How to Get Into a Colorado State of Mind: Your Guide to Trying Something New in Buena Vista
When you cross the border into Colorado, a big rustic wooden sign greets you: WELCOME TO COLORFUL COLORADO.
The word colorful simply means bright, full of color. Look toward the aspens right now as they burst from green into gold, orange and red, and you'll see the sign isn't exaggerating.
But colorful means something else, too. We use it to describe interesting people and exciting stories. It carries a sense of energy, fun and a little unpredictability — which is exactly what the adventures here are like. Wild. Exciting. A little unpredictable. And full of interesting people you meet along the way.
People come from all over to experience Colorado. And a lot of them get a taste of that colorful magic and suddenly can't imagine living anywhere else. In Buena Vista especially, almost everyone has a version of the same story. Something brought them here. A summer rafting job. A friend's couch. A 14er they'd always wanted to climb.
And then they stayed, and found a way to make this place home.
I'm one of them. I rolled into BV in 2014 with everything I owned stuffed into two cars and a homemade pop-up camper. I'd never been west of the Mississippi. I was definitely not a kayaker, a climber or a backcountry skier.
I just wanted to see what was out there.
Here's the thing most people don't realize about this town: very few of us showed up as experts. We weren't all alpine climbers, ultra runners, raft guides or rock climbers when we got here. We were curious. And somewhere along the way, curiosity turned into a way of life.
That's the Colorado State of Mind.
So, what exactly is a Colorado State of Mind?
It's not about how far you go, how high you climb, or how much experience you have.
It's the curiosity to get outside, try something new, and see where the day takes you. It's the feeling you get when you stop thinking about what you should be doing and start thinking about what you could do outside.
It's curiosity.
It's capability.
It's adventure without necessarily being extreme.
It's seeing a mountain and wondering what the view looks like from the top. Seeing a river and wanting to learn how to paddle it. Looking at fresh snow and wondering what's beyond the trailhead. It's the impulse to learn something, go somewhere, get a little dirt under your nails, and come back with a story.
And more importantly, you don't have to already be an expert to have one.
A Beer that says “Go Find Out.”
Have you ever really taken a look at Eddyline's Colorado State of Mind Hazy Citra IPA?
First things first: it's delicious. A Hazy Citra IPA that brings together the best of both coasts. Big, hop-forward flavor inspired by our West Coast beginnings meets a soft, pillowy mouthfeel straight from the juicy East Coast haze craze. It's bright, tropical and packed with Citra hops.
But the can has a story, too.
The artwork has the Denver skyline in the background — a reminder that just outside the city, adventure is waiting for you. Up front is Longs Peak, one of the most iconic mountains in the state, with a couple and their dog soaking in the view. (Artist's note: that's a nod to my favorite Colorado adventure friends and their pup, Kiara.)
Longs Peak is the whole idea in one picture. It's the big, beautiful possibility of Colorado. You look at the can and think, What would it be like to be up there?
That's the mindset.
And the beer is basically saying: Go find out.
Colorado State of Mind: Find Your Way Outside
Buena Vista is a place where people do outdoor things. It's also one of the best places I know to learn how to do them.
And finding your way outside looks different for everyone.
For one person, it's climbing Longs Peak.
For another, it's taking a beginner kayak lesson.
For someone else, it's learning to fly fish.
For another, it's taking an avalanche course so they can safely explore the backcountry.
And for someone else, it's simply sitting beside the Arkansas River with a Colorado State of Mind in hand.
All of those count.
Four ways into a Colorado State of Mind
1. EXPLORE
Go somewhere. Hike. Fish. Paddle. Climb. Bike. Backcountry ski. Pick a direction and see what's out there.
2. LEARN
You don't have to know how. Take a kayak course. Learn to climb. Get avalanche training. Learn wilderness medicine. Join a trail user group. Hire a fishing guide. That's what they're here for.
Or, if you're really committed, marry a raft guide. (That's what I did.)
3. PLAY
This is the less serious side of Colorado. River days. Post-adventure beers. Friends. Dogs. Campfires. Sitting around doing absolutely nothing after doing something all day.
