State-By-State:
Color Your World on the Waters of Colorado

Colorado is a state of extremes -- the extreme heights of the Rockies and Plateus in the west and the spectacular lows of the Great Plains in the east. Colorado has the highest elevation of any state in the union (an average of 6,800 ft. above sea level). In fact, Colorado's snow-melting mountains birth six major river systems, more than any other state. Sculpting the terrain with numerous deep canyons and gorges in an array of colors are the Arkansas, Colorado, Rio Grande, San Juan, North and South Platte, and Gunnison Rivers. Additionally, hundreds of creeks spread like spider webs across the state, creating nearly 10,000 miles of streams.

The Continental Divide runs east of Colorado's middle. This is the point in the country where rivers east of the Divide flow toward the Atlantic and rivers west flow toward the Pacific. In the eastern half of Colorado, the Arkansas River flows east into Arkansas, while in the western half, the Colorado River flows west into Utah. But no matter what direction you¿re headed, breathtaking beauty is all around. In fact, Colorado (Spanish for "red color") earned its name from the Spanish settlers who had noted the reddish color of the Colorado River and the gorges it carved.



Once a barrier to travel, communication and settlement, the mountains now play a vital role in the economic development of Colorado through harnessing the snow melts for water and hydroelectricity and by attracting a steady flow of tourists. However, the state as a whole is still sparsely populated, leaving plenty of remote romanticism to explore for the Maxum cruiser. Breathtaking sunsets, glaciated valleys, pristine forests, and snow-crested peaks -- this is nature's drama. Whether you are looking for extreme sports, extreme relaxation or any extreme in between, the Colorado outdoors is as good as it gets.

Most of the rivers in Colorado are navigable only by very small boats, meaning no commercial vessels and not a lot of cruising opportunities on the rivers. Rapids and narrow gorges make them unnavigable. Colorado has no large lakes of natural origin, but there are numerous small lakes in the mountains and plains. The largest bodies of water in Colorado are the large reservoirs created by dams and used for irrigation and flood control. Among the largest are John Martin, Pueblo (both located on the Arkansas River) and Blue Mesa (located on the Gunnison River) reservoirs.

Lake Pueblo & Pueblo, Colorado
1.7 million visitors can't be wrong about Lake Pueblo. It is the southern Colorado mecca for sun lovers and water-sports enthusiasts. However, there's no crowded feeling because of the lake's vastness. Lake Pueblo boasts one of the largest bodies of water along the front range, offering unlimited water-based recreational activities. Exceptional fishing only add to the dramatic landscape mother nature gives in this arid area of the state.

Home to the University of Southern Colorado, several federal agencies, and industries, the city of Pueblo, located on the banks of the Arkansas River, boasts a population of more than 100,000. A 35-mile river trail system extends from Lake Pueblo to the city's northeastern fringe. Attractions nearby include the Bishop Castle (three stories of hand-hewn stone built by one man), El Pueblo History Museum, Greenway & Nature Center and the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. It's a family destination for both young and old alike.

John Martin Reservoir
John Martin Reservoir is an oasis in the lower Arkansas River Valley. Located on the plains of southeastern Colorado, you won't find any Rockies here, but rather peace, tranquility, wonderful wildlife, and historic signs of the past such as a portion of the preserved Sante Fee Trail. Visitors will enjoy John Martin's great fishing opportunities and uncrowded boating waters. Anglers catch walleye, saugeye, bass, wiper, crappie, perch and catfish, while water-sports enthusiasts enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing and swimming. Resident and migratory birds abound here, making the park a bird-watchers paradise. During the winter months, Bald Eagles can be seen throughout the area!





While this reservoir doesn't support marinas, there are plenty of opportunities for mooring, so you can enjoy fishing, swimming and camping (which are without electric hookup, but do have restrooms, drinking water, sanitary dump station and picnic areas).

Blue Mesa Reservoir
Panoramic mesas, fjord-like reservoirs, and deep, steep and narrow canyons abound along the Gunnison River in Southwest Colorado in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The park consists of three lakes formed by the construction of dams on the river to control flooding and water supply. Water sports are the main attractions in the park, but another feature is a 5,000-acre archaeological site where dinosaur fossils and the remains of 6,000-year-old dwellings have been discovered. The lakes, Blue Mesa Lake, Morrow Point Lake, and Crystal Lake, are surrounded by spectacular views, canyons, and rock spires. Our feature, the Blue Mesa Reservoir, is Colorado's largest body of water as well as the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. Blue Mesa's high elevation (7,519 ft.) makes it the ideal scenic destination and a great place to cruise in the heat of summer. Take note that local Rangers are very diligent in their monitoring of the boat permits and routine safety inspections on this lake.

A world full of color. A world full of wildlife. Colorado lives up to its name with breathtaking beauty. Take your Maxum to the pristine waters of Colorado and get inspired, ignited and reinvigorated in this world apart.

Tourism Information
Colorado Tourism Office
1-800-COLORADO
http://www.colorado.com/

The Greater Pueblo Chamber.
302 N Santa Fe Ave
Pueblo, CO 81003-4102
719-542-1704
800-233-3446
www.pueblochamber.org

Lake Pueblo State Park
640 Pueblo Reservoir Road
Pueblo, Colorado 81005
719-561-9320
Email pueblo@csn.net
http://parks.state.co.us/pueblo/

John Martin Reservoir State Park
30703 Rd. 24
Hasty, CO 81044
719-829-1801
Fax: 719-829-1807
Email: john.martin.park@state.co.us
http://parks.state.co.us/default.asp?parkID=84&action=park

Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association
221 N. Wisconsin
Suite E
Gunnison, CO 81230
800-852-2859
970-641-1501
Email: info@gunnisonchamber.com
http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/page.php

Marinas
North Shore Marina
P.O. Box 7436
#1 North Marina Rd.
Pueblo West, CO 81007
719-547-3880
Fax: 719-547-2312
contact@noshoremarina.com

Lake Fork Marina
(West end of lake near Blue Mesa Dam)
903-765-2764
Email: info@lakeforkmarina.com
http://www.lakeforkmarina.com/

Elk Creek Marina
(Approximately mid lake on north shore)
In season (May 1-Oc 1): 970-641-0707
Out of season: 970-641-5387
http://www.whresorts.com/elk_creek_marina/