Lighting the way to the holidays: A roundup of displays and trains in Colorado

Colorado looks good no matter what season you catch her, but the holidays are when she really shines — like Hollywood and Hallmark created the perfect set for a feel-good Christmas flick and transported it to our backyards.

One of the few upsides of an earlier sunset is more time to enjoy the region’s seasonal man-made spectacles, from professional lights displays that can be savored on foot or from your car (while sipping cocoa), to twinkling adventures where someone else does the driving.

Here’s a roundup of holiday lights events and train trips kicking off this month, for those who want to get a jump on the spirit (and the tickets):

Friday-Jan. 1: Magic of Lights — Drive-thru holiday lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd, Fountain.

More than a mile of lights and dozens of displays, including life-sized dinosaurs, an animated. 32-foot-tall Barbie doll and super-sized Bigfoot Monster Truck, greet cruisers through the seasonally bedazzled raceway south of the Springs. Nightly shows start Friday and run through New Year’s Day.

Tickets: ppir.com

Friday-Dec. 31: Santa Express Train and Holiday Rides — Royal Gorge Route Railroad, 401 Water St., Cañon City.

A lead engineer and Santa Claus take the helm of the historic railroad’s Santa Express Train, which this year chugs to the North Pole and back in a newly remodeled and overhauled 1969 engine. The railroad’s Holiday Train taps the same spirit, sans Santa, with a round- trip jaunt through the Royal Gorge in decorated railcars.

Tickets: royalgorgeroute.com

Friday-Nov. 27, Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-31: Bridge of Lights Christmas Drive-Thru — Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 Colorado Road 3A, Cañon City.

The Royal Gorge Bridge launches its inaugural lights event starting Friday and running (mostly consistently) through New Year’s Eve. Visitors can check out the lit-up park, then roll on to an illuminated America’s Bridge for breathtaking views of the nighttime gorge and the moonlit Arkansas River almost 1000 feet below.

Tickets: royalgorgebridge.com

Friday-Jan. 1: The Polar Express Train Ride — Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango.

From America’s Bridge to America’s Railroad, for a themed ride on a vintage steam train inspired by the holiday classic book and movie. Riders of all ages get an immersive experience, with chef-created hot chocolates, treats and more, as they head to the North Pole to collect Santa and see a light show set to holiday tunes.

Tickets: durangotrain.com

Friday-Jan. 7: Blossoms of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver.

More than 1 million eco-conscious LED lights transform the Gardens’ York Street location into a “twinkling winter wonderland of holiday blooms,” an annual extravaganza that’s been cultivating seasonal spirit in the Mile High City since the ‘80s.

Tickets: botanicgardens.org

Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Trails of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.

Wander a winding path edged with lights on a walking tour through this vast historic property-turned-glimmering garden of delights in the Colorado countryside. The route, just under a mile, twists through the former Hildebrand Ranch to the 1880s homestead and a children’s play area-turned-Christmas village.

Tickets: botanicgardens.org

Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Luminova Holidays — Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver.

This second-annual light fest at the downtown Denver theme park features millions of bulbs strewn over 200,000 square feet of “immersive outdoor entertainment,” with a 65-foot Christmas tree, 300-foot candy cane tunnel and ornamented rides.

Tickets: luminovaholidays.com

FREE EVENTS

Nov. 26-Jan. 14: Holiday Headframe lights — Various locations, Victor and Cripple Creek

Starting at sundown on the 26th, drivers can take a self-guided tour through the “greatest gold camp in U.S. history” and site of the last great American mining boom in the 1890s. Download a free map for directions to the towns’ historic headframes — towers erected above mine shafts — many of which are adorned with giant lighted decorations to celebrate the season. Displays are lit weekend evenings, Nov. 26-Jan. 14, and nightly Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.

Info and map: visitcripplecreek.com/event

Find more events on The Gazette.

Related Links

• 5 Must-Haves Before Starting on Your Home Addition

• 5 Things You Can Add to Your Guest Room to Make It Feel Like a Hotel

• How to Budget While Remodeling Your Bathroom

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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5 Things You Can Add to Your Guest Room to Make It Feel Like a Hotel

When we book a hotel, we make our decision based on how many amenities it has, both inside and outside the room. There’s just something about the little luxuries that can make or break the stay.

Even in a combo office / guest bedroom space, we all like our guests to feel as comfortable + welcomed as possible. From toiletries for the taking to a hydration station, here are a few ideas we can borrow from hotels to make our guest bedrooms feel a little more lux.

Here are five things I added to make their stay feel like a fun hotel experience and, thanks to the professional organizer in me, keep their things a little tidier.

Toiletries for the Taking

It’s inevitable to forget something while packing, but I try to reduce the risk of anyone having to make a run to CVS. Taking an inexpensive glass jar with a lid, I threw in things such as mini bars of soap, travel-size dry shampoos and toothpaste tubes, tampons, individual packs of makeup wipes, new razors, and shower caps (that I admittedly collected from past hotel stays). This was also not an entirely altruistic act as it gave me a place to store my overflow toiletries. And I most definitely pick through the jar before I travel anywhere. 

