Outdoor Recreation

There are lots of techniques people use to de-stress these days. But one unusual way to unplug is the practice of “forest bathing.” Users immerse themselves in nature and tap into all five senses as a way to slow down and reset. We get some advice for how to try this for yourself – even if you’re just getting out in your own backyard.

Eric Gilbertson, a professor and mountaineer, carried highly-accurate GPS devices to the top of Crestone and East Crestone peaks to get to the bottom of a hunch.

The Great Outdoors Fund helps to fill funding gaps for public lands projects by leveraging private investment.

Fall is a great time to enjoy camping and hiking in Colorado. But fall is also a time when many wild animals are either fattening up for winter or looking for a mate – which can make a run-in with an elk, moose or bighorn sheep especially dangerous. Hear tips from a wildlife expert on how to stay safe in the outdoors this season.

Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors in Colorado. But it’s also a time to be extra cautious around wildlife – especially bears, which are more active and potentially aggressive as they prepare for winter hibernation. Hear tips from a wildlife expert on coexisting with bears – and what to do if you run into one in the wild.

In 1978, three men from Boulder set out on a six-week journey to make the first-ever crossing of Colorado on skis. A new documentary tells the story of this remarkable expedition, from the joys and hazards along the way – to how the trek ultimately helped shape Colorado’s miles of hiking trails. The film’s director shares more about the legacy of that journey.

In the early part of the 20th century, Lincoln Hills was a retreat in the mountains west of Denver, created for Black American families to spend time in the outdoors. A newly expanded exhibit at History Colorado in Denver explores the legacy of this resort during an era of segregation.

Flagstaff, Ariz,. became the first ever DarkSky Community in 2001. Central Idaho is home to the only DarkSky Reserve in the U.S. and Utah has the highest concentration of DarkSky places globally. More towns in Colorado want to join the ranks.

Pack burro racing is a uniquely Colorado sport: Runners hit the trail with a donkey by their side. It requires a high level of fitness and an ability to persuade notoriously stubborn animals to run alongside you. A Colorado Sun reporter set out to run her first pack burro race and wrote about the experience.

After years of record-setting tourism, Colorado’s mountain towns have seen a drop in the number of visitors this year – especially international travelers, who tend to stay longer and spend more than day-tripping vacationers. We hear more about what’s behind the decline, and the impact on local businesses.