The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
As temps on the Front Range reach the 90s, Coloradans should count themselves lucky to have an escape hatch from the heat. Just a few hours away, the weather is milder and the thermometer can read nearly 20 degrees lower. Plus, there’s plenty to keep you occupied once you get there.
This month, traipse through the wildflowers in Crested Butte, raise a glass to local brewers in Salida, and boogie down to Boyz II Men in Winter Park. Read on for more mountain town events that will inspire you to flee the Front Range (if the weather hasn’t already).
Jump ahead:
Estes Park
Rooftop Rodeo
Olympians aren’t the only ones who train at altitude in the Centennial State: Cowboys and cowgirls also practice above sea level. At the country’s highest-elevation rodeo, bronco busters can see if their work paid off. Contestants from across the world will compete in bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, and other adrenaline-fueled events. Mini buckaroos can sign up for the cash catch, where kiddos aged eight to 12 chase sheep with five dollar bills attached to their backs, or mutton busting, where little ones compete to see who can stay on the back of a sheep longest. July 5–10; 7 p.m.; $17–$25
Winter Park
TheBigWonderful Beer Fest
For many Coloradans, this is the platonic ideal of weekend plans: live bluegrass music, local brews, and stunning mountain views. More than 20 breweries will serve up samples of their suds, which you can take to the two different stages to see acts such as Taarka and Pass the Snakes, or stop by the 40-plus vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and more. July 12; noon–6 p.m.; starting at $35
Winter Park Jazz Festival
This 42-year-old festival’s lineup might catch the eye of ’90s babies: Boy band Boyz II Men is headlining. Those who might have missed the heartthrobs’ heyday will still enjoy a robust roster of bands including funk act the Dazz Band, local icons Hazel Miller & the Collective, and jazz-infused singer-songwriter Musiq Soulchild. July 19–20; music starts at 11 a.m.; $105–$131 per day
Vail and Beaver Creek
Vail Trail Running Series
Orange Theory and CorePower will still be there for you when winter returns, so take this opportunity to get your sweat on in the sunshine. Throughout the summer, race on trails through Vail, Beaver Creek, Eagle, and other mountain locales. This month, sign up for a challenging seven-mile climb from Vail Village to Mid-Vail or for a 5k held at 10,000 feet. Through Sept. 27; times vary; starting at $32 per race
Bravo! Vail Music Festival
The coordinators of this renowned classical music festival are well-versed in, ahem, orchestration—and not just the musical kind. Each summer, the nonprofit brings orchestras to Vail so they can play for locals and visitors alike. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Sinfónica de Minería from Mexico will play everything from Beethoven to Madonna throughout the summer, and don’t miss the mini concerts from community members held at various spots across Vail. Now–July 31; times vary; prices vary
Chefs in the Gardens
If you’re typically glued to the Food Network, take a break from Bobby Flay and watch renowned chefs demonstrate their culinary prowess IRL—in a stunning setting, no less. During the five classes, local culinary artists such as Nicholas Kayser of Avanti Food & Beverage (July 24) and Taylor Frankel of Gravity Haus Slope Room (July 31) will prepare a meal beneath the peaks at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. The best part? You get to sample the finished product. July 10–Aug. 14; noon–1 p.m.; $25
Summit County
Irrational Indigenous Insights Exhibition
What we now call Summit County was historically inhabited by the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes. While much of that history is overlooked today, multimedia artist Anna Tsouhlarakis is highlighting Native American culture in this exhibition which focuses on Native art and the experience of Native women. Through sculpture, video, photography, performance, and other mediums, Tsouhlarakis spotlights the struggles—and resilience—of Native American communities. Now–August 31
SunsetLive!
