Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020

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Colorado is a great place for dogs and dog owners. Colorado is full of parks and natural open space for your canine companions to enjoy. The most popular dog breeds of 2020 were released on March 16, 2021, based on American Kennel Club registration statistics. Continue reading for the top popular dog breeds.  Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Popular Dog Breeds

At the top of list are Labrador Retrievers. Labs are known as the most friendly dog breed. They bond with the whole family and socialize well with other dogs and people. They are also enthusiastic athletes and require lots of exercise. Labs are great at swimming and pick up fetch quicker than other breeds. Next in line is the French Bulldog. This small, affectionate canine is a charmer. French Bulldogs don’t bark much, though they can still make good watchdogs. They happily adapt to life with singles, couples, or families. Unlike labs, this breed does not require a lot of outdoor exercise.

The German Shephard is another popular dog breed. These dogs are known for their loyalty, courage, and confidence, which is why they are often used by law enforcement. German Shepherds are gentle family pets and make great home guardians. And then there’s the Golden Retriever. Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs. These dogs are a favorite for children because they keep their puppy behavior forever. They also enjoy outdoor play and are a whiz at fetch and other tricks. What do you think about the American Kennel Club’s top picks?

Places to See Wild Horses in Colorado

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It is no secret that Colorado is big on horses. Not only does Colorado have a ton of horse properties for sale at any given time, if you’re lucky you can even spot wild horses. The term “wild horse” is also used colloquially in reference to free-roaming herds of feral horses. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the current population of wild horses in Colorado is around 400. Continue reading for the best places to see wild horses in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Wild Horses in Colorado

A great place to see wild horses is the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area. This area is located just eight miles northeast of Grand Junction and spans more than 36,000 acres. It is home to 90 to 150 wild horses depending on the time of the year. Spring and fall are the best times to spot the horses. You can see palominos, paints, grays, blacks, bays, sorrels, blue red roans, appaloosas, and more here. Of course you may also see elk, turkey, mule deer, snowshoe hare and more in the area.

Another great place to check out is the Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area. The area is located between Norwood and Dove Creek in the beautiful southwest corner of the state. This wild herd dates back to the early 1900s and includes bays, sorrels, grays, and pintos. This wild group of horses has nearly 22 thousand acres of open rolling hills and rugged mountain terrain to roam. Visitors to the area may also see elk, mule deer, bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, prairie dogs, and more.

Unique Places to Visit in Colorado

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Colorado is one of the best states in the union to go on vacation. We have some of the best outdoor recreation in the country. In fact, tourism contributes greatly to Colorado’s economy, with tourists generating $22.3 billion in 2018. Continue reading for some truly unique places to visit in Colorado that are off the beaten path. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Places to Visit in Colorado Like No Other

A great place to start is the Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver. The tours here are free and you get to sample the goods. Colorado has a ton of other breweries and you can even attend a Colorado beer workshop online. If you’re looking to check out one of our scenic mountain towns, try Grand Lake. Grand Lake is less crowded than the more well-known tourist areas. Also, there is no shortage of shopping, dining, and sightseeing to do here. Plus there’s a lot of fishing and boating on the Grand and Shadow Mountain Lakes.

Like parks? Check out North Cheyenne Canon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center down in Colorado Springs. You’ll share the area with less tourists than other park, like the Garden of The Gods. And with the Discovery Center there’s arguably more to see here too. This park features eight picturesque hiking trails and the indoor center is full of interactive exhibits. There’s also the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan. Located just thirty-five miles northeast of Colorado Springs, the colorful Paint Mines Interpretive Park features a series of trails that wind around a unique and chalky archaeological district. The best part? These trails are free to hikers, so pack a bag and make a day of it!

