Golf, whether in the Bay Area while with San Francisco 49ers or in the Denver area, always sounds like a good idea.

Sleep in? Sometimes simple is best.

Kick the feet up and watch a movie, maybe a little bit of film along the way? Indeed, air conditioning feels great after a long stretch of days on the field.

These days, McGlinchey sees none of that.

But, he said, it¶¶Òőap for good reason. He’s been promoted.

McGlinchey and his wife, Brooke, welcomed their second child the day after the Broncos lost in the AFC Championship Game.

“I would say dad is very much a support player, a role player, the first time around,” McGlinchey said earlier this summer. “All of a sudden, when there’s no free set of hands, dad gets elevated to the starting lineup.

“It¶¶Òőap fun. My son is almost 2 now. He doesn’t stop moving, he doesn’t stop talking and it¶¶Òőap a lot of fun. 
 It¶¶Òőap a full-time job, man. And I’ve got two of them now. It¶¶Òőap been a lot of fun and it¶¶Òőap the biggest blessing in the world.”

That¶¶Òőap a common theme around the Broncos locker room. The team features a bunch of young dads, including multi-kid veterans like McGlinchey, left tackle Garett Bolles and safety Talanoa Hufanga and also new additions to the ranks this offseason in quarterback Bo Nix and safety Brandon Jones.

Players spend training camp together in a hotel, so family time gets limited. After practice, families and friends of players make their way from the balcony and courtyard viewing area at the new team facility down to the indoor practice field and players make their way up for quick visits. Naturally, then, that¶¶Òőap how many like to spend their off days, too.

Second-year wide receiver Pat Bryant, who got married this summer during OTAs, said he takes a similar low-key approach on the rare occasion the club gets an off day.

“It¶¶Òőap a couple things to do around here that are fun, but my main focus is getting rest,” said Bryant, who has had a terrific training camp and appears poised for a Year 2 breakout. “Get as much sleep as possible, hang out with the wife for a couple hours and just kick my feet up and relax.”

All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz is a man of many hobbies, but he said recently that he used a weekend day to see released on 70-millimeter film by director Christopher Nolan this summer. You can also find Meinerz on an off day at the bowling alley, checking out avian variety with his birdwatching setup and app or, after dark, peering at the night sky through his telescope.

Players on the team have all kinds of other hobbies and things they like to do with their downtime during the summer or even during the regular season. If there’s a fishing spot to be found, Bolles may be there. Same for kicker Wil Lutz, who is also a high-quality golfer. Players in the offseason find unique, do-it-yourself workout routines, even if they’re also using the Broncos facilities. Veteran inside linebacker Alex Singleton set himself up with a sauna and cold plunge at his house and is a big believer in mobility-based training. Jaleel McLaughlin said he regularly made the trip to Colorado Springs to conquer the Manitou Incline. On the other end of the team’s weight spectrum from the diminutive running back, so, too, did Meinerz make the incline climb.

That’s all well and good, but training camp is a different story. In the heart of it, the Broncos were on the field 10 days in an 11-day stretch. The prep for 10 a.m. practices starts early and the last of the meetings goes well into the evening. It can feel like Groundhog Day.

When asked which day the previous week the team had gone together to see the new “Spider-Man” movie, All-Pro outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said he wasn’t even sure what day it was at that very moment.

There’s just not much downtime. After the Broncos’ preseason-opening win at Atlanta, the team’s charter landed back at Denver International Airport a little after 1 a.m. Saturday morning. Head coach Sean Payton said they had a practice scheduled for that afternoon. Not a taxing one, but back to it nonetheless.

That’s why rest and relaxation often win out when a rare camp-off day pops up on the schedule. You’ve got to be prepared for the grind, especially when your reason for playing starts to expand.

“Just being married give you a little extra job knowing that here soon I’m going to start a nice family,” Bryant, the 24-year-old receiver said with a smile recently. “Overall, it¶¶Òőap been great knowing I’ve got my wife in the stands, her family, my family. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my wife.”

Oh, right, there’s one more staple of a camp off-day: The honey-do list.

Bryant’s sure-handed in that regard, too.

“I took the garbage out before we were married,” he said.

The cause of death for Nickolay Jogolev, 48, is pending, said Heather Tremblay, a spokesperson for the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.

Jogolev was the father to a family of seven children, ages 4 to 21, in a blended family, his wife, Coral Jogolev told The Denver Post. The couple had three children together, he was helping raise her two children from a previous relationship and the couple had taken custody of two nieces who were in need of a stable home.

The children were his priority in life, she said. He worked in IT for CommonSpirit Health and was the family’s sole financial provider.

“He had a heart of gold,” Coral Jogolev said.

Jogolev experienced breathing problems while climbing the notoriously steep trail Saturday morning. Sheriff’s deputies cleared the incline just before 10 a.m. Saturday so first responders could reach him, but Jogolev died later at a hospital.

Jogolev, who was from Castle Rock, was hiking with Cub Scouts, and he and his son had stopped to rest at the halfway point, Coral Jogolev said.

