Sports & Recreation

Free Skiing/Riding for Firefighters at Sunlight

Sunlight Mountain Resort is offering FREE skiing and riding to all active firefighters and first responders each Wednesday of the 2018-19 ski season as part of its new Firefighter Funday campaign. This is the ski area’s way of recognizing the heroic efforts of local firefighters and first responders and also the hundreds who came from out of state to battle wildfires throughout Colorado. [Read more…] about Free Skiing/Riding for Firefighters at Sunlight

Gems Card Savings at 11 Smaller Ski Areas

Colorado Ski Country USA’s Gems Card has long provided skiers and snowboarders with savings at smaller, lower-key ski areas all over the Colorado Rockies. Invest just $25 for two ways to save: either two 2-for-1 lift tickets or two 30% off lift tickets at each of the 11 Colorado Gems resorts. Gems ski areas are Arapahoe Basin, Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Hesperus, Kendall Mountain, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn and Sunlight. [Read more…] about Gems Card Savings at 11 Smaller Ski Areas

Colorado Ski Country’s 5th and 6th Grade Passports Back

Colorado Ski Country USA’s popular 5th and 6th Grade Passport Programs are again available for the 2018-19 ski season to introduce Colorado youngsters to skiing and snowboarding with FREE or super-cheap lift access at 24 Colorado ski areas.

The 5th Grade Passport allows fifth graders three days of FREE skiing at each of the participating resorts, while the 6th Grade Passport is good for four days of skiing at the same resorts for $105 ($125 for those who sign up after November 30). Taken to the max, that would amount to 80 days on the slopes for less than $1.50 per day. [Read more…] about Colorado Ski Country’s 5th and 6th Grade Passports Back

Free Community Runs from Shake Shack

Shake Shack is known far and wide for burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes. It is now offering a way to burn off some of those calories. Shake Shack Track & Field hosts FREE community runs on the second Tuesday of each month beginning on August 14. The runs, which are open to all ages and abilities, take off from and return to two metro Denver Shake Shack locations — RiNo and Highlands Ranch. Upon return, the first beverage back at “the Shack” is FREE.

Click here to register, and then meet the group meet at the Shake Shack of your choice at 6:30 p.m. for the 3- to 4-mile loop led by Boulder Running Company. The RiNo Shack is at 995 Larimer St.. Denver, 720-543-8609. The south suburban Shack is at 1509 Park Central Dr., Suite 100, Highlands Ranch, 720-452-1007.

Ready, Set, Go! ‘The Amazing Race’ Holds Open Auditions in Littleton

Ready, set, go! If you’re a fierce competitor and have a friend, spouse, co-worker or roommate with the same quality, you just might have the chance to pack your bags for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. “The Amazing Race” is holding auditions for an upcoming season on Thursday, July 12 at K1 Speed (8034 Midway Dr.) in Littleton. Teams may begin lining up at 9 a.m., with auditions starting at 11 a.m. [Read more…] about Ready, Set, Go! ‘The Amazing Race’ Holds Open Auditions in Littleton

Get Thee to the River, The RiverFest That Is

The Greenway Foundation has spent more than four decades working to reclaim, restore and revitalize the South Platte River. To help them continue their efforts, organizers dreamed up the Coors Light South Platte RiverFest on Saturday, June 23 at Confluence Park.

The event includes stand-up paddleboard lessons and demonstrations, kayaking and tubing lessons, fitness classes, music, pro races and more. Food and drink is available for purchase.

Enjoy live music, visit the Kids Zone, stop into the food truck court for a snack and a beverage, or try out a standup paddleboard! Activity bracelets for unlimited fun all day long will be $5/child or $12/family.

Festivities get under way at 10 a.m. and run until 8 p.m. Here’s a complete event schedule. 2250 15th St. Denver.

Broncos Bunch Extras for Young Fans

Pro hockey and basketball season are winding down and baseball season is in high gear, but it’s never too early to think football. Enroll youngsters for the Broncos Bunch Kids Club, which includes a Broncos Bunch T-shirt, NFL trading cards and entry to such special events as movie night, junior training camp and next fall, a trick-or-treat party.

It’s worth signing up now, in time for a special Summer Kickoff party in June where kids can play on the field, meet players, alumni and more. Also, members receive a ticket for a FREE kids’ admission to the Downtown Aquarium and a small DQ ice cream cone. [Read more…] about Broncos Bunch Extras for Young Fans

Kids Play For Free at South Suburban Golf Courses

Tee up for this deal. South Suburban Park and Recreation District is waving green fees for youth 17 years and younger who golf during weekends this summer at four of its courses. FREE golf is valid after 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Littleton Golf Course (Bowles & Federal, 303-794-5838), Family Sports Golf Course (Arapahoe & Peoria in Centennial, 303-649-1115) and Lone Tree Golf Course (Lincoln & Lone Tree Pkwy., 303-799-9940), and after 6 p.m. at South Suburban Golf Course (Colorado Blvd. & Dry Creek Rd., 303-770-5500).

