For the love of Creede
By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE- A small mountain town nestled in a valley surrounded by deep forests, high mountain meadows and steep cliffs has become one of Colorado’s ultimate destinations. Creede is a town, rich with history, lore and stories abound. Many have found this place to be an excellent get away, a place where solitude meets adventure and where, when you visit, you find a home away from home.
In the past year Creede has played host for several area conferences, film industries, writer retreats and much more. The town boasts the ability and the resources to make any visiting group feel comfortable and can offer anyone a good time. Businesses, corporations, writers, families and friends have all found something special in the area and have walked away with sweet memories and a hope to return to the area as soon as possible.
After a year of planning and organization, Rural Philanthropy Days kicked off in September of 2015. Creede hosted well over 200 people over three days during the event. Lodging facilities had full beds, restaurants had little room to spare, and Main Street hosted a late afternoon gathering with music, food and camaraderie.
Creede and Mineral County offer excellent locations for anyone looking to have a unique wedding ceremony. The deep forests surrounding the town are full of enchanted settings for a special occasion. Imagine a soft subtle breeze shuffling wedding lace, as vows are promised beneath some of the oldest trees in the state. A sky of purest blue looks down on a green meadow full of mid-summer wild flowers as two families become one. Steep cliffs tower over hidden scenes, hosting services between two people or large family gatherings.
For those seeking the outdoor wedding options in the area, it is best to speak with local residents and qualified staff at the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce for recommendations on locations. The forest service does require a permit for some ceremonies and request that interested parties contact them well in advance for permit applications and regulations. Though the process can take some time, it is rather easy to acquire permits and create a romantically magical ceremony.
Many of the area’s ranches also offer romantic venues. Some offer the seclusion of a private creek, others can grant a cliff side view next to the Rio Grande, and still others can provide cover, tables and chairs. The majority of ranches can offer a unique quality not found elsewhere! Don’t rule out private homes or community facilities; they, too, can offer specialties like a full bar, dance floor and stages with props.
Not only can you tie the knot in one of Colorado’s oldest communities, but visitors find the area wonderful for family gatherings or reunions. The Creede Community Center is located north of town and offers a rare experience. The center is underground with plenty of event space available under rough rock ceilings, long cave-like passage ways and tunnels that lead visitors through the Creede Mining Museum that is located right next door.
The area offers several activities that can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. From enjoying a winter wonderland by taking an exciting snowmobile ride, to a brisk hike in the mountains during summer months, the area can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what age. Even a drive through the historic mining district will allow the chance to reconnect through an enchanting step back in time.
In the last year, Creede hosted yet another filming operation. It’s the little things in life that sometimes bring about the largest, one loose pebble creates a landslide. Creede is not a stranger to film crews of any kind, as the welcoming little metropolis hosted filmmakers, actors and crew during a portion of the filming of Disney’s The Lone Ranger. The destination offers a wide variety of artistic views for the seeking film industry. Enter, Jason Mamoa, owner of Pride of Gypsies Production, wanting to film his first commercial as a producer. The film crews arrived the first week of February 2015 and filmed several outdoor segments including Search and Rescue practices, pond hockey, firefighting and horseback riding. Many local people were used in the filming process! The Carhartt commercial aired several months after production ended and can be seen on YouTube by searching for 2015 Carhartt Force commercial.
No matter what you choose to do in the area, visitors are sure to leave with one thing: memories. Creede is a place that when people leave, they already have plans to return for their next adventure.
