Sports & Recreation

Most Coloradans are familiar with the big energy-bar brands — Clif, KIND, Lärabar, Kashi. But over the past sixteen years, a Boulder company has steadily made its mark on the national scene. What began as a mother-and-daughter team experimenting with baking oat treats in their home kitchen in 2003 has grown into a 100-employee-plus company. In some ways, Bobo’s Oat Bars are exactly what you’d expect from the Republic of Boulder — they’re vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO — but they’ve also gained a dedicated following among climbers, hikers, skiers and more who appreciate their taste (there are more than fifteen flavors) and heft: All those wholesome ingredients result in a surprisingly filling snack. Bobo’s Oat Bars are available at all major supermarkets in Colorado, as well as outdoor shops such as REI.

eatbobos.com

Located just thirty miles from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is an oasis of Rocky Mountain nature porn: aspen-rimmed meadows, verdant forests, jagged peaks, all crisscrossed by a well-maintained network of hiking trails. Also inside the park are two large campgrounds — Reverend’s Ridge and Aspen Meadows — with scores of tent sites (and even a handful of yurts and cabins), allowing for multi-day escapes from Denver’s concrete jungle. While you won’t reach the level of isolation you’d find by backpacking farther out, Golden Gate Canyon is still a great option for car campers who want a break from the bustle of the city without having to drive too far. Reservations get snapped up quickly here, so book early.

Coloradans are known to take their dogs everywhere — even on potentially dangerous adventures. After experiencing a serious accident with his dog in the backcountry, Paul Hoskinson was determined to create a lightweight device that could carry an injured pup without too much difficulty for its owner. Enter the Fido Pro Airlift, a light, packable, hammock-style backpack meant to carry a dog to safety if it’s injured during backcountry adventuring. The Airlift distributes weight evenly through the frame (which includes four leg holes) so larger dogs won’t weigh you down, and the shoulder and chest straps help you get your dog to safety as quickly and as comfortably as possible.

fidoprotection.com

Dog parks are all about location, location, location — and that’s the reason Fuller Dog Park has become so popular of late. Set at 2801 Williams Street, near Manual High School, it’s a small slice of pooch heaven in the rapidly changing Whittier neighborhood, where the canine population is growing almost as quickly as the human kind. Next to the appropriately named Fuller Park, long a favorite of children (and parents) who live in the area, the dog zone is modest in size but still offers enough space for four-legged visitors to race up and down hills, interact with mutts and pure breeds alike, and even take a break when all the excitement leaves them overstimulated. In a part of town where a lot of young people with pets might not have access to a back yard, Fuller Dog Park is a godsend.

Readers’ Choice: Cherry Creek Reservoir

The Clear Creek Trail in Golden provides the perfect combination of nature walk and urban experience. The city’s trail system spans 24 miles, offering alternate access to neighborhoods and open-space areas alike. But the gateway to the system is just steps from Golden’s downtown, giving folks an opportunity to stroll along a waterway that, during warm weather months in particular, seems to be constantly bustling with activity. Kayakers are able to practice their moves a short distance from shallow areas where families congregate to get wet and cool off. Strollers can eyeball displays in the Clear Creek History Park, too, and parking is a snap, with free lots nearby. It’s a perfect capsule of everything that’s great about living in Colorado.

cityofgolden.net

The jaw-slackening angle on the Flatirons offered by Chautauqua Park helps explain why locals have been drawn to the attraction since 1898, when the city purchased these eighty acres of land. But its location, only a short distance from the University of Colorado, is just as much of a lure for students, who make up a sizable chunk of the crowds that can be found enjoying the park’s amenities, including a picnic area, a playground, tennis courts and (in a very Boulder touch) a “Demonstration Garden.” Long before recreational marijuana sales were legalized in Colorado, plenty of CU enrollees (and many others) used a certain herb to enhance this experience, and that’s continued to this day. It’s regularly Colorado’s stoniest hike, and we’re not talking about the geology.

