By Rachel Balduzzi Field Seminars Manager

As winter fades to spring, many changes are taking place in the mountains.  The snow is melting, animals are moving about, and the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (RMNA) Field Seminars Program is busy taking reservations for its 2011 educational classes. This year, more than 81 seminars offer classes on a wide variety of topics for all ages.  Most seminars are scheduled to begin at the Field Seminar Center and then move into the Park to take advantage of its unique beauty and spectacular wildlife.

RMNA Field Seminars fill a unique niche in the Estes Valley by providing adult and children’s classes on natural and cultural history, art, photography, and outdoor skills.  Adults can learn more about local history in Estes Valley:  History and Historic Sites on July 15^th and August 12^th.  Curt Buchholtz, the executive director of RMNA, will lead participants on a unique tour of the historic sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park.  The seminar includes lunch at an historic lodge and lots of great conversation.  The new course Enos Mills’ Wildlife: Then and Now will explore the changes in Rocky Mountain National Park’s wildlife populations over time and how some of these observations were noted in the works of park activist Enos Mills. Other cultural seminars include Native American astronomy and seminars exploring the journey of Arapaho elders through the Park and the legacy of the names they left behind for many of the prominent Park features.

Photographers will enjoy learning more about how to make the most of cusp seasons, such as spring and fall, with John Fielder in Photographing RMNP with John Fielder: Be Productive in the In-Between Seasons.  Glenn Randall will return to teach Landscape Photography and instructors such as Lee Kline help folks learn more about their digital cameras in Introduction to Outdoor Photography and Digital Photography in RMNP: Advanced Techniques.  He will also show how to make the most of photographs once they have been taken in the digital processing course Magnificent Image: Now What?

Artists will find plenty of inspiration in the seminars Capturing Wildflowers in Watercolor with Sherrie York and Paint Your Prose: Creating a Sense of Place Using Nature-Writing Techniques with Mary Taylor Young.  Nyla Witmore, a professional artist from Boulder, has returned to teach Sketchbook Journaling for Travelers & Artists.

New cultural and natural history seminars are also being offered. For families interested in hearing about the lives of people who lived in this area many years ago, the seminars in the Campfire Ghost Stories Series: Living History Tales of the West will offer stories of humor, exploration and danger from characters in period costumes.  Afterward, time for roasting marshmallows around a campfire and asking questions will be allowed.  Other new and exciting offerings include guided overnight backpacking adventures where participants will learn about the ecosystem they are hiking through, an all day hiking series taking participants to locations such as Bierstadt Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, Gem Lake, and the Tundra Ute Trail, and even a trip to Poland on the seminar titled Rocky’s Sister Park: Exploring the Natural and Cultural History of Poland’s Tatra Mountains National Park.

The Estes Park Treasure Hunt has returned as a seminar for children and families.  It will focus on GPS navigation and natural history.  Children will use hand-held GSP units to learn more about the natural history of Estes Valley.  Art Adventures will also return this year during the month of July and provide budding artists with the opportunity to learn about nature and to express their observations through their art.  We are also offering Who Pooped in the Woods? A Mammal Mystery, a course designed to teach kids how to spot and identify animal tracks and scat, and to learn which animals these items belong to.  A family astronomy course is also offered on August 5^th, designed to introduce folks to the basic structure of the universe, design of telescopes, and sky observation techniques.

The 2011 Field Seminars program will provide opportunities for families, children and adults to learn about the mysteries and beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Custom classes are available, so for additional information about seminar options or to register, call 586-3262 or go online to www.rmna.org.

Tourism Day at the Denver Capitol

Tour Colorado January Meeting Monday, January 24th (Tourism Day at the Capitol)

Since this is such an important day for the industry, there will be a Tour Colorado Meeting at the Visit Denver Boardroom 10-11:30 a.m. (1600 California Street)

Please RSVP for the Tour Colorado Meeting to: info@tourcolorado.com
Please try and attend the Tour Colorado Meeting, Tourism Day at the Capitol, and the TIAC Reception.

TOURISM DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Colorado State Capitol
200 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO

Featured Speakers Include:

• Sen. Brandon Shaffer
• Sen. Mary Hodge
• Sen. Al White ·
• Speaker-Elect Frank McNulty
• CEO of Frontier, Bryan Bedford

Spend the day at the state capitol with fellow tourism industry members to learn about recent developments surrounding data trends, how tourism effects your bottom line and what the future holds.  