Jogolev had climbed the incline with the Cub Scout pack last year and had participated in all the training hikes and climbs that led up to Saturday’s outing, his wife said. He never smoked or drank and could fit in the same clothes he wore 10 years ago, she said.

“It was very unexpected,” she said.

The 9-year-old child is especially shaken up, Coral Jogolev said.

“He’s taking it pretty rough,” she said.

Nickolay Jogolev immigrated to the United States from Russia in his early 20s with his mother and grandmother.

“Now, Coral is facing significant financial struggles. She will need help with ongoing bills, daily necessities, child care, and transportation for her kids,” the fundraiser stated. “The loss of Nick has left a gap not only emotionally, but also in the practical support that kept their family running.”

The emergency led the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to close the incline for several hours. Deputies asked people to clear out the rest area at the 1,000 step point.

The , located at the base of Pikes Peak, gains 2,000 feet of elevation over 2,768 steps in less than a mile. It is a popular challenge for outdoors and fitness enthusiasts.

A 64-year-old Oregon man died in April 2025 while attempting the climb.

Sheriff’s officials just before 10 a.m. so first responders could get to a person having a medical emergency, the agency posted on social media. The sheriff’s office asked people on the trail to avoid the 1,000-step rest area.

The person later “succumbed to their illness” and died, sheriff’s officials said.

“Thank you to all of the citizens who called into our 911 dispatch, assisted the individual until help arrived and to the first responders who responded to the scene — including our Search and Rescue team,” the said on X.

Sheriff’s officials reopened the trail about noon.

The Incline is known as one of Colorado’s most challenging hikes, with hikers gaining 2,000 feet in less than a mile as they ascend 2,768 steep, uneven steps. to hike the trail.

An Oregon man also died on the incline in April 2025 after going into medical distress.

The app is especially important to Colorado, it turns out, because the state placed second to California for the most navigations (activities recorded by app members) and elevation gained, according to 2025 data released by the company. Colorado was also third for hiking distance with 11.6 million miles logged, following Oregon and California.

But not all trails on AllTrails are created equal. Here are the 10 most popular hikes in Colorado, listed from most to least navigated using AllTrails last year. Routes range from easy to strenuous, and all are within a two-hour drive of Denver.

10)

Arapaho National Forest, Dillon

Hike length: 6.6 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 1,758 feet

This short but challenging stretch of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is especially popular during peak wildflower season. Rosy paintbrushes and blue and white columbines line the path in July, followed by golden willows in autumn. The start of this hike is especially steep, as is the last half-mile to Herman Lake, but the views are unparalleled. Plan to start early, as this trail ascends above treeline.

9)

Roosevelt National Forest, Eldora

Hike length: 4.2 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 830 feet

A popular day trip and backpacking destination, Lost Lake is located just west of Eldora. A free shuttle operates between the town and the Hessie Trailhead on select dates between May 22 and Oct. 11, as parking is limited. This moderate route features several waterfalls and wooden bridges over Boulder Creek, along with eight designated campsites around the lake. Note that moose are often seen on this trail.

8)

Mount Evans Wilderness, Idaho Springs

Hike length: 7.3 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 2,736 feet

Many summit Mount Bierstadt as their first fourteener given its distance from Denver and lesser degree of difficulty. Still, this Class 2 trail demands serious effort. From the trailhead, a wooden boardwalk leads to steep switchbacks and some scrambling near the 14,064-foot peak, which offers panoramic Front Range views. Arrive before dawn to secure parking and to beat summer’s afternoon storms.

7)

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park

Hike length: 5.2 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 1,112 feet

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, this extension of Colorado’s most popular trail connects four alpine lakes: Nymph, Dream and Emerald, as well as Haiyaha. To reach the last in the series, take the side trail on the east end of Dream Lake, passing Longs Peak views before reaching Lake Haiyaha. Trout swim in its brilliant turquoise waters, while elk and sunbathing marmots are often seen from the path.

6)

Mount Galbraith Park, Golden

Hike length: 4.3-mile lollipop loop

Elevation gain: 921 feet

With its easy access, moderate difficulty and expansive views, the Mount Galbraith Loop is appealing. Follow the narrow Cedar Gulch Trail, then veer left at the junction to ascend the circuit clockwise, admiring Golden scenery and the distant Denver skyline. Though rocky, the loop’s descent is shaded by pines, unlike much of this otherwise sunny hike. Be wary of rattlesnakes in the warm months.

5)

Arapaho National Forest, Idaho Springs

Hike length: 1.7 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 508 feet

Past the town of Idaho Springs, drive up forested Fall River Road to this short but famous and much-loved trail with its grand views. The route gains steady elevation to the glistening shore of Saint Mary’s Lake, which is set beneath a semi-permanent snowfield. Many hikers cool off on this patch of frost before returning the way they came. Be sure to arrive early, as lots fill quickly during peak season; there is also a $20 parking fee.