Baseball can feel very slow at times. Recognizing the downside to America’s pastime, Coors Field turned part of the stadium into a party. The Rooftop allows baseball fans the opportunity to watch a game while moving in and out of three bars high above the field, all for an easy ticket price of $16, which includes $6 in concessions credit. It’s best to get there early and claim a spot along the railing for you and your friends to post up; otherwise, you’ll be stuck holding your beer the whole time and trying to watch the game through the throng in front of you.

mlb.com/rockies

There’s nothing quite like Opening Day in Denver. For baseball fans who’ve survived a snowy Colorado winter, the grass at Coors Field just looks greener the day of the Rockies’ home opener, which is set for April 5 this year. The team ought to be in the thick of the playoff race, so expectations will be high come first pitch. Just be sure to wear an Arenado jersey to show your appreciation for the All Star’s re-signing with the Rockies. Batter up!

mlb.com/rockies

Readers’ Choice: Rockies Opening Day

After a couple of promising seasons that ended just shy of the playoffs, the Denver Nuggets are the real deal in 2019, with a young, talented core led by first-time NBA All-Star Nikola Jokic and a supporting cast that seems to produce a new hero on a nightly basis. Thanks to this breakthrough, the players’ appearances at the Pepsi Center have become raucous celebrations where the fun seldom takes a time out. The team store regularly highlights an “Item of the Game” at a deep discount — earlier this season, excellent Nuggets knit hats went for $7 — and giveaways, performances, contests and more take place every time the action stops. Add genius public-address announcer Kyle Speller; Rocky, the top mascot in professional sports; and ticket prices that start as low as $16, and you’ve got a guaranteed good time no matter the final score.

nba.com/nuggets

If Major League Soccer and the Rapids are a little too mainstream for your tastes — that is to say, if you’re sick of the deafening 8,000-person crowds, exorbitant five-figure salaries and glamorous cable-access production values — Denver still has you covered. Founded in 2006, FC Denver is the giant of the amateur Colorado Premier League, with four men’s teams, a U-19 squad and a new women’s team set to begin play this year. The club’s top men’s team, FC Denver Premier, plays its home games at MSU Denver’s Regency Athletic Complex, and tickets are $6 at the gate, with season tickets available for just $20. It’s not the highest-quality soccer you can see in Denver on a given weekend, but it may be the most authentic.

fcdenver.org

It’s time to give the local eleven a shot. The Rapids already look like one of Major League Soccer’s most-improved sides after a rough 2018 season, and the league itself has never been better. Gone are the days of American nobodies listlessly knocking the ball around with a few aging European stars; now the passing is crisp, the goals are well worked, and teams are full of diverse young talent from all over the world. It might have taken a couple decades, but the Rapids and their MLS rivals are finally playing the Beautiful Game at a level worthy of that nickname.

coloradorapids.com

Von Miller may be the most prominent of the current Broncos on social media, but don’t sleep on cornerback Chris Harris, who’s far and away the squad’s best pass defender. He tweets frequently and passionately, sharing his opinions about major sporting events in real time, offering unfiltered takes on athletic debates and even getting political at times: In a retweet of a Vox post about a racial massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he wrote, “Must-watch: Learn your history.” He’s feisty, eagerly taking on all comers with the smarts he displays on the gridiron. Even Broncos executive John Elway isn’t exempted: Harris responded to a story from The Athletic in which Elway shrugged off a question about extending Harris’s contract by pairing the words “I missed this” with the thinking-face emoji. His tweets will give you second thoughts, too.

twitter.com/chrisharrisjr

Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus may have had an up-and-down season in 2018-2019, but his fashion sense definitely splits the uprights. The Brandon McManus Collection, produced in conjunction with Boulder’s Shinesty, is filled with whimsical designs on a Broncos theme, including the “Plaid Lad” blue-and-orange blazer, unisex overalls with the team’s vintage “D” logo scattered across blue-striped fabric, and, best of all, the “Broncos Bulge Horse Ball Hammock Boxers,” which juxtapose a blue-and-orange plaid body with a simulated horse-head crotch pocket. The looks are amusing, eye-catching and accessibly priced: The “I Need My Kombucha Navy and Orange Hammer Pants” go for just $19.99. Wear them and you’ll definitely get extra points.

shinesty.com

Depending on how much time you have, a hike on Golden’s North Table Mountain can be as short as 1.5 miles or as long as 7.7. Medium-difficult — there’s a steep, switchback-filled climb to get atop the mesa — these well-marked North Table loops make for a good lunch-break option or post-work trek, and there are two trailheads with ample parking to choose from. At sunset, the hills of the Hogback come alive, and the panoramic views also include White Ranch Park, the surrounding Front Range and the town of Golden itself. Other payoffs include the intermittent fields of wildflowers in season and the occasional sighting of the golden eagles or red-tailed hawks that call this home. But keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, which are famously abundant here.

Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Bill Trail

When it comes to dining in a sports bar, the key is offering something that fans can’t get at home — otherwise, we might as well just stay in our jammie pants. West End Tap House gets big points for its addictive menu of “smalls,” including not only the mac and cheese that was a past Best of Denver winner, but also finger-licking-good snacks, such as “lambsicles” with caramelized fat bits, and mind-blowing funnel-cake fries dusted with powdered sugar. And it doesn’t end at food: The Tap House offers creative cocktails, more than a dozen beers on tap and three dozen more in bottles or cans (including gluten-free brews and ciders), and even vino from a surprisingly intriguing list. Even with the crucial TVs visible from every vantage point, the space is groovy and inviting.

Readers’ Choice: Blake Street Tavern

It’s Open Championship Sunday. You need to soak in every minute of coverage, but you know that if you watch from home, there’s a good chance that you’ll fall asleep on the couch before the leaders tee off. A bar is the obvious solution, but spending six-plus hours at one can be taxing, both on your lower back (all that standing!) and on your wallet. Enter the Dive Inn, a nautically themed Platt Park tavern with inexpensive drinks, a plethora of televisions and an honest-to-God dry-docked boat. Reserve the boat for yourself and your crew, throw on a life jacket (provided by the bar) and utilize the abundance of bar games (table tennis, foosball, pool, cornhole) and the $3.25 well cocktails or $11 pitchers of house beer to pace out a slow afternoon watching one of golf’s majors or an all-day March Madness marathon.

Stoney’s may be known as one of the best places in the city to watch Broncos games, but the venue doesn’t limit its loyalty to the orange and blue. The enormous joint boasts TVs aplenty (31 HD sets plus two 120-inch projection screens) in a slew of interconnecting rooms, offering opportunities to watch contests of many different kinds — and its website encourages variety by way of a function that allows visitors to click on different dates to see everything that’s being telecast when they plan to visit. It’s a great place for trivia, too, and has a solid, tasty menu and first-rate happy-hour deals. Just as important, the staff is consistently efficient and professional, even when everyone is losing their mind over a last-minute touchdown or buzzer-beating bucket.

Readers’ Choice: Blake Street Tavern

Imagine what the set of Peter Pan would look like as a playground, and you have this charming Westminster spot. The London Bridge rises next to the Lost Boys rock tower, which is situated near Captain Hook’s pirate ship. In the summer, waterfalls pour cool water into a miniature stream, and jets shoot water around the splash pad. Green grass and trees make for comfortable lounging and running about, and a shaded picnic area is great for those days when you want to stay outside for hours. You don’t ever have to grow up at Peter Pan Playground; the only thing missing is pixie dust to make you fly.

A lot of sports bars in Denver give customers a chance to participate in games rather than simply eyeball them. But the Blake Street Tavern takes the concept to a different level: the basement. Dubbed Underground Social, the space is crammed with arcade games, board games of normal dimensions and supersized ones (such as Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4), Pop-A-Shot basketball, Skee-Ball, shuffleboard, cornhole, pool tables, ping-pong and, of course, beer pong — and it’s all contained in a brick-lined setting that’s like a fantasy clubhouse for grownups. Upstairs, the Blake Street Tavern has plenty going for it, especially when it comes to people who want to pre-game before heading to a Rockies game at nearby Coors Field. But there are definitely advantages for those who want to go Underground.

Readers’ Choice: Blake Street Tavern

In the growing divide that is Old Denver versus New Denver, Gerard’s Pool Hall occupies a welcome space somewhere in the middle. From its sneaky back-alley entrance to its dark, wainscoted walls, this billiards room has a distinctly throwback feel — and it opened less than two years ago. The high ceilings and low-slung barn lighting that hovers over felted tables feel plucked from a Denver gone by, when mining-themed establishments and Wild West vibes were all the rage. If you want to sit and enjoy the action from above, Gerard’s loft bar provides an excellent perch, with bar stools and a comfy hotel-lobby-style couch for seating. Shakespeare’s may never rise from the dead, but Gerard’s Pool Hall could be the next best thing.

