COLORADO Do Colorado Right Check out the Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles, and see how to Do Colorado Right, by turning to p. 4. Eleven Mile State Park in Lake George sharing custody with her ex-husband who grew up playing outside, and she wanted her son to have similar experiences. So, she tried camping by the blue water and craggy rock formations at Eleven Mile State Park in Lake George. She knew she was hooked when she woke up and looked outside her tent to see the sun’s rays shimmering on the lake, creating dazzling prisms. Almost every weekend that summer, Cameron headed west to explore. She backpacked, taught herself to fish and asked her friends to come along. “So many people were OK with coming,” she said. “They just expressed they didn’t have the gear to go. So, I started buying gear.” After a couple years of purchasing equipment, Cameron realized she needed a more sustainable format for her passion, so Blackpackers — a nonprofit founded to address Colorado’s representation gap in the outdoors space — was born. By investing in gear and educational opportunities, along with providing recreation-based programs (camping, backpacking, swimming, climbing and skiing), Blackpackers works to break down barriers and helps its participants access the great outdoors. “We meet people at the intersection of underrepresentation and economic vulnerability,” she said, “and all that means is we’re trying to provide these curriculum-based, professionally guided and outfitted programs for little to no cost to our participants.” During outings, the group not only learns their chosen activity; they are also taught about protecting and preserving Colorado’s wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Colorado Trail near Durango COLORADO . COM KENNAN HARVEY 93
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2025: Page 93
