Some Things to Enjoy in Colorado When You Attend the 2016 CCAS Annual Meeting
By Mark Twite, MA, MB, BChir, FRCP
Children’s Hospital Colorado
In addition to welcoming you to the 2016 CCAS Annual Meeting, I want to welcome you to the state of Colorado. I moved to this wonderful state in 2000, finished my training here, met my wife here and both of my children were born here! I consider this state my home and I have enjoyed the past 15 years exploring many of the places and activities this state has to offer. There is plenty to enjoy during your visit to Colorado! The end of March can have some interesting weather in Colorado – it is very likely to be sunny but we have had the occasional snow storm, so check the forecast before you arrive.
The conference hotel, The Broadmoor, is a beautiful historic hotel, that the whole family will enjoy. There is an indoor swimming pool (the large outdoor pool will be closed), a bowling alley, and a movie theater. Outside activities include tennis, a championship golf course on the premises and numerous walking and hiking trails. Nearby is Garden of the Gods, which is a 1300-acre park with spectacular formations of red sandstone rocks, hiking trails and a visitor center. Overlooking the hotel, park and city is the 14,114-foot mountain, Pikes Peak. If the road is open, do not miss the opportunity to drive to the top (or organize a tour through the hotel) to enjoy the view which inspired the words to ‘America the Beautiful’. There is also the Pikes Peak Cog Railway which can take you to the top! Children will love Cheyenne Mountain Zoo next to the hotel, where you can feed the giraffes and enjoy the ‘mountaineer ski ride’. Close by, in Manitou Springs, is Cave of the Winds, where you can explore a mile of underground caverns and rock formations. For those interested in military history and architecture, don’t miss the United States Air Force Academy. The visitors center and the chapel architecture are both inspiring.
For those with a bit more time, and perhaps looking for more adventure, there is world class skiing two hours drive away. The big resorts are Breckenridge, Copper, Vail and Beaver Creek. March is probably the best month to ski in Colorado – there are fewer people on the slopes and we often receive plenty of fresh snow fall in the ski resorts in February and March. The sun is usually shining and the weather is warm!
The list of attractions and activities in the surrounding area is long; museums, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping, hot springs etc. There are many excellent websites which will help you find more information. If I can be of any any help during your visit to Colorado, please just send me an email at Mark.Twite@childrenscolorado.org.
I look forward to welcoming you all to the 2016 CCAS Annual Meeting and Colorado.