Candlelight Tavern might seem like a modest establishment near the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood, but it has a secret: Just to the left upon entering the dark and cozy little bar awaits a high-quality, often completely vacant shuffleboard court. Add in the cheap food and drink deals, a collection of loyal regulars and a few televisions showing the most important game of the day, and you can pursue shuffleboard glory until the Banquet keg runs dry…or succumb to defeat.

The Westwood neighborhood found a way to do a lot with a little when its namesake green space received a mighty million-dollar makeover last year. Though small, the area now offers a town-square-like concrete pavilion for community performances and a covered area with beautiful wrought-iron detailing that reflects the area’s Mexican and Mexican-American cultures. The park also received sturdy fitness equipment promoting cardiovascular exercise and strength training for any skill level, all connected by a walking trail that lines the area. And there’s still plenty of green space for a game of soccer, along with a traditional playground with slides, swings and a jungle gym, plus shady areas for picnics. But the most unique aspect of Westwood Park is its “natural” playground, an area of preserved tree trunks, rocks and sand that surrounds a water pump, creating the perfect way to cool down in the summer.

We may have great parks in virtually every neighborhood across our city, but it’s Washington Park that Denverites flock to. Built in 1899, this green space, lake included, shares its wealth with the community in the form of a recreation center, playgrounds, fields, basketball courts and even a boathouse that can be rented for special occasions. But it’s the park’s 2.3-mile loop that gets the most action. No matter the season, outdoorsy folks find ways to walk, bike, rollerblade (or roller skate, depending on what era Denverite you are) and even roller-ski around this city meadow. Rent a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard and circle Smith Lake, take a ride on a cycle-carriage with friends, prep for a big bike race or take a leisurely stroll with your dog. Whatever your fitness fancy, Wash Park is the place to be.

For more casual athletes, sports leagues offer the opportunity to make new friends and sweat a little. But for more competitive participants, they’re about winning — and nothing else. If you’re somewhere in between, Play Mile High is the perfect league. It offers indoor and outdoor sports and more than 700 mostly coed teams that get into everything from soccer to beer-in-hand kickball. Players never get too serious, but sweat will definitely pour, and after each game, teammates usually meet at a bar to decompress over cold drinks and food. A percentage of the league’s registration fee goes toward free sporting events for kids.

playmilehigh.com

Readers’ Choice: Edge Old Time Hockey League

One summer day in 1988, a group of cyclists decided it would be “fun” to bike 120 miles across the Rockies from Evergreen to Vail. Against all reason and logic, that ride lived on and became immortalized as the annual Triple Bypass Bicycle Ride, named for the three mountain passes — Juniper, Loveland and Vail — and 10,000 feet of vertical gain that cyclists surmount during the ride. Now entering its 31st year, the organized ride draws thousands of participants annually who are willing to sacrifice their lungs and legs for the bragging rights of completing Colorado’s most difficult sports challenge. Registration is open for this year’s ride, on July 13; the entry fee ($175-$225) covers a complimentary jersey, five aid stations along the route, support vehicles, vehicle-traffic closures and, most important, some well-deserved beer at the finish line.

triplebypass.org

Every other Thursday night from around May to October, spectators have the chance to see some of the fastest cyclists in America at the Boulder Valley Velodrome’s weekly race series. The velodrome, which opened in 2015, is designed specifically for speed; the 250-meter outdoor track has steep, banked turns, and cyclists use brakeless, fixed-gear bicycles with aerodynamic frames, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Participants range from Olympians to local amateur racers, and the spectating is free. Feel like giving the track a go? Memberships (ranging from $185 to $500) and day passes ($30) are offered to cyclists of all levels.

