Granby, Colo. (Nov. 13, 2008) — In Colorado how you get around can be as much fun as what you do when you get here. Ride the rails the way miners did. Rustle up an old-fashioned western experience as you channel Colorado’s cowpokes. Or reach great heights on North America’s most unique public transportation system. There are many different ways to see the sights in the Centennial State – here is a look at the top seven.
- Because it is home to six world-class dude and guest ranches, Grand County has been nicknamed the Dude Ranch Capital of the U.S (www.dude-ranch.com). Horsin’ around is encouraged here, where cowboys and cowgirls of all ages saddle up and ride the range. At most ranches, guests are assigned a mount for their entire stay. Rides range from easy trails to more rugged backcountry routes. For those wanting a “City Slicker” experience, some ranches even offer the opportunity for you to try your hand at a cattle drive, roping or barrel racing.
- Grand County (www.grand-county.com) in northern Colorado offers some of the best mountain biking opportunities in the state. In Winter Park, aptly named “Mountain Bike Capital, USA,” visitors can enjoy 600 miles of marked, mapped and user-friendly trails. The routes range from single tracks to back country roads and offer something for every biker.
- Colorado’s Western Slope is home to the community of Grand Junction, which is the gateway to Colorado Wine Country (www.visitgrandjunction.com). There are many ways to explore the 19 wineries—by car, limo or bike. Most Grand Valley wineries have tours and/or tasting rooms so visitors can taste for themselves why the Grand Valley wines are getting so much attention.
- Telluride (www.visittelluride.com) has the only free gondola transportation system in North America, which links the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village. The very scenic 13-minute ride is an attraction in and of itself, and it transports hikers, bikers, skiers and boarders for free. Not only is the gondola good for tourists, it is also good for the environment. It virtually eliminates noise and air pollution, eases congestion in area parking lots and makes getting between Telluride and Mountain Village a completely car-free experience.
- Ouray (www.ouraycolorado.com) is nicknamed Jeep Capital of the World. Visitors may bring their own rig, rent a ride or hire one of the knowledgeable and experienced drivers at one of the local outfitters. Local jeep roads traverse a ton of terrain, from extreme high mountain passes to milder wildflower-filled valleys. The world-famous Jeep® Jamboree holds its annual rally in Ouray every fall.
- In Southwest Colorado the Mancos Valley Stage Line (www.thestagecoach.com) takes visitors back in time. The stagecoach rides, offered May through October, are modeled against the mode of travel of the late 1800s. The experienced stagecoach drivers take great pride in providing a history of the stage line, and treating riders to the most authentic western experience possible.
- All aboard for an historic ride on the rails! The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (www.durangotrain.com) is a coal-fired, steam powered locomotive that carries visitors year-round through the wilderness of the San Juan Mountains and to the historic mining town of Silverton. The railroad was originally constructed to haul silver and gold ore and has been in continuous operation for 125 years.
For more information on Delta County (www.westerncolorado.org), Grand County (http://grand-county.com), Grand County Dude & Guest Ranch Association (www.dude-ranch.com), Grand Junction (http://visitgrandjunction.com), Mesa Verde Country (http://mesaverdecountry.com), Ouray (http://ouraycolorado.com) or Southwest Colorado Travel Region (www.swcolotravel.org) visit the individual Web sites or contact Gaylene Ore at Gaylene@orecommunications.com