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The Colorado Vacation Directory
Fun Facts & Trivia

The Rocky Mountains

Facts:

• Capital: Denver
• Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
• Tree: Blue Spruce
• Animal: Big Horn Sheep
• Fish: Greenback Cut-throat Trout
• Insect: Colorado hairstreak butterfly
• Bird: Lark Bunting
• Dance: Square Dancing
• Dinosaur: Stegosaurus
• Gemstone: Aquamarine
• Rock: Yule Marble
• Mineral: Rhodochrosite
• Nickname: The Centennial State
• Statehood: 1876 - 38th
• Motto: "Nothing without Providence"
• Area: 104,247 square miles
• Governor: Bill Ritter, Jr.
• Flag:
  

Interesting Dates:

• Anasazi's inhabited Mesa Verde in C.E. 1000-1300
• Between 1763 and 1848, Colorado belonged in varying proportions to France, Spain, Mexico and the Republic of Texas.
• Gold discovered in Idaho Springs (near Denver) on January 7, 1859
• On February 28, 1861, when Colorado Territory was created, the present boundaries were established and have remained unchanged to the present time.
• Women received the right to vote in 1893
• 1st U.S. gold and silver coins minted at the Denver Mint in 1906
• Rocky Mountain National Park designation in 1915
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park designation in 1999

Sports Teams:

• Football: Denver Broncos - Back-to-back Super Bowl champs XXXI & XXXII
• Baseball: Colorado Rockies - The first National League Team Wildcard to go to the playoffs in 1995
• Hockey: Colorado Avalanche - Stanley Cup Winners
• Basketball: Denver Nuggets
• Soccer: Colorado Rapids
• Lacrosse: Colorado Mammoth

Rockies Game at Coors Field

Colorado Trivia:

General Trivia

• Colorado means "colored red".
• Colorado's southwest corner borders Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the only place in America where the corners of four states meet.
• Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics. Denver was supposed to host the 1976 Olympics. 62% of all state voters chose at almost the last minute not to host the Olympics, because of the cost, pollution and population boom it would have on the State of Colorado and the City of Denver.
• Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.

About Our Towns

• The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs.
• The world's largest flattop mountain is in Grand Mesa.
• In Fruita, the town folk celebrate "Mike the Headless Chicken Day". Seems that a farmer named L.A. Olsen cut off Mike's head on September 10, 1945 in anticipation of a chicken dinner - and Mike lived for another 4 years without a head.
• The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation since 1881. The line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains. The Railroad continues to provide year round train service and has appeared in more than a dozen movies including "How the West was Won" (1963) and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969).
• Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,430 ft. above sea level. Because there was lots of "silver" named towns at the time, the founding fathers suggested Leadville.
• Hundreds of thousands of valentines are re-mailed each year from Loveland.
• Fountain has the distinction of being the United States' millennium city because it best symbolizes the overall composition of America. Fountain is the most accurate representation of the American "melting pot". Fountain was chosen after a Queens College sociologist crunched Census Bureau statistics in an effort to find the one city in the country that best represented the population make-up of the United States.
• Pueblo is the only city in American with four living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
• Dove Creek is the "Pinto Bean" capital of the World.
• The world's first rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail.
• The aptly named town of Twin Lakes lays adjacent to two natural lakes at the foot of Colorado's highest fourteener, Mt. Elbert.
• Rocky Ford has been dubbed the "Melon Capital of the World".
• The world's largest natural hot springs pool covers 2 blocks in Glenwood Springs.

About Denver

• Denver has the largest city park system in the nation with 205 parks in City limits and 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains.
• "Beulah Red" is the name of the red marble that gives the Colorado State Capital its distinctive splendor. Cutting, polishing, and installing the marble in the Capital took six years, from 1894 to 1900. All of the "Beulah Red" marble in the world went into the Capital. It cannot be replaced, at any price.
• The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly 1 mile high above sea level.
• The LoDo region of Denver stands for Lower Downtown.
• Denver lays claim to the invention of the Cheeseburger. The trademark for the name Cheeseburger was awarded in 1935 to Louis Ballast.
• Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America.
• The tallest building in Colorado is the Republic Plaza at 57 stories high, in Denver.
• Every year Denver hosts The World's largest Rodeo, the National Western Stock Show.