8:30 am- Breakfast
9:00 am- Welcome
10:45 am- Speaker Series
12:00 pm- Break
1:45 pm- Senate & House Leadership Speaker Series
2:30 pm- Final Speaker

TIAC RECEPTION

Time:  5:30-7:30pm
Locations: The Brown Palace – 321 17th St, Denver, CO
Cost to Industry People: $75

Meet Colorado legislators, network with tourism industry professionals, and finish your tourism day with drinks and heavy
appetizers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

25th Annual Alley Loop Brings Out Serious & Silly Sides of Nordic Ski Racing
1.5K to 42K courses appeal to all levels of racers … costumes welcome

Alley Loop Fairies. Photo courtesy of Crested Butte Nordic Center/Chris Ladoulis.

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (January 13, 2011)—The 25th annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon on Feb. 5 not only is the highest-altitude Nordic marathon in the United States, it reflects the athletic and free-spirited nature of Crested Butte, Colo.  This American Birkebeiner qualifying race starts and finishes in the heart of Crested Butte on Elk Avenue (a National Historic District since 1974) and winds its way through streets, alleyways and Nordic trail system located on the outskirts of this historic mining town.

The Alley Loop, also a Colorado Cup Series Race, embraces all abilities and ages competing on skate or classic skis. Course lengths of 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K are offered, with the 1.5K and 3K races beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the rest starting at intervals beginning at 10 a.m.  New for this year is a 42K classic division that begins at 9 a.m.

While the Alley Loop has a serious side as a qualifier for the American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon, locals host parties on their decks to watch racers from across the country and survey the attire of less-serious competitors.  Be on the lookout for pirates, ladybugs, Vikings, lizards, fairies, alley cats, disco kings and queens.  In honor of the Alley Loop’s 25th anniversary, organizers are asking competitors to consider wearing silver.

Best costume winners will have to be dressed in lots of silver in fact.
New Belgium Brewing’s Taste of the Alley Beer Garden on the deck of the Brick Oven also offers a great spot to watch the action and socialize from noon to 4 p.m.  An awards ceremony will be held at Maxwells across the street at 4 p.m.

Prizes are awarded at a post-race ceremony to the overall winners and to the “The Croatian” (the lucky racer who finishes with the exact median race time), and there’s an abundance of raffle prizes for racers and volunteers. Visit www.cbnordic.org for race information and online registration instructions or call (970) 349-1707.

Crested Butte Nordic Center Facts
The Crested Butte Nordic Center is a full-service cross-country ski center providing lessons and complete rental packages for skate and classical skiing as well as guided backcountry, moonlight, and lunch tours, ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledding.  The Nordic Center maintains more than 50 kilometers of groomed trails that meander through and around Crested Butte, including the new 5K North Village Loop on Snodgrass Mountain in partnership with Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the new Mike’s Mile that follows the old railroad grade in the Slate Rover Valley and connects the Lower Loop to the Gunsight Pass Bridge

Located in the heart of town at Second Street and Whiterock, the Nordic Center will be open for the season from Nov. 20, 2010 – April 3, 2011 and is connected to Crested Butte Mountain Resort and various stops in Crested Butte by a free shuttle bus.  For more information about the Crested Butte Nordic Center and its winter 2010/2011 calendar of events, visit www.cbnordic.org.

Gunnison County is home to a plethora of Nordic talent such as 2006 Olympian Rebecca Dussault; Ingrid Butts, former Olympian and 1991 American Birkebeiner champion; Kendall Butts, former Olympic coach and Ross Matlock, PSIA examiner and demo team member.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
To find out more about Gunnison County or to book personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s toll-free line, (800) 814-8893, or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.  Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver and during the winter season by American Airlines and Continental Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.

Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Contact:
Beth Buehler               
Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association       
(970) 349-1168 or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net
www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROMANCE IN THE ROCKIES
Celebrate Valentine’s Week in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Romance In The Rockies

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (January 7, 2011)– “Romance in the Rockies,” Gunnison-Crested Butte’s annual Valentine’s celebration of love, returns Feb. 8 – 14.  Not only are there concerts, brunch at the yurt, yoga and massage workshops for couples, a Valentine’s chocolate class for kids and a theatrical celebration of food, you can romance the one you love with a sleigh-ride dinner, dog sledding adventure and outstanding vacation packages.  

