Colorado. The stately name inspires a plethora of feelings: adventure, color, mountains, craft beer, wild ... home. The Centennial State boasts some of the best recreation in the country, from grassy parks and rocky mounts to sheer canyons, recreation options are limited only by one's imagination.

On May 20, people across the state can celebrate what Colorado means to them by joining in on the first-ever Colorado Public Lands Day. According to organizers, “This state holiday is intended to encourage Coloradans to get outside and enjoy our unparalleled wild places.” The state holiday was initiated last year and thus, Colorado became the first state in the nation to recognize public lands and their value to the public. From special beer releases to trail clean-ups and outdoor education, there will be something for every Coloradan to enjoy during the week.

Coloradans are passionate about Colorado’s outdoor opportunity
Currently, 90% of Coloradans say opportunities for outdoor recreation and spending time in nature are better in Colorado than you would expect to find in the rest of the country.
- 2017 Conservation in the West Poll
Roughly, 90% of Coloradans polled said that Colorado’s clean air, clean water and environment was a “total factor” for living here. The second most influential factor was a healthy, outdoor lifestyle - 89 percent of Coloradans polled cited this. The third most influential factor was the ability to live near, recreate on and enjoy public lands like national parks and forests - 84 percent of Coloradans polled cited this.
-2015 Colorado College State of the Rockies poll
Outdoor recreation supports 313,000 jobs.
-The Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

The brewing community has fully embraced the holiday and participants can be found all over the state. Special brews featuring Colorado-inspired ingredients and trail-work after parties are just some of the fun events to be found on and around the 20th.

Some Colorado Public Lands Day beer-centric events to catch:

- Palisade Brewing Co. is partnering with Rapid Creek Cycles and Paddleboards to do a trail cleanup at the Palisade Rim trailhead on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. People who show up to help get free beer coupons. Additionally, Palisade Brewing Co. is offering a $1 Colorado Public Lands Day discount on its High Desert Red beer on May 20th.

- Kannah Creek Brewing is celebrating with its “Monument Ale,” available at all three of their locations May 15-20. The brew is a traditional Irish style red ale with medium malt body and a light hop bitterness inspired by nearby Colorado National Monument.

- Asher Brewing Co. is brewing up an Organic Imperial Ginger Ale as part of their Open Space Series. Asher uses all organic ingredients and is powered by renewable energy as part of their commitment to sustainability. Get $1 off beers at Asher if you participate in a stewardship event.

- Cannonball Creek Brewing will offer a pale ale - Public Lands Quail Ale - to pay homage to their roots at the foothills of the Rockies in Golden.

- Joyride Brewing is offering a special altbier to celebrate public lands. Head on over to Edgewater and enjoy a day at Sloan's Lake and an altbier for public lands!

- Denver Beer Co. made a German-Style Kolsch with local Colorado honey and lavender to help celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day. “Flower Power” combines floral aromas from honey and lavender to create an easy drinking, light summer ale: 5.4% ABV.

- Join Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, UpaDowna, Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, Pikes Peak Climber's Alliance, and the City of Colorado Springs Regional Parks, Trails and Open Space for a day of stewardship and recreation. Trail work during the day is followed by an after party hosted by Fossil Craft Beer Co.

- The Colorado-based band Elephant Revival is hosting a trail clean-up party “#TrailRevival” to kick off the week of events in support of Colorado Public Lands Day. All participants are entered to win a pair of VIP tickets to the Elephant Revival show at Red Rocks on May 21, plus a deluxe outdoor gear package from participating sponsors. The trail cleanup is sponsored by Boulder favorite Avery Brewing, so expect some top-notch brews. There will also be an intimate acoustic performance to close the evening.

Find out more about these event and more at http://copubliclandsday.com/events/

By Neill Pieper