–Get a move on by running, biking, walking or Frisbee-ing your way through spectacular September –

Winter Park, Colo. – Whether you want to challenge yourself in some of the most stunning scenery in the state, or just want to cheer on those who compete while enjoying Colorado’s colorful fall display, Winter Park-Fraser Valley have something special in store this September. 

Sept. 11 – Colorado Crooked Roubaix (www.coloradocrookedroubaix.com)
This race is modeled after the famed, difficult and demanding Paris-Roubaix, an arduous 160-mile bike ride from Paris, France north to Roubaix.  The Crooked Roubaix puts a Colorado spin on the original.  Beginning and ending in Winter Park, the 90-mile, mostly dirt route is a challenging road bike tour through some of the most majestic scenery in the state.  Presented by Wheat Ridge Cyclery, the event is also sponsored by the Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce, Specialized Bicycles, MapMyFitness and Pearl Izumi. Space is limited so sign up soon at http://www.active.com/cycling/winter-park-co/colorado-crooked-roubaix-2010.  

Sept. 11-12 – 7th Annual Snow Mountain Challenge Disc Golf Tournament (www.milehighdiscgolf.org)
The Grand County Disc Golf Club and the Mile High Disc Golf Club proudly present this PDGA-sanctioned C-Tier disc golf tournament.  The event features one round of 18 holes at the Snow Mountain YMCA course and two rounds of 20 holes at the Winter Park Resort course.  Cash in on the 20-percent lodging discount offered through Winter Park Resort with rooms starting at $55 plus tax.  Call 970-726-1659 (use code 3gk3ms) or book online at www.skiwinterpark.com.

Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Oct. 3 – Run the Ranches, various ranch locations (http://runtheranches.com/2010/05/20/run-the-ranches-website-running/)
Grand County and the Fraser Valley have some of the most beautiful and hospitable dude and guest ranches in the country.  This fall visit one of three prestigious ranches hosting the Run the Ranches series, featuring a casual two- to three-mile trail run and a more adventuresome seven- to 10-mile trek.  Events will be held at Drowsy Water Ranch on Sept. 12, Devil’s Thumb Ranch on Sept. 19, and Snow Mountain Ranch on Oct. 3.  It costs $20 for adults and $10 for kids six and up.  Children under six register for free.  Proceeds benefit Headwaters Trail Alliance. 

Sept. 26 – Fraser Valley Fall Duathlon, Grand Park Community Recreation Center (www.fraservalleyrec.org)
Run, bike, run – it is so much fun you just have to do it…twice!  This event is participant-friendly with a two-mile run, a 15-mile mountain bike ride, and another two-mile run through autumn-hued mountain meadows and alpine forest.   Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. Registration starts at $40. 

Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce (www.PlayWinterPark.com)
The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit Colorado corporation created to help further and maintain responsible growth in the Winter Park-Fraser Valley area, located in the Rocky Mountains just 65 miles west of Denver.

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Contact: Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, gaylene@orecommunications.com, 970-887-2536

Colorado Dude Ranches Offer End-of-Summer Rates, Workshops

– Late-season specials in Grand County include discounts, adults-only weeks, women’s riding/yoga retreat  –

Granby, Colo. – Still trying to squeeze in a summer vacation? There’s a cowboy or cowgirl in just about everyone, and come end of the season, it’s never been easier – or cheaper – to heed the call of the West.

The Dude and Guest Ranches of Grand County, Colo. (www.dude-ranch.com) are all-inclusive ranches in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, located 100 miles west of Denver. Several of the ranches are offering discounts for singles, couple, families and groups in late summer and early fall – when the crowds are gone, the skies are clear and the leaves are just starting to change.

Latigo Ranch (www.latigotrails.com)
Visit between Aug. 22 and Sept. 18, and the weekly rate drops from $2,600/week to $2,250/week. Partial-week stays also are available. For grown-ups preferring a quiet vacation without kids, Sept. 12-18 is adults-only week.

Accommodations at the intimate Latigo Ranch are limited to 35 guests, who receive homemade caramel corn upon arrival. For horsemanship activities, the ranch works carefully to closely match guests with horses, and for experienced riders, offers an authentic cattle drive with a local rancher each September. The ranch has been named “Best Dude Ranch in Colorado” in “Colorado’s Best: The Essential Guide to Favorite Places.”

