Colorado Transplants

Welcome to colorful Colorado! After a 16-hour road trip from the University of Arizona, with all our belongings snugly packed into a 15-foot U-Haul, we finally crossed over the last state border of our road trip. We were leaving behind the desert party scene for what we believed would be endless adventure at our fingertips.

Departing from the life we knew, our routine schedules, bestest of friends, and our fully furnished student housing, it was the start of the unknown. The series of decisions we were about to make would soon answer one of the most important questions in life: what type of person am I going to be? With a clean slate ahead, we grappled with the uncertainty of our next steps. Colorado had always been in the back of our minds but, it seemed like a distant dream among other life priorities. What was the most practical move? How would we start? Should we find jobs first or pick a location? Should we just move back home? These questions raced through our minds, especially when people would ask every senior’s ‘favourite’ question, “What are your plans after graduation?” The mix of surprise and concern on their faces was almost predictable when we replied, “We’re moving to Colorado, and no, we don’t have any jobs lined up.” Despite the uncertainty, we signed our lease, packed up our college lives, and took our first step into the real world.

Soon, things started falling into place. We managed to find jobs to cover rent, utilities, and food, though there wasn’t much left to spare. Our weekends became adventures as we explored the Denver area, relying heavily on Facebook Marketplace to furnish our first apartment. We were determined to experience everything Colorado had to offer without spending much—luckily, hiking was mostly free besides gas and the occasional permit. 

As two people who had spent four years in Arizona, the sight of deep blue lakes and lush green forests felt like pure magic. Our weekends quickly became the highlight of our week, filled with early mornings, long hikes, and the thrill of exploring new trails. We aimed for lunch at alpine lakes and 14er summits, hiking until snow began covering the paths. Then, we saw the Instagram story we’d been waiting for: Keystone’s Opening Day.

Snowboarding, a passion we discovered in college due to my mom who (thankfully) insisted I give it a try and didn’t take no for an answer, ended up changing my life forever. She generously enrolled me in a private ski lesson day 1 and snowboard lesson day 2 on a trip up to our farm in Wisconsin which has been in our family for generations. With additional family close by in the UP, all the pieces fell into place, and I found myself riding up the ski lift. I quickly gravitated to snowboarding, although I was terrible at both, and all it took was one day on the slopes for life on the mountain to become a priority for us in our next chapter. Birthday trips were spent chasing snow and it was a treat to finally get some of my own gear.

With some savings set aside after the move, we found ourselves in a Burton store on opening day, buying the rest of our gear and heading straight to the mountain. As Midwesterners, day one on the Colorado slopes was humbling. To put it mildly, we sucked. We were like sliding hazards, catching edges unexpectedly in the middle of the run, and careening into trees—or worse, other people. The falls were relentless, and by the end of each day, every muscle screamed in protest. Yet, the challenge was addicting. Much like golf, a single good shot or run keeps you coming back, that little bit of progress was exhilarating and fueled our determination.

Investing in the EPIC pass felt outrageous at first, especially when met with skepticism from our inner circle. “Why do you need the most expensive pass? You’re only going to go a handful of times,” they said. But we were set on proving them wrong. We envisioned ourselves on the slopes every weekend, every holiday, every snowstorm—and sure as shit that’s exactly what we did.

If I had a dollar for every minute spent on a ski lift, I’d be rolling in it. Riding the lifts also meant perfecting the dreaded “small talk,” which always led to the loaded question: “Are you originally from here?” When we answered, “No, we just moved here,” the mood often shifted. While we understood the frustrations of locals, we couldn’t help but think: “I lived around corn for 18 fucking years—would you move there and tell me you love it just as much as Colorado?”

I want to acknowledge that the high cost of living and wage disparity in Colorado is a real problem, as are the pressures on local communities. However, just because someone was born in Colorado doesn’t mean they have the right to shame others for wanting to experience this place’s magic. We came here not to take, but to contribute. We wanted to be part of a community that shares our passion for the outdoors and conservation. 

By January, we were venturing into Vail’s back bowls and discovering hidden spots that felt like our own secret places. Spending all our free time in the mountains shaped our identities and made it clear how we wanted to live the duration of our lives. It was like finding our long lost purpose and it put into perspective what really matters: experiences. But the long drives and traffic on I-70 were unsustainable, and we started to think seriously about finding a home closer to the mountains. This led us to begin our housing search to find an area that would welcome our contribution because we knew we were more than the stereotypical Colorado transplants.

Finding housing near a resort was challenging, and most opportunities came through word of mouth. After a few last-minute failed attempts, we got an offer in the Southwest region that seemed almost too good to be true. Though we had never visited, we took a leap of faith, driven by a mix of determination and a bit of impulsivity. The result? We found ourselves in a home nestled at the base of a mountain, with trails and climbing routes right out our back door. It was a dream come true. 

Fast forward, and we’re now living in a place that feels like paradise. We’ve embraced new hobbies like climbing, canyoneering, and water sports, investing every spare penny in gear for our next adventure. To make things easier on our bodies, we even saved up for a teardrop trailer, allowing us to head out the night before and maximize our time outdoors.

Our families, curious about our new lifestyle, often asked about our adventures, which led to us wanting to share our experiences more broadly. My mom, an adventurer at heart, suggested we inspire others by telling our stories. Thus, Rad Adventures was born—a project aimed at sharing the beauty of the outdoors and how to get started while emphasizing conservation and sustainability.

To many, we may only ever be seen as part of the problem. But as someone who deeply cares about the environment, I hope to offer a different perspective and redefine what it means to be a Colorado transplant. If you’re coming here, bring value to the wilderness. For every step you take, give something back. We take ‘Leave No Trace’ very seriously and have supplemental resources at the link in our Instagram bio to spread awareness on leaving the outdoors better than you found it.

To all my fellow Colorado transplants, remember: being mindful of our presence is essential. When you pack your bags for Colorado, make it an informed decision, rooted in a desire to give back to this incredible place we all love. Please make an effort to educate yourself and continue learning about conservation, sustainability, and leave your ignorance at the door because although you are welcome, those who are ‘takers’ of this scared land we call home, are not. 

As outdoor enthusiasts, we have a unique bond with nature. It’s our playground, our sanctuary, and our responsibility. By adopting sustainable practices and championing conservation efforts, we can ensure that future generations will have the same opportunities to explore and enjoy the wild places we love.

Take action today—whether it’s reducing your footprint, supporting conservation organizations, or spreading awareness. Every step counts. Together, we can preserve the beauty and integrity of our natural world. Let’s make a difference, one adventure at a time.

Share your knowledge about ‘Leave No Trace’ and be a steward of the outdoors!