Colorado Springs

Home to more than 55 attractions and activities, paired with the stunning scenery of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Park, this Rocky Mountain city offers visitors endless experiences, with three more now joining the pack. The family-friendly Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience, located in Canon City, opened this summer and features full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, skinned animatronics and a multi-storey ropes course. Meanwhile, as Pikes Peak International Hill Climb attracts driving sports fans to the area, visitors can now experience their own thrill at the nation's first two-story indoor electric go kart track, Overdrive Raceway. With two quarter-mile Formula One race tracks reaching go kart speeds of up to 55mph, speed fans can race 10 laps for $20. Now open for year-round public tours, the USA Olympic Training Center Visitor Experience, is home to hundreds of athletes. Visitors can see historical USA Olympic highlights exhibited throughout, as well as the training pool used by Michael Phelps, and the opportunity to watch Olympians of the future while they train.

Colorado Springs is a must for any travellers to the state and with bed nights on the rise a range of new hotels are opening this season, with accommodation updates including:

• The Broadmoor Hotel: The Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond rated historical resort is more than luxury – it offers outdoors adventure in the name of a new Fins Course at Seven Falls. The course features three zip lines more than 1,000 feet in length and two suspension bridges offering bird's-eye views of the South Cheyenne Canyon below. The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure at Seven Falls is open year-round with the frozen waterfalls in winter becoming a natural spectacle.
• Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: A vintage bicycle-themed hotel located on a popular designated bike route connecting Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs is now open. Ideal for cyclists seeking a haven for relaxation after experiencing the countless miles of biking trails close by at the base of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. Rooms are bike themed and the resort has announced cycle clinics will soon be offered to guests.
• The Great Wolf Lodge: Opening in December 2016, thrill seekers will find all the water slide drops, loops and spin outs they crave at Colorado Springs' first indoor water park resort. Pools feature geysers, waves and spray; while family activities include bowling, a children's spa, ropes course and a unique bedtime with wolf dens and bunk bed cabins in the hotel suites.
• The Lodge at Flying Horse: Now open, The Lodge at Flying Horse features a 'Rocky Mountain Tuscan' style across 48 luxury villas and lodges with spectacular views across the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The resort features an 18-hole golf course, spa and athletics club, including tennis and basketball courts, yoga and Pilates studio, and a heated outdoor pool.

Denver

This year a new rail service between Denver International Airport and Denver's Union Station was introduced, making the city easier to reach than ever before for international visitors. The 22.8-mile Denver A-line costs $9 per journey, taking 37 minutes with trains leaving every 15 minutes. A new rail link to the mountains will also commence in January 2017 enabling visitors to enjoy a city break in Denver twinned with a ski holiday in Winter Park. Previously, ski destinations across the state required indirect flights or car hire from Denver, however, the introduction of the new train service from Denver Union Station, coupled with the ease of direct flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, provides a direct link to the slopes for UK visitors. The service will start on 7th January and will run each weekend and holiday Monday until 26th March. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased from www.amtrak.com/winterparkexpress with packages also available when staying at The Crawford Hotel.

In an unprecedented international exhibition opportunity, a taste of Denver's art scene can be experienced at the Royal Academy of Arts in London until 2nd January 2017 as Denver's Clyfford Still Museum has loaned a number of Still's pieces to feature in the first major exhibition of Abstract Expressionism in the UK in almost six decades. Clyfford Still is widely considered the “Father of Abstract Expressionism” and after his death his will stipulated that his estate be given to an American city willing to establish a permanent museum dedicated solely to his work, ensuring its survival for exhibition and study, and until now it has remained in Denver ever since.

In addition to the distinguished Clyfford Still Museum, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary on November 18, 2016, The Mile High City also boasts numerous world-class museums with renowned permanent and temporary exhibitions, alongside art-centric neighbourhoods, hotels and more, further cementing Denver's reputation as an international cultural destination. This includes Denver Art Museum's upcoming exhibition Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume, running from 13th November 2016 until 2nd April 2017. The “out of this world” exhibition will give visitors a look behind the scenes into the fantasy, marvel and delight of bringing characters in the Star Wars™ universe to life through a dramatic presentation of original costumes, 40 years since the release of the first Star Wars film.

In the coming months, Denver will see a plethora of new hotels across the city, meeting the growing demand of visitors to the city. From a number of properties in the recently redeveloped Union Station area to RiNo district's first hotel, upcoming hotels include: 

• Hilton Garden Inn Union Station: Denver's Union Station neighbourhood will be home to a 12-storey Hilton Garden Inn from late 2016, featuring a rooftop deck and hotel restaurant located within a Denver Historic landmark.
• Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant: Opening in March 2017, the new Kimpton will be located adjacent to Denver's iconic Union Station with street-level and rooftop patios and two local-inspired, chef-driven restaurants and bars.
• The Ramble Hotel: Due to open in late 2017, The Ramble Hotel is an independently owned hotel with 50 guest rooms, an intimate theatre and bar, outdoor courtyard and marquee lobby bar, Death & Co Denver – the first outpost outside of its original location in New York City, which opened to immediate acclaim in 2006.
• The Source Hotel: The first hotel in Denver's hip RiNo (River North) district, The Source Hotel will be located next to the popular Source culinary marketplace and newly opened Denver Central Market – a haven for foodie travellers. The hotel is expected to open in early 2017 with 100 rooms and New Belgium brewing concept to feature sour beers.