RiNo already has a reputation for being the coolest neighborhood in Denver, so it would make sense that a new 40,000-square-foot climbing gym would quickly become the hippest spot in the ‘hood. But it’s earned that rep with more than just indoor climbers: While Movement RiNo, which opened in 2018, offers an impressive array of 250 boulder problems, the facility is also conjoined with Improper City, a cafe, food-truck park and beer garden all in one. Unlike gyms that focus exclusively on climbing, Movement’s new RiNo location is a whole scene in and of itself. This is where you’ll find the beautiful people, from the fit climbers strutting their stuff to the well-dressed watchers sipping kombucha.

Donation-based yoga isn’t hard to come by in Denver, but finding a group of like-minded yogis and a teacher willing to consistently foster that community can be. Isabel Rotteveel Belliard does just that, guiding her students through gentle vinyasa flows each week. In the spring and summer, she teaches evening classes at City Park, and in the colder months she takes her community to the GrowHaus and donates part of the suggested $10 drop-in fee to the nonprofit indoor farm. Whether she’s helping advanced students get into deeper poses or first-time yogis find their way around the mat, Rotteveel Belliard creates an affordable and welcoming space for all.

facebook.com/yogawithisabel

Adventure gear can get a bit spendy, which makes Outdoors Geek such a find for its philosophy of trying before buying. This family-owned Park Hill store rents pretty much everything you might need for camping, backpacking, snowshoeing and more — and if you love it, you can make it your own for a reasonable price made even cheaper when the rental cost is applied. Passionate staff members love to share their favorite gear and hacks, and they’re just as eager to sell you the gently used items available as they are the new stuff from top brands such as the North Face, Marmot, Big Agnes and Gregory. Heading out of town for your nature-based funfest? Outdoors Geek will ship what you need.

Readers’ Choice: REI

It’s not hard to miss Berkeley Park Running Company: Located in a tiny house on Tennyson, the shop’s street-facing wall is emblazoned with a Colorado flag-based mural featuring a jackalope silhouette jumping across the C. Inside, the two-story space is packed with shoes, clothing, accessories, nutritional supplements, sunglasses, hydration packs, you name it — much of it from local vendors. Oriented primarily toward trail and ultrarunning, the shop nonetheless attracts a fair number of road runners looking for gear advice and camaraderie. In addition, this community-oriented store sponsors group runs and several area races, hosts guest speakers and parties celebrating all things running — and offers a sweet discount if you drop off your old shoes for charity.

Readers’ Choice: Runners Roost

Specializing in more than one thing isn’t always such a great idea, but Lenny’s has been making it work for nearly forty years, providing not only top-notch golf gear and expert repair, but also nailing ski and snowboard rentals and sales alongside stellar customer service from a staff that knows its snow sports. Tucked away in a plaza, the dual-purpose shop offers high-quality gear, including ski jackets and pants, for rent or purchase, as well as great seasonal rental rates for kids and end-of-season deals on demos. No appointment is necessary for repairs or tuning, either, and if you call ahead, Lenny’s will try to put a rush on it — but more often than not you’ll get same-day service, getting you back on the slopes sooner.

Readers’ Choice: Christy Sports

Just try and throw a snowball without hitting at least three Colorado residents who wouldn’t pick a hard, white winter over summer. In fact, we’re so well known for our winter activities that we routinely attract trade shows big and small that appeal to our wild hearts. Our favorite is the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, which gathers around 800 outdoor-lifestyle vendors annually in Denver so they can show off next season’s goods. The swag is pretty sick, too; free beer flows in the afternoon in brand-name tumblers, trail guides autograph copies of their books, and you’ll walk away with enough free lip balm to carry you through the harshest of Colorado winters.

outdoorretailer.com

Silverton Mountain’s Spring Unguided Season Pass includes twelve unguided days at the mountain, $89 standby skiing during its guided season, a $39 heli drop and 42 days at a collection of partner resorts around the U.S., including three days each at Monarch, Sunlight and Powderhorn mountains. At $499 a pop, you’re paying market rate for those six days if you don’t make it to Silverton. But this pass has been known to go for — drum roll, please — $149 during early-bird pricing. So keep your eyes peeled for the deal, because it’s truly a no-brainer.

