Eco-Friendly Experiences
Aspen
A pioneer in sustainability, Aspen powers its city using 100 percent renewable energy: wind, solar and geothermal heat. Start your day in this eco-friendly mountain town with hearty breakfast bowls and freshly pressed juice at Spring Cafe Organic Food & Juice Bar, and then experience culture and nature simultaneously as you explore Anderson Ranch Arts Center, where the rotating outdoor sculpture exhibit features creative pieces installed throughout the 5-acre campus.
Stroll into Kate Maller Sustainable Fine Jewelry for some feel-good, handcrafted bling made from high-quality recycled gold and silver. Just down the road in Carbondale, pop into the Marble Distilling Co., a model of sustainability that recaptures 100 percent of their process water and reuses energy harvested from the distillation process to heat their facility, saving more than 4 million gallons of water annually.
Also make time to check out Osmia, which sells wellness products for your skin, and partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every order they receive (resulting in more than 50,000 trees planted in Colorado so far!).
Denver
In the creative hub of RiNo, hop on an electric scooter — Lime offers scooter rentals via mobile apps — or hoof it around the neighborhood to see colorful murals, graffiti and street art splashed on business walls and down alleyways. Make a stop into the taproom of Odell Brewery Co., a 100 percent employee-owned craft beer company that uses sustainable brewing methods, contributes to hundreds of nonprofits and volunteers 2,000-plus hours per year to community causes. Continue your brewery-hopping journey over to the taproom of New Belgium Brewing, a B Corp-certified company that uses clean energy and sustainable packaging, plus donates to bicycle-advocacy nonprofits. (Bonus: their signature Fat Tire brew is the country’s first carbon-neutral beer.)
Stay overnight in one of the industrial-style rooms at The Source Hotel + Market Hall, a design-forward boutique hotel that uses energy-saving efforts to minimize environmental impact. It’s also pretty handy that the food hall’s delights are just steps away. Another consideration are the menus of Edible Beats, six wind-powered restaurants with responsibly sourced, veggie-forward menus: Linger, Vital Root, El Five, Root Down and Root Down DIA.
If you’ve got time for a little shopping, head over to nearby Aurora's Stanley Marketplace to find Zero Market, which strives to make a zero-waste lifestyle convenient with package-free body products, home cleaners, tea and herbs, and much more. Bonus: Bring your empty containers and they'll fill them with organic, sustainable local toiletries.
Vail Valley
Learn about the science of the natural world while taking in the splendor of spring with a free guided nature walk or snowshoe hike at Walking Mountains Science Center, and explore the exhibits at Vail Nature Center.
After trekking around, unwind with a relaxing massage or facial at Spa Anjali, named a top green spa by Organic Spa Magazine, peruse the stacks at community-minded The Bookworm in Edwards, and then relax in plush accommodations at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, a LEED-certified hotel.
If you notice an air of eco-consciousness while you’re here, there’s a reason: The Town of Vail is heralded internationally for its promotion of renewable energy, resource efficiency, ecosystem protection and community awareness of these topics; and Vail Resorts (including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte) are committed to zero net emissions and zero waste to landfill by 2030, among other initiatives.
Glenwood Springs
Recognized as “Tree City USA” for its commitment to planting trees throughout town, Glenwood Springs also extends its environmental stewardship to its energy use, running off 100 percent renewable energy. Soak year-round in the town’s many natural, chemical-free hot springs that harness geothermal power, including Iron Mountain Hot Springs and Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Enjoy the steam at Yampah Spa, where naturally occurring mineral water transforms underground caverns into geothermal steam baths.
Get a thrill at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, one of the first year-round amusement parks in the country to use 100 percent renewable electricity. And be sure to pop into GoodZ Glenwood for some local and sustainably produced clothing items that’ll have you exploring the area trails in eco-friendly style.
Golden
Aptly named due to its rolling, golden-hued hills, Golden is home to several large organizations that tap into sustainability efforts. Sign up for a guided tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which researches and develops sustainable energy systems, or go on the 30-minute tour of Coors Brewery, which has achieved zero-waste-to-landfill for its major Coors Light breweries.
Next, grab some small-batch face- and skin-care goods from Spinster Sisters Co., which boasts a solar- and wind-powered microsoapery and products that are Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certified as well as sulfate-, phthalate- and paraben-free. Then head to dinner at Abejas, which uses local produce, organic meats and sustainable fish to craft its seasonal dishes
Estes Park
Enjoy nature while minimizing your impact by visiting lesser-known areas around Estes. While Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, neighboring Roosevelt National Forest offers an abundance of trails for snowshoers and hikers of all skill levels.
On summer Thursdays, the Estes Park Farmers’ Market is the place to pick up Colorado-grown and -made products, from fresh fruits and veggies to coffee, baskets, soaps, spices, eggs and many other delights. At night, marvel at the heavens at Estes Park Memorial Observatory, whether you can attend a viewing session or volunteer your time to assist with showings. (The observatory is closed in winter.)
Palisade
Rent a bicycle — spring through fall — and feel the sun on your shoulders as you pedal along the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, which features three routes meandering through vineyards, orchards, farmlands and lavender gardens.
On the complete 25-mile East Orchard Mesa Loop, stop at Aloha Organic Fruit for organic peach jam, pull over at Anita’s Pantry & Produce for locally made salsas, and then take it easy with a glass of wine at the solar-powered Peachfork Orchards & Vineyard. Tip: Winters are mild in Colorado's Grand Valley, so cycling begins sooner — when mountain towns can still be snowy and muddy.
Pagosa Springs
Stretch your legs and take in the scenery on the half-mile hike or snowshoe trek to Treasure Falls, a 105-foot plunging waterfall. Then let your stress melt away with a soak in the hot springs at The Springs Resort & Spa, where its Great Pagosa Spring holds the title of the world’s deepest measured geothermal hot spring. Spend a few hours in the 25 naturally heated soaking pools, and then spend the night in the luxurious lodge, Colorado’s first LEED-built hotel. Keep the theme going with an organic, made-in-Colorado souvenir from Earthsense Herbals & Gift Gallery for salves, soaps, lotions, teas and tinctures.
Other Notable Mentions
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The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center in Colorado Springs has achieved both LEED Silver and Living Building Challenge certifications, which only enhance the stunning views from atop America’s Mountain.
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Denver's Law's Whiskey House serves up cocktails crafted from spirits made from corn, wheat, barley and rye grown at two Colorado family farms.
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Riff Raff Brewing Company in Pagosa Springs is the state’s first brewery to be powered by spring-fed geothermal heating.
- Indulge in a few self-care purchases from Fig+Yarrow in Silver Plume. Their nutrient-dense and sustainably sourced ingredients create milkbaths, facial cleansers and clay masks that will make you feel good inside and out.