Across Colorado

New mountain bike tour company, Chasing Epic, has launched in a number of Colorado destinations to offer visitors guided mountain bike adventures across some of the state's most scenic landscapes, with locations including Crested Butte, Durango, Fruita, Grand Junction and Telluride. All-inclusive trips take place over three- or four-day itineraries for intermediate and experienced riders alike, with accommodation at top-rated inns and hotels with access to a trail network. Chasing Epic also offer a series of women-only trips on selected dates (April, August and October), led by accomplished female Chasing Epic trip leaders who are sponsored riders, established racers and some of the best mountain bike riders in the USA.

Araphoe Ski Basin

December 2016 marks the 70th anniversary of Araphoe Basin Ski Area, which will be celebrated with several special deals and events throughout the season. Araphoe Basin's Black Mountain Logde at mid-mountain will host a Moonlight Dinner Series, held on the Saturday of the full moon cycle each month throughout the ski season.

Aspen

Aspen will host the 2017 Audi Ski World Cup Finals from 15th – 17th March 2017, marking the first time the event has been held in the USA in two decades. The race will feature the best men's and ladies' alpine ski athletes in the world competing in downhill, super-G, slalom and nation's team event. Visitors can watch as the athletes take on the steep and challenging faces of Aspen Mountain and the historic site of America's Downhill. As a renowned arts and culture destination, Aspen Art Museum and Aspen Skiing Company have a longstanding Art in Unexpected Places partnership and for this season have announced lift ticket designs by contemporary artist Laura Owens, reminiscent of Pop Art silkscreen prints and seventies illustrations, which will debut on 24th November 2016.

Breckenridge

The historic mining town founded in 1859 is fostering a new set of riches this season, with a number of culinary openings to satisfy visitors after a day on the slopes. Chef Daniel O'Brien (the Top Chef behind Washington, D.C.'s Seasonal Pantry) is leading the way on the intimate and modern farm-to-table experience at the Breckenridge Distillery, with a dedicated whole animal process using spent grains for feed. Visitors can expect bold flavours paired with the distillery's own spirits, including their new gin and pear or espresso flavour vodkas. On the mountain, a new 490-seat restaurant atop Peak 7 will open in December 2016 to offer a variety of homemade foods paired with dramatic views of Summit County. In Breckenridge's nationally-recognised Historic District, the Brown Hotel and Restaurant has now reopened following a year of renovations, with regularly scheduled live music. Formerly a hotel, the restored bar features wood re-used from the 1860's barn that once stood on the same spot as the property.

Estes Park

As Colorado gears up to celebrate a 'Summer of Adventure' in 2017, gateway town to the Rockies, Estes Park, will celebrate its centennial year on 17th April. The town is known for its close proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park; its scenic drives and historic landmarks, as well as the famous Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King to write his novel, The Shining, 40 years ago. Adventure across Estes Park ranges from hard core cliff-camping and rock climbing to watching Elk rutting in the fall months.

Glenwood Springs

Renowned for the restorative power of its mineral hot springs, Glenwood Springs is known as a relaxing destination, which may now be a necessity as work has completed on a cycle route linking the city to Denver International Airport, without the need to touch the highway. The last portion of the I-70 bike path opened at the end of September 2016, enabling cyclists to travel the 150-mile stretch, which has never before been achievable without riding on the Interstate.

Mesa Verde County

Mancos, situated just six miles from the mystical Mesa Verde National Park, has been named by the Smithsonian as one of the “20 best small towns to visit in 2016”. In addition to its proximity to one of the USA's national treasures, Mancos has an authentic cowboy culture with a visit downtown requiring navigation among stagecoaches and cattle drives and one of Colorado's oldest bars, the Columbine.

Ouray

This year, new adventure tour company, Canyoning Colorado, introduced canyoneering descent tours to the south west city of Ouray. Ouray has been frequented by seasoned canyoners for years due to its abundance of canyons and waterfalls, with the addition of Canyoning Colorado making the sport available to visitors with no experience for the first time between May and October – perfect for a summer adventure. From December to March, Ouray Ice Park will open for ice climbing with local experts, San Juan Mountain Guides, providing adventurers with North America's most comprehensive Introduction to Ice Climbing Course. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in the historic Ouray Hot Springs after a day on the mountains, which has now reopened after an extensive renovation project throughout 2016, ahead of its 90th year in 2017.

Telluride

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), just 10 minutes from the town and the ski area, will once again see a daily commercial service beginning on 17th December 2016. The Denver to Telluride flights will be provided by Great Lakes (United partners) and will run year-round, averaging 10 flights per week. Telluride/Montrose (MTJ) is also boasting a new Denver service with the addition of twice-weekly Allegiant Air flights. UK travellers can travel onward to TEX following a direct flight from London Heathrow the Denver International Airport, which is operated daily. New for winter 2016, The Hotel Telluride is offering a Master of the Mountain package that invites guests to become the master of Telluride's rugged terrain with two pairs of customised Pete Wagner skis – one of the most advanced cobblers of skis in the world. www.visittelluride.com / www.thehoteltelluride.com

Further information can be found at www.colorado.com

Consumer social media handles www.facebook.com/coloradoukireland & www.twitter.com/coloradoukeire

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For further press information contact:

• Polly Beech polly@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6359
• Sarah Barnett sarah@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6378
• Paula Peralta paula@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6383