4)

Pike National Forest, Manitou Springs

Hike length: 4.1-mile loop

Elevation gain: 1,978 feet

Despite its heart-pounding difficulty, the Manitou Incline is the state’s fourth busiest trail. Railroad ties of a former cable car track create its steep staircase, which ascends around 2,000 feet in less than a mile. Downhill hiking is not permitted on the Incline, but three bailout points help ease concerns. Those who reach the top return via the Barr Trail’s switchbacks. Note: free online reservations are required.

3)

Clear Creek Canyon Park, Golden

Hike length: 2.5-mile lollipop

Elevation gain: 239 feet

Located west of downtown Golden, the Gateway Trailhead provides hikers access to this easy lollipop route, which features a short segment of the paved Clear Creek Trail (previously known as the Peaks to Plains Trail). Around the one-mile marker, cross the sturdy Welch Ditch suspension bridge and start back towards the trailhead, following along the rugged canyon walls that often draw rock climbers.

2)

Red Rocks Park, Morrison

Hike length: 1.6-mile loop

Elevation gain: 364 feet

Visitors to Red Rocks Amphitheatre see a new perspective of the landscape on this short, moderate loop. The dusty path weaves between spiky yucca, twisted shrubs and towering sandstone formations of rusty hues. Despite the frequent crowds, mule deer are a common sighting. Hikers can start this trail at the Trading Post or from access points adjacent to the Upper South Lot.

1)

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park

Hike length: 3.3 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 715 feet

It may come as no surprise that Colorado’s busiest trail is set in Rocky Mountain National Park. On this moderate route, hikers pass lily pad-covered Nymph Lake and dramatic Dream Lake views before reaching the edge of sparkling Emerald Lake. From May 22 to Oct. 18, timed-entry reservations are required, and the park’s free shuttle is recommended, given limited parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead.

Bystanders called 911 about 10:23 a.m. after finding the man “in medical distress,” Manitou Springs officials said in a news release. He was approximately 150-200 steps up the Incline, spokesperson Cassandra Hessel said.

People on scene started CPR, but the man was unresponsive when emergency crews arrived. He was later pronounced dead.

The man’s cause of death is under investigation, city officials said.

The Incline is a famously challenging hike with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. It draws an estimated 250,000 hikers every year, according to the city.

“City officials remind all climbers, especially those traveling from out of state, to thoroughly assess their physical condition, understand the difficulty of the climb and come properly prepared,” Manitou Springs officials said in a statement.

It wasn’t until years later, when she took a job with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, that Stark learned about the path’s hidden history as a railroad track.

Chances are, you, too, have used a rail-trail without knowing it. Since the 1960s, communities nationwide have reimagined decommissioned railway lines, transforming old train tracks into a national network of scenic “rail-trails” that offer modern recreators a glimpse into the past while inviting opportunities for exercise and active transit.

The rail-trail movement really took off in 1963, when American naturalist May Theilgaard Watts wrote a letter to the editor of The Chicago Tribune envisioning a path along an abandoned course of the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad. A few rail trails were already built, and in addition to helping create the Illinois Prairie Path, Watts’ letter sparked a national grassroots effort that paved the way for 25,934 miles (and counting) of rail trails in all 50 states.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy formed in 1986, and while the group’s focus has since shifted to the advancement and development of all trails, rail trails will always be a cornerstone of the conservancy’s mission.

“The rail-trail is a great concept because we’re reusing existing corridors,” said Stark, RTC’s senior editor.

Since railroad lines linked communities, rail trails typically function as connectors, too. While there’s no standard rail-trail surface – developers choose surfaces to best meet local needs – the vast majority of rail trails are low-grade since it was cheaper and easier to construct railroad tracks on level terrain. In the mountains, though, there are certainly some exceptions to that rule.

Colorado claims at least 40 rail trails, according to the conservancy’s TrailLink app (). Many of our regional rail trails wind through iconic locales and jaw-dropping settings. In case you need another reason to hit the trails, April 26 marks Celebrate Trails Day, an annual Rails to Trails Conservancy observance prompting pedestrians nationwide to walk, hike, bike and roll into spring.

Here are a few rail trails to kickstart the 2025 hiking season.

Aspen to Glenwood Springs

Length: 42 miles

End points: Herron Park, 108 Neale Ave. (Aspen) and Two Rivers Park, 740 Devereux Road (Glenwood Springs)

Trail surfaces: asphalt with some sections of concrete and compacted gravel

Set high in the Rockies, serving an average of 85,000 users annually, the Rio Grande Trail is Colorado’s longest rail trail. For a short bike ride, or a longer day hike, explore the 8-mile segment from Aspen to Woody Creek, the laidback mountain town that Hunter S. Thompson called home. Woody Creek Tavern, 2858 Upper River Road, is a popular hangout offering lunch and dinner seven days a week.

You might also consider a pit stop in Basalt, an old railroad town, where you can’t go wrong with Westbound & Down, 371 Market St. Or bring provisions to enjoy at one of the picnic tables and benches along the route.

