, most famously, cantaloupe, which have up to 3% more sugar than California cantaloupe. (Fun fact: Rocky Ford High School’s mascot is a Meloneer.)

15. Chipotle: “Do you want guac on that?” In 1993, Steve Ells, a graduate of Boulder High School and CU Boulder, opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill blocks from the University of Denver.

16. Glenwood Springs Hot Springs: The spring waters — called Yampah, or literally “Big Medicine,” by Utes — have been soothing tired muscles and spirits for centuries. It’s now touted as the .

17. Mesa Verde National Park: Established in 1906, the cliff dwellings give visitors a glimpse of what life was like over 700 years ago when the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving agricultural communities on the mesas and in the cliffs.

18. Great Sand Dunes National Park: Hike the tallest dunes in North America or sand sled or sandboard down the slopes. Then look into .

19. Pikes Peak: The 14,115-foot peak is touted as “America’s Mountain.” Drive to the top, hike up or ride the world’s highest and longest cog railroad.

20. Bolder Boulder: It’s not just a run, it’s also a celebration, complete with costumes. The Memorial Day 10K began in 1979 with 2,700 entrants. By 2004, it was the largest timed 10K in the world, with 47,454 participants.

21. Bent’s Old Fort: The reconstructed adobe fortress became a national historic site in 1960. It was built in 1833 as near the Arkansas River along the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail.

22. Colorado welcome signs: There are 40 of the wooden, brown-and-white “Welcome to Colorado” road signs around the state. The design dates back to the 1950s.

23. Telluride Bluegrass Festival: It began as the Telluride Fourth of July Celebration in 1973. It became the Telluride Bluegrass Festival on July 6, 1974. Emmylou Harris once called it “the Valhalla of places to perform.”

24. View from Wolf Creek Pass: Coming off the pass, looking west toward Pagosa Springs, is the look above the west fork of the San Juan River Valley. Breathtaking.

25. Empower Field at Mile High: Exiting the stadium with the fans after a big win is a magic carpet ride.

26. Stanley Hotel: Founded in 1909 by F.O Stanley, the reigns over Estes Park and sits at the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park. And it was the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining.”

27. Garden of the Gods: The park was gifted to Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of railroad magnate Charles Elliot Perkins. , a 35-foot, 1.4-million-pound red rock, is the star.

28. Subarus: Preferably with a sticker-covered Thule strapped to the top of an Outback, they are Colorado’s vehicle of choice. Or so it seems.

29. Hanging Lake: A short but steep and rocky hike takes you to a cliffside turquoise . It was named a National Natural Landmark in 2011.

30. South Park vista: From the top of Kenosha Pass, the valley — filled with green ranchland, twisting creeks and rimmed with snowcapped peaks — seems to go on forever.

31. The Numbers: A challenging, whitewater stretch of the Arkansas River just south of Buena Vista, The Numbers is a guaranteed adrenaline rush.

32. Big Blue Bear: The 40-foot-high bear, created by local artist Lawrence Argent, peers into the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.

33. “Blucifer:” Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore the 32-foot-tall fiberglass sculpture with glowing red eyes on Peña Blvd approaching Denver International Airport.

Blucifer just turned 13. But the family of the artist who died creating it would prefer you don’t call it that.

34. Eisenhower Tunnel: The only bore through the Continental Divide that is named after a U.S. president. (The accompanying is named for Gov. Edwin C. Johnson.)

35. Frozen Dead Guy Days: The festival, begun in Nederland in 2002 and relocated to Estes Park in 2023, revolves around , a Norwegian mountain pioneer who died in 1989 but is cryogenically preserved.

36. The Broadmoor: Known for comfortable luxury, the famed hotel opened in 1918 and is the longest-running, consecutive Forbes five-star, AAA five-diamond resort in the country.

37. The Brown Palace: The Downtown Denver hotel has been a landmark since 1892. It has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, and in 1964 ... The Beatles!

38. The Colorado Trail: One of the most spectacular long-distance trails in the country, the 567-mile Rocky Mountain journey begins in Denver and finishes in Durango.

39. Grand Lake fireworks: The over the state's largest natural lake, deep in the mountains, is unforgettable.

40. : You can't miss the signs touting the store's “Stetson Hats, “Levi Overalls” and more. According to Rocky Mountain PBS, there are 100 of the signs alongside US 40 and Colorado 131, starting 100 miles from downtown Steamboat Springs.

41. Golf at elevation: Everyone has a favorite course, from municipal links to posh country clubs. But it's tough to top Grand Junction's Redlands Mesa.

42. : The 17.6-mile  trail in southeast Colorado features 150-million-year-old dinosaur footprints and prehistoric Native American rock art.

43. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: A spectacular ride into the past along the Animas River through canyons in the San Juan National Forest, active since 1882.

44. : About 15 miles north of Durango are the iconic cliffs where Paul Newman (Butch Cassidy) and Robert Redford (The Sundance Kid) jumped into the Animas River to escape a posse. (Fun fact: Part of the famous scene was filmed in California.)

45. Rocky Mountain National Park: How to describe Colorado's slice of mountain paradise? The park's 415 square miles encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments, from meadows to alpine lakes to towering peaks.

46. : There were nearly 2,500 wooden carousels carved in America between 1885 and the 1930s, but fewer than 150 survived. One of the best can be found at the county fairgrounds in Burlington.

47. Pawnee National Grassland: Covering 193,060 acres northeast of Greeley, it is home to hundreds of birds, pronghorn antelopes and other wildlife.

48. Crested Butte wildflowers: The town owns the title as “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” Look for varieties like lupine, paintbrush, elephant heads, fireweed and glacier lilies.

49. : Within the 32 square miles of the Colorado Plateau in northwest Colorado are towering stone monoliths, red-rock canyons and the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive.

50. : A thundering triple waterfall and limestone caves make this a gem of the Colorado State Parks system.

51. DIA: The largest U.S. airport in square miles is easily recognizable, with its tent-like roof intended to mimic the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies. (It's also known for  conspiracy theories, never-ending construction projects, parking woes, long security lines ... .)