Drowsy Water Ranch (www.drowsywater.com)
Weeks after August 29 are designated for adults only, including special-event groups. These weeks carry a 15 percent discount. The prices per individual, with discount applied, are $1,585.25 (single occupancy), $1,581.00 (double occupancy), or $1,517.25 (triple occupancy).

During the week of Sept. 5, Drowsy Water will hold an art workshop, with a professional art instructor onsite. The week of Sept. 12 will focus on cowgirls – though all cowboys are welcome, too.

Nestled in its own private mountain valley, the 600-acre ranch has specialized in providing authentic western vacations for more than 70 years. Focusing on horseback riding and meals, Drowsy Water also offers swimming, horseshoes, steak fries, trout fishing, square dancing, jeep trips, hayrides, movies, pack trips, gymkhana rodeos, raft trips and golf. TripAdvisor® named the ranch the “#1 All-Inclusive Resort in the World” in its 2010 Travelers’ Choice® awards.

Bar Lazy J Ranch (www.barlazyj.com)
The week of Aug. 22, and all of September, are adults-only time at the ranch. During these periods, Bar Lazy J also offers an additional 10 percent discount, making the per-person rate $1,552.50.

Relaxation and personal attention are the passwords at Bar Lazy J, the oldest continually operated guest ranch in Colorado. The owner even keeps a supply of hats and boots for visitors who arrive without them. The ranch is popular with fishing enthusiasts – on site are Gold Medal trout-fishing waters of the Colorado River.

CLazyU Ranch (www.clazyu.com)
The upscale CLazyU will hold the LyricQuest event Oct. 8-10. Songwriter Monty Powell, writer for many of popular music’s biggest stars, will highlight the weekend. A 25-year music business veteran, Powell collaborates with artists such as Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Chris Cagle, James Otto, Dee Meesina, Chuck Wicks and more. Cost is $750, which includes horseback riding, swimming, fishing hiking, biking, a songwriting workshop, campfire jam session and special performance by Anna Wilson, the critically acclaimed jazz artist and songwriter whose recent album, Yule Swing!, reached #12 on the Billboard jazz chart.

All of the ranches are all-inclusive, meaning that food, beverages and all activities are included in the base price. Every guest can try many activities – no extra charge – and stay with them for as little or as long as they’d like. Typical activities include swimming, river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, cattle work, fly fishing, western dancing, archery, riflery and cowboy skills. The ranches are located near golf courses and shopping.

Dude and Guest Ranches of Grand County, Colo. (www.dude-ranch.com)
Five all-inclusive dude ranches are nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, located 100 miles west of Denver. The ranches offer family and group pricing, and early- and late-season specials.

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–Old West history & culture take center stage this fall–

Montrose, Colo. (Aug. 16, 2010) – Montrose, Colo., puts its western heritage on full display in August and September when the city plays host to a handful of events that celebrate the spirit of the American West.  This is one of the most spectacular times to visit Montrose, which is such s treasure chest of outdoor activities that it was recently named to Outdoor Life magazine’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen.

Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for nature walks, hikes or fishing gold medal waters.  Curecanti National Recreation Area offers panoramic views, as well as three reservoirs, perfect for boating, fishing, hiking, camping or bird watching.  Gunnison National Conservation Area is located just northeast of Montrose and encompasses more than 62,000 acres of BLM-managed lands. Here, sightings of elk, bighorn sheep, deer, bald eagles and waterfowl are possible.    

Annual Chipeta Day – Aug. 28
Chipeta Day honors the life of Chipeta, the wife of the leader of the Ute people, Chief Ouray.  A legend in her own right, Chipeta’s legacy is forever tied to the Uncompahgre Valley, where she and her husband fought to keep the Ute people.  The celebration includes cultural presentations, a sunrise blessing, a three-mile walk, and other ceremonies signifying peace and unity.  The Ute Indian Museum, which lies on the original 8.65-acre homestead owned by Chief Ouray and Chipeta, will also be open for visitors to enjoy perusing one of the most complete collections of the Ute people.

