Summer in Colorado is as refreshing as that first sip of cold beer after you’ve weeded the garden, as restorative as an afternoon in one of Denver’s new beer gardens, as full of fascinating facts as a tour of one of the state’s breweries, whether a behemoth like Coors or a smaller craft operation like Great Divide. But the gang’s not all beer in this, our annual guide to summer: Westword writers also offer a six-pack of some of their favorite annual activities in Colorado. You’ll find their stories sprinkled through our calendar of hundreds of amazing events around the state this summer, everything from the Burning Can Beer Festival in Lyons to the second incarnation of the Denver County Fair to the venerable Greeley Stampede. Whether you plan to spend your vacation in the city or in the great outdoors, there are endless opportunities…and this guide makes it easy to map your route to a very entertaining season. And for a look at just how much summer in this city has changed over the past century, don’t miss Jef Otte’s story on Elitch Gardens, which stretches from the park’s early days as a botanic gem in what was once the suburb of Highland to its current status as the only amusement park in the heart of a city, one that’s adding three new rides this year. But there’s fun to be had at the old location in northwest Denver, too: The supporters of the Elitch Gardens Theatre will host outdoor movie screenings all summer, celebrating both the past and the future of this historic facility. It’s all part of summer in Colorado and the great state of relaxation. See you in September.
Summer Guide! View the 2012 Denver Summer Events Calendar
