Outdoors Archives - The Colorado Sun

How Colorado’s candidates for governor say they would address wolves, hunting, fishing and a rural divide

Tracy Ross — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0000

A wolf brought to Colorado by the state runs across the landscape. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Wolf-running-CPW-first-annual-report.png?fit=780%2C464&ssl=1" />The Colorado Sun surveyed the five candidates running for governor to get their plans and priorities for wildlife and the outdoors before Tuesday’s primary

Colorado’s Ride pushes pedalers across the state’s high country in the wake of the canceled Ride the Rockies

Ryan Simonovich — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Bill Plock ran the now-dead Ride the Rockies bike tour before taking over the smaller Colorado’s Ride. (Courtesy)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bill-Plock.png?fit=780%2C1012&ssl=1" />The fourth running of the five-day bike tour shares DNA with its venerable predecessor, but it’s not a clone with a four-town route looping from Crested Butte in August

Douglas County restricts use of electric dirt bikes, off-road scooters after rash of crashes

Jennifer Brown — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:06:45 +0000

Douglas County is the latest community to pass local regulations for off-highway vehicles, after seeing a rapid rise over the last year in the number of calls for service for the vehicles, some of which can accelerate from 0 to 50 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach up to 75 mph. Unlike traditional e-bikes, which are permitted on certain bike paths and trails, the vehicles at the center of the ordinance operate primarily by throttle and lack functional pedals. (Olivia Prentzel, The Colorado Sun)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/84010-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&ssl=1" />Commissioners approved the emergency ordinance Tuesday, calling it an urgent safety issue and waiving the usual 30-day timeline

Officials shut down Jefferson County park after first reported bear attack of 2026

Olivia Prentzel — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:48:27 +0000

Colorado Parks and Wildlife say bear sightings are on the rise this year and reported the state’s first attack of 2026 after a bear scratched a woman’s leg in a Jefferson County park. In this file photo from December 2025, one of three sibling orphaned bear cubs climbs a tree after being released in Teller County by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staffers. (Mark Reis, Special to The Colorado Sun)

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Solo trail runner’s death on Colorado 14,000-foot peak prompts safety reminder from rescuers

Olivia Prentzel — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:41:15 +0000

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Mount Sneffels, right, with the summit 14,158 feet above sea level, and Sneffels Range catches remaining sun rays of the day, April 16, 2024, near Ridgway. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)

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Rural is Rad initiative champions small-town outdoor brands with a big debut at Outside Days festival

Jason Blevins — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Courtney Despos, the founder of Skeyo, an outdoor gear manufacturer, along with Skeyo Creative Director Mark Rauschenberger set up for the Outside Days festival in downtown Denver Friday, May 29, 2026. (William Woody, Special to The Colorado Sun)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/052926_OutsideDays_048-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />A new collective hopes to build a pathway to keeping Colorado’s small-town creators in the places that inspired their inventions

Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills wolf after state officials say it killed 22 sheep

Tracy Ross — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:26:00 +0000

This uncollared gray wolf is believed to be a fifth pup from the Copper Creek pack. (Provided by CPW)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-2.jpg?fit=780%2C818&ssl=1" />Some called the wolf “Elijah,” some “Lucky,” some “Freedom.” A woman made a ballet about him. The wolf born in 2024 symbolized different things to different people. The “Lucky” crowd thought he was fortunate to have escaped being killed after preying on livestock. The “Freedom” crowd cheered on his survival, saying he was the embodiment […]

Colorado man dies while hiking 14,000-foot mountain near Ouray

Olivia Prentzel — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 02:04:08 +0000

Mount Sneffels with fresh snow, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, near Ridgway. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SneffelsSnow_HC_1.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />Investigators believe the 32-year-old man from Montrose died June 10, the day before his body was found in the Mount Sneffels area

Following a dismal winter, Vail Resorts reports a decline in early Epic pass sales for next season

Jason Blevins — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Vail Resorts’ Crested Butte Mountain Resort on Feb. 13. The company said the 2025-26 season has been “the most difficult weather environment in the Rockies we have ever seen.” (Jason Blevins, The Colorado Sun)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_3546-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C1040&ssl=1" />After 14 years of double-digit growth in sales of its Epic Pass products, the continent’s largest resort operator saw a 10% drop this spring

As river outfitters brace for a low-water season, a glampground on the Colorado River is betting big

Tracy Ross — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:08:00 +0000

Kampa Lampa glampground sits along the Colorado River near De Beque. Yes, Interstate 70 is right there, they say, but with earplugs its a good night’s stay. The owners have partnered with an outfitter to do overnight raft trips. It could be an oasis during this summer of extreme drought. (Courtesy Kampa Lampa)

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/E.jpeg?fit=780%2C585&ssl=1" />An outfitter who starts trips in Parachute has partnered with a boat-in campsite in De Beque. Will there be enough water on their stretch of the Colorado?