(DENVER, COLO) July 8, 2021 — For visitors seeking out ways to have a more sustainable impact while on the road, the Colorado Creative Corridor— a 331-mile itinerary guide featuring the mountain towns of Carbondale, Paonia, Crested Butte Ridgway, and Salida— provides opportunities for low impact travel in Colorado. These five towns combine to offer a collective experience of unique event programming and activities alongside mountain eclecticism, majestic vistas and outdoor recreation, and authentic Colorado mountain culture. By seeking out the small businesses and local entrepreneurs featured on the map, travelers can directly support the economies of host communities. Each destination also provides electric charging stations, making it easier to make a road trip less environmentally impactful.
Each of the five towns are also state-certified Creative Districts, a program led by the Colorado Creative Industries, which supports arts and creative industries in rural Colorado. Visitors can use the new www.coloradocreativecorridor.com website to learn about each destination, plan their trip using suggested itinerary stops and community events. The website also provides recommendations for responsible travel, using the Care for Colorado- Leave No Trace Principles that include tips for being educated before using trails, wildfire education, plus tips for packing out trash. There is also a special call-out to seasonality, Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, while also encouraging travelers to support local small businesses and to give-back by supporting or donating to local arts non-profit organizations.
Low Impact Experiences on the Colorado Creative Corridor
Carbondale sits on the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers at the foot of the mighty Mt Sopris where over 200 creatives reside. Rich agricultural history and a little hippy flair combine to form a community focused on health and wellness, local food production and four-season recreation to boot. Low impact travel highlights include a ranch tour and alpaca felting workshop at Cedar Ridge Ranch, take a walking or bike tour along Carbondale’s Rio Grande Artway; enjoying a cocktail crafted from locally grown grains from Marble Distillery Inn, a pioneer of zero waste distilling. There are several electric charging stations located at convenient downtown locations including at Carbondale Town Hall, and the Third Street Center.
Tucked in the North Fork Valley under the watchful eye of Mt. Lamborn and surrounded by the natural beauty of the West Elks Wilderness, Paonia has a thriving arts community and has the largest number of natural and organic farms, per capita, in Colorado. Creative Corridor highlights include: the art gallery and taste wine at Azura Cellars and Gallery, live music at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, dine at a true farm to table experience at Root and Vine Market that includes the Qutori Winery. Downtown Paonia has several charging stations, easily locatable using chargehub.com, including a Tesla charging station located on Mathews Lane, near Western Culture Creamery.
Once described as a surf town in the mountains, Crested Butte features a National Historic District with vibrant Victorian storefronts and expressive local characters. With more 2 million acres of public land surrounding town, enjoy legendary skiing and snowboarding, unparalleled mountain biking, or a secluded fly-fishing experience. Creative Corridor highlights include historic walking tour of town, an art class at The Design Collective, food pairings with high-mountain rum at Montanya Distillers. There are 23 EV charging stations within 12 miles of downtown Crested Butte.
Nestled in the picturesque Uncompahgre Valley and surrounded by the majestic snowcapped peaks of the Cimarrons and San Juans, the Ridgway experience satisfies art lovers, foodies, history buffs, and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s easy to be low impact in this community on the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway: bike the Ridgway Area Trails network, walk the town, noting public art and creative surprises even in the alleys, and relax with a soak at Orvis Hot Springs or the thermal pools of Chipeta Solar Springs Resort. Creative Corridor highlights include tour the alleys to discover Alley Poems and Alley Art, check out handmade art at downtown galleries, sign up for a Weehawken Creative Arts workshop, or enjoy live performances outdoors at the Courtyard at 610. Two EV charging stations are conveniently located in the parking lot east of the main park downtown, just off N. Railroad St.
For some of the best views of soaring mountaintops that fall along the Collegiate Peaks Scenic and Historic Byway head to Salida, a haven for culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike and nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River. While in town, take in a variety of things to do and see when two blocks of Salida’s bustling downtown transform into a pedestrian-only zone from lateMay throughout the summer months. Creative Corridor highlights include artists’ workshops and live performances at The SteamPlant Theater, shopping at several creative boutiques such as Eye Candy, or hands-on jewelry-making at the Riveting Experience. Salida’s commitment to its sustainability goals continue with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations placed within walking distance to the city’s Creative District and amenities. EV charging stations are currently at four locations including 307 W. Sackett Avenue.
Media Contacts:
Sarah-Jane Johnson, Carbondale Tourism / 310 854.2408 / sarahjane@roadmapconsult.com