Readers’ Choice: Epic Local Pass

Arapahoe Basin is known for its proximity to Denver, for the otherworldly Bloody Marys at 6th Alley Bar and Grill, and for the Beach, a free parking lot at the base of the resort (for those up early enough to snag a space during the ski season, the Beach hosts Denver’s best tailgating from November to June). But A-Bay has a new bragging point for the 2018-2019 season: a high-speed quad that serves the Beavers, 339 acres in the often-ogled, seldom-shredded bowl just west of the formerly out-of-bounds terrain. Bring your charcoal grill for the end of the day or fight your way through 6th Alley for a Bloody — after a day exploring new terrain, you’ll have earned it.

Readers’ Choice: Winter Park gondola

Last season, Arapahoe Basin opened 468 acres of new terrain. Nearly 340 of those make up an area of intermediate to advanced runs called the Beavers, which is now served by a four-person chairlift. But the remaining 129 acres, known collectively as the Steep Gullies, are intended for experts only and comprise the most challenging skiing at A-Basin. All of the narrow chutes have sharp pitches and are designated double-black-diamond runs. But don’t let that intimidate you: The Steep Gullies also has some of the most un-tracked snow on the mountain, mainly because all the runs empty out onto an access road, requiring skiers and snowboarders to make the long hike back to the Pallavicini lift.

Skiing is expensive. Passes will set you back a couple hundred dollars, and even “skinning” up mountains to catch some backcountry turns requires a whole setup of specialized equipment. But what if you could use your skis or snowboard to shred some technical runs at no cost? Hitchhiking rides up Loveland Pass has long been a local strategy. After taking Exit 216 along I-70 westbound (right before the Eisenhower Tunnel), go 1.8 miles up Loveland Pass, until you reach a wide hairpin turnout. This is where runs from the top of the pass bottom out. Park here and join your fellow ski bums hitching rides to the top of the pass. Once you’re there, get into your gear on the tunnel side of the road and make your way down.

Take it from us: Few things are more satisfying than spending the day shredding a ski hill and the night slamming mai tais at a tiki bar. It doesn’t even have to be a good ski hill or a good tiki bar — but as luck would have it, Denver has easy access to both. Back in town after a day full of powder, head straight to Adrift, where you’ll step out of the cold and into a welcoming island paradise. Shed the snow gear and let your mind drift away at Adrift.

As far as Aurora golf goes, Aurora Hills does not have the pedigreed, pardon-me-miss demands for accuracy of Meadow Hills. It doesn’t have the no-holds-barred, chew-you-up-and-spit-you-out intensity of east Aurora’s treacherous Murphy Creek. What it does have is one hell of a breakfast burrito. Tin Cup’s breakfast offering is fresh, hot, spicy, full of chorizo and perfectly portioned. Pro tip: Order your burrito, tee up before 7:30 a.m., and re-up at the turn to get to the kitchen while it’s still serving breakfast.

Hot-shot golf course architect Tom Doak really outdid himself with his 2009 renovation of Lowry’s absolute goat trail of a municipal course, Mira Vista. Now called CommonGround, it’s a breathtakingly perfect collection of varied terrain and confounding angles and has nearly enough fairway width to make the quick, subtle and cavernous greens seem downright fair. Almost. Beyond that, CommonGround is walkable, offers an affordable annual pass, and has top-notch practice facilities, including a grass range and a lovely par-three course. Book your tee time well in advance, because this place cooks in the summer.

There’s nothing quite like transitioning from Crescent Lunge to Warrior II while a giant sawfish shark swims right at you. The Downtown Aquarium currently offers this unique yoga experience on select Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., with several upcoming opportunities to unroll your mat in front of a gigantic tank. The class is limited to yogis sixteen and older — remember: sharks right up in your face — and the fee is only $15. For less than the drop-in rate at many yoga studios, Yoga With the Sharks gives you a workout and a show.

Some yoga classes wrap up with a few minutes lying in savasana and a cold towel infused with essential oils. Après Yoga, however, ends with a cold pint. Après has held its yoga series at breweries throughout Denver and is currently holding classes at Ratio Beerworks on the first and third Sunday of each month. This “yoga with benefits” practice is $17 online ($20 at the door), which includes the beer. Grab your mat, grab your friends and enjoy!

