CARBONDALE — There’s a reason why Carbondale has been the buzz town of the Roaring Fork Valley in recent years. It has everything — except for attitude.

For the outdoorsy set, Carbondale is a great place to start a Mount Sopris backcountry expedition, set out on a fishing excursion, or don the cross-country skis for a tour of the Spring Gulch nordic trails system. Or, make the journey farther up the Crystal River Valley to explore the outdoor adventures that await in Redstone, Marble and beyond.

Carbondale, aided by the active Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities, is also an arts center, with several galleries, the Carbondale Clay Center (the Roaring Fork Valley’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to the clay arts), and Thunder River Theatre Company's new state-of-the-art black-box theater.

Steve's Guitars on Fourth Street has become a happening spot for live, mostly acoustic acts from near and far.

But there's more. Stroll Carbondale’s historic downtown district, where a recent and ongoing renaissance have brought new life to the town with chic shops, great restaurants and a fresh crew of locals. The historic Dinkel Building (named for a Carbondale founder) is located on Main Street, and is the center of downtown activity. Of course a variety of shops, restaurants and taverns span the entire length of Main Street and along Highway 133.

South of town on Highway 133, Redstone is as similarly wonderful as a shopping destination as it is an outdoor activity destination.

So spend a few days exploring the Crystal River Valley and see what springs to mind when you think of Carbondale.

<b>At a Glance</b>
Elevation: 6,181 feet
Population: 5,825 year-round residents

Websites
Town of Carbondale: www.carbondalegov.org
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce: www.carbondale.com

Phone numbers
Town of Carbondale: 963-2733
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce: 963-1890
Carbondale Police: 911 for emergencies or 963-2675 for non-emergencies
U.S. Forest Service: 963-2266