Performance Tours Rafting

Celebrate Earth Day in Colorado

Earth Day is an annual celebration to demonstrate support for environmental protection and advocacy around the world. The very first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 as a grassroots movement to raise public support and awareness for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The idea for Earth Day was originally proposed by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired to create a day of awareness and service after witnessing damage from the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. By the end of 1970, Earth Day had led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

“On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.” – Earthday.org

As a locally owned whitewater rafting company, our livelihood depends on protecting and preserving Colorado’s beautiful rivers. As residents of Summit County, our happiness is also reliant on the health of the natural world. Whether we’re skinning up Baldy Mountain in our backyard or loading up a boat of guests on the Arkansas River, we are a company committed to protecting the environment. That’s why we put together this list of a few ways you can celebrate Earth Day in Colorado!

1. Go Outside! – The best way to feel connected with the earth is to get outside and experience it! Plan a big hike, go for a bike ride, an outdoor picnic or take the dog for an extra long walk. We recommend spending time beside or on the river to truly “submerge” yourself in nature. 😉
2. Make your 2017 Colorado Adventure Bucket List – April is a great time to start planning your summer adventures. Sit down with your friends and family and make a list of the outdoor activities you must do this year. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to go whitewater rafting on the Royal Gorge or maybe it’s time for you to go horseback riding along the Colorado River! Pick 5 things to put on your Colorado bucket list and make them happen this year!
3. Plant seeds! Green up the world around you by planting on Earth Day. Did you know that over the course its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide? Whether you start a vegetable garden from or plant a tree, the earth and your community will thank you.
4. Town Clean Up Day  Almost every town holds an annual clean-up day. In Colorado, most of these days are held in the spring time, once the snow has melted. Performance Tours has been a family owned Breckenridge rafting company since 1986, and will be participating in the Breckenridge Town Clean Up on May 20. If you’re in the Buena Vista area, join the Buena Vista River Park Clean Up Day on Sunday, April 30 from 12:30 – 2:30pm.