also regulates hunting and enforces
hunting regulations for big game, small
game and waterfowl. Colorado hunters
most commonly seek deer, elk, antelope
and bear. Hunters are required to take a
qualified hunter education course prior to
applying for a hunting license. The impact
of the hunting and fishing industries in
Colorado is large: combined, hunting and
fishing add up to a $3.2 billion-per-year
industry in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
6060 Broadway, Denver, 80216
303-297-1192; www.cpw.state.co.us
SCUBA DIVING
You might not guess it, but landlocked
Denver even offers some opportunities
for scuba enthusiasts—from swimming
with exotic sea life to hosting trips
around the world.
A- 1 Scuba & Travel Center
1800 W. Oxford Ave., Englewood, 80110
303-789-2450; www.a1scuba.com
Denver Divers
557 Milwaukee St., Denver, 80206
303-399-2877; www.denverdivers.com
Underwater Phantaseas Scuba Center
6860 S. Clinton Court,
Englewood, 80112; 303-220-8282
www.underwaterphantaseas.com
WINTER SPORTS
Is there a better place than Colorado to
take part in winter Sports? Many consider
the Denver area in particular to be one
of the best spots in the country for winter
sports. Consider the number of prime ski
resorts, such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper
Mountain, Keystone, Loveland Ski Area,
Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Winter
Park, Steamboat and Aspen. Visitors can
engage in such outdoor sporting activities
as snowmobiling, sledding, snowboarding,
ice skating, indoor or outdoor swimming
and, of course, skiing, as well as enjoying
hot-tubbing, game rooms and local entertainment. Snowshoers and cross-country
skiers enjoy extensive networks of trails.
Depending on the resort these trails can be
enjoyed without charge. Many ski resorts
are a fairly easy drive from the metro area,
often no more than 2 hours away. Visitors
can save money by experiencing the resorts
during the offseason.
SNOWSKIING, MOUNTAIN
ADVENTURES & MORE
Fresh powder is calling your name. Often
an hour’s drive from the metro Denver area,
the region is a skier’s delight. Colorado’s 26
ski areas range from small, two-run slopes to
world famous resorts like Aspen, Steamboat
Springs, Vail and Telluride. Other winter
sports enjoyed by visitors include cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing
and snowmobiling—not to mention the
many adventures to be had just exploring the
mountains. Sitting at the ski lodge sipping
hot cocoa is also a perfectly acceptable and
enjoyable activity!
DENVER PARKS
Denver has one of the largest park systems
in the country. Denver Parks and Recreation
maintains more than 350 parks and pathways
throughout the region. And Denver’s 29 recreation centers provide interactive programs and
educational resources for all ages.
Denver’s mountain parks system is extensive—not to mention unique. The city owns
14,000 acres of mountain parks and 2,500
acres of natural areas. The mountain park
system has extensive trails for hiking and
biking, plus picnic areas and other facilities.
Some of the area’s top parks are listed in the
following section.
SKI RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Colorado Department of Transportation
Information Hotline www.coloradodot.info
Daily Ski Conditions/Reports (statewide) www.coloradoski.com
Road Conditions (Two-hour radius of Denver) www.cotrip.org
FITNESS RESOURCES
Denver residents are passionate about staying fit. They stay active
by playing in the area’s parks, hike-and-bike trails and other
recreational spaces. But metro Denver also offers an abundance
of health clubs and fitness facilities for residents and guests who
enjoy working out. State-of-the-art exercise equipment, unique
and fun classes, personal trainers, juice bars and more can be
found in Denver’s numerous gyms. For a list of fitness centers, refer
to the Membership Directory on the Denver Metro Chamber of
Commerce’s website: www.denverchamber.org.
The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association
( www.ihrsa.org) is another source of information about
local fitness clubs. You can do a search for area fitness
facilities and will find a list of health and fitness clubs with
information about services, a mapped location and a link
to each club’s website for additional information. The site
also offers a link to www.healthclub.com, which lists health
clubs and personal trainers, provides personal fitness
information and more.