Hiking In The New Year

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The National Association of State Park Directors reported that nearly 85,000 people attended parks for New Year’s 2020. But due to the pandemic, this number dropped significantly in 2021. However, you can’t stop hikers from hitting the trails for too long. Though the groups will be smaller, The National Association of State Park Directors still expect to see a ton of people hiking in the new year. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top Parks For Hiking In The New Year

With that said, let’s talk about some of our favorite parks. Cheyenne Mountain State Park, located in Colorado Springs, is a favorite among our clients. Just starting from the Limekiln trailhead, there are so many trails to choose from. These include Zook loop, Sundance loop, and the 5.3-mile Talon Trail. Another popular park is Mueller State Park, in Divide Colorado. This park usually offers guided trips in some of the best trails in the state. Among these trailheads are Outlook Ridge, Elk Meadow, and Preacher’s Hollow.

If you’re looking for something closer to the Metro area, there’s Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora. This beautiful park, which boasts the Cherry Creek Reservoir, is only twenty minutes from downtown Denver. Alternatively, take a drive south on 85 and you’ll come across Chatfield and Roxborough State Parks. Both are great for hikers and include multiple trails to choose from. Though you’re outside, you’ll still be required to carry a mask with you in case you come across other hikers. Be safe and happy hiking!

Best Camping Sites in Colorado

Camping Spots

Camping is a great way to connect with nature and a unique way to vacation and reconnect with yourself and your family. Camping is also a cheap way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and to just relax. Some of the best camping sites in Colorado are near the Yampa River and Steamboat Springs. If you are looking to buy horse property in the state of Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today.

Flat Tops Trail

One of the best camping sites in Colorado is the Flat Tops Trail region. The best thing about this area is that it is remote but easy to reach. This national scenic byway connects Yampa (near Steamboat Springs) with Meeker to the west. The highlight of the area is Trappers Lake, the third largest natural lake in Colorado. There are several campgrounds down at Trappers Lake, but no dispersed camping. Trappers Lake Lodge is open late May through September, and rents out boats, horses and cabins. It also has a mini general store and restaurant/bar. Other camping grounds along Flat Tops Trail include Chapman Reservoir, Vaughan Lake, Himes Peak, and the Marvine Campground.

Buffalo Pass

Another great spot for camping is in Buffalo Pass. This area is close to downtown Steamboat Springs and two hot springs resorts. This historic route was once the main route to Walden, Colorado. A gem at the top of the pass is Summit Lake. Fishing and hand-powered watercraft are permitted on here. There’s also fishing in town on the Yampa River. The Dry Lake Campground and dispersed campsites in the area fill up quickly during the peak summer season. Therefore, if you have a specific spot in mind you better get there early. For more great camping spots in Colorado, call one of our horse-person realtors today.

Best Colorado Fishing Spots

Best Colorado Fishing Spots

Because of its dry climate and land-locked location, many people think that the state of Colorado lacks waterways. Not only does Colorado have some of the most beautiful waterways in the country, it is also a great place for fishing. Summer is the busy season for anglers and the best fishing spots in Colorado usually crowd with anglers during this season. But don’t worry, you can also fish throughout the entire year in Colorado and get the same great catches. Trout, including brown, brook, and lake trout abound in the state’s rivers and lakes. The official state fish is the cutthroat trout, an indigenous variety of the trout in Colorado.

Top Colorado Fishing Spots

Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a 1,896 mile long river that begins in the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. The best place to fish in this river is in the San Juan Mountains between the towns of Del Norte and South Fork. The best time to fish in the Rio Grande River are from June to July.

Gore Creek
Gore Creek is a tributary of Eagle River and is around 18.5 miles long. Although this stream is relatively small, it is one of the best fishing destinations in Colorado. You can find lots of cutthroats, brooks, browns, and rainbows in this stream. Gore Creek runs alongside the route of U.S. Highway 6 and Interstate 70 in the town of Vail, which makes it easier to access than other waterways.

North Platte River
The North Platte River is a major tributary of the Platte River and is approximately 716 miles long. It winds through Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It is important to know that some sections of the river can only be accessed by raft or kayak adding to the adventure of fishing in this destination.

Upper Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. It generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river’s source basin lies in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas River Valley, where the headwaters derive from the snow pack in the Sawatch and Mosquito mountain ranges.