Regardless of how far you venture out, be ready for a seriously scenic excursion as you follow the Roaring Fork River past towering mountain peaks, sagebrush plains and ranchlands. Look for anglers on the banks of the water, along with feathered fishermen such as bald eagles, osprey and blue herons.

Hikers who’d rather tour the trail’s western reaches can start in Glenwood Springs, at Two Rivers Park, 740 Devereux Road, and begin walking south, away from town. Treat this segment as an out-and-bike hike, or haul it to mile marker 6.8 and catch a bus back to town. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority operates multiple lines with stops along the Rio Grande Trail; visit for details.

You’ll have a couple of options for soaking tired legs in hot springs: Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 281 Centennial St., and Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, 401 N. River St. (the latter is a family-friendly property). There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the newish outdoor dining area under the bridge, in Bethel Plaza, 704 Grand Ave.

For a daylong excursion, start in Aspen – try Aspen Collection, 611 E. Durant Ave., or Four Mountain Sports, multiple locations, for rentals – and coast 2,000 feet downhill to reach Glenwood Springs in 3 to 4 hours.

Be advised: The Rio Grande Trail is open year-round, but the section between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine Bridge is closed seasonally until April 30 to protect wildlife. If you try the ride later this spring, and aren’t too keen on the uphill climb back to Pitkin County, two bike-accommodating bus lines – the L and BRT routes – will cart riders between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, from early April through November. Free bike loading is first-come, first-served, and you’ll have to get on at a designated bike loading stop. A map is available on RFTA’s website.

Leadville

Length: 11.7 miles

End points: The dirt pullout near 999 S. Highway 24 (Leadville)

Trail surfaces: Asphalt

Most rail trails are straight and relatively flat, but Leadville’s Mineral Belt Trail is one of the rule-breakers. The wide path forms a circle around North America’s highest incorporated town, maintaining an average grade of 3 percent – though some spots are steeper. Expect undulations as you loop past a slew of historic mining relics that have been preserved for trail users. Interpretative signs also bring Leadville’s colorful past to life, making this outing as educational as it is scenic. (Psst, parents: Ask kids to look for the Bigfoot cutouts around mile markers 3 and 9.)

To reduce the intensity, start your adventure at Mile Marker 0, located north of Colorado Mountain College Leadville, at the dirt pullout servicing Dutch Henry Tubing Hill. Portable toilets are available at this trailhead, and if you travel clockwise, you’ll be moving downhill on the steepest trail segments.

At over 10,000 feet in elevation, the Mineral Belt integrates portions of three major rail lines that served Leadville in the early 1900s. Hikers and bikers get sweeping views of the Collegiate Peaks and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s tallest mountain. In March and April, bring your snowshoes, Nordic skis or fat bike: This trail is snow-packed and groomed through early spring; it should be cleared for regular walking and biking by May.

Those who would prefer a shorter undertaking can start in the town’s mining district. Park on East Fifth or East Seventh streets, at the pullouts near the Trail Street intersection, and treat your walk or ride as an out-and-back excursion.

Afterward, check out the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, 120 W. Ninth St., or take a ride on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, 326 E. Seventh St., a tourist train offering scenic, roundtrip rides. Be sure to book your Winter Express reservations online in advance.

You’ll also want to spend some time perusing Leadville’s charming shops and restaurants, including The Famous, at 313 Harrison Ave., a pizza joint and sports pub located next door to Cycles of Life, 309 Harrison Ave., where riders can procure rentals for the day. Those starting from Mile Marker 0 might try Two Mile Brewing Company, 101 Harrison Ave., just south of town.

“Leadville is Colorado’s two-mile-high city,” Stark reminds trail users, adding, “Be prepared to be a little winded.” Pack plenty of water and layers since the weather can change in an instant in the High Country.

Manitou Springs

Length: 1 (very tough) mile

Access point: Barr Trailhead, 98 Hydro St. (Manitou Springs)

Trail surfaces: Uneven wooden steps; dirt

For a serious workout, Stark suggests the Manitou Incline. This wildly popular rail-trail route offers a heart-pounding, mile-long ascent up a series of stairs. Breathtaking panoramic views are the reward for major physical endurance. (Actually, forget the vistas: It¶¶Òőap mostly the climb that’ll have you gasping for air.)

Originally built in 1907 as a funicular servicing a nearby hydroelectric plant, the Incline has since been converted into a staircase, essentially, with some 2,700 wooden steps running along the path of the old rail line.

Take note: These steps are uneven and can be as high as 2 feet at points, making this hike notoriously tough. With an average grade of 45 percent, the Manitou Incline ascends 2,000 feet in under a mile. About 300 steps below the final summit, there’s a soul-crushing false summit that marks the beginning of a 68-percent-grade segment. This will be your last chance to bail before reaching the summit. Two additional bail-outs precede the false summit, allowing climbers to hop onto Barr Trail, which zigzags up the mountain.