Tee times are recommended and can be reserved up to three days in advance. You can do so by calling the specific golf course. [Read more…] about Kids Play For Free at South Suburban Golf Courses

17 Easy Do-It-Yourself Sleds

So it snowed… finally. Despite the icy roads and slippery sidewalks, for many, a lovely snowfall is an excuse to go sledding, even if it is just down that tiny median in front of your home. Maybe you’re one of the lucky few with a store-bought sled and the envy of the sledding hill crowd. If not, don’t despair. Coloradans are famous for their ingenuity when it comes to makeshift sleds. Our friend Jody Mace at Charlotte on the Cheap (a Southern gal, go figure) has come up with 17 DIY options. [Read more…] about 17 Easy Do-It-Yourself Sleds

MY Denver PRIME Card – Free Recreation Center & Pool Access For Seniors

I am so excited about this new program for older adults who live in Denver. Who says, kids should get all the fun… and perks? For several years, children with a MY Denver Card have breezed into Denver’s rec centers and pools without paying a dime. Now comes MY Denver PRIME, a brand new program that provides FREE access to 28 recreation centers and 31 pools to Denver residents 60 and older.

Let’s face it. Health club memberships can be expensive, and while Denver Recreation Centers are more affordable, they remain out-of-reach for many on a budget. That’s a shame, because staying active is the best way to keep both body and mind healthy. Plus, fitness classes and clubs offered at the recreation centers are a great way to make new friends and widen your social circle. MY Denver PRIME launched January 1, 2018. Here are the details: [Read more…] about MY Denver PRIME Card – Free Recreation Center & Pool Access For Seniors

View Pre-Olympic Ski Races for Free

Beaver Creek regularly hosts America’s Opening, a trio of men’s early-season speed events (downhill, Super G, giant slalom). In Olympic years, the races take on a special excitement. A trip to Peyong Chang, South Korea is expensive, but viewing just up the road is FREE. The racers have been training for several days, with the competitions from Friday, December 1 through Sunday, December 3. If you want to get to today’s Super G starting at 10:45 a.m., better hustle. Follow signs for parking in Avon. FREE shuttles from the Covered Bridge to the Red Tail Stadium, which opens at 8 a.m.

There’s plenty of race-ready snow on the courses, but with less than ideal cover for recreational use, expect lighter-than-usual weekend traffic in the high country. Plan on getting there early, because the stands do fill up. The thrilling downhill on Saturday starts at 11 a.m. The first run of Sunday‘s giant slalom is at 9:30 a.m. and the second run at 12:45. Surrounding the races are all manner of FREE events, including live music, kids’ activities, autograph sessions. And the party atmosphere in Beaver Creek Village is electric all weekend long. Click here for details.

Check Out Colorado State Parks Pass at Libraries

How many of Colorado’s 42 state parks have you visited? Now you and your family can visit any or all of them for FREE. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has teamed up with the Colorado State Library to offer the Check-Out Colorado program. Each of 287 libraries (including public, military and college/university libraries) has two seven-day hang-tag park passes good for entrance to all Colorado state parks, and they can be reserved and checked-out just as books can. The pass also includes a backpack a guide to Colorado’s state parks, a set of binoculars, a copy of Wildlife Viewing Guide Book and field guides to trees, wildflowers and wildlife.

Each state park pass allows FREE entry (normally $7 to $9) into the parks for one carload of visitors. filled with park information and educational activities. Hike or bike the multi-use trails, find wildlife in their natural surroundings, visit a nature center or bring a picnic. With a license or camping reservation, you can try fishing or camp out overnight. Visit your local library or check the Participating Libraries List to find a library near you.

Hiking This Summer? This Guide Will Inspire

Planning to do some serious hiking this summer? There’s a website that might get you inspired. It’s a comprehensive article at Boot Bomb on the Top 50 Long Distance Hiking Trails In The USA. The article is FREE and it not only gives you descriptions and locations of those trails, including start and stop points, but also offers tips on long-distance hiking with lots more links to advice. And yes, Colorado made the list (check out #16).

ZogSports Makes It Easy and Affordable to Play and Socialize

Don’t Toss Those Valpaks

It’s easy to simply recycle those Valpak envelopes without even opening them. But don’t! Inside are some decent deals and discounts at Front Range businesses. Each month we find, among others, coupons good for 50% off brunch at Bonnie Brae Tavern, 20% off at Harbor Freight Tools, a $4.99 Autawash car wash and more. If you don’t receive a Valpak or simply want additional offers go to their website which has dozens of downloadable coupons (some identical to the mailing and some unique to the website) for dining, home & garden, shops, groceries and more.