Denver's Capital Building in Downtown

Denver's Capital Building and Civic Plaza

Our Mountains

• Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the states.
• Colorado contains 75% of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.
• The Colorado Rockies are part of the North American Cordillera, which stretches 3,000 miles from Alaska, through western Canada and the United States, into northern Mexico. The centerpieces of this dramatic uplift are the peaks over 14,000 feet, or "Fourteeners", as they are affectionately named by climbers. There are 52 Fourteeners in Colorado.
• The highest paved road in North America is the road to Mt. Evans off of I-70 from Idaho Springs. The road climbs up to 14,258 ft. above sea level.
• At 14,110 feet above sea level, over 400,000 people ascend Pikes Peak each year.
• The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel between Clear Creek & Summit County is the highest auto tunnel in the world. Bored at an elevation of 11,000 feet, under the Continental Divide, it is 8,960 feet long and the average daily traffic exceeds 26,000 vehicles.

Road to top of Mount Evans

Mount Evans

Colorado Parks, Forests, and Wildlife

• The United States Federal Government owns more than 1/3 of the land (15 million acres) in Colorado. The Bureau of Land Management controls more than 8 million acres of public land.
• The Colorado Division of Wildlife manages more than 250 public areas for hunting and fishing.
• Of the 113 species of wildlife classified as sport game in Colorado, 105 are considered small game.
• Colorado has 222 state wildlife areas.
• Abundant nesting and migrating birds and other native animals provide a "world-class" watchable wildlife experience. Bald eagles and other raptors, sand hill cranes, shore birds and water birds can be seen seasonally at San Luis Lakes near Alamosa. Colorado is second in the nation for variety of birds.
• The Yampa River below the northwest town of Craig holds northern pike in the 20-pound range, while the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers are prime spots for trout fishing.
• There are nearly 20 rivers whose headwaters begin in Colorado, with the Continental Divide directing each river's course. Colorado is the mother of rivers.
• Last year the Division of Wildlife registered 46,000 off-highway vehicles to residents and about 7,000 to non-residents. That number grows by 20% each year.
• There are 11 national forests within the state of Colorado and state parks and recreation areas.
• The tallest sand dune in America is in Great Sand Dunes National Park outside of Alamosa. This bizarre 46,000-acre landscape of 700-foot sand peaks was the creation of ocean waters and wind more than one million years ago.
• Mesa Verde features an elaborate four-story city carved in the cliffs by the Ancestral Pueblo people between 600 and 1300 A.D. The mystery surrounding this ancient cultural landmark is the sudden disappearance of the thousand of inhabitants who created the more than 4,000 identified structures.
• The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge near Canon City. The Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet.
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument near Cripple Creek is a lesson in history set in the one-time shadow of the Guffey Volcano. The Volcano erupted millions of years ago, creating fossils and leaving the valley filled with the petrified trees.

Pikes Peak

Historic Colorado

• Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful" atop Pikes Peak overlooking Colorado Springs.
• Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike explored the southwest portion of the Louisiana Territory in 1806 and though he never climbed the peak that bears his name, he did publish a report that attracted a lot of interest to the area.
• The slogan of "Pikes Peak or Bust", painted across many of the prairie schooners, was born at a time as fortune hunters headed west. Although only a handful of those who flocked to the region ever found gold.
• Colorado's first and oldest military post, Fort Garland, was established in 1858 and commanded by the legendary frontiersman, Kit Carson.
• In 1859, John Gregory discovered "The Gregory Lode" in a gulch near Central City. Within 2 weeks, the gold rush was on and within 2 months the population grew to 10,000 people in search of their fortune. It came to be known as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth".
• Built in 1867 by Seth Lake, the Astor House in Golden was the first stone hotel built west of the Mississippi River.
• John Henry "Doc" Holliday's brief and tumultuous existence led him to Glenwood Springs where he succumbed to tuberculosis and died at the Hotel Glenwood on November 8, 1887.
• Glenwood Springs was a favorite stop of former president and hunting enthusiast Teddy Roosevelt. It was in this town where the teddy bear got its name.
• The Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington dates back to 1905, making it the oldest wooden merry-go-round in the United States. It is the only wooden carousel in America still with its original paint.

Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Royal Gorge Bridge

Helpful Hints:

• ALTITUDE AWARENESS
  In Colorado's high country, skies are bluer and stars are brighter because of our altitude. Our air is thinner, with less oxygen, than at sea level, especially above 8,000 feet. Until your body adjusts, go easy on physical activity; drink more water than usual; minimize your intake of alcohol, caffeine and salty foods; and eat high carbohydrate foods, such as grains, fruits and vegetables. There is less atmosphere to screen out ultraviolet rays, so remember to use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim for shade. If you adopt the proper attitude toward Colorado's altitude you and your family will have the most enjoyable vacation experience possible.

• CLIMATE/WEATHER
  There is an average of 30 degrees difference between low temperatures at night and high temperatures in daytime.

• CLOTHING
  Dress in layers! We have a saying in Colorado: "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!"

• DON'T BLAME FIDO
  If your dog seems sluggish in the mountains, know that dogs do not automatically adjust to higher altitudes. Like humans, pets should be given time to get used to the thinner air. Give your dog lots of water, and while hiking, be careful of overheating. If your dog lags behind or its tongue hangs out, your dog is overexerted. Let the dog rest. If hiking away from water, carry a water bottle for your dog. Note: Dogs can get giardia drinking from streams. Check with your vet for giardia shots. Also be sure to watch your dogs paws. Hiking in the woods can cause cuts, scrapes and foot pad injuries. Carry an anesthetic and gauze or tape to bandage wounds.

• DEAD AIR
  Cell phones don't always work in the mountains. If you have to use one for an emergency, a higher ridgeline will give you the best reception. (Just don't be on a ridge during a thunderstorm!) If you call 911, tell them where you are (ie: what trail, park, peak or county). Depending on where you are, you may reach an emergency center for a different county.

• NO BUTTS ABOUT IT
  Use your ashtray. Colorado state law states that anyone who throws a lit cigarette or other burning material from a moving vehicle faces a fine of up to $1,000 and could spend a year in jail. Triple civil damages can be charged for causing a wildfire.

• BE PREPARED
  The drier climate, higher altitude and different outdoor pollens can trigger allergic reactions. If you have allergies, always be prepared for medical emergencies. Carry antihistamines or other allergy medications with you at all times.

• LEAVE NO TRACE
  
  PLAN AHED AND PREPARE. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you visit. Prepare for extreme weather and emergencies.

  TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES. Use established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.

  DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 20 0feet from water, camps, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.

  LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND. Preserve the past; examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plans and other natural objects as you found them.

  MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the back country. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires and keep fires small.

  RESPECT WILDLIFE. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young or winter.

  BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous, yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Avoid loud voices and noises.

  Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management

• BICYCLING IN COLORADO - RULES OF THE ROAD Bicyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle and can be penalized for violating traffic laws:
  RIDE ON THE RIGHT. NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC. Ride in the right lane, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn or avoiding hazards. Always ride with the flow of traffic. Ride on the paved shoulder whenever a paved shoulder suitable for Bicycle riding is present.

  RIDE SINGLE FILE. Ride two abreast only when no motor vehicle traffic is approaching within 300 feet (front and rear) or when all cyclists are in the shoulder. On curving canyon roads, play it safe and ride single file.

  OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS, SIGNS AND SIGNALS. Use hand signals to indicate left or right turns, slowing or stopping.

  USE A HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND REFLECTORS AT NIGHT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH DRIVERS. Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right-of-way. Expect the unexpected; your first responsibility is to avoid a crash.

  ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!

  RULES FOR MULTI-USE TRAILS: RIDING, SKATING AND WALKING. Travel on the right, signal file, with the flow of traffic. Don't block the trail. Groups should be in single file when other trail users are present and should never use more than one-half of the trail to allow for the flow of traffic.

  CONTROL YOUR SPEED! Obey speed regulations. Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking other trail users.

  WHO YIELDS THE TRAIL? Before passing another trail user, be courteous and make your approach known. A friendly greeting "Hello passing on your left," or ringing a bell is considerate. Bicyclist, skaters, walkers and others yield to Equestrians. Bicyclist and Skaters yield to walkers. Bicyclists yield to skaters. Downhill users yield to uphill users. Faster users yield to slower users.

  NEVER SPOOK ANIMALS. LEAVE NO TRACE. Respect wildlife and plan ahead. Stay on existing trails and don't create any new ones. Pack out at least as much as you pack in.

  Courtesy of CDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program.

