Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day With Low-Impact Travel Every Day in Colorado

DENVER, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- While attention across the world will focus April 22 on "Climate Action" to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Colorado travelers have boundless opportunities every day to make Earth Day a mindset. Visit Colorado.com.

Care for Colorado Principles: Colorado joined with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to create the principles about traveling responsibly. 

'Colo-Road Trips': The microsite is a searchable online collection of itineraries aimed at inspiring travel in less-visited destinations and seasons.

Electric Byways: By this fall, Colorado travelers should be able to traverse at least five of the state's 26 Scenic and Historic Byways with an electric vehicle.

Sustainable Destinations:

Aspen: Aspen is one of seven cities in the U.S. that runs on 100 percent renewable energy. To help promote responsible tourism, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) created the Aspen Pledge. In direct support of climate action, Aspen Ski Co. launched Give A Flake in 2018.

Glenwood Springs: Glenwood Springs also runs on 100 percent renewable energy. All three hot springs attractions use geothermal heat and recycle BTUs to reduce energy consumption. With a new reservation system and shuttle for Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs is ensuring that this natural wonder is protected.

Breckenridge: This September, Breckenridge will host the Mountain Towns 2030 Summit to gather like-minded mountain destinations with the unified goal of operating at net zero by 2030. The town has invested more than $22 million in protecting land from development.

Denver: The Mile High City is consistently ranked among the most sustainable cities in the country. Visitors can make their trip to downtown low impact by taking the University of Colorado A-Line from Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station.

Fort Collins: From the Pace Bike Share Program to city Transfort buses that run on bio-diesel/compressed natural gas and a new e-scooter pilot program, examples of sustainability abound. Fort Collins is home to over 50 protected Natural Areas encompassing more than 36,000 acres and more than 100 miles of trails.

Steamboat Springs: Sustainability is a value that permeates many areas of the community, as exemplified by the free mass transit system and a plastic bag ban. The Yampa Valley Community Foundation's Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund (TMEF) funds trail and trailhead maintenance projects and recently  introduced new "donation stations."

Vail: Vail partnered with Walking Mountains Science Center and Sustainable Travel International to become the first sustainable mountain resort destination in the world and the first certified sustainable destination in the United States certified by a GSTC-Accredited certifying body, Green Destinations.

Activities Good for the Earth:

ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch, Basalt: A 113-acre wildlife preserve and educational ranch offering farm dinners.

Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night Tour, various destinations: This new dark skies tour launches this spring and connects several of the state's locations known for their stargazing opportunities.

Dandelion Day, May, 9, 2020, Carbondale: The celebration highlights activities and products associated with sustainability, community and spring.

Park to Park Shuttle to Chautauqua, Boulder: The program provides satellite parking and free shuttle service to reduce vehicular impacts.

Ridgway Farmers Market, Fridays May to October, Ridgway: The market operates with a philosophy of supporting vendors who are local and follow sustainable practices.

Walking Mountains Science Center, Avon: The center provides opportunities to explore nature through natural science and sustainability programs.

YMCA of the Rockies Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration, April 24-25, 2020, Estes Park: In addition to regularly scheduled activities, guests will enjoy family-friendly ecology events such as planting trees.

Eco Lodging:

Badger Creek Ranch, Canon City: Guests are provided with an  off-the-grid, authentic and sustainable ranch experience.

C Lazy U Ranch, Granby: In partnership with the Nature Conservancy, the property has placed an additional 1,221 acres under permanent easement as of 2020.

Marble Distilling Company, Carbondale: A zero waste operation that recaptures 100 percent of its process water and reuse energy harvested from the distillation process to heat the facility.

Mellow Moon Lodge, Del Norte: This 1940s motor lodge opened last year as an eco-friendly property focused on outdoor adventure travellers.

The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon: The first Colorado resort to earn Silver LEED certification and expanding its efforts with the creation of the new Westin Riverfront Eco Journey.

SCP Hotel, Colorado Springs: Born out of a vision to help make the world a better place by serving those who value personal wellness, social good and the environment.

Weston Pass Hut, Leadville: This remote escape is built with locally harvested and milled beams and an earth-covered, naturally insulated tundra roof.

Voluntourism:

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: Helps restore and maintain the trails and fragile plant life.

Colorado Mountain Bicycle Association (COMBA): Dedicated to building new singletrack trails and maintaining current trails.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP): Offers many opportunities for people to give back to the land.

Rocky Mountain Field Institute: Engages thousands of community volunteers every year through the completion of trail and restoration projects.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC): Motivates and enables people to become active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: Provides an opportunity to learn about the natural environment and take direct action to restore and care for the land.

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SOURCE Colorado Tourism Office