Sports & Recreation

Denver can now boast of being at the peak of women’s soccer. The city’s newest pro sports team, Denver Summit FC, debuted in the National Women’s Soccer League in March, with at least four players who were born or grew up in Colorado, including the team’s first signing, recent University of Colorado Buffalo Jordan Nytes. The Summit broke the NWSL record for most advance season ticket orders, at over 15,000, and expects a big turnout for its first game at Empower Field at Mile High on March 28. As the team awaits a new major stadium in central Denver, you can catch the Summit at ​​Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City before home games move into the new Centennial Stadium this summer.

Buying a nice jersey for the home team costs a day’s pay nowadays, and anything rare or limited is double or triple. But if you’re willing to show up early to certain Colorado Rockies games, you can take home unique jerseys and other merchandise, from limited-edition shirts and sweatshirts to jerseys in honor of mystery players, Pride and even the book Fourth Wing, as well as collaboration hats with the nearby universities. The Rockies have a long list of promotion nights with special gear for a certain number of fans first through the doors, and while some of this gear is for kids, the college hat collaborations, Father’s Day Hawaiian T-shirt and other swag are legitimately cool and will be sold at overpriced vintage stores on Broadway. All you have to do to get it is show up for a baseball game. 

It can be intimidating to try a new activity, especially in the fitness community. But those wanting to try hot yoga (or yoga in general) will find a welcoming environment at Black Swan Yoga, a donation-based studio in Capitol Hill. Classes are held throughout the day, taught by a variety of instructors, and can be booked for as low as $15. The small studio can get crowded during peak class times, and the yoga movements would feel easier if it weren’t 90 degrees inside the studio (although that’s kind of the point of hot yoga), but Black Swan classes are open to all experience levels, offering opportunities to level up and down, depending on your day.

Pilates has exploded in popularity in the last few years, but Fierce45 has been leading the scene in Denver for more than a decade. First launching in LoHi in 2015, it now has six locations across the metro area offering reformer pilates classes daily. The 45-minute high-intensity workouts are enough to satisfy advanced practitioners, but the patient instructors also make the exercises welcoming for first-timers. With airy studios, personalized playlists and instructors who refer to each participant by name, Fierce45 has turned an infamously intimidating exercise space into an inviting one. 

Cardio isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. But cardio while watching a movie? Not too bad. Available at several locations across the metro area, Movie Theater Cardio at Chuze allows participants to check out what’s playing that day before popping behind a black curtain and hopping on an elliptical, treadmill or stationary bike while watching a movie. There might not be popcorn, but it is a unique way to burn calories. Other Chuze amenities include red light therapy, team training, hydromassage, pools and hot tubs, a lift lab, a sauna and circuit training — but how many of those will make you appreciate the art of cinema? 

Sports fans get a two-for-one special at Rhein Haus, which is internally connected to its sister joint, Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern. And while the overall vibes and German-influenced bites make plenty of cheeseheads feel right at home, the two bars have enough TVs, cold and tasty treats and friendly bar-goers to make every game an easy fit. Rhein Haus’s two floors and open layout ensure tables are more available than at most downtown watering holes, and the bocce ball court in the middle of the place will keep you occupied at halftime or in between games. The Rhein Haus is also located close to Coors Field and Ball Arena, enabling a quick jaunt to see the Avalanche, Nuggets or Rockies in person if you get the urge.

You can throw axes, play golf or volleyball, or drive an F1 racing simulator at bars around Denver, but how many watering holes have multiple indoor basketball courts? While you may have to save the drinking for after the activities — to anyone who can chug beers and then rain threes, more power to you — Basketball Social House provides a unique baller experience, with a full bar, kitchen and lounge area with flat screen TVs, as well as three private hardwood suites equipped with hoops and TVs, a three-on-three arena, a wall of hoops for arcade-style shooting, and, when you really want to run, a full court for five-on-five. Book a private court with your friends, join a rec league or take your kids to basketball camp at the Social House — and when it’s time to chill, there are always games on or an M.J. vs. LeBron argument to be had. What else does a hoops fan need?

The UFC doesn’t visit Colorado or other high-altitude cities very often, but that thin air is exactly why so many fighters train here, which makes for a solid regional martial arts scene. For our money, the best place to take in local fights is Aurora’s Stampede Club. Although better known for hosting dance nights and musical performances, the multi-story Stampede is a fabulous martial arts venue, with plenty of room for fighting rings, octagons and attendees. You can lean against the rail on the second story, get a bar seat closer to the action, or drift around with a beer and finger food as amateurs and pros (some of whom are cornered by UFC coaches and fighters) beat the shit out of each other. It’s grimy, emotional and feels like a more regulated version of Road House. Visit the venue’s website to buy a ticket for the next one.

On the first Friday of each month, the Bierstadt Lagerhaus brewpub and warehouse transforms into a local WrestleMania arena. The Bierhalle Brawl features a series of professional wrestling performances, led by talent from Rocky Mountain Pro; the event is endlessly entertaining, showcasing over two hours of impressive stunts and spirited skits by the wrestlers. The audience really gets into it, too, dancing, cheering and screaming over body slams and chair shots. With an electric atmosphere and unique concept, the Bierhalle Brawl is something every Denver resident should experience at least once. 

Move over, Grizzly Rose: There’s a new country bar in town. Since opening last April, Belles & Boots has quickly become the city’s go-to Western-themed bar. It offers the iconic mechanical bull and line dancing that you’d expect, but elevates the experience with its high-quality drinks, food and ambiance. The beer and barbecue are locally sourced, and the boot-shaped disco ball hanging from the ceiling sets the perfect mood. Plus, it’s situated in a prime LoDo location near plenty of other bars and entertainment options, with the rooftop lounge even featuring a view of Coors Field. 

By 2030, you’ll be able to get your taxes done and go on a date at a massive deluxe “lifestyle hub” gym on the outskirts of town. Instead of all that nonsense, give us the classic elegance at downtown’s Denver Athletic Club. Founded in 1884 and located in a historic building, the Athletic Club usually costs a few hundred dollars per month, but promotions and discounts aren’t impossible for new members. The Athletic Club has all the niceties you could want: well-furnished workout spaces, trainers and classes, a hardwood basketball court, cross-training rooms, racquetball courts, a dry sauna and steam room, and a long lineup of aftershave to leave smelling like John F. Kennedy — and that’s just the tip. Head to the restaurant, lounge or co-working space after a workout, or get a drink at the Denver Press Club down the street, all while feeling fit and dignified.

Moodswing is the new kid on the block in Denver’s pickleball community, having just opened its doors in January. But the business started off with a bang, quickly becoming a must-try venue. The massive entertainment hub has six indoor courts, six outdoor courts, a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, numerous lounge areas, television screens and the largest patio in the city. Players can order food and drinks from the court, delivered directly to the sidelines without needing to miss a serve. Whether you’re playing or watching, Moodswing provides guests with an unbeatable experience. 

Practice makes perfect, and when it comes to tuning your swing, the batting cages at Cornerstone Park are the best option. For $2, anyone can get a bat, helmet and one round of sixteen pitches. The park has nine cages, including five for baseball, one for fast-pitch softball and three for slow-pitch softball, and batters can adjust the speed in each cage. Cornerstone Park also sells punch cards with ten rounds for $15 pitches or 25 rounds for $30. The batting cages close for weather, including rain, but are open year-round. Littleton residents and members of the South Suburban Parks & Rec District are eligible for discounts, as well. Batter up! 

In addition to the many reasonably priced or free classes offered by the city’s rec centers, Denver Parks & Recreation offers a variety of programs for adventure seekers. For instance, you can sign up for Beginner Aggressive Quad Roller Skate at Wash Park, a Belay Workshop at Carla Madison, or Mountain Biking at Ruby Hill Bike Park. There’s also Advanced Skateboarding for Youth at Denver Skate Park, or a session of music and skating with the Roller Skate Jam Series at the Lowry Sports Plex Rink. Sign up early, because classes fill up fast. 

Denver Nuggets Youth Programs range from NuggetsFIT, which focuses on mental and physical health, to a Math Hoops initiative that prepares kids for algebra with the aid of a basketball-themed board game. There’s also Nugget for a Day: Applicants between seven and seventeen are assessed for their leadership, academic achievements or ability to be positive while facing adversity; those chosen meet the players, tour the locker room, watch the team warm up and get four tickets to a game.

There’s a real love-of-the-game requirement to keep playing rec league hockey into your late twenties and thirties. Not only is it tough on the body, but practice is essentially nonexistent and game times often run after 11 p.m. But how many adult hockey leagues allow you to play in the same arena as national champions? Through the Denver University Adult Hockey League, you’ll play in both Magness Arena, where the DU Pioneers play home games, as well as Joy Burns Arena, where the Pios practice. You can choose from five different skill levels (don’t overestimate yourself; the highest level has ex-D1 players) or join the lunch league, if you have spare time during the weekdays. Registration for the summer starts on May 1, and the fall season August 1. 

RiNo is hip and full of new living spaces, but it has been light in outdoor sports activities for a while, so the Denargo Market Sports Park was a welcome addition to one of the city’s more popular neighborhoods. Part of the larger Denargo Market commercial housing development along the South Platte River and Brighton Boulevard, this new public recreation area has a colorful and climbable rhino statue, dog park, splash pad, nature-inspired playground and bicycle and walking paths. It also has a sweet new basketball and pickleball court, allowing you to get some shots and serves up before going out on Larimer Street.

Golf course clubhouses across the country have stepped up their game over the past decade, offering shirts, hats, towels and other gear that fits younger sensibilities while still highlighting the course and surrounding area. As Denver’s most notable municipal course, known for beautiful skyline and church views and a sixteenth hole that really lets you crank it, it’s only natural to want to rep City Park. The clubhouse’s hats are slick enough to wear on golf trips with pride, featuring a slice of the Mile High skyline, including the Cash Register building, as well as a bovine to honor Denver’s cowtown connection. Perfect for Best of Denver weather.

Carved out of a forest in the Larkspur hills, Bear Dance is surrounded by tall trees and usually has more deer around the greens than people. The course isn’t prohibitively difficult, though, and provides enough variance to keep you interested for all eighteen. But the biggest spark comes right before the halfway point, where an array of sand traps forms a bear’s paw in front of the ninth hole. It’s a fantastic sight as you tee off on the par four, and very Colorado. We know, no one wants to hit out of a sand trap, but at least this one looks pretty cool while you do it — and if you’re able to avoid the bear claw, why not hold a quick liquid celebration at the turn?

Not every golfer is obsessed with power transfer ratios and swing planes. Some of us just wanna rip shots into the water with a sunset and cold beer in the background. At Aqua Golf, you can achieve just that, and even play a little mini-golf when so inclined. Because it’s owned by the City of Denver, the driving range and putt-putt rates are affordable, and the environment is low on stress, even if it can be a little rough around the edges sometimes. You’ll see teenagers laughing, families jumping around and people wearing jeans at Aqua Golf — but they might surprise you and rocket one across the pond or nail targeted chip shots. Who needs a simulator, when you can work on all the aspects of your game outside in your bare feet?

The 5.6-mile Spruce Mountain Loop is too long to be called an easy walk, but you can always turn back whenever you like, and most of the hike is a breeze thanks to the smell of trees — none of which are spruces, ironically — and all of the shade provided. Part of Douglas County’s Spruce Meadows Open Space and Trail, the Spruce Mountain hike will put you right in between oakbrush trees, ponderosa pines and Douglas firs (often called a “yellow Spruce” by old locals), all of which soak up the sun and heat like a vacuum. On the south rim you’ll get elevated and expansive views of Greenland Open Space across the road, and there’s a good chance you’ll see horseback riders on nice days. There is a parking lot at the loop trailhead, but be sure to bring plenty of water.

Named for the colorful clays collected by Indigenous tribes thousands of years ago, the ridges and hillsides at Paint Mines Interpretive Park are draped in shades of orange, pink, red and yellow, and it’s all enhanced at dawn and dusk. With about four miles of trails that have little oversight, walking around the park is free and easy on the feet. You can also sign up for guided hikes in the summer and fall to learn even more about the formations. There is a parking lot, picnic tables and restrooms at the Paint Mines, but bring your own water — and make lunch plans in advance, because there isn’t much nearby.

Hiking around Castlewood Canyon State Park feels like visiting a ghost town, mixed in with Atlantis-style ruins. Located about an hour south of Denver, the park is home to the site of the old Castlewood Dam, built in 1890 only to burst in 1933, releasing 1.7 million gallons of water. You’ll see plenty of pieces of the old dam around the park, as well as the Lucas Homestead site, where a two-story concrete house was built almost 130 years ago. History buffs should start on the Lucas Homestead Trailhead, which will quickly take you to the old homestead (download a tour brochure to learn more about the Lucas family’s home, or check out the visitor center), followed by a sub-three-mile trek to the dam ruins. From there, it’s just another 0.7 miles to see the Cherry Creek Falls.

Hiking with your dog requires more planning than going solo, but there’s little hassle involved at Flying J Ranch Park. Dogs are allowed as long as they’re leashed, and the mild 220-foot elevation gain ensures smaller and older dogs can still tag along. At 2.8 miles, the Shadow Pine Loop provides enough distance for canine cardio, and the surrounding open space makes it easier to corral your dog if — heaven forbid — they run free of your grasp. You’ll see a wide variety of trees and wildflowers on the trail, and maybe even an elk or deer. Although bears and pumas have been spotted in the area, hiker encounters are rare. 

