 The state
of Colorado is known for its sharp contrasts, but the area
around Grand Junction is dramatic like no other. Within close
proximity are high alpine lakes in lush forests of pine, spruce,
and aspen. Farther east runs the "backbone of America" - the
Rocky Mountain Continental Divide with peaks rising above 14,000
feet. To the west lies breathtaking red-rock desert filled with
canyons, natural rock arches, cliffs, and rivers. More diverse
outdoor recreation is possible within a hundred-mile radius of
Grand Junction than any other city in the western United States!
Possibilities include skiing (Alpine and Nordic), whitewater
rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting,
rock-climbing, wildlife photography, fossil hunting, golf, and
swimming.Much of western Colorado is publicly owned land
filled with Wilderness Areas, National Parks, National Forests,
and Bureau of Land Management land offering access to everyone.
Western Colorado is characteristically "The West," wild and
otherwise.
 The
history of Western Colorado does not begin in the 'wild-west'
days of the 1880's, though. More than 140 million years ago, a
warm and humid flood plain covered the area. The largest
dinosaurs that ever lived on North America thrived here. The
remains of these creatures were trapped and buried. The
sediments eventually turned to rock and the bones were
fossilized. Today, the area has become internationally known for
its wealth of dinosaur excavation sites, museums, exhibits,
fossil trails and hands-on activities. Dozens of dinosaur
species have been found here including the largest Apatosaurus
ever discovered, and the Utahraptor, called the "ultimate
killing machine." Hikes can take you through dinosaur quarries
where some of the oldest fossils ever found were recovered.
Rising directly above Grand Junction is the 10,000 feet
(3,300m) "Island in the Sky," called the Grand Mesa. Grand Mesa,
the world's largest and highest flattop mountain, is home to
over 200 lakes. These stream-fed lakes contain rainbow, native
cutthroat, and brook trout. Bear, deer, and elk are plentiful in
this secluded paradise.
 Bordering
Grand Junction to the west is the Colorado National Monument - a
smaller scaled version of the Grand Canyon. These 23,000 acres
of raw geology provide a stunning backdrop to all other
activities in the Grand Valley. Red sandstone formations range
from huge monoliths to rock spires to arched windows to sheer
cliffs. The 23-mile Rim Rock Drive snakes through the Monument
providing access to the many long and short hiking trails that
allow visitors to become intimately connected with this area of
geologic artistry. More than 1,000 miles of single-track
mountain bike trails make this area a mountain bike heaven.
 For
decades, the business of tourism has been in the "top two" of
the largest industries in the state of Colorado. Only
agriculture comes close, but now total travel-related revenues
and total employment put tourism on top. Projections indicate
that the number of jobs related to travel will double within the
next decade.
Colorado is home to thirty-five world-class ski areas and
served is by every major hotel chain. Direct flights from across
the United States and many countries connect millions of people
around the world to the high country. For the foreseeable
future, tourism will be the fuel that drives the economy of
western Colorado. The business of recreation is serious business
here.
Top Cities in Colorado
1. Denver
2. Colorado Springs
3. Vail
4. Aspen
5. Fort Collins
6. Estes Park
7. Durango
8. Boulder
9. Steamboat Springs
10. Telluride
11. Breckenridge
12. Avon
13. Glenwood Springs
14. Pagosa Springs
15. Ouray
16. Manitou Springs
Popular Attractions in Colorado
* Denver Zoo
* 16th Street Mall
* Coors Field
* Garden of the Gods
* Denver Museum of Nature and Science
* Pikes Peak
* Pearl Street Mall
* Washington Park
* Cherry Creek Shopping Center
* Colorado's Ocean Journey
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