Colorado tourism officials have a crucial message for travelers: The wildfires that destroyed tens of thousands of acres in recent weeks are 100 percent contained and the state is eager and open for visitors. To that end, Colorado hotels and and tour operators are offering discounts and promotions, some of which will provide help for victims of the fires.
“We have heard from lodging properties large and small that there have been many cancellations as people are seeing all the photos and videos that went viral,” said Chelsy Murphy, public relations manager for Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. “There is a misconception that the visitor experience has been drastically impacted by the fires. But in fact, the fire impacted areas represent less than one percent of the state's 23 million acres of public land/outdoor recreation.”
Here are some of the best picks from the offerings. Check them out – they're a great way to make your travel dollars really count.
Bristlecone Lodge, Woodland Park: You’ll get an impressive 30 percent off rates on the property’s cozy cabins and suites, which also include complimentary breakfast. Just a 10-minute walk away is the mountain town of Woodland Park, with restaurants and shopping. There are also 40 full hook-up RV sites.
The Black Forest Bed and Breakfast Lodge and Cabins: The property has been closely involved with evacuees of the Waldo Canyon Fire, taking in seven families who were eventually able to return to their homes. To lure back visitors, the property is offering a 20 percent discount on all rooms and will donate another 5 percent of the rental rate to the Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund/Pikes Peak United Way. Rooms, which are on the rustic side, start at just $75, and the barn, which runs at $350 and can sleep up to 10, is a great home base for a friends' getaway over the weekend.
Rafting and Concert Package: For a day full of rafting and revelry, check out The. Best. Day. Ever. Package from Fort Collins-based Rocky Mountain Adventures. This great deal, offered every Saturday in July, includes a day of rafting on Class III and IV rapids on the Cache la Poudre River, including a riverside lunch, a gift certificate to Jax Fish House, and an evening outdoor concert at the popular Mishawaka Ampitheatre (affectionately known as "The Mish" among locals) in Poudre Canyon, with transportation to and from the event. Advance booking is recommended, as the deal ($120, which is 25 percent less than if you booked each component individually) is only available for 20 people.
Comfort Inn North: Yes, it's a chain, but the 25 percent off rate is nothing to sneer at. In addition, guests who stay at the hotel twice from now through August 15 will earn a $50 gas gift card.
To start planning your next trip, check out our Colorado destination guide and then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to compare prices on flights.