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Be Bear Aware:

Today, only the black bear is known to exist in Colorado. Population estimates range from 8,000 to 12,000 bears. These bears can run up to 35 miles per hour, run up or down hills easily, and climb trees.

Bears use trails just as people do since it's easier to travel on a trail than through underbrush. Being aware of tracks, droppings and other bear signs (claw marks on trees, rotten logs ripped apart and hair on tree bark from rubbing) will allow you to determine better the presence of bears.

Bears may be active anytime, during day or night, most often during morning and evening twilight.

If we are to live with wildlife, we all need to do our part:

• Keep trash in bear proof containers or keep containers in a secure building.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• If bears are present, remove all bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders.
• Clean BBQs after each use.
• Do not put fruit and vegetables in compost piles.
• Do not feed bears or try and approach them.
• Keep all lower level windows and doors tightly closed.
• If a bear enters your house open doors and do not get between the bear and its escape route.

Camping in Bear Country:

• Always keep a clean camp.
• Don't leave food out when not in use. Store it in bear resistant storage unit, hard-shelled vehicle or car trunk.
• Use bear-resistant trash receptacles.
• Keep your sleeping area, tent and sleeping bag free of food and odors.
• Don't sleep in clothes you cooked or handled game in,

What to do if you meet a black bear:

• STAY CALM. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, talk aloud to let the bear discover your presence.
• STOP. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact as bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wild bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked.
• IF ON A TRAIL, STEP OFF THE TRAIL on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Don't run or make any sudden movements. Don't climb a tree.
• SPEAK SOFTLY. This may reassure the bear that no harm is meant to it. Try not to show fear.
• IF YOU MEET A BLACK BEAR WITH CUBS, use extra caution. In contrast to grizzly bears, black bears normally do not defend their cubs aggressively, but still use caution.
• FIGHT BACK if a bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

Courtesy of Colorado Division of Wildlife.

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Wildlife Watching Information:

We've all had it happen. You look up from the trail just in time to see an animal dive out of sight. The truth is, most animals see and hear us long before we catch their drift. Fortunately, there are simple ways you can help blend into an animal's surroundings. The ultimate wildlife watching experience is behavior watching - viewing animals without interrupting their normal activities.

FADE INTO THE WOODWORK.

• Wear natural colors and unscented lotions.
• Remove glasses that glint.
• Walk softly so as not to snap twigs or trample wildflowers.
• Crouch behind boulders or vegetation to blend your figure or break up your outline.

LET ANIMALS BE THEMSELVES.

• Resist the temptation to "save" baby animals. Mom is usually watching from a safe distance.
• Give nests a wide berth. Your visit may lead predators to the nest or cause the parents to leave, exposing eggs or young to the elements.
• Let animals eat their natural foods. Sharing your sandwich may harm wild digestive systems and get animals hooked on handouts.

CAMERA TIPS

• Use at least a 400 mm lens.
• Have the sun at your back
• Air for featuring wildlife within its natural surroundings, not a full frame profile.

"CATCH" A FISH VIEW

• Crouch when you approach a stream or lake bank to avoid being seen by watchful fish.
• Keep an eye on your shadow so it doesn't cross the water.
• Wear dull colors that won't contract with your surroundings.
• Move like molasses: smooth and steady.
• Tread lightly to cut down on vibrations that carry into the water.

COME TO YOUR SENSES

• A wildlife encounter is a spectrum of sensations. Deepen awareness by tapping your sense of smell, taste, touch, hearing and sight.
• Use your peripheral vision rather than turning your head.
• Look above and below you. Animals occupy niches in all the vertical and horizontal layers of a habitat.
• Cup your hands around the back of your ears to amplify natural sounds.
• Silence can speak volumes. Animals may fall silent when a predator is passing through an area.
• Peer through a hand lens to enter the world of insects.

THINK LIKE AN ANIMAL

• Imagine how the animal you are seeking spends its days. Check field guides to find out about life history and preferred habitats.
• As a rule, the border between two habitats is a good place to see residents from both places.
• Look in high-visitation areas: trail intersections, perches, ledges overlooking open areas and drinking sites.
• Take note of the season and guess whether the animal will be searching for a mate, feathering a nest, fattening for the winter or preparing to migrate.
• Dusk and dawn offer best bets for viewing.
• Consider the weather. After a rain, for instance, many animals emerge to feed.