4. BELONG
Colorado has a reputation for being full of people who summit 14ers before breakfast and ski 50 days a year. Are some of those people here? Absolutely. Is it a requirement? Not even close. A Colorado State of Mind doesn't mean you're the most adventurous person in the room. It means you're the kind of person who says, "Sure, why not?"
It means you're willing to try.
Your guide to trying something new in Buena Vista
There isn't one right way to find your Colorado State of Mind. So we put together a few ways to start finding yours right here in Buena Vista.
Want to learn to paddle? Here's where to start.
Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center (RMOC)
I spent my first summer in BV mostly upside down in a kayak, swimming, and wondering why anyone would voluntarily choose this hobby. I would have loved a proper progression.
That's exactly what RMOC offers. They've been teaching paddlesports in the Arkansas Valley since 1983, and every kayak instructor is certified through the American Canoe Association.
Their Kayak School is built like a ladder. L1 happens on the flatwater at Trout Creek Reservoir, where you get fitted into a boat and work on strokes, bracing, self-rescue and an intro to the roll. If you've never sat in a kayak with a neoprene skirt, that's your starting line. From there, L2 moves you onto moving water at the Salida River Park, L3 takes you downstream on your first real river runs, and L4 is for when Class II starts feeling a little too comfortable.
Want to finally nail your roll? There's a whole class for that. Eager to get on the river faster? Small groups can often knock out L1 and L2 in a single day of private instruction.
Not sure kayaking is your thing (yet)? RMOC also teaches rafting, stand up paddleboarding, river surfing, rock climbing and mountain biking. Try a little of everything and see what sticks.
Want to catch your first trout? Here's who can take you.
In 2014, 102 miles of the Arkansas River were designated Gold Medal trout water, the longest stretch of trophy fly fishing water in the state. That stretch runs right through our backyard.
UpRiver is a family-owned fly shop and guide service in downtown Buena Vista, run by Kayla and Andrew, who have more than 40 years of combined experience on the Arkansas and in Browns Canyon National Monument.
Every trip they run works for beginners and experts alike. Float the Gold Medal headwaters through Browns Canyon. Wade-fish the Dream Stream. Take a 4x4 adventure up to the high mountain lakes of the Sawatch Range. Or book a Learn to Fly Fish trip if you've never held a rod in your life. Browns, rainbows and cutthroat are all on the table. And yes, there's a trip that ends with a riverside dinner.
Not sure what you need? Stop by the shop for rentals, gear and the week's "hot flies."
Want to learn to climb? Here's how to get off the ground.
Climbing can look intimidating from the ground. Everyone above you seems to know exactly what they're doing, and you're not sure what half the gear is for. Good news: that's the guide's job, not yours.
Some of my favorite days in the Valley started at the crag and ended with me walking into my serving shift at Eddyline South Main with chalk still on my hands.
Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center runs guided climbs for all ages and abilities, and no experience is necessary. Their guides are trained by the American Mountain Guides Association, gear is included, and they'll pick the crag based on your group.
Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA) is a great next step if you've climbed in a gym and want to take it outside. Their Sport Climbing 101 course teaches gym climbers and newer outdoor climbers the tools and techniques for climbing on real rock, in small classes with an AMGA Rock Guide.
Want to get into the backcountry? Start with education.
Buena Vista Mountain Adventures is locally owned and operates throughout the Sawatch Range. If there's a single place in town to build a backcountry foundation, this is it.
Backcountry Skills. Learn how to figure out where you are, plan where you're going, and get back safely using both map and digital navigation. You'll also pick up the knots every backcountry traveler should know, including how to tie them, use them and inspect them in real-world scenarios. It's the stuff that makes you self-reliant out there.
Backcountry Ski & Ride. Learn to earn your turns, or take your skills higher. The downside? You have to walk uphill. (That's the "earn" part.) Skiers and snowboarders should be comfortable on blue and easy black runs at the resort before signing up.
Wilderness Medicine. BVMA also teaches SOLO Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder courses. Nobody plans on needing it. Everybody's glad someone in the group took it.