If you’re up for the challenge, carry at least 2 liters of water (more is better), along with electrolyte drinks and high-energy snacks. Don’t forget sunscreen, sturdy athletic shoes, and layers; some people find trekking poles help with balance during the ascent. Start early, especially in summer, to avoid the heat, and remember to pace yourself.

Despite its demanding course, the Manitou Include is a popular workout spot, drawing some 70,000 visitors annually. A reservation system helps to manage the growing number of hiking enthusiasts. Be sure to make your reservation in advance online at e. Through April 30, winter hours are from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Once you reach the top, the Barr Trail provides a gentler (but not exactly gentle), miles-long descent through sparse forest on dirt singletrack. Parking is available, for a fee, at the Hiawatha Gardens Parking Lot, 10 Old Man’s Trail. A free shuttle takes hikers from this lot to the trailhead. For a closer option, you can park at Iron Springs Melodrama, 444 Ruxton Ave., for $15.

There’s no trail parking permitted at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway’s Manitou Depot, 515 Ruxton Ave., but if you’re digging the rail-trail theme, then you might want to book a roundtrip seat to the top of Pikes Peak on this scenic line. You can also hike up the fourteener, via the 13-mile Barr Trail, and ride the Cog back down. Or take the Cog up, and bike down.

Post-adventure, you should definitely reward yourself with lunch in the quirky town of Manitou Springs. Totally Nuts & Company, 919 Manitou Ave., sells great homemade lemonade. Once you’re hydrated, choose from a handful of restaurants in downtown Manitou Springs – they’re all locally owned and operated.

Last year, more than 20,000 people nationwide participated in Celebrate Trails Day, and there will likely be Colorado events to commemorate the special day. Visit , and click on the Celebrate Trails Day link to access a running list of events in your area.

“Celebrate Trails Day events are awesome,” Stark added, “but we also encourage people to go out on their own, to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine with family and friends.”

The evergreen tree growing atop the stairway that ascends 2,000 feet up a hillside near Manitou Springs has for years been by hikers during the holiday season.

Visitors who complete the grueling, mile-long climb today can instead expect to find from Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services citing city ordinances that prohibit littering or causing damage to trees and grass.

“As beautiful as they are, ornaments are made of plastic, which is an environmental toxin, and when they fly off in the wind, they become litter,” the message reads in part. “Lights disorient birds and other wildlife and create an entanglement risk. Lights are also a fire hazard, even in the winter.”

In a statement shared with The Denver Post the city said personal items removed from the tree Monday are in the process of being returned to their owners.

The city also asked would-be guerilla decorators to leave their holiday ornaments at home.

“We kindly ask the public to respect the Leave No Trace principles, which help protect our wildlife and natural resources,” the city said. “These principles encourage all visitors to minimize their impact on the environment, ensuring that our parks remain beautiful and accessible for everyone.”

Outdoor recreation advocates fear that’s precisely what is happening to the majestic 14,107-foot peak that soars above Colorado Springs, along with the surrounding Pike National Forest.

“We’re trashing America’s Mountain,” says Susan Davies, executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition of the Pikes Peak region.

Increasing population, untrained newcomers to outdoor recreation and blatant disregard for the natural environment are causing resource damage, advocates say, spoiling the experience for those who recreate responsibly. As a result, some are proposing that Colorado Parks and Wildlife take over management on the mountain, which currently involves multiple agencies. Discussions are only in preliminary stages, but CPW isn’t opposed to the idea.

“There are, potentially, multiple benefits,” said Frank McGee, southeast region manager for CPW. “In addition to increased or better developed recreational amenities, if we can do a better job of concentrating recreational uses, there’s also an opportunity to reduce impacts on natural resources.”

Among advocates for recreation on Pikes Peak and in the surrounding forest, there is widespread alarm that something must be done.

“Many of us have been convinced for some time that the forest is just broken,” Davies says. “It¶¶Òőap so large, it¶¶Òőap so loved, the population is growing so fast. We are also seeing a level of brazenness that we didn’t see before. People drive up and dump a refrigerator. People drive up and dump a stolen car. People are shooting up trees. I hear and see these things. It¶¶Òőap not that they think they can do it; they know they can get away with it. They’re spoiling my forest.”

Ryan Nehl, supervisor of the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, said the level of irresponsible behavior on the mountain is alarming.

“We do a lot of clean-up on the mountain,” Nehl said. “I was just at our facility and we had over a dozen abandoned RVs that we had collected and were disposing of. It¶¶Òőap a very costly, sometimes dangerous, activity when you come across things like that in the forest. Our law enforcement agents are highly professional and very good at what they do, but the scale of the problem — we could use some assistance. If the state could provide some assistance in that manner, I would be overjoyed.”

Similar behavior has occurred in popular recreation areas across Colorado in recent years, especially since the pandemic which brought out an influx of nature neophytes. But Pikes Peak has unique pressures. It is the only Colorado fourteener located on the outskirts of a metropolitan area — Colorado Springs being Colorado’s second-largest city — and one of the few that is a drive-to tourist destination. Nearly 24 million visited the area in 2022.

