Looking for love? Look no further
As journalists, we get a lot of PR emails. Readers and community members pitch us a wide range of stories, hoping for coverage. Some of those emails include surveys of dubious origin about seemingly random topics. One such email popped up in my inbox this week and caught my eye.
The email proudly declared the top five unexpectedly romantic spots in Colorado, based on a survey of 3,000 respondents, with the Red Rocks Amphitheatre parking lot coming in at number one — followed by the Manitou Incline, Casa Bonita, Union Station and the REI flagship store in Denver, respectively.
Those locations are certainly unexpected, I’ll give them that. Y’all are really out here in the trenches. While there are several unusual and interesting places on this list, I have my own ideas for some spots with romantic potential, if you could call it that.
If you’re looking to find love in a hopeless place, may we suggest:
Phil Milstein Park
Ceremoniously named “Denver’s Worst Park,” you can be guaranteed privacy at this unique outdoor oasis. Bring a picnic and get cozy on the park’s sole metal bench, with the comforting roar of I-25 traffic in the background. The overgrown foliage and lack of grass makes for an excellent backdrop for photos … maybe even engagement photos?
The tunnels under DIA
Get lost in each other’s eyes while also getting lost in the miles and miles of underground tunnels at Denver International Airport. And if you find yourself down there, you really are lost, since the tunnels aren’t open to the public — at least not yet. Put your tin foil hat on and try to spot where the lizard people live, and make sure you don’t miss the defunct baggage system.
Sitting in traffic on I-70
Instead of fighting about which route you should have taken or how you could have managed to leave just a little earlier, soak in the effortless romance of icy windshields, honking and no bathroom breaks in sight. The hours upon hours of traffic allows you and yours to spend meaningful time together, asking thoughtful questions about how the person in front of you managed to get their license and whether or not it’s even possible for this traffic to move any slower.
During the Leadville 100
Nothing says romance like oxygen deprivation and the risk of hypothermia, all while trying to traverse 100 miles at elevation in less than 30 hours. You’ll rest easy knowing that if your partner can love you when you’ve lost control of your bodily functions, they’re probably in it for the long haul. Plus, you’ll bond over your shared masochist tendencies. Bonus points if you both collapse at the finish line at the same time.
The remains of the city park bandshell
It wouldn’t be the first time sparks flew at the City Park Bandshell, which was severely damaged in a fire in March. The charred remains of the bandstand, which had been used as the centerpiece of the free Jazz in the Park concert series for almost 40 years, are the perfect place to overlook Ferril Lake and reflect on how tomorrow is never promised. May your love burn as bright as the flames that engulfed this cultural landmark.