If you live in or have ever visited Colorado, you already know that the Centennial State is teeming with various kinds of wildlife, which is one of the many perks of being here. Sadly, however, some of our most beloved wildlife are facing slow and painful deaths that are said to be caused by poisonous rodents.
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One of Colorado's most popular species of wildlife is birds, with more than 400 different kinds - varying from giant birds of prey to tiny hummingbirds - calling the Centennial State their home.
Sadly, many of these birds, especially those who rely on a diet of rodents and other small animals, have been suffering death by poison, which is the result of the birds eating rats and mice who have recently consumed rodenticide and are slower and easier to catch.
Since symptoms of rodent-poisoning can take quite some time to appear, it is nearly impossible to treat, as stomach bleeding and the shut-down of organs can begin before any other signs of trouble appear.
In addition to hurting Colorado's birds, these poisonous rodents are said to be harmful to domestic animals (namely dogs and cats), as well as coyotes, mountain lions, bald eagles, and deer.
How can we, as Coloradans, combat this problem? Instead of using common rodenticides to eradicate pests, it is highly recommended that people use snap traps, which are just as useful and less harmful to other animals.
A Colorado pumpkin patch is a place everybody loves to visit to pick out the perfect pumpkin. This activity is fun for the whole family and it's an annual tradition for so many people. I know I love these beautiful...sometimes round, sometimes oblong...orange orbs for some reason I can't really explain, and I bet you feel the same way too. If you're looking for the best pumpkin in Colorado (or many pumpkins...), we're here to help. This list will give you some great ideas about where to find the best pumpkin patch near me. Read on and get out there; it's never too early to adorn every inch of your property with pumpkins galore! Go! Now!
Anderson Farms is one of the longest-running pumpkin patches in the state, and it's also the largest. Also, choose from 26 varieties of squash, pumpkins, and gourds here, and enjoy a hayride and 25-acre cornfield maze while you're at it. Not only is this one of the best pumpkin patches in Colorado, but it's one of the best pumpkin patches near Boulder.
Enjoy this glorious pumpkin festival on one single weekend each fall! Come and get your pumpkin and celebrate everything autumn at this traditional family outing. This is one of the best Colorado pumpkin patches near me which includes a 10-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and other activities. Read all about it on the Denver Botanic Garden's Chatfield Farms website.
This impressive property has a 100-acre pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, corn mazes, plus tasty desserts like caramel apples. This is one of the best pumpkin patches near Denver. Read all about it on the Rock Creek Farm website.
4. Maize in the City: Thornton (Check for 2024 dates when available)
Located in Thornton, this celebration has pumpkins, corn launchers, five-minute escape rooms, pony rides, sand art, a hay bale maze, face painting, and bouncy bounces. Your whole family will have a blast. Discover more on the Maize in the City website.
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5. Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch: Longmont (Saturdays and Sundays in October)
Enjoy the farm store, carnival rides, bouncy rides, corn maze, pumpkin painting, and great views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker. For further details, visit the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch website.
Fritzler Farm Park in LaSalle has pumpkins galore, a corn maze, pedal go-carts, a barrel train, carnival rides, a corn pit, yard games, face painting, and more, plus an outdoor haunted house on weekend nights.
Pick your own pumpkin; go through the corn maze; pet the fuzzy farm animals, and participate in several other family-fun attractions. Learn more on The Patch website.
8. Miller Farms: Platteville (Labor Day-mid November, 2024)
Miller Farms has been family-owned and operated for generations and today, we can enjoy fall in Colorado on its 180 acres of fields. Enjoy a hayride while learning about farm life and selecting fresh vegetables to take home.
With plenty of pumpkins from which to choose as well as farm animals, hayrides, a straw bale maze, and a corn maze, what could be a more enjoyable way to spend an autumn day than at one of the best pumpkin patches in Colorado? Cottonwood Farms offers more information on its website.
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10. Diana's Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze: Cañon City (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Sept. 21 - Oct. 31, 2024)
This family-owned and operated business has an eight-acre corn maze and a fantastic pumpkin patch with a wide variety of different kinds of pumpkins from which to choose. Read more on Diana's Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze website.
A Colorado pumpkin patch is the best way to celebrate fall. Visit one of the best pumpkin patches in Colorado, or visit them all. Buy a pumpkin at every single one. Put them in every room of your house! Pumpkins everywhere! Happy fall, everyone!
Going on a pumpkin-focused road trip? Don't leave these items behind from our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. And while you're traveling around, consider renting a Vrbo to take in the fall colors in Colorado.
How does a quick day trip to the mountains sound? It sounds great, right? What if I told you that there's a fantastic open space park, just 30 minutes from downtown Denver, where you'll feel like you've ventured deep into the mountains without going too far from home? Well, have I got news for you! Lair o' the Bear Park in Idledale, Colorado is exactly that and it's a wonderful place for a day trip, a picnic, a short hike, and an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Read on to learn more about this lovely and oh-so-nearby place.
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Lair o' the Bear Park is waiting for you in Idledale! This popular Jefferson County open space park is halfway between Red Rocks and Evergreen. The drive to reach it on State Route 74 is incredibly scenic on its own, but the park itself is a true gem.
This park covers 394 acres and it contains 8.2 trail miles. The lengthy Bear Creek Trail passes right through it and follows its namesake, Bear Creek. There are also numerous other trails within the park.
Most of the hikes in Lair o' the Bear are easy because they're flat. If you want to get up a little higher above the creek, branch off onto the Bruin Bluff Trail.
Chances are, you'll see some wildlife while exploring the park. A variety of bird species enjoy relaxing here, as do deer, elk, beavers, squirrels, foxes, rabbits, and more.
This park is an excellent choice for a day trip from Denver metro. You'll feel like you're deep in the mountains even though you're not far from the city. It's the perfect place to get away from it all without having to go too far.
Lair o' the Bear Park in Idledale is a true Colorado gem! You'll love spending time exploring this park and having a relaxing day enjoying nature. Have fun!
Do you need hiking boots? Check out Colorado-based REI.com for everything you need to conquer the outdoors!