52. Complaining about Californians and Texans: Come on, admit it, you've done it.

53. "Rocky Mountain High": You sing along when you hear John Denver's ode to Colorado, the state's second official song. (The first is “Where the Columbines Grow.”)

54. The : Held annually in January at the National Western Complex, the event has celebrated Colorado's cowboy roots since 1906.

55. : In late July, Fairplay celebrates its heritage with burro, llama, dog and outhouse races, as well as a parade. The fete began in 1949 when a challenge went out to anyone who wanted to race alongside a burro from Leadville to Fairplay.

56. Sliding down a snow field: It's boiling hot on the Eastern Plains, but nice and cool at 11,990 feet on Loveland Pass. Find a patch of snow and away you go! (Don't forget the selfies.)

57. Fly fishing: Colorado is heaven for anglers casting for rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout. What's the best spot? The Gunnison River? The Frying Pan River? The fly fisherman will never tell.

58. : With steep, dramatic walls that range from 2,700 to 1,750 feet, this national park east of Montrose is stunning.

59. Hot-air balloon festivals in Colorado -- like the ones in Telluride, Erie, Colorado Springs and Moffat County -- offer kaleidoscopes of color against Rocky Mountain skies. (Wanna take a ride? There are that will take you up.)

60.: Before craft brewing was all the rage, there was Coors in Golden, the largest single-site brewery in the world.

61. Ralphie: CU's famous buffalo just might be the best mascot in college football. (The current Ralphie, nicknamed Brandy, is the seventh bison to fill the role.)

62. : At the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the San Luis Valley, the area includes a Hindu temple, a Zen center, several Tibetan Buddhist centers, and various New Age activities.

63. : Touted as the oldest tavern in Denver, continuously serving fine beers and spirits since 1873, it also offers a famous jalapeño cream cheese burger.

64. Dinger: Love him or not, the purple Triceratops mascot for the Colorado Rockies has been around since  April 16, 1994, famously "hatching" from an oversized egg on the grounds that would become Coors Field.

65.  "Bucky" the Bronco: , Bucky first stood above the scoreboard at the original Mile High Stadium. He now stands atop the South Stand scoreboard at Empower Field at Mile High.

66. Loveland Valentines: The northern Colorado town, known as the Sweetheart City, has been for 80 years.

67. : For more than six decades, thespians have performed The Bard's works under the stars on the University of Colorado Boulder campus at the Mary Rippon Theatre.

68.  : The annual party celebrates Pueblo's famed green. Every September, more than 100,000 people stroll along Pueblo’s historic Union Avenue listening to live music, browsing local art and getting tastes of roasted chiles.

69. Million Dollar Highway: Stunning and scary (for some), the road travels between Silverton and Ouray in Southwest Colorado. Full of switchbacks and sheer cliffs, it .

70. : Telluride, perhaps Colorado's most picturesque mountain town, sits in a box canyon. At the end of the canyon, you’ll find the highest free-falling waterfall in the state.

71. :  Dating back to the founding of the Town of San Luis in 1851, the late July weekend festival celebrates the history of Colorado's oldest town with bands, vendors, parades, mariachi mass, a softball tournament, food stalls and a 10k run.

72. Chapel at the Air Force Academy: The (closed until 2028 for renovation) is the most recognizable building at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The aluminum, glass, and steel structure features 17 spires that shoot 150 feet into the sky.

73. New Year's fireworks on Pikes Peak: For more than 100 years, members of the AdAmAn Club have hiked Pikes Peak to ring in the New Year with a fireworks display on the famous mountain.

74. Near Grand Junction, this trail features 35 sandstone arches, the second-highest concentration of natural rock arches in North America outside Utah.

75. : A 32-mile mountain bike route that descends 6,000 feet from the top of the Grand Mesa to the town of Palisade. Spectacular.

76. America's oldest whitewater festival is held along the banks of the Arkansas River in June. It features concerts, craft beer, river rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and running. FYI,  FIBArk stands for "First in Boating in the Arkansas River."

77. : Located in Teller County, in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, the monument protects 34-million-year-old fossils of redwood trees and insects.

78. : For more than 40 years, the Lakewood restaurant has served Mexican food in a pink adobe building that features caves, cliff divers, and endless sopapillas. The iconic restaurant gained cult fame after being featured in an episode of "South Park." Casa Bonita (Spanish for “pretty house") is now owned by the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

79. Mountaintop matrimony: For 35 years, couples have gathered on the Forest Meadow run at to exchange vows and kisses at 12,000 feet.

80. : Dating back to 1879, the saloon is an enduring piece of Leadville’s history with a classic, wild-west oak bar. Touted as "a gathering place for locals, outlaws, and legends," it has hosted figures such as Doc Holliday, Molly Brown and Oscar Wilde, and witnessed the rise and fall of Leadville’s mining boom.

81. : Founded in 1932, it's the fifth-oldest professional opera company in the country. The summer performances take place at 8,500 feet in the intimate 550-seat opera house built in 1878.

82. : Held annually during Labor Day weekend for 52 years, the event matches movies and the mountains. The 2025 event included the debut of "Springstreen: Deliver Me from Nowhere."

83.  A: Just outside the historic San Juan Mountains town of Silverton, the well-preserved ghost town features abandoned buildings and mining structures, taking visitors back to Silverton's mining frontier history.

84. Meeker base camp: The town in the northwest corner of the state is the center for some of the best in Colorado. Hunters encounter terrain ranging from 6,000 feet to mountain peaks exceeding 12,200 feet in the Flattops Wilderness.

85. : The annual 10-day celebration, culminating on the Fourth of July, brings the Northern Colorado community together with rodeos, concerts, carnival rides, parades and more.

86. galore: Need some culcha? The dozens of museums in Colorado can help. Among them: the Denver Art Museum; the Firefighters Museum; the Museum of Nature & Science; the Museum of Illusions; the Morrison Natural History Museum; the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver; the Museum of Northwest Colorado; the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum; The ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy; the Children's Museum of Denver; Colorado Railroad Museum; Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum; the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery; the Aspen Art Museum; the Museum of the West; the National Mining Museum; Forney Transportation Museum; the Clyfford Still Museum; the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum; and the History Colorado Museum, where you can currently see "Zoom In: The Centennial State in 100 Objects."

87. Rocky Mountain Oysters: A famous -- or is it infamous? -- delicacy consisting of deep-fried, thinly sliced bull or bison testicles.

88. :  The original "mountain pie" pizza restaurant opened in Idaho Springs in 1973 and has been a sanctuary to escape I-70 ski traffic ever since.

80. : A restaurant with heads of actual wildlife on the walls? That they can then serve you? Seriously? (And they also offer Rocky Mountain oysters; see above.) Wild.

90. Colorado natives: Who brag about being Colorado natives.

91. Transplants: Who are annoyed by those who brag about being Colorado natives.

92. The Front Range: Even after decades of living in Colorado, you catch yourself pulling over on Interstate 25 to snap a photo of the majestic mountains after a rainshower, when the clouds are lying heavy on the horizon. Stunning.

93. Glenwood Canyon, that took 12 years to build. Workers had to bore three tunnels through the canyon’s rock; built 15 miles of retaining walls to hold the road in place; and construct  40 bridges and viaducts, according to CDOT. Amaze amaze amaze. (If you get it, you get it.)

94. Sleigh rides, dog sled rides: Take an old-fashioned in Steamboat Springs, or zip behind a pulling you along snowy Breckenridge trails. The kids will never forget it.

95. : The home of Titanic survivor Margaret Brown offers a Victorian Horrors theater program around Halloween, letting guests traipse through the 1889 house and enjoy ghostly tales.

96. Golf: Where else can you partake nearly year-round without baking (don't tell me it's a dry heat, Arizona) or drowning (hello, humid Florida)? And with nearly to choose from, you might even be able to find a tee time.

97. The Olympics: Denver is the only city in the country to reject the Winter Olympics (in 1976), giving us the right to gloat over by doing so (sorry, Montreal).

98. : With the Arkansas River flowing 956 feet below, it remains America’s highest suspension bridge. The bridge spans 1,260 feet and features 1,257 wooden planks.

99. Fickle weather:  A day in May begins with bright sunshine and warms up to 80 degrees. Eight hours later, it's snowing. Two days later, it's 80 degrees.

100. The : The man-made ice-climbing park sits in a spectacular natural gorge just outside Ouray. The free, public park is home to more than 150 named ice and mixed climbs and draws adventurers from around the world.

101. DCPA: The is a downtown treasure hosting Broadway touring plays, Tony Award-winning theater, classical music, ballet and operas.

102. Aspens: Monarch Pass? Kenosha Pass? Independence Pass? Guanella Pass? Does it matter? With aspen glittering golden against cobalt-blue skies, autumn in Colorado is magical.

103. Enstrom toffee: Based in Grand Junction, but found throughout the state, the almond toffee is the star of the show for , a business that dates to 1929 and is still family-run.

104. : The urban oasis features native and exotic plants and trees, the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, the Mordecai Children's Garden and outdoor concerts in the summer.

105. Eldorado Canyon: Just south of Boulder, is a mecca for rock climbers. For others, hiking along scenic South Boulder Creek and stopping for a picnic works just fine.

106. : Nestled at the base of the Flatirons in Boulder, Chautauqua is a national historic landmark that includes Chautauqua Auditorium, built in 1898. From the Chautauqua Trailhead, hikers can access 40 miles of trails.

107.  Apres ski: The after-ski bliss begins with taking off the boots, then gathering at a lodge, bar, or restaurant to unwind and exaggerate your most epic run of the day. A hot tub session is optional.

108. : At the top of Lookout Mountain, just west of Denver, is the Buffalo Bill museum and gravesite. The popular tourist attraction tells the story of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, star of his Wild West Show that began in 1882.

105. : Though not as famous as Mesa Verde, the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument is a precious time capsule. Sitting just outside of Dolores, it consists of nearly 200,000 acres and features the largest concentration of archaeological dig sites and Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the United States.

106. : Boulder's pedestrian mall features restaurants, shops, flowers, street artists, and people watching. It's about as Boulder as it gets.

107. : Gold and silver first brought people rushing to these mountain towns as they gambled on their future. Now people gamble in the casinos.

110. Hiking is more than just a walk in the park: From a half-mile stroll atop Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park to a 10-mile trek deep into the wilderness, hiking is Colorado's religion.

111. Indoor rock climbing: For those who need their fix, there are rock-walled gyms throughout Colorado. Climb on!

112. : Robert Redford's beloved festival will make its Boulder debut Jan. 21-31, 2027, after beating out Utah and Ohio to become the event's next host. Sundance is moving from its longtime home in Park City, Utah.

113. : The famed adobe restaurant opened in February 1963, specializing in what founder Sam Arnold called “New Foods of the Old West.” The building was inspired by a drawing of Bent¶¶Ňőap Old Fort, the famous fur-trading post on the Santa Fe Trail.

114. Golden retrievers: We love our dogs. Labrador retrievers, bulldogs, hunting dogs, even "little yippers." But according to , golden retrievers are Colorado's most popular breed.

115. and Rodeo: In late August through Labor Day, Pueblo hosts rodeos, carnival rides, agricultural competitions, big-name concerts, monster trucks, fine art, and food, drink and Western and Hispanic culture.

116. Strawberry Park Hot Springs: Thermal pools, unique stone masonry in the Rockies near Steamboat Springs. Famously, clothing is optional after dark, so minors are not permitted after sundown.

117. Craft beer. OK, so the latest heyday of craft beer in Colorado -- which started with Boulder Brewing Company in 1979 and was popularized by the Wynkoop in LoDo in 1988 -- may have passed, but local breweries are often still the social and economic hubs of their neighborhoods -- and still employ thousands of people and bring people from around the world to the state.

118. Marijuana legalization: Even if you don't partake, it's kind of awesome that Colorado was the .

119. The Denver City and County Building at the holidays: The tradition of kicking off the holiday season in Denver by lighting up the City and County Building dates back to 1918, which brings us to ...

120. ... the fact that colored outdoor Christmas lights were invented by in 1914, as a way to bring cheer to his ailing son.

From Jolly Ranchers and cheeseburgers to teddy bears and tampons, these inventions were created in Colorado

121: Parades: Sure, we have organized marches for Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day, PrideFest, and MLK Day, but smaller parades are a hoot, like Goldens in Golden and the Fourth of July parades that small towns like Salida, Frisco and Florence hold each year. (Watching little kids scramble for candy tossed off of a 1950s firetruck and saluting veterans in uniform strolling behind will make you proud to be an American, and perhaps long for a more innocent time.)

122. Naked skiing: The , started at Glenwood Springs' Sunlight Mountain Resort in 2021, invites women -- and only women or nonbinary individuals (there were 700 of them in 2025) -- includes a run in which participants are invited to ski or snowboard sans clothes. Brrrr.

123. Free concerts: in Ruby Hill Park produces more than 50 free concerts at its outdoor amphitheater every summer. And stake out a spot early with your picnic basket for one (or all) of the 10 free concerts at . (Which leads us to ... )

124. Jazz live: Who says it's a dying art form? Colorado is home to the Winter Park Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, Denver Jazz Fest, Evergreen Jazz Festival, UNC-Greeley Jazz Festival and Jazz Aspen Snowmass. (Which leads us to ... )

125. and : These two music venues in Denver offer stellar performances by some of the most acclaimed jazz artists in the country in intimate settings.

124. Colorado's culinary chops: abound here, from Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson (Frasca); Erika and Kelly Whitaker (The Wolf's Tailor); Caroline Glover (Annette); Matt Vawter (Rootstalk); Johnny Curiel (Alma Fonda Fina); Alex Seidel (Fruition); Troy Guard (TAG); and Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja). Eat up.

125. : In the summer, take a ride to the top of the Continental Divide, where you will be treated to 360-degree views of five mountain ranges.

126. The Denver Nuggets: They may not always win, but boy, these guys have heart -- and the best basketball player in the world in Nikola Jokic. And an NBA title in 2023.

127. The Colorado Avalanche: Three Stanley Cup titles and a roster of Hall of Famers for a rabid fan base.

128. The Denver Broncos: Eight Super Bowl appearances. Three Super Bowl wins. John Elway. Peyton Manning. Floyd Little. Orange Crush. Football as religion since 1960.

129. The Rapids: Fans have been getting their kicks from the pro soccer team since 1996. The Rapids won their only MLS Cup in 2010, their second MLS Cup appearance.

130: : Crazy for women's soccer? Colorado sure is. On March 28, Summit FC set the U.S. attendance record for a women’s professional sporting event at Empower Field, with 63,004 fans on hand to witness the club’s inaugural home match against the Washington Spirit.

131. The Colorado Rockies: "Rocktober" took the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, but the LoDo ballclub usually struggles. But a summer night at Coors Field with a beer and a hot dog has been a great combo since 1995.

132. Sandhill cranes: Each spring and fall, thousands of the long-necked birds during migration. Every March, there's even a party to celebrate them, in the form of the .

133. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center: There's a pool, gyms, an indoor shooting range, velodrome (track) and more at the Colorado Springs site. And are available.

134. Four-wheeling on Imogene Pass: A rugged and scary former mining road that connected Telluride and Ouray in the San Juan. Mountains. Thrill-seekers top out at 13,114 feet.

135. , not just the marathon: Playboy Magazine once called Colfax Avenue the “longest, wickedest street in America.” Jack Kerouac wrote about Colfax in his novel "On the Road." Music venues, bars, restaurants, shops, and interesting people-watching. Colfax has a thriving live music scene with The Fillmore, The Ogden Theater, The Lion’s Lair and many more bars serving up live music as well. The Colfax Renaissance is well underway. Come check it out!

136. Running around Wash Park: From fit singles scouting out other fit singles, to fit seniors just looking to stay fit, the 2.5-mile crushed-gravel outer loop in South Denver is a runner's mecca.

137. The name: Colorado's lyrical name has its origins in Spanish, as the word for "colored red." So very apropos.

138. Race to open by Memorial Day: The highest continuous paved road in the United States to 12,183 feet through Rocky Mountain National Park, connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. The goal is for snowplows to clear the road by late May. It doesn't always work out.

139. Olathe sweet corn: Iowans may try to argue, but one bite of this variety will have you longing for several ears, slathered with butter and a touch of salt. (And it freezes well off the cob, as well; save some for your holiday casseroles.)

140. : The heart and soul of Denver, where it got its start between 14th and 15th in the late 1800s. Named for the pioneering General William Larimer, it was the city’s first block, its first commercial district, home to its first residence and first city hall, and was the city’s first designated historic district.

141. : At the peak of elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park -- typically mid-September through mid-October, you might hear the bulls' loud bugling. Researchers say the animals call out as a warning, or to communicate with their harems. The sound will haunt you.

142. Same-sex marriage: Colorado has offered civil unions since 2013 and they have been legally recognized here since October 2014. They weren't established as a until June 26, 2015.

143. Denver Press Club: The in the United States, founded in 1867, and the building itself was designated a Historic Landmark in 1986. Stop in and toast Damon Runyon at the bar.

144. Georgetown and the : A charming ride on this narrow-gauge railroad (called "an engineering marvel" after its construction in 1884) takes you through a scenic path over the Devil's Gate Bridge. Afterward, stroll the quaint streets of historic Georgetown, once the center of the mining industry in Colorado.

145. Pulitzer winners: The Denver Post (nine), Rocky Mountain News (four), and Colorado Springs Gazette (one) have been in reporting, photography and editorial cartooning.

146. Nobel winners: Colorado is home to , including CU Boulder's David Wineland (in physics, 2012); John Hall (physics, 2012), and Thomas Cech (chemistry, 1989).

147. Authors: Dozens of accomplished , including Gonzo journalist and author Hunter Thompson; Jon Krakauer ("Into Thin Air"); Jack Kerouac ("On the Road"); Peter Heller ("The Dog Stars"); Allen Ginsberg (Beat poet); Stephen White (Alan Gregory thrillers); Blake Crouch ("Dark Matter); and Kent Haruf ("Plainsong").

148. Root Shoot Whiskey: The Loveland-based Root Shoot Spirits’ American Single Malt Whiskey was named Whiskey of the Year  in this year's London Spirits Competition. That's in the world.

149. Horseback riding: Fans of "Yellowstone" with visions of Western cowboys on horseback are in luck: will let you come out and saddle up. Cowboy hats optional.

150. Well, you live here. Duh.

Denver Post staffer Barbara Ellis contributed to this report. 

Even in the driest of years — like this one — powerful Western Slope water rights on the mainstem of the Colorado River draw water downstream, making boating on the state’s major water artery possible.

“For mainstem floating, we should still have pretty darn good flows for the rest of the season for as long as people want to be boating,” said Sam Calahan, a water resources specialist for . The taxpayer-funded agency is based in Glenwood Springs and works to protect Western Slope water.

The dismal winter snowpack that resulted in a disappointing ski season has now translated to statewide drought. An unusually warm spring prompted early runoff and early peak flows in most Colorado rivers. Those flows then fell precipitously to levels too low for most sane boaters.

On Wednesday, Browns Canyon — a near Buena Vista — was flowing at the lowest level in 55 years of data and at 16% of its median flow for that date. was flowing at 61 cubic feet per second on Wednesday, also a record low for the date in 72 years of data. The median flow for the date is 347 cfs, or more than five times as much water.

Low flow, high temperatures make for unusual creek tubing season near Denver

Water levels in both stretches were below recommended levels to run, according to .

But flows on much of the Colorado River were high enough for rafts and kayaks this week. Flows on a popular section near Kremmling were near normal, as were water levels farther downstream in Glenwood Canyon.

Two major factors keep water flowing down the Colorado River during drought: large senior water rights owned by farmers in Mesa County's Grand Valley and the water rights connected to the Shoshone Power Plant, a hydroelectric facility in Glenwood Canyon owned by Xcel Energy.

Irrigators and power plant operators can call water to their facilities from upstream reservoirs, like Green Mountain Reservoir, which is on the Blue River -- a tributary of the Colorado River -- north of Silverthorne. This year, the irrigators began calling down water on July 1, boosting flows in the Colorado River.

"It's sort of an operational byproduct of how water is managed in Colorado," said Matt Aboussie, spokesman for the Colorado River District, which is in the process of buying the power plant's water rights.

The water is a lifeline for rafting companies, said David Costlow, the executive director of the Colorado River Outfitters Association.

"It's huge," Costlow said of the Colorado River flows. "We've got customers that still want to go rafting, and it's good to still have options."

If they can, rafting outfitters will shift operations to the Colorado River, he said.

On a website description of a Clear Creek rafting trip, one major rafting company has included a section describing the current lack of certainty around flows this year and suggested a trip elsewhere.

"If you’re open to exploring another area, the Upper Colorado River near Kremmling is also a great option this summer, offering reliable flows, beautiful canyon scenery, and rafting trips for all experience levels less than an hour from Summit County," .

Flows on the Colorado River will continue to fluctuate through the season, Calahan said. If monsoon rains begin falling, irrigators will require less water from upstream reservoirs. Flows could then drop, but they would be supplemented by precipitation.

"We could end up with not a terribly early end to the season," Calahan said.

From glassy high-altitude lakes you can only reach on foot to world-class whitewater that draws paddlers from around the globe, Colorado rewards kayakers at every skill level.

Different sports: flatwater vs. whitewater

If you want to kayak in Colorado, it¶¶Ňőap important to know that flatwater and whitewater kayaking are different sports. Flatwater kayaking is beginner-friendly and usually just needs a life jacket, basic paddling skills, and some weather awareness.

Rentals are easy to find, and the risks are low.

Whitewater kayaking, on the other hand, requires specialized gear such as a helmet, a spray skirt, and a whitewater kayak.

You’ll also need to be a strong swimmer, know about river hazards, and get proper instruction. The risks are higher, so beginners should take lessons before trying whitewater.

“Flatwater is very beginner friendly,” says Nik White, owner of Whitewater Workshop in Golden.

“People can rent a kayak at many state and local parks and have a great day without a lesson. Just wear a life jacket and don’t get surprised by bad weather.”

Always check the weather before you go out, and be ready for sudden changes.

In Colorado, wind, rain, or storms can come up quickly. If you see dark clouds, feel the wind picking up, or hear thunder, leave the water right away and find shelter on shore. Paying attention and planning ahead will help you avoid problems and have a safe, fun trip.

Whitewater is a different story.

Colorado’s rivers are generally faster, steeper, and colder than most rivers elsewhere in the United States.

Experts say if you want to kayak on moving water, take a lesson first.

“Taking lessons is a great way to get familiar with the fundamental skills,” says Jonathan Kahn, owner of Confluence Kayak & Ski in Denver.

Ben Bohren, a Colorado Whitewater board member, agrees: “Anybody starting a new activity should take lessons, especially if you’re going to do whitewater.”

For whitewater beginners, insist on an American Canoe Association-certified kayak instructor.

Low snowpack, lower flows: What kayakers need to know

Because this year’s snowpack is lower than usual, Colorado’s rivers will have less water than normal.

This means flows will be lower, which can make some stretches of the river shallower and rockier, affecting the conditions kayakers encounter.

Kahn warns that flows could be “as low as we’ve ever seen them,” potentially peaking as early as April rather than the typical late May or June, and tapering off by the end of June rather than running through the full summer.

With less water in the rivers, kayakers may find some sections to be rockier and shallower. This can make navigation trickier, and some areas might not be passable by kayak at all. Always check water conditions before heading out.

Still, the experts see some good news.

“I think this will be a great year to learn to kayak,” says White.

Kahn says this year is a good chance to get outside, enjoy nature, and improve your kayaking skills.

Key rivers, including the Upper South Platte, Upper Colorado, and Arkansas, benefit from robust water management programs that safeguard reliable minimum flows even in dry years.

For the Arkansas River, the Voluntary Flow Program ensures dependable minimum flows extend through mid-August, with reservoir releases scheduled to optimize recreational use.

Certain locations, such as Glenwood Canyon’s Shoshone section, have water rights that provide instream-flow protection despite low snowpack.

Don’t skip this: Essential safety tips for Colorado paddlers

All three experts agree on one point: Wear your life jacket. Every time.

“Many people die every year in Colorado because they didn’t wear a life jacket,” says White.

“Winds come up fast and tip people over and the water is usually very cold, which is a deadly combination.”

Follow these safety tips:

• Always wear a life jacket.
• Wear a helmet for Class II rapids and above.
• Dress for cold water. Use wetsuits, drysuits, and layers like fleece or neoprene. Skip cotton, since it won’t keep you warm when wet. The right gear keeps you safe and comfortable if you fall in.
• Never kayak alone, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Tell others where you’re going and when you expect to return.
• Know river conditions. Hazards can change quickly and aren’t always easy to spot.
• Don’t overestimate your skill level.
• Always use a spray skirt on whitewater to keep water out of your kayak.
• Paddle with a group and agree on how to communicate on the river.

The American Canoe Association recently released a free resource called Smart Start, which includes a paddling safety infographic and a free online course for new paddlers.

Ready to paddle? How to find lessons and rentals near you

Rent flatwater kayaks at locations such as Chatfield, Horsetooth, and Carter Lake.

Reserve online for busy periods; on-site rental is often available midweek.

Mountain reservoirs such as Dillon and Granby have colder water, so dress for it.

For whitewater, secure lessons with a certified instructor or trusted professional outfitter–do not attempt on your own.

“There’s something for everybody in paddling,” says Kahn. “It doesn’t have to be super-charged, adrenaline-fueled rapids. Be willing to try it and try something new. It¶¶Ňőap a great way to enjoy Colorado in the summertime.”

Best spots for beginners

South Platte River near Deckers: The Deckers section of the South Platte River is the state’s premier whitewater introduction: steady dam-managed Class I–II flows in a picturesque canyon. Rely on this section for consistent, beginner-friendly whitewater experiences.

St. Vrain River in Lyons (Apple Valley): Use Apple Valley in Lyons as the definitive beginner’s introduction to moving water. Start at the wooden bridge on Apple Valley Road and exit in east Lyons. This stretch offers accessible, safe training.

Upper Colorado River near Burns or Dotsero: Rely on the Burns-to-Dotsero stretch of the Upper Colorado River for scenic, low-risk moving water, ideal for new whitewater paddlers. The Pumphouse-to-State Bridge float is a proven route.

Ruby-Horsethief Canyon, Colorado River near Fruita: Experience Ruby-Horsethief Canyon for an unrivaled scenic Class I/II paddle. Secure camping permits exclusively through recreation.gov or the BLM; regulations are strict and must be observed. This stretch demands planning and delivers unmatched beginner scenery.

Big Soda Lake, Bear Creek Lake Park / Chatfield State Park: Select Big Soda Lake and Chatfield State Park near Denver for accessible, high-quality paddling. These waters guarantee a relaxed experience close to the city.

Chatfield, Horsetooth, and Carter Lake: Use Chatfield, Horsetooth, and Carter Lake as your go-to Front Range flatwater destinations. Rentals and ample space support all skill levels.

Best spots for intermediate and advanced paddlers

Arkansas River: The Arkansas River is Colorado’s top whitewater spot, with over 100 miles of paddling from Class II+ to Class V. Famous sections include Browns Canyon (Class III, very popular), The Numbers (Class IV to V, above Browns Canyon), and the Royal Gorge.

Clear Creek, Idaho Springs to Golden: Choose Clear Creek, from Idaho Springs through Golden, for ready access to whitewater near Denver. Upper sections test intermediate skills, while the Golden Whitewater Park excels when flows are moderate.

Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins: Test your skills on the Cache la Poudre, Colorado’s singular National Wild and Scenic River. Variable difficulty ensures appeal to every serious kayaker. Consult American Whitewater for precise route details.

Glenwood Canyon (Shoshone section): Use Glenwood Canyon’s Shoshone section as Colorado’s most consistent intermediate run — 1,250 cfs flows are maintained by legal mandate. Tackle Class III–IV rapids for skill advancement, and relegate beginners to guides. The Roaring Fork’s final miles offer easier runs suitable for novice paddlers.

Boulder Creek: Employ Boulder Creek as the definitive Front Range intermediate run. American Whitewater provides authoritative route descriptions.

South Platte River, Cheesman Canyon to Waterton Canyon: A reliable stretch close to Denver that holds water well through the season. One of the best options when flows are low. This stretch near Denver usually has good water levels all season. It¶¶Ňőap one of the best choices when other rivers are running low.

Sara B. Hansen is a Denver-based freelance writer.

Efforts to restore the Hanging Lake Trail have spanned the 2020s. In the spring of 2024, a $4.7 million complete reconstruction project launched to expand access to the trail to pre-2020 levels, with everyone involved targeting June 18, 2026, as the date to unveil the final product to the public.

That day finally arrived, with the Hanging Lake Trail restored to its former glory — and beyond.

“There was no simple path forward. What followed was years of planning, collaboration, investment, hard work and conversation. An extraordinary coalition came together not just to restore the damaged Hanging Lake Trail but to rebuild it for the next century and create a more resilient trail designed to withstand future challenges while preserving future access to one of Colorado’s most beloved trails,” said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, the president and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, during the Hanging Lake Trail Restoration Ribbon Cutting celebration near the trailhead.

The effort brought together the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and more organizations. Funding came partially from Forest Service appropriations, a CPW grant, and more than 6,000 visitors who donated their canceled reservation fees to the restoration.

Read the full story from our partner at .

For more than a year, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has withheld $40 million awarded to the for the purchase of the water rights attached to Xcel Energy’s aging Shoshone Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon. The release of the federal funding brings the total amount secured for the purchase to $97 million — just shy of the $99 million needed for the project.

For years, the river district — a taxpayer-funded agency based in Glenwood Springs that works to protect Western Slope water — has worked to purchase the rights from the utility. Its leaders want to ensure that, even in dry years, the billions of gallons of water the rights command continue to flow west through the canyon and to the communities, wildlife habitats and farms downstream.

The district and other Western Slope entities feared the certainty of the flows would be threatened if another purchaser — like a Front Range utility — were able to snag the rights first.

The purchase is a “once-in-a-generation” investment in securing Western Slope water supplies, said Andy Mueller, the general manager of the Colorado River District, in a news release Friday. The federal dollars will add to the $20 million contributed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the $37 million raised by the district from Western Slope governments, organizations and irrigators.

“This award is a major breakthrough in our coalition’s effort to permanently secure historic flows on the Colorado River,” he said.

The Bureau of Reclamation in January 2025 — during the final days of the Biden administration — awarded the money to the Colorado River District as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. After taking office, President Donald Trump froze much of the funding allocated under the Biden-era act.

Members of Colorado’s federal delegation from both sides of the aisle pushed the Trump administration to release the money. Mueller thanked Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd, who represents much of the Western Slope, as well as Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, Sen. Michael Bennet and Sen. John Hickenlooper for their work advocating for the funding.

“This is a major step forward for Western Colorado and an important step toward protecting one of the most critical water resources in our region,” Hurd said in a news release Friday announcing the release of the funding. “The Shoshone water rights are foundational to the long-term health of the Colorado River system and essential to the farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and communities that depend on reliable water supplies.”

The federal funding brings the Shoshone water rights deal — originally inked in 2023 — one step closer to completion. Xcel Energy still needs approval for the sale from Colorado’s public utility regulators, and the river district must go through the state’s water court process.

The Trump administration in already-awarded Inflation Reduction Act funding for four other water projects related to the shrinking and overallocated Colorado River.

Still yet to be funded are nine more projects previously awarded a combined $52 million from the act, according to Hickenlooper’s office.

The officials voiced those concerns Wednesday as a brigade of state firefighters trained at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, spraying water from a $700,000 pumper truck, a smaller “quick reaction” pumper truck, and hoses. Another brigade trained at the Hanging Lake Tunnel in Glenwood Canyon. A few years ago, CDOT crews at the Eisenhower Tunnel, which runs for 1.7 miles under the Continental Divide, relied on a single 30-year-old fire truck.

At least four certified firefighters man the Eisenhower tunnel around the clock, tasked with responding in seconds if sensors detect flames — first evacuating people, then clearing vehicles, then activating a $25 million automated spray system. “We never know what’s going to happen. We always have to be ready,” four-year firefighter Damion Sands said during a break. They count on support from full fire crews arriving from Summit County to the west or Clear Creek County to the east.

For decades, CDOT has managed the vehicle fire risks from industry tanker trucks hauling oil, gas, and other hazardous materials on I-70. State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.

But now there’s a new threat.

“What we’re worried about is the EV fires. They don’t go out,” said Jori Ernst, CDOT’s emergency manager, during the training. “We’re not going to be able to fight them.”

Firefighters in full yellow garb, lugging respirators, practiced with hoses and water spray guns that can be controlled using joy sticks inside the trucks. They’re developing strategies for removing burning EVs from the tunnel and letting them burn outside. Crews are practicing with EV fire blankets — heavy tarps they can throw over burning vehicles to contain flames.

There’s never been a fatality caused by a vehicle fire in the Colorado I-70 mountain tunnels. But the a year ago in Wyoming that killed three people, and the 1999 in Europe that killed 39 people, have spurred safety efforts worldwide.

While EV risks aren’t fully understood, firefighters know the batteries that power them “burn hot, and release a lot of toxins,” complicating responses, CDOT fire program manager Peter Igel said. “Do we prevent the exposures and let those fires burn? Or do we try to suppress the fire? If the fire is in the tunnel, hopefully, we can move the burning vehicle outside.”

Since 2017, vehicles have caught fire and burned in the Eisenhower tunnel five times, forcing closures that lasted up to 14 hours, said Paul Fox, manager of CDOT’s tunnels.

The last fire on July 17, 2023, engulfed a van carrying 10 tourists, leading to an eight-hour closure. “We got them all out. They were worried about their luggage,” Fox said.

Another fire broke out in a box truck loaded with cardboard, he said. And one broke in an RV when a generator ignited.

“In the end, it doesn’t matter what starts the fire. It is if the big one happens. We are just worried about that.”

The will nearly double its spending on vegetation management to protect the state’s 9,000-mile highway network, tapping $12 million not used for snowplowing during this record-dry winter to hire tree-removal contractors, agency officials confirmed Friday.

They’ll cut down thousands of trees, with trunk diameters ranging from 2 inches to 2 feet, along highways and in adjacent forests to create bigger fire breaks. CDOT crews also will expand their twice-a-year mowing and spraying of herbicides.

“Colorado has seen record-breaking fires over the past few decades, and CDOT has to plan for the reality that we may see more record-breaking fires in years to come,” agency spokeswoman Stacia Sellers said.

State transportation commissioners this week approved the effort after agency meteorologists warned them of above-normal potential for large, fast-moving fires due to record-low snow and high temperatures. Wind-whipped fires this winter have forced highway closures along Interstate 25 north of Denver and Colorado 115 south of Colorado Springs.

On Friday, a 1,000-acre fire along Colorado 115 in Fremont County blew up, forcing a closure of lanes in both directions along a stretch north of Penrose.

“The ground will be dry and exposed to warming temperatures weeks ahead of when we’d normally expect it, and dry vegetation along road shoulders is fuel that roadside ignitions feed on. In most years, we have a buffer of snowmelt and spring moisture that keeps fire risk manageable until the summer. This year, we may not have that buffer,” Sellers said.

“When fires move fast through dry terrain and reach a highway corridor, we can go from an open road to a closed road in a matter of hours.”

Over nine months since July, CDOT-backed forest crews have removed 3,848 trees at a cost of $483,167, up from 2,453 trees cut down over the previous year, according to agency records. CDOT crews mowed and sprayed along 27,983 miles of road over the past nine months, costing $3.8 million, up from 27,754 miles, the records showed.

In 2020, fires forced CDOT to close multiple highways. The Grizzly Creek fire, which started in Glenwood Canyon, compelled an unprecedented two-week shutdown of Interstate 70, one of the nation’s most critical freight and travel corridors. The Cameron Peak fire forced the closure of Colorado 14 between Fort Collins and Walden, and the Pine Gulch fire closed Colorado 139 at Douglas Pass.

Climate conditions “affect everything we do,” state transportation commissioner Terry Hart said at a meeting on Wednesday, highlighting increased dangers. “It isn’t just in the mountains. It¶¶Ňőap out on the high plains as well.”

The state’s push to protect transportation reflected widening concern about the impacts of unprecedented dry and hot conditions at the end of a record-warm winter. Snow that fell recently in western Colorado and in the windy Front Range mountain foothills has melted. Multiple fires broke out, ignited by falling power lines and other human causes.

CDOT is working with the to prioritize high-risk highways. The agency does not employ arborists. Contractors will focus on removing dead and diseased trees most prone to burning and falling across highways, taking a “surgical” approach, mindful of environmental impacts on water flows and rules protecting migratory birds, a threatened rare mouse, and fish, CDOT deputy director of operations Bob Fifer told state commissioners.

They’ve started the clearing along highways in El Paso and Teller counties near Colorado Springs, Larimer and Jefferson counties in metro Denver, Garfield County along I-70, and in southwestern Colorado’s Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Dolores and San Miguel counties.

Federal and local land managers will work with CDOT to extend clearing into surrounding forests in mountain corridors along U.S. 6, Colorado  72, U.S. 160, U.S. 285 and portions of I-70, officials said.

The idea is to create clear breaks that can slow or stop flames.

“Our highway corridors run through some of the most fire-prone landscapes in the country,” Fifer said in an agency statement. “We have a responsibility not only to keep roads open, but to make sure our right of way isn’t contributing to the fire problem.”

CDOT also plans messaging to ramp up driver safety when driving through Colorado’s forests and grasslands because sparks from discarded cigarettes, hot catalytic converters or truck trailer chains easily can ignite dry weeds and wood along roads.

Charity Louise Johnson, 35, was arrested in Eagle County on suspicion of first-degree murder and booked into the Adams County jail late Tuesday, according to jail records.

Investigators identified Johnson and Kenny Espinosa, 27, as suspects after police found a man dead with gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Wolff Run Park on Saturday morning. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and seeing a car drive away from the park overnight.

Espinosa was arrested Tuesday after he shot at and fled from Eagle County deputies when they stopped his vehicle using spike strips. The manhunt to find him shut down Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon for several hours.

Westminster police previously released an incorrect spelling of Espinosa’s last name and corrected the spelling Wednesday.

Espinosa was taken to a hospital “for medical clearance” after his arrest and will be booked into the Adams County jail when he’s released, Westminster police said.

One person was shot by Eagle County sheriff’s deputies during the initial confrontation Tuesday, but the sheriff’s office confirmed that person was not Espinosa.

The investigation is ongoing, and the 17th Judicial District will determine official charges in the case.

Kenny Espinosa, 27, is a suspect in the death of a man found shot to death at Wolff Run Park early Saturday morning, Westminster Police Department spokesperson Samantha Spitz said.

She confirmed that he had been taken into custody shortly after 2:30 p.m. in a text message to The Denver Post.

Westminster police responded at 7 a.m. Saturday to a request for a welfare check at the park after people found the man lying face-down in the parking lot near West 76th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard. The man, who was dead, had several gunshot wounds, police said.

Eagle County sheriff’s deputies forced a suspect car linked to a Westminster homicide to a stop on eastbound I-70 early Tuesday morning. Espinosa then fled the scene after a shootout with law enforcement that injured another person in the car, according to a from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.

Eagle County Sheriff James Van Beek previously identified Espinosa as a 30-year-old man.

The Westminster shooting victim will be identified by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.

Vail Public Safety Communications, the dispatch center that serves all of Eagle County, received an alert just after 4 a.m. Tuesday that Espinosa may be traveling near Gypsum, according to the release.

Espinosa was believed to be armed and accompanied by hostages, Eagle County sheriff’s officials said in the release. Investigators have not yet determined if the five people in the car with the homicide suspect were hostages or how they were related, Van Beek said.

An Eagle County deputy found a car matching the suspect vehicle’s description speeding down westbound I-70 near Glenwood Springs early Tuesday morning and pursued it, according to the release.

Deputies tried to pull the driver over after he exited the westbound highway at No Name and got back onto eastbound I-70, but the driver refused to stop, sheriff’s officials said. Eagle County deputies then forced the car to a stop with a spike strip near milemarker 130.

Two people got out of the car, at least one of whom had a gun, and shots were fired between the two and law enforcement, Eagle County sheriff’s officials said. Sheriff’s officials did not specify if Espinosa was the driver.

One of the two was shot during the exchange and one fled the scene, prompting a manhunt, according to the sheriff’s office.

The remaining four passengers in the car were then contacted by law enforcement, according to the release.

As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, I-70 had reopened between exit 114 for west Glenwood Springs and exit 147 in Gypsum, .

Updated 2:56 p.m., Jan. 14, 2026: Because of incorrect information from a source, a previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Kenny Espinosa’s last name. The story has been updated.