20 Attractions to Explore Near East Colfax Avenue

The Comanche Crossing of the Kansas Pacific Railroad is a site where the last spike was driven into the first continuous transcontinental railroad on August 15, 1870. The site is east of Strasburg, Colorado. In 1970 the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places to honor the centennial of the railroad’s completion.

The Aurora Reservoir covers over 30,000 acres of plains territory with over 800 acres of water surface. It’s located east of Denver in Colorado’s second-largest city, Aurora. The reservoir provides drinking water to the City of Aurora, and is also a recreation area. It is a popular location for local SCUBA centers to take dive students for their open-water certification. More recently, the reservoir has also become a reputable fishing spot mainly for Trout, Walleye and Catfish.

The Plains Conservation Center is an outdoor education facility and state-designated natural area in Aurora, Colorado.This is a nature preserve and educational center with replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp that showcase pioneer and plains Native Americans life in the late 1800's. It encompasses over 1,100 acres of short grass prairie with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.

The Plains Conservation Center is a nature preserve and educational center with replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp that showcase pioneer and plains Native Americans life in the late 1800's. This site features a historic schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and barn, an heirloom garden and a chicken coop, and a recreated Cheyenne camp with tipis. The Learning Center and library are open to schools and groups.

The High Line Canal (HLC) is a man-made waterway, used for irrigation and recreation, that serves the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. The trail along the High Line Canal meanders 71 miles across the Denver area, offering places to hike, bike, jog and ride horses.

The Great Plains Park is located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The place is catalogued as Park by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and its elevation above sea level is equal to 5673ft. This park features a splash pad and two playground areas. It's a great place to hang out and cool off for all ages.

The High Line Canal Trail is a popular stretch of path through Denver's southside suburbs, winding for 71 miles between Aurora and Roxborough State Park. The trail is owned and operated by Denver Water and follows the canal that keeps Denver watered. The trail passes through many parks, each of which offer different amenities.The trail is paved in Denver and Aurora but has a natural surface in South Suburban, Highlands Ranch, Chatfield, Cherry Hill and Greenwood Village.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is an incredible refuge that provides a safe and enjoyable home to over 500 rescued carnivores. Spanning over 720 acres, these animals have plenty of space to roam, with residences such as foxes, bears, wolves, lions, tigers and other mammals receiving their own natural habitats. The sanctuary’s mission is to provide lifelong care for animals who have been victims of human abuse or neglect – and ensure they always have the protection they deserve.

Colfax Avenue is the longest commercial street in the U.S.A. Today, the street is lined with an eclectic mix of eateries, bars, brewpubs and shops, as well as entertainment and live music venues.

A beautiful trail, which is great for road biking, trail running, and walking. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. This Trail provides a pleasant route across town with few street crossings. The paved pathway begins at the Ponderosa Preserve and heads northwest, winding through residential neighborhoods.

A local and regional history, arts & cultural center with exhibits & programs for all ages. Main exhibit features nearly 100 historic photos, artifacts from Aurora's military history & a one-of-a-kind fully-restored 1913 trolley that used to run along Colfax Ave.

Banner Lakes is a picturesque site bursting with outdoor activities. The attraction boasts over 350 acres of spectacular scenic views and an abundance of recreational opportunities. From fishing to hiking, picnicking and horseback riding, nature lovers can find something exciting to do here. The lakes are naturally beautiful and feature numerous pathways and trails that wind through pine forests and grassy meadows, taking visitors past well-stocked ponds that offer some of the best fishing.

This is an 18-hole course in Aurora stretches over 6,492 yards, playing to a par of 70. The course's landscape includes six lakes, which provide water hazards that come into play on several holes. The hole is 401 yards and requires a tricky shot over a water hazard. There is also a putting green and on-site teaching pro, as well as twilight discounts.

Barr Lake State Park has been known as a premier bird-watching area. A trail circles the lake, offering prime wildlife viewing and lots of fishing access.Fishing and boating are allowed in the northern half of the park. The southern half is a wildlife refuge, with several wildlife viewing stations and a nature center.

17 Mile House Farm Park is part of a 70-acre Arapahoe County Open Space which includes an 1860s mile house, barn and silo along the historic Smoky Hill/Cherokee Trail route to Denver. It was originally a log cabin, much of which can still be seen.These houses were named based on their distances to downtown Denver. Here travelers could get meals, spend the night, and rest their animals. Of the original mile houses, only 17 Mile House and 4 Mile House exist today.

A beautiful wooded wetland located at the northwest corner of Potomac and Jewell Avenue features over a mile of soft and hard surface trails, a boardwalk/deck access into the wetland and a butterfly garden.The boardwalk is in the middle of the wooded area and provides a peaceful nature experience. While the natural area is relatively small, walking both trails is about 2 miles. The park consists of a pond for fishing and a wooded, mostly dry wetland area.

Sand Creek is a 14.6-mile-long tributary that flows into the South Platte River near Commerce City, Colorado. From its source in unincorporated Arapahoe County, it flows through Aurora and Denver before joining the South Platte in Adams County. its banks are very vast and also it provides so many oppetrunites for leisure activities.

A beautiful lush nine-acre park featuring an outdoor basketball court, amphitheater, roller hockey rink, children’s play area, horseshoe pits, and two great barbecue and picnic areas. It is also the home of a soft-court tennis complex. Walking past the hockey rink you will come upon a dog park area that is fenced and separated for large and small dogs.

A beautiful lake located in the heart of Adams and has a 2175 acre park which has 12 milesof trails, including an 8.8-mile trail that circles Barr Lake. Fishing and boating are allowed in the northern half of the park. he park is popular with birders; over 350 species have been observed. Barr Lake is fed by the Burlington Ditch, which is diverted from the South Platte River.

The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies was first founded in 1988 as Colorado Bird Observatory and later changed to Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. It conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and land stewardship.