What’s new in Colorado this summer? Hotels, festivals, a wave park and more

Some people return each year to a favorite spot for summer vacation. But if you are among those wanting to try something new in the Rocky Mountain region, here are some suggestions that will give you reason to brag.

Ride the rails

The Rocky Mountaineer launched its Denver-to-Moab train trip in 2021, with the journey going roundtrip from Union Station downtown. What’s new is that this summer, it’s partnered with the Moab Music Festival, which is in its 31st year. The eight-night musical travel experience is Sept. 3-11, with two nights in Denver, two nights in Glenwood Springs, and four nights in Moab. Guests will get to attend four concerts at the music festival, set in stunning outdoor spaces with perfect natural acoustics. (Note that the entire festival is Aug. 28-Sept. 14, and the acts change each year. For details on the trip, go to rockymountaineer.com, and check out the music lineup at moabmusicfest.org.

Plus, when the train stops in Glenwood Springs, travelers can check out the historic Denver Hotel, which was refurbished and rebranded as Hotel Maxwell Anderson. Stop in to see its new lobby and have a cocktail.

Riding high

You’d be excused if you found yourself in Grand Junction and mistook it for Denver’s RiNo neighborhood because this Western Slope city has gone from a way station for outdoor adventure to a hip destination. The new Hotel Melrose opened in fall 2023, so this is the first summer to stay at this “historically inspired boutique hotel” with chic dark walls and sumptuous furniture. Or, just drop in to get a cocktail at the Melrose Spirit Co. while you amble around downtown.

Grab a bite to eat at Jojo’s Dinette, from the same people who brought you the always popular Tacoparty and Bin 707 Foodbar. Opened in spring 2024, this restaurant is aiming for affordable small bites with a combination desert and Parisian twist.

Ride the waves

For the past 10 or more years, the town of Salida has attracted adventurers with its Scout Wave river surfing at Salida Park. New this summer: Scout River 3.0, a new, improved version of the popular spot.

“The 1.0 didn’t really perform the way it was supposed to, and you couldn’t really surf it,” said Mike “Diesel” Post, Salida’s director of parks and recreation. In 2022, the city invested in version 2.0, which was ideal for 1,200 cfs (cubic feet per second of water flow), but when high water came in 2023, there were problems. “It turned into a hole and flipped some fishing rafts,” Post explained.

For this newest version, “We did a whole bunch of improvements, beefed it up to make sure the wave did not collapse during high water and created a safe fish passage.”

Post estimates that this little river wave draws at least 10,000 people to Salida each year.

More art

Aspen was founded with the idea of blending culture and community, so there has long been a wide variety of choices for music and art. New for summer 2024: The Aspen Art Fair, taking place at the Hotel Jerome with more than 35 galleries filling the historic hotel’s iconic ballroom and beyond. Taking place July 29-Aug. 2 during the established Aspen Art Week, this new fair has a big advantage: It’s free and open to the public. The fair, which was co-founded by Becca Hoffman, founder of 74tharts, will highlight international modern and contemporary art and design.

Not roughing it

In Estes Park, you’ll find two refurbished lodgings that are now Trailborn boutique hotels: Trailborn Rocky Mountains and Trailborn Rocky Mountains Outpost. These properties opened in late 2023, so this is the first summer guests can stay there while exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Forget about roughing it, and instead experience stylish interiors with complimentary coffee and a soft cooler, among other amenities.

Not just camping

Ramble, a Golden-based company, has found that sweet spot between camping and glamping, and this is its first summer in Mancos, outside of Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. Here, campers get to experience nature, not being alongside RVs in a parking lot, and it provides a low-smoke fire pit, seating, cooking accommodations and more.

Outdoor recreation

Outside Magazine is debuting its Outside Festival June 1-2  in downtown Denver’s Civic Center, a collaboration between the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Visit Denver. For a few years, Denver was the host to Outdoor Retailer, a massive trade show for outdoor gear and more, before it moved back to Utah in 2023. This event is an attempt to fill that void with a variation that includes brands sponsoring concerts and giveaways. Attendees can take a walk with athlete Diana Nyad, drop off gently used gear for cash; learn about the future of gear; and much more.

Look up

Head north to Wyoming for the opening of the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium in Jackson on June 1. This is the first observatory located in a North America ski resort. There are daytime and nighttime experiences available; tickets need to be purchased for admittance. Check the calendar for concerts so you can combine this celestial outing with some local music fun.

“We get more summer visitors who come to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and that demographic is looking to broaden their experience of the outdoors,” said Sidney Roubin, sales manager at Snow King Mountain Resort. “Usually the technology we have in this planetarium and observatory is only found in research centers so it’s exciting that the community and visitors will get this chance.”

Jackson is currently working to become a designated Dark Sky Place, Roubin added, which could further enhance the sky viewing on this mountaintop.

Play cowboy

En route to Jackson, consider a stop in Cheyenne and take advantage of its new Saddle Up Pass, which for $125 lets you play cowboy: learn roping skills and horsemanship at Terry Bison Ranch; get discounts on authentic Western wear at participating local retailers; take a tour of the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley; and get that souvenir Western photo. The pass is available year-round, and will certainly come in handy during the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 19-28.

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