Cool and interesting places in Colorado

[Bluechip]

My niece is doing a solo assingnment for the Today Show. She has never been to CO before but needs to find about a dozen interesting places to visit and interview people on the street. She has 2 days to complete the assingment but can drive or fly between cities. I thought it would be cool to give her some cycling venues to investigate but other ideas would be apprecitated too. I am not sure of her travel dates yet. Thanks.

[DataJunkie]

Mt. Evans!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Evans

However, I have yet to ride up it. Driving up was amusing as well.
That is if she comes when it is open.

[Iowegian]

If she is doing this in the winter I'd recommend going to Howelson Hill up in Steamboat Springs. Almost every day after school, a couple of school buses let out large numbers of school kids who then proceed to ski race or practice ski-flying (jumping off those BIG jumps). It's the Steamboat equivalent of after-school soccer and is really pretty unique, AFAIK.

Gold Hill, in Boulder County, is a really old-timey town and also still has a classic one-room? school that might be interesting. Ward, just up the hill from Gold Hill, is well....unique. You could definately find some interesting conversations there if you could find someone who wants to be photographed;)

There are folks down in the San Luis, CO area who can trace their family history back to when Colorado was part of Mexico.

There are lots of photogenic, interesting old railroad or mining towns scattered around that still have some of their old character left. Salida, Creede and many others come to mind.

[telenick]

2 days are up but this thread is too good to let go without a solid representation of cool CO places.

Here's my input:

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
http://www.arapahoebasin.com/images/Paul_Zaleski_2.jpg
A-Basin is a legend and is appropriately called "The Legend." It was founded in 1945 by Larry Jump, Dick Durrance, Max Dercum and Sandy Schauffler ...all notable ski pioneers. Here are some fun facts (http://www.arapahoebasin.com/?page=site/text&nav_id=ac61dbe853f58596f4e4b33b70296e9b).

Colorado National Monument
http://www.coloradonma.org/images/balanced-rock.jpg
This monument is a simple auto loop through some amazing sandstone features. This area is just a few miles west of Grand Junction and represents the northern beginning of the "Canyon Lands" that Moab, Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon are so well known for. It's also the location of some of CO's best mountain biking - Fruita.

Ouray, CO
http://www.ouraylovers.com/ouray-buildings15.jpg
This is perhaps THE prettiest victorian mining town in CO. Located in the heart of the San Juans just at the foot of Red Mountain Pass, Ouray boasts world famous ice climbing, natural hot springs and a rich mining history. Imogene Pass separates Oray from Telluride and is a fun 4 wheel adventure.

Leadville, CO
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/telenick/TennessePark.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/telenick/LeadvilleSkiFence.jpg
Leadville was once a town of 40K+ miners 15 years before the turn of the 20th century. So much silver came out of the famous "Baby Doe" mine that there was almost a silver standard to join the gold standard. Leadville lost the right to boast itself the CO State capitol by just one vote. Today Leadville is a thriving city ...and the highest city in the US. The views to the west from Leadville are spectacular. The Sawatch Range is just a few miles away and boast the highest (2) peaks in the entire North American Rocky Mountain Range - Mt. Elbert 14,433' and Mount Massive 14,421'.

[heyitsdaver]

i would second ouray and add the sand dunes/salida.

[funrover]

HAHAHAHAHA That fence is from my sisters old house in Leadville HAHAHHAAHAHA