Stay + Play: Sustainable Stays On The Colorado Creative Corridor

Tourism throughout Western Colorado has been accelerating, and many small towns are feeling an infrastructure strain. Visitors can help by shopping local to support small businesses and choosing to tread a little more lightly with low-impact activities.

The five towns that connect the Colorado Creative Corridor — a 331-mile itinerary guide featuring Carbondale, Paonia, Crested Butte, Ridgway and Salida — all provide interesting opportunities for sustainable tourism in Colorado. Each destination also provides electric charging stations, making it easier to reduce the environmental impact of your road trip.

Carbondale’s ArtWay, Rio Grande trail. Courtesy of Carbondale Arts

CARBONDALE sits on the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers at the foot of Mount Sopris. 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.

“Carbondale locals are very welcoming and always ready to roll out the western-style hospitality,” shares Sarah-Jane Johnson, Carbondale resident and marketing consultant for the Colorado Creative Corridor. “We encourage visitors to take advantage of supporting local and small businesses when they visit.”

Carbondale has a broad range of crafts and arts available at their weekly farmers’ market and throughout many stores and boutiques. One of Johnson’s hot tips for buying gifts to take home is the Artique at The Launchpad, which showcases local artists and designers.

Low-impact travel highlights in Carbondale include a ranch tour and alpaca felting workshop at Cedar Ridge Ranch, a walking or bike tour along Carbondale’s Rio Grande Artway and a visit to Marble Distilling Co. to learn about their zero-waste distilling process.

Tucked in the North Fork Valley surrounded by the natural beauty of the West Elks Wilderness, PAONIA has a thriving arts community and the largest number of natural and organic farms per capita in Colorado.

Agritourism — wineries, farms, dairies, orchards — providers are finding a bigger interest in farming practices as people are asking more questions and seeking advice for food security and production.

“We are seeing the need to provide more education and are doing that through tours and events where you can visit the farms,” says Kelli Hepler, a spokesperson for Paonia and Delta County tourism.

Creative highlights include the art gallery and wine tasting at Azura Cellars and Gallery, live music at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts and dining at a true farm-to-table experience — Root & Vine Market or Qutori Winery.

“Spending dollars in the Paonia shops and eateries that you enjoy is a great way to ensure their sustainability,” says Hepler.

As one of Colorado’s most coveted mountain towns, CRESTED BUTTE features a National Historic District with vibrant Victorian storefronts and expressive local characters. With more than two million acres of public land surrounding town, visitors can get off the grid to enjoy unparalleled mountain biking, hiking and fly-fishing in the fall.

Crested Butte’s creative highlights include a historic walking tour of town, an art class at The Design Collective and food pairings with high-mountain rum at Montanya Distillers.

Courthouse Mountain. Courtesy of Ridgway Chamber of Commerce

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.

“We encourage visitors to explore the town and surrounding area outside of the busy summer season,” shares Hilary Lewkowitz, marketing director for the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have a wide variety of events and adventures from October to May. Visiting outside of the summer season affords solitude and unique experiences that allow travelers to get off the beaten path.”

Low impact activities include biking the Ridgway Area Trails network, walking the town, then relaxing with a soak at Orvis Hot Springs or the thermal pools of Chipeta Solar Springs Resort.

Add some creative flare to your visit by noting public art and creative surprises in the town alleys, checking out handmade art at downtown galleries, signing up for a Weehawken Creative Arts workshop, or enjoying live performances outdoors at the Courtyard at 610.

Downtown Salida. Courtesy of Scott Peterson for Salida Creative District

And don’t miss SALIDA, a true haven for culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts that is nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River near the towering Collegiate Peaks. Walk the charming downtown for access to unique, creative highlights, including artist workshops and live performances at The SteamPlant Theater, boutiques like Eye Candy and 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 center.

Visit coloradocreativecorridor.com to plan your trip. The website also provides recommendations for responsible travel, using tips from the Care for Colorado-Leave No Trace Principles.

Originally published in the Fall 2021 issue of Spoke+Blossom