apresyogaevents.com

An easy half-hour drive from downtown Denver, Roxborough State Park offers 4,000 acres of Colorado at its most gorgeous, replete with red-rock formations, a wide range of flora and fauna, and opportunities to spot wildlife such as mule deer and even black bears. As a bonus, the park’s trail system has much to offer hikers of all ages and skill levels. The five-mile Fountain Valley Overlook provides a lovely way to view the Dakota Hogback without working up too much of a sweat. Meanwhile, the Fountain Valley Trail, the Lyons Overlook Trail, the South Rim Trail and the Willow Creek Trail — all three miles or less — are a bit more challenging, but shouldn’t overwhelm the average person interested in spotting birds, including the occasional golden eagle. Carpenter Peak, a 6.4-mile round trip, steps up the difficulty with moderately steeper terrain, but rewards those who make the journey with some of the most spectacular views available near the metro area.

It takes balls to barrel down a singletrack on a bike into banked turns between trees before dropping six feet into transition. Maybe that’s why Denver-based mountain-bike manufacturer Guerrilla Gravity christens its bikes with some of the most hard-core musical references. Fancy a braap? Check out Clash namesake “The Smash,” a full-suspension trail-eater inspired by the rebel spirit of Joe Strummer. Or lose the suspension and crank around town on the Lemmy-inspired “Pedalhead.” Elsewhere, you’ll rest easy knowing your “Megatrail” will never “Rust in Peace” thanks to GG’s Revved Carbon Technology, which basically makes these heavy-metal frames indestructible.

Betasso Preserve sports a varied-terrain tangle of trails for a mix of mileages and skill levels, but combined they make up the Super Betasso, a 16.2-mile, mostly singletrack ride with a brutal climb, some technical rocks-and-roots sections, a few hairpin turns and a sweet downhill payoff. This is also one of the few metro-area trails that successfully accommodates its diverse users — bikes are prohibited on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and all bikers have to go in the same direction — so hikers and horseback riders can easily share the space. Start at Eben G. Fine Park at the start of Boulder Canyon and follow the Boulder Creek path to the Betasso Link Trail, then hang on for the roller-coaster ride of your fat-tire dreams.

bouldercounty.org

Readers’ Choice: Apex Park

While most hot springs around Colorado are heading toward full-on resort status with their fancy massage rooms and water slides, Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, five miles outside of Buena Vista, remains old-school and dated in the most delightful way. The vibe is relaxed and low-key; get your tarot cards read, then recover from the news in one of the pools, which range in temperature from 94 to 110 degrees and are rimmed by rocks and backed by pine and cottonwoods. Buddha and goddess statues keep watch here and there, and hammocks and picnic tables make it easy to chill and snack while you soak. Stay overnight in the motel-like lodge or one of the old (and primitive) cabins, or if you’re just passing through, grab a day pass for $20 to $24, good from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Readers’ Choice: Strawberry Park Hot Springs

Whether you’re looking to swim laps, belly-scoot in shallow water with a toddler, play a game of water basketball, walk in a lazy river, scramble up a climbing wall and splash into the deep end, practice your log-rolling skills or zip down a full-sized water slide, Carla Madison Recreation Center has something for you. With long hours and attentive lifeguards, the latest rec center to hit the Denver area also offers magnificent amenities — like locker rooms that are frequently cleaned and equipped with electronic locks, soap dispensers and swimsuit dryers.

Readers’ Choice: Congress Park

Largemouth bass are the big haul at Carter Lake, but this super-clean and clear 1,100-acre reservoir southwest of Loveland is also stocked with rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, as well as walleye, yellow perch and splake, the love child of brook and lake trout. The daily entrance fee is $9 — summer weekdays are the least crowded, but the lake doesn’t freeze, so fishing happens year-round — and the rustic camping is extra. But once you’re in there, take a break from angling to amble around the plethora of pine trees dotting the surrounding foothills or cool off with a swim. The on-site marina shop sells gear if you forget something.

larimer.org

Readers’ Choice: Georgetown Lake

The urban oasis that is Sloan’s Lake Park boasts quite a few bests: It’s one of the best spots in the metro area for an impromptu picnic, for kids to burn off energy, for anyone who likes to walk, run or bike, and for watching the sun rise or set — all of it enhanced by competing views of the mountains and the Denver skyline. But the fact that the lake is also stocked with Colorado’s signature trout — brown, cutthroat and rainbow — as well as bluegill, catfish, carp, minnow and northern pike, makes it a rewarding fishing hole that’s easily accessed. Even though the city-dwelling fish are sadly accustomed to snagging unusual snacks from the surface, it’s a good idea to bring some worms along — and head for the north side of the lake, which doesn’t allow motorized boats and is thus quieter.