1^st Annual Honor the Traditions – Sept. 4

This free event will be held at the Ute Indian Museum, a unique treasure and an historical Colorado landmark.  The purpose of the event is to bridge a better understanding of cultural heritage and awareness and to promote cultural diversity.  Activities include a plein-air art festival, Jemez Pueblo Indian dancers, an Indian market, a wine reception, free admission to the Ute Indian Museum, a silent auction, an evening buffalo feast and an outdoor Native American movie at dusk.

17^th Annual Antique, Gun and Western Show – Sept. 17-18
Take home a piece of the Old West at this show that focuses on everything western.  Show highlights include antique and modern collectible arms and accessories, authentic cowboy and Native American artifacts, Civil War memorabilia, western art and jewelry. 

1st Annual All Nations Indian Nations Powwow – Sept. 24-26
This colorful celebration is likely to rival the fall foliage blooming in the region!  Gourd dancing, the Powwow Grand Entry, drum and dance contests and authentic Native American food are all in store.  Traditionally, powwow was a time for Native American leaders to negotiate with the U.S. government.  It was also a celebration of traditional song and dance and renewing of old friendships.  

About Montrose (www.visitmontrose.com)

Montrose is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado.  Montrose was recently named to Outdoor Life magazine’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen.  Seventy-three percent of the land surrounding the city is public land, making Montrose a Mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, road biking, and mountain biking.  A multi-faceted community, Montrose serves up layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.  Whether visitors are looking for adventure, agritourism, history, culture, shopping, fine dining or anything in between, Montrose has a little something for everyone. 

Contacts:

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Jenni Sopsic, Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism, 970.708.1182, jenni@montroseact.com

# # #

Contacts: Neil Hastings, Mountain Lodge at Telluride, 970-369-5000, nhastings@mountainlodgetelluride.com

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-887-2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Mountain Lodge at Telluride Announces “Picture Perfect” Specials for 1^st Annual Telluride Photo Festival

– Special rates and discounted festival tickets available for inaugural event, held Sept. 20-26 —

Telluride, Colo. – Mountain Lodge at Telluride is a picture perfect setting in picturesque Telluride, Colo., home to the inaugural Telluride Photo Festival, being held Sept. 20-26, 2010.  Mountain Lodge, a sponsor and workshop host of the event, is offering special festival room rates, as well as 25 percent off Photo Festival tickets. 

The first annual Telluride Photo Festival is expected to draw some of the world’s most renowned outdoor and adventure photographers to share their photographic passion.  The weeklong event wraps up Telluride’s famed summer festival season, which has earned it the nickname “Summer Festival Capital of the Southwest.”  The Photo Festival is geared toward professional and experienced amateur photographers and includes workshops, seminars, symposiums, portfolio reviews and exhibits.  There are also special programs aimed at fostering skills in young people, as well as amateur and intermediate photographers.

“We are so excited to bring this new event to Telluride, one of the great festival venues in the nation,” said event organizer and photographer Eric Moore. “We have some of the best known landscape, nature, adventure, and sports photographers coming to Telluride to teach their art and share their photography for an entire week,” Moore said.

To learn more about the Telluride Photo Festival, log on to www.telluridephotofestival.com or http://www.prweb.com/releases/photography/festival/prweb3386744.htm

Mountain Lodge at Telluride is the perfect hub for the festival, offering lodge rooms, condominium units and cabins with private balconies or patios, jetted tubs and luxurious robes.  Condo units and cabins boast gourmet kitchens or kitchenettes with granite countertops. Guests will enjoy amenities including concierge services, a steam room,  grocery shopping service, outdoor deck with heated pool and Jacuzzi, and complimentary wireless Internet service.

For more information or to book a reservation for the Telluride Photo Festival, contact Mountain Lodge at Telluride at 970-369-5000 or www.mountainlodgetelluride.com.

Mountain Lodge at Telluride (www.mountainlodgetelluride.com)
Mountain Lodge at Telluride is an exclusive, slopeside, upscale resort featuring an eclectic blend of rustic elegance and western charm. At 9,500 feet in the San Juan Mountains, the locale offers private luxury cabins, condominiums, and lodge rooms as well as executive conference rooms offer space for small meetings and retreats, reception space and full catering service. The View restaurant provides authentic Italian dining in a spectacular, intimate setting.