HOW TO USE BINOCULARS

• Find the subject with your unaided eyes.
• Bring the eyepieces just under your eyes.
• Sight the subject over the tops of the eyepieces.
• Slowly bring the binoculars to your eyes.

Courtesy of www.watchablewildlife.org.

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Snowmobile Information:

• SAFETY
  Snowmobiles operated between sunset and sunrise must have at least one headlight that illuminates objects 100 feet ahead and one red tail that can be seen from 500 feet.

  As an extra safety precaution, you may wish to have your lights on at all times while operating your snowmobile.

  Be careful when crossing roads of any kind. Come to a complete stop and make absolutely sure no traffic is approaching from any direction. Then cross at a right angle to traffic.

  Know your abilities and don't go beyond them.

  Know your machine's capabilities and don't push beyond them.

  Know your riding area. Get a map. Talk to the locals.

  Don't snowmobile alone.

  The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers.

  Any snowmobile accident resulting in death, personal injury or property damage must be reported immediately to the nearest law enforcement agency.

  NEVER drink and ride.

  Always be sure your machine is in good mechanical condition and be thoroughly familiar with it before you ride.

  Wear warm multilayered protective clothing, a protective helmet and goggles or a visor.

  Think ahead: remember, it's you, the Safe Rider, that makes snowmobiling safe. Many problems will be avoided by using common sense. Minor problems can be overcome by carrying a useful tool kit, spare parts, flashlight, first-aid kit, and a few survival items such as high energy food, fire starting equipment and a compass.

• KEEP COLORADO SNOWMOBILING BEAUTIFUL
  Treat the outdoors with respect. Do not litter or damage trees or other vegetation.

  Remember you must have the permission of landowners before snowmobiling on their property.

  Operate snowmobiles only on land and trails designated for their use.

  Watch out for small trees and shrubs

  Carry out your trash.

  Steer clear of wildlife and report any incidents of harassment or hunting of wildlife to the nearest law enforcement agency.

  Respect the rights of other winter sports lovers. Everyone has the right to use and enjoy our public lands.

• RULES AND REGULATIONS
  Snowmobiles may not be used to hunt or harass wildlife. Report any instances of a snowmobile being used to chase or hurt animals to the nearest law enforcement agency.

  No one under the age of 10 may operate a snowmobile unless:

  • They operate it only on land owned or leased by a parent or guardian,
  • They are accompanied by someone 16 or older,
  • They are accompanied by someone 14 or older who is certified in snowmobile safety

  Persons between the ages of 10 and 16 may not operate a snowmobile in Colorado unless:

  • They hold a snowmobile safety certificate
  • They are supervised by someone 16 or older
  • They are supervised by someone 14 or older who holds a snowmobile safety certificate
  • They operate the snowmobile only on land leased or owned by a parent or guardian.

  It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile while under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol.

  It is unlawful to carry loaded firearms or strung bows on a snowmobile.

  It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile in a careless or reckless manner.

• REGISTRATION
  All Colorado snowmobiles, including those on trailers in parking lots and at trailheads, must be registered with Colorado State Parks unless:
  • Licensed in another state and used in Colorado for less than 30 consecutive days
  • Used exclusively for sanctioned snowmobile races
  • Government owned

  The current year validation decal must be permanently affixed to each side of the upper half of the cowling of the machine.

  Snowmobile dealers are required to sell a snowmobile registration to anyone buying from their inventory. Colorado residents may use their dated snowmobile registration. Colorado residents may use their dated snowmobile bill of sale as a temporary registration for the first 30 days of ownership.

  Snowmobile registrations are valid from October 1 through September 30.

  100% of your registration dollars go towards the snowmobile program in Colorado. This includes trail grooming, trail poles and signs, safety information, the avalanche observer program and grants.

Courtesy of Colorado Division of Park and Outdoor Recreation and www.snowmobile.org

Jeeping & OHV Information:

• DRIVING TIPS
  BE A FEATHER FOOT. Go easy on the throttle and brakes to keep you in control and out of trouble.

  KEEP YOUR THUMBS ON TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL, hands positioned at ten and two o'clock. If you hit an obstacle, the tire may be deflected and snap the steering wheel suddenly, injuring your thumbs if your thumbs are hooked over the steering wheel spokes.

