Cumberland Pass between Pitkin and Tin Cup is one of the highest standard car road for summer use in the nation — elevation 12,037 feet. The pass generally opens a little before Memorial Day each year and closes before the first snowfall each winter. The open and close dates all depend on snowmelt and snowfall [...]

In 1965, the Colorado Division of Wildlife began stocking Kokanee Salmon in Blue Mesa Reservoir, a 9,000 acre pristine lake nestled in the foothills of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Ten years ago, there were over a million salmon in the lake, which was considered an easily sustainable population. However, Lake Trout were introduced to [...]

Long ago, warm shallow seas covered the southern regions of Colorado. These seas were filled with marine life. As they died, their bodies and shells settled to the bottom, and layer upon layer accumulated over millions of years. The weight of the ocean and the layers above compacted material below, forming it into limestone. Then [...]

Adopted as the official state bird of Colorado on April 29, 1931, the Lark Bunting is actually a migratory bird. Flocks arrive in April and inhabit the plains regions and areas up to 8,000 feet in elevation, then fly south again in September to north and central Mexico. The Lark Bunting lives in meadows, prairies [...]

In 1884, Georgetown and Silver Plume were two of the most successful silver mining towns in Colorado. In the interest of getting the silver to market as quickly as possible, both towns needed a narrow gauge railway to carry the loads of silver ore. However, Clear Creek had carved a narrow steep canyon that connected [...]

Did you know that the Denver Mint produces more than a two trillion pennies, 473 million nickels, 659 million dimes and 168 million quarters? The United States Mints that produce coins (located in Denver and Philadelphia) produce between 14 and 28 billion circulating coins each year — that’s 65 to 80 million coins every day. [...]

Denver has literally thousands of things to do and see during the holidays, but here are See The Southwest’s top picks (in no particular order) to help you celebrate the season. 1. Zoo Lights The Denver Zoo goes all out during the holidays with miles of lighted walkways and displays. 2. The Nutcracker Ballet Watch [...]

The ski season starts early and ends late in the Colorado Rockies and there are dozens of ski resorts to choose from. With three unbelievable mountains, tons of outdoor adventures, lodging and dining all in two unique villages, Keystone is one of the best places to experience the thrill of downhill or the peace of [...]

Explore! Imagine! Create! Discover! Escape to the Denver Art Museum where you’ll visit other places and times through art collections from around the world — Renaissance Italy to the Wild West and everything in between. Best of all, the view is always changing as new exhibits and collections are displayed. Regular collections include: • African [...]

Table of Contents for the Haunted Southwest Series: Haunted Hotel: The Stanley Hotel, Colorado The Vulture Mine, Wickenburg, Arizona Haunted Hotel: The San Carlos, Phoenix, Arizona The Haunted Shores of the Great Salt Lake, Utah Haunted Tombstone, Arizona Haunted Mines: Ghost, Goblins and Tommy Knockers, Southwest Ghost Camels of the Southwest Haunted Dawson Cemetary, New [...]