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Montrose, Colo. – According to Heritage Travel, Inc., 78 percent of U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities when vacationing.  Montrose, located in historic southwest Colorado, offers a cultural treasure chest in the city’s three fantastic museums.  The rich history and depictions of yesteryear are on full display at the Ute Indian Museum, the Museum of the Mountain West and the Montrose County Historical Museum. 

Ute Indian Museum (www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/UteIndian/Ute_indian.htm/970-249-3098)

Located on the original 8.65-acre homestead site of Chief Ouray (the leader of the Ute people) and his wife, Chipeta, the Ute Indian Museum is one of the most complete collections of the Utes in the nation. The museum complex includes the Chief Ouray Memorial Park, Chipeta’s Crypt, a native plants garden, shady picnic areas, walking paths (with a link to the larger city-wide trail system), teepees, and a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors who traveled through the area in 1776. 

Museum of the Mountain West (www.mountainwestmuseum.com/970-249-4162)
More than 500,000 artifacts of the Mountain West from 1880 to 1930 are displayed in store and office settings at the Museum of the Mountain West. All tours take about two hours and are guided by a knowledgeable docent, offering an experiential taste of what it was like to live in Western Colorado in the early days. The Museum of the Mountain West is also available for weddings and special event rental, as well as conference space.

Montrose County Historical Museum (www.montrose-colo.com/virtual/museum.htm/970-249-2085)

Housed in the original railroad depot, the Montrose County Historical Museum focuses on all facets of early-day pioneer life including, a life-size homesteader’s cabin (the highlight of the experience), horse-drawn farm machinery, and even a Children’s Corner with a delightful display of dolls, toys and baby furniture. 

Visitors may also delight in Montrose’s “outdoor museum” and continue with the history lesson on foot by following the self-guided Historic Montrose Downtown Walking Tour.  This trek includes 12 interpretive signs and a map from the Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism (www.visitmontrose.com), Visitor’s Center or City Hall.

About Montrose (www.visitmontrose.com)

Montrose is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado.  Montrose was recently named to Outdoor Life magazine’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen.  Seventy-three percent of the land surrounding the city is public land, making Montrose a Mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, road biking and mountain biking.  A multi-faceted community, Montrose serves up layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.  Whether visitors are looking for adventure, agritourism, history, culture, shopping, fine dining or anything in between, Montrose has a little something for everyone. 

Contacts:

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Jenni Sopsic, Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism, 970.708.1182, jenni@montroseact.com

# # #

The famous Tour of the Valley cycling event is now a full weekend of cycling and cycling
events that will take place in Grand Junction, Colorado on August 28 & 29, 2010.

Saturday gives cyclists a taste of some of our fi nest road or mountain biking; Saturday
evening you can enjoy a screening of A Race Across the Sky.
Sunday cyclists will take to the Grand Valley roads for the annual Tour of the Valley
Century Ride. For 21 years riders of all abilities have relished the diverse scenic beauty
of the Grand Valley in this noncompetitive ride. Tour routes are 30, 50, 75 and 100
miles. Cyclists come from all over the United States for the event; this year cyclists are
traveling from as far away as Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico to enjoy the
ride.

Monies raised from the Tour of the Valley benefi t Community Hospital’s outreach
activities to promote healthy eating and lifestyles for the youth of our area and help
support the Mesa State College Cycling Team and the Neil Bradford scholarship fund at
Mesa State College.

Pre- and post-ride activities take place at the DoubleTree Hotel on Horizon Drive. Riders
may check-in and enjoy breakfast from 6–8:30 a.m., with the post-ride activities starting
at 11 a.m.

For full information, activities schedule, event details and to register, visit:
YourCommunityHospital.com.

# # #

Grand County, Colo., Calendar Bursting with Events in August and September

Grand County, Colo. – Cool events to offset the hot days – it’s what Grand County, Colo., has in store through August and September.  Whether you seek adventure, food, athletics, music or anything in between, Grand County has an event in store to help you survive the dog days of summer. Here is a look at some of the highlights.  For a complete events list, visit www.grand-county.com. 