  LOWER THE TIRE PRESSURE TO WHERE YOU SEE A BULGE IN YOUR TIRE, generally not lower than 20 pounds. This will give you better traction and a smoother ride. However, do not exceed 10-15 miles per hours with the lowered air pressure.

  KNOW WHERE THE DIFFERENTIAL IS; this is the lowest point on your vehicle. It could be on the right, left or in the middle. This will help you know where to place your tires to avoid hitting it.

  USE THE LEFT FOOT BRAKING TECHNIQUE. Modulating the brake and throttle with both feet helps to maintain control, even on a vehicle with a manual transmission.

  BEWARE OF THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE; know the parameters of tire placement.

  LOOK AHEAD OF YOUR VEHICLE ABOUT 30 YARDS to pick your trail and align your vehicle for the best route.

  DON'T RIDE THE BRAKES AND CLUTCH. Tap brakes to maintain steering control and avoid lock-up, skidding or sliding. Disengage the clutch only at the last instant when coming to a full stop. Keeping the power going to the wheels helps maintain control.

• RULES AND COMMON COURTESY ON THE ROAD OR TRAIL
  DRIVE ONLY WHERE PERMITTED; stay on the trail or road. Don't make your own short cuts, switchbacks or trails.

  IF YOU ENCOUNTER A GATE ON PUBLIC LAND, leave it as you found it unless posted otherwise.

  RESPECT PRIVATE LAND. Many landowners will allow you to cross their land, but only if you ask permission.

  YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO BIKES, HORSES AND HIKERS. Move to the edge of the road or trail and stop. If possible, shut the engine off. Be courteous and helpful.

  IF YOU BROUGHT IT IN, BRING IT BACK OUT. Don't litter on the trail. Do more than your share. Bring plenty of garbage bags; don't leave anything behind.

  YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY for drivers on the uphill grade or overtaking you.

  DON'T BE A TRAIL HOG. Respect others, regardless of their means of transportation, everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors.

• SAFETY ON THE ROAD OR TRAIL
  TRAVEL WITH A GROUP OF TWO OR MORE VEHICLES to enable your to return safely if you have mechanical problems, an accident or illness.

  USE OF A C.B. RADIO OR CELLULAR PHONE CAN BE VERY HELPFUL. Should an emergency develop, the C.B. emergency channel or cellular phone can get help to you.

  BUCKLE UP! Seats belts are MANDATORY! They help keep you in place on rough terrain.

  DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

  DON'T EXTEND DAYLIGHT HOURS. Plan your riding schedule to allow being back at the base, campsite or designated meeting place at a predetermined hour.

  MAINTAIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR FELLOW OHV DRIVERS. Tailgating can lead to serious injury to you, your vehicle and others.

  A MULTPLE USE ROAD OR TRAIL IS NOT A RACECOURSE. Aside from the potential for creating environmental damage, reckless driving endangers you and others sharing the road or trail.

  USE COMMON SENSE. Know your limitations.

• REGISTRATION
  UNLICENSED TRAIL MOTORCYCLES; all-terrain vehicles; and other unlicensed, motoized recreation vehicles must be registered.

  REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR: motorcycles designed for use on public streets, roads and highways carrying a current license plate; vehicles used strictly in mining or agriculture; vehicles used strictly on private land for noncommercial purposes; vehicles provided by a dealer for education or safety programs; vehicles owned by the government; vehicles operated in certain organized events authorized by the appropriate agency.

  REGISTRATIONS ARE VALID from April 1 to March 31st.

  REGISTRATION DECALS MUST BE AFFIXED PERMANETLY on the upper forward half of the OHV, in a location where the decal can be easily seen.

  OHV OPERATORS MUST CARRY THEIR OHV REGISTRATION CARD and show it to any peace officer upon request.

  OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS who bring OHVs into Colorad must have OHV registration from their home state. If your state does not have an OHV registration program, a Colorado non-resident OHV permit is required.

  OHVs REGISTERED IN THEIR OWN STATE are required to purchase a Colorado non-resident OHV permit if they will be in Colorado for over 30 days.

  Courtesy of The Tread Lightly! Guide

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ATVing Information:

• RULES AND COMMON COURTESY ON THE ROAD OR TRAIL
  RIDE ONLY WHERE PERMITTED; stay on the trail or road. Don't make your own short cuts, switchbacks or trails.