The summit is only 12 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, as the crow flies. Hiking to the summit — a 7,400-foot ascent via Barr Trail — or driving up via the Pikes Peak Highway are major attractions. So are the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline. The nearby Garden of the Gods also attracts millions of people annually.

“Trash and dumping is probably one of the biggest challenges we started seeing, dumping on our public lands like never before,” said Becky Leinweber, executive director of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance. “It¶¶Òőap so many tons and tons of dumping of materials. In addition to that, we’re seeing a lot of conflicts between users. With more people comes more interactions, and people not enjoying the experience as much. We’ve got people hiking while other people are running, you’ve got motorized (users) on some of the multi-use trails as well.

“The experience isn’t as great as it used to be,” Leinweber added. “A lot of people end up going off-trail, or off-system trails, creating their own (trails), so we’re seeing more resource damage that way. Bathrooms, if they’re open and maintained, are getting overwhelmed. We truly don’t have enough infrastructure to support all of this use we’ve seen seeing.”

Pikes Peak and surrounding slopes are under multiple jurisdictions, which complicates the problem. Among them are the Pike National Forest, the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities and others. The city manages the toll gate, the Pikes Peak Highway, the summit and pullouts along the road.

“The area that is managed by the city of Colorado Springs is not the area that is experiencing those problems, because it is managed by a toll gate,” said Britt Haley, director of the city’s department of parks, recreation and cultural services. “Obviously nobody is paying that toll and then dumping a refrigerator off the side of the highway. In the Pike and San Isabel forest, there are a lot of issues that we think additional coordination and support would be able to help manage.”

Leinweber’s group is looking hard for solutions. The Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance is a partnership comprised of government agencies, outdoor businesses and non-profits including CPW, the forest service, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office of state government, the Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado Outdoor Partnership. PPORA began working on the issues facing the region in 2017.

“Even at that time, we were seeing quite a bit of growth, and what we were hearing from our land managers was that they were seeing changes, not just the numbers of people using our public lands, but the impacts and their level of education, just people knowing how to be out there,” Leinweber said. “They were seeing a lot of irresponsible use, some user conflicts, way back then. We started leaning in on, how do we work together to tackle these issues?”

PPORA is pursuing solutions through a process it calls the Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative, consulting stakeholders, conducting public listening sessions, surveys and outreach.

“We now have some draft strategies and action items that will be coming to the public in the next couple of months, when we have our next round of public listening sessions,” Leinweber said. “We took all the feedback we got from the public, from planning, from the alternative models, from listening to stakeholders and industry, and we broke into smaller focus groups to lean into some of these things. One model really did rise to the top as something that needed greater consideration and exploration.”

That was the example of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, a massive swath of land that extends nearly 150 miles along the Arkansas River from Leadville to Pueblo Reservor through Buena Vista, Salida, Cañon City and Florence. Most of the land belongs to the BLM or U.S. Forest Service, but CPW manages it.

Some see that as a possible model to solve the mounting problems on Pikes Peak, but they stress they are far from making decisions.

“We’re nowhere near that,” Leinweber said. “It has been, ‘Hah, this is an interesting thought; what would that look like in our area?’ What considerations would we need to think about to holistically manage that, similar to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, where the user experience is consistent across the landscape? How can (CPW’s) involvement support our other land managers? How can what they do add resources to our other land managers that they can’t tap into right now?”

The Arkansas Headwaters is not an “equitable comparison,” Nehl said.

“We’ve got some differences of scale,” Nehl said. “The Arkansas Headwaters is a narrow band along the river corridor. We’re talking on a scale of over 200,000 acres for the Pikes Peak massif.”

Furthermore, Nehl said, to enter into an agreement with another agency to manage recreation on forest land would require revisions to the official forest plan, likely involving a lengthy process that includes an environmental impact study and public engagement.

“We manage on behalf of the American people, not just a localized area,” Nehl said. “We certainly take into account local interests and work with local partners. But a change of this scale would best be done through a forest plan revision process. That’s the guiding document we use for making substantive changes on the landscape.”

Native American voices need to be involved, Nehl added.

“There is a significant amount of tribal interest in that mountain,” Nehl said. “It is a sacred site, and we need to have those tribal voices in the room when we are having these discussions.”

The process already has been long, and much is left to do, but there is urgency among those trying to save Pikes Peak.

“Whatever solution we end up with, we need to move forward, and we need to move forward fast,” Leinweber said. “The problems are only growing, and the growth of people coming is not going to change. Planning for that is the smart way to go.”

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“I think there’s always a couple of people that don’t think you can step into that role,” Christian Braun, the Nuggets’ second-year swingman, offered up earlier this week. “But I always end up rising to that occasion.”

Basically, Braun has a message for all the trolls and teleprompter twits who don’t think he’s up for walking a mile in Bruce Brown’s shoes. Know what? You’re right.

