COME TO LIFE Great Day on the Trail When Nelson Holland moved to Colorado and saw the picture-perfect beauty of the state, it was a life-altering moment for the Brooklynite. Not only was he introduced to a new, lifelong passion, he started on the path to becoming an outdoors-focused social-media influencer — and a featured guest for the Colorado Tourism Office’s Do Colorado Right campaign. “Once I saw the Rocky Mountains, it unlocked a bunch of new things for me,” Holland said. “There was this bison spot at Rocky Mountain Arsenal [National Wildlife Refuge] with 200 bison 15 minutes away from where I used to live in Thornton, and I started going over there because I wasn’t really a nature person in the same way in New York.” That was 10 years ago, and Holland said those early visits to Rocky Mountain Arsenal kicked off a decade of outdoor discovery. Since then, he’s explored Colorado’s vast landscape, seeking big views and glimpses of the local wildlife — keeping Do Colorado Right Leave No Trace Principles, like Keep Wildlife Wild, in mind. He’s shared his adventures along the way, too, collecting a bounty of likes and followers on his Instagram and TikTok platforms, @fatblackandgettinit. There, he works to encourage others to explore the great outdoors, while elevating the importance of representation and inclusion. “There are people like me that don’t look like the traditional hiker,” he said. “There are people that are plus sized that take more time. There are people that need poles. We should really be inclusive of everybody getting out there. There’s a trail for everybody as long as [people are] respectful of everybody else.” Your Guide to a Nelson Holland Once I saw the Rocky Mountains, it unlocked a bunch of new things for me. For Holland, heading out for a hike — either solo or with a group — means he’s seeking towering panoramas, endless wildlife and restorative moments found only in nature. It’s essentially his special time to recharge and take in the tranquil landscape around him. “It was always about seeing the views,” he explained, “but then I saw woodpeckers and moose and things that I had never seen while I was taking these journeys. So, then I became a wildlife lover.” When Holland is outside, especially early in the morning when he has a trail all to himself, his favorite wildlife sightings — done from a safe distance — include elk, bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, osprey, red-wing blackbirds, Steller’s jays, beavers and mountain goats. Basically everything. “I’m a moose-aholic,” he added. Living in Colorado’s Front Range doesn’t limit his access to beautiful places in the state, either. A quick ride in the car from Denver lets Holland reach shady forest trails, rushing streams, alpine lakes and all of his favorite summer destinations. LUMENATI PRODUCTIONS 84 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 84
