Containment of Wildfires Inspires Travelers to "Share the Love" and Rediscover Colorado

DENVER, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Unprecedented firefighting efforts combined with recent cooler temperatures and welcomed rain to help contain most wildfires in Colorado. One way to contribute to Colorado's recovery efforts is to "Share the Love," visit the fire-impacted destinations and spread the word that these towns are welcoming visitors.

A sampling of summer packages:

• The Black Forest Bed and Breakfast Lodge and Cabins – Colorado Springs
  The lodge is offering a 20% discount on all rooms and will donate 5% to the Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund. 
• Rocky Mountain Adventures' The Best Day. Ever. Package – Fort Collins
  Package includes rafting on the Cache la Poudre River, a riverside lunch, a gift certificate to Jax Fish House, bus ticket for a trip up the Poudre Canyon and to the Saturday night Mishawaka Amphitheatre headliner. Package starts at $120/person. (800-858-6808)
• Far View Lodge Cities of Sandstone Package – Mesa Verde National Park
  Package includes two nights lodging, breakfast buffet and two tickets for the half-day guided tour of the ancient sites and cliff dwellings. Package starts at $379, double occupancy.
• St Julien Hotel and Spa's Bon Vivant Boulder Package – Boulder
  Package includes two nights of lodging; Friday night - dinner, dancing, and champagne on the hotel's terrace; Saturday - cooking class with ingredients chosen during an escorted jaunt through Boulder County Farmers' Market, private guided afternoon hike; Sunday - morning yoga class, juicing demonstration in the herb garden. Starting at $989/couple.
• El Colorado Lodge - Manitou Springs
  Stay two nights and get half off the third night in an adobe cabin.
• "A Bushel of Summer Savings" Package – Grand Junction
  Pick a "Bushel of Summer Savings" lodging package and upon check-in receive a bushel of savings to local fruit/produce stands. Packages begin at $64.80/night.
• Durango Mountain Resort Stay and Play Package – Durango
  Package includes two-nights lodging, plus two Purgatory Plunge Zipline rides and two Total Adventure Tickets. Package starts at $58 per person/night.  (800-525-0892)
• Lodge at the Stanley Stay Cool Package – Estes Park
  Package includes accommodations, daily continental breakfast, $50 dinner credit at Cascades Patio and choice of house-made Gelato or yogurt pops at Steamers Cafe. Package starts at $299/night.
• Delaware Hotel's Horseback Riding Package – Leadville
  Package includes lodging, breakfast and a one-hour scenic horseback ride. Package starts at $85/person, double occupancy. 

The Colorado Tourism Office is launching "Share the Love" to welcome visitors and spread the word that Colorado's destinations and attractions are waiting to be explored. In fact, Colorado's fire-impacted areas represent less than 1% of Colorado's 23 million acres of public land.

"High elevations, mild temperatures and incredible outdoor adventures make Colorado one of the best places in the country to take a summer vacation," said Al White, director of the Colorado Tourism Office. "While our hearts go out to those who were impacted by the wildfires, we are working hard to make it known that the fires have not drastically impacted the overall summer visitor experience."

"Share the Love" by following Visit Colorado on Facebook and @Colorado on Twitter. The Colorado Tourism Office has also released a "Share The Love" profile image that social media users can use as their profile image (Facebook image download, Twitter image download.)

Users who "Share the Love" with their profile image will have the chance to win a limited edition "Share the Love" t-shirt. Followers are encouraged to share Colorado photos and stories this summer using the hashtag #ShareTheLove.

For more information visit http://www.colorado.com/share-the-love. For more ways to help those affected by Colorado's wildfires visit www.HelpColoradoNow.org.

Contact: Carly Grimes / 720-289-9366, [email protected]

SOURCE Colorado Tourism Office