Bike-to-Work Day Denver was back on June 26, 2019. Have you ever enjoyed a carefree car ride through Colorado? If so, then you know how easy it is! If not, then let me tell you how easy it is to travel in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way.
Or, if you’re like me, and you don’t have a car on campus, you may be looking for “eco-friendly” ways to travel all the time.
Whatever the case, here are some suggestions for commuting to and from the mountains:
1. Bustang – The Bustang is a publicly-operated, intercity bus route that goes from Denver’s Union Station to locations all around Colorado. Their West Line will take you from Denver to Grand Junction, every day of the week.
2. California Zephyr – You might be familiar with the Winter Park ski train that helps skiers bypass traffic on I-70 during the ski season, but did you know that the California Zehpyr will get you out to the Fraser-Winter Park and Granby Stations? You can even reserve a spot for your bike on the train when you book in advance. It’s about 5 miles from the Granby Station to Granby Ranch or from the Fraser-Winter Park station to the Winter Park Resort.
3. Shuttle Service from DIA – While this option may be more expensive, it’s definitely one way to get out there without the hassle of driving. You can book a shuttle online through sites like Fresh Tracks.
4. Carpool – If you aren’t able to catch a ride on one of the mass transit options above, the next best option is to carpool with friends. Asking a friend to drive might not be as hard as you think, especially if you offer to chip in for gas and pack extra trail snacks for your friend.
5. Zipcar – Many universities along the Colorado Front Range have membership specials with the car sharing service, Zipcar. Using this app, you can locate and pay for a car that’s charged by an hourly rate. It’s great for college students because you only need to be 18 years old to rent the car and insurance is included. It can be a little bit pricy for the day, so finding 3-4 friends to split the cost with you will make it more economical and environmentally-friendly.
6. Ride Share – Lyft and Uber are options, although the prices may be high. Additionally, it can be tricky to get a driver to take you home at the end of the day as there are fewer drivers available in the mountain towns. Again, splitting the ride with friends will be more cost-effective and environmentally conscious.
Getting to the mountains in the summer months can be tricky since most ski-bus options are not available in the warmer months. However, with a little advanced planning, there’s no reason to miss out on the beautiful summer days waiting for you in the Rocky Mountains.
Katie Weiseman
Katie is a graduate student studying International and Intercultural Communication at the University of Denver. Originally hailing from the Midwest, she still remembers her first-time laying eyes on the Rocky Mountains and falling in love. In addition to exploring mountain trails, Katie enjoys checking out Colorado’s craft breweries and scouting the Front Range for the best scoop of ice cream.