Valentine’s Week Events

• 2/8              The Wailin’ Jennys Concert, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
• 2/11 – 12   Children’s Valentine Chocolate Class, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte
• 2/11 – 12   Theatrical Celebration of Food (Reader’s Theater & Food Competition), Gunnison Arts Center
• 2/12           Partner Yoga and Tantra Workshop, Yoga for the Peaceful, Crested Butte
• 2/13           Brunch at the Magic Meadows Yurt Hosted by Crested Butte Nordic Center
• 2/13           Partner Massage Workshop, Yoga for the Peaceful, Crested Butte
• 2/13           Snowball Express (1972 Disney movie, filmed locally), CB Center for the Arts

The Wailin’ Jennys will be on stage at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts with their intuitive harmonies, engaging stage presence and uplifting repertoire on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m.  The trio from Canada’s midwestern heartland continues to gain a following from across the globe.  Tickets cost $30.  The Center also will show “Snowball Express,” a classic 1972 Disney movie that was filmed in Crested Butte, on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m.  The cost is $7 per person.  For more information, call (970) 349-7487 or visit www.crestedbuttearts.org.

Local caterer Keely Murphy shows kids how to make four types of homemade chocolates to give to their parents or another special person in their lives.  These hands-on Kids Valentine’s Chocolate Classes for ages 3 and up will be held Feb 11, 4 – 5:30 p.m., and Feb. 12, 1:30 – 3 p.m.  The cost per class is $25 per child and includes a Valentine gift box.  To sign up, call Arrangements Catering & Events at (512) 431-2541 in advance.

A Theatrical Celebration of Food will bring together local chefs, restaurateurs and playwrights for lively competition and collaboration of artistic culinary and theatrical writing skills on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Gunnison Arts Center.  Doors open at 6 p.m., and performances begin at 7 p.m.  A couples’ package costs $50 and includes food, two drink tickets, the show and 30 votes for two people.  Single ticket prices range in price from $20 to $50 depending on if a drink ticket is included and the number of votes received.  Go to www.crestedbuttearts.org. or call (970) 641-4029.

Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte is offering a Partner Yoga and Tantra Workshop on Feb. 12 from 5 – 7 p.m. and a Partner Massage Workshop on Feb. 13 from 4 – 6 p.m.  The cost is $40 per couple, per workshop.  Visit www.yogaforthepeaceful.org or call (970) 349-0302.

Brunch at the Yurt is a premiere way to spend a Sunday morning with selections prepared by local chefs such as homemade yogurt; granola; pastries; creamy brown sugar polenta; sausage; Gruyere and Swiss chard strata; and white bean, potato and kale frittata.  Put on skis or snowshoes to get to the Crested Butte Nordic Center’s Magic Meadows yurt and back at your pace on Feb. 13.  The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for kids (under 12).  Ski passes and rentals are extra. Seatings are available at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  Reservations must be made by Feb. 10 as seating is limited.  Call (970) 349-1707 or visit www.cbnordic.org.

Kindle the Flames

There’s good reason why Crested Butte has been identified as one of the most romantic ski resorts in the West by Ski Snowboard America & Canada.  Here’s some ways to surprise your loved one.

• Board a horse-drawn sleigh at Lazy F Bar Ranch south of Crested Butte for a scenic, 35-minute ride to a rustic 1950s cabin overlooking the East River and indulge in a five-course meal.  Visit www.lazyfbarranch.com.
• Another version of a sleigh ride, Crested Butte style, is being pulled by a snowcat at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and dining at Uley’s Cabin.  Call (800) 810-7669 for reservations and prices or visit www.skicb.com.
• Head out with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures for a one-hour ride in the Almont area.  Halfway through the journey, warm up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.  Go to www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com or call (888)-OUTFITT.
• Snuggle up under blankets and get pulled by a team of dogs in the thick of mountain terrain capped with snow.  Dog sledding with Lucky Cat Dog Farm is one of those lifetime experiences not to be missed.  Visit www.luckycatdogfarm.com or call (970) 641-1636 for details about lunch tours and short tours.

Valentine’s Week Vacation Deals

With the Romantic Mountain Getaway for Valentines package, stay two nights in a premium cabin by the Taylor River at Three Rivers Resort in Almont and enjoy dinner for two at Garlic Mike’s Italian Restaurant in nearby Gunnison.  A private hot tub, fireplace and all the comforts of home will be yours to enjoy.  The cost is only $350, with the package valid for Feb. 11 – 14, 2011 on new reservations only.  Discounted lift tickets to Crested Butte Mountain Resort are available. For reservations and other lodging options, call (888) 761-3474and visit www.3riversresort.com.

Nearby Almont Resort is offering a Deluxe Lodging and Horseback Riding for Two package. Enjoy one night’s lodging an hour-long horseback ride for two with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures starting $195 per night this winter season. Spend half an hour horseback riding around beautiful, snow-covered meadows, before taking a break inside the lodge by the warm fire with hot cocoa. Discount ski lift tickets are available with lodging purchases as well. Offer is subject to tax and availability, call (970) 641-4009 and visit www.almontresort.com.

