Beginner's Guide to Colorado http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/ Colorado en Copyright 2007 Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:10:40 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.35 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Crime Statistics As of the 2001-2002 crime statistics report, the total crime in Denver increased from 45,317 in 2001 to 47,415 in 2002 which was an increase of 4.6% or 2,098 reported crimes, including crimes against persons and against property. Out of 78 neighborhoods tabulated, 25 saw a decrease in crime, while 53 had an increase.

Neighborhoods with the greatest increase in crime:
North Park Hill, +145 crimes; +33.5%
Kennedy, +54 crimes; +32.5%
Southmoor Park, +37 crimes; +31.1%
Wellshire, +15 crimes; +30.6%
University, +121 crimes, +30.0%

Neighborhoods with the greatest decrease in crime:
Denver International Airport, -82 crimes; -15.7%
Sloan Lake, -83 crimes; -13.5%
City Park West, -80 crimes; -13.3%
Sun Valley, -54 crimes; -11.9%
Skyland, -25 crimes; -10.2%

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-real-estate/crime-statistics.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-real-estate/crime-statistics.php Denver Real Estate Thu, 04 May 2006 21:51:02 +0000 Schools • Denver Public School System—
The Denver Public School System offers this as its mission statement, “…to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our society,” and has these three goals:
1. Each school must have a highly skilled faculty with access to robust professional development and real-time assessment data that will allow teachers to better evaluate the progress children are making and where they might need extra help.
2. Each principal should be equipped to be the instructional leader for the faculty in their school.
3. Every school and classroom shall provide a safe and orderly environment.

There are 151 schools in the Denver system. 73 are elementary schools, 15 are K-8 schools, 17 are middle schools, and 14 are high schools. There are also 19 charter schools in Denver, 7 alternative schools, and 6 listed as “other.” As of October 1, 2005, there were 73,018 students enrolled in Denver’s public schools.

• Private and Parochial Schools—
Denver is also the home to many other schooling options including a host of private and parochial schools. If you know what you are looking for by way of specific religious or college-preparatory orientation of a school, do a simple internet research for “_________ School, Denver CO” and fill in the blank with your preference, such as “Jewish Parochial” or “non-religious college preparatory.” You will find there are many choices for you to decide between. And hopefully, deciding on a school will help you narrow down your neighborhood housing options as well. The two often go hand in hand for families.


Sources—
www.wikipedia.org
www.denvergov.org
www.neighborhoodlink.com
http://denver-south-realestate.com
http://www.turn2homes.com
http://www.downtowndenver.com
http://www.realestatecolorado.net
http://www.denvergov.org
http://www.dpsk12.org

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-real-estate/schools.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-real-estate/schools.php Denver Real Estate Thu, 04 May 2006 21:51:34 +0000 Denver Vacations--A One Week Itinerary Overview Congratulations on your decision to make a week long trip to Denver. There are many sites, sounds, activities, and entertainment options to suit your entire family, your company business trip, or your romantic get-away. Your family may enjoy an action packed week of theme parks and horseback riding, or perhaps your crew prefers finding out everything there is to know about the history of a place. Regardless of your vacationing style, Denver has something to offer for everyone.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/denver-vacationsa-one-week-itinerary-overview.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/denver-vacationsa-one-week-itinerary-overview.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 21:52:12 +0000 Day One Today would be a good day to get to know the lay of the land and discover the history behind Denver and the Wild West. Begin by taking the Victorian Denver walking tour. This tour takes you through the Brown Palace Hotel, the Colorado State Capitol, the Byers-Evans House, and Civic Center Park. The tour lasts two hours and covers around 15 city blocks.

After lunch, join a guided driving tour of Denver’s architectural structures. This tour can be customized to last from two to four hours and will allow you to visually experience the landmarks and design of Denver’s architectural history.

Enjoy dinner in the Lower Downtown district of Denver and cap off your evening enjoying one of several nice jazz and blues bars.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-one.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-one.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:02:36 +0000 Day Two On your second day, you might enjoy experiencing the great outdoors the Denver Metro Area has to offer. You can choose to take a guided mountain expedition into Rocky Mountain National Forest or you can get a hiking map and set out on your trek yourself, though if you do this make sure you have a partner and some reliable form of distance communication for emergencies. Pack a lunch to go and enjoy your day hiking the beautiful wilderness trails, rent a mountain bike to ride, and take part in a guided pack trip on horseback. You might even consider tent camping at one of the public campsites in the forest.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-two.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-two.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:03:12 +0000 Day Three Slather on some sunscreen, pack a picnic lunch and head to the Denver Zoo, which covers over 80 acres inside Denver’s City Park. Located on 23rd Avenue, the Denver Zoo is only five minutes from downtown Denver. It is open every day of the year, though the times as well as the prices vary according to season, so be sure to check out their website for all the answers to your questions.

That evening, enjoy dinner at one of Denver’s many fine eating establishments and take in a sporting event. The Denver Broncos (football) and the Colorado Rockies (baseball) are popular choices, depending upon the season, as are the Denver Nuggets (basketball) and the Colorado Avalanche (hockey).

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-three.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-three.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:03:44 +0000 Day Four Today, prepare for some adventurous fun at Six Flags Elitch Gardens. The theme park includes a water park, so be sure to bring your swimming suit along with you for your full-day adventure. This activity is, of course, a seasonal one, so do some research to find out if the park will be open during your excursion to Denver.

