Amusement Parks: (roller coasters, ferris wheels, etc.)
1. Elitch's: New location, 1995. $19.95 for all-day rides pass for adults. 455-4771 Hours: 10-10 (close at 11 on Fri. and Sat.) late May-first weekend in Sept. I-70 east, exit on I-25 going south; exit onto Speer Boulevard (clearly marked).
2. Lakeside: 4601 Sheridan. 477-1621. May-early Sept., 6 p.m.-11:00 Fri, Sat., Sun in May; Mon.-Fri. 6:00-11:00, open at noon Sat., Sun. 1995 prices: Unlimited rides $ 9.25 weekdays and $10.75 Sat. and Sun. BUS: Take #44, exit at Harlan or Sheridan. The amusement park is north of 44th St.
3. Heritage Square: See "Golden"
4. Water World: 88th Ave. and Pecos, Federal Heights. 427-7873. Water slides, ocean-like wave pools, innertube rapids, etc. Late May-early Sept. Fee. By car, take I-70 east to Pecos and turn left (north), following Pecos until you reach 88th. Bus: #44 east to Federal, transfer to #31 going north, then transfer to #80 at 80th Ave. and to #6 at Pecos and 84th. You may decide to walk from 80th and Pecos.
SWIMMING, with beaches and rental of small sail boats, wind surfing boards, etc. (and lessons) can be found at the following reservoirs. Entrance fees are charged, as well as rental fees.
All have fees and most require reserved tee times.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, Frontier Days in July. Cheyenne is about 3 hours north of Denver on I-25. The rodeo is advertised in the Denver newspapers and on Denver television. Hotel reservations needed, Greeley, CO., has a rodeo, usually on the July 4th weekend. Take I-25 north of Denver, turn east (right) onto Hwy 34 and travel about 17 miles to Greeley.
Best times to go: early May (weekends) through June. Look at the Mines Outdoor Recreation Center to rent equipment, get info, or see if they're planning any trips in the near future.
Should be a good swimmer. Life jackets and guides are provided. You MUST go with a guide. Ask for a group discount for groups of 8 or more. Reservations are necessary.
Some of the locations and companies are:
1. American Adventure Expeditions, Buena Vista, Royal Gorge, Breckenridge. Call 1-800-288-0675 or 970-529-4680. Sample cost: Royal Gorge (12 miles), half day $49.00, or Brown's Canyon $30.00. Both leave at 9:00 and again at 1:30 Brown's Canyon leaves from Buena Vista. (I-70 west to Vail, then south on Hwy 24 2 miles south of Buena Vista where Hwy 24 meets Hwy 285.
2. Colorado River Runs, Inc. 1-800-826-1081.Locations at State Bridge,CO. ($32 for full day, $22 for 1/2 day). I-70 west to Wolcott (exit 157), follow Route 131 north for 14 miles to State Bridge. Also at Eagle River at Eagle (I-70 west to Eagle, exit and turn left, then turn right on to Fairgrounds Road after crossing the highway). Full day with lunch $42 or half day $27. 10:00 a.m. departures. Also at Brown's Canyon in Buena Vista, CO. $52 full day, $34 half day.
3. Rafting in the Rockies of Wilderness Aware. Reservations required. Call 970-394-2112 or 1-800-462-7238. Some long trips, such as 5 days to the Grand Canyon. Office located in Buena Vista, CO.
4. Echo Canyon River Expeditions. 1-800-748-2953. Arkansas River, near Canon City. Bighorn Canyon 1/2 day $28 weekday or $30 weekend; full day $55 or $60. Royal Gorge: $48/74 weekdays and 50/77 weekends. Overnight trips are also available.
DENVER ROCKIES Baseball team: professional team, plays at Coors Field in lower downtown Denver. Tickets may be purchased at King Soopers or at the field but will be difficult to get because most seats are held by season ticket holders. Drive to Coors Field by taking I-70 to I-25; south on I-25 to the second Speer exit (south exit) and head east to the Auraria Parkway or Lawrence or Larimer. The field is on 18th Street. Parking will be a problem on weekdays. Look for parking lots near the Field, costing from $4-10. Game tickets vary depending on where you sit. You MIGHT be able to buy a ticket outside the gate of the ball field from an individual but you shouldn't count on this. Usually these tickets are higher priced. Bus: Take the #44 bus and exit at 15th and Blake. Walk three blocks to the north, to Coors Field. Weekdays take the #16.
DENVER BRONCOS, National Football League team, with games from August-December. Most games are Sunday afternoons at 1:00, with perhaps one Monday night game per season. Tickets are very difficult to get; check the want ads in either Denver newspaper for available tickets. May also buy tickets outside the gate on game day. Almost never can you buy tickets at the gate. Broncos play at Mile High Stadium; take I-70 east to I-25, exit on I-25 and head south. Follow signs to Mile High; you will exit from the right lane. RTD buses go to Mile High from Villa Italia and Lakeside shopping centers.
Equipment such as tents and sleeping bags may be rented at sporting goods stores such as REI or at the Mines Outdoor Recreation Center right here on campus. Average price per night: $30 for a tent which sleeps 5-6; $8 for a sleeping bag. If you do much camping, it is cheaper to buy your own but be sure that it is a heavy bag because the nights are COLD in the mountains even in the summer. REI: 8991 Harlan, Westminster, 429-8100; 5375 S. Wadsworth, Littleton, 932-0600.
State parks: about $9-11 per night. Phone 866-3437 for information. You may visit the Arapahoe and Roosevelt State Parks web site for more information.
National Parks: Forest Service office is at 740 Simms. Camping permits by the day are $6-12 depending on the campground. Only about 1/3 take reservations, which must be made a minimum of ten days in advance. Can be done by phone, with credit card, by calling 1-800-280-2267. If paying cash or writing a check, allow extra time for reservations. Other parks are on a first come, first served basis. Areas close to Denver fill up quickly on summer weekends. Maps of the forests, with lakes, campgrounds, etc., can be purchased at the forest service for $3 each, for each national forest or national park. You may visit both the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Mesa Verde National Park on the World Wide Web. An alternative website for the Rocky Mountain National Park is the Unofficial Guide to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Requires a fishing license for anyone over 15 years old. May be purchased at Meyer Hardware in Golden, at 1103 Arapahoe. 1995 costs: $20.25 for resident, $40.25 for non resident; $18.25 for 5 days; $5.25 for one day. The fine for fishing without a license is a minimum of $35. The license is good for one year; fishing is permitted year-round. A fishing guide should be picked up at the place where you buy your license; in it are fishing locations and bag limits, which means the number of fish allowed per day, etc. Call 291-7533 for a recording of the laws.
Throughout the late spring, summer, and early fall, there are many festivals in the Denver area. Examples: Cherry Blossom Festival (Japanese) at Sakura Square in Denver, Dutch Festival, Greek Festival, Cinco de Mayo (Mexican) in May, Oktoberfest in Larimer Square. Check the weekly Friday papers, Rocky Mountain News or Denver Post, for announcements about the festivals.
HORSEBACK RIDING: (horse rentals)