Every Saturday in July and August:  High Country Stampede Rodeo, Fraser

Now in its 27^th year, the High Country Stampede Rodeo is dubbed “the best little rodeo in Colorado.”  The Junior Rodeo is each Saturday at 4 p.m.; the main event kicks off at 7 p.m. In addition to the requisite rodeo competitions, guests will enjoy the calf scramble and mutton busting’, as well as the spread of tasty western barbeque.  (970-406-1335/http://highcountrystampede.com/)

Aug. 1-8:  Regatta Week, Grand Lake
Regatta Week is sponsored by the Grand Lake Yacht Club, one of the highest yacht anchorages in the world and one of the oldest yacht clubs in the West.  Each August colorful sails overtake Grand Lake for the races and pageantry of Regatta Week.  (970-627-3402)

Aug. 7:  103.5 The Fox Classic Rock Music Festival,  Winter Park, Hideaway Park

This free music festival also features food, a beer pavilion, vendors and loads of fun.  Gates open at 10 a.m.  Become a VIP for the event!  Book a night of lodging during the weekend (with a participating lodging member) and receive a free VIP Pass to the festival.  VIP guests receive access to chair seating close to the stage, two free beverages, a chance to win backstage passes, and a free festival T-shirt.   (970-726-4118/http://www.winterpark-info.com/)

Aug. 13-12:  Annual Doggie Drag, Fraser
This 2K and 5K run/walk fundraiser for Pet Pals and the Grand County Shelter is big fun for man’s best friends and the humans who love them.  Download registration and pledge forms at

http://www.gcpetpals.org/. 

Aug. 21:  Famous Flamethrowers High Altitude Chili Cook-off, Winter Park Resort

Costumed chili chefs compete in this regional cook-off for the state title and the chance to represent the Rocky Mountain region in the World Chili Cook-off, and you’re invited to participate for free. Top prizes are awarded for Most Creative Chef, Best Red Chili, Best Green Chili, and Best Salsa contests. A portion of event proceeds benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). (303-316-1564/www.winterparkresort.com)

Aug. 28:  Live Music with Maree McRae, Lake Granby
Against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Granby, Circle H Retreat is the only lakeside lodge and lounge in the area.  On Aug. 28, Maree McRae, an acclaimed singer/songwriter and an up-and-coming star, will perform.  $10 cover.  (970-887-9814/www.circlehretreat.com)

Sept. 5:  4th Annual Labor Day Block Party and Street Dance, Winter Park
Come to Cooper Square from 1-4 p.m. for live swing music, carriage rides, face painters and a huge sidewalk sale. (970-726-8891) 

Sept. 12:  Run the Ranches Trail Series Drowsy Water Ranch, near Granby
Join the trail run/walk (2-3 mile or 7-10 mile options), and help raise funds for the Headwaters Trails Alliance.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6-12, which includes a participation gift, ranch style BBQ, and awards for the top finishers.  Register online at www.RunReg.com.  (970-726-1013/www.headwaterstrails.org)

Sept. 17-18 – Grand Lake Bluegrass Festival, Grand Lake
Colorado’s best bluegrass in one of Colorado’s favorite towns, the Grand Lake Bluegrass Festival lineup includes Steel Pennies, Mountain Holler, Giddy Up Kitty, Lost Angel Station, Stanleytones, Long Road Home and Hunker Down.  (970-627-3402)

About Grand County
Grand County is home to many of Colorado’s dude and guest ranches, a major hot springs resort, and the most extensive network of mountain biking trails in the country.  For additional information on Grand County and to access an online trip planner, check out www.grand-county.com or call 800-729-5821.

# # #

Contact: Gaylene Ore, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Contact: Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-887-2536 (o); 970-531-2336 (cell)

Colorado’s Western Slope Celebrates 42^nd Annual Palisade Peach Festival, Aug. 19-22

– Grand Junction hotels offer discounts, gift bag and coupons throughout the month of August –

Grand Junction, Colo. – Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau is rolling out the peach carpet for the 42^nd annual Palisade Peach Festival, Aug. 19-22, 2010, held in neighboring Palisade. 

Throughout the month of August, Grand Junction hotels are offering special Peach Festival room rates starting at $63 per night.  In addition to the discounted room rates, guests who book a stay during the entire month of August will receive a complimentary breakfast and a welcome bag chock full of coupons. 

