Outdoor Recreation

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.

Steamboat Springs can close the Yampa River — a hotspot for tubing, swimming and fishing — when it's too low and hot.

The trails on a few of Colorado most popular fourteeners are getting a facelift this summer. Crews lift heavy boulders, create stairways, and sleep on the mountain for days at a time. The redesigned trails will make them more sustainable for future hikers.

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 new exhibit at History Colorado in Denver explores the legacy of this haven during an era of segregation. We learn more about Lincoln Hills on today’s In The NoCo.

A hotter, drier future means advocates have to get creative to keep water in streams.