Posts Tagged ‘grand county’

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

 NEWS RELEASE

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

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

NEWS RELEASE


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 27th 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.

 

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

Grand County Ice Fishing Festivals

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

 

Break out the Rod, Reel…or Ice Auger: It’s Time for Ice Fishing

– Scenic Colorado mountain towns host mid-winter ice fishing contests –

 

After the last holiday decoration is stored away, the last Christmas cookie has been wolfed down and the last holiday bill (hopefully) paid off, winter settles in. Want to spice things up and try something new? Head to the Colorado Mountains and break out the ice auger.

 

It’s time for ice fishing. Grand County, Colo. – located just 70 miles west of Denver – is home to wide-open spaces, the frontier spirit and world-class and year-round fishing. This winter, it will play host to two major ice fishing contests.

 

Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest (Jan. 29-31, Granby, Colo.) – The contest takes place over three days on three popular fishing lakes in the Granby area: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake. Participants can fish one, two or all three days, and are eligible for daily cash prizes of more than $5000 daily as well as raffle prizes that include two snowmobiles.

 

For Three Lakes’ Grand Slam prize, fisherman work to catch one fish from each of the following species: Kokanee, rainbow, brown, and Mackinaw. After weighing all four fish, the prize is awarded to the heaviest creel, or basket.

 

The Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest is open to all fishermen, not only the serious. Fees for adults range from $25 for one-day participation to $45 for all three days. Anglers 17 and under are free. For more information, contact the Granby Chamber of Commerce at 970-887-2311, grcoc@rkymtnhi.com or www.granbychamber.com.

 

 

13th Annual Wolford Mountain Reservoir Ice Fishing Contest (Feb. 20, Kremmling, Colo.) – Prizes abound at this one-day contest: $13,000 for the winning tagged-fish competition; $5,000 cash purse for the top 10 largest fish (length plus girth); and hourly “big-fish” prizes for adults and youth. Registration cost is $35 for adults and $30 for youth 15 and under who want to compete for the cash prizes. Otherwise, there is no charge for anyone 15 and under; the contest also features a free youth division with prizes for the top 10 largest fish. For more information, contact the Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 877-573-6654 or 970-724-3472, or visit www.kremmlingchamber.com.

 

 

For additional information on Grand County, events, lodging, and other activities, contact the Grand County Tourism Board at www.grand-county.com or 800-729-5821.

 

 

Media Note:  To request photography, interviews or more information, please contact Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, at 970-887-2536 or gaylene@orecommunications.com.