Winter fun in Colorado: Have rock and broom, will curl
You may only think about curling during the Winter Olympics, but there are plenty of places in Colorado to try the sport. Colorado has a handful of active curling clubs and a fledgling club in Craig. All will open their doors to Learn to Curl events this winter (about $20 a person for instruction, equipment use and your first game).
Check the websites for details and join a sport that is fun for all ages and athletic abilities. At minimum, you’ll know when to yell “Hurry hard!” or “Right off!” while watching the best teams in the world compete in February in Sochi.
Interesting fact: Colorado curlers have taught more than 400 disabled veterans (blind, deaf or wheelchair users) to curl – probably more than any club in the nation.
BROADMOOR CURLING CLUB
Fall-winter leagues are 8:15-10:15 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays at the Colorado Sports Center, 16240 Old Denver Highway, Monument. Details: Paula Bloom at 499-8465; coloradocurling.org.
DENVER CURLING CLUB
It’s constructing the only dedicated curling facility in the Rockies. The temporary home is The Ice Ranch, 841 Southpark Drive, Littleton. Details: No phone, denvercurlingclub.com.
ASPEN CURLING CLUB
Winter league games are held Wednesday and Saturday evenings, with Learn to Curl events to come. It’s all at the Aspen Ice Garden, 233 W. Hyman Ave. Details: No phone, Wendle Whiting at wendle@aspencurlingclub.com, aspencurlingclub.com.
FORT COLLINS CURLING CLUB
Planning winter leagues and Learn to Curls at NoCo Ice Center, 7900 Fairgrounds Ave., Fort Collins. Details: No phone, Gordon Harrison at curling@ncyh.org.
NEDERLAND CURLING CLUB
The hardy curlers of Nederland play outdoors when the ice hardens and the snow’s not too deep. Details: No phone, Nederland Curling Club on Facebook.
DENA ROSENBERRY, dena.rosenberry@gazettedev.gazette.com
Jennifer Nguyen, 23, of Team Boshoven from the University of Denver Curling Club, throws a rock during the High Altitude Bonspiel at the World Arena Ice Hall Saturday April 17, 2010. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)