It sits on the guest bathroom counter for the taking with a custom-made label letting visitors know not to be shy. As a bonus, I placed a couple of my favorite ceramic toothbrush holders next to the jar so they can keep theirs upright and sanitary.

Very Own Closet Space

I refer to the closet in my guest bedroom using another sitcom reference: the Monica Geller closet from “Friends.” It’s stuffed with, well, a lot of stuff and a future organization project. In the meantime, I wanted guests to have their own space to hang their clothes, so I found a slim garment rack that fits easily in the corner of the room and includes a handful of wooden hangers. There’s even a bottom shelf for shoes and, for folded items like pajamas and underwear, I left the nightstands empty to double as dressers. This way they can unpack and organize their outfits as soon as they arrive.

A WiFi Welcome

I dread asking anyone what their WiFi is when I’m at their place. The look of panic on their face feels familiar as they scramble to remember or find it. I wanted to avoid this annoying interaction in my own house so I found this adorable sign, wrote in the WiFi info with a dry-erase marker, and popped it onto one of the nightstands so guests can instantly connect.

Hydration Station

Even if I don’t take a sip, I still need a glass of water on my bedside table every night. So I wanted my visitors to have their own source of hydration without needing to trek into the kitchen. I found this carafe with the cup serving as the lid when not in use and placed it on one of the nightstands. If you want to level up the luxe look (and taste!), add a few slices of lemon and lime to the carafe.

Keep Them Charged

Sometimes, I’d rather not take my charger out of my bag when I arrive anywhere because it simply increases the chance of me forgetting it (thanks to my ADHD). So I plugged in an extra iPhone charger behind the bed and kept it accessible by using a small cable clip attached to the side of a nightstand. If you want to accommodate all types of phones, try a charging pad that’s compatible with different brands.

Get more tips like this on Apartment Therapy.

Related Links

• 5 Must-Haves Before Starting on Your Home Addition

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

• How to Budget While Remodeling Your Bathroom

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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5 Must-Haves Before Starting on Your Home Addition

Building a home can be a fun, exciting project that offers many benefits upon completion, but it takes a lot of forethought and planning to ensure a successful build.

You may be ready to dive right into your home addition project, but there are a few things you'll need before you can begin. Here are five things you absolutely must have before starting your home addition.

A Budget
Building an addition is not cheap. You should carefully plan and budget for all expenses before starting on the project. If you are working with a contractor, they should be able to provide you with an estimate. It's also important to evaluate hidden costs and set aside adequate funds. Things like plumbing, electrical wiring and permits may not be included in the estimate.

A Floor Plan
You can't begin an addition without a floor plan. Specialists like ADU floor plans allow you to design an addition that complies with all the rules and regulations. Your plan will serve as a roadmap for the entire project, so it's one of the first things you should obtain when you decide to build.

The Right Contractor
Your contractor can make or break your home addition project, so it's important to pick the right one. Your contractor should be properly licensed and insured for your area, and they should have a solid, positive reputation. Take your time to research the contractor online, obtain references from their previous clients and compare their quote with other companies.

Proper Permits and Inspections
Permits and inspections can be costly and difficult to obtain, but you can't legally build an addition without them. Some permits have to be purchased upfront, while others must be obtained at various project checkpoints. It's important to research the permits and inspections you'll need so you can budget your resources accordingly. Failure to comply with these rules can result in an unsafe structure and legal repercussions.

A Timeline for Your Project
A timeline for your project is almost as vital as the floor plan. Building an addition is a huge time commitment, so it is incredibly important for you and your contractor to stay on schedule. A timeline will keep the project moving along quickly so it doesn't drag on forever.

Building an addition on your home requires careful planning in multiple areas. When you take the time to budget, plan and hire the right people, you can ensure your addition will be finished on time without any major problems.

Learn more.

Related Links

• Home equity loan vs. HELOC – What’s the difference?

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

• How to Budget While Remodeling Your Bathroom

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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How to Budget While Remodeling Your Bathroom

It is always exciting to plan a bathroom remodel, but you want to avoid causing financial stress over your project.

Luckily, there are ways to stay on top of your budget while planning a remodel. The following tips can help you set and stick to your budget while remodeling your bathroom.

Set Your Budget In Advance
Setting your budget in advance is essential to a successful bathroom remodel. This way, you know how much you can spend on your project. It is important to set a realistic budget because you still need to afford your usual expenses. One idea is to work with a professional contractor or company to determine an estimated cost and realistic budget for your project.

Factor In Unexpected Costs
When planning a remodel, it is important to leave room for unexpected expenses in your project. You may need to add a walk-in shower for a relative who is moving into your home, or maybe you need to choose a different tile for your shower because your original choice is unavailable. A change in your project could result in a higher cost, but you can stay on top of those changes by adding unexpected costs to your budget.

