Things to See and Do in and Around Ute Pass
The strategic location and easy access to Hwy. 24 will allow you to reach any major Pikes Peak area attraction quickly and easily from your mountain getaway. Our convenient location is just 15-20 minutes up the mountain from Colorado Springs where you can enjoy all the city delights plus one-of-a-kind attractions like the U.S. Olympic Center or the beautiful Air Force Academy campus. Speaking of one-of-a-kind opportunities; 30 minutes away are the only 360-degree, 14,000-foot vistas in America that you can drive your car to. If the weather is clear and warm, don’t miss seeing the amazing views from the summit of Pikes Peak. If fortune hunting stirs your fancy, a very scenic 40-minute drive transports you to the casino fun and old-west mining history of Cripple Creek and Victor.
Vacationing in Ute Pass
You can easily make one of the Ute Pass communities your base camp or your home-away-from-home base for a vacation, a retreat, or a honeymoon you will never forget. Mornings offer hikes, bike riding, or quiet strolls around Gazebo Lake. Sundays, you and your family will also find opportunities for worship in one of our historic churches if you choose.
Events in Ute Pass
Throughout the summer, volunteers provide a number of festive community events. Other sponsoring groups find that the Ute Pass communities are ideal places to celebrate everything from art weeks to car shows.
The Green Box Arts Festival—June 25-July 7—Green Mountain Falls and surrounding towns
The Green Box Arts Festival was officially launched in 2009 to provide artists and visitors with an opportunity to “nurture the creative process and explore new artistic directions in the natural beauty of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.” It has been one of the highlights of the summer each year since.
The festival seeks to celebrate the best of today’s innovative creators. Artists normally only seen in the great art centers of the US and Europe come to the region an create unique public interactive works for you to enjoy. Classes in diverse forms of artistic expression are offered throughout the festival. Partnerships with the Pikes Peak Library District, Town of Green Mountain Falls, and Church in the Wildwood make the full range of activities possible for all ages.
The Kirkpatrick family history with the Pikes Peak area dates back to the 1900s. Members of the family have been in continuous residence here since that time. Throughout, they have been active supporters of the community and the development of its cultural environment. Check out The Green Box Arts Festival site for more information and a detailed schedule.
Bronc Day—July 28—Green Mountain Falls
Many of today’s visitors still have fond childhood memories from Bronc Day celebrations past. Why not, there have been 79 of them! This 80-year-old parade, foodie-hangout, western entertainment festival is put on by the official Bronc Day Committee and this Chamber each summer on the last Saturday in July. Come early. The day begins with the annual pancake breakfast hosted at the fire department station house at 7:30am (the parade starts at 10:00) in Green Mountain Falls. Get more details here.
Scarecrow Alley and Trunk-or-Treat—October and Halloween Evening—Green Mountain Falls
Area businesses and homes decorate with a wild variety of scarecrows and Halloween images to create a fun drive through “Scarecrow Alley” in Green Mountain Falls. The fun culminates on Halloween night at the Joyland Church parking-lot with a safe and family friendly Trunk-or-Treat. Kids of all ages can dress up and enjoy a variety of spooky and comical Halloween trunks—and walk away with a good harvest of candy and goodies.
Community Tree Lighting—Sunday After Thanksgiving—Green Mountain Falls
The entire town of Green Mountain Falls gets into the Spirit of Christmas with the Annual Community Tree Lighting Celebration—and the night isn’t just about trees! Area homes, businesses, and churches create a bright trail of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town. The evening begins with a cider and hot chocolate reception at the refurbished Sallie Bush building. Then moves into a walking tour that begins near the town hall and ends at the big, beautiful Christmas Tree at Gazebo Park. Along the way you enjoy caroling, hot cider and chocolate, art displays at the Church in the Wildwood, and genuine community spirit.
The Everyday “Event” of the Ute Pass Experience—Peace and Rest
Nature’s sounds confirm that life is safer here. A good night’s sleep is virtually guaranteed as all of our lodging is off the main road. The sales tax is the lowest in the area making Ute Pass a travel bargain. Our greatest assets are still the fresh, clean mountain air and the panoramic views, but regulars also come back for the easy hospitality and quick-getaway feeling of mountain seclusion. Please join us and discover some of Colorado’s easiest access but most peaceful resort communities-Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls.