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Best kids' nature programs

Colorado Bird Observatory

These are programs with meat on their bones -- whether it's a daylong school field trip or a two-week summer camp, the kids involved are truly there, participating and learning as they go. One of the best and most novel is Women Afield, a series of daylong workshops designed to encourage an interest in science among girls ages twelve through eighteen -- a group that traditionally shuns such studies. But there's also a three-hour Bird Studies Extreme birdwatching trek for kids in grades four and up, as well extended camps for teens, featuring classroom instruction and hands-on field training right alongside the pros.

Best kids' nature programs

Colorado Bird Observatory

These are programs with meat on their bones -- whether it's a daylong school field trip or a two-week summer camp, the kids involved are truly there, participating and learning as they go. One of the best and most novel is Women Afield, a series of daylong workshops designed to encourage an interest in science among girls ages twelve through eighteen -- a group that traditionally shuns such studies. But there's also a three-hour Bird Studies Extreme birdwatching trek for kids in grades four and up, as well extended camps for teens, featuring classroom instruction and hands-on field training right alongside the pros.

Best kids' recreation programs

Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness

When you start with a state-of-the-art facility, the rest simply falls into place. The brand-new Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness more than qualifies, offering just about every sport under the sun beneath its shiny copper skin: youth hockey leagues, figure skating, basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, swimming, climbing for kids and more. There are also various summer camps, including overnight and day soccer camps, tennis and volleyball camps and all-inclusive sessions divided up by age groups. Plus, if it's a little R&R you're seeking for yourself, you can pack off the young ones at the center's Little Pioneer Place, which offers drop-off child care for up to two hours.

Best kids' recreation programs

Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness

When you start with a state-of-the-art facility, the rest simply falls into place. The brand-new Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness more than qualifies, offering just about every sport under the sun beneath its shiny copper skin: youth hockey leagues, figure skating, basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, swimming, climbing for kids and more. There are also various summer camps, including overnight and day soccer camps, tennis and volleyball camps and all-inclusive sessions divided up by age groups. Plus, if it's a little R&R you're seeking for yourself, you can pack off the young ones at the center's Little Pioneer Place, which offers drop-off child care for up to two hours.

Best kid place that really lives up to its name

Funtastic Fun

Forget all of those overpriced, underwhelming entertainment warehouses and theme parks that cater mostly to the teenage crowd. The owners of Funtastic Fun know what kids -- and their parents -- like, and it shows. Just about everything here sets FF apart from most other play places in town. The indoor amusement park comes complete with a Ferris wheel, carousel and train -- and that's just the beginning of the fun. There are more than twenty different rides and attractions (including a giant air castle for bouncing, a roller-racing area, side-by-side slides, a shadow-making room and a slew of silly funhouse mirrors), and moms and dads are encouraged to join in the fun. (Bonus for parents: No blaring music, strobe lights or other sensory-overloading gimmicks included.) FF provides all of this for an incredibly reasonable rate (with free parking, to boot): The cash-only admission price of $7.99 per child (just $4.99 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; adults pay $2.99 every day) gives you unlimited rides and play for unlimited time. The family-friendly game machines take 25-cent tokens, but there is so much more to do here that kids hardly notice them.

Best kid place that really lives up to its name

Funtastic Fun

Forget all of those overpriced, underwhelming entertainment warehouses and theme parks that cater mostly to the teenage crowd. The owners of Funtastic Fun know what kids -- and their parents -- like, and it shows. Just about everything here sets FF apart from most other play places in town. The indoor amusement park comes complete with a Ferris wheel, carousel and train -- and that's just the beginning of the fun. There are more than twenty different rides and attractions (including a giant air castle for bouncing, a roller-racing area, side-by-side slides, a shadow-making room and a slew of silly funhouse mirrors), and moms and dads are encouraged to join in the fun. (Bonus for parents: No blaring music, strobe lights or other sensory-overloading gimmicks included.) FF provides all of this for an incredibly reasonable rate (with free parking, to boot): The cash-only admission price of $7.99 per child (just $4.99 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; adults pay $2.99 every day) gives you unlimited rides and play for unlimited time. The family-friendly game machines take 25-cent tokens, but there is so much more to do here that kids hardly notice them.

Best birthday parties for active kids

Gymnastics birthday parties

Kids will go head over heels for this one: For $65, you get one hour in the Meadowood gym for up to eight rowdy little gymnasts ($5 per additional child), followed by a half-hour in the party room indulging in bring-your-own cake and refreshments -- and this is one birthday party where they'll need some excess sugar to burn. Available Friday evenings or Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the parties are open to kids of all ages -- from just-walking to teens.

Best birthday parties for active kids

Gymnastics birthday parties

Kids will go head over heels for this one: For $65, you get one hour in the Meadowood gym for up to eight rowdy little gymnasts ($5 per additional child), followed by a half-hour in the party room indulging in bring-your-own cake and refreshments -- and this is one birthday party where they'll need some excess sugar to burn. Available Friday evenings or Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the parties are open to kids of all ages -- from just-walking to teens.

Best Broncos Super-Bowl coverage in a year the Broncos weren't in the Super Bowl

AM-950/The Fan

Prior to this year's Super Bowl, which didn't include the Broncos (the combatants were the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans), the Fan replayed last year's Super Bowl, which did. The main difference between this broadcast and Orson Welles's panic-inducing radio production of War of the Worlds was that Broncos fans didn't start rioting in Larimer Square after it was over.

Best Broncos Super-Bowl coverage in a year the Broncos weren't in the Super Bowl

AM-950/The Fan

Prior to this year's Super Bowl, which didn't include the Broncos (the combatants were the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans), the Fan replayed last year's Super Bowl, which did. The main difference between this broadcast and Orson Welles's panic-inducing radio production of War of the Worlds was that Broncos fans didn't start rioting in Larimer Square after it was over.

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