What's New

Colorado's Front Range cities of Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs offer a rich combination of old and new. They lure us with both their city attractions, such as museums, galleries, and historic sites; as well as their outdoor recreational opportunities and proximity to some of America's most beautiful mountains. Here you can sleep in a grand historic hotel, awake to a gourmet breakfast, hike or ride to the top of a spectacular mountain (or, in winter, ski down one), and be back in town in time for the ballet.

Growth, which Coloradans see as both a blessing and a curse, is the main agent of change in the area. And more could be coming after the Democratic National Convention thrust the city onto the national stage in August 2008. Following are some of the changes, including some exciting new things to watch for in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.

Settling Into Denver

Southwest Airlines has continually expanded at Denver International Airport since its first flights touched down there in 2006. The light-rail has grown significantly in recent years. Four new lines have been created: The E Line runs along I-25 from Broadway to Lincoln Avenue in the south suburbs; the F Line connects 18th and California streets downtown with Lincoln Avenue; the G Line runs from Nine Mile in Aurora at I-225 and Parker Road to Lincoln; and the H Line connects Nine Mile and 18th and California.

Downtown Denver has a pair of new lodging options: the swank Ritz-Carlton, Denver, 1881 Curtis St. (tel. 303/312-3800); and The Curtis, 1405 Curtis St. (tel. 800/525-6651 or 303/572-3300), a fun and pop-culture-loving hotel. Denver also boasts some excellent new restaurants, including Duo, 2413 W. 32nd Ave. (tel. 303/820-2282), serving terrific interpretations of American standards in a warm space in the Highlands neighborhood; and Encore, 2250 E. Colfax Ave., (tel. 303/399-5353), a slick new Mediterranean eatery at the renovated theater complex now anchored by the Tattered Cover Book Store.

What To See & Do In Denver

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St. (tel. 303/298-7554), opened its terrific new building in 2007, a stark, avant-garde structure that puts the artists on center stage. Six Flags sold Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Speer Blvd. at I-25 (tel. 303/595-4386), but little has changed except for the banishment of Looney Tunes characters and Batman. New in 2009, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd. (tel. 303/322-7009), will open "Expedition Health" a state-of-the-art exhibit giving visitors an eye-opening look at the workings of their own bodies.

The Colorado Rapids (tel. 303/405-1100; www.coloradorapids.com) of Major League Soccer now play home games at the new Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Flying Dog bolted to Maryland, but Great Divide Brewing Co. opened an excellent new tap room at its downtown brewery, 2201 Arapahoe St. (tel. 303/296-9460, ext. 26).

Boulder

In 2007, the stalwart Pearl Street burger joint Tom's Tavern shut its doors after 49 years, following the death of owner Tom Eldridge. Also closing since the last edition of this book: Trilogy Wine Bar and Rhumba. As for openings, Black Cat, 1964 13th St. (tel. 303/444-5500), sources a good deal of its ingredients from owner-chef Eric Skokan's half-acre garden. The new outdoor shopping center, Twenty Ninth Street, centered on the former site of the long-languishing Crossroads Mall at the intersection of Canyon Boulevard and 29th Street (tel. 303/440-0722), is now open for business.

Colorado Springs

In 2007, longtime Manitou Springs favorite Adam's Mountain Cafe, 934 Manitou Ave. (tel. 719/685-1430), relocated from its Cañon Avenue address to the ground floor of the restored Spa Building. Thankfully, the tasty, healthy food and country-meets-French-Victorian vibe remain. The Hawaiian taco joint La'au's, 830 N. Tejon St. (tel. 719/578-5228), is a new favorite for Colorado College students -- and for travelers pinching their pennies.

At Garden of the Gods, 1805 N. 30th St. (tel. 719/634-6666), the excellent multimedia theater presentation, How Did Those Red Rocks Get There? was newly remade by local filmmaker John Bourbonais for 2008. A major expansion at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, 30 W. Dale St. (tel. 719/634-5581), doubled the gallery space and won raves from critics. New in 2008 at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd. (tel. 719/633-9925), the $8.2-million "Rocky Mountain Wild" lets visitors get up close and personal with mountain lions, grizzly bears, moose, and other local denizens.