DENVER, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorado is gearing up for a big year in 2012, a year that will bring a slew of new developments, including new hotels – from luxury brands to outdoor cabins – new attractions, museums, special events, cultural exhibits and more. Following is a snapshot of what's new in Colorado in 2012. For a full recap visit http://www.colorado.com/MediaRoom/NewsReleases.aspx?prid=1241202
NEW HOTELS, HUTS AND LODGING OFFERINGS
The OPUS Hut is a new high alpine backcountry lodge nestled on the southern face of 13,666-foot Lookout Peak in the Northern San Juan Mountains of Colorado, halfway between Telluride and Silverton with access to some of the best backcountry skiing in the area. www.opushut.com
Point Breeze Cabin, the newest addition to the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, located almost on top of the Continental Divide at 10,500 feet in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. www.huts.org
The Mining Exchange, a Wyndham Grand Hotel, is set to open in downtown Colorado Springs in spring 2012. The hotel is set amongst four historic buildings dating back to the early 20th century, including the primary stock exchange for the western U.S. www.miningexchangehotel.com
The Little Nell in Aspen is offering a new overnight horse pack trip in 2012 called "Cowboy Camp 101." Families can learn the art of backcountry living from starting a fire to catching a fish. The Little Nell's family activities also include fly fishing clinics, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. www.thelittlenell.com/ebook/index.html
The $50 million Asian Tropics exhibit at the Denver Zoois set to open in spring 2012. It will be the largest bull elephant habitat in the world. www.DenverZoo.org/AT/index.html
The History Colorado Center is an upcoming experiential museum where visitors will traverse the state in a "time machine," and is set to open April 28, 2012 in Denver. www.HistoryColorado.org/museums/history-colorado-center
The Denver Art Museum will be the only United States venue for Yves Saint Laurent, "A Retrospective" from March 25 through July 8, 2012. www.DenverArtMuseum.org
The Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center is a hands-on science and technology "museum" featuring over 100 interactive exhibits. Combining science with history and culture, the new museum will provide a deeper understanding of the world and each individual's place in it. www.FCMDSC.org
WHAT'S NEW ON THE SLOPES
Winter Park's Rail Yard Terrain Park's Super Pipe "Dig-In" will be completed during the early season, with the Half Pipe opening by Christmas 2011. This will result in a reduction of water and energy consumption by using less man-made snow. www.WinterParkResort.com
Copper Mountainenters ski season in partnership with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (U.S.S.A.) to develop an on-snow training center at the resort. To support and develop the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper, the resort is implementing a new automated snowmaking system among other features. www.CopperColorado.com
EpicMix is revolutionizing the way we ski -- again. The innovative app that tracks vertical feet and days skied at Vail Resorts added photo capabilities for this winter, making it even easier for skiers and snowboarders to share their on-mountain experience. www.EpicMix.com
Breckenridge Ski Resort celebrates its 50th Anniversary this ski season. The resort's golden season will offer its signature events and 50th anniversary celebrations and promotions all season long. www.Breckenridge.com
SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch updates Terrain Park. Leading improvements include: Ted's Secret Stash, an all natural log park off the Jackalope run; Progression Park, a beginner terrain park at the base area; and the newest feature The Tank, a former underground fuel tank. www.GranbyRanch.com
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No. 1 Kansas crushes Colorado
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Cole Aldrich had a double-double and Xavier Henry scored 24 points Saturday to lead No. 1 Kansas to a 94-74 victory over Colorado.
Colorado Gives Day Raises $12 Million for More Than 900 Colorado Nonprofits
ARVADA, Colo., Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Coloradans did it again. In an astounding demonstration of support for Colorado nonprofits, donors from across the state contributed $12 million as part of Community First Foundation's
Colorado Gives Day 2011 — an increase of more than 40 percent compared to Colorado Gives Day 2010, which raised $8.4 million.
Colorado's minimum wage first in U.S. to drop
DENVER - Colorado's minimum wage will drop slightly in the new year - the first decrease in any state's minimum wage since the federal minimum was adopted in 1938.