Best annual festival
GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL
Awarding 290 medals to 265 breweries in 2021, the Great American Beer Festival lives up to its title as “the world’s largest commercial beer competition.” Returning to the Colorado Convention Center in October for the festival’s 40th anniversary, GABF promises an experience that combines tasting, judging, and tasting all things beer.
The festival has a history of its tickets being snapped up. So keep an eye on the schedule, as tickets go on sale to the public on July 13.
Finalists
Best place for mountain biking
COPPER MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
Although known for its ski facilities, the summertime alter ego of mountain biking paradise Copper Mountain should receive the same praise. With eight different trails reserved for mountain biking, enthusiasts can test themselves on a wide range of difficulties. The American Eagle lift is open daily in the summer, but cyclists will have to wait until weekends to use the Woodward Express lift. Don’t have your own equipment? Copper Mountain offers several bike rental options.
Finalists
Best place to play Hooky
DENVER ZOO
What better way to distract yourself from work than by spending a day at the Denver Zoo? With tickets just $20 for adults throughout the zoo’s summer season, the zoo is one of the cheapest ways to fill a few hours in the Denver area. Seeing the animal exhibits is just one of the many ways to learn and experience all the Denver Zoo has to offer. With various informative animal talks and feeding sessions, visitors can partake in a new experience with each visit.
Finalists
Best place to ski
BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT
Breckenridge’s 187 trails on 2,908 skiable acres offer visitors of all skill levels the opportunity to explore one of Colorado’s most beautiful regions. One of the stops on the Mountain Dew’s Dew Tour winter circuit, Breckenridge’s partnership with the company goes well beyond the extreme sports event as they have created terrain features from recycled materials to support the Vail Resorts goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030. .
Finalists
Best attraction to impress visitors – Denver
RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATER
Whether you are visiting Colorado for the first time or returning as an old friend, the Red Rocks Amphitheater will never fail to take your breath away. With an ever-rotating schedule of events ranging from yoga to comedy shows, DJs to high school grads, Red Rocks captivates with its unparalleled setting and all-around live entertainment.
Interested in learning more about those who took the stage here? Visit the on-site Red Rocks Hall of Fame to visit or revisit iconic artists over the years.
Finalists
Best attraction to impress visitors – Eastern Plains
THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
In its more than 40-year history, the Keenesburg Wild Animal Sanctuary has housed over 1,000 animals, providing expansive enclosures to replicate their natural habitats and promote animal welfare rather than creating another trap to tourists at the expense of the animals themselves.
“Every lion, tiger, bear, wolf and other animal living at the Sanctuary has been rescued from an illegal or abusive situation,” the organization said. “Visiting the sanctuary is a privilege and requires a serious commitment from people in order to be part of the solution to the captive wildlife crisis.”
Best attraction to impress visitors – Western Colorado
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT
The sandstone towers that dot Colorado National Monument are part of an intimidating landscape that welcomes the park’s many annual visitors. For the bravest, the canyons have beautiful features just waiting to be climbed. For those more inclined to stay on the land, the park also offers hiking, camping, and biking options. Be careful because as you explore you may be accompanied by desert sheep, mountain lions, or other animals that inhabit this environment.
Finalist
Best golf course – Private
THE INVERNESS CLUB
The Inverness Club is a private course, but its membership options promote a wide range of commitments for prospective members. All options allow members access to highly sought-after tee times well in advance, with the Platinum membership choice giving members options to book a week in advance.
The course itself is challenging but accommodating. As the club’s website says, “The course requires strategy and a thoughtful approach thanks to the gentle but unforgiving slopes, hills and deep bunkers.”
Finalists
Best golf course – Audience
FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB
Wanting to play a beautiful mountain golf course and wanting to drive to a beautiful mountain golf course are two very different things. Luckily for Denver residents, just 20 minutes from town is the Fossil Trace Golf Club where, according to the club, “golfers can experience a mountain course in an urban setting.”
Open to the public since 2003, Fossil Trace offers play between $110 and $130 on weekdays for an 18 round, with that price range increasing to a maximum of $150 for a weekend round.
Finalists
Best casino
Play the night away at one of Monarch Casino Resort & Spa’s gaming options in its 60,000 square feet of gaming space. Try your luck at one of over 900 slot machines or camp around a blackjack table.
Table games not your speed? Walk through Monarch’s state-of-the-art Sportsbook with plenty of options to watch and bet on your favorite games.