As I’ve mentioned before, Denver, Colorado, holds a special place in my heart as it is the home of my second Alma Mater and my first Masters degree in the US. It was the 90s, and the Mile-High City I lived in for two years was a lot different from present-day Denver. Once again, I dedicate this article to my late best friend and constant companion in Denver, Satyajit Rao. I miss you so much, dude!
While Denver’s bus system in the early ’90s was reasonable, the rail system that opened only in 1994 did not exist while I studied there.
In a recent work visit to Denver, I took the train to the University of Denver to relive some memories.
Here are some of my memories of the city of Denver and its surrounding areas from the early ’90s. As it was the ’90s and my budget was limited, I had no choice but to use third-party photographs to relive those times. The experiences, however, as always, are mine.
Loveland
My first skiing experience was in Loveland, a town near Georgetown, Colorado, about 53 miles west of Denver.
It was not a pleasant experience, but certainly memorable. The venue offers a number of slopes for all levels and has about 10 lifts.
Zach Dischner, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Paris on the Platte
Considered one of Denver’s oldest coffeehouses, it was a regular haunt for me and my posse during my time in Denver. I have savored many types of coffee here. Along with coffee, the venue had a library of eclectic books and board games.
It was a great place to go for a nightcap after a night of festivity.
Cinema and Draught House
Now named the Alamo Drafthouse, Cinema and Draught House was the first place I had a dining and drinking experience while enjoying a movie. The venue served fine draft beer and pizza. It was not well-known, but one of my buddies had the knack for finding these hidden gems. It was certainly a novel experience in the early ’90s.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
I will always treasure my memories of all the concerts I saw at Red Rocks during my years in Denver. These included performances from Don Henley, Van Halen, Styx, and more.
Located in Morrison, 16 miles away from Denver, within tall natural sandstone formations, the theater boasts natural acoustics and stunning natural scenery as its backdrop.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (2023, August 10). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rocks_Amphitheatre
Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, CO, about 70 miles from Denver, is another of my favorite places.
Tall, majestic rock formations rise from the earth, with the Rocky Mountains in the backdrop. These sandstone formations were created millions of years ago through geological processes such as sedimentation, uplift, and erosion.
The area presents numerous opportunities for hikes and rock climbing. For the lazy traveler, the venue offers scenic drives.
Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO, is a vibrant multicultural college town located 25 miles northwest of Denver.
I loved walking in the pedestrian-friendly Downtown Boulder, with its historic buildings and the Pearl Street Mall, enjoying the music from street performers and a fine meal from one of several eateries and restaurants.
Boulder, Colorado. (2023, August 19). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder,_Colorado
Idaho Springs
One Friday evening in 1990, upon the recommendation of a close buddy, I decided to take a 30-minute drive to Idaho Springs, a town located in the mountains of Colorado, about 30 miles west of Denver.
Idaho Springs is a town founded during the Colorado Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. Gold was discovered in the area in 1859, leading to a boom in mining activity. The town was named after the nearby hot springs, which were initially called “Idaho” as a ploy to attract more settlers, even though they had no connection to the state of Idaho.
Ralphmiester, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Idaho Springs has a charming historic downtown area with well-preserved buildings dating back to the town’s mining heyday.
I had an interesting chat with a group of bikers who had ridden to the town all the way from Canada.
Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the town’s main attractions is the Indian Hot Springs, a geothermal hot spring facility offering mineral-rich thermal baths, swimming pools, and spa services. The hot springs are believed to have therapeutic properties and have been used for relaxation and healing for centuries.
The baths are separated by gender, and as the ticket seller pointed out, clothing was prohibited in the baths (I did not care, I only wanted the experience). There were three baths, each with increasing temperature.
As my tolerance for heat is quite remarkable, I was able to enjoy the hottest pool and also met some locals. A couple of them were from nearby towns and often stopped here for a dip after work, before they went home to their families.
Colorado State Fair
The Colorado State Fair, held annually in Pueblo, Colorado, typically features a wide range of events and attractions, including livestock shows, carnival rides, concerts, food vendors, and agricultural exhibits. I attended the fair with my buddies at the University in the summer of 1990.
One of the curious exhibits proclaimed “The world’s Smallest Man.” Curiously, we decided to take a look. Then a small gentleman came out of an entrance, thanked us for coming, and said that he was from Jamaica.
He then opened a book and gave us what seemed to be a travel pitch to Jamaica. Hopefully, Jamaica’s government was paying him well for his efforts!
The pig races are one of the many activities that fairgoers can enjoy during the event. Specially trained pigs compete against each other, typically racing around a track with obstacles. The races are often entertaining and enjoyable for fair attendees of all ages. Spectators can cheer for their favorite pigs as they dash around the course, and the races usually involve commentary from a lively announcer, adding to the fun atmosphere.
The commentator kept things entertaining. He brought one of the little ones to the mike and had it oink for the audience. “This is Rosanne Boar,” he said, “She is performing her rendition of the national anthem.” Among the others he introduced was also ‘Magnum Pig.’
PEO ACWA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This is a memoir of my years in Denver in the 1990s. It has been reconstructed from my fond memories.
Bay Area Bloke 