He wants to slip on those bad boys Brucey B left behind and sprint up the Manitou Incline at full tilt.

“I want that challenge,” the Nuggets’ breakout rookie and one-time NCAA champion at Kansas said during a promotional appearance with Qdboa in Lakewood. “I want a bigger role and I think everybody wants a bigger role.

“But the fact that the Nuggets show confidence in me and (in) our young guys to come in and take over that role and make that next step means a lot to me. And obviously, I’m going to prove them right.”

Obviously?

“It’s a good challenge and it’s something I’m looking forward to,” Braun continued. “And I can’t wait to get out there. You know, it’s always good to take a step up in your role. And I think that my whole career in college, (it was) the same way.”

See that smoke? Braun wants it. Hater smoke. Doubter smoke. Kendrick Perkins smoke. All of it.

Oh yeah, and the rock. Wants that, too.

“I mean, the work has already started (for me), just doing certain things to expand my game, doing certain things to be a better ballhandler, secondary ballhandler,” the 6-foot-6 Kansas native stressed.

“With Bruce being gone, I’m gonna have more opportunities like that. I think I’m prepared for that. I mean, that’s just part of your whole career — you take a step up there to (get) here.”

The next step is turning the jumper from a hope to a weapon, whether it¶¶Òőap cashing in those no-looks from Nikola Jokic or dropping daggers that keep the second unit¶¶Òőap offense afloat. The ballhandling thing isn’t so much about stepping on the toes of Reggie Jackson and Jalen Pickett as it is giving coach Michael Malone another option in a pinch.

Sort of like you-know-who. Only taller.

“You learn a lot from a guy like (Brown),” Braun said of the former Nuggets sixth man and postseason hero, now a wealthy Indiana Pacer. “I think (Bruce is) a defensive-minded player that ended up playing really well on offense for us.

“I just learned to play hard like that and love (the area). I think (Brown) really stepped into his role and stepped into a new city and fell in love with the city. And I think that that’s why he got all that success.”

The defending NBA champs, on paper, are bringing a more athletic bench to the fight than a year ago. Now whether it turns out to be a better bench depends on the health of the starting five (knocks wood) and the growth of Braun and Peyton Watson.

“I didn’t expect to come in my rookie year and have the ball in my hands all the time. But I do expect, going forward, that I’ll get more and more opportunities,” Braun noted.

“So (the work is on) my overall game. Whether it’s catch-and-shoot, whether it’s hitting free throws this year, things like that, just focus on my game. And everybody knows when I get that opportunity, I’m going to play hard on defense, I’m going to get to every play.”

And if you don’t want to take a Jayhawk at his word, then consider Malone’s actions.

The Nuggets coach trusts your typical rookie about as far as he can throw him. Yet since the 2015-16 season, only three newbies have seen more total minutes in their first NBA seasons in Denver than : Jokic (1,733), Jamal Murray (1,764) and Emmanuel Mudiay (2,068).

As far as rookie playoff minutes under Malone, only Michael Porter Jr. in the ’20 bubble (451) got more run than Braun landed (247) this past spring.

On Chopper Circle, trust isn’t a given.

It¶¶Òőap earned. The hard way.

“I think there’s always people that step into that (larger) role,” Braun allowed, “but I think I learned a lot from a lot of people last year. And I think I’m ready.”

For better or worse, the road to the NBA Finals runs right through those punchable dimples. The grin on Braun’s face said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Golden

Nearby adventure: North Table Mountain hiking, riding, running

Not only is New Terrain situated within easy access of numerous trails, but it sits at the base of North Table Mountain with a trail leading to the backside of the mountain and the Golden Bike Park next door. Although the beer garden and patio are spacious the place gets poppin’ on the weekends especially, so claiming a table or corner to call your own amid the kids and dogs can sometimes require patience. The outdoor stage features live music most Thursday afternoons and there’s always at least one food truck on hand. New Terrain brews up some of the best suds in the state, as well as kombucha and nitro coffee.

Nearby adventure: Peaks to Plains and Clear Creek trails, Clear Creek whitewater park

Sitting almost within splashing distance of Clear Creek and its famed whitewater park and directly off the Peaks to Plains trail (the paved path that eventually will span 65 miles from Denver to Loveland Pass), The Eddy is an obvious detour or end point for numerous adventures. Its herb- and fruit-infused cocktails are a multisensory experience and its eats – whether soup, salad or burger from the Taproom or barbecue and shake from the food truck — are tasty and colorful. The patio becomes its own community on the weekends, with live music and cornhole games galore

Morrison

Nearby adventure: Red Rocks Park, Bear Creek Lake Park, The Lobby rock climbing

Often overlooked as concertgoers are bee-lining to Red Rocks Amphitheatre or cyclists and motorists are heading off on the Lariat Loop, the Rooftop Tavern is unquestionably Morrison’s most scenic patio. With views of the surrounding foothills, the elevated deck is also a great vantage point for people-watching. Connected to downstairs’ Italian haunt Tony Rigatoni’s, the Rooftop’s menu is small, but satisfying, offering a quality selection of snacks (charcuterie, mussels, Italian nachos) and beer, wine and cocktails. There’s no better place to end a hike or ride through Bear Creek Lake Park or Red Rocks Park or a rock climbing excursion on the neighboring cliffs

