Recreation
Living in Brighton, you can experience county fairs, rodeos, car racing, balloon races, and just about every kind of festival you could wish for. Choose your favorite activity, and it's likely to be nearby.
You can be in downtown Denver in 20 minutes to catch a home game, see a Broadway play or visit the museum. Denver is home to seven major sports teams: Avalanche, Broncos, Nuggets, Crush, Mammoth, Rapids and Rockies.
The mild climate in Brighton allows for year-round recreation. From summer softball leagues and golf to snow skiing/boarding or ice fishing, residents have access to a wide variety of activities.
The City of Brighton owns and maintains 17 neighborhood parks and 7 community parks, as well as 34 miles of trails and 600 acres of open space.
http://www.brightonco.gov/department/division.asp?fDD=9-137)
These facilities allow residents the opportunity to participate in youth and adult sports leagues, rollerblading, walking and running. The City also operates a state-of-the-art recreation center, softball/baseball complex, outdoor swimming pool, and senior center.
Cultural Amenities
Brighton's diverse ethnic population provides the backdrop for a community rich in culture and tradition. These traditions are evidenced through community events such as the Festival of Lights Parade and Culturefest... A Taste of Brighton.
As an extension of the community's cultural experience, metropolitan Denver provides access to a wide variety of museums, concerts, theatre, Broadway productions, local and regional arts and theatre productions, and strong support for the arts and cultural facilities.
Barr Lake State Park
http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/BarrLake
There’s something for every type of outdoors person –from the fishing enthusiast and boater to the naturalist -- at Barr Lake State Park, a short drive northeast of the Denver area.
This state park is conveniently located on the eastern boundary of the community and provides hiking, canoeing, bird and eagle watching, fishing and a nature walk.
Fishing enthusiasts and boaters (lake activities) including kayakers and canoeists enjoy the lake’s calm waters. Barr Lake offers 1,950 surface acres of quiet, calm water. The southern half of the lake is a dedicated wildlife refuge.
Barr Lake State Park offers the nature enthusiast a remarkable opportunity to observe all types of wildlife, including coyote, deer, and such dramatic birds as white pelicans, great blue herons, cormorants, egrets, and hawks. More than 350 species of migratory and resident birds have been seen the park. Numerous bald eagles winter at Barr Lake and one pair stays to nest and raise its young every year. The southwest side of the lake is home to a bustling rookery with over 200 nests.
Winter is an excellent time to visit Barr Lake State Park. It's great for wildlife viewing, ice fishing, waterfowl hunting and weekend interpretive programs. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on the park's trails.
Activities Within One Hour Or Less:
Within an hour's drive or less, Brighton residents can participate in the following activities:
- golf
- horseback riding
- boating
- ballooning
- water skiing
- rafting
- hiking
- snowmobiling
- biking
- camping
- fishing
- rock climbing
- skiing/ snowboarding
or just take a scenic ride through the majestic Rocky Mountains.