Where Outdoor Ecology, Fresh-Air Sports
and Educational Accomplishment Meet!
The City of Boulder Colorado lies in a wide basin known as Boulder Valley at the base of Flagstaff Mountain. It is a few miles east of the Continental Divide and is only about 30 miles northwest of Denver.
Members of the Southern Arapaho tribe were probably the first modern-day residents in the Boulder area. Under Chief Niwot, they established a village near Haystack Mountain, not far from the present-day town.
Other native american tribes also visted the area, including Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches and Sioux.
As the Gold Rush in Colorado was just beginning, the first non-native community was established in Boulder County in the autumn of 1858 at Red Rocks near the entrance to Boulder Canyon.
Early in 1859, the first town, complete with lots for sale, was platted in the hope of attracting settlers from the Eastern part of the United States.
They did come, many of them looking for gold and silver. But other Boulder residents saw the opportunity and provided the gold seekers with equipment and lodging, gambling and drinking establishments.
Varsity Lake at the University of Boulder
Courtesy of TripAdvisor
Then, in 1860, a group of Boulder, Colorado residents began work to make sure the new University of Colorado would be located in their town. By 1874, they had won the University, found the land and raised money to build the school. This was a turning point for Boulder, because it gave the town a permanent source of income and after that, Boulder began to grow rapidly.
Shortly after, the railroad reached Boulder and the town became more and more prosperous. As a result, the railroad felt that Boulder would be a great site for a Chautauqua and one was built just after 1897.
To the delight of residents, the Chatauqua brought cultural, educational and musical programs to the area.
Pearl Street Mall in Boulder
Courtesy of TripAdvisor
Since then, the Colorado Chautauqua has presented programs every summer including lectures, music, cinema, adult education classes, and nondenominational sermons. Recently, the Chautauqua has begun operating year-round.
Its grounds, including the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, are located about one mile (1.6 km) southwest of downtown Boulder.
In the realm of music, Boulder Colorado has long been a town that has nurtured developing talent and provided venues for this development.
Northstar Studios was established in 1975 and was home to many recordings including Got to Get You into My Life by Earth Wind and Fire and Netherlands by Dan Fogelberg. Other notable musicians who used the studios include Zephyr, Firefall, Little Feat, Isaac Hayes, Carol King, Gerard McMahon, Cells, Gangbusters, Jerry Granelli, Don Cherry, ELO, Oregon, and Rachael Faro.
Another great musical event, the Colorado MahlerFest is held during the second week of January every year to honor the great Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. It is held on the campus of the University of Colorado.
Also, the Colorado Music Festival is a six-week classical music fest with professional musicians from around the world who come to Boulder each summer.
Another treat in the realm of classical music, is the relatively new Boulder Chamber Orchestra, which offers unique and alternative musical programs.
Boulder Creek
Courtesy of TripAdvisor
In addition to the wonderful music, Boulder offers a wide range of cultural and educational events, including:
The Boulder International Film Festival which is held every February and is an early look at the best new international films and conversations with directors, producers and actors. Also, of course, the Festival features first-class food and parties.
The Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival was first held in 2004 and attracts filmmakers and afficionados from throughout the Colorado Front Range. This festival is a challenge to filmmakers to make a short film within 24 hours using in-camera Then, the top 10 films are screened and awarded prizes at the historic Boulder Theatrethat same weekend.This is a truly unique Boulder event and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who loves film.
The International Film Series was established in 1941 and is Boulder’s first art-house film series. This Series usually shows over 100 films a year during the fall and spring semesters at the University of Colorado. It has also brought many world-famous directors and actors to town for special screenings, which is always excitedly anticipated by residents and visitors to Boulder.
Many other events that are held in Boulder include:
The Boulder Creek Festivalis held every Memorial Day Weekend along Canyon Boulevard. The festival is free and features amazing food and live music. Also, its Rubber Duck Race down Boulder Creek is always a big hit.
The Bolder Boulder is a 10 km road race held every Memorial Day since 1979. Today, it attracts over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers and wheelchair racers. The race ends at Folsom Field at the University of Colorado with a Memorial Day Tribute, to my delight, always includes sky divers representing each branch of our military carrying the United States flag. It is very moving and well worth your participation.
The Colorado Film Festival, held at the Mary Rippon Theatre at the University of Colorado is held for several weeks every summer to the delight of Shakespeare lovers.
Another “don’t miss” attraction is the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History located on the Boulder campus.This museum contains over 4 million biology, anthropology and geology/paleontology specimens. In addition, the Museum sponsors lectures, classes, tours and workshops. Some of the best exhibits include the fossils and animals of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region and the ancient Southwestern peoples.
One of the craziest events held in Boulder is the annual Polar Bear Plunge, where participants jump into the freezing waters of the Boulder Reservoir. Once they climb back out of the water, they rush to hot tubs set up on the beach to warm up from the cold. And, apparently, this is fun. I can’t think of an explanation as to their motives.
The city of Boulder has set aside more than 36,000 acres of recreational open space and nature preserves.
This includes some hiking trails that wind through the city and through the western foothills. These trails range from some that are very easy to some that a technically very difficult.
There are also summit hikes to Flagstaff Mountain and Mount Sanitas, just to the north of town.
There is mountain biking, road biking and rock climbing for all skill levels.
The most popular areas for rock climbing are the Eldorado Canyon, The Flatirons and Boulder Canyon. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Boulder or want to find a great restaurant, you’ll be able to find it in Boulder.
All in all, Boulder is a great town to visit. You will never run out of things to do and you will always say that your visit was too short and will quickly make plans to return.