COOL DOWN WITH SPLASH-WORTHY H2O FUN IN COLORADO

70th Anniversary of Fibark Whitewater Festival (Salida): For those with a competitive edge, join in on the 70^th anniversary of Fibark, a whitewater festival June 14-17. Contestants have the choice to participate in several river events including Raft Rodeo, downriver race and slalom race. This three-day event will also be accompanied by live music, lineup to be announced in April.

ATV and Rafting Blast with Mile Hi Rafting (Dumont): Clear Creek is the steepest rafted river in Colorado and conveniently located just 30 miles west of Denver. Mile Hi Rafting is offering a scenic one-hour ATV tour with lunch riverside, followed by a ‘Blast’ intermediate whitewater raft trip on Clear Creek. Starting mid-May through August, guests can enjoy this multi-activity offering for $149.

Canyoning with Canyoning Colorado (Ouray): Ouray, Colorado is known for its ice climbing in the winter, but in the summer months, the same waterfalls can be explored through canyoning. Canyoning entails repelling down waterfalls and exploring river canyons, and Canyoning Colorado is offering new half day and full day tours and trainings for all abilities this summer.

Fishing at Badger Creek Ranch (Cañon City): For those who love to fish and appreciate the comfort of a warm bed and good food, Badger Creek Ranch is just the place. The ranch is nestled in the high country of Colorado’s central Rocky Mountains.  By the nature of the landscape, many fishing opportunities are available within easy reach of the ranch including fly fishing on area rivers and streams as well as fishing in high mountain lakes and reservoirs.

Jet-Boating with Jet Boat Colorado (Grand Junction): Visitors can satisfy their need for speed on a jet-boating excursion with Jet Boat Colorado, the first company in the state to offer jet-propelled boating experiences of this magnitude. Launched in summer 2017, the company’s Wild Mustang jet boat — also equipped with a 420-horsepower, fuel-injected engine — takes passengers on exhilarating Colorado River adventures featuring fishtails, speed runs and “cowboy spins.”

Water Adventures at John Martin Reservoir State Park (Las Animas): Called the sapphire on the plains, the John Martin Reservoir is one for people and wildlife to enjoy with its peaceful surroundings. The reservoir provides visitors with uncrowded boating, fishing, wind water sports and amazing conditions for a wide variety of wind water sports.

New Belgium Timberline Cruiser Regatta at Frisco Bay Marina (Frisco): The Town of Frisco is known to celebrate several unique events at the Frisco Bay Marina. On June 23, Frisco Bay Marina will host the 11th annual New Belgium Timberline Cruiser Regatta, a fun sailing race open to anyone with a sailboat. Costumes and creativity are encouraged.

New Whitewater Park on the Eagle River (Eagle): The town of Eagle has announced The Eagle River Park will open summer 2018. The world-class whitewater park will feature an in-stream design optimizing the river’s natural morphology, which will also offer riverside recreation areas. Welcoming all athletes and visitors, its proximity to I-70 will make it an easy trip for people to visit.

Playing on the Beach at Medano Creek (Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve): Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is something of a mystery. Each spring it emerges from the mountains behind the sand dunes to form a wide, shallow and gently flowing stream. Visitors wade into it to cool hot feet after tromping around the dunes, build sandcastles, boogie board and splash around in its rhythmic waves before it retreats back into the mountains just as quickly. The peak of the creek’s annual flow is late May.

Scenic Tour with Twin Lakes & Interlaken Boat Tours (Twin Lakes): Twin Lakes and Interlaken Boat Tours provides narrated boat tours of Twin Lakes, located among the highest peaks in Colorado. The tours include both the upper and lower glacially formed lakes and the historic Interlaken resort, established in the late 1800’s as a getaway for wealthy mining tycoons. Tours run daily from May through September. Tickets start at $20 for adults, $10 for children.

Soaking in Hot Springs at Iron Mountain Hot Springs (Glenwood Springs): The Iron Mountain Hot Springs caters to all who appreciate relaxing with a warm soak surrounded by mountain views. Glenwood Springs’ newest hot spot offers 16 natural mineral hot springs soaking pools and a freshwater family pool with a jetted spa. All are located alongside the Colorado River with Rocky Mountain views that soothe and inspire.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking Adventures with Limelight Hotel Aspen (Aspen): Guests of the modern luxury Limelight Hotel will get the chance to go on a guided lesson with Charlie MacArthur, founder of Aspen Kayak Academy. This three-hour lesson is accompanied with a picturesque tour of the Nature Preserve located on the east side of Aspen. The paddle boarding and kayaking package will be offered every other Wednesday in May through September.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals and Lessons with Rocky Mountain Paddleboard (Denver, Boulder and Longmont): Rocky Mountain Paddleboard is offering stand-up paddleboard rentals, adventure trips, full-moon paddles, and paddleboard rentals starting at $20 for one hour and $30 for two hours. Beginner lessons are also offered.

Water Activities in Grand Lake (Grand Lake): Colorado’s deepest and largest natural lake, Grand Lake lies just one mile from the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. From swimming at the beach, fishing or sightseeing at Cascade Falls, activities in Grand Lake won’t fall short on the list of water activities this summer. Nearby Lake Granby also offers delightfully cool water and boating opportunities.

Waterfalls at Rifle Falls State Park (Rifle): On a hot summer day, the mist that drifts from the exhilarating gush of water over 70-foot-high limestone cliffs and the dark caves below them in Rifle Falls State Park are a sublime natural air conditioner. These geologic attractions near Rifle draw photographers, spelunkers, fishers and campers to this singular state park.

Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic with Breckenridge Outfitters (Breckenridge): Breckenridge Outfitters, a local fly fishing adventure shop, is offering clinics this summer that are focused on getting women anglers out in the white waters with tight lines. The 2018 Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic class schedule has four scheduled clinics that will take place from May through August. Rates start at $129 per angler.

ABOUT COLORADO: Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and 28 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state’s breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the 2018 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800 COLORADO.