Want to learn how to travel safely in avalanche terrain? Here's where.
The aspens are turning, which means snow isn't far behind. Now is the time to plan your avalanche education, not the morning of a big powder day.
BVMA is an AIARE avalanche education provider, offering Avalanche Rescue, AIARE 1 and AIARE 2. The AIARE Framework helps skiers, splitboarders, snowmobilers, mountaineers and snowshoers make smarter decisions in and around avalanche terrain. It's more than facts and terminology. It's a practical system for planning tours, assessing conditions, managing terrain and learning from every day in the field.
And it's never really finished. Each course and each day out sharpens your skills and builds your confidence, and they recommend refreshing your training every few years. Backcountry travel is a lifelong journey.
Want to get outside but don't know where to begin? Find your people.
This is the BELONG part.
The fastest way into a Colorado State of Mind is to spend time with people who already have one. It rubs off on you.
Our local paddling group on Facebook, with river levels, whitewater logistics, gear classifieds and community paddling events around Buena Vista and the Arkansas Valley. Just bought your first boat? This is where you'll find someone to paddle with.
GARNA's Hiking Club explores the Arkansas River Valley every Friday, June through October, weather permitting. It's free and open to everyone. Join the email list and you'll get the details and RSVP info every Monday. (Leave the pups at home for this one.) GARNA also runs the Chaffee Gear Library, which is worth a look if you don't own the gear yet.
Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition (BVSC)
BVSC builds and maintains the nearly 50 miles of multi-use trails in northern Chaffee County. Whether you hike, bike, run or ride, those are your trails. Show up to a Wednesday evening trail work night or one of their community hangouts. Nothing makes you feel like a local faster than helping build the trail you ride.
Trail Sisters is all about getting more women out trail running and hiking, and the whole movement has deep BV roots. Founder Gina Lucrezi calls Buena Vista home, and the Trail Sisters Half Marathon & 10K takes over our trails every September. The local chapter hosts group outings that are a great way to meet other women who love the trails.
Chat with the folks at our local outfitters on Main Street.
CKS River Supply has been a Buena Vista institution since 1978 and carries the largest selection of kayaks and whitewater gear in the Western U.S. Owners Brad and Megan Kingman started out as raft guides in the Valley. There's no online store. You walk in, talk to a real person, and walk out knowing what you need. Already have a handle on what you're doing? They rent whitewater kayaks, SUPs, inflatable kayaks, rafts, oars, PFDs, helmets, paddles, wetsuits, drysuits and more.
The Trailhead is a locally owned outdoor gear and clothing shop on Main Street, open every day, whose whole purpose is helping people get out and play in this corner of the Rockies. Swing by and tell them what you like to do. They'll help you find a hike, get you set up with gear, and point you toward their list of local hikes and 14er info on their website. Their motto is #GoThereStartHere, which might be the best summary of this entire blog. And when you get back from your first summit, they've got a 14er patch waiting for you.
Welcome to Colorful Colorado
Buena Vista is an incredible place to find your Colorado State of Mind. The river, the mountains, the crags, the trails, the lakes and the backcountry all meet here, with a way in for every level. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, there's someone in this town ready to show you the next step.
Remember that sign at the border? Colorful means bright. It also means interesting people and good stories. It's not just the changing leaves, the bluebird skies or the mountains glowing at sunset.
It's the people who come here looking for something and find a little more than they expected. It's the stories that happen when you say yes to something new. It's finding your people, finding your place and finding a new way to spend your days outside.
At Eddyline, we brew beers for any adventure — it's the cold one on the tailgate after your first lesson. The 16oz can you crack riverside while you relive every swim. The cheers with the new friends you met on a Friday hike.
So pick the thing you've always wanted to try. Book the lesson. Show up to trail night. Ask the folks on Main Street where to start.
Then come find us, grab a Colorado State of Mind, and tell us how it went. You don't have to know how. You just have to be curious enough to go.
Go find out.
Lauren Hafner is the Creative Director and graphic designer for Eddyline Brewery. She has worked for Eddyline since she first arrived in Buena Vista in 2014.
