33 APRIL 6-12, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | SHOPPING & SERVICES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | Husband and wife Chuck Kayser and Sarah Munson, co-owners of ATV Tours Colorado, were drawn to the Rockies over twelve years ago to pursue a life of outdoor adventures. Although Sarah grew up in Arizona and Chuck in Iowa, both spent their childhoods fishing, camping, hunting, skiing, hiking, off-roading, canoeing and developing a deep appreciation for nature. As adults, they couldn’t shake that itch, and each left a corporate job to try their hand at seasonal outdoor guide work in Colorado. They fell in love with the mountains, and each other, and have been in Clear Creek County ever since. Sarah and Chuck met the original owners of ATV Tours Colorado, who started the business in 2001, through the tight-knit outdoor adventure industry. They were looking to pass the business on to a new family, and Sarah and Chuck jumped at the opportunity. “The two owners who started this business were a brother and sister. They wanted to retire, and I’d known them for a long time. So we as a family bought this together from the former owners, in a fami- ly-to-family type of exchange,” Chuck recalls. Adds Sarah, “I think that was a sweet spot for them, too, knowing that we were excited to carry on their legacy and we appreciated what they built, which is pretty spectacular.” Located just 30 miles west of Denver in Dumont, Colorado, ATV Tours Colorado is the number-one ATV touring company in the state, with plenty of five-star reviews to prove it. You can book a tour over the phone or online, where you can also fill out all necessary forms and waivers in advance. That way, when you get to the site, you’ll have plenty of time to relax with some horseshoes and hot chocolate before heading out. “We have a really nice private property, with about five acres on the creek. So lots of good parking, and lots of good ways to kill time if they’re early, which we always encourage,” Sarah says. Expert staff will get you fitted for a helmet, and then you’ll meet the machines. ATV Tours Colorado’s brand-new state-of-the-art ATVs are automatic, user-friendly and perfectly designed to navigate Silver City’s historic mining trails. Every tour begins with a safety and operational pre- sentation to make sure everyone is comfortable with the con- trols, says Sarah: “The guides are thorough, and it’s important, just to make sure everybody under- stands how our equipment works, how to get around out there safely.” Then it’s time for a test drive, Chuck says: “We have a practice loop around our property, where we have some ups and downs, so they can put into play everything they were just taught. Once they’re comfortable on the machines, we cruise right up.” All of ATV Tours’ expert guides are familiar with the twists and turns of the trails, and are certified in CPR and first aid, so you know you’re in good hands. The breathtaking vistas you’ll experi- ence are only accessible via all-ter- rain vehicle trails. “We go up to an overview after about fifteen minutes, which overlooks an old town called Silver City,” explains Chuck. “The roads were first built in 1867. We can go out on the mine tailings from the old mines, and you get a broad view of the whole valley.” The trail makes for a uniquely adrenaline- fueled sightseeing adventure, Sarah says: “It’s steep and it’s challenging, especially at the beginning, which I think people really enjoy. It allows it to be exciting for anyone. People who have ATV riding experience are taken aback just by the nature of the trail, and people who don’t have the experience again are taken aback, but because we’re traveling at a slower speed, it’s a lot more doable for those people who are trying it out for the first time.” Confirms Chuck, “It’s super inclusive, but it’s still a real trip. We’re not just down in the valley driving back and forth.” While drivers must be sixteen or older, anyone at least 56 inches tall is welcome to join as a passenger on a double ATV. Mixed groups are limited to six ATVs at a time, but larger private tours are also available, so feel free to bring your friends, your work team, your bachelor or bache- lorette party, your family reunion, or whoever you want to accompany you on your adventure. “Being in the can- yon here, people drive right through and don’t realize that right beyond the canyon walls is this whole other world,” says Sarah. “We’re loving this place more and more the longer we’re in this community and the longer we’re running this business.” Maximize your time in Colorado, and book your tour with ATV Tours Colorado today! ATV TOURS COLORADO IS YOUR GUIDE TO ADVENTURE -ADVERTORIAL-
