Tourism Champion

09/03/2026

Historians gather stories about discrimination against Black Coloradans in first state study about the legacy of slavery in the Centennial State

09/03/2026

The racist policies and practices of 'the South' were, unfortunately, part of Colorado's history as well. What strikes me is that this is not ancient history, and occurred not that long ago.

Historians gather stories about discrimination against Black Coloradans in first state study about the legacy of slavery in the Centennial State

08/21/2026

A flock of magpies is called a parliament, tribe or mischief. Mischief is descriptive of their curious nature, much like ravens or crows, to whom they are related.

The Colorado Sun recently supplied this information to readers:
Black-billed magpies are known to work together to “mob” raptors and other predators to defend themselves, their nests and their young.

“Mobbing” involves multiple birds loudly crowding and attacking a perceived threat at the same time. Usually, magpies use this strategy to deter hunters like foxes, coyotes and raptors, though they’ve also been reported to mob humans, pets and snakes.

Black-billed magpies live in the Western U.S. and Canada. They are related to jays, crows and ravens, and are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Magpies have also been observed holding “funerals” for fellow magpies, gathering and loudly cawing when they discover a dead counterpart.

Conservation authorities estimate that there are around 6 million black-billed magpies in the wild and designate magpies as a species of least conservation concern. If climate change continues to raise temperatures, the birds could lose up to 68% of their current range.

08/18/2026

Buying, demolishing and/or burning, and the SUBMERGING entire towns happened repeatedly in Colorado as reservoirs like Lake Dillon, Blue Mesa, Navajo Lake and Pueblo Resevoir were built and filled.

Colorado’s lakes often aren’t what they seem. Many are reservoirs with contentious histories and ghost towns under the surface.

03/08/2026

Perspective on Iran from Rick Steves

Join Rick as he explores the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited: Iran. In a one-hour, ground-breaking travel special on public television, you'll discover the splendid monuments of Iran's rich and glorious past, learn more about the 20th-century story of this perplexing nation, a...

03/08/2026

From a speech by World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) President Sebastian Frankenberger during the Peace Ceremony in Nagasaki, at the recent WFTGA Conference.

As professional tourist guides, we do more than accompany visitors.

We explain history — including its complexity and its contradictions.

We provide context — where misunderstanding could easily take root.

We connect cultures — where distance might otherwise create division.

We explain. We connect. We give context.

And in doing so, we shape perception.

That is influence. And influence is responsibility.

Send a message to learn more

02/28/2026

One of (m)any mind-bending views of the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Every turn of your head is another perspective!

02/17/2026

The worn and battered USGS marker on the summit of Mt. Blue Sky reads 14,258'. The elevation as measured today (using precision devices available in 2026, vs. 1955) is 14,265 (4,348 m). It is the 14th highest 14'er in Colorado. "The 14th 14'er" -- easy to remember.

02/17/2026

Toponymy is the study of names.

The names of mountains, historic sites, and many other places including undersea features are not randomly chosen, and there is a process for selecting or changing place names.

The U.S. Bureau of Geographic Names (USBGN) has official naming authority. Reverting to the name Mt. McKinley when referring to Denali, the highest peak in North America, or referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, failed to follow the official process.

The Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board, part of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources has authority in the state. The board oversaw the process of renaming Mt. Evans to Mt. BLue Sky, a change which became official on September 15, 2023. In Colorado, there are 4053 named mountains.

Place names on soverign Indian lands are entirely within the purview of the Nation; not the USBGN or any state agency.

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02/11/2026

The Canyon Spirit, formerly the Rocky Mountaineer, is a great rail adventure. I recommend it, and would love to have Facebook friends join me for one of the trips I am managing for Gate 1 Travel in 2026.