CREATIVE COLORADO Explore 21 Certified Colorado Creative Districts These communities brim with galleries, artists in residence and special arts events. ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE With more than 60 galleries, art studios, theater companies and other creative organizations, this Den-ver area becomes more of an arts destination each year. Its First Friday Art Walk has burgeoned into an all-out street party. CORAZÓN DE TRINIDAD Affordable living and beautiful landscapes have resulted in an influx of artists in residence and galleries to the heart of Trinidad. Be sure to ogle the large collec-tion of Victorian houses. NORTH FORK VALLEY Organic farms, orchards, vineyards and mesas have conspired to make Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford a pocket of natural and artist-made riches perfect for a few days’ exploration. PUEBLO CREATIVE CORRIDOR Home to a First Friday Art Walk that’s been going strong for more than 20 years, the area’s historic buildings house a collection of boutiques, art galleries, studios and sidewalk cafes, and the Riv-erwalk adds a scenic and serene touch to the artsy atmosphere. RIDGWAY Galleries, studios, a his-toric theater and arts-education center come alongside furniture, jewelry, candle-and clothing-makers in this town of 900. Check out their full-moon studio tours. TELLURIDE ARTS DISTRICT This is a town where all shops, eateries and hotels are indie-owned and Colorado-minded. Renowned for blockbuster events, the box-canyon-cradled down-town hosts musicians, painters, photographers, bookbinders and many others. SALIDA This friendly, Arkansas River-side downtown is truly a creative district. Long appreci-ated by rafters, mountain-bikers and fourteener climbers, it’s now reaching all kinds of new travelers with its arts scene. GREELEY This creative district, encompassing downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, sponsors year-round arts events to inspire, including flash mobs, First Fridays and Concerts Under the Stars performances. DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS With more than 50 pieces of public art, a roster of esteemed cultural institutions and a jam-packed schedule of artsy events and festivals, it’s no surprise that downtown Colorado Springs earns marks for creativity. RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT This Denver neighborhood maintains its industrial origins while a grow-ing crew of visionary businesses, including architects, art galleries, furniture-makers and photogra-phers have found a home here. DOWNTOWN LONGMONT With a mix of historic charm and contemporary style, Longmont’s galleries and theaters are surrounded by an eclectic array of shops and restaurants in artfully restored buildings, as well as their Art in Public Places Program, where there’s always something delightful to stumble upon. 40 WEST ARTS DISTRICT Don’t be fooled by Lakewood’s suburban nature, the city west of Denver hosts an understated artistic com-munity with more than 20 public art installations, performing-arts venues and a dozen-ish galleries. MANCOS The old and new flourish side by side in a town that maintains its rural Western character and a vibrant downtown arts community. Take classes taught by local makers at Mancos School of the West or tour galleries and see artist demos at the Mancos Studio Tour. BRECKENRIDGE This mountain-view-framed downtown includes long-standing institutions like Breckenridge Backstage Theatre and National Repertory 46 / COLORADO.COM
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 46
