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Boulder, Colorado
Located 35 miles northwest of downtown Denver, Boulder is a captivating mountain community enriched with natural beauty, hip urban culture and a vibrant love of the outdoors. A great place for your Colorado vacation! Proud to be one of Colorado’s foremost havens of commerce, education, research and recreation, Boulder is also the spirited home of the University of Colorado. Boulder was originally settled by hopeful miners in 1858 and later named after the large rocks in the area. By the 1870s, Boulder became a regional rail and trade center for mining and farming. The university, founded in 1877, had become the economic mainstay of the community after mining stopped around the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1950s, Boulder emerged as a center for scientific and environmental research. The National Center for Atmospheric Research and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are both located here. Today, Boulder is a major high-tech center, with numerous computer and aerospace companies. However, thanks to the university population, Boulder retains a small town feel. The main thing you will want to do in Boulder is stay outside. Boulder has been named the number one spot in America for outdoor sports. The city has 30,000 acres of open space, 56 parks, and 200 miles of trails. Hiking and mountain biking trails enter the foothills from almost every street on Boulder’s western edge. A half hour farther west, Roosevelt National Forest and Indian Peaks Wilderness Area provide virtually unlimited chances for hiking, fly fishing, camping and cross-country skiing.

Colorado Music Festival — Starting June 24, 2006, this six-week celebration of spectacular music has something for everyone, including world-renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz, the world premier of Mark Grey's Elevation, Grammy Award winner Kronos Quartet, and a special appearance by festival founder Giora Bernstein conducting Brahms Symphony No. 1.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival — The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, one of the country’s most renowned, presents the Bard’s comedies and tragedies each summer from July to mid-August. Most performances are staged outdoors at the Mary Rippon Theatre, where audiences sit on rustic stone benches with the majestic Flatirons as a backdrop.

The BolderBoulder 10K Race — May 29, 2006, come join 50,000 runners, joggers, and walkers in Colorado’s own Memorial Day Tradition. This is a race for everyone!

The Greenbriar Inn — Awarded by Zagat Survey “The Best Sunday Brunch Deal”, The Greenbriar Inn has been a Boulder County landmark for over thirty five years. Originally built in 1873, the newly renovated restaurant sits on 20 acres at the mouth of Left Hand Canyon and offers a romantic country inn atmosphere unique to this part of Colorado.

The Sink — From the very beginning in 1923, The Sink has belonged to the millions of patrons who have passed through its front door hungry, thirsty or simply in need of refuge from the rigors of University life. Don’t leave without trying the famous Sinkburger!

Twisted Pine Brewing Company — For some great local beer and live music, try the Twisted Pine, winners in the 2006 World Beer Cup! Their distinctive ales are only found in Colorado, so don’t miss a chance to quench your thirst. Who needs a born on date when you can be in the delivery room!

Boulder's Third Flatiron towers 1,400 feet high, a few hundred feet higher than the Empire State Building, and has been climbed by people without using their hands, on roller skates, naked and in 8 minutes (by separate climbers).