Description: Located adjacent to Commerce City, about 8 miles northeast of Denver, the refuge is on a former Army chemical weapons manufacturing facility site. More than 330 species of wildlife inhabit the 15,000 acres, including a winter communal roost of Bald Eagles, deer, coyotes, white pelicans, owls and bison. The refuge provides environment education and interpretive programs, catch-and-release fishing, nine miles of trails, wildlife viewing and site tours.

Description: Browns Park is a 12,150-acre wildlife refuge located along the Green River in northwest Colorado. Situated between the Cold Springs and Diamond Mountains, the remote river valley has long been an oasis for both wildlife and humans. Visitors to Browns Park will find spectacular scenery in a remote setting. Visitors may hike cross-country or follow any of the numerous trails created by big game. Rivers Edge Wildlife Drive is an 8-mile auto tour route that takes travelers through habitats for good wildlife viewing.

Description:  Arapaho Wildlife Refuge is located in an inter-mountain glacial basin in north-central Colorado, south of the Wyoming state line. It is 35 miles wide and 45 miles long. Summer in the refuge is warm but brief, with just enough sun and rain to green the bottomland and upland slopes and bring forth fingerling trout in the streams. The refuge is open to the public for day use only. A self-guided six-mile auto tour route was established to give visitors an opportunity to learn about the refuge, its wildlife and wildlife habitat. There is also an interpretive display at the Brocker overlook and a nature trail near the headquarters. The refuge is an excellent destination for wildlife viewing, birdwatching and nature photography.

Description: Lake Pueblo State Park is one of Colorado’s most popular water sports parks. Swimming, sailing, rafting, boating and fishing are popular. There is a five-story waterslide at the beach. Picnic sites are located throughout the park and there are miles of hiking/biking trails to explore — many have lovely views of the park, the Arkansas River Valley and the Wet Mountains to the southwest. The park offers 400 campsites to accommodate tents and recreational vehicles. Lake Pueblo’s mild climate makes it a major year-round recreation destination.

Description: The Box Canyon Falls Park is Ouray’s natural wonder, formed when the rushing waters of Canyon Creek eroded a deep and narrow boxed canyon through fault-weakened limestone. The visitor center and entrance are at the southwest corner of the town of Ouray. The lower trail, an easy 500-feet hike via a walkway and suspension bridge leads straight into the belly of the Falls where visitors can see and hear the roaring water rushing 80 feet to the canyon’s bottom. A scenic pathway overlooks the beauty of the surrounding forests. Numerous sheltered picnic areas are available. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits on the geology, wildlife, rare plant life and history of the area. The park provides excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Description: The Great Sand Dunes National Park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range, and covering 19,000 acres. The dunes are estimated to be 12,000 years old. The Great Sand Dunes sit on a large area of high desert. The dunes and surrounding mountains are designated wilderness; visitors can enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty. Popular activities include playing in Medano Creek, building sand castles, sliding down the dunes (sandboarding), birdwatching in the wetlands, hiking, horseback riding and attending Ranger-led programs in season.

Description: Red Rocks is a rock structure where concerts are given in the open air amphitheater. Performances from the stage nestled into the perfectly acoustic surroundings of Red Rocks have been held there for over 100 years.  The 868-acre park, tucked into the Rocky Mountain Foothills, was once listed among the Seven Wonders of the World. Ship Rock and Creation Rock, largest of the sandstone monoliths in the park tower 300 feet above the amphitheater. The massive monoliths are taller than Niagara Falls. There are many lovely hiking trails within the park. A visitor center provides information about the park and other nearby attractions.

Description: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is a picturesque nature preserve among the grasslands, ponds and cottonwood banks of Deer Creek. Facilities include nature trails, a wildlife observation area, display gardens, educational exhibits, a historical farm, a 19th century one-room schoolhouse, working beehives and picnic areas. The Deer Creek Discovery children’s area includes a whimsical tree house and a water feature. Hiking along the scenic trails can be enjoyed any time of year with seasonal flowers and plants ever changing. Bird-watching at this location is exceptional.

Description: Since it was dedicated in 1911, Colorado National Monument has been one of the grand landscapes of the American West and one of the most visited. It consists of 32 square miles of fascinating vistas of deep canyons and soaring cliffs. Visitors can experience sheer-walled red-rock canyons along the twists and turns of the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. The drive provides access to the visitor center, 19 overlooks and 14 hiking trails. The park, a geological marvel, was carved by wind, water and freezing/thawing over millions of years. Independence Monument is the tallest free-standing rock formation in the park. It is 450 feet tall from its base to top and is 5,739 feet in elevation. Ranger-led programs are offered daily, June through September.

Description: Western Colorado Botanical Gardens are located on 15 acres along the Colorado River in Grand Junction. The Gardens feature a 4,000-square-foot greenhouse and butterfly house with over 600 orchids and other tropical plants from around the world. A variety of outdoor gardens have been developed including a Cactus and Succulent Garden (displaying native cactus species and other cold-hardy and succulent plants), Children’s Secret Garden, Harmony in Color Garden, International Garden, Seasonal Xeric Garden and Sunny Garden. An interesting Western Heritage Garden features hundreds of native plants along with art and artifacts of industries that have defined Western Colorado over the years.