Stay One Night/Second Night is Free at the Elevation Hotel and Spa, a slopeside property at Crested Butte Mountain Resort from Feb. 11 – 14, 2011.  This deal is subject to availability and can be booked throughCrested Butte Vacations at (877) 326-1467 or www.skicb.com.

The Super 8 Motel in Gunnison is Setting the Stage for Romance by offering one night of lodging with champagne and sweet treats in the room for only $79. The offer is available Feb. 13 – 20, 2011. Reserve by calling (970) 641-3068.

The Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte has a Winter Playtime package available from Jan. 3 – Feb. 18, 2011.  The deal for two people includes three nights lodging and two days skiing for only $618.00 ($309.00 per person). Call (800) 542-7669 and visit www.nordicinncb.com.

Through Crested Butte Lodging & Property Management, enjoy Grand Lodge Savings of 15 percent off stays of two to three nights and 20 percent off visits of four or more nights in this Mt. Crested Butte property from Jan. 2 – Feb. 17, 2011.  Visit www.CrestedButteLodging.com or call (888) 412-7310.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages

To find out more about Gunnison County or to book other personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s toll-free line, (800) 814-8893, or visit www.CrestedButteLodging.com.  Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbtaor follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta.  The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United and during the winter season by American Airlines and Continental Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.

Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country.Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Contact: Beth Buehler    
Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association  
(970) 349-1168 or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net
www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com

[###]

The Tour Colorado Holiday Luncheon Event &
Silent Auction is Only 2 Weeks Away!

Date: Friday, December 3, 2010
Luncheon Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.(networking at 11 a.m.)
Location: Crowne Plaza Downtown Denver

Price: $30 Check/Cash ~ Credit Card-add $3

If you have not done so already, please RSVP right away for the fun.
Whether you are able to join us or not, please let everyone know more about you by contributing to the Silent Auction.

Below is the RSVP and Silent Auction donation form. You may bring brochures to display with your auction item.

We hope to see you all, along with your friends and associates, at this special event.

Please RSVP to  janiemc@comcast.net

What a fun day this was! A great time was enjoyed by all and we thank the Crowne Plaza Hotel Downtown Denver and all of you who came.Special thanks to those who contributed to and supported the Silent Auction. The picture above is of the Board Members present that day. The 2011 Board of Directors is in place and working for you.

Happy New Year to all and may 2011 be a great one for all of us!

Thank You to our sponsors:

Raftmasters

Instead of winding down the year 2010 for Tour Colorado, we are gearing up! In this newsletter you will be able to RSVP for the Holiday Luncheon Event & Silent Auction, contribute an item to the Silent Auction, hear about upcoming member events, and have an opportunity to “sneak peek” the new 2011 Board.

Members, please let us know of your events so that you may be featured in the monthly newsletters.

Interested in hosting a Tour Colorado Luncheon Meeting in 2011? Please e-mail info@tourcolorado.com right away to let us know which month is best for you.

Mark Your Calendar!
DATE: December 3rd, 2010
TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (networking begins 11 a.m.
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Downtown Denver, 1450 Glenarm Place
MORE: Silent Auction & Great Program

RSVP Forms for the December 3rd Holiday Meeting & Silent Auction plus the Silent Auction Donation Form
We hope to see you all, as well as your friends and associates at this special event.

Touch here to RSVP for the
December 3, 2010 Tour Colorado
Meeting and Silent Auction

Sneak Peek -
The 2011 Tour Colorado Proposed Board of Directors

President: Francisca Headrick, Holiday Inn Denver East-Stapleton
Vice President: Jennifer Slensker, Agri Travel/Agape Travel/Prime Time Tours
Sponsorship Chair: Jonathan Knisely, Holiday Inn Select Cherry Creek
Membership Chair: RD Whittington, The Springs Resort & Spa Pagosa Springs
Activities Chair: Peggy Ziglin, Outlets of Colorado – Castle Rock, Loveland, and Silverthorne
Secretary/Treasurer: TBD – Interim: Tour Colorado Executive Director, Penny Christie
Board Consultants: Barbara Bowman, Grand Junction CVB
Joanne Lah, BH/CC VCB
Shannon Dempsey, Destination Hotels
Members-at-Large: Kasia Budek-Sullenberger, Visit Denver

MEMBER PROFILE PAGE UPDATES NEEDED

Members – please update your profile pages and contact information on tourcolorado.com if you have not already done this. We are almost ready to launch the new website and need profile pages ready to transfer.

Durango Ballon Festival Starts in june

Have you booked your lodging

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