Here in Colorado, we don't need a designated day each year to get outside. Every day and every season, Coloradans find a way to enjoy our great outdoors. Snow or shine, our state offers an expansive playground for people with diverse passions, skills, and abilities. Friday, April 22 is Earth Day and we’ve made a list of local businesses who make it easy for you to go out and enjoy Mother Nature in whatever capacity fits you best.
Guided adventures
If you’re new to outdoor adventures or don’t have the time to plan a trip, check out these businesses who will help you connect with nature and have an experience you’ll never forget.
San Juan Backcountry (Durango/Silverton and Meeker): Choose from a large selection of transportation options including ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps, Snowmobiles, Surrey and Electric bikes to explore the backcountry. You can also book guided tours including an opportunity to dive into an old mine.
Montrose Anglers (Montrose): Pick up your gear and head out on a guided tour of the world class fly-fishing country. You can even book a stay at the Bunkhouse at Shiloh Ranch for a relaxing stay after a day out on the river.
Bucking Rainbow (Steamboat Springs): Get your fix of whitewater and scenery by booking a rafting or tubing trip. You can also get some prime fly fishing out on the North Platte, Yampa, and Colorado Rivers.
Big Round World (Based in Lyons, international trips): Seeking international adventure? Big Round World offers hiking and sightseeing tours embracing a sustainable, local-centric approach relishing natural beauty and local culture. Their deep and abiding passion for natural environments, fauna and flora compels them to actively practice Leave No Trace on all of their trips.
Lodging
Trail and Hitch Lodging and RV Park (Meeker): You’ll need a place to rest after a long day of playing outside. Trail and Hitch offers a variety of tiny homes, yurts, airstreams as well as an RV park equipped with wifi, showers, and laundry facilities.
Gear
The beauty of exploring the outdoors is you don’t need more than some sturdy shoes and a bottle of water. However, these local businesses offer a large range of products to help you fulfill all your adventurous dreams of playing in the outdoors while staying safe.
SheFly Apparel (Gunnison): SheFly Apparel is a women’s apparel brand on a mission to provide products that make the outdoors more accessible for all. Their Go There™ Pant features a second, patented zipper (in addition to a traditional zipper) that allows everyone to ‘answer nature’s call’ and relieve themselves in the outdoors with comfort and safety.
Second Wind Sports (Fort Collins): Second Wind Sports is a locally owned and operated consignment store for outdoor gear, sporting goods, and apparel. By giving people a convenient way to sell their used gear, they help keep things out of the landfill, and help others find great gear and get outside for a reasonable price.
Born Outdoor (Lafayette): Born Outdoor was founded in 2017 out of the concept to build the highest quality and most comfortable gear for people like them who live for outdoor adventure. They are launching their company with the Badger Bed, a fresh take on the classic bedroll. Their products have been inspired by camping, hiking and enjoying our high country.
Summit Canyon (Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction): Stop by one of Summit Canyon's locations to pick up weather-appropriate clothing, shoes, and the gear you need for your next adventure.
Kokopelli Bike & Board (Dolores): Pay a visit to Kokopelli for a wide variety of bikes, parts, and apparel before you hit the trails. You can also get a tune-up and an espresso to fuel up before your ride.
Pine Needle Mountaineering (Durango): Pine Needle offers casual and technical clothing, apparel and shoes, climbing, camping, and ski gear from your favorite top brands. Whether you’re hiking, trail running, mountaineering, climbing, practicing yoga, camping, backpacking, or skiing, they have the gear for you.
Cedar & Sage Mercantile (Fort Collins): One of the best ways to show mother nature you love her is to use products that are sustainable and reduce your single-use waste. This store has soaps, shampoos, utensils, and more so you can help keep our earth clean for future generations.
Learn more about outdoor recreation in Colorado
We are home to the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC), a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the continued health of the outdoor recreation economy.
To learn more about outdoor rec businesses across Colorado, visit our OREC business directory to list your OREC business or find a business to support this April in celebration of Earth Day.