Determine Your Ideal Changes
Before you contact a company that offers bathroom remodeling, you need to determine your ideal changes. Are you looking to add wall-mounted fixtures? Do you want a large mirror surrounded by LEDs? You may want to upgrade to a handicap-accessible bathroom for family and guests. It is easier to set a realistic budget when you know what changes you want to make to your bathroom.

Prioritize Your Bathroom Wishlist
Unfortunately, you may not be able to fit your entire wishlist into your budget. This is why it is important to prioritize when creating your bathroom remodel wishlist. One idea is to choose the top three changes that are most important to you, such as floating fixtures, upgraded tile and an LED mirror. You may also need to swap the high-end features for mid-range features that are just as stylish and convenient.

Determine Your DIY Projects
You can save money by figuring out which upgrades you can DIY and which upgrades require a professional. For example, you may be able to install your LED mirror and paint the walls yourself. This also saves you time because you do not have to wait for a professional to take care of these upgrades. Of course, upgrades such as installing a new toilet may require the expertise of a professional contractor. It is important to call in a contractor as needed to avoid any costly mistakes.

With the above tips, you can easily stay on top of budgeting when remodeling your bathroom. If you keep these in mind you should get a good running start at getting the bathroom of your dreams.

Get more on RISMedia.

Related Links

• Home equity loan vs. HELOC – What’s the difference?

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

• Are Luxury ADUs the House Hack This Tight Economy Needs?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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6 Winter Plumbing Problems That Are Sure To Wreak Havoc on Your Home—and Wallet

Winter brings major cold spells to many parts of the country, and frigid weather often puts your plumbing system at risk.

When the mercury dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, uninsulated pipes can freeze and burst. Plus, those freezing temps mean your water heater is working extra hard to supply your home.

That’s why it’s crucial to prepare your plumbing system for the season.

“Some other common issues we see during winter are exterior faucets freezing, clogged drains due to increased use during the holidays, and frozen well pumps,” says Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Let’s take a closer look at the winter plumbing issues that plague homeowners so you can be prepared before the holiday season. After all, the last thing you want is to have your holiday guests knocking on your neighbors’ door in the middle of the night to use their bathroom.

1. Leaks in the sprinkler or irrigation system

Homeowners should winterize their irrigation system before winter sets in.

A home’s irrigation system is a part of the system that delivers fresh water to the home, which means all plumbing pipes and fixtures are a part of this system. That includes your sprinklers and other irrigation equipment.

“This involves removing all the water that is contained in your irrigation piping,” says Travis Sewell, licensed plumber and field consultant for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. “This precaution depressurizes your irrigation system, which lowers your risk of the irrigation system freezing to almost zero.”

2. Leaks in outdoor faucets or hose bibs

Hose bibs are the small taps on the outside of your home that are used to attach a garden hose for outdoor maintenance tasks. They are very likely to freeze and cause future damage if they’re not insulated properly.

“Cover every outdoor faucet with an insulated cover,” says Sewell. “Also, make sure you remove all hoses from your hose bibs.”

3. Lack of insulation on waterlines

Your exposed waterlines have a higher likelihood of freezing and bursting, so be sure to protect them.

“It is important to make sure all your waterlines are insulated, especially waterlines in areas of the home that lack insulation, like your garage and attic,” says Sewell.

Water heaters, water softeners, and water filtration systems are often located in uninsulated areas.

4. Frozen pipes that lead to pipe breaks

Are you about to experience several days of below-zero temperatures? Don’t let your pipes freeze.

“Water expands when it freezes and can break or burst a plumbing line,” says James. “The broken plumbing line can cause severe flooding in the home.”

During freezing weather, drip the faucets and open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the pipes. A proactive solution to prevent frozen pipes is to use heat trace cables, which are wires that are powered by electricity and wrapped around waterlines.

“This system is normally installed on your main water service line where it enters the structure,” says Sewell.

5. Frozen well pumps

In frigid weather, well pumps can freeze, keeping homes from receiving water.

“Place well pumps in well-insulated, heated areas to prevent freezing,” says James. “Add insulation around supply lines to further help reduce the chance of freezing of the lines.”

6. Clogged indoor and outdoor drains

Over the holiday season, you’ll likely be spending more time than ever cooking in the kitchen. Just be sure you’re not jeopardizing the effectiveness of your sink drain.

“Putting the wrong things down the kitchen sink can cause clogs to occur very quickly,” says James. “Some things you never want to put down garbage disposals are grease, eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels.“

James also advises running cold water down the disposal for about 30 seconds to flush food particles.

Your outdoor storm drains will also need some attention especially when there is snow or ice accumulation.

“Cleaning up debris from the yard, like leaves and small branches, will help prevent clogs in storm drains,” says James.

Get more like this on Realtor.com

Related Links

• What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices?

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

• Are Luxury ADUs the House Hack This Tight Economy Needs?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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