The Palisade Peach Festival highlights the Western Slope’s agricultural side and puts a spotlight directly on the world-famous Palisade peaches, which have been growing in the area since the 1800s.  This year’s festival includes tours through the orchards, wineries and distilleries. “Feast in the Fields” is another festival favorite, offering guests the opportunity to dine in the orchards on local cuisine paired with local wines (reservations required).  Some of Grand Valley’s finest musicians will provide entertainment throughout the event.  Here’s a more detailed look at what’s in store during the 42^nd Annual Palisade Peach Festival, Aug. 19-22. 

Thursday, Aug. 19:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Tours of the orchards, vineyards/wineries, brewery, distillery, bike and van tours, and Colorado River Float Trips

6 – 9 p.m. – Ice cream social and street dance

Friday, Aug. 20:

1-8 p.m. – Peach Festival at Riverbend Park:  Music, food vendors, peach cuisine with Colorado chefs, tug of war, an alpaca showcase

7 – 9:30 p.m. – “Feast in the Fields” at Z’s Orchard (reservations required)

5:30 – 10 p.m. – Open Mike Night

Saturday, Aug. 21:

7 – 10 a.m. – Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

8 a.m. – Peach Fest 5-Miler

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – “Just 4 Fun” Car Show

9 a.m. – Peach Festival Parade

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Tours of the orchards, vineyards/wineries, brewery, distillery, bike and van tours, and Colorado River Float Trips

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Peach Festival at Riverbend Park: Music, food vendors, peach cuisine with Colorado chefs, peach eating contest

11 a.m. – Recipe contest and sample sales

7 – 9 p.m. – Live entertainment and dancing

7 – 9:30 p.m. – “Feast in the Fields” at High Country Orchards (reservations required)

Sunday, Aug. 22:

8 a.m. – Peach Fest Peddle Paddle Peddle

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Palisade Sunday Farmers Market

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Tours of the orchards, vineyards/wineries, brewery, distillery, bike and van tours, and Colorado River Float Trips

 Go to visitgrandjunction.com to see the complete event calendar, activity information and schedule for the 42nd Annual Palisade Peach Festival. 

About Grand Junction

At an altitude of 4,507 feet, and with more than 275 days of sunshine annually, Grand Junction enjoys warm summers and moderate spring, fall and winter seasons. For more information, contact the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau at 800-962-2547 or www.visitgrandjunction.com.

Established in 1990, the Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau (GJVCB) is a department of the City of Grand Junction. Proactively marketing the Grand Junction area, the GJVCB serves as a liaison between area visitors, conventions, meetings, weddings, and reunions, and the businesses that will host them. For more information and a visitor guide, call 800-962-2547 or visit www.vistgrandjunction.com.

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Enjoy Beautiful Fall Foliage Vistas in Montrose, Colo.

-Hike, bike or drive to some of the most scenic spots in the state from Montrose-

Montrose, Colo. (July 20, 2010) – Montrose, Colo., recently named one of Outdoor Life magazine’s best towns for outdoorsmen, is also a great base camp for fall hue viewing.  Interestingly, 73 percent of the land surrounding the city of Montrose is public land, making it fertile ground for all of autumn’s glory to be seen the way nature intended.  Combine the scenic wonders neighboring the city (think Grand Mesa, Black Canyon, San Juan Mountains, and Uncompahgre Plateau) with the historic and scenic byways that cross through and around town and you have a recipe for a picture-perfect and colorful Colorado vacation.  (Just don’t forget your camera!)

One easy – and very beautiful – way to soak in the splendor of the season is to explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which marked its 10-year anniversary as a national park in 2009.  The drive up to Black Canyon on Highway 50 is transformed in the autumn as the scrub oak, serviceberry and aspen are reborn into fiery shades of orange, red and yellow.  While at the park, enjoy hiking, nature walks or fishing in gold medal waters. 

Curecanti National Recreation Area is located between Montrose and Gunnison and offers panoramic fall views, as well as three reservoirs.  Blue Mesa is Colorado’s largest body of water and the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S.  Marrow Point marks the beginning of the Black Canyon.  The East Portal is the site of the Gunnison Diversion Tunnel, a National historic Civil Engineering Landmark, which is 100-years old. Crystal Reservoir is the third in the trio.  

Gunnison National Conservation Area is located just northeast of Montrose and encompasses more than 62,000 acres of BLM-managed lands, which are fertile ground for fall foliage.  Sightings of elk, bighorn sheep, deer, bald eagles and waterfowl are also possible here.  Gold Medal trout fishing is another popular pastime, as are whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and camping.

Take in the transformation from the comfort of your own vehicle by driving along one of the scenic and historic routes around Montrose.  Most of these drives take a minimum of a half-day to complete.  Stop by the Montrose Visitors Center for a map. 
Alpine Loop Back Country Byway stretches 65 miles and provides access to spectacular peaks and narrow glacial valleys.  Remains of stamp mills, tramways and ghost towns are also available along the route, which requires an off-road vehicle for portions of the drive.  Along the way visitors may hike, mountain bike or camp.
Grand Mesa Byway leads to a virtual playground in the sky atop the world’s largest flat-topped mountain., the Grand Mesa.  Enjoy sparkling lakes and forests of shimmering aspen set against always-green pine. 

Nicknamed the “road to the sky,” San Juan Skyway is a 223 mile stretch of road that can be scaled back based on availability and interest.  For a real treat, travel the section between Ouray and Silverton, located less than an hour south of Montrose, to see the stretch that has been dubbed the “Million Dollar Highway.”  In the fall this always stunning road is made even more beautiful by the fall colors splashed against the red rock and blue sky backdrop. 

About Montrose (www.visitmontrose.com)

Montrose is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado.  Montrose was recently named to Outdoor Life magazine’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen.  Seventy-three percent of the land surrounding the city is public land, making Montrose a Mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, road biking and mountain biking.  A multi-faceted community, Montrose serves up layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.  Whether visitors are looking for adventure, agritourism, history, culture, shopping, fine dining or anything in between, Montrose has a little something for everyone. 

Contacts:

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Jenni Sopsic, Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism, 970.708.1182, jenni@montroseact.com

# # #

-Third annual Festivus Block Party offers airing of grievances, feats of strength and Festivus miracles-

Ouray, Colo. (July 14, 2010) — For those who think the holiday season has become just a little too commercialized, get away to Ouray on Dec. 19, 2010, when the city hosts its third annual Festivus party.  Ouray’s Festivus is modeled after the classic “Seinfeld” television episode.  In a celebration that would make Frank Costanza proud, the welcoming folks of Ouray transform 6^th Avenue into a Festivus block party.

What started out as a fun, community-building event for Ourayans has turned into one of the most treasured celebrations of the season for locals and visitors alike.  The third annual celebration is free to attend and runs from 3-9 p.m. on 6^th Avenue in the heart of Ouray. 

Festivus features many vendors offering hot morsels, warm spirits and refreshing beverages. After fueling up on tasty goodies, visitors may try their hand at the “Feats of Strength,” which are sure to offer an entertaining spectacle of odd strength challenges for spectators and participants alike.  As Festivus rolls on, attendees may air their grievances in the “Burn Barrel of Grievances,” where people write down their frustrations and disappointments from the past year and toss the paper in to burn.  Afterwards, everyone feels better – it’s a “Festivus Miracle!”

Throughout the celebration, enjoy the DJ sounds of Mountain Chill and connect with old friends (or meet new ones) around toasty fire barrels and bon fires.  There is plenty of amusement for everyone, including the unadorned aluminum Festivus Pole (with a very high strength to weight ratio, of course!).

To make a weekend getaway out of the Festivus block party, book a room at one of Ouray’s many inns, lodges or motels.  Visitors can easily fill their weekend with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing in the world-famous Ouray Ice Park, or backcountry skiing in the nearby San Juan Mountains.  For a more low-key experience, simply take it easy with a stroll down historic Main Street or a dip in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. 

To learn more about planning an Ouray getaway during Festivus or any time of the year, log on to www.ouraycolorado.com or call 970-325-4746.

About Ouray (www.ouraycolorado.com)
Located at 7,700 feet above sea level in southwest Colorado, the National Historic District of Ouray is surrounded on three sides by 13,000-foot peaks, earning it the nickname “The Switzerland of America.”  Ouray is home to several hot springs pools and tubs, including the largest, the million-gallon Ouray Hot Springs Pool, which is open year-round.  Ouray is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, offering rock climbing, hiking, four-wheeling and mountain biking in the summer and ice climbing, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. 

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Contacts:  Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-887-2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com
Karen Avery, Ouray Chamber Resort Association, 970-316-1443, boxcanyonlodge@gmail.com