In mountain towns like Avon, you’re safe from the Sunday Scaries. That’s because instead of fretting about Monday morning’s problems, you can spend Sundays lounging and listening to live music at the Terrace at the Avon Performance Pavilion. Claim a spot on land or sidle up to the stage on a SUP board and let acts such as roots outfit Laughing Bones (July 20) and bluegrass band Gandy Dancers (July 13) stave off the scaries. Now–Aug. 31; Sundays 6–8 p.m.; free
AirStage Summer Après
Après doesn’t end when ski season does. This free music series invites recreationalists to stop by for some post-sweat-sesh tunes. Hike, bike, or bus to the Breckenridge Arts District for draft brews and live music from the likes of the Frisco Funk Collective (July 17), Hobo Village (July 31), John Berning Trio (August 7), and more. Now–Aug. 21; 4–7 p.m.; free
Breckenridge Farmers Market
Breck-based chef Matt Vawter has already won a James Beard Award and oversees two popular restaurants (Radicato and Rootstalk), but now he can add farmers’ market proprietor to his resume. This brand-new Thursday-night market will have more than a dozen vendors (like Five Freedom Dairy and Pines’ Nut Butter) and will take place on the same night as the AirStage Summer Après, so attendees can kick back to live tunes after filling their tote bag with produce. Now–Sept. 25; Thursdays 4–8 p.m.; free
A Creative and Culinary Affair
If your idea of a fundraiser involves a high school cafeteria, deviled eggs, and raffle tickets, get ready to have your mind blown. This annual fundraiser for BreckCreate brings out the big guns: expect demos from James Beard Award–winner Matt Vawter and mixologist Billie Keithley, pop-up circus performances, live music from the Jacob Herold Band, and an interactive art experience. The menu will include bites ranging from Maine lobster and crab salad sliders with Old Bay aioli (from Fatty’s) to Barbacoa buffalo with Olathe corn pica and plantain chips (from Hearthstone). July 10; 5:30–8:30 p.m.; $250 per person
Triple Bypass
Reason number one to sign up for this race? The sheer look of shock you’ll see on your friends’ faces when you tell them you’ll be undergoing a triple bypass. After the confusion wears off, you can let them know that you’ll actually be cycling through three iconic mountain passes (hence the name) and climbing more than 10,000 feet over 118 miles. Novice racers can also consider the double bypass, which skips the Juniper pass and goes through Loveland and Vail. July 12; bag drop-off at 5 a.m.; $271
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
Before you head for the backcountry, tap into your adventurous side with this film screening backed by live music. The iconic 1981 Steven Spielberg film—the first in the franchise—will be shown at Breck’s Riverwalk Center while the National Repertory Orchestra performs John Williams’ ever-familiar score live. July 19; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $5–$53
Avon Arts Celebration
Instead of hauling home kitschy souvenir-shop knickknacks, remember your trip to the mountains with a piece of veritable art. The six-year-old juried arts show includes mediums ranging from ceramics to jewelry to mixed media. And this year, for the first time, the fest will be selling wine and spirits—so attendees can shop while sipping an aperitif. July 25–27; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; free attendance
Salida
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous
Drinker, meet brewer. This decades-old meeting of beermakers and hopheads brings dozens of industry pros from the far corners of Colorado to Salida. Taste the latest from breweries in Silverthorne (Syndicate Brewing), Telluride (Telluride Brewing Co.) Grand Junction (Ramblebine Brewing Co.), and more. July 12; 1–5 p.m.; $70–$140
Steamboat Springs
Music on the Green
Far removed from rush-hour traffic and miles-long Starbucks lines, this weekly series invites guests to start their morning in the serene Yampa River Botanic Park with a set of calming tunes. In July, hear Camille DiTrani and Friends play from the Great American Songbook (July 2), listen to the soothing acoustic sounds of Amanda Hofer (July 16), and catch Pat Waters play favorites from the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd (July 9). Now–Aug. 20; 10 a.m.; free
Crested Butte
Alpenglow Concert Series
If you’ve aged out of the all-night festival circuits and rowdy jam band gigs, this kid-appropriate music series is perfect for your music-loving family. Held before bedtime on Mondays, Crested Butte Center for the Arts will bring acts such as Grateful Dead cover band Easy Jim (July 14), and the 10-person Jacob Larson Band (July 21) to town for a series of tame lawn shows. Now–Aug. 11; Mon 5:30 p.m.; free
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
What is vacation for if not to stop and smell the, er, wildflowers? This 10-day fest gives you ample opportunities to not only sniff the eye-catching blooms, but also photograph them, identify them, write about them, and create medicine with them. Sign up for a guided tour, which will take you across Crested Butte’s trails, where you’ll spot larkspur, primrose, bluebells, and countless other species. Crested Butte; July 11–20; times vary; ticket prices vary
Crested Butte Food and Wine Festival
While this gourmet festival has plenty of learning opportunities, you won’t have to fret about all-day indoor seminars. Most days’ schedules are bookended by foraging hikes (learn about edible flowers, mushrooms, and plants) and alfresco dining experiences (dinner under the stars, anyone?). In between, fill your day—and stomach—by attending hands-on lessons on beer fermentation, the wines of the Southwest, and sabering like a pro. Don’t miss the “Spaghetti West” takeover of the Wooden Nickel, during which American West and Italian cultures will collide in a honky tonk setting. July 13–20; times vary; event prices vary