When your apartment dog needs to stretch its legs, there’s no better place than Confluence Park. The downtown oasis features grassy fields and a beach area off the South Platte River, where your pooch can go for a dip and enjoy pets from passing tubers. While not as big as Cheesman Park, City Park or Washington Park, Confluence Park provides access to dozens of miles of urban trails, including the Cherry Creek Trail and South Platte River Trail. Plus, when you’re done exercising, numerous coffee and ice cream shops are just a short walk away, so you can treat your pet to a well-earned pup cup.

Past the crowds at Mesa Verde National Park, this remote destination gives visitors an authentic look into Colorado’s Indigenous history and culture. The cliff dwellings, kivas and petroglyph panels at Ute Mountain Tribal Park are only accessible with a member of the tribe, so you’ll have to register for a tour, which starts at $40 per person. Upon approval, you’ll pile into a shuttle van with a small, guided group and bump down a backcountry road, watching for wild horses while making your way to the canyon’s edge. Below, a series of wooden ladders leads to several unaltered archeological sites. Strewn around them are ancient corncobs and countless painted pottery shards, which have been left in the sand for centuries. Take only photos, and plan to visit between April and October. 

Though it’s difficult to access, those who venture into the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area will discover solitude and spectacular views. This sprawling destination is home to one of the continent’s largest collections of natural arches, second only to that of Arches National Park in nearby Moab. But rather than short walks to prime sights, the scenery at McInnis will demand serious effort. Rumble down rocky backcountry roads or hike fifteen steep miles from Fruita to witness the towering Rattlesnake Arches. More than thirty sandstone formations can be seen, the largest of which stretches 120 feet high and 40 feet wide.

Passengers on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad might be surprised when, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the train comes to a halt and backcountry explorers disembark. While most travelers ride between Durango and Silverton, intrepid adventurers use the historic line to access the remote Weminuche Wilderness during the warm-weather months. Many await the call of the Needleton stop, which provides whitewater rafters access to the Animas River and backpackers a direct route to Chicago Basin, the ideal base camp for bagging three of the state’s iconic fourteeners. Meanwhile, day hikers can trek the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass, then flag down the train at Elk Park, another of the four wilderness stops. Call ahead so you’re prepared with exact cash, as fare starts at $35 per person. 

Staunton State Park, located just outside of Conifer, has special mechanical chairs to ensure that everyone can take in the trails, no matter their level of mobility. A park program allows people to book specially equipped track chairs (think wheelchairs, but with tank-like conveyor tracks instead of wheels) over the weekends from May through November, allowing disabled folks to check out beautiful trails and maybe see a marmot or two while enjoying significantly cooler temperatures than the city. The chairs can be booked free of charge on the park’s website, although you still must pay for a daily entry and parking pass, which runs around $14 — a small price to pay to see Staunton’s treelines and views of Pikes Peak, Lions Head and Mount Rosal. 

Most cyclists use bikes with lightweight aluminum-alloy frames, but in Colorado, the durability and sturdiness of steel frames comes in handy when riding on the many long-distance or off-road trails, especially in the mountains. REEB Cycles caters to Colorado’s backcountry and multiday mountain riders with steel bikes like the Re:Dikyelous and Hardtail.Their wide frames leave ample space for days’ worth of gear and supplies, and even come with three water bottle mounts. Every REEB steel bike has external cable routing, too, which many cyclists prefer for on-the-fly repairs. 

Most pass-holding snowboarders and skiers drive past Echo Mountain on their way up I-70 to Breckenridge or Keystone, leaving all the more room (and an easier commute) for casuals. When you’re hosting out-of-towners or just want to take the kids for a proper tube ride, Echo Mountain is less than 35 miles from Denver, just outside of Idaho Springs. The runs are closer to intermediate than beginner level, so some experience is preferable, but there are areas to learn how to stop and turn, and you can always go tubing if skiing and snowboarding aren’t your thing. But if they are, perhaps it’s time to look into night skiing and snowboarding at Echo, held Wednesday through Saturday. You’ll be back home before midnight. Now just pray for snow next season.

The Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte, is worth its own weekend getaway, but you don’t have to travel that far from Denver to experience abundant blooms. Just over an hour from the metro area lies the Acorn Creek Loop, a popular social trail in Silverthorne. Hike the five-mile route counter-clockwise for a more gradual climb beneath shady aspens and pines; near the ridgeline, the forest opens up to panoramic views of the Gore Range. On the descent, you can admire the many wildflowers that blanket the mountainside, including purple lupines, blue columbines, scarlet gilia, yellow mule’s ears and more. Visit in June or July to see them at their peak.