Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been voted the top train journey in the USA and takes an impressive 3rd place in the worlds best train journey category.

Voted for by the Society of American Travel Writers, the world�s largest organisation of professional journalists and photographers.

The historic train winds through rugged canyons in Colorado�s San Juan National Forest. The narrow gauge steam train retraces the route used for more than a century by miners and sightseers during the gold rush 150 year ago.

For more information visit www.colorado.com

Come and let Colorado captivate you with its exciting and unique festival and events calendar for 20098.

Spring Back to Vail, 137th � 1913th April 20098: Sun and spring skiing will be aplenty in Vail this coming April! The mountains will be alive with free concerts, on-snow events, street parties and the famous World Pond Skimming Championships to honour the end of the ski season for another year. The "sport" of Pond Skimming involves attempting to defy the laws of physics and slide completely across a pond of freezing water on skis or a snowboard donning creative costumes. For further information please visit http://www.springbacktovail.com

Fruita Fat Tire Festival, 234th � 267th April 20098: The city of Fruita will host the 143th annual Fat Tire Festival �Lucky Thirteen�. Biking trails, live music and a taste of Colorado�s 300 days of sunshine will all be present at one of the most sociable events in Colorado. Also expect to enjoy welcoming beer gardens, biking product displays from some of the best in the industry and warm western hospitality! Don�t miss out, hire your bike and get peddling! http://www.fruitamountainbike.com

Mesa Verde Country Indian Arts and Culture Festival, 23rd May � 252thnd MayJune 20098: May is archaeology month in Colorado and there is no better place than Mesa Verde Country to celebrate the rich cultural heritage that the USA shares with the Ancestral Pueblo people, miners, explorers, outlaws and railroad men of the past. Listen to Native Americans share dances, stories, arts and history while visiting the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, partaking in the outdoor activities available in the area, and enjoying the fabulous climate of the Southwest. http://www.mesaverdecountry.com

2nd Annual Telluride Yoga Festival, 10th � 12th July 2009: This magical event combines the inspiration of the natural surroundings and expertise of both nationally acclaimed and local yoga practitioners. An array of yoga and meditative workshops for all levels, as well as related seminars will be offered. www.tellurideyogafestival.com

298th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo 112th � 123th July 20098: This is your chance to experience Steamboat Springs�s most colourful weekend! Join the locals at a festival of vibrant colours and art by watching over 40 balloons rising in the early morning mist over the valley of Steamboat. During the afternoon head to Lincoln Park for Steamboat�s biggest arts and craft festival �Art in the Park�. Make sure it�s in your diary to be at one of the most anticipated weekends of summer in Colorado! http://www.steamboatsummer.com/summer

2nd Annual Cankworx Colorado Mountain Bike Festival, 30th July � 2nd August 2009: Visit Winter Park this summer and check out the second annual Crankworx Colorado Mountain Bike Festival. Showcasing Winter Park Resort as Colorado�s ultimate mountain biking playground, Crankworx is one of the nation's largest freeriding events. This exciting two-day event features cross-country and downhill races, a Super D, Big Air and a Slopestyle contest. The event, which takes place in Winter Park�s famed Trestle bike park also includes an outdoor expo, pro riding demonstrations, free music and entertainment. www.crankworx.com

Colorado State Fair, 28th August � 7th September 2009: The State Fair is a lively celebration of the people, agriculture, art, music, natural resources and industries that collectively make Colorado the great place it is to live and play. This year, Fair-goers can enjoy music from top performers such as Colbie Caillat and Sugarland, revel in rodeos, eat delicious Colorado fare and delight in the carnival. There are also great livestock shows and numerous parades to watch throughout the week. www.coloradostatefair.com

Telluride Film Festival, 4th � 7th September 2009: Each Labor Day weekend, the tiny mountain village of Telluride, Colorado triples in size. Swells of passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days of total cinematic immersion, embarking on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms. With only an appreciation of celluloid to guide them, these devotees flock to the show, year after year. Why? Blind faith. The programme is not revealed until everyone lands in town. www.telluridefilmfestival.org

All events are weather permitting and subject to change. For a listing of additional Colorado events and travel information, log onto www.colorado.com

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Note to Editors: Images are available by contacting Lauren Sycamore at Cellet PR on 0 08456 020 574 or lauren@cellet.co.uk