Readers’ Choice: Lowell Ponds State Wildlife Area

When it comes to fourteeners, Colorado offers its recreation-loving residents a wealth of options — 53 of them, to be precise. Problem is, the ones closest to urban areas such as Denver can actually be fairly crowded, particularly during peak summer periods, while others may not be the right fit for the typical hiker and are often long distances away. That’s why Mt. Belford, a 14,197-footer in the Sawatch range, is such a great option. The climb is long enough to justify the approximately seven-hour round-trip commute from Denver, and its switchbacks make the adventure challenging but not so difficult that it feels like a scene from Free Solo. On top of that, the view from the summit is positively breathtaking, and because there’s a ridge to another nearby fourteener, Mt. Oxford, visitors have the chance for a second hike. Which they should take.

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Readers’ Choice: Quandary Peak

Alpine meadows, tundra and lakes, two summits, and Colorado’s largest glacier? All of this and more can be yours for the low, low price of a ten-ish-mile out-and-back accessed from Nederland’s Rainbow Lakes or Fourth of July trailhead. Pack up your personal locator beacon and as much water as you can carry to bag these summits, either from the west side of the Continental Divide via Columbine Lake or the Devil’s Thumb trailhead near Fraser. The west-side traverse is closer to 25 miles, so while this hike can be done on one of Colorado’s arctic-length summer days, the pro move is to reserve a campsite (or two!) through the United States Forest Service and arrange for drop-off at a trailhead west of the divide and pick-up at a trailhead east of the divide.

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Readers’ Choice: Mt. Meeker

The hike to the Loch, also known as the Loch Vale, is just under six miles round trip and is as beautiful in the winter as it is during the summer. The hike begins at the Glacier Gorge trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park and takes you past Alberta Falls and a dramatic gorge before reaching the alpine lake. The Loch can get quite windy, so be sure you have enough winter gear with you (and gloves that allow you to take photos!). The trail, rated as moderate on Alltrails.com, gains 1,072 feet of elevation, but overachievers can tack on a few extra miles by visiting Mills Lake (follow signs at the junction about two miles from the trailhead).

There’s a reason that Genesee Mountain Park is a favorite destination for field trips by schools in and around the Denver area: It could hardly be more kid-friendly. Because Interstate 70 runs through it, Genesee is really two parks in one, with the portion south of the highway including Genesee Mountain, whose summit provides an unobstructed view of the area but at 8,284 feet isn’t overly intimidating. The same is true of 7,988-foot Bald Mountain to the north. Elsewhere, the park offers relatively gentle elevation changes, trails that third-graders can handle, and a herd of bison that give members of the younger generation a feel for the Old West.

Readers’ Choice: Red Rocks Park

The beauty of a Colorado trek is often in the quads of the beholder, but most hikers can agree that a few things are requisite: killer views, plenty of parking, the potential to hike without seeing anyone else, dog-friendly but not overrun, easy to navigate. The 10.8-mile out-and-back Elk Falls Trail in Staunton State Park near Pine has it all, including the chance to look out over the 3,828 acres that make up the property and see the highest waterfall closest to Denver, which is just 39 miles away. The going is pretty easy through stands of ponderosa pine until the last mile, when it climbs straight up and then straight down to the falls. Bring $8 for the daily fee along with your fly rod, because Elk Falls pond contains a lot of little brookies.

Readers’ Choice: Mt. Sanitas Trailhead

Enter through the right side of the unassuming building off West Eleventh Avenue and Kalamath Street, and you’ll find Scum of the Earth Church. Walk through the doors on the left, however, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by walls covered floor to ceiling with glitter-covered quad skates. Death and Glory Skate Shop specializes in derby, park and quad skating gear, with an indoor ramp so that customers can try on skates and test them out. Death and Glory, which officially opened in January, has quickly grown in popularity with the Denver roller derby community, supporting local teams as a partner and sponsor of Rocky Mountain Rollergirls. Lace up, Denver!