Breckenridge

Nearby adventure: Hiking and biking the Barney Flow, Juniata, Sallie Barber trails

Breckenridge Main Street can resemble a parade with all of the crowds that roll through on a summer weekend. And if that’s your scene, have at it! A short ride away, there’s one sprawling patio that delivers not only a peaceful respite, but arguably the best views of the Ten Mile Range. Located above town at The Lodge at Breckenridge, Traverse’s patio looks directly out upon Breckenridge Ski Resort and beyond, offering a sweeping panorama of Quandary Peak and the entire Ten Mile Range. The simple menu features upscale pub fare — fried brussels sprouts and chicken wings for starters, gourmet burgers and elk tenderloin for entrees, craft cocktails and decent wine and beer selections, including a couple of local brews. The most rewarding way to soak up this patio is by hiking or biking from Carter Park in town. It¶¶Òőap all uphill to get here, but all downhill on the way back

Grand Junction

Nearby adventure: Hiking and biking Colorado National Monument, the Lunch Loops

There’s no shortage of great patios in downtown Grand Junction (TacoParty, Rockslide Brewery, etc.), but given its location at the mouth of Colorado National Monument and less than a mile from GJ’s famed (but technical and rocky) Lunch Loops mountain bike trails, Handlebar wins. Openly inviting you to start and end your ride (or hike) here (complete with loaner bike locks), the rooftop patio is your ultimate finish line. Kick back with a craft pint from 24 rotating taps (including local brews, of course) and take your pick from a short list of creative burgers, salads and poutines

Buena Vista

Nearby adventure: Running or riding the Whipple and Midland trail systems, boating the Arkansas River and BV Whitewater Park

You can pretty much just follow the locals to House Rock Kitchen in the heart of Buena Vista, a few blocks from the bustling paddling scene on The Ark as well as the main trailhead for the Midland hike and mountain bike trails. House Rock’s patio is spacious, with a couple of shaded tables and the seasonally fresh, relatively healthy food is outstanding (burgers, sandwiches, burritos and an assortment of creative bowls). The beer and wine selections are on point and the kombucha mixed drinks are refreshing, tasty and oddly nourishing

Fort Collins

Nearby adventure: Biking the Poudre Trail recreation path

Located a few miles north of Old Town, Colorado State University and FoCO’s epicenter of action, Jessup Farm is a bit of a hidden gem — as hidden as a vast collection of historic (converted) farm buildings can be, anyway. While the place no longer operates as a farm, its beautiful patio is surrounded by the vegetables and herbs that go directly into just about every brunch, lunch or dinner dish, rendering it about as farm-to-table as you can get. It¶¶Òőap also not unheard of to find fresh herbs in the tasty and potent cocktails. Although Jessup does not sit precisely along the Poudre Trail, the 21-mile rec path is less than a mile away, offering a peaceful pedal through nearby green and pond-strewn natural areas and throughout town

Steamboat Springs

Nearby trails: Running and biking the Emerald Mountain trail system and Yampa River rec path, boating the Yampa

There are several nice patios on Yampa Street, directly across from Emerald Mountain (a.k.a. Howelsen Hill) and adjacent to the Yampa River, but Mountain Tap, open for lunch and dinner, is a perennial favorite. Whether you’re stringing together a daylong bike ride on Emerald’s vast network of singletrack or knocking out a quick hike, trail run or stroll on the expansive rec path — or paddling or tubing the river — a wood-fired pizza and cold beer hits the spot every time

Manitou Springs

Nearby adventure: hiking the Manitou Incline or Pikes Peak, or biking or climbing nearby

The outside dining at Manitou Brewing, though compact, is peaceful, tucked off the main drag and under an umbrella of trees. It¶¶Òőap especially refreshing after a haul up the Manitou Include – located about a mile up the road – or a trek up Pikes Peak or along the extensive trail system winding through the foothills. Especially for being a small operation, Manitou’s brews are among the best in region and its selection of burgers and sandwiches is equally fresh and flavorful. There’s a full bar for the non-beer drinkers, too. And it’s only a mile from hiking, biking and climbing in Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Vail

Nearby adventure: Hiking and biking Vail Mountain and Meadow Mountain

There are two locations for Eagle County’s top brewery – the flagship spot tucked amid warehouses in Eagle-Vail (but an easy pedal away from Meadow Mountain and its web of singletrack) and the taproom with a smaller but much more scenic patio overlooking bustling Vail Village. The Eagle-Vail location does have the Rocky Mountain Taco food truck going for it. Although the Vail location does not offer food, you’re allowed to bring food in. Take-out from the upscale Deca or the affordable and decadent La Cantina are solid options

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