Chances are good that you will be exhausted from your adventure, so enjoy a casual Mexican dinner at Casa Bonita where you can relax while eating next to their indoor waterfall and watch the professional divers perform while you eat.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-four.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-four.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:04:19 +0000 Day Five On the fifth day of your trip to Denver, take the time to catch up on some more Colorado history. Take a tour of the Denver History Museum, and then go see the Governor’s Mansion. After lunch, take time to see the United States Mint. The U.S. Mint tour is free and they do take walk-up requests, but it is better to reserve your place in the tour line in advance online or by phone.

That evening, have dinner at one of the Lower Downtown restaurants and then enjoy one of the many theatrical offerings Denver’s Performing Arts Complex has to offer.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-five.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-five.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:04:56 +0000 Day Six You and your companions, be it your family, or friends will enjoy an all day trip through the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area and the Phoenix Mine. This tour takes approximately eight hours and allows you to experience the area west of Denver from Clear Creek Canyon to Idaho Springs. You will ascend to the top of Mt. Evans and its 14,264 foot summit. You will observe Arctic tundra plants and 1,600-year-old trees as well as view large herds of bighorn sheep and mountain goats. The tour also includes exploring the Phoenix Gold Mine via the help of a real miner and offers you the opportunity to pan for gold afterwards.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-six.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-six.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:05:28 +0000 Day Seven On the morning of your last day in Denver, tour the Coors Brewery facility, the third largest single brewing site in the world. They run free tours from 10am-4pm and offer full-sized samples for visitors who are 21 or older. After this you might enjoy a round of golf at one of Denver’s many public and private golf courses. And if the show schedules work out for your trip to Denver, you can’t miss seeing a performance in the Red Rocks Amphitheater where you can, “see the biggest stars under the stars.” It truly is amazing to sit in the midst of the enormous natural amphitheater surrounded by giant red rocks and watch your favorites perform. Be sure to take a waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella, however, because mountain evening weather can be a bit chilly and light rain is not uncommon – and it won’t stop the show from going on!

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-seven.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/day-seven.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:06:00 +0000 Alternate Options Some of the days listed in the one-week itinerary are better suited to one age group than another. Depending upon the age of your children, if you are bringing them on the trip, some of the options may not hold their interest for very long. On the other hand, if you aren’t bringing children at all, the Six Flags Day and Trip to the Zoo might not be your cup of tea either. Here are some alternate ideas for you:

• Alternate One—
Your children will enjoy touring the Downtown Aquarium, formerly known as Colorado’s Ocean Journey where they can enjoy exhibits based on inland freshwater ecosystems and the ocean. As the aquarium is now owned by Landry’s Restaurant, you can partake of a nice seafood lunch there as well.

Your next stop for the day is the Denver Children’s Museum, which hosts a plethora of hand-on exhibits for children of all ages.

• Alternate Two—
The Denver Art Museum will appeal to both old and young alike. If taking your children, check out their schedule of events ahead of time, as there are days where they offer special programs for families. After perusing the paintings, drive over to the Butterfly Pavilion where you can see thousands of butterflies from all over the world. They have over 50 species and you can also observe the butterflies as they begin their life journey from pupae to caterpillars to butterflies.

• Alternate Three—
You and your partner may enjoy a visit to the home of the “Unsinkable Molly Brown.” This summer house of Molly Brown is open five days a week for you to talk around. If you care for a tour, you need to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

After this, a driving or walking tour of Denver might hold some interest for you. There are several itineraries put together online that are themed to different aspects of Denver. You could take a driving tour of Denver’s literary landmarks, or the beat poetry driving tour. If you prefer something truly unique, you can explore the Fairmount cemetery by taking a walking tour through it.

• Alternate Four—
This alternative option could cover as little or as much time as you want it to. Colorado has much to offer by way of Dude Ranches in which either just you or your whole family can enjoy an organized wild west experience complete with horseback riding, cattle roping, and cowboy poetry recitations under the stars. Your family can stay together for the duration of your time, or you can choose to enroll your children in one of their quality children’s programs for part of your stay.

Sources:
www.cmdenver.org
www.redrocksonline.com
www.denverartmuseum.org
www.butterflies.org
www.tripadvisor.com
www.shermanstravel.com
www.denver.org
www.denvergov.org
www.coloradoranch.com
www.cityguide.travel-guides.com
www.denverhistorytours.com
www.denverzoo.org
www.sixflags.com/parks/elitchgardens
www.usmint.gov
www.aquariumrestaurants.com
]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/alternate-options.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary/alternate-options.php Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary Thu, 04 May 2006 22:06:35 +0000 Denver Real Estate denverre.jpg

Denver Real Estate Introduction

Neighborhoods

Housing Prices

Crime Statistics

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-real-estate.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-real-estate.php Newbie's Picks Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:53:51 +0000 Denver Hotels and Accommodations denvhotel.jpg

Denver Hotels and Accommodations Overview

Bed and Breakfasts

Hotels

Condo Vacationing

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-hotels-and-accommodations.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-hotels-and-accommodations.php Newbie's Picks Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:55:23 +0000 Denver Vacations - A One Week Itinerary devvaca.jpg

Denver Vacations--A One Week Itinerary Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-vacations-a-one-week-itinerary.php Newbie's Picks Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:07:17 +0000 Denver Restaurants and Entertainment denvrest.jpg

Denver Restaurants and Entertainment Overview

What kinds of restaurants can I find in Denver?

Denver Restaurants: American Continental, Asian, Barbeque, Best Value

coffee-french.php > Denver Restaurants: Breakfast/Brunch, Chinese, Dessert/Coffee, French

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-restaurants-and-entertainment.php http://beginnersguide.com/colorado/newbies-picks/denver-restaurants-and-entertainment.php Newbie's Picks Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:10:40 +0000