New Year’s Eve in Aspen Photo by Jamie Finn
Whilst everybody else is slowly but surely giving up on their new year’s resolutions to drink less alcohol, eat more greens and get back into their running shoes, we suggest that you focus on your wish list instead. “What wish list?” you ask. Well, the idea of creating a lifelong ‘bucket list’ has been around a little while now, but a smaller, more manageable wish list for 2019 will see you achieve more in a shorter space of time. And have plenty of fun doing so.
The idea is to go big or go home! This could be the year you tick off those lifelong dreams that you've had in your head since high school. Take the plunge and get your first tattoo, travel to Las Vegas and experience everything it has to offer, or even organise a charity skydive. The sky's your limit so don’t be afraid to set the bar high. Even if you don’t manage to tick off everything, you’ll still have done some crazy cool stuff in 2019.
Aerial view of Red Rocks Amphitheatre Photo by Alex Mertz
Visit a National Park
It might seem like we’re starting off on a gentle one, but how many locals have actually been out to take a look around Colorado’s stunning array of national parks? With plenty of amazing natural wonders right on the doorstep, there’s no excuse not to venture into the great outdoors this year.
As a reader of this site, there’s no doubt that you’re into music in a big way. The perfect place to check out some sweet sounds bang in the middle of nature is the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre. At this gorgeous venue, you can experience everything from classical opera to modern rock bands in the open air, surrounded by incredible undulating rock formations.
Self-built Wonders
Moving on from the wonders of Mother Nature, there’s also plenty of manmade and reappropriated structures in Colorado that are not to be missed. The International Church of Cannabis is a rainbow dream in vivid technicolour from floor to ceiling; even if you don’t partake yourself, it’s well worth a visit to this incredibly decorated place of worship. On a similarly psychedelic theme, the Magic Mushroom House in Aspen is a groovy building conceptualised by 70s architect Andre Ulrych. Certainly an unusual piece of architecture to have a look round.
Other notable sites include: the UFO Watchtower in Crestone, which involves everything alien-related that you always wanted to see – as well as everything you didn’t; Denver’s Buckhorn Exchange, which contains an unbelievable number of taxidermied animals; and Cano’s Castle in Antonito, which is an impressive structure built, strangely enough, entirely from beer cans.
Inside the International Church of Cannabis Photo by Nicole Harrington
Detox Like Never Before
If you do fancy a bit of a health kick after all, go for something a little more interesting than the usual wilted salad and underused gym membership. In Denver, you can visit the city’s Flotation Center where you can spend time floating in salt water, completely quiet and comfortingly weightless. This should refresh your mind before you head to SunSpa Oxygen Bar in nearby Lakewood. Here you can get a concentrated oxygen hit – in your choice of fruity flavour, no less – to put you back on top form and feeling fighting fit for the year to come.
Go Extreme
Of course, one of the most extreme activities you can put on your list is the good old bungee jump. Colorado has some truly fantastic places where you can experience this ultimate thrill, including from the suspension bridge over the Arkansas River gorge, or above the spectacular Glenwood Canyon. Choosing an outdoor venue with brilliant views like the two mentioned here means that you can enjoy the whole experience and not just the few minutes’ thrill of the jump itself. Make a day of it and return home that evening feeling like you’re on top of the world.
Whatever you decide to put on your 2019 wish list, make sure it’s something fun, memorable and gives you the chance to fulfil a personal dream. After all, that’s what the idea of a ‘bucket list’ is all about and we only get one life – we might as well live it to the full!