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COLORADO PLACES Each month during 2008, the KUNC Newsroom is sharing the unique stories of Colorado through our series "Colorado Places."  Our year long series "Colorado Places" started and will now finish in the high country. In January, KUNC's Kirk Siegler took us to Leadville, and for December Kirk rounds out our storied radio road-trip with a visit to Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs. Billed as Colorado's longest continuously operating ski area, Howelsen Hill has been the training ground for 64 Olympians making nearly 100 Olympic appearances.  At first glance, the 200-person town of Gold Hill is far from impressive. The town’s Main Street is a dirt road with no sidewalks, street lamps, post office, or other basic amenities. But look closer and you will see a town that time forgot. Founded as a mining camp in 1859 in the mountains outside of Boulder, Gold Hill looks nearly identical to the way it did more than a century ago—including a two-room school house that has operated continuously since the late 1800’s. KUNC's Grace Hood hits the dusty roads of Gold Hill to explore the qualities of a town that residents say they adore—and can’t find anywhere else in the world.  It’s been 30 years since Hollywood transformed James Michener’s landmark novel “Centennial” into a 26 hour mini-series. The town of Centennial never really existed, but KUNC’s Brian Larson travels to some of the sites that brought the story to life.  KUNC’s Deanna Garcia travels to the town of Marble, Colorado for September's installment of Colorado Places. Marble is one of the most photographed areas of the state and marble from its quarry has been used for the Tomb of the Unknowns as well as for parts of the Lincoln Memorial. Listen Now  Our August “Colorado Places” installment features a look back at the landmarks of Denver’s first political convention in 1908 from KUNC’s Brian Larson.  For July's Colorado Places, KUNC's Kirk Siegler takes us to the longtime tourist enclave of Glenwood Springs, for a visit to the historic Fairy Caves, an area touted as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" when it first opened to the public in 1887. Our year long radio road trip is based entirely on listener suggestions.  For June's “Colorado Places,” KUNC’s Brian Larson takes us to the top of Mt. Evans
to visit the highest observatory in North America. Operated by the University of
Denver, the twin telescopes provide a fantastic view of the heavens at 14,148
feet above sea level.  Amid the San Isabel National Forest in south-central Colorado, stands what could easily be mistaken for a centuries-old fortress, complete with spires and wrought-iron catwalks. “The great monument to hardworking poor people,” is how Jim Bishop describes the project to which he – and he alone – has dedicated 39 years of work. KUNC’s Katie Goetz takes you to Bishop’s Castle, for the May installment of our series, “Colorado Places.”   Highlandlake is one of northern Colorado’s oldest communities. Founded in 1872 by Lorin Mead, Highlandlake is home to one of the first major irrigation reservoirs, still in use today. 93-year-old Mary Mead Jensen still lives in the home built by Lorin Mead - her grandfather. The town is also home to a historic yellow-and-green church, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Highlandlake is now being squeezed by encroaching development, while trying to retain its historic roots. KUNC's Jim Beers brought you March's"Colorado Places." Listen now   In honor of Black History Month, we traveled to Dearfield, which was the state’s largest African-American colony. Founded nearly 100 years ago, Dearfield’s life was cut short by the Great Depression and the drought that led to the Dust Bowl. Most of Dearfield’s structures are gone, but its story of independence and perseverance remains. KUNC’s Katie Goetz brought you February's installment of "Colorado Places."City of Greeley Museums, Permanent Collection  In 1982, Ken Clouber founded the Leadville 100, an ultra-marathon that now brings hundreds of the world's top endurance runners to Colorado every summer. Clouber's legacy is just one of the many colorful stories from Leadville. Kirk Siegler kicked off the series. |
