IPW 2024

'DO COLORADO RIGHT' AND EXPLORE LOW IMPACT TRAVEL EXPERIENCES THIS EARTH DAY AND EVERYDAY

Explore Low Emissions Travel Offerings:

• 
  Take an EV Roadtrip Along Colorado's 17 EV Byways This Summer: The Colorado Tourism Office has been workingclosely with the Colorado Energy Office and Department of Transportation to prioritize construction of electric vehiclecharging stations along the state's 26 Scenic and Historic Byways (more than any other state) that wind throughoutColorado. Seventeen of the state's 26 Scenic and Historic Byways are now available for electric- vehicle travel with threenewly designated EV Byways (Peak to Peak, Mt. Blue Sky and Gold Belt Tour Scenic & Historic Byways) announced in February 2024 and more under construction, offering exciting new summer EV roadtrip opportunities. EV travel is animportant component of Colorado's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Aviation: Denver International Airport (DEN) is on a mission to become one of the greenest airports in the world. DEN is thelargest solar-powered airport in the country with power-saving and recycling facilities along with the world's largest andgreenest parking lot.

Support Local Food and Drink Systems:

• Food, Drink and Agriculture Trails: Colorado boasts one of the largest and most vibrant distilling communities in the country. To inspire the discovery of spirits pioneered by some of the most creative makers in the industry, over 40 Colorado craft distilleries have joined together to create the Colorado Spirits Trail app. The Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway showcases the orchards, lavender gardens, vineyards, wineries and fresh farm market fruit stands on Colorado's Western Slope. The Boulder County Farm Trail recently added new farms on the route, all with visitor experiences from berry picking and farm dinners to farm animal interactions and produce stands. The Roaring Fork + Farm Map is bringing to life a new food and farm trail from Aspen and Snowmass to Glenwood Springs and spotlights local farms and ranches, unique lodging, distilleries, breweries, local food champions and producers.
• Low Impact Dining: Beyond farm to table, the James Ranch Grill in Durango is "table on the farm" by sourcing its main regenerative ingredients from the James Ranch itself. After winning season five of Top Chef, Hosea Rosenberg opened Blackbelly Market in Boulder, which received a MICHELIN Green Star. Rosenberg opened a second Blackbelly Market location in Denver in spring 2024. With a menu starring pasture-raised meats, locally sourced vegetables and “Best Choice Green” seafood, Root Down in Denver is a must-try for conscientious diners craving inventive international fusion. The Fox Den: No Waste Café and Eatery is located in a former laundromat in Fort Collins and takes no waste to new heights.
  Toast to Sustainability: Marble Distilling Co. in Carbondale has partnered with global innovator Siemens to become the most sustainable, zero-waste distillery (and you can sleep at their Distillery Inn). The Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa produces 100% of its ingredients on the farm where the beer is made. Peach Street Distillers in Palisade utilizes local fruits and grains raised by devoted area growers and often upcycles local fruits that some foolishly deem “too ripe” for market. Tour Ska Brewing's 100% wind-powered facility in Durango, and then stick around for a pint.

 

Take in a Low-Impact Experience:

• Celestial Viewing and Preserving Colorado's Dark Skies: Colorado is home to 10 International Dark Sky Parks and five International Dark Sky Communities, many of which were newly designated within the last few years with additional designations on the horizon. Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night is a self-guided stargazing tour that connects several Colorado locations known for their night skies and incredible stargazing opportunities. The Lake City Star Fest (June 7-8, 2024) offers activities for both experienced astronomers and casual stargazers with a weekend full of astronomy and space-themed activities. The annual Black Canyon Astronomy Festival takes place in September 2024 at the certified International Dark Sky Park and features a number of unique astronomy and solar programs, Sky Rangers, local astronomers and night sky events. Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley maintains one of the largest and most state-of-the-art telescopes in Colorado at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe that offers private and free public Star Parties from May to October based on current astronomical events.