outdoors

Every trail in Rocky Mountain National Park has a story. Sometimes the tale is historic, other times geological. Each plant is unique, animals have unseeable adaptations. For most, these tales are only skimmed. By taking a guided hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, a whole new world of information is revealed. Whether you are an experienced hiker, or just beginning to explore, heading out with a naturalist guide is a great way to experience Rocky's hidden stories.

By Bob Garver

By Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Every year more than a few hunters must be rescued from the wilds and high country of Colorado. Hunters get trapped by snowstorms, injured in various types of accidents or simply get lost in the woods.

Hunters must remember that altitude can affect their health and their ability to move easily. And in the Rockies, weather can change quickly with fast-moving storms dumping a couple of feet of snow in just a few hours.

The upcoming Colorado State Fair is hosting eight nights of thrilling rodeo action and each night in the Budweiser Rodeo Arena offers a different mix of entertainment and discounts. 

Rodeo fans will be on the edge of their seats as Professional Rodeo's top cowboys and cowgirls compete for top scores and fastest times. PRCA Ram Rodeo announcer, Boyd Polhamus, and rodeo entertainer, John Harrison, will keep the arena hopping. Special discounts also provide rodeo fans the most bang for their buck.

Rodeo 4 Pack

Arkansas River Headwaters

The 2016 Colorado State Fair is offering money-saving discounts every day to help the Fair fit within the family budget.

"Tickets to most Colorado State Fair events include gate admission and access to our many free attractions," said State Fair General Manager, Sarah Cummings. "Plus, we offer a wide variety of daily deals and discounts to give fair-goers even more value for their dollar."

The 2016 State Fair offers these special deals and discounts:

Pueblo Bank & Trust Fun 4 Pack

By Chris Parmeter, District Wildlife Manager

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

In the 1980 movie classic, "The Mountain Men", the character Henry Frapp is

questioned by a young green horn: "Haven't you ever been lost?" Frapp scratches

his whiskers and after a recollecting pause, replies, "A fearsome confused for a

month or two... but I ain't ever been lost!"

For the fur trappers, wandering through a vast and unexplored country, "lost"

would have been something of an oxymoron. Not knowing where you were was a

Colorado Parks and Wildlife's northeast region is offering some upcoming seminars to help new hunters get out into the field with counsel and confidence. Come join us and find out why hunters come from around the country to hunt Colorado.

WHAT: Elk Hunting 101- for the New Big Game Hunter

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

WHERE: Hunter Education Classroom, 6060 Broadway, Denver

Canyons & Plains of Southeast Colorado held their Regional Meeting in Ordway, Colorado on Thursday, August 11. The program was a photo presentation presented by Richard and KiKi Medina. This was a very informative program highlighting the events that have been held in Crowley County this year. We now know that Lake Meredith is the only seaplane port in Colorado.

The Colorado State Fair kicks off next week with a wide variety of free events that are sure to please every fair goer. 

Free opportunities include:

*The Agricultural Pavilion, presented by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, provides the ultimate experience for ag education.  The young and young-at-heart can be a farmer for a day, visit the petting zoo, and learn how agriculture plays a role in all our lives.