  IF YOU ENCOUNTER A GATE ON PUBLIC LAND, leave it as you found it unless posted otherwise.

  RESPECT PRIVATE LAND. Ask permission first, landowners may allow you to cross their land.

  KEEP THE NOISE AND DUST DOWN. Others will appreciate it

  YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO BIKES, HORSES AND HIKERS. Move to the edge of the road or trail and stop. If possible, shut the engine off. Be courteous and helpful.

  IF YOU BROUGHT IT IN, BRING IT BACK OUT. Don't litter on the trail. Do more than your share. Bring plenty of garbage bags; don't leave anything behind.

  YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY for drivers on the uphill grade or overtaking you.

  DON'T BE A TRAIL HOG. Respect others, regardless of their means of transportation, everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors.

• SAFETY ON THE TRAIL
  KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS.

  A MULTPLE USE ROAD OR TRAIL IS NOT A RACECOURSE. Aside from the potential for creating environmental damage, reckless driving endangers you and others sharing the road or trail.

  DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

  DON'T EXTEND DAYLIGHT HOURS. Plan your riding schedule to allow being back at the base, campsite or designated meeting place at a predetermined hour.

  MAINTAIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE BETWEEN RIDERS. Tailgating cuts down on reaction time and can lead to collisions and injuries.

  RIDE WITH A PARTNER. Riding solo can leave you vulnerable in case of mechanical problems, and accident or illness.

  Always wear a helmet, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, sturdy pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.

  BE CERTAIN EACH RIDER IN YOUR PARTY HAS A MAP AND KNOWS WHERE THE GROUP IS HEADED. Select predetermined rest stops and designate meeting places in case you become separated.

  BE PREPARED IN CASE YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN AND HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

  AVOID RUNNING YOUR ATV COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS.

  BE SURE YOU KNOW THE LOCATION AND OPERATION OF ALL THE CONTROLS. Learn how to find and use the controls without looking down at them. Control locations vary from model to model so be sure to take time to familiarize yourself with its controls.

  PACE YOURSELF. ATV riding is physically demanding and can be compounded by high altitude, heat or cold. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Know your limitations and keep your body "fueled-up" at regular intervals throughout the day.

  IF YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A HEADLIGHT, riding with it ON at all times allows other trail users to see you sooner.

• KEEP COLORADO ATVING BEAUTIFUL
  ALWAYS STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS or other areas open for use.

  SENSITIVE WILDLIFE HABITAT (e.g. wetlands, streams, meadows, fields) should be avoided. Crashing through undergrowth, or across meadows can destroy nesting sites and other sensitive habitat. Stay on designated trails and roads.

  RIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL TO MINIMIZE WIDENING IT.

  AVOID SIDESLIPPING, which can start a rut, ultimately leading to erosion.

  CROSS STREAMS AT FORDING POINTS ONLY. Driving up and down a streambed disturbs fish and other aquatic habitats and can damage your vehicle.

  Courtesy of The Tread Lightly! Guide

Huntng Information:

• HUNTER RESPONSIBILITY
  THINK OF SAFETY FIRST AND SHOOTING GAME SECOND. Maintain your equipment so it functions properly and poses no safety threat to yourself or others.

  HAVE RESPECT FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY. Always ask for permission to hunt on private land. Talk with land managers before going afield. Respect the land and drive only on developed roadways.

  UNDERSTAND THE REGULATION FOR THE AREA WHERE YOU ARE HUNTING. Report violations of the law to authorities and property vandalism to landowners.

  IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AND NEVER TAKE A SHOT UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN OF THE SPECIES. Do not hunt out of season or before or after shooting hours.

  RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES CARE OF GAME. Show restraint if offered a poor shot. Do not leave wounded animals to suffer inhumanely. Animals and even game birds should be quickly field dressed and cared for to prevent meat spoilage.

  TRANSPORT GAME FROM THE FIELD IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT OFFEND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Displaying a carcass on the front hood or bumper of a vehicle is offensive to many.

  PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC PLACES. Conduct yourself in a way that will not bias others' opinions of hunters.

  DO NOT LEAVE TRASH AND LITTER - including spent shotshells and cartridge cases - in the forest, field or campground.

  MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HUNTING SEASONS