Jump Into Buncom Ghost Town's Ragtag Memorial Day Weekend Parade (photos)

Colorado could come across as dinosaur-obsessed — and with good reason. The Rocky Mountain West has unparalleled access to artifacts from the dinosaur age because the uplift that formed the mountains unearthed layers of rock that were buried for millennia prior, said Bruce Schumacher, senior paleontologist with the U. S. Forest Service. That’s why when development companies start digging on new projects, they often stumble across dino remains.

The winding, sometimes-precarious state highway Colorado 82 over Independence Pass opened for the season just before noon Friday. Related Articles Colorado News | 20 years after a bulldozer rampage in a small Colorado town, the legacy of the “killdozer” lives on Colorado News | FDA urged to relax decades-old tissue donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men Colorado News | Colorado’s 10 best dinosaur destinations, from museums to track sites and quarries Colorado News | How do you get a job post-graduation?

Memorial Day weekend heralded the official return of festivals, camping, picnics, Tevas, pools and margaritas on the patio. And while there are plenty of old favorites to return to, from Red Rocks shows to your favorite ice cream shop, and from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to SUPing on Cherry Creek Reservoir, sometimes it is nice to try something new. Check out our list of what’s new in Colorado (like a wave park, hotels and more) here, or take a look below to see 10 “cool” new ways to beat the heat in the Denver area and across the state. Pedal a swan boat at Washington Park Washington Park has always been a good bird-watching spot, but it’s even better with the addition of 18 swan-shaped pedal boats that people can rent.

The adventure no one needs this summer is having their car run out of gas — or battery charge for hybrid and electric vehicles. As the state adds more charging stations strategically placed along scenic byways, electric vehicle drivers have more chances to see Colorado scenery. As of February, 65% of the Centennial State’s historic and scenic byways are “electrified.” The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Scenic & Historic Byway Commission announced that 17 of Colorado’s 26 byways have electric charging stations within 100 miles.

For more than a century, the Broadmoor has welcomed travelers to Colorado Springs with its elegant decor, high-end amenities and mountain views. Now, fans of the historic resort can spend the night inside one of its guest rooms — while sailing around the world on a cruise ship. Windstar Cruises, a sister company to the 106-year-old hotel, has created near-exact replicas of Broadmoor rooms onboard several of its ships.

Some people return each year to a favorite spot for summer vacation. But if you are among those wanting to try something new in the Rocky Mountain region, here are some suggestions that will give you reason to brag. Ride the rails A cellist plays in Hunter Canyon as part of the Moab Music Festival in 2023.